ADDRESS TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS
April 3, 2007
by Joseph Kotarba, President of the University of Houston Faculty Senate

Regents Chair Hermes, Vice-Chair Cemo, and the other distinguished members of the Board 

As president of the UH Faculty Senate, I appreciate the opportunity to share some thoughts we have on the pending search for a new president of the University of Houston and a new chancellor of the University of Houston System.  This search will be both an important and difficult task.

Dr. Gogue has served us well.  He has been open, concerned, creative, and determined.  Yet, many of us will remember him for being a warm person and a great listener:  two personal characteristics we have come to value highly.

I want to especially emphasize the good work Dr. Gogue has done in helping us move towards fulfilling our shared vision of the University of Houston as a major research university with a deep commitment to superb teaching and meaningful service to our various constituent communities.  We need a leader who will share our vision, yet help us decide on creative and doable strategies for achieving that vision.  We must continue to grow the faculty, while providing the resources necessary to professionally enhance the faculty we have.  We must continue to assemble a powerful educational environment that will result in the University of Houston becoming the university of choice for increasing numbers of excellent students. 

Dr. Gogue presents a good model for the university’s top leadership we will be seeking.  We can learn from him what it takes to be the kind of president and chancellor we need.  We should seek leadership that will continue to weave together the three significant parts that are already in place: the system strategic plan; the facilities master framework plan; and the evolving capital campaign.   We need to continue to demonstrate to the world that we deserve the high status and visibility we will continue to seek.     

In speaking for the members of Faculty Senate, I want to state clearly and directly that we are available to help in any way you feel necessary or useful to the upcoming task.  We would like to be involved at all stages of the recruitment process, for two reasons.  First, the quality of leadership of the University of Houston is vital to our success as researchers, teachers and citizen scholars.  Second, we want to continue our mutual commitment to working as a team, through shared governance, to grow our university community together.