Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies A Center of Excellence at The University of Texas at Brownsville an

1. Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies A Center of Excellence at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

2. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES “Thirty Years in the Making” In 1977 Texas Southmost College founded, The South Texas Institute of Latin and Mexican American Research” and began the publication of:“The Borderlands Journal” which was published from 1977 to 1986. A review of the names published in The Borderlands Journal reads like a who’s who of border scholars. Just beginning their careers in the 70s, many are now senior researchers and administrators. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

3. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

4. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

5. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES In 1998, UTB/TSC hosted the XVI Border Governor’s Conference. At its close President Garcia voiced concern that one very important initiative was yet to be accomplished at UTB/TSC. “UTB/TSC needs a center for border research.” “UTB/TSC is strategically located at the southeastern end of the 2000 mile long U.S.-Mexico border, and as such, must establish a formal component for the study of the Border.” The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

6. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES In 1998 The Division of External Affairs began to support and underwrite activities, which while not formally border studies, focused in that direction. Working with renowned Texas entrepreneur George Kozmetsky the founder of IC² at UT Austin, the Cross Border Institute for Regional Development (CBIRD) was founded in 1999 but did not have a funding line in the budget and was initially supported by External Affairs. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

7. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

8. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • Significant CBIRD papers 1999-2007 • Cameron County/Matamoros Benchmarking Report, 216p., 2003 • Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition Report, 56p., 2002 • Buena Vida Barrio Report, 83p., 2003 • Closing the Gaps Dialogue, 8p., 2002 • Brownsville Affordable Housing Report, 55p., 2004 • Port Isabel Economic and Historic Study, 59p., 2005 • A Policy Analysis On the Proposed Impact to Brownsville, Texas as Described in the Environmental Impact Statement for Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of Tactical Infrastructure, Rio Grande Valley Sector, Texas. 2007 • http://blue.utb.edu/cbird/utb-tscfpageformat/homereports.htm The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

9. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • The Creation of the • Texas Border Center for Economic and Enterprise • Development (CEED) at UTB/TSC • The 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2001 • HB323: An Appropriation $250,000 per year became the initial funding model for CBIRD/CEED. • Develop and manage an economic database concerning the Texas-Mexico border • Perform economic development planning and research • Provide technical assistance to industrial and government entities and; • Coordinate economic and enterprise development activities of state agencies to ensure that the economic needs of the border are integrated within a comprehensive state economic development plan. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

10. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES In 2007 External Affairs along with the UTB/TSC Library Archivist began the establishment of formal relationships between UTB/TSC and the Association of City Historians in Mexico called “Cronistas.” Additionally, talks began between UTB/TSC and the State Archivists of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila as well as with their public universities. UTB/TSC supported the 3°ColoquioInternacional del NoresteMexicanoy Texas studying border history and culture held in Matamoros with an invited session taking place at UTB/TSC. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

11. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

12. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES As a result of UTB/TSCs support, we became a full partner in the study of the history and culture of Northeastern Mexico and South Texas. External Affairs then funded a project for the digitization of the historic Municipal records of Matamoros and Brownsville. The project was launched, a scanner was purchased and part time students and staff were hired to digitize colonial records. This project continues today and has received international attention. Funding has been received from the IMLS and the Texas State Library system. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

13. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES In the Summer of 2009 President Garcia called for nominations for new Centers of Excellence to be developed at UTB/TSC and to be formally recognized by the UT-System. It was at that time that the concept for The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies was formally described in a concept “white” paper. The initial white paper consisted of five pages and was developed, presented and defended in the presence of the President. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

14. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Since the summer of 2009 there has been a major effort to coordinate and focus border studies activities at UTB/TSC so as to create a substantial body of sustainable work. For example, UTB/TSCs Series in Brownsville and Matamoros History, Vol. 9 now in preparation, will be sponsored by The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies. UTB/TSC bid for the 4th International Border Conference, called:“Coloquio Internacional del Noreste Mexicano y Texas.” It was held October 20-23, 2009. Formal ties were established with INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History. Including the three Autonomus universities, UAT, UANL, UAC. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

15. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

16. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • The Four Colloquia Themes: • First: Saltillo 2003 “Rutas, Caminos y Redes de Intercambio Mexico-U.S.” • Second: San Antonio 2005 “Caminos Reales y Procesos de Poblamiento de la Epoca Prehispánica al Presente, Mexico-US” • Third: Matamoros 2007 “Espacios, Poblamiento y Conflicto en el Noreste Mexicano y Texas” • Fourth: Brownsville UTB/TSC 2009 “Puentes Y Barreras: En El Pasado y En El Presente Del Noreste de México y Sur de Texas.” The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

17. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

18. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

19. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The development of the Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies at UTB/TSC was announced at the end of the three day Colloquium in October 2009. It was attended by both U.S. and Mexican researchers who expressed interest in the topic. • In Fall of 2009 Provost Elect Artibise asked to review the developing COEs for the purpose of validation and vetting. As a result of his support, the Center concept continues to evolve and mature. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

20. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES On a parallel track: Upon his arrival, College of Liberal Arts Dean Heimmermann mobilized faculty toward the development of Border Studies and under his leadership the CLA faculty and staff and in coordination with the UTB/TSC libraries, submitted a grant proposal for a IMLS National Leadership Grant for the creation of a Border Studies Resource Center (BSRC). The application was successful. The working group included representatives from the Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) in Matamoros. The BSRC is intended to serve institutions of higher education and others on both sides of the U.S.–Mexican border. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

21. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The BSRC plan calls for the development of a digital repository of border studies-related research and resources with workshops held in Brownsville, Monterrey and El Paso in 2009, and in Albuquerque, Houston and Tijuana in 2010. The meetings will convene border scholars and librarians from the United States and Mexico to invite recommendations from potential partners and users of the Center and to identify content for the digital repository. The project’s goal is to create a consortium of colleges and universities in the two countries as partners in the BSRC. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

22. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Of special note is UTB/TSC’s effort to digitize and make accessible to researchers, the American Military Occupation records which are in the Casamata in Matamoros and have not been accessed by American scholars. This project will be completed in early 2011 and will be posted to the Digital Border Studies Resource Center to be created by UTB/TSC. Project to be funded by the IMLS with funds distributed through the Texas Digital Library http://www.tdl.org The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

23. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Fall 2009 Border Studies Activities Applied Anthropology Conference Santa Fe, April 2009, “The Last Battle of the Mexican American War: UTB’s Border Wall” Border History Colloquium, October 2009 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon meeting Dec. 10, 2009 The meeting was held with representatives of El Colegio de la Frontera Norte(COLEF) and Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (CIESAS) and UANL. All parties agreed to sign MOU’s with the Texas Center. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

24. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Activities for Spring 2010 CIESA MOU signing at UTB/TSC, Jan 28 • Border Ambassador, Inc. MOU, Jan. 17 COLEF MOU signing at UTB/TSC, Feb. 12 • UAT MOU to be signed in Cd. Victoria, February 25-26, 2010 CONAHEC Annual Conference in April at Rice University, April 21-23, 2010 Monterrey Texas Digital Library presentation, May 20, 2010 • Tucson, Between the Lines: Border Research Ethics and Methods, April 23, 2010 The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

25. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES El Paso Meeting Jan 6, 2010 The meeting at UTEP was held with the Center for Border and InterAmerican Studies Ricardo Blazquez- Center Director Josiah Heyman- Faculty member and long-time border scholar Moira Murphy- faculty attached to the centerMeredith Abarca- faculty and former COLEF researcherCassandra Lopez-Hurtado- events coordinatorCesar Carmona- researcherBharat Rheddy- researcher The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

26. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • The University of New Mexico, • Albuquerque meeting will be held • February 16, 2010 • Sign MOU UNM-UTB/TSC • Discuss UNM participation in the BSRC • Discuss collaboration between UNM and the Texas Center • Other research project and networking opportunities for UNM and UTB/TSC faculty The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

27. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Border Center and its Components • Justification and Mission • The Geo-Political Reality • The Demographic Reality • The New Paradigm • Timely and Critical Topics for Border Research • The Border Studies Certificate • Study on the Border • Applied Border Research “The Report Series” The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

28. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • The Texas Poll • Borderland Family Genealogy Resource Center • The Digital Border Resource Center • Border Data Center • The Border Forum • Border Law Forum • The Texas Border Center Blog • North America-Caribbean Exchange for Cooperative and Sustainable Development • Public-Private Community Partnership Forum The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

29. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Development of a Borderland Research Agenda 2010 to 2020 • The study of cross-border regional models including economic and issues surrounding citizenship. • Border security, border militarization, rights and laws. • Binational cooperation and border management. • Environmental conservation and sustainability. • Transmigration, dysfunctional identity development. • Epidemiology, physical and mental health issues . • The new applied research paradigm for borderland studies. • Cultural, political, and ethnic issues. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

30. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES • The Politization and the victimization of women and children. • • Deconstructing and reconstructing the border as a region. • • Forms or trans-locality from Central America-Mexico- • USA-Canada. • • Cross-border economic development. • • Border education, bilingualism and work place biliteracy. • • Civil society and juridical frameworks for the future. • • Borderland heritage-tourism and eco-tourism. • • Strategically relevant planned growth . The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

31. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Border News since January 1, 2010 The Texas Observer, “All Walled Up”January 22, 2010 http://www.texasobserver.org/features/all-walled-up/ Border Ambassadors, Inc.http://www.borderambassadors.com/ San Antonio Fed Border Meeting: at UTB/TSC February 4, 2010 Noon to 1:30http://www.dallasfed.org/sanantonio/index.cfm Columbia University Union Seminary “J” Semester on the Border (UTB/TSC January 17) http://bordertheology.wordpress.com/ Last night Laredo CC Trustees voted to take on DHS in their attempt to destroy the Paso del Indio Nature Trail. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

32. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies Organizational Location: Office of the Provost and Vice President for Research There is something in the Center for everyone! Identify your research interest. Faculty involvement “buy-out” release time. What’s next and how do you get involved? The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

33. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Special Recognition To: American Consul in Matamoros Mexican Consul in Brownsville President Juliet V. García Provost Alan Artibise VPAA Charles Dameron VP Luis Colom Dean Dan Heimmermann Dr. Eduardo del Rio Dr. Kevin Buckler Dr. Tom Britten Mr. Ben Reyna Mr. John Hawthorne Dr. Guadalupe Correa Dr. Philip Samponaro Ms. Milagro HernandezMs. Yolanda Zamarripa Mr. Paul Kavanaugh The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

34. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Examples of Important Border Resources Latin American Network Information Center LANIC at UT Austin http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/mexico/ Consortium for North American Higher Education CONAHEC hosted at The University of Arizona http://www.conahec.org/conahec/index.jsp Colegio de la Frontera Nortehttp://colef.mx/ Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Anthropologia http://www.ciesas.edu.mx Dallas Federal Reserve Bankhttp://dallasfed.org The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

35. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Address for the Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies draft white paper and power point presentation. http://blue.utb.edu/cbird/UTB-TSCpageFormat/HomeReports.htm Join our border blog here : http://ourborder.ning.com/group/UniversityTexasBrownsville The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

36. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES UTB/TSC ‘s Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies signs MOU with Mexico’s National Institute for the study of Social Anthropology (CIESAS) Yesterday January 28, 2010 The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

37. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Special recognition is given to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for their support of the development of Border Study and Resources at UTB/TSC. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies

38. KNOWLEDGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES Border researcher down on the border down by the wall trying to make sense of it all. The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies