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UHV turns its gaze toward Austin

Bill that would allow university to become 4-year institution will be introduced

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  • Rubi Reyes •
  • Originally published January 7, 2009 at 10:58 a.m., updated January 7, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.

The fate of expansion for the University of Houston-Victoria is perhaps the biggest issue affecting the Crossroads region this legislative session.

State Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, plans to introduce legislation allowing UHV to enroll freshmen and sophomores, effectively making it a full-service university. The University of Houston System board of regents and the Victoria College board of trustees endorsed the plan this fall.

"Expansion will benefit UHV and Victoria College," said Morrison, who was chairwoman of the House Committee on Higher Education during the past session. "This could be economically beneficial for Victoria."

The 2009 legislative session convenes Jan. 13. Morrison said she's cautiously optimistic the legislature will approve the expansion.

Morrison supports the expansion because she thinks it will help the state meet the goals of the "Closing the Gaps" initiative, which aims to add 600,000 students to higher education in the state.

Tim Hudson, UHV president, said the expansion would better serve the Crossroads region and the state.

"We will be able to target students that might not otherwise attend college," Hudson said

UHV is one of only four remaining upper-level universities in the country. UH System regents have approved a memorandum of understanding continuing its partnership with Victoria College, a community college, even after expansion. The VC board has yet to vote on the memorandum.

"Expansion is the key issue for us," Hudson said. "This could be the most important legislative session in the history of the university, other than the creation."

Morrison said the bill would be simple, stating that UHV would expand and offer freshman and sophomore classes. She will not file bills until after the 81st legislative session begins.

"Most members wait until after the Legislature begins to file bills," she said.

UHV also is concerned about formula funding, the amount of money an institution receives based on enrollment and adding faculty to the school of nursing.

"UHV is in good shape financially," Hudson said. "We are preparing for modest funding from the state, but the way the economy looks we are not sure."

  • UHV issues

    Along with expansion, the University of Houston-Victoria is concerned about these issues.

    Higher education formula funding: The amount is determined by the number of students enrolled at the institution. UHV is watching to be sure it ...

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    • UHV issues

    Along with expansion, the University of Houston-Victoria is concerned about these issues.

    Higher education formula funding: The amount is determined by the number of students enrolled at the institution. UHV is watching to be sure it receives adequate funding in the new formula.

    More faculty for the nursing department: UHV wants to offer more nursing classes to meet the demand.

    Continued help for special programs such as Letting Education Achieve Dreams, which helps to promote higher education among significantly under-represented populations and serves to facilitate the transfer or admissions of those prospective students in to the university.

    Speaker of the House?

    Corrections and clarifications If a new speaker of the House is elected, it’s unlikely state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, will be re-appointed as chairwoman of the House’s higher education committee. A story on A4 Wednesday was unclear on this point.

    The battle to be the Speaker of the House in the upcoming session of the Legislature will be closely watched by University of Houston-Victoria officials.

    That's because state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, has been allied with current Speaker Tom Craddick. He appointed her to serve as chairwoman of the House's higher education committee. In that role, she schedules what bills the committee considers.

    If another legislator is elected speaker, it's Morrison will likely retain her appointment as chairwoman of higher education committee.



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