University of Houston–Downtown

The University of Houston•Downtown (informally referred to as UH•Downtown or UHD) is a four-year state university located in Houston. Founded in 1974, it is one of four separate and distinct universities in the University of Houston System. UHD has an enrollment of 12,283 students—making it the 13^th largest public university in Texas and second-largest university in the Houston area.^[4]

The university serves students in four academic colleges with a campus in Downtown Houston and satellite locations at various Lone Star College campuses throughout the northern Houston metropolitan region.^[5] UHD offers nearly 50 degree programs: 41 bachelors and four masters.^[6]

History

On August 6, 1974, the University of Houston (UH) acquired the assets of South Texas Junior College (STJC) and opened the University of Houston•Downtown College (UHDC) as a four-year institution with open admissions. STJC's president, W.I. Dykes, later became the namesake of the university's library.^[7] By 1977, the university had an enrollment of 4,500. In August 1979, it became a freestanding university when the Texas Legislature approved UHDC as a separate and distinct institution in the University of Houston System.

The college's first four-year degree was a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and resident students attended for $4 per credit hour.^[8] The school purchased its first and only dormitory in 1981.^[9][10] The dormitory, formerly the Harley Hotel located at 101 Main Street and known as the University Center, remained in the university's possession until 1991 when it was demolished in favor of renovation.

In April 1983, the word "College" was dropped from the institution's name to become University of Houston•Downtown (UHD). During this decade when Houston was booming, UHD succeeded in having the M & M Building named to the National Register of Historic Places, degree programs continued to grow, and UHD's first Red Rose Ball became a signature fundraiser. Tuition increased in 1984 to $12 per credit hour.^[8] By fall 1988, more than 8,300 students were enrolled on campus.

In 1992, UHD president Max Castillo came from San Antonio College to lead the university. During the 1990s, UHD focused on becoming a metropolitan university—appealing to traditional students as well as working professionals. During the early 1990s, UHD also began key partnerships with community colleges and it moved to meet greater Houston's demand for qualified teachers when it added a teacher certification program in urban education. During this time, the Weekend College Program began and a new Academic Building and the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center opened.

As the 1990s ended, UHD moved ahead again, earning full approval from the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer graduate programs; the University's first master's degree in criminal justice was approved. UHD also began offering degree programs at Lone Star College•University Center in The Woodlands and eventually at the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch. UHD's expansion and growth continued as a new millennium arrived. Master's degree programs in criminal justice and teaching were added. Physical growth also continued and the Willow Street Pump Station was renovated while a new, bricked-face Commerce Street Building opened at the corner of Commerce Street and Main Street—providing a new home for the College of Public Service. As UHD grew so did the number of students participating in commencement. In 2002, UHD became the first university to award degrees in Minute Maid Park. UHD won national recognition for its wireless campus and the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in general business became the university's first on-line degree. In November 2007, the Shea Street Building opened as the new home of the UHD's College of Business.^[11]

On February 12, 2010, University of Houston•Downtown announced the move of of its Cinco Ranch undergraduate Business and Interdisciplinary Studies distance programs to Lone Star College•University Park beginning Fall 2010. The University of Houston•Victoria will take UHD's place in Cinco Ranch by offering business and humanities degrees beginning Fall 2010.

Academics

The University of Houston•Downtown has an open admissions policy and the only criteria for entrance is a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate. There is no requirement for transfer admissions from other higher education institutions.

The university offers 41 undergraduate and four graduate degree programs in four academic colleges:

• College of Business
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Public Service
• College of Sciences and Technology

Campus

The UHD campus is located in five buildings at the north end of Downtown Houston, next to the crossing of Interstate 10 and Main Street. One of the buildings in the complex is the former Merchants and Manufacturers Building, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

UHD's student population consists of 36% Hispanic, 27% African American, 24% white, 10% Asian American, and 3% foreign nationals.^[12] The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has designated UHD as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), in recognition of the large number of Hispanic students enrolled at UHD.^[13]

Although UHD does not have an intercollegiate varsity athletics program, it does offer its students a number of club sports and intramural sports in addition to numerous fitness programs. The Department of Sports & Fitness coordinates these activities out of the Student Life Center located on the UHD campus. UHD's club sports teams are known as the Gators. The UHD mascot is known as Ed-U-Gator. The university and its community offer additional activities for students such as clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities.

The campus of UHD is served by METRORail's UH•Downtown station—the northern terminus of the Red Line.

List of university presidents

• William Flores (2009—)
• Max Castillo (1992•2009)
• Manuel T. Pacheco (1988•1991)
• Alexander F. Schilt (1980•1987)
• J. Don Boney (1975•1979)

Notable students & alumni

• Juan Díaz, Boxer^[14]
• Mario Gallegos, Jr., Texas State Senator
• Gary Helms, Singer-songwriter
• Charles McClelland, Chief of police, Houston Police Department
• Lil' O (Ore Magnus-Lawson), Rapper^[15]
• Diana López, American taekwondo practitioner (2008 Olympic bronze medalist)^[14]
• Phil Montgomery, Wisconsin state assemblyman^[16]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "UHD Fact Book 2007-2008". UHD Office of Institutional Research. http://www.uhd.edu/about/irp/documents/factbook/UHDFactBook2007-2008.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
2. ^ "Fall 2008 Headcount by Level". University of Houston System. http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/regents/board_meetings/documents/121208Acad/A&SS%2010-1%20Fall2008Headcount.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
3. ^ "New Campus Name Mark Changes for UH System". UH Alumni Quarterly (The University of Houston Alumni Association) 2 (1): 5. April 2009.
4. ^ "Texas Higher Education Enrollments" (PDF). Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1655.PDF. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
5. ^ http://www.uhd.edu/academic/distance/
6. ^ http://www.uhd.edu/academic/degrees.html
7. ^ Patrick, Nicholson (1977). In Time: An Anecdotal History of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston. Houston, Texas: Pacesetter Press. pp. 456•457. ISBN 0-88415-371-1.
8. ^ ^{a b} "A Short History of the University of Houston-Downtown". UH-Downtown. http://www.uhd.edu/about/history/aheod.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
9. ^ "Commuter School Closes the Doors Of Its Last Dorm". The New York Times. 1991-07-07. http://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/07/nyregion/campus-life-houston-commuter-school-closes-the-doors-of-its-last-dorm.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
10. ^ Ackerman, Todd (1991-06-18). "Only dorm on campus to be closed/UH-Downtown plan Protested". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1991_790155. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
11. ^ "Open For Business". Houston Chronicle. 2007-11-22. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4464024. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
12. ^ "UHD Quickfacts". UH-Downtown. http://www.uhd.edu/about/quickfacts.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
13. ^ "HACU - University of Houston-Downtown". Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. http://www.hacu.net/assnfe/cv.asp?ID=193&SNID=2. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
14. ^ ^{a b} "UH System Success Stories". University of Houston System. 2008-02. http://www.uh.edu/news-events/archive/uhssuccess/. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
15. ^ "Lil' O - Da Fat Rat Wit Da Cheez". Six Shot. http://www.sixshot.com/albums/62/. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
16. ^ "Phil Montgomery: Biography". Wisconsin State Legislature. http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Assembly&district=4&display=bio. Retrieved 2008-09-29.

External links

• University of Houston•Downtown
• UHD TTLC Wiki

Categories: Public universities in Texas | University of Houston•Downtown | University of Houston System | Universities and colleges in Texas | Educational institutions established in 1974 | American Association of State Colleges and Universities | Harris County, Texas | Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools