7 Texas universities pitch case for flagship status

Seven schools are competing for top-tier status: • University of Houston • Texas Tech University • University of North Texas AUSTIN — Lawmakers on Wednesday took one step closer to anointing a third public flagship by inviting leaders of Texas' seven "emerging" research institutions to pitch a case for why they should become the state's next tier one research university, and how much it would cost the state. "We think we can do it, but we have to be really strategic," said Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston System. "It's all about vision. Nobody invests in whining." "Why do we deserve to be the next one? Because we have momentum," UTSA president Ricardo Romo told a Senate subcommittee led by Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Adding just one tier one university would cost the state about $70 million annually, $140... [read full story]