Editing University of Texas at Austin (section)

===Establishment===
The idea of a public university in Texas was first mentioned in the 1827 constitution of the Mexican state of [[Coahuila y Tejas]], which promised public education in the arts and sciences under Title 6, Article 217, but no action was taken.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sons of Dewitt County, The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas |url=http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/constitcoatex.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321034845/http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/constitcoatex.htm |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=January 31, 2015 |publisher=Wallace L. McKeehan}}</ref> After Texas [[Texas Revolution|gained independence]] from Mexico in 1836, the [[Constitution of the Republic of Texas|Constitution of the Republic]] emphasized Congress's duty, in Section 5 of its General Provisions, to establish a general system of education when circumstances allowed.<ref name="TX_const_1836">{{cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836) |url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1836/general_provisions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104954/http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1836/general_provisions |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 30, 2015 |publisher=Tarlton Library, Jamail Center for Legal Research, [[University of Texas School of Law|School of Law]], University of Texas at Austin}}</ref>

After [[Texas annexation|Texas was annexed]], the [[7th Texas Legislature|Seventh Texas Legislature]] passed O.B. 102 on February 11, 1858, allocating $100,000 in United States bonds from the [[Compromise of 1850]] for the University of Texas.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |year=1898 |title=The Laws of Texas, 1822–1897 Volume 4 |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6730/m1/1024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201043224/http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6730/m1/1024/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2015 |publisher=H.P.N Gammel of Austin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=1898 |title=The Laws of Texas, 1822–1897 Volume 4 |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6730/m1/1395/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201043230/http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6730/m1/1395/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2015 |publisher=H.P.N Gammel of Austin}}</ref> The [[American Civil War|Civil War]] delayed fund repayment, leaving the university with only $16,000 by 1865.<ref>{{cite book |last=Matthews |first=Charles Ray |title=The Early Years of the Permanent University Fund from 1836 to 1937 |date=2006 |publisher=UMI (UMI Number 3284727) |page=32}}</ref> Nevertheless, the [[Texas Constitution of 1876]] reaffirmed the mandate to establish "The University of Texas" by popular vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1876) |url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201001624/http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a7 |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=January 31, 2015 |publisher=Tarlton Library, Jamail Center for Legal Research, [[University of Texas School of Law|School of Law]], University of Texas at Austin}}</ref>[[File:Old Main Building at The University of Texas at Austin .jpg|right|thumb|The university's Old Main building in 1903]]

On March 30, 1881, the Texas legislature organized the structure of the university and called for a popular vote to determine its location.<ref>{{cite web |year=1898 |title=The Laws of Texas, 1822–1897 Volume 9 |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6729/m1/173/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204003959/http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6729/m1/173/ |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2015 |publisher=H.P.N Gammel of Austin}}</ref> Austin was chosen as the site with 30,913 votes, while [[Galveston]] was designated for the medical department.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lane |first=John J. |title=History of the University of Texas: Based on Facts and Records |date=1891 |publisher=Henry Hutchings, Texas State Printer |page=267}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 18, 2018 |title=History of the UT System Board of Regents |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/history-ut-system-board-regents |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720051656/https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/history-ut-system-board-regents |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |website=The University of Texas System}}</ref> On November 17, 1882, the cornerstone of the Old Main building was laid at the original "College Hill" location, and University President Ashbel Smith expressed optimism about Texas's untapped resources.<ref>{{cite book |last=Silverthorne |first=Elizabeth |title=Ashbel Smith of Texas: Pioneer, Patriot, Statesman, 1805–1886 |date=1982 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |page=219}}</ref> The University of Texas officially opened its doors on September 15, 1883.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/364656693/ State University Notice]". ''Austin American_Statesman''. September 15, 1883. p. 4.</ref>