University of Houston –Victoria

The University of Houston - Victoria (UHV) shares with all institutions of higher education the universal mission of teaching, research, and service. It shares with other institutions of the University of Houston System a special responsibility to serve educational needs, to promote economic well being, and to advance the quality of life in the coastal bend region of Texas.

The University is an upper-level and graduate institution with selected bachelor's and master's degree programs in the arts and sciences, business administration, education and human development, and nursing. It serves commuting students from Victoria and surrounding counties; offers degree programs, in collaboration with other UH System institutions, at two off-campus centers in Fort Bend County ; offers courses at a number of other off-campus sites in the region; and offers courses and programs via the Internet. Administrator's Statement

UHV is the only institution offering bachelor and master's degrees within a 100-mile radius of Victoria .

The University admits only students whose records demonstrate successful academic performance at the college level. Enrollment was 2,784 for Fall 2007 with graduate enrollment at 55% of the total enrollment and part-time students making up 72% of the enrollment.

UHV continually strives to ascertain students' needs, to deliver instruction when and where they need it, to provide learning support and student services at convenient hours, and to involve students in institutional activities and decision-making processes. The University has a history of taking instruction to where the students are and offering it at times and in ways that recognize student obligations to work, family and society.

The University is continually expanding its programs to meet the needs of the service region. A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Digital Gaming and Simulation, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science with concentration in Biotechnology, and Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing were added for the 2007 academic year. A Master of Arts and Interdisplinary Studies with concentration in Forensic Science, Master of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration will be offered in the 2008 academic year. UHV will be expanding the degree offerings in the 2009 academic year to include: Master of Arts and Interdisplinary Studies with a concentration in Film, Master of Arts and Interdisplinary Studies with concentration in Religion, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science with concentration in Networking and Security, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science with concentration in Web and Media, Master of Science in Publishing, Master of Education in Adult Education, in Curriculum and Instruction concentrations in Elementary Math Education, and in Curriculum and Instruction concentrations in Secondary/College Math Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Second degree, and Master of Science Nursing in Nursing Education. Developing international partnerships for international study and program delivery in Mexico and elsewhere are also underway.

Distance learning programs and courses are offered via face-to-face and instructional television (ITV) at two off-campus locations in Fort Bend County ( Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch [near Katy , Texas ]). Through a partnership of the four UH System universities and the local community colleges, the UH System Centers provide upper-level and graduate courses leading to bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of fields. The purpose of this collaboration is to expand access to quality educational programs and courses. Through a recent agreement with Austin Community College , UHV will provide online bachelor's level degree opportunities for those graduates. Off-campus delivery has grown rapidly in the past four years. Continued expansion of this delivery method is critical for Texas in “Closing the Gaps” by expanding higher education access to areas of the State that are currently underserved.

UHV has an important impact on the regional community--educationally, economically, and culturally. It has trained most of the teachers, many of the managers, and a number of entrepreneurs in the area. UHV was instrumental in starting the Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Festival, the Black History Month Parade, the Ballet Folklorico, Hispanic Heritage Day, Fiesta Day, the South Texas Woman awards, Boys and Girls Leadership Academies , and more recently a regional Children's Discovery museum. These and many other community activities continue to enrich the spirit and worth of the community.

UHV has developed considerable experience and expertise in outreach, community cultivation, and collaboration--which serve the interests of its region and are at the disposal of the UH System. The Center for Regional Outreach initiative, which includes the award-winning Letting Education Achieve Dreams (LEAD) program, is a significant example and is discussed in more detail in this statement.

The University, however, does recognize that it has issues and constraints, which must be addressed. These include the following:

As an upper-level, commuting institution, UHV cannot recruit directly from the high schools; campus enrollment is largely dependent on students within reasonable commuting distance or those available via electronic means. Although the surrounding service area is huge, the population is not. This weakness is somewhat being offset by collaborative initiatives to provide a dual admissions option for freshmen entering community colleges and to educate K-12th grade students through the LEAD initiative that college is accessible and valuable. Delivery of courses to off-campus centers and online has also enabled the institution to expand its range and better serve the public.
If UHV is to be able to address the educational needs of its service area and increase enrollments, it must continue to expand its array of programs, which currently includes only one discipline of the natural sciences, one in the allied health field, and none in fine arts.
UHV's small size creates some impediments to efficiency, because UHV must do everything larger institutions must do but without economies of scale. Fixed costs are necessarily high compared to variable costs. Therefore, it is essential to maintain supplemental state funding for universities with enrollments below 5,000 and support an increase in this funding as recommended by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Initial investment in infrastructure and equipment, replacement costs, technical support costs, and employee training costs threaten always to overwhelm the institutional budget. Technology is raising the stakes of competition and bringing for-profit universities into territories formerly protected by physical distance.
Although the population of the Victoria region is growing, the growth is mainly in the Hispanic sector, where college participation rates have been significantly lower than the average for the greater population. Efforts to elevate the college participation rate among area Hispanics, such as FAFSA workshops in Spanish and a Spanish website, are underway. From 1990 to 2000, the population of the primary service area increased by 11.8%. The population of the most populous county, Fort Bend County, has increased by 60.9%

