Massive expansion planned for UTSA's downtown campus

New president hopes to triple enrollment numbers in 15 years

SAN ANTONIO – The University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus is expected to undergo a transformation in the near future President Taylor Eighmy announced Monday.

Spriester Sessions: Interview with UTSA President Dr. Taylor Eighmy

The campus, which was built 20 years ago on the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and I-10, has since helped transform the near West Side from a sleepy community to a thriving part of the city.

Enrollment numbers have been dropping in recent years, currently standing at about 4,500. But Eighmy hopes his plan to help triple the number of enrolled students will change that.

“We have the bones of what we need now and we have property we can develop,” Eighmy said. “Within 10-15 years we're going to want to be up at 15,000 students and be a completely residential campus.”

He also hopes to add key programs to the campus, which currently has education, architecture and public policy by adding cyber science, urban education and a school of entrepreneurship.

Hundreds of students present research projects at UTSA

He’s also looking to organize block courses to make it easier for students who commute from the main campus to the downtown.

“We are going to become more relevant to the downtown area, more accessible and inclusive to our population,” Eighmy said.

There will be progress in the next five to 10 years, with a completion of the expansion expected in 15 years.

Current students are getting behind the plans although they won’t be around to benefit from it.
Sophomore Anthony Hernandez thinks adding dorms is a great idea.  

New president wants UTSA to be 'San Antonio's university'

“Everything about this place is getting better,” he said. “I like this campus a lot.”

Eighmy said additional enrollment will help pay for the expansion. He’ also exploring the idea of partnering up with private companies to conduct research for them to fund the plans.


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Patty Santos joined the KSAT 12 News team in July 2017. She has a proven track record of reporting on hard-hitting news that affects the community.