Education
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
University of Houston-Victoria to close Katy instructional site by fall 2026
UHV implemented the following measures to reduce operating costs since last March.
Faculty were assigned to at least three courses per semester, unless externally funded. Construction projects without contractual obligations were paused, including those with Legislature-approved funding. The college’s vice president and president had their salaries reduced 5% and 10%, respectively, until the 2024-25 school year. Consultants provided an 18-month notice for academic programs identified for elimination.
University of Houston-Victoria will no longer offer in-person courses at the Katy instructional site after summer 2026 as part of an effort to reduce its operating budget, college officials said. The details Roughly 500 UHV students take in-person classes at the Katy instructional site, Shawn Lindsey, senior associate vice chancellor for strategic commu- nications, said in an email. UHV moved into the University of Houston at Katy building in fall 2019. The ongoing spring semester will resume as planned. However, for the 2025-26 school year, UHV students will complete their degree plans through two options, Joann Olson, UHV interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, said in an email. Olson said students can either:
• Continue taking UHV courses, whether in-person in Katy, Victoria or 100% virtual • Work alongside an advisor to transfer in courses from either the UH at Katy or other institutions What’s happening? UHV President Bob Glenn first announced the college would reduce the budget’s operational costs to make up for multiple years of budget shortfalls in a news release last March. The transition to a central Victoria campus would cut operational costs and could increase student engagement, Glenn said. The college faced a $3.7 million shortfall in 2023-24 and a $5.7 million to $7.2 million gap in the 2024-25 budget, according to the release. Next steps Affected students should contact Katy Transition
SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-VICTORIA/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Advisors, who will provide individualized support in coordination with the International Programs Office and Financial Aid Office, according to the UHV website.
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KATY NORTH EDITION
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