UHV is requesting special item funding to continue on the following priorities:

Master of Science in Nursing. Funding was received for $1,100,000 for the biennium which enabled the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) to initiate a Master of Science in Nursing. UHV created an RN-BSN program which was initiated in Fall 2006 and a Master of Science in Nursing degree with an emphasis in nursing administration was initiated in Summer 2008 following approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. While these programs will provide more nurses with bachelor and advanced degrees in our community, they do not directly affect the existing and growing nursing and nursing faculty shortage. UHV now plans to create a master’s program with an emphasis in education which will prepare nurses for the role of nurse educator and provide additional faculty in our area. These new faculty will replace those who are or will soon be eligible for retirement and provide programs with additional faculty to allow for increased enrollment of students thus increasing the number of nurses who graduate from the existing programs in our region. In addition, UHV received authority to offer a second degree bachelor’s program which will recruit individuals with a bachelor degree in any discipline, who wish to become registered nurses. This second degree nursing program will provide the basic education needed by students to pass the NCLEX licensure exam. This innovative program will quickly produce more nurses to help meet the demand for nurses. The program will accept 24 students in the Fall of 2008 and will increase the number of students as faculty are available to support the enrollment increase. These graduates will then have the opportunity to enroll in one of the UHV master’s programs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). To continue to staff the current programs and to allow for the growth of the new programs, UHV will need additional staff, faculty, equipment, and materials.
Continue funding the Center for Regional Outreach at $249,375 per year. This funding will provide outreach services to increase the college going rates in our region. The type of outreach provided by the Center is characteristic of the "engaged" university. The Center’s activities compliment and address the new higher education plan, “Closing the Gaps,” authored by The Higher Education Coordinating Board. Funding of the UHV Center for Regional Outreach will support LEAD--“Letting Education Achieve Dreams,” an award-winning initiative designed to increase the educational attainment level of all citizens of the region, with particular emphasis on underrepresented populations. This UHV initiative developed out of a desire to address some serious educational concerns in the UHV service area. These concerns centered on raising the college enrollment rates for area minorities, eradicating the belief that college is unaffordable and raising the education attainment level for our service region. Through LEAD efforts, ambassadors from the University annually reach over 10,000 area youth and over 3,000 visits the campus.
Continue special item funding for UHV Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). This revenue positive operation to the State is special item funded at $195,500 each year. The UHV SBDC also receives $191,000 from the Federal SBA and other state/local support. During the past decade of service to the state in the area of small business development, UHV has significantly improved and expanded its services, supporting this effort through careful management of state and federal funding and through its own revenue-generating activities. Since 2000, UHV SBDC has created over 201 new businesses, creating over 885 jobs. During this period, 3,209 clients have been counseled. Over 30,000 project hours have been dedicated to obtain over $60.2 million in new capital and to increase client sales by $35.7 million. 6,229 attendees have been trained in 424 training events.

UHV is requesting exceptional item funding for the following priorities:

Program Development - Allied Health – UHV has demonstrated a commitment to addressing shortages in the health related discipline by initiating the RN to BSN program and the Master of Science in Nursing degree. In Fall 2009 the second degree bachelor’s program will be offered. With these programs developed and growing, the university has made the commitment to address the other shortage areas in allied health professions, particularly in therapies. Therapy programs will provide more occupational therapists, athletic trainers, speech language pathologists, and other allied health professionals in our community. The shortage of occupational therapists in our service region is critical. The Department of Labor statistics indicate that most therapists hold more than one job and the occupational therapy employment opportunities are expected to increase by 23% in the next eight years. Through continued growth and development of health related programs, UHV will address the needs of our regions and those of the State of Texas.

UHV is requesting $450,000 for FY 2010 and $600,000 for FY 2011.

Economic Development – Through private and public partnerships, UHV will address the economic development needs for 13 counties. One has only to drive through Texas to see that many communities need revitalization. Local, regional, and state governments are dedicated to economic growth and a higher quality of life. The South Texas Regional Center for Economic Development (regional focus) and the Texas Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (TexCEED, state focus), initiated by UHV through its School of Business, will promote collaboration in the following areas: training and education, job creation and retention, business creation, recruitment, retention, and enhancement, research and development, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, marketing the region, strategic planning, and technology transfer.

