Excellent editorial, Advocate ... Until you got to the last paragraph about what is best for ... "the state's students of higher education."

This whole discussion is entirely about the money. It is economic development pure and simple. It is about getting the state of Texas to spend more money here, and less somewhere else. Be it right, or be it wrong, that is the name of this game.

Any atempt by politicians, or the editorial board to make it ..."for the children" is pure hypocricy. As mentioned by EdithAnn in her post, the debt load that we put on these kids who attend college is unforgiveable.

If Victoria is pushing for this 'destination university' for the money, then so be it. It will give the politicians something to look at when they go over their new overpasses. However, labeling it "for the children" is just pure hogwash.

If a normal person controlled the City thoughtfullness, I would expand Salem Rd. to the mall instead of Airline to the airport which has negative traffic compared to Navarro. Plus Salem will have an overpass built and Airline will not. That will save about 4 million dollars and open a new revenue corridor. Except for the 100 acre donor.

Ya'll are crazy, 37 years of serving and growing higher education in Victoria by the UH system, and because a moving company owner, a deregulate college tuition state Rep., and a few others have decided to go full speed ahead damn the torpedoes, with a brand new campus, it comes to this.

We will spend $9 Million of taxpayer money so UHV can accept 100 acres of "donated" land, plus ask the state of Texas for $150 Million or so in more taxpayer money when the State of Texas is facing a $9 BILLION shortfall.

No matter how you slice it, Tier 1 status ambitions or not, the UH system knows what they are doing. Let me ask all the new system supporters, be in TT or any other system, do you honestly believe that the State of Texas will just automatically give them even more money? After all the new system would have to buy the land and buildings at the current UHV campus. Add a few more Million dollars to the deal. Go for it, but IMO, you would end up with less than what you have now.

I too think it is an outstanding editorial. I would be interested to know how people feel about the facts and then the future of this university that is in our own backyard. You know our representatives will come and go but this university will always be here. If we want it to be the best how do we do that? I am in total agreement given the Tier One challenge that UH is focusing on will be subtractive to UHV's development. We need a strong known winner who has a similar vision that we can all aspire and let's explore the possibilities. And let UH spend their energy on Tier One attainment and we will spend our energy on creating a vibrant university with another system and everyone will be well served. I think that is a win-win.

onestar,

I absolutely believe that at least one function of the Morrison Crossroads Commission on Education is to 'correct' Morrison's bill to deregulate college tuition. True, many students are now graduating with tremendous debt, but what is as bad, or possibly worse is how many students are not getting to college because of the cost. Not everyone qualifies for student aid or scholarships, and not everyone wants to take 10 years to get a college degree.

I would hope that folks who vote, and those who are gung-ho on Morrison's project see the hypocrisy of these two related actions, because for those who support her and her project, well--it makes them hypocrites, too.

"Morrison and Hegar have served this area ably and are up to both the challenges and possibilities ahead."

This would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.

Morrison is the author of the bill which allowed colleges to double and triple the costs for students in Texas. So now when they graduate they will have a lifetime of debt.

Hegar has no noticable legislative accoplishment whatsoever despite his lengthy time in the Texas House and Senate. I recall from the Texas Monthly people like this are called "furniture"

Run for the hill folks GOP_LC is in total agreement with the VA.
YUK!!! - I think i'm gonna go take a shower.

Outstanding editorial!!