26
June
2017
|
16:52 PM
America/Chicago

President's Message: 2017 Legislative Session Update

Dear UHD Community,

By now, you may have received notice from the University of Houston System (UHS) regarding outcomes from the 85th Texas Legislature.

In previous conversations with faculty, staff, students and alumni, I mentioned being guardedly optimistic about how UHD would fare during this session. I am pleased to announce that our institution is among the few in the state receiving an increase in legislative funding for the next biennium. UHD will receive a 3.3 percent increase in state general revenue funds, which will help ensure that we continue to develop programs and services to maintain the extraordinary momentum underway at UHD.

This increase is the direct result of the commitment of the entire UHD community. Universities exhibiting significant growth benefitted during this session, and the progress in our undergraduate retention and graduate student enrollment certainly contributed to the increase in state funding. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment here to thank the leadership of the UH System, the members of the Harris County legislative delegation, and others who understood the important role played by urban universities like UHD.

The funding increase bolsters our FY2018 budget, which I will submit to the UHS Board of Regents for approval this August. The budget will include resources for a number of strategic initiatives, including those focused on student success and faculty and staff retention. I will update the community on our FY2018 budget priorities following the Board of Regents meeting.

Until then, I want everyone to know how our faculty and staff’s determination to improve student success made a significant difference during this legislative session. Our work with students and in the community were instrumental in further illustrating UHD’s critical role as an education leader in both our city and state.

Thank you for your dedication to our University.

Sincerely,

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
UHD President

 

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.