McAllen Quick-Look Assessment Implementation

Conduct a Presidential Focus Session to articulate a vision for the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) and follow with clear tasking to the McAllen Tiger Team — HECM Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost of Texas A&M, Deans’ representatives, Texas A&M Interim COO, Texas A&M AVP for Facilities and Energy Services, Texas A&M Health Interim COO and Vice President (VP), Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO), VP for Planning, Assessment and Strategy and VP for Student Affairs.

• Lead: Susan Ballabina
• Deadline: Jun. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: Complete. The HECM leadership and task forces have all been formed and continue to make progress with next steps of the QLA. The HECM AVP and COO will keep the OOP and Chief of Staff apprised of progress via the QLA Status Updates going forward.
  • May 10: An initial strategy focus session was held on April 30 to define next steps and action items going forward for the Higher Education Center at McAllen vision and Tiger Team. The VP for Planning, Assessment and Strategy will follow up with the president to determine what updates need to be made to the McAllen Quick-Look Assessment Report, decisions, and leads. The next focus session will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
  • April 12: Focus sessions have been scheduled.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead a task force with Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE), Marketing and Communications (MarComm) and Technology Services representatives to establish a timeline and milestones for transitioning HECM staff to report locally in a unified structure under the direction of the HECM AVP and COO. This task force will also examine the HECM leadership structure to ensure appropriate leads over major areas (e.g., Student Affairs, MarComm) report directly to the HECM AVP and COO.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: Jul. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Aug. 9: The task force recommendations are under review by the president.
  • June 21: The task force has developed recommendations that are under review by the president.
  • May 10: The task force has been formed and efforts are underway to develop recommendations, a timeline and milestones for transitioning HECM staff to report locally.
  • April 12: On April 8, the HECM AVP and COO circulated an email to leadership at the main campus requesting their participation as members of the task force. Efforts are underway to coordinate the initial meeting. The HECM AVP and COO has conducted initial conversations with the HROE and Technology Services leads in anticipation of the larger task force conversation. Effective April 1, the HECM MarComm lead will report directly to the HECM AVP and COO.

The Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost will form a committee of the faculty in McAllen, and with college leadership in College Station, to address the reporting structure for faculty that includes a matrix approach for issues that need to be handled locally, such as course offerings and scheduling. This committee will develop a recommendation that clearly identifies the lead and required authorities for academic and academic support issues in McAllen. The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Chief Academic Officer (CAO) should report directly to the EVP and Provost and have a dotted line responsibility to the HECM Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). We should consider an academic program lead for each college represented at the HECM.

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Deadline: Jul. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Sept. 13: The following recommendations were made by the committee on July 1, 2024, and have been approved by the Provost. Each item requires a small team to develop an approach and tactical structure to implement these items at both HECM and College Station to ensure faculty, staff and students are served well at both locations: Improve communication from local administration on faculty processes; maintain some local oversight but involve faculty with local context in evaluations; consider joint appointments for HECM faculty with local and departmental input; provide funding for College Station faculty to visit McAllen for evaluations and coordination; implement dedicated onboarding and orientation for new faculty in McAllen; and include HECM representation in faculty hiring committees.
  • Aug. 9: The committee made additional recommendations which are under review by the Provost.
  • June 21: The committee submitted a proposal for a new administrative structure for Arts and Sciences faculty at HECM. This proposal is under consideration by the Provost.
  • May 10: The committee has been formed and the first meeting was held in early May. Leadership has also visited with College of Arts and Sciences department heads who have faculty in McAllen to collect some initial information to anticipate needs and outcomes. It should be noted that because faculty input is so critical for this aspect of the Quick-Look Assessment, the final outcome will likely be delayed through the summer.
  • April 12: The discussions to identify leadership for this group have begun. It should be noted that because faculty input is so critical for this aspect of the Quick-Look Assessment, the final outcome will likely be delayed through the summer.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will form and lead a task force with the Texas A&M Interim COO, Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost representatives to develop the HECM Master Plan for presidential and System review/approval.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: Jan. 1, 2025
• Status:
  • Nov. 11: The Campus Master Plan discussion advanced with workshops held oin Oct.and Nov.r to initiate conversations on the campus’s design. For Building 3, a Program of Requirements (POR) kickoff was held in College Station on Nov. 7, with a follow-up meeting to be scheduled before the end of the year. Regarding Building 4, approval from TDEM was granted, and a kickoff workshop was held on Oct. 23.  A second workshop is being planned, with FEMA’s involvement anticipated by January 2025. 
  • Oct. 11: The firm of Ayers Saint Gross continues to make considerable process in the development of the Comprehensive Master Campus Plan and is on track to have a draft report available for review by the end of November. The Project Development Form for Building No. 3 was presented to the Executive Facilities Council on September 12th and approved to move forward with the POR process. And as it relates to Building No. 4, the application has been approved by TDEM to move forward with submission to FEMA and a kickoff meeting is scheduled to take place on Oct. 23 to determine next steps.
  • Sept. 13: The firm of Ayers Saint Gross has been engaged to assist in the development of a Comprehensive Master Plan, to include recommended space allocation for Building No. 3. The kick-off meeting took place at HECM on Aug. 6, with a final report due in Dec. Emphasis will be placed on meeting legislative intent, addressing student needs, creating multi-use space and addressing future growth projections for faculty and staff.
  • Aug. 9: The firm, Ayers Saint Gross, was selected through the Request for Qualifications process to assist in the development of the Comprehensive Master Plan. A kick-off meeting has been scheduled and the scope remains consistent in including a comprehensive plan, with an emphasis on facility planning and academic growth, and a projected report completion date of Dec. 6, 2024.
  • June 21: A Request for Qualifications related to HECM’s Comprehensive Master Plan has been posted and proposals have been received and reviewed. Interviews were scheduled for June 25 with final selection and projected engagement in July. The scope of the project will include a comprehensive plan with an emphasis on facility planning/academic growth and a projected completion date of Dec. 6, 2024.
  • May 10: On April 16, the task force members — EVP and Provost, Interim COO, Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Success, Chief of Staff and AVP for Texas A&M Health, Texas A&M Health Facilities Manager and the HECM AVP and COO — met to discuss next steps, and consensus was reached in moving forward with the RFQ process related to the creation of a comprehensive master plan, to include future academic growth and facility planning. The task force also requested that current HECM students be surveyed to determine their preferences regarding study space, congregation/lounge space, dining services and dorm facilities. The survey to the students was sent out on April 30, and the task force will reconvene within the first two weeks of May.
  • April 12: On April 8, the HECM AVP and COO circulated an email to academic, administrative and operational leadership at Texas A&M’s main campus requesting their participation as members of the task force. Efforts are underway to coordinate the initial meeting. Discussions continue with Facilities and Energy Services related to the engagement of a firm to assist in the development of the Master Plan.

Comprehensive and Campus Master Plans, as well as related policies and processes, must reflect that Higher Education Center at McAllen(HECM) facilities management is under the HECM Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). The HECM AVP and COO, Texas A&M Interim COO, Texas A&M Health Interim COO and Vice President (VP), and Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost will coordinate on the process to identify these requirements.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: Jan. 1, 2025
• Status:
  • Dec. 9: A status report regarding the Comprehensive Master Plan was provided to the Executive Facilities Committee on November 12, 2024, and approval was received to complete the project.   The second Comprehensive Master Plan workshop was held at HECM on November 19, 2024, attended by representatives from College Station and HECM.  The final workshop is scheduled at HECM on December 18, 2024, and we anticipate a final draft plan will be ready for internal review by the end of December 2024. Additionally, the formal POR process for building #3 kicked off on November 7, 2024, A second meeting at HECM is being coordinated and all programs are being encouraged to participate.
  • Oct. 11: Please refer to updates related to Organizational Structure and Facilities update.
  • Aug. 9: Please refer to updates related to Organizational Structure and Facilities update.
  • June 21: Please refer to updates related to Organizational Structure and Facilities Update.
  • April 12: On April 8, the HECM AVP and COO circulated an email to academic, operational and administrative leadership at Texas A&M and Texas A&M Health requesting their participation as members of the task force. Efforts are underway to coordinate the initial meeting.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and HECM Assistant Provost will coordinate to identify the responsible office/individual to oversee course and classroom scheduling.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: Complete. The HECM Assistant Provost, who will oversee the course and classroom scheduling, has been hired with an anticipated start date of Aug. 1. An announcement is forthcoming.
  • May 10: Interviews have been completed and the goal is to have the HECM Assistant Provost position filled by the end of May.
  • April 12: The individual designated to oversee the course and classroom scheduling will be the HECM Assistant Provost. Interviews for the position are underway.

The Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs will form a task force with deans and the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Assistant Provost to develop the recommended faculty mix at the HECM and options for graduate programs and resulting teaching assistants and/or graduate assistants.

• Lead: N.K. Anand
• Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: The committee has been formed and the first meeting was hosted May 9. Leadership has also visited with department heads in the College of Arts and Sciences who have faculty in McAllen to collect initial information to anticipate needs and outcomes. While there will be faculty representation on this group, there will also be a staff presence, allowing work to continue over the summer.
  • May 10: The task force has been created and one meeting has been held. Further discussions are underway to develop recommendations related to student career and graduate school planning. The next task force meeting is scheduled for May 21.

The Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost will establish a task force to review core curriculum delivery options for the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) students, to include face-to-face and remote delivery, as well as faculty and space requirements to execute the plan.

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Deadline: Oct. 15, 2024
• Status:
  • Sept. 13: The committee determined that courses in McAllen should match the quality of those in College Station. The committee proposed online courses from College Station be streamed to McAllen students with a separate course section in Howdy to avoid additional fees for students. If no instructor is available in McAllen, an instructor from College Station can teach online in emergencies, with McAllen students meeting in a classroom with a tutor/facilitator. A consistent course schedule is needed for better planning, and local in-person tutoring should be available for online or distance courses. This proposal is under consideration by the Provost, the affiliated Deans, and the HECM AVP and COO. 
  • Aug. 9: The committee determined that courses at HECM should match the quality of those in College Station. The committee proposed online courses from College Station be streamed to HECM students with a separate course section in Howdy to avoid additional fees for students. If no instructor is available at HECM, an instructor from College Station can teach online in emergencies, with HECM students meeting in a classroom with a tutor/facilitator. A consistent course schedule is needed for better planning, and local in-person tutoring should be available for online or distance courses.
  • May 10: The committee has been formed and the first meeting was held in early May. Leadership has also visited with College of Arts and Sciences department heads who have faculty in McAllen to collect some initial information to anticipate needs and outcomes. While there will be faculty representation on this group, there will also be a staff presence, allowing work to continue over the summer.
  • April 12: The task force leadership has been identified and is being established. While there will be faculty representation on this group, there will also be a staff presence, allowing work to continue over the summer.

The Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs will lead a task force with college and the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) representation to develop recommended faculty workload and professional advancement options/recommendations for HECM faculty.

• Lead: N.K. Anand
• Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • May 10: The task force has been created and one meeting has been held with an initial sentiment that faculty workload issues are best handled by colleges and schools who have programs at HECM. The next task force meeting is scheduled for May 21.

The Space Allocation Plan should address the needs for student spaces being a priority in the third building. The recommendations and decisions from that planning effort must be included in Comprehensive and Campus Master Plans.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Oct. 11: No Update. Ayers Saint Gross continues their work on comprehensive master plan with a projected completion date of Dec. 31 We will continue to provide input and support for this project as requested by HECM leadership.
  • Aug. 9: Please see updates referenced in Facilities Planning 1 and 4.
  • June 21: Please see updates referenced in Facilities Planning 1 and 4.
  • April 12: The task force listed under Facilities Planning No. 1 and 4 will address this recommendation.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will submit proposed staff additions for community engagement to the Strategic Budget Council for consideration.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Aug. 9: The recommendation to create the position of Assistant Director of Recruiting Success is under review by the Strategic Budget Council. If approved, this position will be responsible for community and industry outreach, reporting to the HECM Director of Student Affairs with a dotted line to the main campus.
  • June 21: The recommendation to create the position of Assistant Director of Recruiting Success is under review by the Strategic Budget Council.
  • May 7: Leadership held discussions regarding proposed staff additions to support career services. The recommendation is to create an Assistant Director of Employment Services position with the responsibility for community and industry outreach. This position will require approval by the Strategic Budget Council prior to its posting. The goal is to receive budget approval and complete the hiring process for the new position to be filled prior to the fall 2024 semester.
  • April 12: On April 11, the HECM AVP and COO convened a meeting with the HECM Executive Director, HECM Executive Assistant, Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness lead and Student Affairs lead to discuss the need for additional staff to assist in community engagement. The team will meet next Thursday to draw a consensus and make a recommendation.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will work with the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost to develop recommendations for student career and graduate school planning support at the HECM. The recommendations will be submitted to the Strategic Budget Council for consideration.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Aug. 9: Recommendations are under review by the president.
  • June 21: Discussions regarding recommendations for student career and graduate school planning are ongoing.
  • May 10: Upon the successful hiring of HECM's new AP, further discussions and appropriate strategy will be made with the Office of the Provost to develop recommendations for student career and graduate school planning support.
  • April 12: On April 11, the HECM AVP and COO met with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs regarding a HECM faculty representative to participate as a member of the team.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will coordinate with the Vice President for Student Affairs and HECM Assistant Provost to develop a phased proposal to expand HECM Student Affairs support to include student affairs staff, global engagement, disability services, mentoring/tutoring program support, etc. The proposal will be submitted to the Strategic Budget Council.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: Recommendations are under review by the Strategic Budget Council.
  • May 10: The task force was formed and discussions are underway to finalize the proposal for consideration by the Strategic Budget Council.
  • April 12: On April 8, the HECM AVP and COO circulated an email to main campus and HECM representatives requesting their participation as members of the task force. Leadership for the Division of Student Affairs has requested additional members of the team be added, and scheduling of the initial meeting is underway.

