Pearland campus to open in fall

Jessica Jackson

The Signal Staff

The University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus is scheduled to be completed July 2010 with classes beginning in August.

The new satellite campus will contain two teaching labs, eight media-equipped classrooms and a variety of student resources. The new campus is located near the intersection of Pearland Parkway and McHard Road. The design of the Pearland campus is a one-story, L-shaped modern structure surrounded by a naturally wooded environment. The facility will feature limestone with metal accents, a sculptural entry canopy and landscaped amphitheater.

“Our primary goal is to offer high-demand degree programs to the Pearland community,” said UHCL President William Staples. “We look forward to expanding the Pearland campus as the area’s population grows and its need for higher education increases.”

“City leaders approached University of Houston System and University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2004 seeking a university campus to serve the higher education needs of the fast-growing city of Pearland and surrounding communities,”  said Glen Houston, associate vice president for information resources.  “After several discussions, it became apparent that UHCL was the best choice for establishing the new campus.”

“Not only will it be good for residents of Pearland, but also a plus for businesses so their employees may expand their education,” said Bill Eisen, city manager of Pearland. “Pearland is a vastly expanding metropolitan area that needs an upper-level institution.”

Start-up costs for the expansion of academic program delivery in Pearland were funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus.

“The state reduced our FY2010 General Revenue appropriation by $1,169,439 and we received stimulus money [federal funds] for the same amount,” Executive Director of Budget Jean Carr said. “Going to Pearland offers an excellent partnership between UH-Clear Lake and the City of Pearland.”

Carr said this is truly a win-win situation with the city providing the building and property and the university providing high quality programs.

Undergraduate degrees will be offered in accounting, general business, behavioral sciences, criminology, psychology and education. Graduate degrees will be offered in behavioral sciences, criminology, psychology, counseling and educational management.

“We are projecting that we will meet the needs of approximately 500 students within the first five years,” Carr said. “This campus will benefit residents of Pearland by bringing a brand new university right in their backyard, offering high demand degree programs.”