Renu Khator is the 13th president of UH and has served since 2008. She is the first foreign born chancellor of the UH System.

Yulia Kutsenkova/The Daily Cougar

UH President Renu Khator explained why 2011 has been a banner year for the University in her third annual fall address Tuesday.

Khator addressed hundreds of faculty, staff and board members – including Welcome Wilson, Jr. and newly-appointed Chairwoman Nelda Luce Blair – at Moores Opera House and expressed her sincere joy over UH’s recent national recognition.

“Congratulations,” Khator said excitedly. “We did it!”

During the last 10 months, she said the University has made its mark on the national stage. Beginning in January with a Tier One designation from the Carnegie Foundation, the accolades continued to roll in for Texas’ third largest university – including being named one of the 376 best colleges in the nation by the Princeton Review.

“In 2027 the University of Houston will celebrate its 100th birthday,” Khator said. “A history of the University will be written that day, there will be a chapter dedicated to one particular year, 2011.”

Khator emphasized that “student success and Tier One status is a non-negotiable” and cannot be achieved without the support of a talented faculty and staff.

In July, the Chronicle for Higher Education named UH to its list of great colleges to work for, and to build on this achievement and the achievements of the students Khator has dedicated herself and the University to the enhancement of the school’s faculty and staff.

“At this time, when we have great momentum, we cannot allow our talent to leave for greener pastures,” Khator said. “Therefore, this year, I am committed to faculty and staff raises. However, they will be based on a strict evaluation.”

Keeping in line with the focus of continued student success, one area of concern is the University’s graduation rate – which lags behind the current national average of 53 percent. Currently, UH has a graduation rate of 46 percent. The seven percent gap is enough to keep the school from being recognized as a Tier One institution by the U.S. News and World Report.

Beginning next year, admission standards will change to align with that of other Tier One universities.

Khator assured the audience that the graduation gap should be of no serious concern and instead turned attention towards hard work and dedication as the characteristics of future success.

“Research indicates that higher expectations inspire people to work harder and to achieve greater,” Khator said. “As long as they have the necessary tools to do so.

“The focus has to be on offering the necessary tools and not on lowering the expectations, because as we all know, these students, after graduating, will face a world that is increasingly competitive.”

A number of initiatives have been set in motion to ensure this success including the placement of UH advisers throughout the local community college systems, as well as offering a free education to students from low-income families.

Khator told the audience that despite the challenges placed upon the University during the last year, it has still found a way to succeed.

“You are our greatest asset,” Khator said. “Today, I ask for your leadership and I ask for your energies.”

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The newly-appointed UH vice chancellor and vice president for student affairs tackled issues concerning residential life, parking and security posed by students in an afternoon roundtable discussion Tuesday in the UC Bluebonnet Room.

About 15 student leaders attended the meeting after receiving personal invitations from J. Richard Walker, who is now three weeks into his term.

Directly following UH President Renu Khator’s Fall Address, Walker opened the session by expounding on the administration’s University Center renovation and expansion plan as well as plans to expand student housing.

The housing plan involves the construction of Cougar Village 2, beginning next May following the demolition and renovation of Cougar Place. The new buildings will increase student rooms from the current 6,000 to 8,000.

The vice president said plans are also in place to improve security in the area, and interviews for a second police chief position are currently underway.

When asked if funding will be reflected in higher student fees and tuition, Walker said there’s no easy answer.

“Our goal is to try and make sure we spend with efficiency,” Walker said, citing the recent cut in state appropriations. “It will be difficult. We have to be cognizant of the ceiling of what students can pay.

“Housing rate and student fee increases are things that we will be looking at to try to do the best we can to keep education affordable for everybody.”

Walker also said the administration is considering the construction of a new Health Center on campus, and the board is open to exploring green energy initiatives to cut costs further.

Concerning the school’s constrained parking and expensive student garage parking passes, Walker said he plans to meet with the director of parking and transportation soon to address student problems.

“Anytime you’re expanding your infrastructure, there’s always a parking issue,” Walker said.

“There are going to be parking growing pains, but in this planning process we need to figure out that if parking is going to be displaced because of construction, then where are these students supposed to park?”

Student Program Board member Amber Mulligan informed Walker of communication issues between student organizations and residents, and Walker took on a personal responsibility to fix the problem.

“I think you will see much more collaboration and partnerships,” Walker said.

“My expectation is that we do not need to be working in silence, we need to be working for the general good of the overall student experience.”

Walker replaced interim Vice President Michael Lawrence on Aug. 17. He plans to have at least two more roundtable discussions this semester and encouraged a free flowing format in which students can openly discuss issues and ideas.

Student Government Association Education Sen. Denise McDougall said the event was a great opportunity.

“I feel it was very positive,” the education junior said.

“We were able to ask any question, and he was very responsive.”

“I think he is very student-oriented, and I feel confident that he will effect change.”

The event was organized by Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs Juanita Jackson, who also provided lunch and beverages to the attendees.

Walker was appreciative of the feedback and participation of the students during the event.

“One of the most exciting components of my job is working with student leaders to create a stronger and more robust campus life and student experience,” Walker said in the invitation extended to student organizations.

“The Division of Student Affairs staff and student leaders must be partners in this process.”

Rice University’s recent announcement of a new air condensation recycling system, which, along with similar projects, will save 12 to 14 million gallons of water a year, has received some good publicity in the local media.

UH’s similar system, however, has gone largely unnoticed.

The College of Natural Science and Mathematics’ cold-distilled air conditioning condensate conserves water by being redirected to cooling towers and also helps save on chemical treatment due to its purity.

UH, which was ranked B+ along with Rice on GreenReportCard.org, will also soon begin working on integrating low-flow (water efficient) plumbing fixtures.

These improvements will compliment the recently-installed leak monitoring system.

According to a Daily Cougar report that ran earlier this month, this system “allows for the detection and notification of leaks and the automatic cutoff of the irrigation control system in that area.”

A 2009 Green UH report said UH spent about $2.5 million on 358.3 million gallons of water and the treatment of about 236.2 million gallons of waste water.

Approximately 122.1 million gallons were lost to evaporation in the cooling towers of the Central Plant, about 30 million gallons were used for landscaping and about 185 million gallons were used in buildings.

About 1 percent of the system’s water came from recaptured steam and condensate from heating and cooling processes.

The report goes on to say that each building and groundskeeping zone should have its own meter to determine trends and reduce extravagant spending with the city by renegotiating the water utility contract.

The two risks of this strategy, according to the survey, are that “the City of Houston may demand a higher rate for water utilities in return for the reduction in water usage being paid for by the University” and “the actual cost of installing the meters may be higher than anticipated, creating a longer than predicted period of return on the investment.”

According to a 2010 survey by GreenReportCard.org, only 50 percent of UH’s buildings are independently metered for water usage.

Only 20 percent of steam and chilled water is metered.

The survey also states that “administration and finance has a disposable water bottle ban (that) started Fall 2009,” which shouldn’t be inferred to be a campus-wide ban, but merely a departmental ban on the purchasing of bottled water for staff.

The school is also supposed to have “water filling stations at key areas to encourage them (students) to drink water and to use multiple-use water bottles instead of single-use,” though it is unclear where these stations are located.

The survey indicates that water conservation measures that are not being implemented at UH include dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology, low-flow showerheads, non-potable water usage, waterless urinals, and xeriscaping.

Low-flow showerheads are being used at Rice and are expected to pay for themselves within a few months. Dual-flush toilets, which allow flushers the option of using less water for liquid waste, are also being used at Rice.

For more information about the school’s water conservation ranking visit http://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011/schools/university-of-houston/surveys/campus-survey.

For more information about the school’s water initiatives, visit http://www.uh.edu/af/greenUH/WaterUse.pdf.

Dean Latha Ramchand of the C.T. Bauer College of Business plans to continue in the steps of her predecessor, Arthur Warga.

Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar

By adding unique electives and collaborating with local businesses, the C.T. Bauer College of Business will continue to lead the nation as a top business school, said the newly appointed dean of UH’s business college.

Latha Ramchand, who was appointed Sept. 7, is taking over the position that was left vacant when former Dean Arthur Warga stepped down in March.

“I am honored to be in this position, and I am honored to serve this college,” Ramchand said.

“This institution has given me a lot and it is time for me to give back.”

She said she would like to continue to make Bauer high in national rankings by extending the classes offered in the college and adding electives that students are not being offered at other top business schools. She said that by differentiating its curriculum, Bauer will attract students from other cities. This will bring in revenue, which is a priority of hers since the decrease of state funding.

Ramchand also plans to reach to the business community, especially the energy industry, to support Bauer’s Global Energy Management Program and its global Energy Executive MBA. She said Bauer has the strongest energy program she knows of and that, given Houston’s strong, globally-recognized energy reputation, the collaboration benefits the community.

“Anything that can differentiate our product from others (means) we can attract the best students … and when we leverage that with the faculty we have, we create value for the community,” Ramchand said.

Since joining the University’s business school in 1993, Ramchand has served as associate dean of programs and administration and associate dean of graduate and professional programs. She has also been professor of corporate finance, risk management, mergers and acquisition and international finance.

Ramchand also worked as associate dean under the direction of long-time colleague of the finance department and former Dean Warga.

“He was clearly a colleague (and) my boss, but in many ways he was a mentor. I learned a lot from him in terms of institution building, of vision and in terms of what it means to take an institution to the next step… Everything that he has taught me has been about excellence,” Ramchand said.

Ramchand grew up in India where she received her master’s degree in economics from Bombay University and obtained a gold medal in economics. She received her doctorate in finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Northwestern University.

A noted expert in the field of international and corporate finance, she has published numerous works in finance journals and received the Best Paper Award for a publication she wrote in International Finance.

Provost John Antel named Latha Ramchand dean of C.T. Bauer College of Business on Wednesday.

