I was told that with the new industry coming in that VC did not have room to house any additional UHV needs. VC is thinking of the future needs of VC as they should be, and they know they will need the space they have, plus additional space to accommodate the growing needs of the Victoria community.

I am also told that UHV pays for a good portion of the annual budget for the library. I would think that if UHV moves the library could still be shared by both campuses. TWU, shares a library with their campus in Dallas. The one in Houston has a large computer lab, that is synced to the main campus. It seems to work well for them.

The new dorms will have a student area and hopefully in the near future a fitness facility. I think that all the things that have been mentioned can be worked out.

You make it sound like UHV is solely dependant on VC. While they should and do work together, they are each stand alone institutions with their own plans and missions.

Also, the commision report shows that UHV will still use it's current campus. The School of Nursing along with a few other programs would remain at the current location.

ThirdPartyObserver, excellent post. You hit the nail squarely on the head.

The UH System cannot justify this type of request. The $6.5 million will be more than enough to accomodate the growth at its current location. UHV has more than enough room to build right where they are. They need to work very closely with The Victoria College and take advantage of the open space that VC has. VC will be UHV's saving grace. UHV does not offer anywhere near enough freshman and sophomore level classes, therefore VC is absolutely essential in the survival of this downward expansion. The UH Sytem administrators realize this. I would guess that almost all of the freshman and sophomores that are registered with UHV for this semester will rely on VC and the classes they offer as well. Moving off site would be much more costly than just building a building or two. Whose sports center, weight and excercise facility, and gymnasium would UHV use? Where would UHV get the funds for a University library, multiple computer labs, and media centers? A student Union? Food court and eating options? On site dorms, and all the facilities that come with being a 4 year university. Not right now, no way. UHV is just fine right where they are for the next 25 to 30 years.

Build and grow what you have. Partner with VC, and build up. Please realize that VC is the most important cog in your efforts being a success. UHV can't expect to have it all, not right away. Use what you have and re-establish that partnership.

Please, someone that will look at the facts needs to be involved in this process.

ceegee2010 states:

"If they take into consideration the student enrollment explosion over the last 5 years"

Exactly what student enrollment explosion are you referring to? The plan that UofH is working on and was linked to by a piece done by G. Semenza tells a completely different story. Go to the news home page, bottom right hand corner, to the link, go to page 21 of the plan (numbered page) and see the TRUE picture:

University of Houston Victoria-Master Plan Enrollment & Research Projections.

Fall 2000- 9,040 semester hours/836 full-time equivalent students
Fall 2005- 4,657 semester hours/409 full-time equivalent students
Fall 2009- 3,997 semester hours/377 full-time equivalent students

During this period actual semester hours for students that attended the main (local Victoria) campus have declined by 55%. Yes there has been growth, growth at the other campuses and growth of on-line courses but actual bodies taking courses in Victoria has declined 55%. How does this translate into explosive growth over the last 5 years?

These same projections show Fall 2020 enrollment of 2,075 full-time equivalents which is less then 2.5 times the number of students ACTUALLY enrolled in 2000. The 200 incoming freshman this year don’t bring the numbers back to 2000 levels. If there are 200 new this year and another 200 new next year the numbers STILL won’t be at the 2000 level.

This project is like so many here in Victoria the excessive hype takes over and the truth is not revealed. Too many “leaders” in Victoria are more concerned with the hype then they are the truth, just ask King Willie. The real truth is the number of students taking courses on the Victoria campus of UofH is DOWN significantly. Maybe this is why the system cannot justify relocating this campus.

I agree with Patillo. The UH system folks are not looking forward far enough. Ten years is nothing in the grand scheme of things. If they take into consideration the student enrollment explosion over the last 5 years, then in 10 short years the university will be right back in the same boat they're in now. UHV is already busting at the seams. Sell the existing buildings and land to VC and move to the donated land on the loop. This is a new era in the life of UHV. It is now a 4-year university and needs the growing room to accomodate its future students, staff and faculty. UHV is on the cusp of explosive growth. Don't blow it!

When you fail to plan, Plan to fail.