UH-D Proposes Name Change

[totheskies]

I think Houston City University is the best and clearest choice... you can't possibly confuse it with anything else around the metro area. HCU (although one letter away from HBU) is a nice clear set of inititals. I agree that the name change is needed just b/c UH and UH-D are in closer proximity to each other than the other system schools. But HCU is a nice name that the university could be proud of.

Cibolo sucks, nobody cares about the former name of Buffalo. Houstonians may now where Allen's Landing is, but they don't want a university named after it. Houston Center is a development, and real Houstonians know that downtown isn't actually the "center" of the city.

HCU, HCU, HCU

nice! It's even website ready.... there's no domain name for www.hcutx.edu

Edited September 22, 2008 by totheskies

[ProHouston]

Great link. I see quite a few HAIFers already suggested names. I can even right now that Cibolo, Maverick, Bluebonnet and Hopes & Dreams will bite the dust. Unless, well, if they have a Cibolo or a maverick in the committee.

"University of South Texas" was proposed. We're not even in South Texas I vote that guy off the island.

[Disastro]

UHDT needs a new name about as much as Houston needs a new sports stadium -- which is to say not at freakin' ALL!

[Texanmark]

That UH student was correct! The University of Houston-Downtown ("UHD") is not part of the University of Houston ("UH"). UHD is not a "branch," "extension" or "satellite" campus of UH. UHD is a stand-alone (autonomous) university with its own president, grants their own degrees, and is separately accredited. Therefore, people attending or alumni of UHD are not UH students or alumni!

The University of Houston ("UH") only has one campus, and it is located at 4800 Calhoun Road by Interstate 45 and Spur 5. All the confusions and misconceptions of referring the University of Houston (UH) as "UH-Central" or "UH main campus" are evidences of confusion/ignorance among the general public. These are strong enough evidences which support the name change of the University of Houston-Downtown to something else without the root name 'University of Houston' included in hoping that the University of Houston (UH) will just be referred to its official name of "University of Houston" or "UH" without 'central' or 'main campus' associated with it. The University of Houston is NOT and does NOT operate as a multi-campus university like the University of California or local community colleges such as HCC or San Jacinto.

As a graduate of the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business (BBA '06), I am tired of people asking me what "campus" I attended and having to explain that UH only has one campus located at 4800 Calhoun Rd. I have refrained from referring to the school as "central campus" or "main campus" as noted above the University of Houston is NOT a multi-campus university.

The University of Houston System ("UH System" or "UHS") oversees four independent degree granting universities. These universities are independent of each other, not campuses of one another (i.e. UHCL, UHD, and UHV are not branch or extension campuses of UH). Below is a hierarchy of the UH System (UHS) to illustrate that the University of Houston (UH) is not the "central" or "main campus" of anything and they do not oversee other schools.

• University of Houston System (UHS)
  

o University of Houston (UH)

o University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL)

o University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)

o University of Houston-Victoria (UHV)

Simply put, UH-Downtown is not part of UH, but both are part of the UH System (UHS). As anyone can see, all four universities are independent (autonomous) of each other and they all report to the University of Houston System (UHS). Additionally, there are two multi-institution teaching centers (or satellite campuses) serving ALL four UH System universities:

• University of Houston System at Sugar Land (UHSSL)
  
• University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch (UHSCR)
  

The above two teaching centers are not stand-alone or degree granting universities.

I must admit, the UH System is confusing in general and because of this, the reputation of the University of Houston (UH) has been affected negatively

[sarahiki]

I think Houston City University is the best and clearest choice... you can't possibly confuse it with anything else around the metro area. HCU (although one letter away from HBU) is a nice clear set of inititals. I agree that the name change is needed just b/c UH and UH-D are in closer proximity to each other than the other system schools. But HCU is a nice name that the university could be proud of.

Cibolo sucks, nobody cares about the former name of Buffalo. Houstonians may now where Allen's Landing is, but they don't want a university named after it. Houston Center is a development, and real Houstonians know that downtown isn't actually the "center" of the city.

