A Historical Analysis of The Texas A&M University System’s San Antonio Campus Initiative

Abstract

Higher education continues to remain elusive for a significant portion of eligible students in Texas. With the rise in cost for tuition and fees and the decrease in funding by the state government, more students are left to seek access to institutions that are close to home. In many instances, those types of institutions do not exist. This research is an historical analysis of one person’s effort to establish an institution of higher education in a location that would serve a segment of society who has been practically ignored by those who would advocate for equal access and equal opportunity. The research is vital in understanding the course of actions, decision making processes, and identifying various stakeholders needed to establish additional institutions of higher education in Texas in places where higher education is currently unavailable.

The study utilized qualitative inquiry and interpretive phenomenological analysis to develop major themes of the historical analysis of The Texas A&M University System’s San Antonio campus initiative.

The findings of the study indicate that there was a whole host of stakeholders who participated in the decision making processes to establish a new institution of higher education on the south side of San Antonio. The analysis of the research material indicates that there was a strong perception that key individuals felt that they were largely responsible for the development of TAMUSA. While some argued against adding another public institution of higher education, the study showed that Texas will have to find a way to make higher education more available and affordable to reach a growing minority population if the state is going to compete in the global marketplace.