UHV is requesting $400,000 for FY 2010 and $420,000 for FY 2011.
UHV has this area of concern that we strongly suggest needs attention during the next legislative session:

That universities be fully funded for employees' staff benefits and that the State provides adequate salary increases for all State employees in light of their not receiving a State pay increase last regular session.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Dr. Tim Hudson, President

Center for Regional Outreach
(Existing Item)

Description and Justification
UHV seeks funding to continue the Regional Outreach efforts to raise the educational attainment level of underrepresented populations in seven of the fifteen counties UHV serves. UHV currently receives $249,375 per year in special item funding. The University also allocated $103,285 for FY 2004, $111,263 for FY2005, and $60,033 for FY2006. Validation of the effectiveness of these strategies is evidenced by the University's receipt of two awards (the ATCU 2001 "Excellence in Higher Education Award" and the THECB “Star Award” finalist) in recognition of Regional Outreach's Letting Education Achieve Dreams (LEAD).

With current funding, Regional Outreach has identified barriers underrepresented groups are facing in pursuit of education and implemented effective strategies to overcome these barriers. Regional Outreach has provided academic support courses, professional development courses, and certification programs. In addition, LEAD reaches approximately 1,000 high school, community college, and adult first generation, low income, and minority students per year through high school, community college, business and community activities. These activities include one-on-one college counseling sessions, group presentations, peer mentoring, and cultural awareness events. Through collaboration with local chambers, ISD’s community colleges, and non-profits, the LEAD Initiative has worked to create an enrollment that reflects the population of the University’s service region.

Factors Impacting Strategy
State, university, local, and private funding made current efforts successful as evidenced above. Without continuation of funding, efforts may be abandoned, leaving a void since no other comprehensive program exists in the region to address severe shortfall in educational attainment, a primary goal of the State’s “Closing the Gaps” initiative. The most significant impact will be felt by the first generation, low income and minority students, who suffer in their struggle to be educationally prepared for today’s socioeconomic and work force demands.

UHV's service region produces college graduates at half the rate of Texas , and Texas ranks in the lowest quartile of the nation. Without an educated work force, technology-based employers will not locate in the UHV service region. The tax base will erode and increased spending for prisons, welfare, and Medicaid will result. Human potential will be lost.

UHV has committed resources to identify barriers underrepresented groups face in educational pursuits, has structured its Regional Outreach unit to mobilize efforts to address those barriers, and has gained commitment from faculty, staff, students, independent school districts (ISD's), community groups, economic developers, businesses, and volunteer citizens to work collaboratively to address the barriers citizens face in pursuing higher education.

	Appropriated		Requested
	FY08	FY09	FY10	FY11
Base Dollar Funding	$249,375	$249,375	$249,375	$249,375
Exceptional Funding
Total	$249,375	$249,375	$249,375	$249,375

Small Business Development Center
(Existing Item)

Description and Justification
The UHV Small Business Development Center was established in 1985 through an agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This partnership between the university and the SBA requires a one-to-one match from the grantee institution. The SBDC's central focus is providing quality assistance to the small business community by increasing growth and survivability. The UHV SBDC accomplishes its mission by providing service in areas that include one-on-one business counseling, business-related workshops and seminars, contract procurement, international trade, technology development and commercialization, and business specialist referrals. The UHV SBDC also provides agribusiness/agricultural assistance to meet the needs of its 11 rural counties.

Since January of 2000, the UHV SBDC has created over 201 new businesses, creating over 885 jobs. During this same time frame, the center has met with 3,209 clients, and has spent over 30,000 project hours working to obtain over $60.2 million in new capital for 202 distinct clients. In addition, the UHV SBDC presented 424 training events with 6,229 attendees.

Factors Impacting Strategy
Any shift in funding will have significant impact on attracting Federal matching funds and the ability to influence the number of potential new businesses and jobs created in this region. The State's tax revenue will be affected by funding shifts.

	Appropriated		Requested
	FY08	FY09	FY10	FY11
Base Dollar Funding	$195,500	$195,500	$195,500	$195,500
Exceptional Funding
Total	$195,500	$195,500	$195,500	$195,500

Master’s Degree in Nursing
(Existing Item)

Description and Justification
UHV created an RN-BSN program which was initiated in Fall 2006 and a Master's of Science in Nursing degree with an emphasis in nursing administration initiated in Summer 2008 following approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. While these programs will provide more nurses with bachelors and advanced degrees in our community, they do not directly affect the existing and growing nursing and nursing faculty shortage. UHV now plans to create a master's program with an emphasis in education which will prepare nurses for the role of nurse educator and provide additional faculty in our area. In addition, UHV received authority to offer an accelerated bachelor's degree program which will recruit individuals with a bachelor degree in any discipline, who wish to become registered nurses. This accelerated program will provide the basic education needed by students to pass the NCLEX licensure exam. This innovative program will quickly produce more nurses and increase the number of students. These graduates will then have the opportunity to enroll in one of the UHV master's programs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Continued funding is needed for faculty (including clinical faculty), for staff, and for updating the skills labs for the current program and to allow for growth of the new programs.

