Making Texas Home to More Top Universities

October 2009

Proposition 4 would put $400 million towards making the University of Houston and six others the nation's next top research institutions

On November 3nd, Proposition 4 will go to the ballot in Texas. This proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution would authorize the distribution of over $400 million of already-collected funds towards boosting Texas Universities up to "Tier One" status. The University of Houston is on the short list of public institutions that would be affected by this proposition.

In terms of top research universities, Texas has fewer than States with similar populations, such as California and New York. California has nine major research universities and New York seven, Texas has three: Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Rice University. Lawmakers have a plan to change that by investing over $400 million in funds towards improving Texas schools approaching elite status.

Seven Texas universities would be eligible for the money, including the University of Houston. These universities will have to meet certain standards, including granting more doctoral degrees, conducting more research, and boosting endowments.

The proposition would draw funds from the dormant Higher Education Fund. It would not levy any new taxes. The investment is expected to boost the long-term economy of Texas. With improved research comes new discoveries and technologies, which is expected to bring new jobs and opportunities to the surrounding towns and cities.

The University of Houston's website on potential Tier One achievement says that "economists estimate that every $10 million in research expenditures creates 334 new jobs, adds $8.6 million in wages to the regional economy, draws $500,000 in additional state revenue, including tax revenues, and generates $13.5 million in local sales. That is a 226 percent return on investment!"

This proposal was approved by both houses of the Texas Legislature unanimously. Most Texas newspapers have published editorials expressing approval.

The language of Proposition 4 will read as follows: "The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund."