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Big universities are branching out in order to expand access to education.

Texas Tech University has moved a bit closer to the local area by becoming academic partners with East Williamson County Higher Education Center outside of Taylor.

Will Texas Tech’s decision to branch out motivate University of Houston officials to make the University of Houston-Victoria a four-year university?

The possibility of downward expansion and Texas Tech’s decision to branch out are two unrelated issues, said Tim Hudson, UHV President.

Some, like Dale Fowler, president of Victoria Economic Development Corporation, see the branching out of big universities as a positive.

“Most campuses are overpopulated and need to expand,” he said.

It’s an increasing pattern for universities to expand to a four year campus or branch out, he said.

“The new colleges are a great opportunity for communities and cities that want to expand and grow,” Fowler said.

The decision UHV System officials are contemplating about the downward expansion will not be affected by Texas Tech’s decision, Hudson said. However, he does agree that access to higher education is important.

“Expanded access to higher education is something we should all support,” Hudson said.