Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Last year, the University of Houston faced many challenges following tragedies within our campus community. In response, UH President Renu Khator convened the Taskforce for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention and Agnes Arnold Hall Taskforce. Both groups have worked diligently to support our Cougars and foster a culture of care at UH.

As you will recall, the University experienced the unthinkable in spring 2023—two suicides within Agnes Arnold Hall (AAH). The assembled committees and others on campus have collaborated to support the mental health needs of the University community and to ensure Agnes Arnold can successfully and effectively resume operations as an academic facility.

The Agnes Arnold Taskforce recommended that the building undergo enhanced renovation in three phases.

• Phase 1: This first phase was completed last year with the installation of security fencing around the building and temporary barriers to secure the upper-level balconies, inner stairwell, and sky bridges connecting AAH and Phillip Guthrie Hoffman Hall. The exterior of the building was cleaned, and other minor maintenance and repairs were completed.
• Phase 2: This phase is currently in development and will include the installation of permanent security screening for the balconies and stairwell. It will also address security concerns within AAH and improve landscaping at the entry to the building.
• Phase 3: This final phase will include the core renovation plan to address mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues. It has now been expanded to include a renovation of AAH classrooms, the auditoriums, the roof and other aesthetic enhancements throughout the building.

We have secured the services of design firm Page Southerland Page and general contractor Harvey Construction to oversee these renovations and enhancements. This project is scheduled to be completed by winter 2027.

The renovation of this facility is a critical step for the University as is the support of our students. With the input of those on the taskforce and others throughout the University, UH also has implemented several initiatives to support our students’ mental and academic well-being.

These include:

• Mental health and wellness sessions have been added to new student orientations.
• Orientations now also include connections with peer assistants as well as college engagement sessions to further familiarize students with the college environment and community.
• Early alerts processes are in place to facilitate timely interventions for students with academic challenges including tutoring or connections to appropriate campus support services.
• Additional academic interventions were introduced to help students in courses with high rates of withdrawals, incompletes and grades of D or F.
• All syllabi now include information on mental health and wellness resources such as CAPS and CoogsCare.

In 2023, UH also joined the JED Campus Initiative, a nationwide program providing learning institutions with resources to reinforce best practices on mental health and suicide prevention.

In January, the University hosted a kick-off event for its second year as a JED campus, and its eight workgroups continue to develop strategies that support our students. The work groups include Substance Abuse, Life Skills Development, Social Connectedness, Mental Health, Identification of Students at Risk, Promotion of Help-Seeking Behaviors, Crisis Management & Means Restriction and Strategic Planning.

Campus community members can access UH’s JED resources and updates on its initiatives online. UH’s JED achievements in 2023 include the addition of peer-support network Togetherall to campus resources, as well as a self-help toolkit Welltrack Boost and the comprehensive CoogsCARE site.

Other projects in development include a faculty/staff toolkit to assist in identifying and supporting students in distress; training sessions to prepare campus community members to help peers in need; and developing a database of peer mentors for students needing guidance from fellow Coogs.

The JED workgroups still have work to do. The taskforces also will continue to forge ahead, but we can’t do it alone. Communication and collaboration are key as we continue to address the well-being of our Cougars. We look forward to your ongoing support and feedback as we continue to create a safe, healthy environment for learning and working.

Sincerely,

Raymond S. Bartlett
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance
cfo@central.uh.edu
832-842-5550

Diane Z. Chase
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
provost@uh.edu
832-842-0550