As today marks her official start as a Cougar, new UH President and UH System Chancellor Renu Khator has planned some stops around campus, making her first day a busy one.
In an effort to focus on student engagement and leadership priorities and open the lines of communication with students, her tour includes visits to a biology and architecture studio classroom, Phillip Guthrie Hoffman Hall Breezeway with Vice President of Student Affairs Elwyn C. Lee, a public celebration of excellence at the Bauer College of Business and even a stop at The Daily Cougar newsroom.
We at The Daily Cougar welcome Khator and commend her efforts to start the semester in the public eye. We hope she continues to familiarize herself with students and foster an open relationship with all areas of the University.
After all, this kind of open communication can only lead to a more productive institute of higher learning and, in turn, happier students.
During the past semester problems with PeopleSoft have plagued students, hindering their ability to enroll in classes, receive financial aid and ultimately function as students. The cost of tuition has risen, campus parking spots have vanished for the sake of another slew of restaurants that can already be found on campus and students have begun to disconnect from administration.
Finding plausible solutions to problems on campus, or finding people who can, will be what students will look to Khator for. She is the new face of the University, and as such she will be applauded for its successes and criticized for its problems – reaching out to students, faculty and staff to make UH a better institution can only aid her in this new role.
Students’ concerns over the ever-rising cost of tuition, the parking situation and even the occasional wave of PeopleSoft registration woes may not subside this semester or even this year. But so long as Khator, and her administration, keep students in the know about such hot topics around campus, we can look forward to a brighter future as our new president steers the University of Houston in the right direction by nurturing a strong bond with students.