The Texas A&M Vice President (VP) and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMO), in coordination with the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will lead development of a comprehensive marketing and recruiting plan for HECM, which includes specific recommendations on staffing support. The staffing request will be submitted through the Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to the President for consideration.

• Lead: Ethan Braden
• Deadline: Jun. 1, 2024
• Status:
  • Dec. 9: A recurring meeting schedule has been established with the newly formed committee. The committee consists of HECM administration, Demand Marketing staff and recruitment leadership from the College Station campus. This committee is led by Lindsay Gasek, director of demand marketing within the Division of Marketing & Communications. The committee is set to meet on the third Thursday of each month. The committee’s goal is to create plans and procedures that integrate McAllen into the overarching recruitment and communications strategies and a timeline will soon follow for deliverables. Demand Marketing & Analytics is currently analyzing the audience data to help inform the focus of their first discussion.
  • Oct. 11: To address the strategic marketing and recruitment needs of the Higher Education Center at McAllen, a committee is being formed that includes HECM administration, Demand Marketing staff, and recruitment leadership from the College Station campus. This committee will be led by Lindsay Gasek, director of demand marketing within the Division of Marketing & Communications.
  • Oct. 11: At this time, there is no significant new information from the last report.
  • Sept. 13: At this time, there is no significant new information from the last report.
  • Aug. 9: Leadership from the undergraduate recruitment team, along with the AVP and COO of HECM, have been regularly meeting to discuss recruitment strategies. The Director of Recruitment Marketing, a member of the central MarComm team, will begin attending these meetings this month. Simultaneously, the central MarComm team is working on an extensive brand development project culminating in a distinct, insight-based, professional grade brand platform and comprehensive marketing campaign for the university, launching in early 2025. Broad campus and branch campus and remote site involvement are critical to this project's success. The two extensive projects are being developed in concert with one another to develop a comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan for HECM that is in line with the marketing campaign for the university.
  • June 21: The central marketing and communications team is working on an extensive brand development project and comprehensive marketing campaign for Texas A&M University, launching in early 2025. Because this project is actively in development, combined with the recent restructuring within the division, this assignment remains on hold until the university-wide campaign is launched to ensure consistent and specialized messaging for the HECM is established along with other factors such as key metrics that ladder up to the overall goals established as part of the comprehensive university campaign.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead the development of a unique value proposition for prospective students in collaboration with Marketing and Communications and Texas A&M Office of Admissions. The final product will be shared with the entire HECM team, as well as Texas A&M leadership, and must be included in the comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan for the HECM.

• Lead: Manny Vela
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • May 10: Completed. Representatives from admissions, marketing and communications and the HECM AVP and COO met and recommend the following statement as a unique value proposition: “The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen provides a world-class educational experience founded on Texas A&M’s unique core values and traditions in a supportive college community that embraces the rich culture and spirit of South Texas.” From this, a comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan will be developed to promote the HECM.
  • April 12: On April 10, the HECM AVP and COO met with the admissions team at the main campus to initiate discussions regarding this recommendation. The group will reconvene April 18 to review the initial draft.

The Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will coordinate with the Texas A&M Associate Vice President (AVP) for Scholarships and Financial Aid to provide an analysis and recommendations regarding increasing the Aggie Assurance Program for the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) up to at least $125K. Options and recommendations will be submitted to the Strategic Budget Council.

• Lead: John Crawford
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: Complete. The Executive Vice President and Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Associate VP for Scholarships and Financial Aid, VP and Chief Financial Officer, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer have discussed options and recommendations. All agreed to move forward with increasing the Aggie Assurance Program for the HECM to $125,000. Any increase in costs will be funded from existing funds within the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of the Provost.
  • May 10: Based on the analysis completed in April, the Executive Vice President and Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Associate VP for Scholarships and Financial Aid, VP and Chief Financial Officer, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer have discussed options and recommendations. The options and recommendations are being drafted for submission to the Strategic Budget Council for consideration.
  • April 12: An analysis has been completed resulting in an estimated increase in annual cost of $175,000 based on current enrollment numbers. Complicating how this increase might be funded is the uncertainty in how awarding of aid shifts with the FAFSA changes for the 2024-2025. Further discussions regarding options and recommendations are ongoing.

The Texas A&M Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will review any issues in McAllen contracting processes and determine if recent changes in processes in College Station have resolved those concerns. Those results will be reported to the Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President.

• Lead: John Crawford
• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Status:
  • June 21: Complete. A memo summarizing findings following the collaborative meeting with the Division of Finance and HECM has been shared with the president.
  • May 10: On April 18, the AVP and University Contracts Officer, HECM AVP and COO and team met via Zoom to discuss HECM contracting processes. Discussion revolved around overall contracting and procurement processes and intentional use of AggieBuy to enter and track contracts and purchase orders through the process. Links to Quick Reference Guides showing various processes for using AggieBuy were provided and training has been offered to HECM business administrators with dates TBD after conclusion of the spring 2024 semester. In addition, this meeting established a direct connection between the two offices in which they could continue to reach out to each other as issues arise. A memo to the HECM AVP and COO and President is being drafted to summarize the findings.
  • April 12: The Division of Finance Business Services unit has reviewed McAllen contract history and has initiated discussions with the COO to determine and address any concerns.

Explore naming options for the Higher Education Center at McAllen to better describe and market the university academic and administrative functions in McAllen, particularly as it relates to required standards that must be met for any naming convention according to both the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Status:
  • Sept. 13: Work continues to build on the August update.
  • Aug. 9: A small task force, including experts and representatives from HECM and College Station leadership, MarComm, faculty, and the university’s accreditation process have been charged with presenting recommendations and options to the President and Provost by November 1, 2024.

In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer in McAllen, update market research and review with academic colleges on the appropriate mix of degree program offerings in McAllen. This analysis should include job demands in the Rio Grande Valley, a focus of 75 percent of students starting in McAllen finishing their degree in McAllen and the appropriate use of distance education within academic offerings in McAllen. offerings in McAllen.

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Status:
  • Sept. 13: Work continues to build on the August update.
  • Aug. 9: The university has signed an agreement for the creation of a Campus Master Plan with a due date of January 1, 2025. That work has started and is ongoing.The university is gathering and analyzing data to research and review the demand of degree programs in McAllen. This analysis is ongoing and preliminary findings have been received by a small group of College Station and McAllen leadership.

Explore and recommend retention and student success initiatives that can be implemented at McAllen to ensure the majority of students succeed and are retained in McAllen through completion, including exploration of opportunity-based models and apprenticeship-based programming.

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Status:
  • Sept. 13: Work continues to build on the August update.
  • Aug. 9: This work has started and is being led cooperatively out of the Office of the Provost and McAllen. Preliminarily, an analysis of initiatives and their success rates has started.

Review current financial aid options for McAllen students. In addition to the potential expansion of Aggie Assurance to $125K income levels, consider unique cost of attendance budgets specific to the region as well as elimination of additional distance education course fees.

• Lead: Alan Sams
• Status:
  • June 21: Complete. The university has approved the expansion of Aggie Assurance at HECM to $125,000 income levels as of April 29, 2024. Other items in this task will be considered and updated in the future.

Establish a long-range business plan with revenue and expense estimates based on enrollments in each academic program offered in McAllen along with appropriate milestones for achieving specific enrollment targets and benchmarks. The business plan needs to include faculty and staff needs by program, including core curriculum support, and anticipated plans for facilities and infrastructure with anticipated return on investments.

