CAPITOLIZING

University of Houston Makes Its Case in Austin

Photos by Jessie Almanza and Ben Corda

UH Day at the Capitol—it’s about telling our story to ensure that policymakers understand the ways in which UH is working to move Houston and Texas forward. The University of Houston is the largest public university in the state’s largest city, and we play an important role in Texas’ economy — whether that’s by boosting the city’s innovation ecosystem or starting a medical school focused on expanding the availability of primary care in medically underserved communities.

On February 12, 2019, Cougars converged in Austin for UH Day at the Capitol.

This is our story...

UH students stand outside of Texas Captiol.

A caravan of buses carrying Coogs, including 246 UH students, departed for Austin before daybreak Feb. 12, 2019. Their mission: convince lawmakers to invest in higher education and the University of Houston.

Student carrying "Go Coogs!" sign as he walks twoard capitol building

While there were plenty of smiles and Cougar spirit, there is a lot at stake for Texas' third-largest university, which enrolls more than 47,000 students.

Group of students walking up steps, hold bags with UH stuff.

The Texas Legislature meets every two years.  What happens in Austin between now and when the 86th Legislative Session wraps later this year will largely determine UH's budget through August 2021.

UH students stand outside of Texas Captiol.

A caravan of buses carrying Coogs, including 246 UH students, departed for Austin before daybreak Feb. 12, 2019. Their mission: convince lawmakers to invest in higher education and the University of Houston.

While there were plenty of smiles and Cougar spirit, there is a lot at stake for Texas' third-largest university, which enrolls more than 47,000 students.

The Texas Legislature meets every two years.  What happens in Austin between now and when the 86th Legislative Session wraps later this year will largely determine UH's budget through August 2021.

A caravan of buses carrying Coogs, including 276 UH students, faculty, staff, alumni and leaders, departed for Austin before daybreak Feb. 12, 2019. Their mission: convince lawmakers to invest in higher education and the University of Houston.   

There is a lot at stake for Texas' third-largest university, which enrolls more than 47,000 students. What happens during the 86th Legislative Session currenly underway in Austin will largely determine UH's budget through August 2021 and shape the future of several of UH's strategic priorities.

UH's 2019 legislative agenda includes asking the Legislature to: stabilize base formula funding at 2011 levels, restore more than $20 million in non-formula support lost in the 2018-19 biennium, invest more in financial aid (TEXAS grants) and provide $20 million in support for the UH College of Medicine.

Four young women sitting on bench review UH's 2019 Legislative Agenda pamplet..

UH students review UH's 2019 Legislative Agenda. During UH Day at the Capitol, students are involved in asking the Texas Legislature for $26 million in relief from the costs incurred by all four UHS universities during and after Hurricane Harvey.

UH President Renu Khator and UHS Chairman Tilman Fertitta sitting at a table with Gov. Greg Abbott.

UH President Renu Khator and UHS Chairman Tilman Fertitta meet with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss UH's legislative priorities, including restoring base funding and increasing financial aid for students.

UH System Chairman Tilman Fertitta and UH President Renu Khator sit on couch across from House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.

UH System Chairman Tilman Fertitta and UH President Renu Khator meet with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. The UHS Board has established a College of Medicine, but $20 million in funding is needed from the Legislature for the college to educate primary care doctors to practice in underserved and rural communities.

Four young women sitting on bench review UH's 2019 Legislative Agenda pamplet..

UH students review UH's 2019 Legislative Agenda. During UH Day at the Capitol, students are involved in asking the Texas Legislature for $26 million in relief from the costs incurred by all four UHS universities during and after Hurricane Harvey.

UH President Renu Khator and UHS Charman Tilman Fertitta meet with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss UH's legislative priorities, including restoring base funding and increasing financial aid for students.

UH System Chairman Tilman Fertitta and UH President Renu Khator meet with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. The UHS Board has established a College of Medicine, but $20 million in funding is needed from the Legislature for the college to educate primary care doctors to practice in underserved and rural communities.

People walking in halls of the Texas Capitol.

The University of Houston is asking lawmakers to restore its base formula funding to what Texas universities received in 2011, after sustaining severe cuts in 2013.

The University of Houston is asking lawmakers to restore its base formula funding to what Texas universities received in 2011, after sustaining severe cuts in 2013.

Four students smile and talk as they walk through Texas capitol.

Support from the Texas Legislature is critical for the University to fulfill its mission. Paying for college has become increasingly more difficult over the past 15+ years.

Support from the Texas Legislature is critical for the University to fulfill its mission. Paying for college has become increasingly more difficult over the past 15+ years.

UH alumni serving in the Legislature gather on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives.

UH alumni serving in the Legislature gather on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. In 2003, the Texas Legislature voted to deregulate tuition and allow universities to set their own tuition rates free from legislative oversight. Many point to tuition deregulation as a turning point for college affordability as the burden of paying for the state’s public universities shifted onto students.

UH alumni serving in the Legislature gather on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. In 2003, the Texas Legislature voted to deregulate tuition and allow universities to set their own tuition rates free from legislative oversight. Many point to tuition deregulation as a turning point for college affordability as the burden of paying for the state’s public universities shifted onto students.

From the top of the Texas Capitol rotunda looking across and down at the four stories leading up to the rotunda dome

Eighteen UH alumni currently hold elected office in the Texas Legislature. Many other Cougars hold key Texas House and Senate staff positions and internships. The Hobby School of Public Affairs, for example, currently has a class of interns serving in legislative offices.

Eighteen UH alumni currently hold elected office in the Texas Legislature. Many other Cougars hold key Texas House and Senate staff positions and internships. The Hobby School of Public Affairs, for example, currently has a class of interns serving in legislative offices.

Four photos of UH alumni and students meeting with various representatives and tehir staff.

Top left: UH students meet with State Rep. Jonathan Stickland about legislative priorities. UH Day at the Capitol is not only about showing lawmakers what UH is accomplishing but how Coogs are giving back and making a difference. Among the UH delegation to the Capitol are student leaders, many of whom give their time as volunteers for nonprofit organizations.

Top left: UH students meet with State Rep. Jonathan Stickland about legislative priorities. UH Day at the Capitol is not only about showing lawmakers what UH is accomplishing but how Coogs are giving back and making a difference. Among the UH delegation to the Capitol are student leaders, many of whom give their time as volunteers for nonprofit organizations.

Group of nine people walks down large staircase in Texas capitol building.

The University of Houston is committed to expanding access to higher education for all students, including those of limited means, from underserved communities and those who are the first in their family to attend college.

To that end, UH leaders Renu Khator and Tilman Fertitta personally asked elected officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other lawmakers, to expand financial aid, specifically TEXAS grants. They said increasing financial aid will strengthen the Texas workforce and support economic stability.

student holding up the "Go Coogs" hand sign in the Capitol rotunda.
Texas capitol building exterior with group of more than 200 representatives from UH

UH Day at the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2019

UH Day at the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2019

More information on the UH System Legislative Agenda can be found here.

A communication by the University of Houston Division of University Marketing, Communication and Media Relations.

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