Dear Faculty & Staff,

I hope your week is off to a productive start and that you are all staying safe and healthy.

Everyone is no doubt working hard to prepare for the start of a new academic year, one that will take place in the “new normal.” While we are finalizing UHD’s Fall 2020 strategy, please take into consideration that the pandemic presents a situation that is changing daily. I, along with the UHD Leadership Team, are closely following the responses of area school districts, peer institutions and other entities in the region. By Aug. 7, we should have a clearer picture of where UHD stands with regards to starting the academic year. Be assured, you will be notified once we determine the best and safest path forward for our university.

The one detail that I am able to share at this moment is that fall parking rates will be reduced for faculty and staff by 50 percent. Additional details will be issued by the Parking & Transportation Office in the very near future, and a decision on spring parking will come during the fall semester. Additionally, the University will waive two of its student fees (the University Center and International Student fees) for the fall term.

As more information regarding Fall 2020 becomes available, I will certainly share that with you. You also are encouraged to submit questions to Coronavirus@uhd.edu. In the meantime, I encourage you to stay the course … continue working hard for our students and for higher education in Houston.

It’s been four months since many of you have been on campus, but I know UHD and our Gators remain closer than ever. On campus or off, let’s continue to make a difference for our students and help them succeed during this very pivotal fall session.

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