GRAPHIC: State of the University and Financial Update graphic. Graphic by UHCL Marketing and Communications. — State of the University and Financial Update graphic. Graphic by UHCL Marketing and Communications.

BRIEF: State of the University delivered in-person for the first time since 2019

By Miles Shellshear, Editor-in-Chief Last updated Feb 28, 2022 274 0

UHCL stakeholders gathered Feb. 15 in the Bayou Theater for the 2021-2022 State of the University address, the first in-person address since 2019.

The address was originally scheduled for Oct. 12, 2021, but it was cancelled following the departure of former President Ira K. Blake to her new position as special assistant to the chancellor.

Interim President Richard Walker led the address and introduced Vice President of Administration and Finance Mark Denney for the financial update portion of the presentation.

Denney explained that the financial pro forma, a record of spending used to project finances, indicates that UHCL is currently on a strong financial foundation. Denney attributed UHCL’s financial strength to a positive trend in growing enrollment, financial stability and strong financial reserves.

“However, this positive forecast is not going to just happen,” Denney said.“We are going to have to stay diligent, we are going to have to stay committed and work at this and make sure that when we have outcomes that we anticipate for our investments, that we make the hard decisions and we make sure that they’re coming through or we readdress.”

Denney concluded his presentation by noting that documents including the presentation slides, budget and submitted administration costs would be available on the UHCL website in the days following the presentation. Denny added that he is available to answer any questions about the presentation and documents via email.

Walker began the address by speaking about conducting Tier 3, the final tier of the strategic plan, enrollment numbers, partnerships with regional colleges and highlighted various faculty for their achievements. To close out the presentation, Walker gave an update on the searches for a new university president and provost, announcing that the presidential search is underway. Walker clarified that the presidential search is closed while the provost search is open.

“In consultation with leadership of the shared governance groups including Faculty Senate, University Staff Association and Student Government, along with the presidential search committee, it was determined that the search for the next president will be closed,” Walker said. “A closed search allows the institution to attract and retain the most qualified pool of candidates. It strengthens the candidate pool by providing anonymity to qualified candidates who are interested in the position but whose current positions could be jeopardized in a more public process.”

Walker offered details about new partnerships like the Houston Spaceport Center for Research, Education and Workforce Development Consortium (HS-CREW) formed with San Jacinto College District, Rice Space Institute, Texas A&M University and Texas Southern University. He also announced that UHCL will join the Aspen AASCU Intensive: Transfer Student Success and Equity cohort in March to expand efforts that improve transfer student success and equity.

Walker closed with acknowledgements and thanks to the Division of Student Affairs, University Advancement, Administration and Finance, Auxiliary Services, and Shared Governance including the Faculty Senate, University Staff Association and Student Government.