University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa noted progress on the projects slated to directly impact South Texas including a regional medical school and independent UTB at a UT System meeting Thursday.

The UT System Board of Regents heard the first annual report on the plan Cigarroa presented one year ago. The Rio Grande Valley figures significantly in several components of UT Systems extensive undertaking known as A Framework for Advancing Excellence.

The UT System board also approved an incentive plan for university presidents, including University of Texas at Brownsville President Juliet V. Garcia.

The futures of our children and our grandchildren are at stake, Cigarroa wrote in his letter opening the progress report. How do we make higher education more accessible and affordable to an increasing number of students? How do we produce more doctors, nurses and health professionals and improve the quality of health care in Texas?

Part of the answer, Cigarroa wrote, is a team effort that includes not only UT System campuses, but experts and consultants, too.

Incentive plan

How well UTB transitions into an independent university could be a factor in a potential bonus for President Garcia based on the incentive plan the UT regents approved Wednesday. Administration executive officers also fall under the plan.

In 2011, Garcias salary was $304,179, and within that contract she also received a one-time merit award of $32,272.

View post:
Regents discuss medical school, bonuses for admins