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UHV gets green light

Panel recommends expansion to full four-year university

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  • Rubi Reyes •
  • Originally published September 30, 2008 at 11:51 p.m., updated September 30, 2008 at 11:51 p.m.

“Yes, and go, Jags,” is all UHV president Tim Hudson had to say Tuesday.

With that, the 17-member Commission on Expanding Access to Higher Education voted unanimously to recommend the University of Houston-Victoria expand to a four-year university.

“The passion that the community has for expansion has to be turned into action,” UH Chancellor Renu Khator said.

The vote came during the commission’s final meeting and after a year of public discussion. UHV has served only juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Khator and Welcome Wilson, chairman of the University of Houston System board of regents and co-chairman of the commission, will present the recommendation to the UH System board of regents on Oct. 10. The regents will decide if the recommendation for expansion should go to the state Legislature.

“I have discussed the expansion with some of the members on the board of regents,” Wilson said. “They have some concerns, but I feel expansion is something they will accept.”

The community’s willingness to support the expansion erased any doubts he had, Wilson said.

“Throughout this whole process the support of the community has really impressed me.” he said.

Ron Walker, The Victoria College board president and commission co-chairman, also endorsed the plan.

“It is important that the community come together, and I am optimistic that expansion will work,” Walker said.

Khator said UHV was on track with the three goals of the UH system: providing student access to higher education, being able to compete nationally academically, and providing community advancement.

“This will benefit the region and the system,” Khator said.

Through all the applause and cheers one point stood strong – the expansion must not damage VC.

“We would not recommend expansion if we thought Victoria College would be hurt,” Walker said.

If the UH System and state legislature approve the expansion, UHV will admit freshman and sophomores as early as 2010.

  • What’s next

    Welcome Wilson, chairman of the University of Houston System board of regents and co-chairman of the commission, and Renu Khator, chancellor of the UH System, will present the recommendation to the UH System board of regents on Oct. ...

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    • What’s next

    Welcome Wilson, chairman of the University of Houston System board of regents and co-chairman of the commission, and Renu Khator, chancellor of the UH System, will present the recommendation to the UH System board of regents on Oct. 10.

    If the regents approve the recommendation, they will then approach the state legislature. Legislation will decide whether to expand University of Houston-Victoria.

    State Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, said she stood ready to carry forward the community’s wishes. Morrison is the chairwoman of the House higher education committee.


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