UH President Renu Khator said faculty hiring, campus security and freshman admissions are all part of her flagship plan during a Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday.
Khator also said that the University would approach spending for 2010 ‘wholistically,’ meaning there would be no wasteful spending. Also, Khator said more faculty would be hired next year.
‘In order to reach flagship status, we need to keep hiring faculty,’ Khator said. ‘Right now, faculty size is not where it needs to be.’
Khator said improving campus security is a top priority in the University’s drive to be nationally competitive.
UH Chief of Police Malcolm Davis said UH has 75 call boxes around campus and cameras at every parking lot entrance that both read license plates and process vehicles, which increases campus safety.
‘We are trying to separate facts from perception (at UH). We are becoming a safer campus,’ Davis said.
Davis also proposed a long-term plan to incorporate Cougar Cards for use in accessing buildings during campus ‘off hours.’
‘Campus would be unlocked at 7 a.m. and then closed for nights, weekends and public holidays,’ Davis said.
Included in the plan was the proposal to close off entrances and exits in certain parking lots to help with campus safety efforts, which would force all cars to use only two passageways.
Provost John Antel said it was important for the University to have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter on campus.
‘This is an essential element in recruiting better students and is a milestone in innovation for the University,’ Antel said.
