Texas lawmakers passed a bill during the 84th legislative session that provides funding for a new health sciences and classroom building at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland.

With the passage of House Bill 100, Texas legislators authorized $3 billion in tuition revenue bonds to help fund capital projects at public higher education institutions across the state. A tuition revenue bond provides an avenue for universities to pay for the construction of new buildings with tuition revenue generated by future tuition payments.

Of the $3 billion in tuition revenue bonds awarded to public universities throughout Texas, the University of Houston system received $362.5 million. Of the total, $24.6 million will go toward the construction of a new health sciences and classroom building at the UHCL-Pearland campus.

UHCL President William Staples said the university system requested funding for the building as part of its legislative appropriations request, which is submitted prior to each legislative session.

The funding will be available beginning in fall 2016, Staples said, which is when the university is expected to begin construction of the new building.

“The proposed building is projected to be completed in fall 2018,” he said. “The building will have expanded space for health sciences, including nursing and science laboratories.”

The new health sciences and classroom building will be approximately 50,000 square feet. The facility will allow for more classes and laboratories in health sciences fields without overcrowding or jeopardizing students’ safety, Staples said.

Kathy Dupree, UHCL-Pearland director of operations, said this expansion will contribute to the goal of transitioning the campus from an upper-level institution to a four-year university. The Pearland campus offers its program courses only to junior, senior and graduate-level students.

“It’s an exciting time for the UHCL-Pearland campus,” Dupree said. “Having a new building will allow us to expand our programs and offer our students more opportunities to excel. We also look forward to the transition of UHCL-Pearland campus to a four-year university at some point in the future.”

UHCL-Pearland opened in fall 2010, and four years later had an enrollment of 784 students, a number the school would like to increase, Dupree said. The addition of a new health sciences and classroom building will open opportunities for more students to enroll at the campus, especially those interested in a degree in those fields.
Staples said the state and the university will handle all funding and fees, and students should not expect to see any change in tuition or other rates as a result of the expansion.

“The funding for the building comes from the state appropriation of funds to UHCL,” Staples said. “Funding for the building does not come from student tuition.