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Leave Your Legacy & Transform the UTRGV Experience
Transforming the UTRGV Experience
Referendum
If you were given the chance to leave a lasting legacy in your community, would you seize the opportunity? As students, this is YOUR opportunity to leave a legacy, create traditions, and positively impact the university experience of future students and alumni.
UTRGV is looking to create a vibrant campus experience and enhance school spirit by expanding spirit programs and by adding football, marching band, and women’s swimming & diving programs. Bringing these programs to UTRGV will have positive ripple effects that will be felt throughout the university and the Rio Grande Valley for years to come.
However, we need your vote on this. The Student Government Association will host a university-wide voting process called a referendum. Stay informed by attending their townhall events on the topic.
How Will This Be Funded?
Intercollegiate Athletics Fee Increase
An intercollegiate athletics fee increase of $11.25 has been proposed to fund the programs. If the student body approves it, the fee increase will become effective starting Fall 2022.
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will seek additional funding to support the programs through fundraising, public and private partnerships, ticket sales, and revenue generated through the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Will My Tuition and Fees Increase?
Current students continuing enrollment in their current level will NOT be impacted by the fee increase until Fall 2025.
The intercollegiate athletics fee increase will ONLY impact:
- New incoming students starting Fall 2022.
- Graduating students who return for another degree starting Fall 2022.
Take a look at these student scenarios to better understand how the fee increase will impact students.
Financial Assistance for Students
UTRGV was recently ranked No. 1 in the country among national public universities for lowest student debt by U.S. News & World Report. We remain committed to keeping your tuition and fees affordable:
Starting in Fall 2022, the Tuition Advantage program will increase its funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students with a family income of $100,000 or less.
Tuition and fees are capped at 12 or more hours for undergraduates, which means that students who enroll for 12, 15, or 18 hours per semester pay the same tuition amount.
Over 51% of UTRGV students that receive financial assistance have no out-of-pocket expenses due to having their tuition and mandatory fees fully paid for by grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.
Benefits
Student Involvement
Nearly 500 new opportunities for student involvement will be created. These include student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, dance team members, and expanded opportunities for student managers, student athletic trainers, and student media.
School Spirit
Enhanced school spirit throughout the Rio Grande Valley with the creation of marching band and expansion of spirit program opportunities for students in Brownsville and Edinburg.
The proposed programs will benefit UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley communities for years to come:
You may be asking yourself – why now? After an initial football feasibility study that was concluded in August 2017, UTRGV leadership recognized that starting a football team would be beneficial to the university and the Rio Grande Valley, but it wasn’t the right time. At that time, UTRGV was focused on fulfilling the needs of a brand-new institution.
Today, UTRGV has established itself as a global innovator in higher education and an institution that inspires positive change. The time is right.
This is the next logical step for UTRGV as it would bring immense opportunities to our students and the Rio Grande Valley community.
The Time is Right
Leaving Your Legacy
Now is your turn to embrace your legacy! UTRGV students will have the opportunity to participate in a university-wide voting process called a referendum.
The referendum is intended to be an open and transparent process that allows UTRGV students the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the funding of the new marching band, football, women’s swimming & diving, and expanded spirit programs.
The voting polls will be located on campus and online from November 8 to 10, 2021.
Remember that your decision will be an investment in UTRGV's future.
"I remember throughout high school that sports always brought a sense of belonging and unity within the student body. Sports are a way to explore campus life, make friends, and bring out the best in someone including yourself. Adding these new programs to UTRGV will definitely help the student community become better bonded together. It is in times like these that we need to be there for each other and support one another and what better way to do it than by spicing up our UTRGV spirit?"
Olivia Rodriguez
Senior Biology Major
Donna, TX
“The camaraderie formed in a marching band is magical. At a university level, this won’t only create opportunities for leadership but create a positive culture that will elevate professional standards for both staff and students.”
Jhonatan Padron
Class of '15 Alumnus & Former Pep Band Member
Edinburg High School Assistant Band Director
Access to Athletic Events Across the RGV
We can #RallyTheValley by increasing access to athletics for students and alumni located around the Rio Grande Valley.
