A&M, UH chancellors to talk transfer in Victoria
House higher ed chair calls for A&M, UH officials to meet in June
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MEETING DETAILS
Rep. Dan Branch has yet to set an exact date, time and location for the meeting although he did say it will be in Victoria in June. To work toward a solution, he plans to create groups, each ...- SHOW ALL »
MEETING DETAILS
Rep. Dan Branch has yet to set an exact date, time and location for the meeting although he did say it will be in Victoria in June. To work toward a solution, he plans to create groups, each with a different task.
An influential legislator wants the chancellors of the University of Houston and Texas A&M systems to meet in Victoria in June.
The purpose of the meeting: to discuss issues regarding House Bill 2556, which aims to move the University of Houston-Victoria into the A&M system.
"I've come to determine that we need to explore a resolution to the current dispute," said Rep. Dan Branch, a Dallas Republican who serves as chairman of the Texas House Committee on Higher Education, the group to which the bill was assigned. "I want to see if we can start exploring possibilities."
Supporters and opponents of switching university systems applauded Branch's decision. In addition to the chancellors, Branch also invited to the meeting Sen. Glenn Hegar, a Katy Republican; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, a Laredo Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee; and Rep. Geanie Morrison, the Victoria Republican who authored the bill.
"There is a lot going on in the Legislature right now," Branch said by phone, referring to budget and redistricting talks. "Let's let the UHV students get through this semester. We don't have time right now to work out all the details of the bill."
The relationship between UHV and the UH System remains complex. Students enrolled in UHV programs at UH-Sugar Land and UH-Cinco Ranch, for example, count toward UHV's population, but the UH System claims it owns the buildings there.
If a switch occurred, would Texas A&M University-Victoria students and staff continue to use those buildings?
By scheduling a meeting of all parties, Branch accomplishes two notable feats: He creates the time needed to solve the complexities of a transfer - if it occurs - and avoids what could have been an ugly legislative battle.
The UH System has made it clear it does not wish to lose UHV. If Morrison's bill went before a committee hearing, both sides would have presented cases for and against the switch - and thus publicly rehash longstanding frustrations.
"We're way down the line from a transfer," Branch said. "But my sense is the time between sessions goes quickly. Pre-filing for bills in the next session begins already in November 2012."
While Branch has yet to set an exact date, time and location, Victoria leaders on both sides of this bill seem excited for the June meeting.
Morgan O'Connor and Kay Kerr Walker, former UH System regents who oppose the efforts to switch systems, said they welcome the meeting. Both women said they were curious to learn what the A&M System proposes to offer that the UH System does not and just how interested the Aggies are in Victoria.
While the Legislature might not act on the bill this session, the issues raised seem to have forced serious talks. The debate is about whether the UH System neglects UHV's needs while pursuing those closer to Houston.
Calls on Friday to Hegar's office and the A&M System went unreturned. UH System Chancellor Renu Khator appeared open to the meeting.
"I am always willing to discuss ways in which the UH System can best serve the needs of the state," Khator said via email.
It's that apparent willingness to now meet that Morrison said encourages her. The June meeting is a sign the bill accomplished one of its most important intentions: to shine light on Victoria's ability to help close the state's education gaps, she said.
"House Bill 2556 is forcing the stakeholders who would not previously come to the table to make them understand what the vision is for Victoria, and that we are determined to make Victoria a first-class destination university," Morrison said via email. "My intention is for this meeting to begin the facilitation of the transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria into the Texas A&M System."
Morrison praised community support of the bill. Crossroads residents en masse contacted Branch via email, telephone and in-person visits, she said.
Dennis Patillo, a Crossroads Commission on Education member and bill supporter, said advocates of the switch could not have asked for a better scenario.
"This is an absolutely wonderful result," Patillo said. "You file the bill to get the process started."
Patillo praised Morrison for her work to push the legislation to this point and commended Branch for acting on complicated legislation.
"Chairman Branch listened to our community and both principals to work out the best resolution for the students. He views the bill with such importance that he wants to continue the dialogue," Patillo said. "I'm glad the two university system chancellors will be here in Victoria working on our community's behalf."
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Suffree--
"Hahaha. What are you going to do now that you know" the bill is DEAD?
April 26, 2011 at 10:09 a.m.Surffree,
I guess we'll have to see what the Advocate reports on that $100K. If they say not a penny was spent, then I KNOW there's some crooked stuff going on.
I seriously doubt anybody would do videos, a website, and a facebook page for free. Just because a lobbyist isn't successful doesn't mean they didn't get paid.
April 26, 2011 at 9:58 a.m.loundandclear - How would a make believe restaurant benefit since didn't you say that only 300 people would actually be attending TAMUV?
Brady/Vox/Woof/formerstring - Hahaha. What are you going to do now that you know they didn't even spend a penny of the $100k. All that negative griping you did for nothing. I am sure you will still find a way to be negative.
April 26, 2011 at 9:38 a.m.holeinone let me help you understand....oh and btw great post mytwocents!
Example: Let's just say a local businessman and oh for example sake, a businessman and businesswoman (who may or may not be married) here in town, decide to open a business, maybe a restaurant? And this restaurant is a sizeable investment, so the businessman and businesswoman truly need this to be profitable. In their mind a "destination university" will help bring patrons to their new restaurant along the river, or downtown, or maybe not on the river, but lets just pretend it's a new restaraunt on the river, for example sake. Also, this made up married couple who petioned the city for some assistance, also will need employees, most likely college aged employees, who have college aged friends who may decide to drink beer at the new bar inside the new restaurant along the river. I bet the new restaurant will also have a new parking lot, because how could a new restaurant not have a new parking lot for all the anticipated patrons from the new destination university. Anyways, you see why the business community needs this to happen. It helps with projects, and sizeable investments, such as this pretend restaurant example I just completely made up, along the river, built by a businessman and businesswoman, who may or may not be married, along the river, with a new parking lot, who need a destination university, to help pay for this new restaurant along the river with the new parking lot.