Ramchand has served as interim dean since March, when Dean Arthur Warga stepped down.

“Ramchand is uniquely situated to lead Bauer to greater heights,” Antel said in a press release. “(Ramchand) is a respected scholar. She has significant administrative experience. And, she is already extending Bauer’s programs and building bridges for the business community.”

The UH System Board of Regents welcomed three new members to their ranks on Thursday, filling the seats of members whose terms expired at the end of August.

Officially appointed by Gov. Rick Perry on Aug. 24, Spencer Armour III, Roger Fleming Welder and Welcome Wilson Jr. started their six-year terms on the board on Sept. 1.

The appointment holds a special meaning for Armour, who is a UH alumnus.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to serve on the board of your alma mater,” Armour said. “I can’t imagine a better feeling than that.”

A native of the small town of Silsbee, Armour has a personal connection to the campus where he obtained a bachelor’s in economics and met his wife. The business owner from the class of ’76 said the University awakened him as a student and foresees the school reaching great heights in the future.

“I truly feel that UH is going to be a flagship university in the state of Texas,” Armour said.

“With the Tier One status, the sleeping giant has awakened and we’re on the verge of some really good things.”

After attending UH, Armour moved to West Texas where he found his calling in the oil industry. He is managing partner of Armada Gas and Oil, and in the past has served as president and board member of the Petroleum Club of Midland.

Emerging from a blue collar background, Armour said he has accomplished most of his business goals.

He dismissed the notion of his new position being merely another notch on his career belt and emphasized that his dedication to the university’s future is genuine.

“Look, I’m 57 years old; this is not a resume builder for me,” Armour said. “I’m involved because I want to be involved; I want to see the University achieve the great things that it can.”

While not as familiar with the campus as Armour, Roger Welder possesses an extensive background in the education and business sectors. The Victoria resident and TCU alumnus currently serves as vice-chair of both the First Victoria National Bank and the Victoria College board of directors as well as president of the Victoria ISD Education Foundation.

“I’m very excited and humbled to get an appointment on the board,” Welder said.

“I’m passionate about education and hopefully my experience will help students be successful.”

Houston-native Welcome Wilson Jr. will probably have an easier time than most transitioning into his new position, courtesy of some family advice. He replaced his father, Welcome Wilson Sr., on the board.

Wilson Jr. is president and CEO of GSL Welcome Group, a Texas property developer.

He also serves as a board member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Southwest TIRZ 20, Sharpstown Management District and the Houston Food Bank.

The board members will participate in an orientation meeting later this month.

UH President Renu Khator met with the new members individually and gave them high praise in a press release.

“With their diverse business backgrounds, considerable talents and strong leadership abilities, I am confident that each of these appointees will make outstanding contributions to our board and to the University of Houston System,” Khator said.

The UH Board of Regents approved a $1.36 billion budget in its quarterly meeting, which highlights a decrease in operating expenses, as the school system is forced to cope with state funding cuts for the 2012 fiscal year.

The budget, which will take effect Sept. 1, will cut 345 jobs in operations, support organizations and campus facilities. Faculty salaries were also reduced.

UH Associate Vice President and Vice Chancellor for Finance Tom Ehardt emphasized the impact the state budget has had compared to previous years.

“Twenty years ago, state allocations accounted for about half of our operating budget,” Ehardt said.

“In fiscal year 2012, it accounted for just 25 percent of the operating budget.”

A tuition increase announced in June also played a part in increasing the school’s revenue for the upcoming year, consisting of a 3.95 percent increase for 12 credit hour course loads, a 4.95 percent increase for students taking nine hours, and a 9 percent increase overall for professional students in optometry and pharmacy.

To counter this, the budget will include a $9.9 million increase in financial aid, making it a total of $66 million.

Regents sought to reduce the University’s operating expense costs per credit hour taken by students as well. The new budget reveals a 5 percent decrease in this area, from $510 per hour to $486.

The elimination of over 300 jobs was achieved through layoffs, retirement and retraction of unfilled positions. The cuts claimed 23 faculty positions, 183 professional and support staff positions, 28 positions in University Advancement and Information Technology and 11 maintenance positions.

Despite the job cuts, the school still plans to add 52 faculty positions and 41 professional and support staff positions with an additional $5 million added to what Regents list as “priority academic programs.”

The goals stated in the budget were to protect instruction and financial aid, reshape the workforce to give priority to positions that directly serve students, reduce operational costs and eliminate faculty salary increases.

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost John Antel said that hiring new faculty will support increased student enrollments in various programs, and that hiring will occur in the University’s priority programs like energy, health and student success.

UHS Board of Regents Chairwoman Carroll Robertson Ray believes the budget was a success.

“I am very appreciative of the hard work of everyone who weighed in and worked on the budget,” Ray said. “This budget preserves what’s important for us and ensures student success while being fiscally responsible during this difficult economic period.”

Though the University has consistently experienced double-digit growth in online enrollment over the last four years, the quality of online learning has remained uncontrolled and is still in development.