Factors Impacting Strategy
The nursing shortage is critical. One market which has not been developed is the group of individuals who have baccalaureate degrees outside the nursing field, who are interested in becoming registered nurses. The community college programs are unlikely to attract these students, since they already have a bachelor's degree. However, an accelerated program of this type is likely to be very attractive and will provide an influx of individuals into the nursing workforce.

In addition, the nursing faculty shortage is even more critical and is predicted to worsen over the next 3-15 years as an estimated 70% of current faculty becomes eligible to retire. The addition of a master’s degree in nursing education option will be a crucial factor in meeting the needs of our region for new nursing faculty.

	Appropriated		Requested
	FY08	FY09	FY10	FY11
Base Dollar Funding	$600,000	$500,000	$550,000	$550,000
Exceptional Funding
Total	$600,000	$500,000	$550,000	$550,000

Tuition Revenue Bond – Debt Service
(Existing Item)

Description and Justification
Tuition Revenue bond funds for allied health were awarded this past legislative session in the amount of $1.8 million. These funds are being used for a nursing lab and for additional space for faculty and staff support. The University has made the commitment to address the other shortage areas in allied health professions, particularly in therapies. Plans are to add programs that will provide more occupational therapists, athletic trainers, speech language pathologists, and other allied health professionals in our community. These fields of study will compliment the current bachelors and masters programs in nursing and the biology program. Other health related programs will be added in the following years.

Exceptional Funding Request
FY 2010 includes $1,819,199 and FY 2011 includes $2,728,798 for the Health and Kinesiology Education Building.

In order to expand into additional allied health fields the University is seeking funds for new construction. The Health and Kinesiology Education Building would be 66,000 gross square feet at a total cost of $30,500,000.

Appropriated

Requested

FY08

FY09

FY10

FY11

Priority

Base Dollar Funding

Exceptional Funding
$450,000

$600,000

1

Total

$450,000

$600,000

Economic Development
(New Item)

Description and Justification
UHV received Tuition Revenue Bond authority to construct an economic development building which will house the South Texas Regional Center for Economic Development and Texas Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. Under the organizational leadership role of UHV, the center will be used for economic development for 13 counties and will be occupied by the region's economic development partners.

UHV intends to facilitate working affiliations in 13 counties with local economic development centers, chambers of commerce, convention and visitors' bureaus, county extension offices, farm bureaus, ports of call and airports, centers for non-profit leadership, colleges, and local, state, and federal agencies. Through these alliances, UHV will promote collaboration in the following areas: training and education, job creation and retention, business creation, recruitment, retention, research and development, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, marketing the region, strategic planning, and technology transfer.

UHV's School of Business will initiate the Texas Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (TexCEED) to support the Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship program by providing students and faculty opportunities for research, academic study, and application of cutting edge entrepreneurship and economic development techniques. In addition, TexCEED will reach out with training and seminars to elected officials across the state, from mayors to county commissioners, whose responsibilities involve economic development and the interaction of entrepreneurial activities and public initiatives.

The TexCEED will complement the regional focus of the South Texas Center for Regional Economic Development by making its services available to the local region. To fulfill its roles, UHV will need additional staff and materials.

Factors Impacting Strategy
One has only to drive through Texas and this region to see that many communities need revitalization. Local, regional, and state governments are dedicated to economic growth and a higher quality of life through Texas . TexCEED will be a critical part of the revitalization effort throughout Texas by developing and facilitating the training of community leaders and serving as a resource for their community revitalization. The regional focus will be to reverse a long-term, gradual, downward spiral in the economy in the 13 county region. Such weaknesses can be seen in the undereducated and unemployed population, plant/other business downsizing or closures, and decline of the agricultural industry.

	Appropriated		Requested
	FY08	FY09	FY10	FY11	Priority
Base Dollar Funding
Exceptional Funding			$400,000	$420,000	2
Total			$400,000	$420,000

TRB Project Request Health and Kinesiology Education Building
(New Item)

Description and Justification
Tuition Revenue Bond funds for allied health were awarded this past legislative session in the amount of $1.8 million. These funds are being used for a nursing lab and for additional space for faculty and staff support. The University has made the commitment to address the other shortage areas in allied health professions, particularly in therapies. Plans are to add programs that will provide more occupational therapists, athletic trainers, speech language pathologists, and other allied health professionals in our community. These fields of study will compliment the current bachelors and masters programs in nursing and biology program. Other health related programs will be added in the following years.

In order to expand into additional allied health fields the University is seeking funds for new construction. The Health and Kinesiology Education Building would be 66,000 gross square feet at a total cost of $30,500,000.

	Requested		Priority
TRB Bonding Authority Request		$30,500,000	1



Total		$30,500,000