Does that help at all?
April 26, 2011 at 8:52 a.m.TAMU-SA are the jaguars.......I still haven't seen the campus or heard any buzz about how wonderful or earth shattering or even any impact they have made here in SA....of course there are many colleges here much better than TAMU.
April 25, 2011 at 9:56 p.m."Assuming "expectiations" of all concerned could be turned into a solid long term plan".....maybe she went to UHV & she realized they were teaching her made up words.
April 25, 2011 at 9:53 p.m.2cents, I wasn't asking you but thanks for your input. Your answer seems to be as emotionally charged and fact-missing as the people you are calling "The privileged and 'pot-committed' few..."
It does not actually say who on the commission and what they stand to gain. I know you said it was painfully obvious, just for argument's sake let's say that I'm painfully blind.
April 25, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.What mytwocents said!
April 25, 2011 at 4:32 p.m.Interesting thing is that the other T A&M campuses - Corpus, Kingsville, etc are not maroon or aggies - if you asked the aggies in College Station - how about those Javelinas - they would probably say "WHO?" Even if T A&M takes over here - Victoria will probably still be red and white and still be Jaguars. And at what cost? Whether Victoria stays with UH or goes to T A&M - I wonder how much change will really take place in the next 5 to 10 years?
April 25, 2011 at 4:19 p.m.The only reason Sara can't answer is because she has NO CLUE! All she sees is the "Texas A&M" name and automatically thinks its going to be the next Aggie Campus LMAO
April 25, 2011 at 3:47 p.m.woof,
"in my opinion, was spent on a certain lobbyist to write HB 2556 for a Crossroads Commission on Education member. Maybe for a reason other than student education."
Who do you think wrote the bill? And what would be the "other reason"?
April 25, 2011 at 3:23 p.m.woofwoof
No.
April 25, 2011 at 3:14 p.m.Gabe, hopefully there will be itemized reciepts/documentation and not just someone listing how the funds were spent.
April 25, 2011 at 3:11 p.m.woofwoof
No.
April 25, 2011 at 2:52 p.m.This is exactly what needed to happen, Let the process work. In my opinion Texas A&M fits with the needs of the region better than UHV. Assuming expectiations of all concerned could be turned into a solid long term plan. Good Job to Mr. Patillo, Mrs. Morrison and all the members of the commission!
April 25, 2011 at 1:28 p.m.Brady and Vox: We're reporting that story -- how much, if any, of the $100,000 was spent -- this week.
-- Gabe
April 25, 2011 at 11:13 a.m.Now we need a disclosure on the 100K - what was it used for and how much is left?
April 25, 2011 at 11:11 a.m.Good idea vox. What ever did happen to the 100K? Did Sizemore cash the check? Boy, our elected officials out did themselves on this deal. What a waste of tax money. This is borderline theft if you ask me.
April 25, 2011 at 10:47 a.m.Victoria Advocate...STILL WAITING on the report that shows how that $100K was spent. How much went to Sizemore Media for the facebook page and tamuv.org site?
I think Gabe said he was going to provide this info, oh, at least a month ago.
April 25, 2011 at 9:38 a.m."this is great news for people supporting higher education in Victoria. "
Well, hasn't UHV done that for 37 years?
April 24, 2011 at 5:14 p.m.How exactly will A&M stealing UHV benefit the students and Victoria Madigan?
April 24, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.JackDuece may be right about sugar land staying with UH. But Jack fails to consider the potential offset of the loss of sugar land with other A&M satellites. I think the offset has to be more than zero as Jack suggests.
April 24, 2011 at 12:50 p.m.That's correct, PatB, and without that very important item of punctuation the graphic is misleading and not a true representation of the facts.
April 24, 2011 at 9:53 a.m.Kyle,
April 24, 2011 at 9:42 a.m.Thansk for pointing that out. From my read,It is NOT a foregone conclusion!! "My intention is for this meeting to begin the facilitation of the transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria into the Texas A&M System." no matter what GM says.
Pat Barnes
Victoria Advocate: the graphic text should read "Changing Hands?" with a question mark.
April 24, 2011 at 9:06 a.m.This is probably as good an outcome as could have been expected. Now, all sides (legislative, educational and "community leadership") will have to lay their cards on the table.
If UHS means what it says and follows through, then UHV will stay in the system. If not, and TAMU is really interested, then the case for change will be strengthened. If either party simply goes through the motions without offering a sincere, well-designed and realistic plan, then appropriate inference can be drawn.
April 24, 2011 at 8:52 a.m.Madigan,
April 24, 2011 at 8:23 a.m.Where does it read that this meeting is "the beginning of a transition to TAMU"? I read that Sen. Branch said" I want to start exploring possibilities". One of those might be no deal.
Patrick Barnes
Sounds like a plan. The beginning of a transition to TAMU that will benefit the students and Victoria is great news. Our community can and will become a destination university town. With the budget, redistricting, and other issues facing the legislature there is not enough time left to pass HB2556. This issue won't go away and this is great news for people supporting higher education in Victoria. Nice job Rep. Morrison, Dennis Patillio, and all of the supporters of TAMUV.
April 24, 2011 at 8:08 a.m.