After a comprehensive process evaluating affiliation with a university system, including responses and feedback from student, faculty, staff and alumni stakeholder groups, as well as the general public, the SFA Board of Regents voted during its special meeting today to accept the invitation of The University of Texas System to become a member institution.
In addition, the board approved a waiver of its rules regarding selection of the next SFA president so the search can begin under the presidential selection rules of the UT System Board of Regents.
SFA regents thanked all participants in the process, as well as the Nacogdoches community, for their work evaluating system affiliation and the proposals of the four systems SFA was invited to join. Their work began Aug. 22 and culminated in reports to the board on Oct. 30.
“We are excited about the enormous opportunities this affiliation will provide for our students, faculty and staff,” said Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair. “We know that the future of SFA will be enhanced by becoming a member of the leading university system in the country.”
Gantt led the board subcommittee that examined governance, financial and other matters regarding potential affiliation. In addition, she thanked the four systems involved — Texas A&M University System, Texas State University System, Texas Tech University System and The University of Texas System — stating “it has been our honor and privilege to work with these systems and all on their teams and to engage in meaningful and sincere dialogue about opportunities for SFA in their respective university system.”
Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, said UT’s regents and leadership deeply admire and respect SFA’s rich tradition and successful history.
“We are honored and enthusiastic about taking the next steps together in this process with confidence that this union will make each of us stronger,” he added. “Our proposal to SFA outlined our sincere commitment to helping the university build upon its programs, traditions and culture that have made the university unique for nearly a century, while adding resources to help amplify those strengths and ultimately serve more Texans.”
With today’s affiliation announcement, the next step is for SFA and UT System officials to collaborate with legislative leaders on the legislation that will enable this governance change during the upcoming session, SFA’s interim President Dr. Steve Westbrook explained.
“In addition, I will be working closely with system officials over the next few weeks as the search for the next SFA president begins, and I will keep the campus updated on that progress,” he added.
SFA will retain its name, brand and culture.
For more information, visit sfasu.edu/regents and sfasu.edu/system.
