UH System Chancellor and UH President Jay Gogue (left) and James Anderson, UH executive associate to the chancellor/president, join students and many others who traveled to Austin.

Cullen Boulevard was unusually crowded as “The Cougar Express” boarded passengers for the University of Houston System Day in Austin recently.

The train of buses carried more than 500 students, alumni, faculty and staff — including UH System Chancellor and UH President Jay Gogue — to the State Capitol on Feb. 8.

They spent the day meeting with legislators to advocate several issues important to the financial and administrative structure of the UH System. Cougar Advocates for Texas (CATs) coordinated and sponsored the event, which takes place during each legislative session. More than 200 students, including Harit Ghelani, were among the dedicated participants.

“As one of the board members on the Student Alumni Organization, I really wanted to represent the University of Houston in its efforts to provide a better education,” Ghelani said. “I look forward to being one of the many CAT participants in 2007.”

Ghelani and the other members of the UH System community focused on persuading legislators to restore and increase basic funding for the entire system. They also discussed concerns about restoring and expanding Texas’ single research fund, which provides monies for universities to explore such areas as bionanotechnology and materials and life sciences.

Other issues addressed were funding existing university debt and granting state universities the authority to set tuition levels. Students especially enjoyed meeting with legislators to voice individual concerns and share personal stories. Their determination and honesty impressed numerous legislators, including State Rep. Garnet Coleman.

“I was more than pleased to meet with the volunteers to hear their higher education concerns,” Coleman said. “Allowing legislators to meet with young people directly is an important opportunity because it allows us to learn how legislative decisions affect young people in everyday situations. My office will continue to actively support the UHS educational mission.”

For more information on the UHS legislative agenda and legislative updates, visit http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/.

Shireen Connor
srconner@central.uh.edu