Administration and Finance

VISION 2027 Strategic Publication

The Division of Administration and Finance has released its new divisional strategic plan, VISION 2027. The new strategic plan highlights and outlines how the nine departments within A&F will collectively work with university leadership to forge a path toward becoming a top 50 public university. VISION 2027 illustrates the division’s dedication and focus to an ongoing improvement to processes, programs, and service enhancements over the next five years. Read more about A&F’s VISION 2027 and how each department will contribute.

Highlight

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  Shasta Chatbot: Ready to Answer Your Online Questions

  Shasta, the University of Houston’s innovative AI chatbot, is now across 11 departmental websites, marking a major milestone in its campus-wide rollout. Students, faculty, and staff can ask Shasta questions and receive instant answers 24/7 while browsing these sites. As of early October, Shasta had facilitated 32,034 chats across the 11 participating departments, achieving an impressive 82 percent resolution rate. Learn more about the Shasta chatbot, its beginnings, and how it has assisted students.

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  Students Help Shape Future UH Dining Commons

  A new dining commons is coming to the University of Houston soon, and students are helping shape its design from the ground up. Before designs are finalized, Auxiliary Services hosted a pop-up student engagement session in Student Center South to gather input on what students want in the new space. More than 100 students participated in the interactive session led by Shepley Bulfinch, the design firm selected for the project. Learn more about this student engagement session.

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  Faculty & Staff Tailgate Tradition Continues

  The Faculty & Staff Tailgate tradition continued this fall when UH faculty and staff, and their families, celebrated Homecoming weekend before the Cougar’s football match against Arizona. The 2025 Faculty & Staff Homecoming Tailgate was a collaborative effort of the Staff Council, Faculty Council, Division of Administration & Finance, Office of the Provost, Human Resources, and University Marketing and Communications. View the photo gallery to relive the tailgate.

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  Facilities Forum Educates Attendees, Builds Camaraderie

  Approximately 70 facilities employees from the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and University of Houston-Downtown gathered for the 8th Annual Facilities Forum, held at the M.D. Anderson Library’s Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion. This year’s theme, Driven by Purpose, Leading with Excellence, was chosen for its alignment with the department’s values and goals. Learn more about this year’s Facilities Forum.

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  UH Dining Services Targets Tastebuds with Special Events

  UH Dining Services continues to elevate campus dining by crafting culinary experiences that students, faculty, and staff can truly savor. Following the completion of phase two of the Cougar Woods refresh this fall, the team has focused on elevating menu offerings at both Moody Towers and Cougar Woods dining commons. Read more about the special menus UH Dining Services had in October.

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  Teaching Kitchen Serves Up Skills, Spices, and Student Success

  UH Dining Services recently hosted a hands-on Teaching Kitchen at Student Center South, spotlighting the health benefits of spices and beans. Led by Thompson Hospitality’s Chef Michael Rivera and VP Beth Casey, the event welcomed 21 participants for a free cooking class focused on accessible, nutritious meals. In partnership with Cougar Cupboard, UH Dining selects recipes based on pantry availability, ensuring students can recreate meals with ingredients they can access. Read more about this semester's Teaching Kitchen.

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  Parking & Transportation Presents: Biketober & Scootober

  October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and to mark the occasion, Parking and Transportation Services hosted four outreach events and launched a communications campaign to promote pedestrian safety on campus — particularly for bicycle and scooter users. The department dubbed the month Biketober & Scootober to drive (or pedal) the message home. Read more about this initiative from Parking & Transportation.

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  New Experience Greet Guests of Cullen Performance Hall

  Cullen Performance Hall welcomes guests with a fresh approach to wayfinding and engagement, thanks to a new trivia trail designed to make the journey to the venue more enjoyable. Beginning at the Welcome Center parking lot, visitors are invited to take “Cullen Performance Hall — The Scenic Route,” a clearly marked path along University Boulevard that guides them around nearby construction and toward the hall. Read more about this new experience from Cullen Performance Hall.

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  Bringing Benefits to You: HR Hosts Seminar at Tech Bridge

  For the first time since 2019, UH Human Resources returned to the Technology Bridge to host a retirement seminar — this time at the request of Jacqueline Chee, an accountant in the Comptroller’s Office. While HR regularly offers retirement and benefits seminars on the University of Houston main campus, this session was tailored specifically for Tech Bridge staff, making it easier for employees to attend and engage. Read more about HR’s retirement seminar at Tech Bridge.

