UTRGV art students tackle pests as enrollment skyrockets
Jose Rodriguez/THE RIDER
Students in the School of Art and Design in Brownsville are again reporting rat sightings, specifically in the sculpture studio, as a multi-million-dollar facility project moves into its next phase, according to the dean of the College of Fine Arts.
At a Tuesday College of Fine Arts town hall held in the Visual Arts Building on the Edinburg campus, Dean Jeffrey Ward addressed the college’s “growing pains,” with record enrollment projected for next year and responded to concerns regarding Immigration Customs Enforcement.
“You will probably experience some growing pains,” Ward told the audience. “Whether that is, some classes may be larger than you typically expect … we’re working to minimize that as much as possible.”
The conversation shifted during the open forum when Ed Pogue, a professor of art and design, over Zoom, mentioned the persistent rodent issues.
“The rats have reared their ugly heads in Rusteberg Hall again, specifically in the ceramics area,” Pogue said.
Ward acknowledged he was aware of the situation and said he had received an email from Assistant Professor Romeo Di Loretto with a picture of a rat seemingly “posing” for the UTRGV art photography professor.
He added the issue was immediately addressed with facilities.
“There are work orders to seal up the spaces where these friends are getting into zoning,” Ward said. “As well as land traps and all of those unpleasant things.”
He reminded students that Rusteberg is a leased space from Texas Southmost College and, like any apartment, a work order may be resolved quickly. But if the company is “less than good,” the issue may drag out for a longer time.
“I don’t know what the response is from TSC for that work order,” Ward said. “I haven’t really been updated on anything other than that the work order has been put in.”
The dean apologized to the students in Brownsville for dealing with the situation.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this, and I’m sorry for that,” he said. “Not just the rats, but all of the other issues with that building are such a nightmare.
Which is why we’re doing what we’re doing and getting out of there as soon as possible.”
The primary solution to the maintenance issues is the new Brownsville Visual Arts Complex—a $39 million renovation of Longoria Elementary School, according to a Feb. 20, 2025, university news release. Ward confirmed the project is moving into a “two-phase plus” construction cycle.
- Phase One will include all instructional spaces except printmaking and is on schedule for fall classes.
- Phase Two will house the printmaking and jewelry studios, as well as a large gallery space.
“Last time I was there, I had just parked across the street and just watched,” Ward said. “I was like a little kid watching … as they just tear stuff down with big machinery.”
Ward announced he anticipates enrollment in the College of Fine Arts will surpass 2,000 students next year. UTRGV as a whole reached a historic high of 32,429 students this spring, according to a Jan. 20 university news release.
To manage the influx, the School of Art and Design is hiring seven new faculty members and one staff member, according to the dean.
Ward emphasized opening the Brownsville Visual Arts Complex on time will let students complete all their undergraduate courses in Brownsville without commuting to the Edinburg campus.
During the Q&A session, Dominique Delgado, a graduate fine arts student, asked about the university’s policy regarding ICE on campus, following recent student-led protests and growing concerns.
Ward replied, fortunately, no known incidents of that nature have occurred and acknowledged that the ICE raids occurring throughout the country are with “good reason,” leaving many scared.
He added, according to official protocol, non-UTRGV law enforcement officers are generally required to contact UTRGV Police before coming to campus, but the dean emphasized they are not obligated to do so.
However, the dean admitted he does not know the specific protocol or policy governing how the UT Police, in accordance with ICE procedures, would handle or address an incident of that nature.
Delgado cited incidents of delayed response times of UT Police when graduate students have experienced technical issues entering their studios on campus.
“I can say with a lot of confidence that we wouldn’t see an hour wait response time if someone were to say, ‘There’s right now people being detained by border patrol,’” Ward said. “I think we would find them there in really quick time.”