HCU, HCU, HCU

nice! It's even website ready.... there's no domain name for www.hcutx.edu

Agree... that is by far the best choice.

[TxDave]

How about University of Houston "City Center" (or Center City)?

Generally not significantly different from 'Downtown', but emphasizes the city/urban aspect as well as center/central aspect.

Also may help eliminate confusion with the primary flagship UH campus, which some may consider to be "downtown" as well, but probably not the "center" of the city.

[Disastro]

How about University of Houston "City Center" (or Center City)?

Generally not significantly different from 'Downtown', but emphasizes the city/urban aspect as well as center/central aspect.

Also may help eliminate confusion with the primary flagship UH campus, which some may consider to be "downtown" as well, but probably not the "center" of the city.

How about:

Bayou Shores University (BSU)

Allen Place University

The Allen Institute

Or since the train runs alongside it...

Metro Station University

University on Rails

Any takers?

I didn't think so...lol!!!

[CoolBuddy06]

How about:

Bayou Shores University (BSU)

Allen Place University

The Allen Institute

Or since the train runs alongside it...

Metro Station University

University on Rails

Any takers?

I didn't think so...lol!!!

That's funny, but I don't think UHD students will laugh. I stand by Houston City University.

[infinite_jim]

University of Hopes and Dreams (UHD)

or Charlotte Baldwin State University

these are my girlfriend's name choices (she currently attends)

[CoolBuddy06]

University of Hopes and Dreams (UHD)

Is this inspired by election year?

or Charlotte Baldwin State University

Who is Charlotte Baldwin?

Edited October 3, 2008 by CoolBuddy06

[FordGuyHTX]

According to the original time table of processes, the University of Houston

Edited October 6, 2008 by FordGuyHTX

[N Judah]

City College of Houston-Downtown

[CoolBuddy06]

City College of Houston-Downtown

Sounds like the Downtown campus of one of those vocational schools.

[houstonmacbro]

And I know they paid a consulting firm a LOT of money to help them come up with that name.

[FordGuyHTX]

As noted in my post above, UHD has retained Richards/Carlberg

Edited October 5, 2008 by FordGuyHTX

[RedScare]

I think they should keep the name UH-Downtown.

[N Judah]

U of H -- City College

[CoolBuddy06]

As noted in my post above, UHD has retained Richards/Carlberg

[houstonmacbro]

Guess which name they will come up with? One of those suggested by HAIFers.

I really don't fancy Lone Star College. There are too many lone star business around here for a college system to take up same name. Why can't students and alumni vote on a new name?

Lone Star College was not the name of choice by many residents, staff, faculty and students. Many staffers couldn't believe that name was chosen.

[NenaE]

Lone Star College was not the name of choice by many residents, staff, faculty and students. Many staffers couldn't believe that name was chosen.

I agree, don't like Lone Star for a college ...reminds me of the beer. Thought they could have done better with that one. None of the final choices were very good. And, it just doesn't sound very scholarly.

I agree with Redscare, UH - Downtown should just keep their name the same. The UH name change on the main campus (imo) in the past didn't seem to help. If Downtown really wants to split from the system, maybe they should just juggle the words to say "Downtown Houston University". If distant prospective college students got confused with the two campuses before, that should simplify it for them .

[CoolBuddy06]

I agree, don't like Lone Star for a college ...reminds me of the beer. Thought they could have done better with that one. None of the final choices were very good. And, it just doesn't sound very scholarly.

I agree with Redscare, UH - Downtown should just keep their name the same. The UH name change on the main campus (imo) in the past didn't seem to help. If Downtown really wants to split from the system, maybe they should just juggle the words to say "Downtown Houston University". If distant prospective college students got confused with the two campuses before, that should simplify it for them .

Your suggestion is the only one I like more than 'Houston City University'

[TexasVines]

I agree, don't like Lone Star for a college ...reminds me of the beer. Thought they could have done better with that one. None of the final choices were very good. And, it just doesn't sound very scholarly.

