Dear Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for joining me at the State of the University on Oct. 8 and allowing me to personally express my gratitude to you for your continued commitment to our mission. We have many challenges, but we also have many opportunities. Together we can navigate them, continue to fulfill our mission and march toward our goal.  If you were unable to join the address, you can always view it by visiting my 2025 State of the University webpage.

Here is a more detailed update on key issues and others I alluded to during my State of the University.

UH Faculty Council

As you know, Senate Bill 37 abolished faculty senates as we knew them and provided a new framework to engage in shared governance, which we adopted. Elections were held and we have now seated the full 60-member UH Faculty Council to participate in shared governance and advise us on matters of academic significance. The role of the Faculty Council, as stated in SB 37, is advisory.

I am grateful to all the faculty who have graciously agreed to give their precious time and wisdom to the University through Faculty Council. I am particularly thankful to Dr. Elena Grigorenko, the founding presiding officer of the Council and 2025 Farfel Award winner, for agreeing to take on this leadership position. We need a well-engaged Faculty Council if we are to advance in university rankings and build our academic prowess.

Academic Investments

As stated in my State of the University address, we are investing in four academic areas:

1. Enhanced Technology - AI software to enhance student success, AI training for faculty and staff and additional instructional designers for more engaging courses.
2. Four-Year Graduation Culture – Establishing an institutional culture that leverages technology, tools and systems to proactively support students in completing their undergraduate degrees within four years.
3. Research Growth - Hiring researchers, enhancing graduate student research and building core facilities.
4. Expansion - UH program expansion in Sugar Land and Katy.

Investment in Infrastructure

In my last update, I asked you to complete a survey to help us prioritize our maintenance investments. Based upon your responses, I have allocated the state-provided maintenance funds (Higher Education Fund or HEF) to be spent as below in the coming years. 

1. Replacing Elevators - We will be modernizing aging elevators instead of just repairing failed parts. To be completed in the next two years are elevators in Engineering 1, Engineering 2, McElhinney, Architecture, Science and Research 1, Phillip G. Hoffman Hall and the M.D. Anderson Library.  The plan is to modernize or replace a minimum of 10 elevators each year.
2. Refresh Classrooms - We are making a commitment to refresh classrooms at a 10-year cycle with 20 classrooms to be refreshed every year (furnishings, paint, carpet and technology).
3. Temperature Control in Buildings - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in 7-10 buildings will be replaced/upgraded this year, with more to follow on a schedule in coming years.
4. Water Intrusion - We are committing $2.5 million per year for roof repair or replacement to address the water intrusion issue. 
5. Accessibility Upgrades - While our buildings meet the minimum requirements for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we know we can do more. We are committing $1 million per year toward ADA improvements, which will include nine miles of sidewalks and upgrades in several buildings. 

Although landscaping was not a top request, we are allocating some funds toward it, given that the Centennial Construction Project will expand campus landscaped areas.

Safety and Security

Since last year, we have added 80 personnel to our safety and security force. I am sure you have noticed their presence around campus. 

In March 2025, we commissioned Security Risk Management Consultants, LLC to conduct a security assessment of the University of Houston.  As a result of the assessment, 10 considerations were put forth.  You can view those considerations and the University’s response and status to each on the Security Consultant Considerations and UH’s Response document.

Safety is a joint responsibility.  We all need to do our part by being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity and promoting a safe culture.

Hail to the Cougars!

Cougar Football is off to a solid start with a 6-1 record, and the basketball season is upon us.  Men’s Basketball is ranked No. 2 in several pre-season polls and will begin playing in late October.  Women’s Basketball is experiencing new excitement under Coach Mitchell’s first season at UH. I hope you get to experience the athleticism of our students who are also excelling in academics, earning a 3.26 GPA last spring.

Thank you for your time.  As always, I encourage you to contact relevant vice presidents for any questions or feedback you may have. I know there are challenges in the space of higher education, but I also know that we, together as Cougars, can tackle any and all of them. Thank you for your grit and determination!

 Go Coogs!

Renu Khator