KOLKHORST’S BILL TRANSFERRING UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – VICTORIA TO TEXAS A&M SYSTEM HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK

  

Legislation that transfers the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) to the Texas A&M University System and renaming the institution Texas A&M - Victoria is now on its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.

Senate Bill 2361, authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and sponsored by Representative AJ Louderback (R-Victoria) unanimously passed the Senate and by a 142-1 vote in the House. 

The bill directs the University of Houston and Texas A&M systems to establish a memorandum of understanding by June 1^st to outline the transfer process, which must be completed by September 1^st.  The change will expand the Texas A&M system to 12 universities.

Kolkhorst said in a release late Thursday that this transfer “will better align and enhance educational opportunities to the region with a strong emphasis on engineering and agriculture-focused degrees.”  She said she is grateful to the University of Houston System for their partnership and their willingness to support the transfer, as well as to the Texas A&M Board of Regents for its vision going forward.  She added, “This is a tremendous opportunity and has been long-awaited and supported by community leaders.”

The release states that by joining the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M-Victoria will be able to expand its STEM and engineering programs, deliver on new research and technical training facilities, and gain access to over $1.3 billion in A&M research infrastructure. 

Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), a joint author of the bill, said, “This transfer and strategic investment in Victoria’s future opens new doors for students and unlocks the full potential of the next generation of leaders, engineers, and entrepreneurs in petrochemical, agricultural, and logistics innovation.”

Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said, “The Texas A&M University System will turn Texas A&M–Victoria into one of the premier campuses in Texas while serving its regional economic needs.”

Louderback called Texas A&M coming to Victoria “an incredible opportunity that will generate degrees beneficial for our community and the entire Golden Crescent, with a goal of keeping well-educated graduates in our region.”

KWHI has reached out to the University of Houston System for a statement on the transfer.

The bill will take effect immediately upon Governor Abbott’s signature.