Last Thursday, UTRGV hosted events in observance of Earth Day at the same time on both campuses.
Earth Fest was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and advertised exhibits, arts, crafts, food and activities on the Chapel Lawn in Edinburg and the Student Union lawn in Brownsville.
The celebration on the Edinburg campus offered tree planting from 10 to 11 a.m.; yoga at 12:30 p.m.; a presentation on crimes against nature from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the fourth annual Food Security Forum from 1 to 7 p.m.
Although the same activities were advertised from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. last Thursday, the events were different.
Earth Fest on the Edinburg campus carried out as planned with activities starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m.
The event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. last Thursday on the Brownsville campus started an hour late, only four organizations attended and there were no exhibits, arts, crafts or food as advertised.
We would like to note that there was an event offered Saturday at Linear Park in Brownsville advertising similar activities from 3 to 9 p.m. Why were these not offered on campus?
Earth Day celebrations at legacy institution UT Brownsville would have dozens of on- and off-campus organizations, including Gladys Porter Zoo, Keep Brownsville Beautiful and the Sierra Club.
Both Earth Fests scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. last Thursday were promoted as similar, but our photos show two completely different events.
The Rider staff members on the Brownsville campus checked during various times between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for any developments.
None occurred.
This is not the first time a concern is raised regarding different accommodations among the campuses.
Students have voiced their displeasure with differences on events, services and the number of courses offered at each campus since UTRGV opened in 2015.
While the situation with inconsistencies among campuses may have improved a bit, the university continues to promote the idea of “two campuses, one university.”
This is not the case.
Several events, such as Earth Fest, were advertised as the same thing, but were not.
If it were not for the Student Government Association’s efforts last fall, University Library hours would have remained different on both campuses, with the facility in Edinburg closing at a later time.
Events where student-athletes are scheduled to appear on the Brownsville campus, such as the Homecoming Tip-Off Party, did not deliver.
However, several student-athletes did attend the Vaquero Olympics on the Brownsville campus the next day, but did not interact with any other students.
We know because we were there.
Other Athletics events that did not deliver were the Watch Parties at Buffalo Wild Wings in Brownsville, mainly because they just disappeared all of a sudden.
University officials and organizations might argue that they don’t get enough participation from students on the Brownsville campus.
If that is the case, why would events, such as Earth Day celebrations at UTB, which had one-fourth of the enrollment UTRGV has now, attract hundreds of students?
We are not saying UTRGV officials or organizations do this on purpose. We’re saying they are not addressing the issue effectively.
It’s been three years, UTRGV. Get on the ball.
