Emily A. Messa, Ph.D., CASP
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor & Senior Associate Vice President Administration

Supported by a dedicated staff, student employees and 300-plus contractors, the Office of Administration provides a foundational infrastructure of services for the campus community and also cultivates ongoing growth and proactive master planning of fundamental UH initiatives in collaboration with campus community partners in support of the UH mission and transformation as an innovative pacesetter for future success.

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    Delivery Services Team Receives Stamp of Gratitude on National Postal Worker Day

    On July 1, National Postal Worker Day recognized the hard work and achievements of postal workers nationwide. At the University of Houston, it was a time to celebrate the dedicated efforts of the Delivery Services team in providing their services to ensure that letters and packages make it to their destinations for students, faculty, and staff. Read more about National Postal Worker Day.
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    CPD helps UH Prepare for Fall Semester

    As the fall semester approached, Copy, Print and Delivery Services was hard at work supporting the university’s preparations for welcoming new and returning students. This year, the team printed, assembled, and mailed 31,514 admission packets to potential students. Copy and Print Services produced a banner/poster, a sticker sheet, and a gift voucher for each packet. For use at the University, the team printed 2,000 maps to help students get around campus. These efforts by CPD helped to ensure a welcoming experience for students and visitors. 
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    Deadline Nears to Secure Pricing With CPD

    There is still time to review your upcoming needs and submit any remaining print or promotional items requests to Copy, Print and Delivery Services. By placing your orders before the fiscal year ends, you can lock in current pricing before any potential rate changes take effect, ensure your projects are scheduled early and avoid the fall rush, and maximize your remaining budget by applying it to future needs. Email CPD at cpd@uh.edu or call 713-743-5900. The deadline to submit requests is Friday, Aug. 29, to take advantage of current pricing for your future print and promotional needs. 
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    Parking & Transportation Paves Way for Fall

    Parking & Transportation is paving the way for the fall semester by reinvesting in the campus lots and garages. One of the upgrades the department is undergoing is in lot 19C and Zone C, where standing water would pool after rain, creating hazardous conditions. This summer, crews have repaved the parking lot to alleviate the situation. Discover all the upgrades Parking & Transportation is working on this summer.

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    Seamless Arrival to Campus Begins With a Plan: Parking & Transportation Tips for Fall Start

    Construction is well underway for the upcoming Centennial Celebration at UH in 2027 and with new transportation features in place, it’s good to plan ahead before arriving on campus. Some tips to follow include knowing your assigned parking area before you arrive, new gate technology, and arriving early during the first week. See the full list of tips to make your fall semester as smooth as possible. 

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    Use Pedestrian, Driver Etiquette on Campus

    As the university undergoes essential construction improvements, it’s important for pedestrians and drivers to work together to ensure everyone’s safety. Whether you’re walking to class, or operating a utility vehicle, following a few simple etiquette guidelines can help faculty, staff, and students, all share campus spaces respectfully and responsibly. Learn the handy guidelines ahead of the fall semester. 

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    Cougar Card Seeks Vols to Welcome New Coogs

    Cougar Card Office invites faculty and staff to volunteer during this Fall Move-In Week and the start of the semester — Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 25-26 — at the Welcome Center, Suite 151. Last fall, Cougar Card Office successfully issued Cougar Cards to returning students, new staff, and a record-breaking 6,200+ incoming freshmen. To volunteer, sign the Cougar Volunteer Interest Form. Find out more from past volunteers.

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    Moody Towers Delivers Summer Flavor, Hospitality

    Summer at Moody Towers Dining Commons may bring a shift in rhythm compared to the bustling fall and spring semesters, but it’s far from slow. Read how the dining hall remained a vibrant hub while most students were on break.

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    Cougar Woods Tackles Projects During Summer

    While for most, the summer is a time for relaxation and vacations. But at Cougar Woods Dining Commons, crews are busy working on multiple projects at the dining facility. These include the Phase II refresh of Cougar Woods, an air curtain project, a generator project, and general facility improvements. See all the new exciting updates under way at Cougar Woods.

RESOURCES

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    Shasta Chatbot Ready for Online Questions

    Shasta, the University’s new AI chatbot, is now live on all the Office of Administration departmental websites, marking the second phase of its campus-wide rollout. Employees can access Shasta 24/7 while browsing the pages of the Auxiliary Services, University Services, and Parking and Transportation. The chatbot serves students, faculty, staff, and the public by answering questions and offering assistance with the services provided by these teams. 
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    Cougar Card Check-In Devices: Changing the Student Engagement Game, Obtaining Data

    To assist with student success efforts, Cougar Card Office implemented the check-in device rental program to be a resource for departments and student organizations to track student engagement. When planning upcoming events, departments should consider check-in devices to gain deeper insights on an event's attendees. Read more about the check-in devices and how you can request them for your event.

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    Maker's Market set for Aug. 27

    Maker's Market will be open for business with local vendors selling handcrafted goods, art, food items, and more on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The open event will be at Butler Plaza, between M.D. Anderson Library and Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall. Visit the Maker's Market webpage for more information.

Office of Admibistration departmental progress Numbers

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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    Dining Services Earns NACUFS Honorable Mention

    UH Dining Services won the Honorable Mention Loyal E. Horton Dining Award for Residential Special Event of the Year for their 2024 Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month celebration. This prestigious recognition, given by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), celebrates UH Dining’ commitment to fostering memorable student experiences on campus. The Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month event featured a culturally inspired menu, lively performances, and partnerships with both on-campus and local community members. 

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    Recognizing Leadership: Crews Honored for Excellence at TPTA Conference

    Parking & Transportation Director Cindy Crews received the Parking Employee Award of Excellence at the 2024 Texas Parking and Transportation Association (TPTA) Annual Conference, held April in Galveston. Crews received the recognition for her outstanding leadership and customer-focused initiatives at UH. Under her guidance, the department has made major strides in operational efficiency and service quality while managing a $25 million parking permit program. 

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    Innovation in Action: Lot Spotters Takes the Spotlight at TPTA Conference

    The department’s Lot Spotters program, launched in March 2024, earned the Parking Program Award of Excellence at the 2024 Texas Parking and Transportation Association (TPTA) Annual Conference, held April in Galveston. Lot Spotters was recognized for its creative, cost-effective approach to customer service and issue resolution. Using QR code-enabled signage, Lot Spotters empowers users to quickly report parking-related issues — such as broken elevators, litter, or maintenance needs — via a short online form.