Texas A&M Board of Regents
approve plan for additional buildings on
Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marilu Reyna or Jillian Reddish
E-mail: marilu.reyna@tamusa.tamus.edu or jreddish@tamusa.tamus.edu
Phone: (210) 326-0003 or (210) 784-1103
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
SAN ANTONIO — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved a plan for two new buildings for Texas A&M University-San Antonio as part of the FY 2012-2016 System Capital Plan during their meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 9, 2012. The additional space will support the on-going growth of its student body and its academic programs. Texas A&M-San Antonio has experienced over 156% growth since fall 2008, and today enrolls over 3,600 students.
“It is critical that we support the academic mission of this campus by creating the proper infrastructure for planned growth,” noted Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.
The plan calls for an Academic Building at 170,750 gross square feet (gsf) and a 20,000 gsf Patriot’s Casa, a unique building dedicated the University’s military student community. Over 11% of Texas A&M-San Antonio’s student body is self-identified as veterans. The Patriot’s Casa will be the first of its kind in the country as a stand-alone building designed to provide a space to guide veterans and their families through the transition from military life to higher education and into the civilian workforce ready to begin new careers.
The Central Academic Building will offer multiple floors of classrooms, lecture halls and an auditorium with a focus on encouraging student interaction. Space will be provided for various student services, student lounge areas and an “Opportunity Mall/Hall” for events and club activities. A cyber café and food court are also planned with wireless Internet throughout.
“As the fastest growing university in the Texas A&M University System, we are thrilled to move forward on these much-needed facilities to support our student enrollment,” said Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, president of Texas A&M-San Antonio. “We are excited to provide a place for learning and engagement that will continue to reflect the culture, diversity and historic architecture of San Antonio in these new, iconic facilities.”
Local architecture firm Kell Muñoz was chosen as the designer of the University’s next two buildings, and Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, another local firm known for a focus on higher education, was chosen as Construction Management-at-Risk.
Construction is expected to commence later this year and the buildings will open for classes 18-24 months after breaking ground.
###