UTRGV Athletics is committed to working together with entities across the Rio Grande Valley by hosting athletic competitions, camps, and clinics across various locations.
The football team will play games in Brownsville and Edinburg. The university will provide transportation for home games to both locations.
The marching band and spirit programs will likely become a mainstay at athletic events, parades, and other events Valley-wide.
The swimming & diving team will practice and compete at the brand-new Pharr Natatorium.
UTRGV students will receive FREE admission to all home football games and swimming & diving competitions with their student ID.
A student referendum is a campus-wide student vote for the purpose of recommending approval of proposal(s).
An increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee of $11.25 has been proposed to fund the programs starting in Fall 2022. The fee increase will affect new students starting Fall 2022 and current students outside of UTRGV's Guaranteed Tuition and Fees window.
Currently enrolled students will not be impacted by the fee increase until 2025 if they are still enrolled in their current level (e.g. undergraduate, graduate).
Remember that UTRGV covers the cost of tuition and fees for students that qualify for the Tuition Advantage program. Starting in Fall 2022, the Tuition Advantage program will increase its funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students with a family income of $100,000 or less.
A women’s swimming and diving team was recommended by the UTRGV Gender Equity Working Group and the UTRGV Athletics Council as one of the top four women's sports for consideration at UTRGV.
Swimming and diving has strong roots in the Rio Grande Valley and would allow UTRGV to create opportunities for about 40 women. Additionally, UTRGV has partnered with the City of Pharr so that the team practices and competes at the brand-new Pharr Natatorium.
The NCAA has made several rule changes in recent years to make football safer, including banning helmet-to-helmet contact and targeting, moving kickoffs back to the 35-yard line to reduce high collision contacts, and requiring two-point conversions starting with the second overtime to end games faster and reduce the potential for fatigue-related injuries.
About 72% of concussions in college football from 2015-19 occurred during practice, and nearly half of those were during preseason training. This information, along with the considerable runway before a UTRGV football team would take the field, gives us time to consider how to best structure training to significantly reduce the risk of concussions. This includes teaching kids how to tackle differently to avoid head injuries.
The NCAA requires team physicians and athletic trainers to have unchallengeable autonomous authority to determine medical management and return-to-activity decisions, including those pertaining to concussion and head trauma injuries, for all student-athletes. This means that our athletic trainers and team doctors from UT Health RGV are focused on what’s best for the health of our student-athletes and no one will ever be rushed back onto the field.
If the referendum passes, the fee increase will be implemented during Fall 2022.
- Fall 2024 - Expanded spirit programs
- Fall 2024 - First year of competition for swimming and diving
- Fall 2025 - First year for marching bands
- Fall 2025 - First year of competition for football
For questions, please email rallythevalley@utrgv.edu.
Latest News
Valley Central - Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021
KURV - Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
KRGV - Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
Telemundo40 - Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
KRGV - Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
MyRGVNews - Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021
MyRGVNews - Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021
KRGV - Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021
Increase the intercollegiate athletics fee by $11.25 starting Fall 2022.
The fee increase will ONLY affect new incoming students and current students who graduate and return for another degree starting Fall 2022.
UTRGV is ranked #1 in the U.S. in lowest student debt among public universities due to programs like the Tuition Advantage grant.
Create nearly 500 new opportunities for student involvement and boost the local economy by creating more job opportunities.
Increase the intercollegiate athletics fee by $11.25 per credit hour capped at 12 credit hours.
Fee increase will ONLY affect new incoming students starting Fall 2022 and current students outside of the Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program.
UTRGV is ranked #1 in the U.S. in lowest student debt among public universities due to programs like the Tuition Advantage grant.
Create nearly 500 new opportunities for student involvement and boost the local economy by creating more job opportunities.
El Nuevo Heraldo - Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021
La Verdad - Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021
The Rider - Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021
SBNation - Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021
MyRGV - Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021
Economic Impact
Significantly boost the local economy and create more job opportunities for UTRGV students and alumni. According to an economic study conducted by the UTRGV Data and Information Services Center, excluding construction impacts, the addition is projected to create 144 jobs and generate $8.1 million in labor income as part of a total economic impact of $13.2 million.
