People talk about the airport like it’s in Timbuktu. The proposed new campus would be about five minutes from the mall – maybe six if you catch the new traffic light. So, that’s about a five to six minute drive from the “amenities” that some are talking about.

And, for the students who don’t’ have cars, couldn’t they use those little buses that are already in operation? I can’t see a valid logistics problem in relocating the campus to Mr. Buhler’s land.

Sure, it hurts to see Mr. Buhler make more money, but isn’t that more of a personality flaw that we should be fighting, not feeding? It’s not like he’s cruising around in a silver Rolls Royce flaunting his goodies in our faces – he’s just giving us some land to use that, despite the development costs, would cost lots more if we had to purchase the land from him.

What we should be doing is trying to find out who that lady is that drives the silver Rolls Royce to work every day – then publicly humiliate her for making my Toyota Tercel look bad at the traffic light every morning. And, if it turns out to be Mr. Buhler’s or Mr. Armstrong’s wife, then all the more better!

That may seem petty, but at least it’s a pettiness that doesn’t stand in the way of our community’s progress. And, I think that’s what the Mayor has in mind – progress. I’ve never been inside the Mayor’s office, but I doubt he sits there, stoking an ugly Persian kitty, deviously contemplating all the Armstrong moving vans that could be transporting people and stuff into a newly developed property near the airport. Not that it’s not true, it’s just that I doubt it.

moneyman - absolutely astute observation. THAT'S what bugs me most about this fiasco that Morrison and her cronies have been trying to SHOVE down our throats for some time now. This whole deal stinks to high heaven, along with the VEDC, the Crossroads Commission on Education, the Paco Buehler land, straight up to the mayor.

Hmm wonder who is profiting from this move? The business people who are now supporting hoping to furnish services to the new system if it comes in? Wonder how many pieces of silver Morrison was promised and the business leaders of this community?

To answer the question about the degree from Victoria A&M - can't speak to the diploma, but when the university I graduated from changed to A&M system the alumni association offered to get me an aggie class ring!

And yes, my bad, I forgot Rice University. They certainly are also Tier One.

JackDeuce - from the release you cited:

"Within the academic community, the Carnegie classification is commonly regarded to be one of three indicators that reflect an institution’s rank as a Tier One institution. The other two are its rank in the Center for Measuring University Performance’s Top American Research University (TARU) reports and membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU). Recognition by any of these three is generally taken as an indication of Tier One status."

Also: "The Carnegie Foundation classifies more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Fewer than 300 are classified as research universities. In its newly published classifications, it cites 109 universities for Top Tier designation – very high research activity."

Sure sounds like Tier One status to me.....

Is Victoria actually run by 100 (?) people who bothered to fill out a survey? Is that correct? If so, all of you have issues/problems in Victoria and you'll never progress - you, as residents have completely "no say" on what goes on in your community. Are the rest of the people in Victoria "under a rock"?

I totally believe that the A&M system perfectly fits the Victoria community - UH belongs in a progressive metropolitan city such as Houston not in a little country non-progressive town with little town mentality. And yes, the Governor who was elected with 30+% did graduate from A&M - he totally fits that way of thinking - not very progressive!

I am a student at UHV and I am excited about the prospect of A&M coming to Victoria BUT I have questions. Will TAMUV be badgered into the "free" land out by the airport? That would be a disaster. "Free" land is NOT free. If an upper level university does move out by the airport it will eliminate my pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Transportation to the airport is not possible for me. I picked my living arrangements because it is close to educational facilities. I am a first-generation student with above average cognitive ability and way below average financial resources. At the rate of gas price increases WHY would anyone want to increase travel time time to school?? What about the increase in pollution from the extra travel? Do we really want to contribute to further urban sprawl? Why can't we build UP rather than out? Our buildings are 2 and 3 stories tall. Why not taller??? Why is no one concerned about the environmental impact of a different campus location? What about students like myself who don't own a car? UHV/A&M debate deserves open minded consideration, however we are talking about the political-favors swap meet known as the Texas Legislature. Therefore I am wary of the political/financial manuvering that will surely follow.

Great news! Thanks to Geanie and everyone else that has worked hard to advance this issue. I hope this Bill makes it to Perry's desk.

BTW, I don't think the lines aren't blurred. The Association of American Universities sets the Tier 1 status. I think only 63 schools in the US and Canada have achieved that status. UofH is not one of them. The Carnegie classification is good, but it is not the same.

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This is great news for Victoria. If you were to survey 100 people off the street and have them rank A&M and U of H, I would think that at least 99 people would rank A&M first.

SugarMagnolia - Not sure if you are like the other negative trolls on this site but your information is not correct.
There are three Tier 1 schools in Texas: A&M, UT, and Rice. In January of this year, University of Houston was ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a University with "very high research activity." From The Houston Chronicle: "The designation by the Carnegie Foundation, a policy and research organization focused on higher education, doesn't mean UH is now officially a Tier One school."

Geanie quotes... to follow...twice..

"This is good for Victoria and good for UHV" she said.

and

"The students are coming. We are attracting first-generation, under-served students who want an education," she said. "I think we will grow and flourish. That is exactly what we need to do in this state to close the gaps."

Typical govspeak.

And Rep. Geanie, what does first generation, underserved mean? Less cognitive ability and monetary wherewithall? And this is what greater Victoria needs? Including the Buhler corridor build out which the cost would be passed on to the sheep taxpayer and the increase property value passed to Buhler. Who votes for these people?

I am curious if there is a difference in tuition costs?

Jared - the state of Texas now has three Tier One universities: A&M, UT, and U of H.

Concerning the differences in mission and vision, I think this could be a positive change for Victoria. If Victoria wants to grow, wants a university system to grow along with it, then it seems consistent to desire a university with the same goal in mind. Is A&M already a Tier 1?

Specifically WHAT is A&M going to do
that Tech wasn't
and UH won't ??

I'd like to see a comparison matrix.

What a fantastic day for all of us in Victoria. We are moving forward to a dazzling bright future and A & M - Victoria will lead us to the promised land.

On the other hand, no, this does not move me one way or the other and I could not care less.

The local State Rep shoots and scores.

Presumably with help from her local friends.

HB 2556 is generally considered passed considering current and past local members of the TAMU Board of Regents and obviosuly the 100K from the local tax paying id**ts.

Furthermore, who votes for these people?

I am no fan of UHV but they are slowly expanding. Seems like the only reason for the change is because they did not jump on the offer of land by the Mayor's buddy. Wonder how long A&M will last if they don't take the land offer. Maybe the city will pay for a parking lot out there--surely they need extra parking for the hiking trail and the old high school.

Who cares what they call it. I am currently a student at UHV...and could care less if it is UHV or A&M. As long as I can still get a degree close to home that's all that matters. Unfortunately, I will still have to move off to get a law degree, maybe pushing for some more options for those of us that want: to become lawyers, doctors, petroleum engineers, etc. That way, we stay here, and attract students from all over. But, that's just my two cents.

At least I still have my UTSA Roadrunners (grad school). 'Birds up! Future dominators of the WAC! lol

"Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, announced plans to file a bill Tuesday that would move the University of Houston-Victoria into the Texas A&M University System."

"But I'm not sure a metropolitan system with an emphasis on having a Tier 1 institution ... that we quite fit there."
I think maybe Representative Morrison is right.
Metropolitan means sophisticated and urban like opera music symphony.
I assume then that the opposite is true for us--small town hicksville uneducted
A Tier 1 university is a top ranked university certainly we don't want that

I am glad we are moving foward.....Even though I come from a family of longhorn fans and graduates.

Way to go Geanie!! This is an OUTSTANDING move for our region! Thanks to everyone for all their hard work making this happen and in finding an educational partner that interested in developing UHV into a destination university!

If this comes to pass,why would students want to come to an A&M school here when there are two others in Corpus Chrisit and Kingsville? I guess it never dawned on the locals who are hell-bent to buy land from Paco B that the young people may have come here because it was a UH affiliate and amy not want to be Aggies.
Pat Barnes

What will happen to those who already have a UHV degree? Will they be given a A&M-Victoria one?

Would welcome the change. Not knocking U of H but we have always seen benefit from our involvement with the A&M system. Might come closer to keeping our kids here. I'm sure they ain't going without a fight so it will be interesting to see who does the best job lobbying the legislature. Let's see, the gov. graduated from where?

Only an Aggie can spread out 800 class-based students on hundreds of acres by the airport when UH Systems can fit them all in 5 acres!