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At the forum held by the UHV expansion commission last week, many residents of Victoria voiced their unity in urging the University of Houston System to implement a plan to make the University of Houston-Victoria a four-year university, thereby adding the freshman and sophomore years to the university.
There are only four universities left in the country – two in Texas – that are two-year programs for junior and senior years. And UHV is one of them.
While most of those at the forum cited the perks to Victoria if UHV became a four-year university, the UH System should realize that any benefits to Victoria would certainly mean benefits to the UHV System, as well.
The UH System seems like a ZIP file ready to be opened. Currently, the UH System is compressed in the Houston area. Victoria could help un-ZIP this educational organization and help the university system spread and grow, much like other university systems have done, i.e. University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. And Victoria is key to South Texas, a good place for growth.
Here are a few excerpts from last week’s forum of the commission appointed to investigate the viability of making UHV a four-year university:
“I am for a four-year downward expansion of the University of Houston System in Victoria, Texas. Not someday, but now, as soon as possible.” – Will Armstrong, Victoria mayor
“I can’t find employees. All of the fast-food services in Victoria cannot find employees. Having a four-year university in Victoria would bring us the workforce to continue to serve the community that we have. It would bring us growth for our economy.” – Delores White, Victoria businesswoman
“In Victoria you can usually find people to disagree about what color the sky is, but here when we go to the grocery store we see people united in this opportunity.” – John Griffin, Victoria attorney
“I think that the community’s message is clear.” – John Roberts, Victoria Advocate publisher
“I want to leave you with one thought, ladies and gentlemen: If you don’t build it, they can’t come.” – Nic Harrison, Port Lavaca
“On behalf of all of the other students here at UHV, we want downward expansion.” – Kristen Lindley, Student Senate president
“I would argue that this is the defining moment for our community today, and this is what is going to carry us the next 25 years.” – Robert Loeb, Victoria businessman
“The bottom line here is I want to be able to send our kids right here in our backyard. I don’t mind driving 50 or even 100 miles for the quality education that UHV offers as well as Victoria College. I cannot emphasize to you enough along with our Legislature, let’s get behind this movement. Move it forward for all concerned. And I think that you will build it. I’ll get them down here, believe me. I’ll get them down here. Thank you so very much.” – Hernan Jaso, Chair, PRAB.
We urge the UH System regents and their planning groups to move immediately to make UHV a four-year university. The pluses outweigh any negatives in this proposal, and the UH System stands to benefit greatly.
This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate’s editorial board.