I agree with Redscare, UH - Downtown should just keep their name the same. The UH name change on the main campus (imo) in the past didn't seem to help. If Downtown really wants to split from the system, maybe they should just juggle the words to say "Downtown Houston University". If distant prospective college students got confused with the two campuses before, that should simplify it for them .

UH-Downtown is not splitting from the system just changing the name to alleviate some confusion

[FordGuyHTX]

Perhaps three charts below will help people who are confused regarding history of the UH System, its four universities and how they came about. I tend to write long posts and people do not read the entire thing.

I hope the information below will help clarify confusions or misconceptions people on here might have had as it is very hard to explain the structure of the UH System in words. This is the only way for people to see how UHCL, UHD, and UHV are separate or "independent" of UH. Simply put, UHCL, UHD, and UHV are not branch campuses of UH! In addition, you guys will also see that "UH System" and "UH" are not the same thing.

UH no longer has a "central campus" as all of its branch campuses have separated and became stand-alone universities in 1983.

Click on the "Click to view full image" to enlarge for better viewing and reading.

Edited October 7, 2008 by FordGuyHTX

[infinite_jim]

Is this inspired by election year?

or Charlotte Baldwin State University

Who is Charlotte Baldwin?

No it's to keep the same alpha soup (UHD)

Charlotte Baldwin is the mother of houston, you should do a search.

[NenaE]

I understand what the chart says, and believe that as long as the name UH is in front of the Downtown name, people will automatically assume the campuses are linked. I change my mind, I now believe the UH -Downtown name definitely needs to change. I stand by my idea...DHU. Also, (imo) people probably assume that since many major universities are found in the middle of downtown areas, they think ours is as well. Little do they know, Houston isn't like everyone else.

Thnx for the simplified chart, Fordguy.

Think I'll head over to the UH-Classic next semester...

Edited October 7, 2008 by NenaE

[LTAWACS]

None of those are very good at all. What's next? DUH? (Downtown University of Houston). This is all just as bad as one of their last campaigns. Something about "The emphasis is on the D". As in, "I made a D".

Allen State University

Cullen State Universtiy

Something more scholarly as someone mentioned above. Nothing retarded such as University of Hopes and Dreams. This evokes images of a pauper attending school against all the odds. No.

[NenaE]

None of those are very good at all. What's next? DUH? (Downtown University of Houston). This is all just as bad as one of their last campaigns. Something about "The emphasis is on the D". As in, "I made a D".

Allen State University

Cullen State Universtiy

Something more scholarly as someone mentioned above. Nothing retarded such as University of Hopes and Dreams. This evokes images of a pauper attending school against all the odds. No.

I thought DHU sounded a little like SMU, more formal than some of the other suggestions, although SMU is a private, not public university. By the way, that was my suggestion about "scholarly" above. I don't normally associate grades with names of universities as much as I do locations. If so, I would have suggested GPA. PS - I didn't get C's when attending HCC. I can respect others opinions, and I do like the names Allen & Cullen you've incorporated into your suggestions. Always thought the Allen brothers should have more things named after them. Guess we'll have to wait & see what they pick.

[LTAWACS]

I thought DHU sounded a little like SMU, more formal than some of the other suggestions, although SMU is a private, not public university. By the way, that was my suggestion about "scholarly" above. I don't normally associate grades with names of universities as much as I do locations. If so, I would have suggested GPA. PS - I didn't get C's when attending HCC. I can respect others opinions, and I do like the names Allen & Cullen you've incorporated into your suggestions. Always thought the Allen brothers should have more things named after them. Guess we'll have to wait & see what they pick.

Yes, I know what you mean.

I think DUH and I think... who's going to buy a shirt with "DUH" in big bold letters? Duh? But you are correct. We shall have to wait and see. I wonder what the UHD Alumni Association has to say about this? And I wonder how to reflect the name change on the resumes from those who graduated from UHD. Hrm...

[MetroMogul]

I guess I don't get out much but people getting UHD and the University of Houston confused seems to be a phenomenon known only to certain HAIF members. Even out of towners seem to understand that UH is in 3rd Ward, not downtown and that UHD is an open enrollment campus in the UH system. Besides, why just change the UHD name and not the other campuses? This hypothetical confusion can be spread across all UH affiliated campuses.

Just face facts; UH is a decent, middle of the road university largely ignored by many but still turns out alot of successful graduates and it just happens to have a dreaded open enrollment college that caters to those pesky minorities in it's system.

All the suggested name changes are ridiculous as well.

Edited October 8, 2008 by MetroMogul

[editor]

I guess I don't get out much but people getting UHD and the University of Houston confused seems to be a phenomenon known only to certain HAIF members. Even out of towners seem to understand that UH is in 3rd Ward, not downtown and that UHD is an open enrollment campus in the UH system.

Actually, out-of-towners have heard of neither the 3rd Ward nor UHD until they become in-towners.

[memebag]

I still don't understand the underlying motivations for this. Why does it matter if people confuse these schools?

[MetroMogul]

How about non-native Houstonians then editor? I've never encountered ANYONE that has confused the two schools, especially not to the point that it needs a ridiculous name change. I'm sure it's easier to confuse Tennessee State University with Texas Southern University than UH with UH-D. Much time and money has been wasted to give a school a name that I'm sure will make it sound like a low rate junior college or Internet diploma mill.

[RedScare]

I still don't understand the underlying motivations for this. Why does it matter if people confuse these schools?

Apparently, because some UH alums feel that the lesser status of their degree is attributable to UHD. I don't know anyone who attributes it to UHD. I, like everyone I know, attributes the lesser status of a UH degree to the unintelligible comments of some UH alums.

(Note: I do not actually think UH is a lesser degree. I do, however, feel that UH has produced some ignorant graduates, and the comments on this topic reflect same.)

[MetroMogul]

I guess this is good news for me after all. Once UH-D changes it's name, thereby allowing UH to go from also ran large college to Ivy League Megapower~!, the value of my girlfriends Education degree shall increase twelvefold. No longer will she have to merely teach, she will be offered Abe Saveddra's job due to the sudden, magical increase in prestige of UH degree's now that they shall no longer be associated with that haven of rogues and scoundrels known as UH-D.

[Disastro]

That's funny, but I don't think UHD students will laugh. I stand by Houston City University.

Yeah...it was funny to me.

That's all that matters, fool. I don't give a rat's behind what they think!

If they don't like it, they can put on their red and white Coogah "big girl panties" and get over it.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Disastro

[TexasVines]

I still don't understand the underlying motivations for this. Why does it matter if people confuse these schools?

because they are two separate universities that are about to go on dramatically separate paths

UH is going to raise admissions standards pretty quickly and attempt to gain more state funding to be the or one of the next "tier 1" universities in Texas with a goal of 100 million plus in externally funded research and attempt to open a medical school and gain a larger on campus population while UHD will continue to be an open admissions school with primarily commuter students

as for those that make ignorant comments about UH worrying about minorities and the association with them it was UHD that proposed the name change not UH and UH is one of the most diverse campuses in the US

as for the association with an open enrollment school UH has built up a number of quality programs in Business and other areas and those students that gain admissions to those programs based on hard work and grades deserve to have their degree recognized for the higher standards UH has over UHD

Edited October 9, 2008 by TexasVines

[FordGuyHTX]

because they are two separate universities that are about to go on dramatically separate paths

UH is going to raise admissions standards pretty quickly and attempt to gain more state funding to be the or one of the next "tier 1" universities in Texas with a goal of 100 million plus in externally funded research and attempt to open a medical school and gain a larger on campus population while UHD will continue to be an open admissions school with primarily commuter students

as for those that make ignorant comments about UH worrying about minorities and the association with them it was UHD that proposed the name change not UH and UH is one of the most diverse campuses in the US

as for the association with an open enrollment school UH has built up a number of quality programs in Business and other areas and those students that gain admissions to those programs based on hard work and grades deserve to have their degree recognized for the higher standards UH has over UHD

Well said TexasVines!

Edited October 9, 2008 by FordGuyHTX

[MetroMogul]

because they are two separate universities that are about to go on dramatically separate paths

UH is going to raise admissions standards pretty quickly and attempt to gain more state funding to be the or one of the next "tier 1" universities in Texas with a goal of 100 million plus in externally funded research and attempt to open a medical school and gain a larger on campus population while UHD will continue to be an open admissions school with primarily commuter students

as for those that make ignorant comments about UH worrying about minorities and the association with them it was UHD that proposed the name change not UH and UH is one of the most diverse campuses in the US

as for the association with an open enrollment school UH has built up a number of quality programs in Business and other areas and those students that gain admissions to those programs based on hard work and grades deserve to have their degree recognized for the higher standards UH has over UHD

I don't think any reputable employer is going to confuse a UH degree with a UH-D degree which makes plenty of arguments in this thread moot. I also seriously doubt UH-D decided to change it's name without a hint of pressure from the mother campus. I don't see how UH-D changing it's name is going to help in any way to make UH a more prestigious and recognized school which seems to be the one of the main arguments.

[LTAWACS]

...and it just happens to have a dreaded open enrollment college that caters to those pesky minorities in it's system.

Pesky?

[TexasVines]

I don't think any reputable employer is going to confuse a UH degree with a UH-D degree which makes plenty of arguments in this thread moot. I also seriously doubt UH-D decided to change it's name without a hint of pressure from the mother campus. I don't see how UH-D changing it's name is going to help in any way to make UH a more prestigious and recognized school which seems to be the one of the main arguments.

there are thousands if not tens of thousands of employers in Houston and many probably have HR people that are not from Houston or do not even live in Houston and many probably do not keep up with the daily goings on of universities and their affiliations to one another....but they probably do know the basics that UH means a quality college of business and a quality college of engineering and could easily assume that UHD holds to those same standards when that is far from the truth....A college education is about what is learned in and out of the classroom and that experience is heightened in a residential campus setting with tenure track, full time faculty VS a commuter campus with part time adjuncts

UH has worked to elevate their status and their students in many departments have worked hard to be admitted and graduate from those departments and they deserve to have recognition for that and not be confused with others

and just because you have a conspiracy theory behind why there is a push for a name change that does not mean it is true

no wonder our country is growing fuller of lazy slackers every day.....when people work hard for something people like you wish to call them "big", evil, or elitist, and wish to reward others the same that did not put in the same effort and were not subjected to the same rigors for their education

If it is as you see it then there is nothing to worry about for those at UHD because all that matters is a piece of paper that says degree on it and a major and what school is comes from is of no consequence so people coming out of UHD with a different name will have nothing at all to worry about because they have the piece of paper, but we all know that in reality this is far from true and that is what bothers people like you the most.....that some would actually wish to work harder and separate themselves from the pack and then be rewarded for it.......and we all know to make America better we need to end thinking like that and reward all equally no matter how much or how little effort they put in because that is "fair" and really good touchy feelies for everyone

also the name change might not make a difference over night, but UH is about to raise admissions dramatically which will mean that UHD and other schools will become larger because they will catch those that did not get admitted to UH.....UH suffers from a very low graduation % and as they raise admissions and bring in more residential students and try and raise their graduation % and their external funded research and their % of graduate students the difference between a degree from UH and UHD will grow larger so the time to make a name change is at the time when UH is looking to further elevate themselves not after it is all done....so the time to make the change is now, not after UH becomes a nationally recognized graduate and research university with an even higher level of funding and higher quality faculty and students

Edited October 9, 2008 by TexasVines

[LTAWACS]

A college education is about what is learned in and out of the classroom and that experience is heightened in a residential campus setting with tenure track, full time faculty...

Sources?

