The University of Texas at San Antonio

On June 5, 1969, the University of Texas at San Antonio was established as a coeducational institution of higher learning in Bexar County. The Texas legislature mandated that it be a university of the first class and offer degrees as are granted at leading American universities. In 1970 the University of Texas System Board of Regents appointed the first president, Arleigh B. Templeton (1970–72), and accepted a land donation of 600 acres for the university site in northwest San Antonio. The university's master academic and organization plan was approved in 1971. It consisted of twenty-seven undergraduate and fifteen graduate degree plans in five multidisciplinary colleges. The first deans were Richard Adams, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dora Grossenbacher, students; William C. Lindley, Division of Continuing Education; E. D. Hodo, College of Business; Jacinto Quirarte, College of Fine and Applied Arts; Bernard P. Sagik, College of Sciences and Mathematics; Joseph Michel, College of Multicultural Studies; and Tomás Rivera, associate dean of the College of Multicultural Studies.

The initial development of the university occurred in two phases. The first phase, approved in 1972, was the construction of seven academic, administrative, indoor athletic, and service facilities, which were completed between 1973 and 1976. The university began admitting graduate students in June 1973 and held classes at the Koger Center, a temporary off-campus location, where the administrative offices were located. In 1975 the programs moved to the newly completed campus, and in 1976 the first freshman class was admitted. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the graduate program in 1974 and the undergraduate program in 1977. The second phase of development, construction of an academic building, arts annex and laboratories, and outdoor athletic facilities, was completed between 1978 and 1981. In 1982 the academic program was restructured into four colleges, and an engineering division was added. A university center and a privately built, university-managed residence hall were planned in 1982 and completed in 1986.