About The System - History
The Texas State University System has a long and illustrious history in Texas. It is the oldest and third largest higher education system in Texas. Beginning as an administrative means to consolidate the support and management of state teacher colleges, the System has evolved into a network of higher education institutions stretching from the Texas–Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of far West Texas.
Today eight System components offer a broad range of academic and career pathways. Throughout the System, you will find professionals committed to preparing students for working and contributing to an increasingly global society. The academic and professional programs offered will help them learn to make sound decisions in life and become contributors in their communities.
Each university, college and institute within The Texas State University System is unique in its own way and is highlighted within this website. Additional literature is available from each institution, and contact information is referenced within each section featured.
The Texas State University System is governed by a nine member Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. In addition, a nonvoting student regent is appointed annually to the Board. The administration, which is headed by a board-appointed Chancellor, is based in Austin where it provides support to the System components and state government.
System enrollment: 64,000
System total operating budget for fiscal year 2008: $794 million
System total state appropriation for fiscal year 2008: $349 million
Historical Highlights
| 1879 | Sam Houston's Austin Hall, completed in 1852, is the oldest continuously-used state-owned higher education facility west of the Mississippi |
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| 1879 | Sam Houston State created by Legislature as Sam Houston Normal Institute |
| 1899 | Southwest Texas created by Legislature as Southwest Texas Normal School |
| 1911 | System created by Legislature to control and manage the four state normal schools |
| 1917 | Sul Ross created by Legislature as Sul Ross State Normal Institute |
| 1923 | Name of System changed from State Normal Schools to State Teacher Colleges |
| 1949 | North Texas State, now the University of North Texas, given independent board of regents, separated from System |
| 1963 | Angelo State created from San Angelo Junior College and added to System |
| 1969 | Three of System components (East Texas State, Stephen F. Austin, West Texas State) given independent boards of regents, separated from System |
| 1973 | Uvalde Center created as upper-level division of Sul Ross, now known as Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College |
| 1975 | System's name changed from State Senior College System to Texas State University System |
| 1995 | Lamar University components added to System by Legislature |
| 2005 | Board of Regents select Charles R. Matthews as Chancellor |
| 2007 | Angelo State transferred from System by Legislature |
