Texas A&M University System
| File:Texas A&M University System seal.png | |
| Type | State university system |
|---|---|
| Established | 1948[1] |
| Endowment | $8.73 billion (Systemwide)[2] |
| Chancellor | John Sharp |
| Students | 131,000 |
| Website | tamus.edu |
The Texas A&M University System is a state university system in Texas and is one of the state's six independent university systems.
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units and a comprehensive health science center. A&M System members educate more than 131,000 students and reach another 22 million people through service each year. With more than 28,000 faculty and staff, the A&M System has a physical presence in 250 of the state’s 254 counties and a programmatic presence in every one. In 2012, externally funded research expenditures exceeded $783 million to help drive the state’s economy.
The System's flagship institution is Texas A&M University.
Component institutions
Each of the 21 members of the A&M System has its own mission, history and goals. The oldest institution and founding member of the A&M System is Texas A&M University, established in 1876. Many of the member universities and agencies joined the A&M System decades after being established. Together, they strive to provide educational programs, outreach and community enhancement services as well as research that will improve the lives of people in Texas and beyond. Its flagship institution is Texas A&M University.
Agencies
With a direct presence in all 254 Texas counties, A&M System agencies offer research and service to the state's citizens. The agencies focused on addressing and improving the social, economic, educational, health and environmental conditions of Texans.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research (website)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (description, website)
- Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (description, website)
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (description, website)
- Texas A&M Forest Service (description, website)
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute (description, website)
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (website)
Health Science Center
The Texas A&M Health Science Center is a premier assembly of colleges devoted to educating health professionals and researchers of extraordinary competence and integrity. Its faculty, staff and students are united by a belief that all people – regardless of ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, or culture – deserve the benefits of compassionate care, superior science and exceptional health education.
Established in 1999, the HSC reaches across all parts of Texas through its six components: Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry at Dallas; the College of Medicine at College Station and Temple; the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Dallas, College Station and Houston; the Institute of Biosciences and Technology at Houston; the School of Rural Public Health at College Station; and the latest addition, the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy at Kingsville. Southern regions of the state also are further served by the Coastal Bend Health Education Center, which covers the 19-county region surrounding Corpus Christi and Kingsville, and the South Texas Center at McAllen.
The HSC received full accreditation in December 2002 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees. Its components are accredited by accrediting organizations specific to their areas.
The Health Science Center in 2013 was merged into Texas A&M University proper and is no longer an independent institution.
Academic units
- Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry (Web site)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine (Web site)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Web site)
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology (Web site)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy (Web site)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health (Web site)
Regional centers
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center (Web site)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center South Texas Center (Web site)
Governance and administration
The System is governed by a nine member Board of Regents. Each member is appointed by the Governor of Texas for a six-year term and the terms overlap (all terms end on February 1 in odd-numbered years and in those years 1/3 of the regents' terms expire, though a regent can be nominated for another subsequent term).
In addition, a tenth "student regent" (non-voting member) is appointed by the Governor for a one-year term.
The responsibilities of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents are to:
- Oversee the administration and set policy direction for the System’s 11 universities, seven state agencies and health science center;
- Ensure a quality undergraduate and graduate education experience for all students;
- Promote academic research and technology to benefit the state of Texas and the nation;
- Disseminate programs of the A&M System across the state through outreach and public service efforts; and
- Support the state legislative and higher education leadership to position Texas at the forefront of higher education nationally.
In addition to the Board of Regents, System governance is also assisted by the System Executive Committee. The Texas A&M University System Executive Committee provides the chancellor with assessment, advice and recommendations on issues within the A&M System and the System Offices. The 14-member committee may also aid the Board of Regents in implementing and overseeing strategic plans and policies as they relate to the system. The Texas A&M University System chief executive officers serve the chancellor and Board of Regents through their leadership in developing the overall strategic planning of the A&M System’s 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units and health science center and ensuring their sustained performance to the maximum benefit of the state of Texas and the nation.
References
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". The Texas A&M University System.
- ^ As of February 14, 2014. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2013 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2012 to FY 2013" (PDF). 2013 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
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