What exactly is “Tier One”?
“Tier One,” “Top Tier,” and “Nationally Competitive Research University” are terms used interchangeably to refer to universities known for world-class research, academic excellence, an exceptional student body, and the highest levels of innovation, creativity, and scholarship. Because of these accomplishments, these universities enjoy a national “brand,” recognition, and prestige.
Does higher education in Texas have a “tier” system?
Yes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in its “Closing the Gaps” blueprint for the year 2015, groups all 35 public universities in the state into three categories:
The Coordinating Board’s classification of Top Tier, or Research University, is based on three criteria:
Who ranks universities nationally?
Three organizations rank research universities:
How will we know when UH qualifies for Tier One status?
We see our pursuit of Tier One as a train journey. We will reach the
first station when we meet all the requirements set by the Coordinating
Board. Our second station will be reached when the Carnegie Foundation
places UH in its top tier category. Our third station will be
recognition by the CMUP as one of the nation’s top 50 public research
universities. The journey will end when we are admitted into AAU.
What does UH need to do to become a nationally competitive research university?
What does it take to become a Tier One University?
Universities must be nationally competitive in the quality of their faculty, academic programs, and students, as measured by faculty awards, program rankings, student learning and freshmen profile. They must also produce nationally competitive research and scholarship, which is measured by the amount of research dollars their researchers bring and the impact their scholarship has in new discoveries. Finally, they must prove they have the support base necessary to sustain their competitiveness, which is measured by the size of their endowment and alumni giving. National organizations use these objective measures to group universities in categories and advancing to the top category (Tier One) takes improvement on all of these fronts.
What is our position about other Texas universities becoming top tier?
We believe that Texas, given the size of its population, must create several additional nationally competitive research universities. Given time and state support, all seven “emerging research universities” have the capacity to transform themselves into national competitive research universities, or Tier One universities. All seven have the same need – significant sustained funding from the state. According to annual reports from the Coordinating Board, the Carnegie Foundation, and the CMIUP, the University of Houston is ahead of the pack among the seven emerging research universities.
Did the Legislature pass “Tier One” legislation?
Yes, the Legislature passed two bills, and both of them together provide pathways for UH and six other Texas emerging research universities to become nationally competitive and place themselves in the top tier of public national research universities.
For years, significant sustained funding has been made available to UT-Austin and Texas A&M-College Station through the Permanent University Fund (PUF) that supports their “excellence mission.” Significant sustained funding from the state will allow us to recruit the best faculty and student talent, and attract one or two faculty clusters (10 to 20 researchers each) in energy and the health sciences for the next five years. Significant sustained funding will also allow us to increase the rankings and visibility of already ranked programs.
Would it not have been easier for the Legislature to simply designate UH as a Tier One university?
Being a Tier One university means being in the first group of the national public research universities. Since the criteria are national and based on performance measures that are objective, a state cannot designate its university as having become nationally competitive or Tier One. Universities have to perform and win their way into the top tier.
How will the new legislation help UH become Tier One?
UH needs to compete nationally for talented faculty and researchers and to do so, UH needs a predictable and sustained source of funding. The new legislation offers a long-term and an immediate solution to help UH and all other emerging research universities in Texas obtain national competitiveness.
The Long-term Solution: Constitutional Amendment: The legislature passed a Constitutional Amendment to establish a permanent fund (NURF or National University Research Fund) to help UH and other emerging research universities enhance their research and teaching capabilities. The Constitutional Amendment, when passed, will transfer a currently dormant fund worth approximately half a billion dollars to NURF. As soon as UH meets the required criteria, it can begin to draw funds to advance its progress toward Tier One. The Constitutional Amendment will be on the ballot November 3rd, and must be approved by the voters.
The Immediate Solution: Private Match Program: The Legislature also passed an enabling legislation that establishes TRIP or Texas Research Incentive Program. The program is limited to UH and six other emerging research universities and has $50 million for this biennium. Private gifts to enhance research capabilities are eligible for state match on the following sliding scale:
| $0 to $100,000 | No match |
| $100,000 to $1 million | 50% match |
| $1 million to $2 million | 75% match |
| $2 million to $10 million | 100% match |
How long will it take UH to become Tier One?
Three national organizations classify universities based on their research: The Carnegie Foundation for Advancement in Teaching, the Center for University Performance, and the Association of American Universities. It is likely for the University of Houston to find its place in the top tier of these organizations in five to seven years. New researchers or new research clusters take four-five years to mature and function at their full capacity. Similarly, graduation rates take five-six years to be fully shaped and realized.
What can alumni do to help?
Several things:
Should I care about the Constitutional Amendment if I am not an alumnus of the University of Houston? Yes, the University of Houston graduates 8,000 students every year and two-thirds of them stay and work in the Houston and the surrounding region. Thus, the quality of life in Houston, to some extent, is directly connected with the quality of education at the University of Houston. In order for Texas to remain globally competitive, it needs more national research universities because they bring federal funding, incubate new ideas, prepare the workforce of tomorrow, and strengthen the economy. Houston is a must destination for another national research university.
Why is UH’s status as a Tier One university relevant to students?
A Tier One (or nationally competitive) university provides a nationally competitive learning environment for its students. We know that even though our graduates work in the Houston region, they compete in the global marketplace and, therefore, their skill set needs to be globally competitive. A Tier One university provides greater opportunities for students to work with world class faculty in nationally ranked programs and engage in the cutting edge research and learning. Consequently, their degrees have a brand that is nationally recognized and globally respected.
Why is UH’s status as a Tier One University relevant to the community?
A public Tier One university will enhance Houston’s capacity to attract talent, invite new industry, strengthen existing businesses, and receive cutting edge research that is locally tested and relevant. Graduates from a nationally competitive university will have a national brand and globally competitive skills. Finally, the University will attract more federal dollars, and data indicates that one federal dollar in research grants results in 18 dollars worth of economic impact.
Will the University of Houston become more selective when it becomes a Tier One university?
College admission is not about selectivity; it is about academic preparedness. Students who are academically prepared to succeed at the University of Houston’s flagship campus will find there is room for them in the university. However, not all students will be academically prepared and not all will find the flagship campus as the right choice for their interest, aptitude or learning style. Fortunately, the University of Houston is a system of four independent universities and three teaching centers. It is our commitment that the University of Houston System will have a place for all students, but some may begin their college education in a community college or another UH System university where class size, academic programs and modes of delivery are more conducive to their learning style. Students will find pathways to complete or advance their education at the flagship campus whenever they are academically prepared to succeed.
What will the University of Houston do with the additional funds?
The University of Houston has a commitment to student success and it will continue to invest in ensuring that students have every opportunity to access cutting-edge programs and top quality service. Additionally, it has four major priorities: (a) Energy, (b) Health, (c) Arts, and (d) “Stars” (nationally ranked programs where we already exceed and want to continue to do so). The university will invest in faculty, students, facilities and services in these areas to ensure a world class environment for education and research.
Is there be a role for athletics in a Tier One University?
Absolutely! A nationally competitive university will strive for nothing less than a nationally competitive athletics program.
What is the next step?
Voters must approve the statewide Constitutional Amendment in November 3rd.
When can we celebrate?
Right now…the first step is the hardest step.
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