UT System cancels big Houston expansion (San Antonio, Austin: school districts, university, price)

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by BCLRRE

I agree. This cancellation is all about the other parts of the state are already EXTREMELY jealous of Houston, and could not stand to see it get yet another powerhouse attribute. Additionally, while UH has improved into a great school, it wants to be the ONLY big game in town, and hates the idea of direct local competition from a marquee institution like UT. Even though UH says it wants to compete with the big boys in sports and elsewhere, it's really afraid of competition and fought hard for the UT cancellation. UH can't get into the football league it wants, is afraid of another local law school, and is scared sh!tless of UT coming to Houston.

There was also a lot of dirty politics played to get this cancellation. McRaven's environmental cop-out was just the bullsh!t excuse everyone agreed to put forth. McRaven probably sincerely wanted to expand, and for noble reasons, but Texas infighting amongst the Houston haters, scaredy-cat UH, and local willful Houston saboteur John Whitmire, all fuct Houston's UT expansion. Sad. This UT Houston expansion would have been a boon for Houston, especially economically. But the opposition was smart...instead of using one of many anti-Houston pols from Dallas or Austin to kill it, they used one of Houston's local dumbasses (John Whitmire) to kill something great for his own city. Priceless.

I hope it was worth it Johnny-boy.

Yes the U of H clique teamed up with Houston haters everywhere to kill this venture. A win for the "Good guys" my arse !

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Right here as well. Those who think UT is going into UH will affect it at large are seriously mistaken. UT would only have bettered the education system in the Houston area.

I agree this would have been good for U of H in the long run but their inferiority complex just wouldn't let them take a chance. One thing is certain this would have been a huge game changer for Greater Houston!

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by xxwin

McRaven said Wednesday that the system planned a data science institute for the land. The center would focus on energy, health and education data. Aspects of this plan may proceed at the system's universities around the state.

While I would not necessarily have been averse to the building of a new center, is there any reason the functions described above can't be done at existing institutions in Houston or elsewhere? Wouldn't that save a lot of money? Take for example the Health Data. UT has 2 system medical schools and a School of Public Health in the Houston area. Why not just use existing campuses (unless there are physical plant lot expansion imitations).

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Spade

Could not have said it any better. You can't have enough top education institutions in your area. This would have been great economically for the city and region. Quite honestly, I still think UT will establish a presence in Houston. They will just have to regroup.

This is what I am hoping, but you know no matter how pristine the land or noble the intentions of UT, they will be opposed by the same forces, for the same reasons...

[huma281]

I'm not for or against this, but more competition is usually a good thing.

[OnMyWayto30a]

Maybe if UT loosens its' death grip on the Permanent University Fund there might be more likelihood for agreement with the current opposition. Time for this to be shared with TT & UH.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by OnMyWayto30a

Maybe if UT loosens its' death grip on the Permanent University Fund there might be more likelihood for agreement with the current opposition. Time for this to be shared with TT & UH.

So they're going to hold Greater Houston hostage in the meantime ?

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Right here as well. Those who think UT is going into UH will affect it at large are seriously mistaken. UT would only have bettered the education system in the Houston area.

I agree. It would have been good for the southwest side of town, too.

[Milton Miteybad]

Originally Posted by OnMyWayto30a

Maybe if UT loosens its' death grip on the Permanent University Fund there might be more likelihood for agreement with the current opposition. Time for this to be shared with TT & UH.

You can set that possibility out of your mind immediately. It ain't gonna happen. It would require a constitutional amendment, and there is no legislative will to place an amendment on the ballot that would further divide the PUF any more than it already is.

The UT portion of income from the PUF is already distributed between 14 institutions in the UT System. A&M's portion is split between 11 institutions in the A&M System.

There seems to be only one plausible means by which the U of H faithful can jump aboard the PUF train, however.

If the University of Houston wants to participate in a second sovereign wealth fund (it already is a Texas Higher Education Assistance Fund participant), it could perhaps disincorporate as an independent institution under its own charter, and apply to become an institution within the University of Texas System. Of course, this would render the former University of Houston ineligible to participate in the Texas HEAF, as they do now. It would also make the new University of Texas at Houston (formerly the University of Houston) the 26th little piggie at the PUF trough.

All of that assumes that the University of Texas System is willing to approve such an application by U of H, an outcome which is by no means assured, and which is likely to meet considerable resistance from any number of quarters.

[PedroMartinez]

Well, maybe the Aggies are smarter.

It makes no sense for Texas to abandon Houston.

And I'm a UT alumni.

[SanJac]

Jack Lance, normally I am aligned with your posts but not this time.

UT was way out of bounds with what they did, purchasing the land without approval at an inflated price from a UT alum.

Houston will be just fine without UT. We've made it this far without them.

We need to get UH a medical school...now that would be a game changer!