The goal for the University of Houston to reach flagship status is one of the main concerns UH President Renu Khator said she wants to address during her first 100 days in office.
"It takes an entire community to build a university," she said.
March 5 marked the halfway point of Khator’s 100 days in office, during which she said she wanted to receive feedback from both UH and the community to improve the University gradually during the next five to 10 years.
Khator’s term in office began on Jan. 15 with the launch of a 100 Days Survey Web site intended to gather both UH and community feedback.
In a non-scientific Daily Cougar online poll the week of Jan. 21, respondents said the main issue they wanted Khator to address was rising tuition and fees.
"We want to keep education to be affordable, but we also want to make sure quality of product is also guaranteed," Khator said.
Heading up the Web site initiative is Karen Clarke, associate vice president of University Relations, who said UH administration is being proactive in addressing students’ concerns.
"We don’t want it to be just on the backs of students," Clarke said.
Khator said an emerging theme from the data was for UH to achieve flagship status.
As of March 3, 4,442 individuals had responded, according to a 100 Days Survey report. Current and prospective students made up 39 percent of the responses, alumni were 28 percent and faculty and staff were 23 percent. Responses from parents, community and others made up 8 percent.
Khator said students’ concerns regarding parking and PeopleSoft 8.9 are being delegated to UH vice presidents, who will work to solve persistent issues because the University is in a transition period between presidents.
"There are a lot of other ideas that specifically relate to one piece, like PeopleSoft, which I know is a big thing, although it’s not something that tells us where we’re going in five years," she said.
Since beginning her term, Khator has been meeting with legislators to gain support to raise UH to flagship status and has traveled to Austin five times since taking office.
The 100 days will end on April 24, but the Web site will stay up for a longer period so that people can still have a chance to comment, Clarke said.
"(Students) have been very engaged and responsive," she said. "They want this to be a top tier University. We’re excited."
Clarke said the compiled data would be used to make UH an academically competitive university.
"We will do what ensures quality education for students," she said.
For more information or to participate in the survey, visit www.uh.edu/100days.
