Administration and Finance

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

Highlights

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  Facilities/Construction Management Awarded APPA Award

  Facilities/Construction Management has been awarded the APPA Award for Excellence in Facilities Management. The recognition marks the first time the department has been awarded the APPA Award and now gives the department national and international recognition for its outstanding achievements in facilities management. Read more about F/CM's win.
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  Safety Recommendations for the Winter Holiday Season

  The holiday season is just around the corner, and while we look forward to family festivities, decadent season eats, and gifts, it's also essential to prioritize safety. The University of Houston Police Department and Parking and Transportation offer four best-practice recommendations so you can be an on-campus producer of campus safety and security. Read the safety recommendations to learn more.
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  UHPD Welcomes the Campus Community to Walk in the Dark

  The University of Houston Police Department held their annual Walk in the Dark event in November. The department welcomed members of the campus community including faculty, staff, and students to walk the university and find areas that may benefit from increased lighting. This year’s walk also included 21 members from the Student Government Association. View the walk in the dark photos here.
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  Finals Mania Set for December 4

  The Office of Administration and University Libraries present Finals Mania on December 4 from 5-8 p.m. in the M.D. Anderson Library. The event will provide students with much-needed food fuel for their final exams. Attendees can expect breakfast tacos, coffee, juice, and other beverages. Faculty and staff are encouraged to volunteer for this event. Please complete the form to volunteer as an individual.
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  Staff Award Appreciation Event Set for April 4

  Mark your calendars for the A&F Staff Award Appreciation event scheduled for April 4. The luncheon will provide the division an opportunity to celebrate employees in increments of five years of service to the university and employees who demonstrated exceptional service in 2023. You can read more about the event here.
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  CTAP: From Pilot to University-wide Program

  The university’s flat rate course materials program, called Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP), received high marks from participating students this fall semester. Fall 2023 was the first time this program was available to all undergraduate students, after being launched as a pilot program in spring 2022. This fall, 77% of undergraduate students participated in the program, , which is voluntary for students, as they can opt-out of the program by the official registration date. Read more about the CTAP program.
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  A&F Readies UH for the Big 12

  The Big 12 era for the University of Houston is officially underway. To prepare UH for the expected bigger crowds, games, and spotlight of the Big 12, many Administration and Finance departments worked diligently behind the scenes to prepare the university. Learn more about how the A&F helped ready UH for the Big 12.
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  Roy G. Cullen Receives LEED Gold Certification

  The University of Houston’s Roy G. Cullen building, one of the first-ever buildings in the university, went through an interior renovation that has now garnered national recognition by being awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level. The recognition comes via the U.S. Green Building Council, which recognizes buildings and communities prioritizing sustainability in their design, construction, and operation. Read more about Roy Cullen’s interior renovation and its LEED certification.

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  Dr. Emily Messa Recognized at NACAS C3X with Distinguished Service Award

  UH System Sr. Associate Vice Chancellor and Sr. Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Emily Messa was honored at the 2023 NACAS C3X Conference with the Robert F Newton Award for Distinguished Service. This is the most prestigious award recognizing an individual who has displayed extraordinary and outstanding service to NACAS and to the profession. Congrats, Emily!
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  UH Wins Best Integration at 2023 Appademy Awards for Bikeep Integration

  UH received a 2023 Appademy Award for Best Integration for the Bikeep Smart Bike Parking system that Parking & Transportation and UIT helped implement. The Appademy Awards recognize universities and colleges for outstanding digital experiences in their campus mobile apps.
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  Evan Broadbent Receives Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification from FEMA

  Evan Broadbent, Emergency Management Specialist in the Office of Emergency Management, participated in the Continuity Excellence Series provided by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). As a result, Evan has earned his Level 1, Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification. Broadbent has been able to incorporate his Continuity Practitioner skills to bring the UH Continuity Program to the next level.
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  UHPD Officer Jeremy Johnston Honored by the City of Houston

  University of Houston Police Department Officer Jeremy Johnston was recognized in November by the City of Houston for his outstanding support and facilitation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT) at the University of Houston. UHPD is honored to have Johnston be a part of its department and congratulate him on his recognition.
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  Cougar Cupboard Seeks Donations for Campus Food Assistance Program

  The holidays are a time for giving, so why not give back to those around you? University of Houston Dining Services reminds you to donate items to Cougar Cupboard, the campus food assistance program. The program aims to bring some cheer to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students remaining on campus during the holidays by providing them access to additional food, toiletries, and school supplies. Donations can be dropped off at Cougar Village Market or Student Center Market until November 30. Learn more about Cougar Cupboard.
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  UH Occupational Health Services Now Offering CPR Training Courses

  The University of Houston Occupational Health Services department is now offering American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Saver CPR/AED Training courses for all UH employees. The FREE training opportunity is available to all UH faculty and staff. To enlist in an upcoming course, please visit the course enrollment page, then select AHA Heart Saver - CPR Training to enroll in our next course. (Note: UH VPN required when accessing from a non-secure UH Network). This course is a popular one, so secure your spot today.
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  Facilities/Construction Management Releases Strategic Plan

  Facilities/Construction Management’s Strategic Plan is now available. The F/CM Strategic Goals were developed by team members representing all areas of the department. These goals represent F/CM’S commitment to supporting a Tier 1 research University with aspirations of becoming a Top 50 public university. Read the full Facilities Strategic Plan to learn more about F/CM’s mission and vision.
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  UH/UHS Releases Updated 2023-2024 Calendar

  The University of Houston & University of Houston System has released an updated Fiscal Year 2023-2024 calendar that provides deadlines and submission instructions for administrative and financial activities for the end of fiscal year 2023 and the beginning of fiscal year 2024. See the new updated calendars and schedules.

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  Faculty and Staff Tailgate Brings Large Crowd to UH Football Homecoming Game

  University of Houston Faculty and Staff descended upon TDECU Stadium for the UH Football Homecoming game in strong numbers, with 354 attendees. The large contingent of faculty and staff partied before the game at the tailgate celebration, where they feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, and other tailgate eats while visiting and sharing smiles with fellow UH employees. Relive the tailgate by viewing photos from the tailgate.
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  Finance Team Participates in Homecoming Spirit Bell Competition

  The Finance department joined in on the homecoming festivities this year by competing in the university's annual Homecoming Spirit Bell Competition. The contest awards the faculty and staff who show the most Cougar spirit by decorating their offices during Homecoming Week. For 2023, the theme of the competitions was "Dream Big, Win Big." Check out Finance's submissions to the competition on Campus Snapshots.
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  HR POWER UP Hosts UH DAY at the CORP 5K

  Each October, UH participates in the Hess Houston Corp 5K in beautiful Memorial Park. Designed to promote fitness and wellness in the workplace, the fun run/walk event is also a great team building and employee engagement activity. For this year’s UH Day at the Corp 5K, UH employees from across the campus joined Human Resources’ POWER UP Employee Wellness to get physically active and enjoy the park. Read more about the HR's participation in the Hess Houston Corp 5K.
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  HR’s Talent Development Team offers DISC Workshops to Students

  The Human Resources Talent Development team has been going above and beyond this fall semester by helping UH students get a head start on their interpersonal communication skills. Senior Talent Development Specialist Vivian LoDuca has offered one-hour DISC workshops to Student Ambassadors every semester since the spring of 2022. During these meetings, students learn about their communication styles and how to tailor them to communicate more effectively.
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  University IT Presents Systemwide Facilities Standards at EDUCAUSE Conference

  Last year, University IT and colleagues from UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, and UH-Victoria completed an ambitious project to establish uniform standards for IT facilities throughout the UH System. It was a colossal achievement — the four universities have 780 facilities in 11 categories. In October, Rex Gillit, who led the project, and Shyamala Ramalingam represented UH and UIT. Learn more about UIT’s presentation.
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  EHS Observes International Biosafety and Biosecurity Month Through Campus Outreach

  The Environmental Health Services department observed the American Biological Safety Association’s (ABSA) International Biosafety and Biosecurity Month in October, using it to focus on several topics relating to biosafety on campus. EHS held tabling events at various campus locations, including the UH Sugar Land campus, drawing over 154 faculty, staff, and students.

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  Safety Recommendations for the Winter Holiday Season

  The holiday season is just around the corner, and while we look forward to family festivities, decadent season eats, and gifts, it's also essential to prioritize safety. The University of Houston Police Department and Parking and Transportation offer four best-practice recommendations so you can be an on-campus producer of campus safety and security. Read the safety recommendations to learn more.
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  Online Holiday Shopping Tips from UIT

  The significant online shopping that happens over the holiday season provides the optimal environment for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting online shoppers. Fortunately, many cyber threats are avoidable when you develop habits to protect your personal information and keep your devices safe and secure when shopping online. Read the holiday shopping tips from UIT.
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  Fire & Life Safety Presents: Thanksgiving Fire and Safety Tips

  For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations. Keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. To learn more safety tips please go here.
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  Tips to Protect Scooters, Carts, and Motorized Bicycles on Campus

  Many departments and campus community members use scooters, motorized bicycles, and scooters to navigate the UH campus. To help the campus community protect and secure their motorized transportation, the University of Houston Police Department has prepared some easy-to-follow tips. Read the UHPD tips to learn more.
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  Cougar Red Fridays

  Reminder alert: If you wear a red shirt on Friday, you can get an all-you-can-eat lunch for $6 at Cougar Woods Dining Commons or the Moody Towers Dining Commons.

