Proposed Legislation to Transfer UHV to Texas A&M System

News Summary

Proposed legislation by state senators aims to transfer the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) to the Texas A&M University System. The move could enhance agricultural education and resources in the region, amid UHV facing declining enrollment and budget cuts. If approved, the transfer would provide governance by the Texas A&M Board of Regents, promoting better support for local industries. The legislation will be discussed on April 15, 2025, with hopes that it will bolster UHV’s educational offerings and economic impact in Victoria.

Austin – The Texas A&M University System may soon be home to the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) following the introduction of proposed legislation by State Senator Lois Kolkhorst and State Senator Paul Bettencourt. An identical bill has also been presented in the Texas House by Representative A.J. Louderback. These legislative moves aim to grant the Texas A&M Board of Regents governance over UHV, enabling the board to manage its facilities and resources.

If the transfer is approved, it could significantly enhance support for the agriculture industry in the Victoria area, which currently sees farm income between $35 million and $55 million annually. The prospective change aligns UHV with Texas A&M’s established degree programs in agribusiness, further promoting economic growth in the region.

Support for the transfer has been voiced not only by state senators and representatives but also by Victoria Mayor Duane Crocker and local officials who believe that the transfer could lead to improved educational opportunities and resources for local students and the broader community.

The legislation is slated for discussion in the Texas House on April 15, 2025. Following deliberations, if the bill passes, it will then be sent to Governor Greg Abbott for final approval.

This is not the first instance of UHV’s prospective transfer. A similar proposal was floated in 2011 but ultimately did not gain sufficient support to move forward. Recently, UHV has faced stiff challenges, including declining enrollment figures. The institution projected an enrollment target of 5,000 students for the fall 2023-2024 academic year but only managed to enroll 3,800 students.

Similarly, UHV has encountered significant budget cuts and staff reductions, raising concerns about its future viability as an independent institution. The move to transfer UHV to the Texas A&M System is seen as a potential remedy to these challenges, particularly as the A&M System aims to introduce degrees in engineering and agribusiness that are currently unavailable at UHV.

Should the transfer take place, the University of Houston System would be left with three institutions in its portfolio. During this transition, the University of Houston System has expressed its commitment to continue serving students effectively while facilitating a smooth transfer process.

Overall, the proposed legislation aims to create a stronger academic relationship within Texas, bolstering UHV’s educational offerings and solidifying its support for local industries. Proponents are optimistic that under the Texas A&M System, UHV will see a resurgence both in enrollment numbers and financial stability, ultimately benefiting the students, faculty, and the Victoria community as a whole.

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Additional Resources

• Chronicle: Texas A&M and UH Legislative News
• Houston Chronicle: UHV’s Move to Texas A&M System
• Crossroads Today: UHV Transfer News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M University
• 12th Man: Men’s Basketball with UH