Tarleton-Central Texas becoming Texas A&M University-Central Texas (TAMU-CT)

Released May 27, 2009

AUSTIN-- After many years, the efforts of Senator Fraser, Representative Aycock, and the Central Texas community will culminate in Tarleton-Central Texas becoming Texas A&M University-Central Texas (TAMU-CT). This will provide Central Texas with its first major public university.

This legislative session Senator Fraser and Representative Aycock helped pass legislation that would authorize 25 million dollars worth of tuition revenue bonds to be used for construction of TAMU-CT. Not only was this accomplished, but the University will also receive a small school supplement and an additional six million dollars for operating costs.

Senator Fraser said, "Since I was first sworn in to the Texas Senate in 1997, I have been working to bring upper-level public higher education to this region," Fraser said. "It only makes sense that such a progressive area should have affordable, accessible, high-quality education available to all its citizens. In today's competitive, high-tech market, a quality education is the cornerstone to success."

Representative Aycock stated "This money was critical to the creation of Texas A&M University-Central Texas. I greatly appreciate all the help from the community and Senator Fraser. Our area has needed this university for quite some time and it will have a large economic impact on not only Central Texas but on the entire state of Texas."

On April 30th 2009, the U.S. Army and Texas A&M University System signed an agreement to transfer 662 acres of land for the new TAMU-CT campus. In payment TAMU-CT will provide classroom space for Fort Hood and the Army for the next sixteen years. That same day, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certified the full time student equivalent (FTSE) numbers at 1,204 students for Tarleton Central Texas. This certification has allowed for the name change from Tarleton to Texas A&M to take place.

Texas A&M University Central Texas is expected to begin planning for construction within the next year.

SEN. TROY FRASER represents Senate District 24, District 24, Bell, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Gillespie, Hamilton, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, San Saba and Taylor Counties. He is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce.

REP. JIMMIE DON AYCOCK represents House District 54, Bell, Burnet, and Lamapsas Counties. He serves on the House Appropriation and Education Committees.

Return to all News