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  UH Hosts Webinars to Demystify Financial Aid and Fee Bills

  The University of Houston’s Student Business Services (SBS) and Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid hosted two mid-semester webinars to help students prepare for spring enrollment. The sessions aimed to clarify common financial questions and support student success. While open to all students, the webinars primarily target freshmen and transfers. Read more about this initiative from the University.

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  Fall into Financial Wellness

  Join HR Benefits, Tuesday, December 2, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, at the MD Anderson Library, Edith Rockwell Pavilion, for part two of the annual Fall into Financial Wellness Seminar. Presenting will be TRS and ERS who will discuss how the state retirement plan works and the different medical benefit options available during retirement, including important information on Medicare preparation. See a full schedule of sessions.

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  Discover What’s New with UH – Your Money Line

  HR Benefits is pleased to share that UH – Your Money Line, our financial wellness and coaching benefit, has some exciting new features! Explore goal tracking, personalized financial podcasts, and a refreshed desktop experience — all designed to help you take control of your financial future. Register today to learn more.

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  Cougar Card Services Shines During Fall Start-Up

  During Move-In Week and the first week of classes, Cougar Card Services issued over 4,500 ID cards with a 96%+ satisfaction rate. Nearly all new residential students—97%—received their cards before the first day of class. Over 3,000 users scheduled pickups via CougarQ, and express service earned praise from students and families.

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  RSVP: A&F ‘Oh What Fun Holiday Party’

  The Division of Administration and Finance is hosting a holiday party to close out the fall semester. The party, dubbed ‘Oh, What Fun Holiday Party’, is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Center South, Houston Room and promises a festive event filled with festive music, eats, and a grand time. To reserve your spot for this holiday party, RSVP by November 14.

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  Ginger Walker Highlighted by University of Houston

  Office of Emergency Management Director Ginger Walker was featured recently by the university’s communications department. Walker gave the communication department a behind-the-scenes look at the Emergency Operations Center. She also participated in a Q&A where she answered questions about OEM’s role on campus, how the EOC works, her storied 25-year career at UH, and much more. Read the feature to learn more about Walker’s role and how the EOC operates.

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  Explore the Interactive UH Campus Map: Emergency Call Boxes, Vending Machines, Art Walks, and More

  Did you know the University of Houston offers an interactive campus map? This dynamic tool allows students, faculty, and staff to easily locate essential campus features by selecting options from the map’s menu. Some of the available layers include emergency call boxes, vending machines, and art installations to name a few. Whether you're new to campus or simply exploring, the interactive map is a great way to discover something new and start exploring today!

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  Ricoh Pro C9500 Improves CPD Production, Quality

  Copy and Print Services has significantly expanded its in-plant capabilities with the installation of the Ricoh Pro C9500, now serving as its primary digital production printer. The C9500 is very user-friendly with its full-view 21.5-inch color touchscreen operation panel that has an integrated media setting system and customizable displays. Read more about Copy and Print’s new high capability printer.

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  Copy and Print Services Scores with Signage

  Faced with a sold-out crowd for the Texas Tech-University of Houston game, Parking and Transportation Services and UH Athletics needed additional signs to direct fans — especially those from out of town — to the correct parking lots and to get to the stadium. The departments contacted Copy and Print Services for assistance. The CPD team met the challenge within 24 hours by producing 56 signs for A-frame signs and 116-yard signs for P&T, and six A-frame signs for Athletics.

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  Order Custom Holiday Cards From CPD Today

  Make an impression this Yuletide season with family, friends, and co-workers by ordering custom holiday cards through Copy and Print Services. You can provide an image you like, show your UH spirit, and offer a personalized message. Graphic designers are on hand to assist you with layout and branding. For more information or to place an order, email cpd@uh.edu.

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  Delivery Services Busy with Student Packages

  The Delivery Services team has had plenty of business with the influx of students for the fall semester. Packages have been arriving daily, as students receive items they ordered online or were sent from family members. Once at the Central Sorting Facility, items are grouped by residential halls so they can be placed on the appropriate vehicle for delivery to residential lockers or placed in the facilities will call to be picked up. Delivery Services then notifies students that their package has arrived and where to collect it.