As for the impact to the university, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics contributes about $6.5 million to UTRGV by paying for scholarships, housing, dining, and other services for student-athletes on campus. The addition of the football and swimming & diving programs will increase athletics’ contribution to the university to over $10.5 million.
For more information, check out our current programs:
For more information, check out our current programs:
Will My Tuition and Fees Increase?
The increase of the intercollegiate athletics fee will only affect new incoming students starting in Fall 2022 and current students outside of UTRGV’s Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program. Currently enrolled students will not be impacted by the fee increase until 2025 if they are still enrolled in their current level (e.g. undergraduate, graduate).
This means that, unless you are at the end of your guaranteed tuition and mandatory fees window, your tuition and mandatory fee rates will NOT increase. You can learn more about UTRGV's Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program here.
When do I have to start paying the fee?
Spring 2017
Spring 2022
Spring 2023
Spring 2016
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2023
Fall 2022
Fall 2024
Spring 2018
Spring 2019
Spring 2020
Spring 2021
Start Date
Starting Spring 2026
Starting Spring 2023
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
When do I have to start paying the fee?
Summer 2017
Summer 2022
Summer 2023
Summer 2016
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2023
Fall 2022
Summer 2018
Summer 2019
Summer 2020
Summer 2021
Start Date
Fall 2024
Starting Summer 2026
Starting Summer 2023
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
When do I start paying the fee increase?
Fall 2016
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Fall 2015
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2023
Fall 2022
Fall 2017
Fall 2018
Fall 2019
Fall 2020
Fall 2024
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
Gerardo started at UTRGV in Fall 2018 and plans to graduate BEFORE Fall 2025. Since Gerardo will still be under the Guaranteed Tuition and Fees window, the intercollegiate athletics fee increase will not apply to him. Whether Gerardo plans to enroll for 3, 6, 9, or 12+ credit hours, he will pay $0 above the current intercollegiate athletics fee in Fall 2022 and throughout his time at UTRGV.
Gerardo Hernandez
Current Student – Will graduate BEFORE Fall 2025
Fee Increase will NOT apply
Marisol graduated from UTRGV and decided to return for a new degree in Fall 2022. Since the degree program now follows a new Guaranteed Tuition and Fees window, the intercollegiate athletics fee increase will apply to her starting in Fall 2022. If Marisol plans on taking 12 credit hours, she will pay $135 above the current fee. If she decides to instead enroll in 6 credits hours, she will pay $67.50 above the current fee.
Marisol Ruiz
Marisol Ruiz
Current Student – Will graduate Spring 2022 & return for another degree
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2022
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2022
Current Student – Will graduate Spring 2022 & return for another degree
Ana started at UTRGV in Fall 2018 but will graduate AFTER Fall 2025. Since she will no longer be under the Guaranteed Tuition and Fees window in Fall 2025, the intercollegiate athletics fee increase will apply to her. If Ana plans on taking 12 credit hours in Fall 2025, she will pay $135 above the current fee. If she decides to instead enroll in 6 credits hours, she will pay $67.50 above the current fee.
Jared plans to enroll in 12 credit hours in Fall 2022. Since he is an incoming student, the intercollegiate athletics fee increase will apply at $135 above the current fee. If Jared decides to instead enroll in 9 credit hours, then the fee will apply at $101.25 above the current fee.
Jared Smith
Incoming Freshman/Transfer Fall 2022
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2022
Jared Smith
Incoming Freshman/Transfer Fall 2022
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2022
Ana Garcia
Current Student – Will graduate IN or AFTER Fall 2025
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2025
Ana Garcia
Current Student – Will graduate IN or AFTER Fall 2025
Fee Increase of $11.25 per hour will apply starting Fall 2025
Student Scenarios
Voting takes place
Sign-up here to receive a reminder:
Nov. 8 to 10
FAQs
What is a student referendum?
A student referendum is a campus-wide student vote for the purpose of recommending approval of proposal(s).
Will the focus on expanding spirit and athletics programs redirect financial resources from academic and academic support programs?