Accolades

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  Ginger Walker receives the C. F. McElhinney Award

  Ginger Walker, Director of Emergency Management, was recognized with the Charles F. McElhinney Award for Distinguished Service at the President’s Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony. She was joined by her family, her OEM team, her supervisor, and Senior Vice Chancellor for A&F, Raymond Bartlett, to celebrate her recognition. Walker has served the University for 26 years and was recognized for her dedication, leadership, lasting impact on the University, and her collaborative spirit. Read more about Ginger’s recent recognition.
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  UH Executive Chef Wins Chartwells Culinary Award

  UH Food Services Senior Executive Chef Chad McDonald was honored by Chartwells with the Culinary Difference Maker Award. The recognition was given to Chef McDonald for his dedication to supporting the UH campus community. Chef McDonald regularly hosts Teaching Kitchens, has medaled in multiple culinary competitions, oversees UH Dining Services wellness and sustainability programming, and reviews all menus.
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  UH Campus Store Employee Receives Follett Award

  Former University of Houston Campus Store manager, Samantha Eades, was recently awarded a Follett Higher Education CEO Excellence Award. Eades was honored due to her commitment to UH and determination to provide students with affordable course materials. Eades and many UH staff members worked tirelessly to grow the Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP) to provide students with affordable products to ensure their classroom and academic success.
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  Director of Emergency Management, Ginger Walker, recognized by the Division of Student Affairs

  The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) recently celebrated the achievements of Ginger Walker, the director of emergency management, as she was awarded the “Friend of the Division” award. This recognition is a testament to Walker’s unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to ensuring the safety and success of students and the broader UH community. Read more about Ginger’s recent award and her dedication to the University community.
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  Dr. Emily Messa Receives a 2023 Library Excellence Award

  University of Houston System Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice President for Administration Dr. Emily Messa received the Dean's Advocate Award at the 2023 Library Excellence Awards. The award recognizes a UH employee who has collaborated with UH libraries during the past year.

  Messa received the award for being an advocate and partner in finding opportunities for improving the student experience, plus building a relationship with Dean Jackson in support of UH libraries. Read more about the 23rd Library Excellence Awards.

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  UH Law Center, College of Medicine, received LEED Certification

  The University of Houston’s John M. O’Quinn Law Building and the College of Medicine Building received national recognition this spring by being awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. The certification comes via the U.S. Green Building Council. For a building to receive the certification, it earns points and adheres to prerequisites that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials used, health, and indoor environmental quality. Read more about this achievement.
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  Houston Public Media Wins Two Edward R. Murrow Awards

  Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has been honoring outstanding broadcast and digital journalism achievements with the Edward R. Murrow Awards. Among the most prestigious in news, the Murrow Awards recognize local and national news stories that demonstrate technical expertise and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community. 

  This year, Houston Public Media is honored to win two Regional Murrow Awards for the compelling work on Below the Waterlines, Houston after Hurricane Harvey, and the Latino Voter Engagement Project. Listen to the award-winning podcasts.

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  UH Dining Services Wins NASPA Excellence Silver Award

  The University of Houston Dining Services was honored this month by being recognized as 2022-23 Excellence Silver Award in the Contracted Services, Housing, Residence, Life, and Related category from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). This recognition marks the first time UH Dining Services has won a NASPA Excellence Award. Read more about what UH Dining Services did to win the Silver Award.
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  Congrats to A&F Cougar Cudos Honorees!

  April Cougar Cudos goes to, DaNesha Allen, Russell Allen, Jacqueline Chee, David Frankfort, Ron Gonyea, Amy Ma, Allyson McDonald, Sharon Pellas, Jennifer Rea, and Courtney Washington for their donation to Staff Council during UH's Giving Day. Additional April Cougar Cudos go to Rafael Arroyo, Ivey Davis, Rene Gonzales, Matthew Harvey, Amy Ma, Mark Norgan, and Kevin Vu of the Help Desk team for their outstanding team spirit and exemplary work performance as a group.
  

  To nominate a fellow Staff member and learn more about Cougar Cudos.