[TexasVines]

Sources?

the sources would be the multitude of rankings from just about every source of rankings for universities that consistantly rank 4 year residental research universities with full time, tenure track, faculty higher than commuter schools full of adjunct faculty

be it US News and some of their flaws or Business Week or sources that are specific to areas of study, the fact is that 4 year residental schools consistantly rank ahead of any commuter school full of adjunct faculty and the vast majority of time the students that come out of the 4 year schools start out higher paid and in higher positions than the students out of the commuter schools

name me any 4 year commuter school in any area of study that ranks highly in any ranking using any method of evaluation......you can choose to believe what you wish, but the reality is very clear for anyone that has their eyes open

[infinite_jim]

Both schools are still document mills, despite any long winded retort.

The pressure is coming from Khator and potential tier 1 status. UHD students are up in arms, but they should be happy to have the distinction but cannot afford the inevitable accompanying tuition hike.

edit: btw that new dorm for UH is an abortion.

I will be so glad to get out of UH this year and never give a dime back as an alum or say anything positive about the place and culture except for a few stand out professors (who are being pushed out too).

Edited October 10, 2008 by infinite_jim

[musicman]

I guess I don't get out much but people getting UHD and the University of Houston confused seems to be a phenomenon known only to certain HAIF members.

many of the suburbanites who dont come in past the loop frequently confuse the two. everything inside the loop is downtown to them.

[LTAWACS]

the sources would be the multitude of rankings from just about every source of rankings for universities that consistantly rank 4 year residental research universities with full time, tenure track, faculty higher than commuter schools full of adjunct faculty

be it US News and some of their flaws or Business Week or sources that are specific to areas of study, the fact is that 4 year residental schools consistantly rank ahead of any commuter school full of adjunct faculty and the vast majority of time the students that come out of the 4 year schools start out higher paid and in higher positions than the students out of the commuter schools

name me any 4 year commuter school in any area of study that ranks highly in any ranking using any method of evaluation......you can choose to believe what you wish, but the reality is very clear for anyone that has their eyes open

Your anecdotal quips from popular magazines do not qualify as sources. Nor are they scientific. You still have not named your sources.

As for starting pay, I think that would depend on one's major/minor and experience. The degree helps but is not the sole factor.

Are there no adjunct instructors at UH "Central" anymore? I'm sure there are. And as I recall, a lot of courses I took there were taught by the aides. The main instructor (most of the time not even a full fledged professor but an associate professor or assistant professor or even an adjunct) spoke for a few minutes, then left.

I also do not think that ALL of UH "Central" students live there. I think there is a significant portion that "commute" there as well. Most of the people I've met and known all "commute" there. It seems to me this "resident" flag you continuously wave is a little overrated.

If I remember correctly, UHD ranked high for its Management and MIS segments. The UHD Management school is accredited by the AACSB - just like "Central".

Edited October 10, 2008 by LTAWACS

[crunchtastic]

I just realized that my resume still lists my BA as being from Southwest Texas State University.

I better switch it to Texas State University to impress my next potential employer.

Seriously. An utter waste of money on 're-branding."

My BF works for the head of IT at UofH. He knows first hand how the sausage is made since Khatour's arrival. Here's his standard retort on tier 1: don't hold your breath. Khatour is driving out good professors right and left. She is loading up the engineering school with her husband's cronies. Admin systems are antiquated and broken. The alum donations are most definitely not meeting expectations. She's succeeded in inserting herself in every photo-op available, and little else---except for pissing off a whole lot of people for opening the campus after Ike even though the majority of profs weren't even there to teach class.

[LTAWACS]

many of the suburbanites who dont come in past the loop frequently confuse the two. everything inside the loop is downtown to them.

What suburbanites say should have very little value if any at all.

Houston State U has a nice ring to it.

Edited October 10, 2008 by LTAWACS

[musicman]

What suburbanites say should have very little value if any at all.

you must be voting for peter brown.

[LTAWACS]

you must be voting for peter brown.

I think I might have. Who knows anymore... it's all a drunken blur.

[houstonmacbro]

What suburbanites say should have very little value if any at all.

Houston State U has a nice ring to it.

Are we just like an invisible ring of citizenry only good for taxes and barbs?