August 20, 2023

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Coogs' House! Whether this is your first semester or you're a returning student, it is my pleasure to welcome or welcome you back to the University of Houston! This is where dreams become a reality, lifelong friendships are formed and long-lasting memories made. Your faculty, administrators, staff and I are so happy that you are here, and invested in you winning in and outside of the classroom.

Here is some info on how to make this semester legendary:

Committed to Your Success: Your success is our primary goal. To that end, we offer a plethora of resources to help you navigate your college career. Allow me to highlight two: Our searchable scholarship webpage is loaded with hundreds of scholarships that can help lower your out-of-pocket costs, and our free walk-in tutoring services can help you overcome hurdles in the classroom. Check them out.

CoogsCARE: Students, we truly care about you. Your mental health and overall wellness are as important as any grade you receive. We learned that some of you aren't aware of the mental health and wellness resources available; so, we've reimagined our CoogsCARE website, detailing our various resources to support your well-being. Please take a moment to peruse the site. It may be of great benefit to you or a fellow Coog.

Weeks of Welcome: We know how to roll out the welcome mat at UH. Our annual Weeks of Welcome is southern hospitality at its finest — college style. Dive into the more than 50 free Weeks of Welcome events taking place between now and Sept. 2. It's a fun way to connect with fellow students, learn more about our sprawling university and grab some free goodies!

Big 12 Ready: The time has come: We're officially members of the Big 12 athletic conference and we have a fantastic athletics schedule ahead, fierce new competitors and hyper-energized fans. If you're a full-time student, claim your free tickets online. Join the excitement — show up loud and proud to cheer on our award-winning Cougars. I hope to see you at our first football home game on Sept. 2 against UTSA. Go Coogs!

You hold a unique and powerful influence in shaping our campus environment. By diving into the many activities and opportunities available, reaching out with care to fellow students and showcasing our shared school spirit, you help make our campus the vibrant, welcoming and spirited place we all cherish.

A new semester is an opportunity for bright new beginnings. Let's make it legendary! Take care of yourself, seek help if you need it, study hard and don't forget to play a little, too. Remember, it's all about balance.

I look forward to seeing you around campus, especially wearing Cougar red on Fridays. Wishing you the best on this semester and academic year.

Go, Coogs!

Renu Khator
President, University of Houston