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  TAPPA Conference Recognizes James Norcom, III Facilities Principal Project Manager

  Facilities Principal Project Manager James Norcom, III was awarded the Facilities Management Distinguished Service Award for promoting education and professional activities while serving as a role model and mentor.

  “I was surprised and honored to be recognized by my own university and by colleagues across the state,” remarked Norcom. Read more from Norcom's win at TAPPA.

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  UH Wins National Business Award for Occupational Health Initiatives

  The University of Houston made history in April as it became the first higher education institution to be named a recipient of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) Business Recognition Award from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. The 2023 AAOHN Business Recognition Award recognizes a business that supports the health and safety of their workers through a strong Occupational Health and Safety Program. Learn more about why UH was selected for this special honor.
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  Cougar Woods Dining Commons Earns 4-Star GRA Certification

  UH’s Cougar Woods Dining Commons earned a 4-star GRA (Green Restaurant Association) Certification, making them the only dining establishment in Texas with that designation. Cougar Woods Dining Commons is also the only Texas university with this rating.

  The Green Restaurant Association awarded Cougar Woods Dining Commons the certification due to its green points in categories like water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable food, and chemical and pollution reduction. Read more about how Cougar Woods Dining Commons earned the certification.

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  UH Dining Chef Chad McDonald Wins Regional Cooking Competition

  Congrats to UH Food Services Senior Executive Chef Chad McDonald for winning the gold at the NACUFS Culinary Competition. Chef McDonald wowed the judges with a Char Siu Wonton Noodle Soup. Judges were impressed with Chef McDonald’s cooking skills, culinary technique and taste. Chef McDonald now moves on to the national level competition at the NACUFS National Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Read more about Chef McDonald’s victory.
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  Dr. Emily Messa appointed to NACAS Foundation Board

  Dr. Emily Messa, Senior Associate Vice President for Administration, was appointed Vice President for the NACAS Foundation Board. The Foundation's Board of Directors work hand in hand with the NACAS Board of Directors to establish the foundation's goals and objectives.
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  Esmeralda Valdez named NACAS Volunteer of the Year, joins Board of Directors

  Esmeralda Valdez, Executive Director of University Services, was named National Association of College Auxiliary Services Volunteer of the Year. Valdez received the award at the NACAS C3X 2022 Annual Conference & Expo, held in Las Vegas.

Departments

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  Campus Safety

  University of Houston is committed to ensuring a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and all visitors to our campus.
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  Equal Opportunity Services

  The Office of Equal Opportunity Services acts on behalf of the University as a neutral fact finder that enforces the University’s Equal Opportunity Policies.
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  Facilities/Construction Management

  Facilities Planning and Construction delivers exceptional and enduring projects that maximize value and support the University's Tier One strategic initiatives through superior facilities planning and project management services.
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  Office of Finance

  The Office of Finance is the source for all financial information, training, reports and policies at the University of Houston. All finance-related forms, calendars and references can be found here.
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  Houston Public Media

  Houston Public Media is a service of the University of Houston and supported with financial gifts from the community. Houston Public Media combines broadcast and digital assets to serve residents of Southeast Texas with quality local news and entertainment, as well as national programming from NPR and PBS. With a combined weekly audience of more than 1.5 million, Houston Public Media is committed to delivering content that expands minds and possibilities with trusted information.

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  Human Resources

  To attract, develop, motivate, and retain a diverse and engaged workforce committed to supporting and enhancing the mission of the University.  We accomplish this through providing Tier One customer service and partnering with the UHS community to maximize the potential of our greatest asset- Our Employees.
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  Police Operations

  The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) strives to enable students, faculty, staff and visitors to be safe while pursuing their on-campus endeavors. 
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  PAUHS

  With nearly 700 pieces, the UH System has one of the largest and most significant public art collections in the entire country. This new publication will be a platform for announcing the latest news involving the collection, highlighting various pieces, programs and events, and providing links to relevant news about the public art field.
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  Office of Administration

  An exemplary portfolio of on-campus services ranging across third-party dining, parking, shuttle and bookstore operations among the program areas of Auxiliary and University Services, as well as system master planning through the UH System-wide Public Art Committee, an advisory committee to the UH System Board of Regents, and fundamental initiatives of best practices in sustainability, assessment and evaluation.
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  Stay Cougar S.A.F.E.

  The University of Houston is an open campus filled with people who care about each other. Because of its open accessibility, all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to exercise a sense of personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of others. While crime can happen anywhere, when we act as a community that knows and cares about the safety of others, ourselves and our property, we lessen the likelihood of being victimized, and we showcase our Cougar Pride.
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  UIT

  University Information Technology - Infotech - offers support across the board for all student, faculty, and staff IT requirements.