2019-2020 Student Handbook [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year] 2019-2020 Student Handbook |
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Introduction
While containing important information about the university, the Handbook is not comprehensive in its listings. Instead, vital information is presented, and when necessary, the Handbook will refer to other publications that provide more detailed information. The provisions of this handbook do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any person and the University of Houston.
Mission Statement University of Houston
The mission of the University of Houston is to offer nationally competitive and internationally recognized opportunities for learning, discovery and engagement to a diverse population of students in a real-world setting. The University of Houston offers a full range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and professional levels and pursues a broad agenda of research and creative activities. As a knowledge resource to the public, the university builds partnerships with other educational institutions, community organizations, government agencies, and the private sector to serve the region and impact the world.
Goals
Nationally Competitive: UH will become a nationally competitive public research university as measured by the Top American Public Research University analysis and/or Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Student Success: UH will have a student profile consistent with a nationally competitive public research university by creating an environment in which student success can be ensured.
Community Advancement: UH will commit to fulfilling regional and state workforce needs while becoming the primary engine of social, economic, and intellectual development.
Athletic Competitiveness: UH will provide a comprehensive educational experience to its students and, within this context, it will seek to build the strongest athletic program possible.
Local and National Recognition: UH will be known for its accomplishments locally and nationally.
Competitive Resources: UH will build a resource base that enables it to accomplish its mission and realize its vision.
Shared Values
As its primary goal, the University of Houston is dedicated to becoming a nationally recognized institution in the 21st century. The university will anticipate and respond to changing demographics in an increasingly diverse and globally interdependent world. It will use its resources to:
- Meet the challenges of educating a dynamic mix of nontraditional and traditional students.
- Promote excellence within the context of basic and applied research and scholarship.
- Identify and respond to the economic, social and cultural challenges affecting the quality of life in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the world through its education, research and service.
Introduction to the University of Houston
Welcome, and congratulations on becoming a Cougar! You’re now part of one of the great educational and research traditions in Texas.
The University of Houston was founded in 1927. In its first year, the university’s enrollment was 232 students, with just 12 faculty. The university has grown to become one of state’s greatest assets. Our campus now has more than 40,000 of the finest students, faculty, and staff in the country, its own award-winning art museum, stunning music and theatre venues, 264,000-square-foot fitness facility, massive modern library, two fine dining restaurants, and winning athletics programs.
Our campus is home to several nationally ranked top-five programs including Creative Writing, Health Law, and Intellectual Property Law. UH also is home to the world’s only graduate space architecture program.
UH is the most ethnically diverse research university in the nation. Take a walk on our beautiful, 551-acre tree-lined campus and you’ll see a microcosm of the world. More than 60 percent of our top-quality students are minority or international students. Last fall, 2,505 international students enrolled from more than 137 countries.
Faculty
Students in any of our 278 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs learn from the best. Our faculty includes Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winners, a Nobel Peace laureate, a National Medal of Science recipient, MacArthur “genius” grant winners, Guggenheim Fellows, and internationally respected scholars in the sciences, business, law, education, the humanities, and the environment.
Research
With nearly $90 million in annual research expenditures and 36 research institutes, we’ve become one of the nation’s top urban research universities. Our faculty members and students conduct vital research in superconductivity, space commercialization, biomedical engineering, economics, education, petroleum exploration, virtual technology, and much more. The university has completed an $81 million Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex, designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli. The new facility will provide facilities for the many interdisciplinary research programs including BioNano Technology.
Alumni
A University of Houston degree is a valuable and respected achievement. Our alumni base-more than 180,000 strong and growing by 6,000 every year- includes members of congress, judges, CEOs of major corporations, and many other national leaders in education, entertainment, health, media, the arts, and space exploration. More than 84 percent of UH students secure career-level jobs within three months of graduation. UH has awarded more than 200,000 degrees, and roughly 80 percent of alumni remain in the Houston metropolitan area.
Community
The University of Houston is not only a leader in education and contributions to the arts, but also a valued member and leader in the Houston community. UH provides ongoing public service to the Houston community through more than 300 creative partnerships with government, industry, and non-profit groups. Our faculty, staff, and students volunteer in the surrounding communities every day. In fact, our students donate more than 920,000 volunteer hours each year. UH also is the home of KUHT, the country’s first educational television station, and KUHF, Houston’s public radio station.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The policy of the University of Houston (UH) is to ensure equal opportunity in all its educational programs and activities, and all terms and conditions of employment without regard to age, race, color, disability, religion, national origin, veteran’s status, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy), except where such a distinction is required by law. Additionally, UH prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment and educational programs on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Employees, students, and visitors to campus with questions and/or complaints regarding discrimination, or sexual misconduct (such as sexual violence) under Title IX may contact Dr. Richard Anthony Baker, Title IX Coordinator and Assistant VC/VP for Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Dr. Baker serves as the Title IX Coordinator as well as the ADA and Section 504 Coordinator for UH and can be contacted at:
Dr. Richard Anthony Baker
4367 Wheeler St Houston, TX 77204
713.743.8835
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