All responsible Universities have 5, 10, and 20 year plans which are well researched, flexible and extremely important in preparing for all aspects of a University's future. We are so fortunate to have energetic, visionary leaders at UHV to plan ahead because I believe Victoria's future is closely bound to the success and growth of UHV. What is there not to like about a gift of hundreds of acres from the Frank Buhler family in the Northwest part of town? Accepting the gift now gives the go-ahead to develop strategic streets for the city benefiting the airport and all the future growth in that direction. Victoria College also will benefit. As all phases of education continue to expand in our city, I am confident that the College will need the extra land and facilities available when UHV moves to its larger campus. We must keep an open mind and heed the wisdom of our leaders and city fathers as they prepare to take us into a vital, dynamic future.

TxEx,
The answer to your question is no. You do not have to walk across the stage to receive your diploma.

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2unearth,

My experience with UHV was a very positive one. I honestly can say that I received an excellent education and the professors were wonderful. Now, I did have to drive to Katy to graduate which was inconvenient for myself and family members. Other than that....

What an exciting time in Victoria! UHV has come a long way since I was a student. If land is being offerred at no cost to the University, why wouldn't the system accept it? That seems foolish. Of course, I certainly wouldn't invest in land without actually having the students yet, but I couldn't imagine turning "hundreds of acres" down. Why not have the land available just in case? Save it for a rainy day, and then maybe develop it or sell it? Especially in these bleak economic times? There must be underlying reasons why they turned it down?

After college I worked at a much larger university and I have a unique perspective about what is required with the daily operation and organization of a university. Most people don't realize that a University is basically a small city. The amount of employees it takes to run an operation like this is incredible. It will be a great thing for Victoria and job creation. Most people don't realize that all Universities must have medical clinics staffed by nurses and even on call doctors. Maintenance crews, yard crews, faculty, police officers, IT departments, transportation directors, plumbers, electricians, and many other positions that are necessary to maintain a university community. It is an awesome undertaking, and one that Victoria has needed for a long, long time.

I too think UHV should work closely with the Victoria college and maybe invest in some of the facilities they already have, and expand them. I remember using the Sports facility at VC when I was student there and I always thought it was very nice. Yes I'm sure VC has outgrown the building, but why not save money and invest in the current structures that are readily available? I just drove down Ben Wilson this morning and noticed a huge vacant lot in between the apartments and the Chamber of Commerce. Is that UHV's? There is also a vacant lot for sale on the corner of Ben Wilson and Red River. It has been there for a long time. Another terriffic place to ultimately buy and develop. Not to mention there seems to be a tremendous amount of unused space on the current VC/UHV property?

What an exciting time. Way to go UHV, your future is bright!

"UHV sits on 19 acres, 16 on the west side of North Ben Wilson Street that abuts The Victoria College and three acres across that busy four-lane street where we put some of our physical plant operations."

"...that busy four-lane," lol.

http://jfpint.net/store%20128%200%20t...

MattOcker - hear, hear! You said it better and much more concisely than I could. When I graduated UH-V, it would have been unthinkable to have commencement elsewhere; after all, we WERE UH-VICTORIA, right? I agree that UH-V should not lose sight of the "V".

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2unEarth - if you are referring to me, I am a proud UH-V alumnus. My experience with both Victoria College and UH-V were excellent, and I couldn't have asked for nor received a better education anywhere, as far as I am concerned.

Dr. Hudson and his staff have put forth tremendous effort to gain approval for UHV to be a four year university. The community has been extremely supportive of the downward expansion. I feel it would be short sighted to stop the effort now. The UH Board of Regents should approve the land acquisition. However, in the interests of the land owners, both county and private, there needs to be a stipulation in the land grant that allows the land to revert back to the owners if it is not to be used for its intended purpose within a specified period of time. By knowing where the future campus will be located, the UHV staff will be able to start laying out how the campus might be constructed. This ability to plan for the future of UHV will also allow the UH system to start notifying the State of Texas of future funding needs associated with a growing campus. In addition, assuming that the growth at UHV occurs as planned, it will meet the State of Texas' goal for increased access to higher education. At this point I see the positive aspects of the land transaction outweighing any other issues associated with it.

Wow, how Uh-V has changed from the sleepy little one-building school I graduated from years ago. It is good to see such growth and forward-looking spirit from a school I hold close to my heart. I do believe NOW is the time for planning further expansion and making firm plans for land acquisition to accommodate those plans.

I can't speak from experience about the need to travel to other campuses to take a class. Every class I needed was offered on the one campus and in the one building that was UH-V. While I am planning to return to complete my Masters degree, I would be lying if I said that scenario does not have me somewhat concerned. Although UH-V IS part of the larger UH system, I don't want any part of those other campuses. I did my time at the main campus in Houston for quite a while. I live here now, and want to attend school HERE. NOT through the computer, not through a television, not through the Cinco Ranch or Clear Lake campuses, but HERE, in the brick and mortar buildings that house professors in the flesh, where there is face-to-face interaction and a fine library within walking distance in which to conduct research. I realize times are changing, but I firmly believe it would be in both UH-V's and the people of the crossroads area's best interest to invest in more buildings, more land, more parking, more professors and more classrooms IN VICTORIA. This is where REAL learning takes place, in my opinion, and nothing can replace that for those of us who are not interested in just a degree, but in an academic education.

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Maybe UHV could also buy a couple more of the run down hotels in the same general area as the one already purchased and tear down the existing buildings or remodel them into usable classrooms. Building up on the 16 acre site would only prolong the need to aquire more land. Acting sooner than later would be prefered as it would allow for a true campus to be planned instead of randomly growing in spurts. It would also rid victoria of the ongoing problem of these older motels being used for, shall we say, unwelcomed activities.

Students have not been able to park their cars on the campus at major universities for five decades of more. Maybe the parking lots can be converted to classrooms?

The only suggestion I have for Dr. Hudson and UHV, would be to fill the many classrooms you currently have. And, yes that would mean you should remain on the 16 acres you currently have and work your tails off to fill the two big beautiful buildings that sit on your current campus site. These two beautiful buildings that you currently own and operate, are hardly ever full of students. I encourage anyone to refute the fact that they are ever filled anywhere near capacity, at any point in the day or evening. Dr. Hudson readily admits that the enrollment isn't face to face enrollment by students here in Victoria, and I do applaud his honesty, however I think it will take far longer than 5 years to get those buildings full of freshman and sophomore students. How about we work on recruiting, and figure out how we can make this a destination location.

I would vote to go forward with the new building on the current property. If we run out of space laterally, build up, up, and up. Take a lesson from The University of Texas and other major Universities that sit in populated downtown business Centers. They do amazing work in areas much smaller than what you are dealing with on the land where you currently reside.

I argue the fact that UHV will be out of room very soon. UHV has more than enough space to build at least two more buildings and parking garages. A very big parking garage, would be the way to go. Look at what Citizens hospital is doing just across the street.

I also can't believe that UHV would invest millions and millions of dollars in a new housing complex (Jaguar Hall), only to leave in the next couple of years? What an unbeleivable waste of money this would be.

The common sense business solution for the future would be to fill the buildings you currently have. More land and more space is not always better. Build another multi floored building with the capacity to house several hundred students and new class offerings. If UHV just somehow explodes beyond that, I would be absolutely shocked. The benefit of having VC as a next door neighbor, is tremendous. It's a pipeline for students. It also keeps cost down as UHV doesn't have to employ as many lower divsion faculty members, especially when you have nothing but lower divsion offerings right next door. There are so many services and facilities that VC offers UHV at minimal cost. UHV should take advantage of everything VC has to offer for as long as they can.

MATT- you have a very good point. My mother had to do a very similar thing as you ex-wife did. For the life of me I cannot think of the class she had to take or the town she went to, but it was at least a 2hr drive. I remember my father taking her twice a week. And it had to do with a very similar situation as yours was. The professor made them travel there for his own benefit.

All in all, UHV does have its good side as well as ugly side. I do hope that they can start taking their fellow citizens/students needs and concerns into consideration if they are going to take the cities land. They don't have a problem taking our money...why not just give a little something back!

Planning for growth is an asset that Dr. Tim Hudson has brought to the table for UHV. Additionally Dr. Hudson’s vision for growth for UHV is something that is not just rhetoric. His vision and planning has helped UHV turn into a 4 year university. Let's take advantage of the momentum.

While it is wise to purchase the hotel on Business 59 for student housing, UHV will still be faced with an early realization that they have outgrown their current campus. If the growth of UHV continues at the current rate, I’m in agreement that in three to five years our UHV campus will not be able handle projected enrollment.

If UHV does in fact have an opportunity to gain hundreds of acres of donated land, then the University of Houston System needs to encourage the administration of UHV to start planning now for this anticipated growth and to avoid becoming a landlocked and fragmented university campus.

We will need land for the future for UHV, let’s make sure that we have a plan that enables Victoria to have a quality university that students, alumni and the citizens of Victoria will be proud of. We need to move forward.

In response to Dr. Hudson's blog this morning I offer these comments. Now that we have a four year university we need to start thinking and acting like one. What are the visions and dreams of where we will be in five years? And you know that five years will be here before you know it. I am quite sure that planning has been going on and hence the discussion of "what are we going to need"?. Does it realy make sense that the sixteen acres will be adequate for UHV's needs in five years? Doesn't make sense to me assuming that UHV will grow as anticipated in student enrollment. And if we cannot outgrow those sixteen acres then the question would have to be asked "What is holding us back?". You know it's the old "Build it and they will come" idea that must be pursued.

I think we need to start thinking of the future with respect to UHV and what it will look like. And not be timid about it. From a purely business standpoint for our area, it would make sense to me that our business leaders, city and county officials would enthusiastically assist in the effort to grow UHV. In fact that is what I would want my elected officials to be seriously doing. In my opinion attaining a four year university with UHV will have a major impact on our area for many years to come. And we have just turned the first spade of dirt.

There have been windows of opportunity open up with the generous offer of land for UHV to expand. At first blush this location makes a great deal of sense. And it certainly makes sense to me that we are going to need the land for the future so why not get the process and planning started. We know how long it takes to get roads planned and built. So what's the next step? Let's be proactive with this. We have momentum so let's move on this or hear reasons why not. It will benefit us all. How great is that?

Which comes first the land (chicken) or the students (egg)? There is a strong argument for both sides. Obviously, being a supporter and strong believer in the future of UHV, I think the land should be acquired now. Not because the land is needed today, but because I believe UHV is going to see extraordinary growth in the very near future. Also, I very much appreciate the generous offer and support of the community. To me, by acquiring the land, UHV and the community will be showing future students that they want a thriving residential campus in Victoria.

I try to remember that UHV is a source that students can use to receive their higher education degrees. Students have choices and just like any company in a competitive market trying to provide the best services and products to its customers, I think UHV should try to be the best it can for its potential customers. Having more room to grow and being able to show students that the UHV and Victoria is invested in their success is a huge selling factor for me.

I believe it should start planning right now. The facts are there- enrollments of students at UHV are increasing so we need a bigger campus to accommodate more classrooms, state of the art research facilities, student activity centers, recreational fields, and more. I believe that one day UHV will be one of the top schools choice destination for all future college students across the country.

I would like to commend Dr. Tim Hudson and the University of Houston-Victoria on their acquisition of the Inn Place Hotel for the university's residence hall. The hotel's proximety to the UH-V campus makes this real estate an ideal location for incoming residence students this fall.
It's also a win for the City of Victoria as the property will undergo a major renovation making it a premeir property in Victoria's landscape.