University of Texas at Tyler


The University of Texas at Tyler is a public university in Tyler, Texas. Founded in 1971, it is a part of the University of Texas System.
UT Tyler consists of five professional colleges and one traditional college of arts and sciences, offering over 90 academic degree programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. The University of Texas at Tyler is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university had a fall 2017 student body enrollment of 10,527, a 20:1 student to faculty ratio, and a park-like campus centered on Harvey Lake.

History

The University of Texas at Tyler was founded in 1971 as Tyler State College. The school was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975, and then joined the University of Texas System in 1979 as a result of action by the 66th Texas Legislature. Initially, UT Tyler was a "senior" level institution, teaching only upper division undergraduate courses for juniors & seniors, as well as graduate level courses, and granting bachelor's and master's degrees. Thus, until 1998, all U.T. Tyler students were transfer students from other institutions of higher learning—junior colleges or other universities. In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1795, signed into law by Governor George W. Bush, authorizing the school to add classes for freshmen and sophomore students. As of the Fall semester 1998, UT Tyler became a 4-year and graduate institution, following the full U.S. university pattern, i.e. educating students from the freshman level through graduate and postgraduate levels.

Academics

The university's majors include Nursing, Education, Business, Communications, Biology, English, History, Industrial Technology, Industrial Management, Music, Economics, Health & Kinesiology, Computer Science and Information Systems, Psychology, and Engineering. UT Tyler offers doctoral studies in nursing, pharmacy, and human resource development.
The university also offers a selective four-year honors program for high-achieving undergraduate students of all majors.

Campus

UT Tyler's main campus is located on, just inside the eastern city limits of Tyler, Texas The UT Tyler campus is more than 40 years old, with a modern, master-planned and integrated architectural style of buildings. Because of vigorous growth in enrollment, many new buildings and sports facilities have been constructed at the main campus since 1996.
One of the most prominent features of the UT Tyler campus is the Riter Tower, an instrument featuring 57 bells. The tower was built with a $1.35 million gift from Mr. and Mrs. A.W. "Dub" Riter Jr. The bells are played with an electronic keyboard connected at sites in the music department, the administration building, or at the base of the tower.
The Herrington Patriot Center includes a state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio-theater and circuit training, racquetball courts, heated pool and spa, indoor walking/jogging track, and gymnasium/convocation area with basketball/volleyball court and seating for 2,300.
The 2,000 seat R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center attracts a wide array of cultural entertainment, and 26,000 patrons attend the performances annually.
On-campus housing options include one dormitory, Ornelas Hall, and four apartment complexes, Patriot Village, Eagle's Landing and The Reserve which are owned by UT Tyler, and University Pines, which is owned by an outside company but is on university land and works in conjunction with the university.

Activities

UT Tyler offers over 80 student organizations including Greek fraternities and sororities.
UT Tyler competes in the Lone Star Conference of the NCAA's Division II. As of the 2019–20 school year, the program is in the second of a planned three-year transition from Division III. Both the men's and women's sports teams are referred to as the Patriots.
The school does not have a football program.
UT Tyler participates in the following fifteen sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field, while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
Since 2005, UT Tyler student-athletes have won 29 American Southwest Conference Championships, 29 ASC East Division championships, made 32 team appearances in the NCAA postseason and had 26 students earn All-America or Academic All-America Honors.
As of July 2017, the school was considering a move to Division II as a part of a strategy to be a more significant player in the region, possibly building a new athletic campus in the process.
On February 2, 2018, the school formally applied for Division II status; if approved, full membership would begin on September 1, 2021. No conference affiliation was initially announced. After the NCAA approved UT Tyler to begin the transition process, UT Tyler would be announced as a new member of the Lone Star Conference effective with the 2019–20 school year.

Notable alumni