President's Message: Legislative Session Update
Dear UHD Community,
A University of Houston System announcement was distributed Sunday, May 26 with news from Texas’ 86th Legislative Session. The session concluded yesterday, and I am pleased to report that the University of Houston-Downtown is among the state universities receiving an increase in funding for the next biennium, as well as the support of the legislature in several other key requests.
UHD will receive a 3.15 percent increase in state general revenue funds that will allow our institution to continue its forward momentum and enhance its services to current and future students. This funding also will enrich UHD’s FY2020 budget, which will be submitted to the UHS Board of Regents in August.
Our institution also was appropriated $4 million Supplemental Appropriations Funding to support the campus’ ongoing repairs following Hurricane Harvey. And, after more than three decades, UHD received authorization for a dedicated student fee to support a new Wellness and Success Center. The UH System Board of Regents and students at UHD have already voted to approve the fee for this project. This fee authorization and the new facility it will support is truly historic. Both the appropriated 4 million and Wellness and Success Center are critical to our University’s growth and will yield many benefits to both our campus and our students.
All of this is welcome news following the three-day weekend, and it was made possible by the hard work of our Gators. Faculty, staff and students traveled to and from Austin regularly to testify before lawmakers and help UHD state its case. Further, a delegation of more than 100 constituents helped tell the University’s story to legislators in February during UHD Day at the Capitol. I thank everyone for their hard work and commitment to UHD during the session.
Our University owes much to the UHS leadership, including Chancellor, Dr. Renu Khator, Regents and members of the UHS Governmental Relations staff, and specifically Jason Smith and Deidra Garcia.
It was truly a collaborative effort, and I am proud to work alongside so many members of the UHD Community that worked tirelessly to ensure UHD achieved its most critical legislative priorities during the recent session, and it did.
Thank you for your commitment to our University.
Sincerely,
Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
UHD President
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.