• Lead: John Crawford
• Status:
  • Dec. 9: Please refer to updates related to HECM Organizational Structure, Facilities Planning, Academic Needs, and Conduct Market Research and Determine Best Mix of Academic Program Offerings. TAMU Finance and HECM will be meeting after the first of the year to ensure there is alignment between the long-term business plan and the soon to be completed campus master plan.
  • Oct. 11: Please refer to updates related to HECM Organizational Structure, Facilities Planning, and Academic Needs. Current financial information from the academic programs at HECM has been received and consolidated. Hanover Research has completed work to update the Market Opportunity Scan for bachelor’s degree programs. The report is under review and information will be worked into the business plan.
  • Sept. 13: Please refer to updates related to HECM Organizational Structure, Facilities Planning, and Academic Needs. Current financial information from the academic programs at HECM has been received and consolidated. Hanover Research has begun work to update the Market Opportunity Scan for bachelor’s degree programs with a report expected in Sept.
  • Aug. 9: Please refer to updates related to HECM Organizational Structure, Facilities Planning and Academic Needs. Work continues to gather current financial information from HECM and the colleges/schools with academic programs operating at HECM. Hanover Research is planning to begin work on updating the Market Opportunity Scan for bachelor’s degree programs in August. To kick this off, a meeting was held August 2, 2024, with Hanover Research and leadership from HECM and College Station to discuss what is needed in the report. Next step is for Hanover Research to write up a scope of work and for TAMU to sign off, then work will begin. The TAMU COO , CFO and Deputy CFO have scheduled a visit to HECM September 12-13, 2024, for planning meetings with HECM leadership.

In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer in McAllen, explore a partnership with FEMA that might yield student recreational space in a shared-use facility as a low-cost solution for the campus.  

• Lead: John Crawford
• Status:
  • Dec. 9: A meeting with TAMUS, TDEM, HECM, and TAMU personnel was held December 5, 2024, to update HECM and TAMU on the current status. Weekly check-in meetings are scheduled to address any issues that may arise. Currently awaiting communication from FEMA regarding any additional information needed for the application.
  • Nov. 11: A meeting with TAMUS, TDEM, the eight TAMUS institutions pursuing saferoom projects, and TAMU personnel was held in Oct. regarding next steps, program management, reporting and other training.
  • Oct. 11: The university received word Sept. 30 from TDEM that the application for the saferoom in McAllen was chosen and advanced to FEMA for review. A tentative meeting has been scheduled with TDEM and university staff working on this project in late Oct. regarding next steps, program management, reporting and other training.
  • Sept. 13: A programming firm was engaged to conduct a feasibility study considering the following: FEMA structural requirements and timelines, cost benefit analysis, optimizing available funding sources and coordination across The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). The study was received Aug. 30 and submitted to TAMUS. The team is awaiting further direction from TAMUS and TEDM.
  • Aug. 9: TAMUS and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) convened a meeting July 31, 2024, for a status update and to discuss next steps in the process. The priority next step is to engage a programming firm to conduct a feasibility study with a two-week turnaround time, considering: FEMA structural requirements and timelines, cost benefit analysis, optimizing available funding sources and coordination across the Texas A&M University System. The timeline is to receive the programming study and formally submit the System projects to FEMA in August.

In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer in McAllen, develop a plan for how to create a student center in McAllen, including space for student activities, student study spaces, and student support functions (libraries, tutoring, etc.). The proposed plan should primarily focus on immediate needs that can be addressed in the third building, but also consider long-term options as the campus expands / identify when space in the third building will be insufficient based on enrollment growth.

• Lead: Joe Ramirez
• Status:
  • Aug. 9: Several members of the Division of Student Affairs team visited HECM in July to discuss current and planned infrastructure. There was a focus on addressing short-term space needs while planning for future expansion. The meeting highlighted the necessity of enhancing student services and facilities, such as academic and recreational facilities, health and well-being services and career support. Challenges such as transportation and technology access were acknowledged, with discussions around addressing commuter needs and exploring partnerships for transportation solutions. The meeting concluded with a clear focus on refining the HECM Master Plan to align with student needs and expectations. Next steps include reviewing student feedback, refining plans for buildings and services and engaging with stakeholders to ensure that the campus development meets the evolving needs of the student population.