Accolades

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  Copy and Print Wins ACUP+ Award

  The University of Houston’s Copy and Print department were recognized by the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP+) with an ACUP+ Platinum Award in the Offset Single Page category for their Report on Philanthropy brochure that details UH’s philanthropy efforts. The awards were announced at ACUP’s 2025 Conference held in Costa Mesa, California.

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  Recognizing Leadership: Cindy Crews Honored for Excellence

  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

  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 Spotter 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. 

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  Mark Rosanes President's Excellence Awards Technical Service and Craft

  Mark Rosanes, a dedicated member of the University of Houston’s University Information Technology department, was recently awarded the President’s Excellence Award in the Technical, Service, and Craft category. With over two decades of service at UH, starting in December 2001 and transitioning to UIT in May 2009, Mark has become an essential part of the campus’ communication infrastructure. Mark’s recognition in the Technical, Service, and Craft category celebrates the technical expertise he has brought to his role over the years. Read more about Rosanes receiving the President's Excellence Award.

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  Assistant Chief of Police Nominated for 911der Woman of the Year

  Assistant Chief of Police Chandra Johnson has been nominated as a 2024 911der Woman of the Year candidate. The honor recognizes the incredible achievements and dedication of women working in the 9-1-1 industry. Johnson’s nomination highlighted her over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, the last 10 of which have been spent at UHPD, where she instituted an evidence tracking system and helped the department become an accredited police agency with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

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  UH Dining Sr Executive Chef Chad McDonald Wins Awards at NACUFS Nationals

  UH Dining Senior Executive Chef Chad McDonald won third place at the NACUFS Culinary Challenge as part of the NACUFS 2024 National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Representing the Southern Region for the second consecutive year, McDonald’s fruit de mer put him among the top three, winning an American Culinary Federation (ACF) gold medal in the process. McDonald bested his performance from a year ago where he won an ACF silver medal.

A&F News

• Administration and Finance News

Departments

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  Environmental Health & Emergency Preparedness

  University of Houston is committed to ensuring a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and all visitors to our campus.

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  Equal Opportunity Services

  The Office of Equal Opportunity Services acts on behalf of the University as a neutral fact finder that enforces the University’s Equal Opportunity Policies

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  Facilities/Construction Management

  Facilities Planning and Construction delivers exceptional and enduring projects that maximize value and support the University's Tier One strategic initiatives through superior facilities planning and project management services.

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  Office of Finance

  The Office of Finance is the source for all financial information, training, reports and policies at the University of Houston. All finance-related forms, calendars and references can be found here

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  Houston Public Media

  Houston Public Media is a service of the University of Houston and supported with financial gifts from the community. Houston Public Media combines broadcast and digital assets to serve residents of Southeast Texas with quality local news and entertainment, as well as national programming from NPR and PBS. With a combined weekly audience of more than 1.5 million, Houston Public Media is committed to delivering content that expands minds and possibilities with trusted information.

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  Human Resources

  To attract, develop, motivate, and retain a competitive and engaged workforce committed to supporting and enhancing the mission of the University. We accomplish this through providing Tier One customer service and partnering with the UHS community to maximize the potential of our greatest asset – Our Employees.

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  Police Department

  The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) strives to enable students, faculty, staff and visitors to be safe while pursuing their on-campus endeavors. 

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  Office of Administration

  An exemplary portfolio of on-campus services ranging across third-party dining, parking, shuttle and bookstore operations among the program areas of Auxiliary and University Services, as well as system master planning through the UH System-wide Public Art Committee, an advisory committee to the UH System Board of Regents, and fundamental initiatives of best practices in sustainability, assessment and evaluation.

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  Stay Cougar S.A.F.E.

  The University of Houston is an open campus filled with people who care about each other. Because of its open accessibility, all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to exercise a sense of personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of others. While crime can happen anywhere, when we act as a community that knows and cares about the safety of others, ourselves and our property, we lessen the likelihood of being victimized, and we showcase our Cougar Pride.

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  University Information Technology

  University Information Technology - Infotech - offers support across the board for all student, faculty, and staff IT requirements.