UPDATE: Although the decision is still pending the regents' approval, KUHF confirmed the news via press release early Tuesday morning. KTRU will continue to broadcast online at ktru.org.

Could the end of KTRU as Houston knows it be upon us?

Rocks Off has heard that Rice student station at 91.7 FM, long one of Houston radio's few outlets for underground, avant-garde and local music, may about to be acquired by the University of Houston for use as a sister station to KUHF.

So far we have been unable to confirm U of H has specifically targeted KTRU. However, the University of Houston's Board of Regents' meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning has an action item on the agenda that would authorize U of H system Chancellor Renu Khator to "negotiate and execute an asset purchase agreement up to $10 million related to the purchase of a radio station for use by KUHF."

The item, available in PDF form here, continues:

"As a component of UH, KUHF will engage our community and will contribute toward community advancement through the purchase of a radio station for up to $10 million. KUHF would then be programmed with 24-hour, NPR news and information, while the newly acquired station, proposed to be renamed KUHC, would be programmed with 24-hour, classical music and fine arts."

Citing a confidentiality agreement, Richard Bonnin of the U of H media relations office would only confirm the item's existence on the agenda in a voicemail to Rocks Off earlier this afternoon.

B.J. Almond, Rice Senior Director of News and Media Relations, likewise had no comment: "That's another thing I'll have to run by somebody else."

The Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow in Ballroom E on the second floor of the Hilton University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun.