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The University of Houston |
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| Tagline | Learning. Leading. |
| Established | June 5, 1927 |
| Type | State university UH System flagship institution |
| Academic term | Semester |
| Endowment | $455 million[1] |
| President | Interim: John M. Rudley |
| Provost | Donald J. Foss |
| Faculty | 3,003[2] |
| Students | 35,344[3] |
| Undergraduates | 26,959 |
| Postgraduates | 8,385 |
| Alumni | 230,000+[4] |
| Location | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 560 acres (2.3 km²) |
| Colors | Scarlet and Albino |
| Nickname | Cougars |
| Mascot |  Shasta |
| Affiliations | SACS, ORAU, AACSB, GCU, UHS, Conference USA |
| Nobel laureates | 1 |
| Website | www.uh.edu |
| Public transit access | METRO Bus |
Logos are trademarks of the University of Houston
 Image:UHLearning.png
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The University of Houston, formerly University of Houston–University Park, and often referred to as UH or U of H, is a doctoral degree-granting, research university located in Houston, Texas. The University of Houston is the only doctoral degree-granting university and is the flagship institution with the largest enrollment in the University of Houston System—a state system of higher education that includes three other universities and two multi-institution teaching centers. University of Houston is Texas' third-largest university by enrollment.[5]
Founded in 1927 as Houston Junior College, and becoming a four-year institution in 1934, the University serves more than 35,300 students[6] in 12 academic colleges and in the interdisciplinary Honors College on a 560-acre campus southeast of Downtown Houston. UH offers 109 bachelor's, 131 master's, 51 doctoral, and three professional degree programs.[6] UH awards more than 6,600 degrees annually.[6]
The University of Houston conducts research in each academic department and operates more
than 40 research centers and institutes on campus. The interdisciplinary research conducted at UH breaks new ground in such vital
areas as superconductivity, space commercialization, biomedical engineering, economics, education, petroleum exploration, virtual technology, and much
more. In addition, UH hosts a variety of theatre, concerts, lectures, and intercollegiate
The University of Houston began as Houston Junior College (HJC). On March 7, 1927, trustees of the Board of Education unanimously passed a historic resolution that authorized the founding and operating of a junior college. The junior college was operated and controlled under the guidance of the Houston Independent School District (HISD).[7][8]
HJC was located in San Jacinto High School and offered only night courses.[9] Its first session began March 7, 1927, with an enrollment of 232 students and 12 faculty.[7] This session was primarily held to educate the future teachers of the junior college, and no freshmen were allowed to enroll. A more accurate date for the official opening of HJC is September 19, 1927, when enrollment was opened up to all persons having completed the necessary educational requirements.[10] The first president of HJC was Dr. Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer. He was the dominant force in establishing the junior college.[7]
The junior college became eligible to become a four-year institution in October 1933 when Governor Miriam A. Ferguson signed House Bill 194 into law. On April 30, 1934, HISD's Board of Education adopted a resolution to make the school a four-year institution, and Houston Junior College became the University of Houston.[10]
UH's first session as a four-year institution began June 4, 1934, at San Jacinto High School with an enrollment of 682. With its new status, the university needed day classes but had no facility for this purpose. In 1934, the first campus of the University of Houston was established at the Second Baptist Church at Milam and McGowen. The next fall, the campus was moved to the South Main Baptist Church, on Main between Richmond and Eagle, where it stayed for the next five years.[10]
The University of Houston moved to its present campus in 1939. Its first building, the Roy Gustav Cullen Building, was dedicated on June 4, 1939, and classes began the next day. The first full semester of classes began officially on Wednesday, September 20, 1939.[10]
The next step was the creation of the University of Houston as an institution separate from HISD. On July 26, 1943, the Board of Education adopted a resolution establishing an Advisory Board of the University of Houston consisting of 15 members. On March 12, 1945, Senate Bill 207 was signed into law, removing the control of the University of Houston from HISD and placing it into the hands of 15 HISD-approved regents.[10] In 1945, the university, which had grown too large and complex for the Houston school board to administer, became a private school. In March 1947, the regents authorized creation of a School of Law at the University, now called the UH Law Center. In 1949, a gift of $1.5 million from the M. D. Anderson Foundation for erection of a library building for UH. By 1950, the educational plant at UH consisted of 12 permanent buildings. Enrollment was more than 14,000 with a fulltime faculty of more than 300.[7]
In 1953, the University established KUHT, the first educational television station in the nation.[7] During this period, however, the university as a private institution was facing financial troubles. Tuition failed to cover rising costs, and in turn, tuition increases caused a drop in enrollment. After a lengthy battle between supporters of the University of Houston, led by school president A.D. Bruce,[11] and forces from state universities geared to block the change, Senate Bill 2 was passed on May 23, 1961, enabling the university to enter the state system in 1963.[7]
In 1977, the University of Houston System was established, with the University of Houston named as its flagship university.[6] The University of Houston was known as University of Houston–University Park from 1985 to 1988. This name change was an effort by the UH administration to give the flagship institution of the University of Houston System a distinctive name that would eliminate confusion with the other three UHS universities. While these three universities (UH–Downtown, UH–Clear Lake, and UH–Victoria) share the root name "University of Houston," they are essentially autonomous institutions, and they each have their own president.
In 1997, the UH System and the University of Houston administrations merged. That same year, Arthur K. Smith became the first person to hold both the UH System chancellorship and University of Houston presidency simultaneously. Smith was responsible for overseeing the successful merger of the UH System and UH administrations, the launching of the “Learning. Leading.” image campaign, the planning and construction of major buildings at all UH System universities, a growth in external funding for research, and an increase in student enrollment.[12]
As of 1997, the University of Houston System administration is located in the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building on the University of Houston campus. On June 1, 2007, former UH President and Chancellor Dr. Jay Gogue left UH and UH System to become President of Auburn University. The University of Houston System Board of Regents appointed John M. Rudley, vice chancellor/vice president for administration and finance, to serve as Interim UH System Chancellor and Interim UH President.[13]
The mission of the University of Houston is to "provide a range of educational programs that foster an intellectually and culturally diverse environment that enhances individual growth and development."[14]
UH offers a variety of programs through its 12 academic colleges: 109 bachelor's, 131 master's, and 51 doctoral degrees, and three professional degrees. In fiscal year 2004, the University conducted more than $75.9 million in research programs and ranked third in research expenditures within Texas when compared to non-medical institutions, such as itself, and eighth when medical institutions were also considered.[15]
The University of Houston's academic colleges are as follows:
The University of Houston conducts research in each academic department and operates more than 40 research centers and institutes on campus. Through these facilities, UH maintains creative partnerships with government and private industry. The interdisciplinary research conducted at UH breaks new ground in such vital areas as superconductivity, space commercialization, biomedical engineering, economics, education, petroleum exploration, virtual technology, and much more. The University of Houston's faculty includes three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee, National Medal of Science recipient Paul Chu, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams. The University is home to the Creative Writing Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, which was founded by alumnus Donald Barthelme and offers an M.F.A. and Ph.D. degrees in poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. Noted writers who have come out of the program include novelists Robert Clark Young and Padgett Powell. The program attracts major authors, including international and award winning authors. The Creative Writing Program was ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its first annual ranking of writing programs in 1997.[16]
University of Houston's rankings include the following:
The University of Houston campus is located southeast of Downtown Houston at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas Highway 35 (also known as Texas Spur 5), with the official university address being 4800 Calhoun Road. UH's campus beautification projects recently received awards from the Keep Houston Beautiful group for the improvements to Cullen Boulevard, which traverses through the UH campus.[26]
The 560-acre campus includes greenery, fountains, and sculptures, including one by James Sanborn, the same artist who made the famous Kryptos sculpture. Famous architects that have designed buildings at the University of Houston include César Pelli and Phillip Johnson.[27] The campus is located in the heart of Third Ward and is adjacent to Texas Southern University and Yates High School.
UH facilities include laboratories, classrooms, the Moores School of Music,
the Athletics/Alumni Center; and the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting, which houses KUHT Houston PBS the nation's first educational television
station; KUHF (88.7 FM), Houston's
The university has an on-site Hilton hotel. The full-service hotel is a part of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The University is also home to the Blaffer Gallery, which exhibits both visiting artists and student work from the University of Houston School of Art.
The UH operates the University of Houston Charter School, a state charter elementary school.[28]
The 264,000 ft² (25,000 m²) Campus Recreation and Wellness Center was recognized by the National Intramural-Sports Association as one of the seven most outstanding sports centers built in 2004.[29]
The venues for most major athletic teams are located on the UH campus, including Hofheinz Pavilion, Robertson Stadium, and Cougar Field. The athletic facilities are located to the west of Cullen Boulevard, with the exception of the Recreation and Wellness Center.
The 200,000 ft² Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex (SERCC) was designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli to be both efficient and aesthetically pleasing.[30] This building provides facilities for the many interdisciplinary research programs including bionanotechnology.
Campus dining facilities are contracted to Aramark, replacing Chartwell's. Chartwell's had replaced Aramark years previously after much student outcry over bad food service and high prices.
In addition to parking facilities including garages and lots for commuters, public transportation is available to and from the University of Houston via several METRO bus routes. To travel around campus areas where parking is not practical or limited, UH provides an air-conditioned shuttle bus service that is open to anyone on-campus. There are five different color coded routes that serve different areas.[31]
U.S. News & World Report ranks UH as the second-most diverse research university in the United States.[17] With more than 35,300 students, the university has significant Asian American and Hispanic populations. Its international student population is primarily from Asia.[6]
Roughly 7 percent of UH students live on-campus.[32] UH has two main housing areas for dormitories: Moody Towers and the Quadrangle. Moody Towers, frequently just called "The Towers", is one of the tallest complexes on campus and the largest area of residence halls. Each of the two towers consists of eighteen stories and together house 1,100 students. The Quadrangle, also known as "The Quad" is the oldest housing area on campus and consists of several coed dorm halls: Bates, Law, Oberholtzer, Settegast, and Taub. Oberholtzer is one of the first residence halls in the U.S. to have air conditioning. The Quadrangle houses 800 students.[33]
In addition to traditional dormitories, UH has an apartment-style dormitory called Cougar Place that is a housing area consisting of 400 units.[33]
UH also has several privately-owned apartment complexes on campus that are Cullen Oaks, Bayou Oaks, and Cambridge Oaks. In late 2006, it was announced that UH approved a new apartment complex on campus specifically for graduate and professional student living. The new housing area is scheduled to be finished by 2009 as part of UH's "Master Plan" and will include retail stores, lecture halls, recreation facilities, and has been dubbed "Calhoun Lofts".[34]
Cougar First Impressions, a program headed by the UH Staff Council, takes place every year on the first two days of classes, when faculty and staff turn out to welcome new and returning students. Activities range from Homecoming to the university's Frontier Fiesta.[35]
Frontier Fiesta, a re-creation of a 19th-century Western town, with music, food and living historical exhibits, is a major event on campus each spring semester. Throughout the year, brightly painted Bleacher Creatures roam the stands during athletic contests, embodying a decidedly non-traditional take on cheerleading. The student body's rich ethnic mix combines with the culinary expertise of hotel and restaurant management students to produce an International Food Festival bursting with international flavors.
The official colors of the University of Houston are Scarlet Red and Albino White. These were the colors of Sam Houston's ancestor, Sir Hugh, and were adopted by UH at the same time as the official seal. Scarlet red symbolizes courage or inner strength to face the unknown, and white symbolizes the goodness and purity of spirit embodied in helping one's fellow man. The seal of the University of Houston, officially adopted in 1938, is the coat-of-arms of General Sam Houston. The first official version was placed on the floor of the Roy Gustav Cullen Building.[36]
The Frontiersmen are a group of students who participate in university events to drive school spirit. At football games, the Frontiersmen, donning Cowboy hats, Wrangler Jeans, and Dusters for attire run across the field with the university's flag and the Flag of Texas after each score.
The story of the Cougar Paw dates back to 1953, the first time UH played the University of Texas in football. Since this was their first meeting, members of Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity in charge of taking care of Shasta I, the university's mascot, brought her to the game. During the trip, Shasta's front paw was caught in the cage door and one toe was cut off. At the game, members of the opposing team discovered what had happened and began taunting UH players by holding up their hands with the ring finger bent. UT went on to win this game 28-7, and UH students began using the sign as notice that they would remember the taunts. In 1968, at their second meeting, the Cougars, holding up the now-adopted symbol of UH pride, played UT to a 20-20 tie. UH did not play UT again until 1976, the first year UH was a member of the Southwest Conference. In front of a record crowd, UH defeated UT 30-0.[36]
The University of Houston hosts a variety of theatre, concerts, lectures, and intercollegiate sports. The University has an intercollegiate sports program that competes in the NCAA's Division I (FBS).
The official student newspaper is The Daily Cougar, and has been published since 1927.[10] Another student publication is The Houstonian, the official University of Houston yearbook.
The University of Houston operates KUHT-TV, the nation's first public television station, and KUHF-FM, which are housed in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting on campus. The UH Student Video Network, a student-run network, appears on the University of Houston cable network.
UH's 16-sport intercollegiate program is a member of Conference USA. Since the conference was formed 10 years ago, the Cougars have won 33 C-USA titles, continuing a 59-year history of success that includes 16 national titles in men's golf, five NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four appearances, and three trips to the Baseball Super Regionals.
More than 50 Olympic athletes have attended UH, bringing home 33 medals, including 19 gold.[6] Former Olympian and UH alumnus Leroy Burrell returned as the men's track and field head coach in 1998, while former Cougar standout Art Briles was named the 10th head football coach in December 2002. In March 2004, Tom Penders was named the seventh men's basketball head coach.
In addition, the University of Houston offers a variety of varsity and intramural sports programs.
The university has an inter-collegiate sports program, which competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, in Division I-A. The University's record of nationally recognized athletic achievements includes:
The varsity football team went 10-4 in 2006. The Cougars won the Conference USA title, defeating Southern Miss 34-20 in the C-USA title game on December 1. They fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 44-36 in the Liberty Bowl on December 29, 2006.
University of Houston's sports facilities include the following:
With strong academic programs in the arts, media, business, hospitality management, law, as well as a successful athletics
program, the University of Houston has seen many now notable persons pass through its halls. Jack
Valenti, long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of
America and creator of the MPAA film rating
system, received his B.A. from UH and for decades was one of the most influential people in Hollywood. Current Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and
Family Policy, Leslye A. Arsht also graduated from the University of Houston. Several
notable athletes within the list are NFL Player Kevin Kolb, Fred Couples, Carl Lewis, Wilson
Whitley, the NBA's Bo Outlaw, Clyde Drexler,
| University of Houston | ||
|---|---|---|
| Academics |
Colleges: Architecture • Business • Education • Engineering • Hotel and Restaurant Management • Law Center • Liberal Arts and Social Sciences • Natural Sciences and Mathematics • Optometry • Pharmacy • Social Work • Technology Programs: Moores School of Music • School of Art • Creative Writing Program |
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| Athletics |
Sports: Football • Men's Basketball • Baseball • Men's Golf • Soccer • Swimming and Diving • Track and Field • Volleyball Facilities: Athletics/Alumni Center • Hofheinz Pavilion • Robertson Stadium • Cougar Field People: Dave Maggard • Art Briles • Tom Penders • Rayner Noble • Phi Slama Jama |
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| Campus | ||
| Student Life |
The Daily Cougar • The Houstonian • UH Student Video Network • KUHF 88.7 FM • Houston PBS • Student Government Association • Notable Cougars |
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| Traditions |
The Blaze • Cougar Paw • Frontiersmen • Frontier Fiesta • Shasta |
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| University of Houston System | |
|---|---|
| Universities |
University of Houston • UH–Clear Lake • UH–Downtown • UH–Victoria |
| Health Science Center |
University of Houston Health Science Center (proposed) |
| Teaching Centers | |
| Media | |
| Conference USA | |
|---|---|
| West Division | |
| East Division | |
| Soccer-Only Members |
Kentucky Wildcats (men's) • South Carolina Gamecocks (men's) • Florida International Golden Panthers (men's) • Colorado College Tigers (women's) |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
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 | Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "University of Houston". Read more |
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