The University of Texas at Tyler Employee Handbook

HISTORY OF UT TYLER

The University of Texas at Tyler was created in 1971 and became a component of The University of Texas System in 1979, as a result of action by the 66th Texas Legislature. Originally established as an upper-level university, UT Tyler’s mission was expanded in 1997 when the 75 th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1795 authorizing it to offer classes for freshmen and sophomore students. Governor George W. Bush sighed the bill into law on May 26, 1997.UT Tyler was created as Tyler State College in 1971 by the 61st Texas Legislature and was renamed Texas Eastern University four years later by the 76th Texas Legislature.The University of Texas at Tyler is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Correspondent status was conferred in December 1972 with membership approved by December 1974. Accreditation was reaffirmed in 2000 for the standard term of ten years. As a component institution of The University of Texas System, UT Tyler is subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System.