No. The funds that will be used for the new and expanded programs will come from the increased intercollegiate athletics fee and revenue secured by UTRGV Athletics through fundraising, public and private partnerships, ticket sales, and NCAA and Western Athletic Conference-generated revenue. Tuition, general education, and state funds that are used for academic and academic support programs cannot be used for intercollegiate athletics.
How will the programs be sustained?
The estimated annual operating expenses of a Division I FCS football program are $5 million. A swimming & diving team is expected to cost about $700 thousand annually. Annual expenses associated with the marching band and expanded spirt programs are estimated at $325 thousand. A portion of these expenses will be funded by the $11.25 per credit hour increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee. The remaining funds will be secured by UTRGV Athletics through fundraising, public and private partnerships, ticket sales, and NCAA and Western Athletic Conference-generated revenue.
How will this affect my tuition and mandatory fees?
An increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee of $11.25 has been proposed to fund the programs starting in Fall 2022. The fee increase will affect new students starting Fall 2022 and current students outside of UTRGV's Guaranteed Tuition and Fees window.
Currently enrolled students will not be impacted by the fee increase until 2025 if they are still enrolled in their current level (e.g. undergraduate, graduate).
Remember that UTRGV covers the cost of tuition and fees for students that qualify for the Tuition Advantage program. Starting in Fall 2022, the Tuition Advantage program will increase its funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students with a family income of $100,000 or less.
What is the UTRGV Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program?
Tuition and fee rates for undergraduate students and traditional graduate students are locked in for four years and accelerated graduate student rates are locked in for two years. This means that, unless you are at the end of your guaranteed tuition and fees window, your tuition and fee rates will NOT increase. You can learn more here.
How will this fee help foster student involvement?
The expansion of spirit groups and the addition of marching band, football, and swimming & diving programs will create nearly 500 opportunities for student involvement.
Why was women’s swimming & diving chosen?
A women’s swimming & diving team was recommended by the UTRGV Gender Equity Working Group and the UTRGV Athletics Council as one of the top four women's sports for consideration at UTRGV.
Swimming & diving has strong roots in the Rio Grande Valley and would allow UTRGV to create opportunities for about 40 women. Additionally, UTRGV has partnered with the City of Pharr so that the team practices and competes at the brand-new Pharr Natatorium.
What about health & safety?
The NCAA has made several rule changes in recent years to make football safer, including banning helmet-to-helmet contact and targeting, moving kickoffs back to the 35-yard line to reduce high collision contacts, and requiring two-point conversions starting with the second overtime to end games faster and reduce the potential for fatigue-related injuries.
About 72% of concussions in college football from 2015-19 occurred during practice, and nearly half of those were during preseason training. This information, along with the considerable runway before a UTRGV football team would take the field, gives us time to consider how to best structure training to significantly reduce the risk of concussions. This includes teaching kids how to tackle differently to avoid head injuries.
The NCAA requires team physicians and athletic trainers to have unchallengeable autonomous authority to determine medical management and return-to-activity decisions, including those pertaining to concussion and head trauma injuries, for all student-athletes. This means that our athletic trainers and team doctors from UT Health RGV are focused on what’s best for the health of our student-athletes and no one will ever be rushed back onto the field.
What happens if the referendum passes?
If the student referendum passes, then it will go out for approval by the UT System Board of Regents.
When would the new programs start?
If the referendum passes, the fee increase will be implemented during Fall 2022.
Fall 2024 - Expanded spirit programs
Fall 2024 - First year of competition for swimming and diving
Fall 2025 - First year for marching bands
Fall 2025 - First year of competition for football
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
For questions, please email rallythevalley@utrgv.edu.
Fee Impact Per Starting Semester
Due to UTRGV’s Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program, the intercollegiate athletic fee increase won’t impact current students. The tables on the side explain how the fee increase will apply to students based on the semester that they started at UTRGV.
For example, if a student started at UTRGV in Fall 2018, the student will not pay the increased fee if they graduate before Fall 2025. If the student graduates in or after Fall 2025 and returns for another degree, then the fee increase will apply to the student.
