November 22, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff,

It's hard to believe that we are almost through the fall semester. I hope your academic year has been successful thus far and thank you for your enduring commitment.

I have a few updates for you:

One-Time Payment to Eligible Faculty/Staff: After approval from the UH System Board of Regents yesterday, we are pleased to announce that all faculty and staff earning less than $100,000 per year and meeting the eligibility requirement for merit will receive a one-time payment of $2,000 in December. While last year's flat enrollment did not afford us the opportunity to include a permanent salary increase for faculty/staff this year, we hope that this one-time payment will lessen the burden for those who are most impacted by inflation. Please know that you are the foundation of this incredible University, and we hope that this year's enrollment increase will result in better budget options for faculty/staff salary increases in the coming budget cycle.

Tuition Freeze: Governor Abbott, in his executive order dated Nov. 13, 2024, has prohibited public universities from raising tuition for the next two years. It will help us keep access to UH affordable, which is our goal, but it also means that we will have to be even more strategic in our fiscal spending. At UH, undergraduate tuition has remained frozen since 2021. We will do our best to make a case to the legislature for increased state investment in higher education during the upcoming session.

Texas University Fund: We are grateful Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Chair Huffman, Chair Bonnen and the entire legislature for their foresight in passing the historic legislation creating the Texas University Fund. The funding, in its first year, has allowed us to invest in research facilities and recruit much-needed researchers in critical areas of the University's strength and region's needs.

Student Success: For the fourth consecutive year, we were named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It's befitting as we broke a university record with 14 students winning a Fulbright award this year. We're proudly preparing our students to be global citizens through this prestigious program, and others, which provide unparalleled opportunities to study, conduct research or teach English abroad.

We were also accepted into the First-Gen Forward Network for exemplary work in enhancing first-generation students' outcomes and academic journeys. With 44% of our students being first-generation learners, ensuring their success is truly a team effort. I commend our Center for Student Empowerment, The Challenger Program and each and every one of you for contributing to their academic achievements.

Faculty Honors: Last month, during a White House ceremony, President Biden awarded Arte Público Director Dr. Nicolás Kanellos with the National Humanities Medal. Dr. Kanellos, the Brown Foundation Professor of Hispanic Studies, received the high honor for his decades-long work publishing and preserving Hispanic American literature and history.

Building a Legacy of Excellence: The Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship within the C.T. Bauer College of Business has once again been named the No. 1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the United States by The Princeton Review. This program serves as an inspiration to us all that we can reach our apex, especially as we aim to boost our University's rankings. The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship has ranked in the top 10 since 2007 and No. 1 for six consecutive years.

Athletics' Houston Blue: Paying homage to the City of Houston, our Cougars will wear their new “Houston Blue” uniform this Saturday, Nov. 23, in our football game against Baylor. This Saturday, we're painting the city blue, from the lights at City Hall to Uptown Houston and the campus fountains. It's a “Houston Blue Out” to cheer our Cougars on to victory. Please note: This Saturday's football game is our one-time exception to not wear Cougar Red!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I am so thankful to be on your team.

Go, Coogs!

Renu Khator
President, University of Houston