Former UH-Victoria President Tim Hudson resigned his position four weeks before the 2010 school year to work as assistant to the chancellor for international programs and initiatives with the UH system.
“I am enthusiastic about his accomplishments at UH-V, but I look forward to the important contributions he will make in this next phase of his career,” Chancellor Renu Khator said. “His broad range of experience in international education makes him an ideal choice to work with our presidents throughout the UH System to expand and enhance our existing programs and initiatives.”
Hudson will work with the Regents to establish international study programs. He already has initiated and formed more than 40 study-abroad programs world-wide.
During his time as UH-V president, Hudson achieved a list of accomplishments, one being the Regents’ recent support for a $61.5 million project to expand the campus by constructing new building and about $7 million for special funding.
Hudson said in a news release that he will continue to support the push for UH-V to expand.
“Of course the board and I, the chancellor, the community, our legislative leaders and numerous other constituents support the continuing development of a destination university in Victoria,” he said.
In August 2009, Hudson joined Gov. Rick Perry, Khator and numerous city officials at a ceremonial signing of House Bill 1056, which paved the way for the university to add freshman- and sophomore-level courses in the fall of 2010.
“Tim Hudson is a proven leader who has helped UH-Victoria grow into an ambitious, productive institution that has become a full-fledged four-year ‘Destination University’ that now attracts 4,000 students,” Khator said.
Hudson’s contract as president with the school ends Aug. 31. Suzanne LaBrecque, UH-Victoria provost and vice president for academic affairs took over presidential duties until a new president was named.
The Regents did a national search and decided Don Noel Smith will replace Tim Hudson.
Khator said in a Houston Chronicle article that his term was up anyway and her and him have been in talks for a while.
Khator also said the goal will be to recruit more international students, as well as to find additional opportunities for faculty and students to work and study abroad.
“(The new position is) a demanding and rewarding responsibility I am passionate about,” Hudson said.
1) Control construction costs: There is about half Billion dollar construction at UH; much of this is at a cost significantly higher than fair value. The bidding, evaluation, and awarding of construction contracts are fundamentally flawed. Fix it.
2) UH is top heavy – too many administrators with their assistants staff etc. Cut the administration and put more faculty into classrooms and laboratories to better serve students.
3) Establish better planning. Too many decisions are made without proper analysis (e.g., purchase of energy park without taking into account all the renovation costs; signing faculty contracts without financial analysis and consequently failing to honor obligations).
4) Set priorities. We are over-extended. Do fewer things but do them well.
5) Hold everybody accountable, from staff, to professors, to administrators.
6) Establish a healthy communication between students, faculty, staff and the board of regents. Board of regents is not well informed about the realities on campus.
We are all proud of UH; however our pride should not lead us to blind faith. You are right: self-criticism should be constructive and I hope the points above will be a small step in that direction.