The past controversy and future of the Texas State University Campground

[SWT_Bobcat_RvrRat]

Howdy Cats, just an informational post here. While considering the nature of some recent decision-making on the Bobcats football roster, I had a moment of deja vu that brought me back to November of last year. News had just come to light regarding the slated sale of the Texas State University campground. River-loving Bobcat that I am, I was shocked and dismayed that this humble haven along the Blanco had been put up on the developer auction block, so to speak. I wasn't the only one who felt this way, and a pretty rapid public outcry ensued. I'll drop the pertinent news links below, but thankfully, President Damphouse reconsidered the agenda item that was slated for the Board of Trustee's meeting, and all was calm again. During the couple of days between the discovery of the plans and the decision to rescind them, multiple social media groups spring up for Alumni and Citizens to coordinate on saving the camp. I can attest that a good number of Bobcats felt dismayed and betrayed at the plans to sell our camp, but thankfully the waters calmed quickly, so to speak.

University Camp sale will not be voted on in upcoming meeting

The Texas State University System will not be voting to sell University Camp at the Board of Regents’ scheduled meeting on Nov. 16, according to a Nov. 9 FaceBook Live video from Texas Representative Erin Zwiener. Zwiener said Texas State University Chancellor Brian McCall reached out to her on...

universitystar.com

Sale of University Camp pulled from Board of Regents meeting

Editor’s note: In The University Star’s Nov. 14 email newsletter, the first paragraph of this story provided an incorrect date, stating “today” instead of the correct date, “Nov. 9.” The correct change is now reflected in the current version of this story. The sale of University Camp was planned...

universitystar.com

TXST's University Camp was to be sold, no longer on upcoming TSUS agenda

Texas State University’s University Camp appears to be up for sale.The Texas State University System, which encompasses seven institutions including Texas State University, had an agenda item for the

www.sanmarcosrecord.com

https://www.expressnews.com/hill-country/article/texas-state-university-sale-university-camp-18509157.php

 

[SWT_Bobcat_RvrRat]

So what does all this mean for the future of the Ucamp? Well as noted, the prospective deal was done under the radar and seemingly without a competitive bid process. The planned buyer, Needmore Ranch, has made quite a reputation of getting what they want out of the land and community at all costs. Those in the Wimberley area know that battling Needmore over permitting and water concerns means battling entrenched interests and cronyism. Those same elements appeared to be at play in the decision making process by the regents and president. Probably in this case and all major decisions.

 

[Bobcats2011]

So what does all this mean for the future of the Ucamp? Well as noted, the prospective deal was done under the radar and seemingly without a competitive bid process. The planned buyer, Needmore Ranch, has made quite a reputation of getting what they want out of the land and community at all costs. Those in the Wimberley area know that battling Needmore over permitting and water concerns means battling entrenched interests and cronyism. Those same elements appeared to be at play in the decision making process by the regents and president. Probably in this case and all major decisions. View attachment 6336

Haven’t been since I was a kid in jrhigh or high school. Really need to get out there… when there is water in the river that is