<P> Article 7 , Section 10 of the Texas Constitution of 1876 directed the legislature to `` establish , organize and provide for the maintenance , support and direction of a university of the first class , to be located by a vote of the people of this State , and styled `` The University of Texas . '' Article 7 , Section 10 also specifically mandated the establishment of an Agricultural and Mechanical Department within the university . While Section 7 , Article 13 of the Constitution mandated the Agricultural and Mechanical College would be a branch of the university , the fact that the college was constitutionally mandated as a distinct department lead to the college being governed by a Board of Directors that was independent of the university Board of Regents in almost all aspects . The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas opened its doors in 1876 as the state 's first public institution of higher education to begin operation . </P>
opened its doors in 1876 as the first publicly supported college in texas
The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas