On Feb. 26, University of Houston System Regents approved a report from a UH-Sugar Land task force recommending the University of Houston become the only institution offering programs at the Sugar Land campus.

As part of the transition plan UH is expecting to launch or expand up to 22 programs at the Sugar Land campus, including the relocation of a significant portion of its College of Technology, according to the UH System.

The UH System is comprised of four campuses, including its main campus, and five teaching centers, including Sugar Land. Although they are part of the system, the campusesUH–Downtown, UH–Clear Lake and UH–Victoriaare not considered branches of the University of Houstonthey act as stand-alone universities with their own degrees and programs.

The task force recommended the UH System expand its Sugar Land programs as programs offered by UH–Victoria and UH–Clear Lake are absorbed or transferred to other locations to allow "continuity in course and program availability, faculty and staff resources, enrollment and revenue."

Since the Sugar Land campus currently houses a variety of programs offered by UH–Victoria and UH–Clear Lake, UH System Chancellor Renu Khator said the transition will be implemented "very methodically, very thoughtfully and very carefully."

A committee led by UH provost Paula Myrick Short, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs with the UH System, has been charged to develop a recommended transition plan. The committee is also expected to gather feedback and input from students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

The eight-member task force provided five recommendations in its report for implementing this transition plan.

Recommendation 1

"In fall 2014, the UH System should begin implementing a multi-year plan (two to five years) through which the University of Houston will become the exclusive provider of baccalaureate and graduate programs at the Sugar Land campus, consistent with the UHS Board of Regents' decision to transfer campus administration to UH. UH will continue to rely on its community college partners to deliver lower-division course work."

Recommendation 2

"In the implementation of this change, it is of great importance that no current student be left stranded, that no existing faculty contract be violated, and that the University of Houston-Victoria be furnished with adequate funds to carry out its important mission to become a destination university in the city of Victoria."

Recommendation 3

"The success of the UHV nursing program is highly dependent upon its facilities in Sugar Land. It is also important that these programs continue to be conducted in metropolitan Houston near the Texas Medical Center. For these reasons, and consistent with the Sugar Land Task Force Nursing Subcommittee's recommendation, this Task Force recommends that the existing nursing program at Sugar Land be transferred to the University of Houston and made part of its newly organized UH Health Science Center. This does not preclude UHV continuing with certain nursing programs in Victoria or elsewhere."

Recommendation 4

"Over the course of the implementation period, as the University of Houston expands program delivery in Sugar Land, UH-Victoria and UH-Clear Lake will incrementally cease program delivery at the campus and will have the opportunity to shift some of their programs to another UH System teaching center or deliver them fully online."

Recommendation 5

"In addition to degree programs, the University of Houston should deliver select certificate programs at the Sugar Land campus to meet local workforce needs."

Community Impact Newspaper will continue to follow this announcement as news develops.