The new institution was planned to include a medical school and have access to the Texas Permanent University Fund (PUF).

In December 2013, the UT System Board of Regents voted to name the new institution the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

[15] After his resignation was approved, Bailey appointed Patricia Alvarez McHatton as the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

In November 2014, the UT System Board of Regents approved the "Vaqueros" as the athletic nickname for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Robert C. Vackar, CEO of Bert Ogden Auto Group, donated $15 million in the form of an endowment to the college.

This decision was based on the university successfully addressing the Statewide Single Audit for FY 2017 conducted by the Texas State Auditor's Office.

[37] Legislation to establish a law school in UTRGV was introduced by representative Eddie Lucio III in November 2014 but did not pass in the Texas Senate.

UTPA Alumnus Alex Del Barrio created a petition to "Say No To Vaqueros" that garnered over 11,000 signatures after the announcement was made.

[42] President Guy Bailey recommended a new nickname, Vaqueros, to the University of Texas System Board of Regents on November 5, 2014.

[46][47] Nevertheless, the UT System Board of Regents approved the recommendation the following day,[48] making Vaqueros the fifth NCAA Division I nickname that is a Spanish language word after the Cal State Northridge Matadors, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, San Diego Toreros, and New Mexico Lobos.

[51] Articles of impeachment were filed against the Student Government President Alberto Adame and Vice President Carla "Fernanda" Pena by Jonathan Lee Salinas (Senator at Large '14–'15) partly for their roles in the mascot committee, though the impeachment process was ended due to insufficient evidence.

[52] At the height of the controversy in November 2014, Texas legislator Terry Canales suggested he was considering filing a bill requiring UTRGV to abandon the Vaquero nickname.

[53] If passed, the legislation would require UTRGV to hold a student election for the athletics nickname, with "Broncs" and "Ocelots" on the ballot.