UH sets path for flagship

UH’s recognition by the Carnegie Foundation in January as a Tier One school does not mean its work is over — the University has many more goals it must achieve.

The two major goals are obtaining recognition by the Center for Measuring University Performance in its annual Top American Research Universities report and an invitation into the Association of American Universities.

“UH currently ranks in the top 50 on three of the TARU measures,” Executive Director of Media Relations Richard Bonnin said. “The president’s goal is to rank in the top 50 on five measures and rank in the top 25 on at least one measure.”

According to the UH website, Texas Tech and UT Dallas have measures in the top 50. While Texas Tech has two measures and UT Dallas has one, neither school met the $40 million threshold for inclusion in TARU.

UH is the only “emerging research university” to be named a Top American Research University, the website reports.

While the University is well on its way to reaching President Renu Khator’s goal in regards to TARU, the goal to gain membership in the AAU might not be reached for several years.

“The Association of American Universities is an association of 63 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada,” Bonnin said. “Membership in AAU is by invitation and based on the high quality of programs of academic and scholarship and undergraduate, graduate and professional education in a number of fields, as well as general recognition that a university is outstanding by reason of the excellence of its research and education programs.”

Of the 63 universities, three have been granted membership in the last decade.

Georgia Tech University was the last school invited to join in 2010. Texas A&M was granted membership in 2001.

Bonnin said though there are many Tier One schools that are not members of AAU, recognition by the group would be the “icing on the cake” for UH.

“The president believes we still have unfinished business to solidify our place among nationally competitive research universities, including broadening our overall excellence and strengthening our performance and reputation for student success,” he said.