Click on the tables to enlarge.
Take a look at these student scenarios to better understand how the fee increase will impact students.
Will My Tuition and Fees Increase?
Current students continuing enrollment in their current level will NOT be impacted by the fee increase until Fall 2025.
The intercollegiate athletics fee increase will ONLY impact:
- New incoming students starting Fall 2022.
- Graduating students who return for another degree starting Fall 2022.
Due to UTRGV’s Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program, the intercollegiate athletic fee increase won’t impact current students. The tables on the side explain how the fee increase will apply to students based on the semester that they started at UTRGV.
For example, if a student started at UTRGV in Fall 2018, the student will not pay the increased fee if they graduate before Fall 2025. If the student graduates in or after Fall 2025 and returns for another degree, then the fee increase will apply to the student.
Student Scenarios
When do I have to start paying the fee?
Fall 2016
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Fall 2015
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2023
Fall 2022
Fall 2017
Fall 2018
Fall 2019
Fall 2020
Start Date
Fall 2024
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
When do I start paying the fee increase?
Fall 2022
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2024
Fall 2023
Spring 2016
Spring 2017
Spring 2018
Spring 2019
Spring 2020
Spring 2021
Spring 2022
Spring 2023
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
Starting Spring 2023
Starting Spring 2026
When do I start paying the fee increase?
Fall 2022
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Fall 2024
Fall 2023
Summer 2016
Summer 2017
Summer 2018
Summer 2019
Summer 2020
Summer 2021
Summer 2022
Summer 2023
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
Starting Summer 2023
Starting Summer 2026
The Rider - Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
The Rider - Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
RGV Sports - Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021
Valley Central - Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021
Valley Central - Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021
RGVSports - Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021
Watch Next
What is the referendum?
If I vote Yes on the referendum, will I have to pay more in tuition and fees?
How will I personally benefit if the referendum passes?
How will my vote affect funding for future UTRGV priorities?
Does voting yes for the referendum take funds away from other areas of the university?
MyRGVNews - Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
MyRGV - Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
Valley Central - Friday, Nov. 12, 2021
MyRGVNews - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
The Rider - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
KURV - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
KRGV - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
MyRGVNews - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
Valley Central - Friday, Nov. 12, 2021
KURV - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
The Rider - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
KRGV - Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
Student
UT System
Expanded Spirit Programs
First Year of Competition for Swimming & Diving
First Year for Marching Band
First Year of Competition for Football
Board of Regents
Tentative Timeline
- Expanded access to athletics throughout the Valley, as the football team plans to play in Brownsville and Edinburg with marching bands performing, and the swimming & diving team will compete in the new natatorium being built in Pharr. Free transportation will be provided for students to home football games on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Students will receive free admission to all home football games and swimming and diving competitions.
- Nearly 500 new opportunities for student involvement, with more spirit program members, football and swimming & diving student-athletes, and marching band participants. Opportunities will also include student athletic trainers, student managers, and other student employment positions.
- Enhanced school spirit and pride on our Brownsville and Edinburg campuses and throughout the Valley with performances by our marching band and expanded spirit program.
- Increased UTRGV's enrollment and additional funding for the University, not only through tuition but also through formula funding which determines state allocations.
- Local economy boost and more job opportunities for UTRGV students, alumni, and community members.
Fall 2024
Fall 2024
Fall 2025
Fall 2025
Vote
These are few of the benefits that UTRGV students and the Rio Grande Valley community will enjoy:
Thank you for supporting the expansion and creation of new programs at UTRGV!
This is a major step forward for UTRGV and our goal of transforming campus life – and it was all made possible by your vote!
“This is an exciting time for our students, who have made the choice to enhance the UTRGV experience for our campus community and for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Their support to expand and create new programs will amplify the campus spirit and leave a lasting legacy for future Vaqueros and alumni. I want to thank all students who exercised their right to vote; the Student Government Association for conducting a respectful and professional referendum process; Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa and Chasse Conque for sponsoring the referendum on behalf of the university; and all our students, faculty, and staff who helped to provide information regarding the referendum to our campus community.”
Dr. Guy Bailey
UTRGV President