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Pearland could be UHS expansion target

The city has offered land to UH System for a campus, but officials are keeping options open for the future growth

By Dusti Rhodes
The Daily Cougar

The offer is still on the table, and growth is the name of game.

The city of Pearland recently offered land that would make possible expansion of the UH System into the city of nearly 38,000, but the deal isn't done yet.

"We are not closing our options," said Thad "Bo" Smith, chairman of the UHS Board of Regents.

Although no decisions have been made, those involved with UHS expansion have their sights set on areas that show the possibility of future growth.

"What will happen in Pearland is quite remarkable in terms of population growth," Ed Hugetz, assistant vice chancellor for planning and outreach for the UH System, said.

Smith agreed, saying Pearland's recent growth made it a natural place to expand.

Fred Welch, executive director of economic development for the city of Pearland, said the land -- located near Pearland Parkway and Clear Creek -- would be geared toward future expansion.

"Whatever land we would offer up is efficient for further expansion," he said.

Although Smith said the System does see Pearland as a promising choice for expansion, other opportunities deserve as much attention. Pearland is one of three areas being considered for the System's future, he said; the other two are along Highway 290 in northwest Harris County and in Sugar Land, where the System already has a presence.

"It is still up in the air," Smith said.

What is clear is that the number of students in the System will rise in the coming years.

"I think we are going to have to be prepared to be providing over 75,000 students with education," Smith said.

He said rising tuition and more demands on financial aid means expanding the System will give students more chances to continue their education.

"In 20 years, I see an expanded main campus, nice satellite campuses on 290, and who knows what the Fort Bend County will be," Smith said.

For now, Hugetz said, System officials have been meeting with Alvin Community College about a partnership and plans to offer UH classes in ACC facilities in the near future. If the System expands into Pearland, Hugetz said the facility will most likely be managed by UH-Clear Lake the way the UH System at Sugar Land is managed by UH-Victoria.

He added that high-demand courses of study in Pearland would likely be business and education.
 

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