Not about UT vs. UH

Opportunity lost

Regarding “UH regent condemns UT for Houston land buy” (Page A3, Friday), the UT System located 333 acres of land in Houston to develop a major data science institute. A Data Science Institute could be used to enhance the energy, medical and educational industries. This center would employ thousands of highly paid engineers and computer science personnel.

Other areas like Boston, New York, Silicon Valley and the North Carolina Research Triangle are developing their intellectual capital with centers in cooperation with major universities. The UT System reached out to other universities to participate in a cooperative endeavor to participate in this development. Rice, Texas A&M, and TSU were agreeable. Only the University of Houston felt UT was invading its “territory.” UH’s objection resulted in UT withdrawing this opportunity.

The UT System already has substantial investments in Houston: MD Anderson Cancer Center; UT Health; UT’s Medical, Nursing and Dental schools. The UT System spends more of its budget in Houston (approximately 34 percent) than it does on UT-Austin (16 percent). The UT System employs thousands of Houston professionals. It educates over 50,000 students in Houston. Its contribution to Houston is greater than to any other Texas city. UT has more alumni living in Houston than any other university.

This is not about UT versus UH. It is about a unique opportunity for Houston. An opportunity that would stimulate Houston’s economy, propel a 21st century workforce and further stimulate Houston’s growth. There was a time Houston seized forwardlooking opportunities. The Houston Ship Channel and the Texas Medical Center are just two examples.

I hope Houston continues to welcome major investments that would improve this community. No Houstonian should crow about the loss of UT’s latest major proposed Houston project. But there is certainly a loser in this. Sadly, the loser is Houston.

George Fleming, Houston