Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D.

Good morning, Gators.

I am pleased to welcome all of you on this first day of classes.

Admittedly, it’s been a busy summer and all of us at UHD have been preparing for this very moment. You too have worked hard to be ready for Fall 2020, and we’re counting on your continued cooperation to ensure a safe semester.

While the past several months presented many challenges for our University and community, we now face a new one. Tropical Storm Laura continues to make its way to the Gulf Coast. It is to be determined where it will make landfall, but one thing is certain, everyone should be prepared.

UHD is monitoring reports from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center and will provide updates with regards to classes and the campus this week.

In the meantime, you should also keep track of this storm’s trajectory and make sure your respective homes are equipped with hurricane kits. It also is very important that students, faculty and staff update their emergency contact information to receive timely University notifications through text and email.

The possible threat from this storm adds another layer of anxiety to our community. Still, we must remain calm and move forward until more information is made available.More updates related to this development are forthcoming. In the meantime, focus on the goal at hand, starting the semester on the right foot … and let’s continue to help one another through this first week of fall.

Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D.
Interim President
University of Houston-Downtown