The University
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a public institution of higher education, awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Situated on a coastal island, A&M-Corpus Christi’s modern campus serves a diverse population of more than 8,350 students. The University is a member of The Texas A&M University System.

INSTITUTIONAL VISION AND MISSION
Vision
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to becoming one of the leading centers of higher education in the Gulf of Mexico region while serving the intellectual, cultural, social, environmental, and economic needs of South Texas. As a result, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will invigorate and strengthen the region and state through its educational programs, research initiatives, and outreach efforts.

Mission
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is devoted to discovering, communicating, and applying knowledge in a complex and changing world. The university identifies, attracts, and graduates students of high potential, especially those from groups who have been historically under-represented in Texas higher education. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi prepares students for lifelong learning and for responsible participation in the global community.

INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY
The island campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been a setting for higher education since 1947. That year, Ward Island became the home of the University of Corpus Christi (UCC), an institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The UCC campus was developed on land previously used by the U.S. Navy as a radar training facility.

In 1970, Hurricane Celia severely damaged the college campus. The following year, UCC and the Baptist General Convention took steps to end their affiliation. Concerned about higher education in Corpus Christi, a coalition of civic leaders sought local support as well as state legislation to convert the campus of UCC to a state-supported institution with an expanded curriculum.

In 1971, the 62nd session of the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of a state-supported institution of higher education in Corpus Christi. The Board of Directors of the Texas A&I University System was authorized to establish an upper-level university and to prescribe courses for the new institution at the junior, senior, and graduate levels leading to both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Funding was approved by the legislature to initiate planning for the university. The citizens of Corpus Christi approved a bond issue to purchase the campus of the University of Corpus Christi on Ward Island. Subsequently, the campus was given to the State of Texas as a site for the new state-supported university. Civic leaders in Corpus Christi also launched a successful public fund raising campaign to provide local financial support for the fledgling university. On September 4, 1973, several months after UCC completed its final classes, Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi opened its doors with an initial enrollment of 969 students.

In 1977, the legislature changed the name of the institution to Corpus Christi State University. The name of the university system, which also included Laredo State University and Texas A&I University, was changed the same year to the University System of South Texas (USST).

In 1989, the Texas Legislature abolished the University System of South Texas and merged Corpus Christi State University and the other two USST universities into The Texas A&M University System. In the same year, the legislature approved the expansion of Corpus Christi State University to a four-year comprehensive university, with enrollment of freshmen and sophomores to begin in fall 1994. In 1992, the role of the institution was expanded further when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authorized the University to offer its first doctoral degree program. Another milestone occurred in 1993 when The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents renamed the institution Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The arrival of freshman and sophomore students in 1994 marked the transformation of the institution to a four-year university. The University continues to expand in terms of student enrollment and program offerings. In 2005, student enrollment grew to 8,365. Program offerings in the five academic colleges include 38 undergraduate degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, and 4 doctoral programs.

CAMPUS FACILITIES
Located on its own 240-acre island, the University features modern classroom buildings, support facilities, and student apartments. Surrounded by the waters of Corpus Christi and Oso Bays, the campus is approximately ten miles from downtown Corpus Christi. Plazas, landscaping, and sculptures enhance the island campus.

Mary and Jeff Bell Library
The Mary and Jeff Bell Library is the University’s major resource for research and study. The Library houses a collection of approximately 1.1 million books, bound periodicals, microforms, and government publications, and maintains subscriptions to over 2,800 serials and research sets in paper and microform formats. In addition, the Library provides electronic access to thousands of electronic journals, newspapers, and other library resources. Strong media collections and significant collections of South Texas books and archival materials provide unique resources for scholars.

Librarians assist individuals in locating, using, and evaluating information resources that support and enhance curriculum and research. Librarians also instruct classes in the use of information resources in specific subject areas. Librarians review resources and services regularly to ensure that both collections and services meet changing curricular needs and support the development of new academic programs.

The Special Collections and Archives Department houses a collection of rare books and archives dealing primarily with the life, history and culture of Corpus Christi and South Texas as well as other books and manuscripts that require special housing and handling. These materials are available to individual students, university classes, and researchers under special and appropriate conditions within the department.

Other specialized collections include the State Adopted Textbook Collection, which includes curriculum guides and serves as a laboratory facility for students in the teacher education program. The Library is also an authorized depository for both federal and state publications. As a depository the library provides the university and general public with access to government information in many formats.

The Library actively participates in national, state, and regional networks, commercial information services, area library agreements and interlibrary loan arrangements that provide access to materials not available on the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus. Through the statewide TexShare cooperative library program, students and faculty have borrowing privileges at many other academic and public libraries in Texas.

Computing Resources
Student computing facilities at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are part of the campus network. Computer laboratories available for student use are located in the library and several other buildings. Various types of personal computers, such as Macintosh, RISC, and PC type; full-page scanners; laser printers; and graphic stations make up the laboratory machinery. Most computer laboratories are open over 85 hours per week, and are staffed with student lab assistants who provide support in various programs. The laboratories are equipped with a wide range of software applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets, graphics programs, programming languages, and specialized software applications that support individual classes. Internet access and e-mail are available for university students either on or off campus. Wireless access is available. Remote access to the network is provided through dial-in facilities and the World Wide Web. Students are afforded assistance by training classes, computer help sheets, and a helpdesk.

Student Services Center
Located in the round building near the center of campus, the Student Services Center houses the Office of Admissions and Records, the Office of Financial Assistance, the Office of Enrollment Management, the Business Office, the Academic Testing Center, Academic Advising Transition Center, and other units serving students.

Classroom Facilities
Classroom facilities are found in the Center for Instruction, Center for the Sciences, Science and Technology Building, Center for the Arts, and Corpus Christi Hall. Many teaching areas include state-of-the art audio-video and computer equipment.

Visual and Performing Arts Facilities
The Performing Arts Center features a 1500-seat concert hall where local, national, and international artists perform. The Center for the Arts houses the Warren Theatre (a 275 seat, continental style auditorium), the Wilson Studio Theatre (an experimental theatre), and the Weil Gallery. Also affiliated with the University is the South Texas Institute for the Arts, an art museum located in downtown Corpus Christi.

University Center
The University Center provides facilities and services for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University. The 98,000 square-foot center contains student services offices, including the Office of Student Affairs; space for student organizations and student activities; food services and commons area; the bookstore and other shops; the campus post office; a branch bank and automatic teller machine; study lounges; meeting rooms; and entertainment areas.

Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science
The Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science houses research laboratories and provides research and professional development for surveyors, science education and surveying related research.

Carlos F. Truan Natural Resources Center
University programs and state agencies focusing on natural resources are housed in the Carlos F. Truan Natural Resources Center, as is the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

Harte Research Institute
This research facility houses the endowed Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, whose mission is to support and advance the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

Blanche Davis Moore Early Childhood Development Center and Math and Science Resource Center
The Blanche Davis Moore Early Childhood Development Center serves as a public school for area children and as a university teaching laboratory and research center. Children attending the school are selected from a stratified random sample. The adjacent Math and Science Resource Center addresses the nation-wide shortage of math and science teachers through programs for teachers and students.

Other Facilities
The Moody Sustainers Fieldhouse and Gymnasium includes a full size gym with locker and dressing facilities and four racquetball/handball courts. Adjacent to the gym are a 25 meter swimming pool and lighted playing fields.

The Glasscock Fitness and Wellness Center, which is open to students, faculty, and staff, features a free weight area, weight machines, cardiovascular equipment, a Wellness Resource Area, two aerobic studios, and a game room.