2023-2024 Student Handbook

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.

University of Houston’s Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission Statement

Connecting Potential with Opportunity

The University of Houston draws strength from its diversity to transform lives and communities through education, research, service and innovation in a real world setting. UH is an engine for discovery, conversation and change that informs and leads local, state, national and global partnerships.

Vision

Building a Top 50 Public University

Values

Diversity, Inclusion & Freedom of Expression: We value our people and embrace our differences as we remove barriers, engage in free and open discourse and provide resources to think critically and make us stronger.

Innovation: We infuse innovation into everything - our culture, curriculum and campus workplace.

Collaboration: We build strength through creative innovation, entrepreneurship, research, intellectual curiosity and partnerships in everything we do.

Resilience: We change and adapt, transform and are creative to meet the ever-changing needs of the University and society.

Strategic Goals

Goal 1 - Student Success: Provide a Top Tier, Inclusive Educational Experience to All

UH stands ready to further bridge the gap between dreams and opportunity, to graduate more students with higher grade point averages, make college more financially accessible to all and elevate the learning experience to prepare students for successful careers.

Goal 2 - Nationally Competitive Research: Build a Research Powerhouse that Impacts our Region & the World

With a focus on energy, infrastructure, space, health, data sciences and the arts, UH will build a nationally competitive research powerhouse that shapes lives and creates innovations for the greater good.

Goal 3 - Social Responsibility: Help Build Equity and Inclusion in Our Community

Students, faculty, and staff will help UH fulfill its dream of building equity and inclusion in our community. By increasing its social responsibility initiatives, UH can make an impact that will last for generations.

Goal 4 - Nationally Relevant Athletics: Build a Competitive Athletics Program

Student athletes learn the values of teamwork, discipline and perseverance - three skills that transfer into their academics and future success. Their talent, in and out of the game, is a source of pride to the University and the city. Building a nationally competitive athletics program will elevate UH’s reputation and brand.

Goal 5 - Competitive Funding: Build a Sustainable Funding Base to Support Vision and Goals

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 46,000 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, and winning athletics programs.

Our campus is home to several nationally ranked top-ten programs including Entrepeneurship, 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 through any of our four beautiful, 895-acre tree-lined campus locations and you’ll see a microcosm of the world. More than 70 percent of our top-quality students are minority or international students. Last year, 4,387 international students enrolled from more than 127 countries.

Faculty

Students in any of our 276 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs learn from the best. Our faculty includes Pulitzer Prize winners, 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 $250 million in annual research expenditures and over 25 research centers and 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. 

Alumni

A University of Houston degree is a valuable and respected achievement. Our alumni base-more than 316,759  strong and growing by 10,000 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 e5,67xploration. More than 84 percent of UH students secure career-level jobs within three months of graduation. UH has awarded 376,592 degrees, and roughly 90 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 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 Rebecca Lake, Title IX Coordinator and Assistant VC/VP for Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Ms. Rebecca Lake serves as the Title IX Coordinator as well as the ADA and Section 504 Coordinator for UH and can be contacted at: