On Feb. 21, more than 100 Gators will descend on Austin for the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Day in at the Texas Capitol. This daylong event will offer UHD faculty, staff, students and alumni an opportunity to spotlight their institution for state legislators.

Buses will travel from the Bayou City to Austin loaded with campus community members ready to share UHD's story and its goals during the 2017 legislative session. At the Capitol, community members will be divided into groups and meet with lawmakers.

"It is so important for our campus to advance our mission in front of our state legislators and communicate our needs as they differ from other institutions due to our unique make-up," said Liza Alonzo, director of Alumni Relations. "This is also a great learning experience for our students to see first-hand how government works and how citizens participate in that process."

Items on UHD's legislative agenda include:

• Restore funding for the Instruction and Operations formula to the 2010 - 2011 rate to further support students.
• Secure funding that supports curricular-focused service learning projects that connect UHD with local partners and solve community-based issues or problems.
• Secure funding for UHD's sustainability initiatives including a greenhouse for outreach and research initiatives and an agricultural laboratory.

Buses will depart from Houston at 6:30 a.m. and arrive in Austin at approximately 10 a.m. Upon arrival, UHD participants will be recognized in both the senate and house floors. Following lunch, the Gator community will meet legislators at approximately 2:30 p.m. Buses will depart Austin at 4:30 p.m. and return to campus.

"This will be a proud day for the University of Houston-Downtown. Our community will take center stage at the Capitol, and legislators will discover - if they didn't know already - why UHD is a very special institution," said UHD Interim President Michael A. Olivas. "I commend everyone who is participating in this event and know they will represent our University well."

For a complete agenda or for registration details, visit the UHD Day at the Texas Capitol website or contact Alonzo at alonzol@uhd.edu.