FordGuyHTX

The University of Houston System (UHS) has put on hold a name change for the University of Houston

Separation might fix confusion, but it's throwing out the baby with the bathwater. As I mentioned above, there are better ways to fix this issue. I feel that UHD's public rejection of the UH System does more to hurt my university's quest for Tier I status than help. What do you think?

Because of UHD's proximity to UH, there is no other way to fix the confusion but to rename it completely without carrying the system's name. If UHD was 25 miles away or in a different city from UH, there wouldn't be a name change right now. I do not know of any UH alumni that want UHD to keep its current name or continue carrying the sytem's name as part of their new name. Once you become a UH alumnus, you will feel the pain of having to explain you graduated from The University of Houston and not UHD--and how UHD is not part of UH.

I have to disagree with your statement of UHD's public rejection of UHS. I don't see changing UHD's name is going to hurt UH's quest for state flagship status and Tier One research funding at all. Please help me understand your point of view on this and why you believe UHD is rejecting UHS.

Brian, I would like for UH (my alma mater) to obtain state flagship status and Tier One research funding as much as you.

Please know that the UHS Board of Regents already approved the name change for UHD. The only issue left is what the new name would be. They have rejected "Houston Metropolitan University" and "University of South Texas" so I have no idea what the next one will be. They should just rename UHD to Cullen State University.

What nobody seems to talk about is the damage the name change will cause to the University of Houston SYSTEM! As mentioned above, having "University of Houston" in the name is what allows for name recognition, not because of simply the flagship university, but because it's part of something greater than just one university. Dr. Hoffman, would probably hate to see what Max Castillo has done here.

Allowing a university in the system to disregard those system ties is signifying a weak brand recognition for UHS. Our system is fledgling as it is, we don't need more fragmentation, but unification. Let's look at some of the more prominent public university systems in the country. Do you think the universities in the University of California system don't want to be associated with the UC name? How about the universities in the University of Texas System? The fact is that it actually helps to build a university, rather than tear it down.

Having a similar name to a "flagship" university in the system doesn't stifle growth either. Just ask UCLA. The school made a name for themselves on their own. UTSA, UTEP, and UTD are starting to do it too. As Chancellor Khator mentioned, there's nothing formally set-up that disallows UHD from being treated equally from UH.

Thus I recommend, if there is to be a name change, that it keeps the "University of Houston" in the name. My favorite was "University of Houston-Allen's Landing". It's distinctive, nods to history, is highly Houston-oriented, and upholds brand recognition for the University of Houston System. Hell, it even could be a kinda catchy little abbreviation; UHAL.

I hope that they start thinking about this, and allow for UH names again in the new process. What do you guys think?

Renaming UHD's name will not "damage" the University of Houston System ("UHS") at all. It will help UHS flagship University of Houston ("UH") because of the confusion most people have with UHD. No one wants to be associated and confused with an open admission university! UHD has been "damaging" to UH for the last 30 years by carrying the system's name and being an open admission university with mostly undesirable student population.

No other university system has more than one freestanding university in the same city and within less than 5 miles away. Renaming UHD entirely without the system's name is the only way to end confusion because of the proximity of that school with UH.

Just because UHD is part of UHS does not mean it has to carry the system's name. Tarleton State University is part of Texas A&M University System, but they don't bear the system's name. Likewise, Texas State University System has many universities that do not carry the system's name. Angelo State University is part of Texas Tech University System and they don't bear the system's name either.

We don't need "unification" within UHS--we need separation. We need for people to see that UHD is a separate university--not part of UH--and the only way to that is rename UHD completly. The next name recommendation for UHD will not contain the system's name so don't get your hopes up.

UHD has been nothing but a burden on UHS and UH. Giving UHD a distinctive name is the best way for that school to remain within UHS without embarrassing UH students and alumni. UHD students and alumni tend to lie and say they are students or graduates from UH.

UH alumni suffer because of the confusion the public has with UHD.

Brian, you are a student at UH and should know better than to suggest that UHD retain the system's name!

University of Houston

UHS chancellor Renu Khator and UHD president Max Castillo have selected University of South Texas as the new name for UHD.

Consideration and approval of University of Houston

We will find out Tuesday, February 3 or early Wednesday, February 4 at the latest on the final name selection submitted to the UHS Board of Regents by Chancellor Khator.

In the mean time, voting results of the top five name recommendations for UHD per the online survey last week attached below.

The University of Houston

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...ro/6221886.html

UH-Downtown moves ahead with renaming

By JEANNIE KEVER

School leaders are going ahead with plans to rename the University of

Houston-Downtown, despite opposition from students, alumni and some

faculty members.

If it has its own distinctive name, it can move forward (and) be

known, said Welcome Wilson Sr., chairman of the board that governs

UH-Downtown and other schools in the UH System.

He and university president Max Castillo said Tuesday they believe the

benefits of a new name would outweigh the disapproval of those who

dont want it to change.

Any new name would have to be approved by the Legislature, and Castillo

said a new name could be in place by fall. He and Wilson met with the

Chronicle editorial board Tuesday to explain their reasoning.

Regents voted last month to support the change but stopped short of

recommending the name Castillo proposed: Houston Metropolitan

University.

Thats still under consideration, however, along with University of

South Texas, University of Southeast Texas, Gulf Coast State University

and other options. Faculty, staff and students will vote on their top

five choices; the vote ends Tuesday.

Regents will select a new name in February.

Michelle Moosally, an associate professor of English and president of

the faculty Senate, said its been hard to gauge reaction, partially

because classes just resumed after the holiday break.

Some people dont want the name changed, she said. Others support a

change, but dont like any of the proposed names. And some feel rushed

into making a decision.

Castillo acknowledged that the idea is not universally popular. Right

now, Im the kiss of death on campus, he said.

But he and Wilson said a new name is important if UH-Downtown is to

establish its own identity. Too many people think it is a satellite

campus of the flagship UH campus, they said.

Not everyone thinks a new name is the solution.

Ive yet to find a person that thinks the name change is a good idea,

said Chris Lewis, 26, a senior business major who will graduate in May.

Something should have been said on our application, that theres a

possibility UH-D would change its name.

Lewis started one of several Facebook groups opposed to the change.

Castillo said alumni and students who graduate before the name is

changed could request another diploma with the new name.

Those who enroll before the name is changed but graduate after could

choose either name for their diploma.

Moosally said the uncertainty -- what name regents will select, whether

the Legislature will approve the change -- is causing angst among some

students and faculty.

We hope that everybody will come to terms with whatever happens, but

we dont know what that will be, she said.

jeannie.kever@chron.com

Brought to you by the HoustonChronicle.com

The University of Houston

Another Houston Chronicle article regarding UHD's name change: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6168615.html

The issue has been approved and UHD will get a new name. "Cullen State University" is now part of names under consideration.

The UH System Board of Regents approved to change the name of UH

the UH Hilton College of Hotel Restaurant Management is one fo the top programs in the world

the UH Bauer College of Business receives high rankings year in and year out

UH Law is ranked highly in 3 separate areas of law

The Cullen College of Engineering has a top Chemical engineering program as well as super conducting research where it has one of the top researchers in thw rorld

hardly no "name factor"

The University of Houston Law Center is a Tier I law school ranked #55 in the nation, which tied with Baylor University's law school in 2008.

The Bauer College of Business at UH ranked #40 in the nation for public undergraduate business schools in 2008.

The University of Houston

Did you graduate from UH? What school did you attend prior to UH? What major/minor?

Can I ask why you inquire the above information?

Yes, I graduated from the University of Houston ("UH") with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. I have mentioned this in previous posts.

I went straight to UH after graduating from high school in 2002. I have never attended another college or university prior to enrolling at UH. Were you referring to what high school I graduated from?

I attended UHD as a transient (visiting) student during the summer of 2004 for 1 class and that was it.

Any other questions?

For many years, I have met many UHD students/alumni who have passed themselves off to me as a UH student/alumni. They would answer "University of Houston," "U of H," or "UH" instead of "Universiyt of Houston-Downtown," "UH-Downtown" or "UHD." Upon further inquiry, I would find out that they never attended/graduated from UH, but from UHD instead! Normally, I would ask them questions about UH that only current students or alumni would know.

Many UHD students pass themselves off on their resume as students or graduates of UH. They would put "University of Houston" on their resume instead of "University of Houston-Downtown." I have seen many resumes from UHD students/alumni like this. UHD students/alumni putting "University of Houston" on their resume are falsifying information--intentionally or unintentionally. I strongly believe most are doing it intentionally to benefit them. As a result, students in the UH Bauer College of Business have been advised to put "University of Houston - C. T. Bauer College of Business" on their resume instead of just the plain simple "University of Houston."

I have worked with two UHD alumni since my graduation and have found that they are not that competent. Yet, they walk around passing themselves off as UH graduates, instead of UHD. I am very embarrassed by this for UH and so are many other alumni from UH's Bauer College of Business. Although they were not UH graduates, UHD alumni give us a bad reputation in the business world because so many of them claim they graduated from UH instead of UHD.

I came to UH for the Bauer College of Business and had to work hard to gain admission to the business school. Being admitted to UH does not mean you automatically meet requirements to be admitted to the Bauer College. Current UH students and transfers have to have at least a 2.75 GPA (4.0 scale and regardless of hours) in order to be admitted to the business school. At UHD, it is open admission to the university and business school. Open admission means you are admitted regardless of your academic standing. A person with a 1.0 GPA will be admitted to UHD. Many people on academic suspension from UH transfer to UHD. UHD is the only university in Texas that accepts people on academic suspension from other schools. Many people attending UHD were either denied admission to UH or couldn't make it at UH. I have met several people who couldn't make it at UH and end up transfering to UHD after being placed on academic suspension.

As stated by user TexasVines, "UH has built up a number of quality programs in business, law, engineering, architecture 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."

As stated by TexasVines, "Many employers in Houston 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 truth. UH has worked to elevate their status and their students in many academic colleges/departments have worked hard to be admitted and graduate from those colleges/departments and they deserve to have recognition for that and not be confused with UHD."

Ever since highschool, I have heard many outsiders make comments such as "Everyone gets into UH; no one can get denied from there." Ignorant people make comments like this because of the confusion between UH and UHD. Most people do not know UH and UHD are two SEPARATE universities. In fall 2006, only 74% of the applicants were admitted to UH while 100% were admitted to UHD. This is why UHD needs a name change to distinguish itself and end the confusion with UH. How can we (UH) elevate our status and get the recognition we deserve if UHD keeps its current name??? People have negative views of UH because they think UH and UHD are the same university (which they are not). A lot of people who attends UHD run around saying they go to UH and this gives people (outsiders) the wrong impression that UH admits everyone. As a result, UH suffers from this damaging reputation.

I took one class at UHD as a transient (visiting) student during the summer of 2004. The differences between UH and UHD were night and day. I felt UHD was like a highschool and being in a third world country. No wonder people call us (UH) "Cougar High" because they confused UHD with UH.

As of September 2008, only 36,098 people can claim that they go to UH (the third-largest university in Texas). However, a lot of the 12,283 people at UHD are incorrectly claiming (LYING intentionally) that they attend UH as well (which they don't).

The cougar mascot and the red and white colors are exclusively for UH. UHD has their own mascot (Gator) and colors (blue and red) because they are a SEPARATE university, not a branch campus of UH.

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!

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.

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

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

Timeline of UH and UH System name changes

1927 - Houston Junior College opens

1934 - Houston Junior College becomes a 4-year institution and changes its name to University of Houston (UH)

1973 - University of Houston Victoria Center (UHVC) opens as a branch campus of UH

1974 - University of Houston Downtown College (UHDC) and University of Houston at Clear Lake City (UHCLC) open as branch campuses of UH

1977 - University of Houston System (UHS) establishes by the Texas Legislature

1977 - University of Houston Downtown College separates from UH and becomes a stand-alone university within the UH System

1983 - University of Houston Downtown College changes its name to University of Houston

For those interested in suggesting possible names for UH

After four years of discussion, the University of Houston

An editorial by FordGuyHTX (cross-posted in the Downtown forum):

I was thrilled to have learned that the UH System ("UHS") Board of Regents approved the initiation of a name change for the University of Houston-Downtown ("UHD"). When I saw the headline in the Houston Chronicle about UHD initiating the name change, I said to myself, "IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!" Here is a link to the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5953919.html

I have been hoping for this moment (UHD to change its name) ever since I started my freshman year at the University of Houston ("UH") back in 2002. There had been discussion about possible name change of UHD since 2004, but it never went anywhere. I am glad both UH System and UHD are moving forward with the name change in 2008 thanks to the support of Renu Khator (Chancellor of UH System and President of the University of Houston) in cooperation with Max Castillo (President of UH-Downtown). Although this is late, but never late then ever. I believe the UH-Downtown name change initiation is part of the UH System agenda for the University of Houston (UH) to move forward and become the next third flagship university in Texas--along with The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.

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 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. I have refrained from referring to my alma mater as "UH-Central" or "UH Main Campus" as the University of Houston is not a multi-campus university like the University of California or local community colleges such as HCC, San Jacinto, etc.

Most people think that UH-Downtown is a branch, satellite or extension campus of UH, which it is not. The general public thinks that UH-Downtown and UH is the same university. Hopefully the name change of UHD will end the reference of UH as "UH-Central" or "UH main campus". References to UH such as "UH-Central" and "UH Main Campus" are misnomers.

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 UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, or UH-Victoria.

• University of Houston System (UHS)
  • University of Houston (UH)
    
  • University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL)
    
  • University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)
    
  • University of Houston-Victoria (UHV)
    

Simply put, UH-Downtown is not part of UH; however, 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 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

An editorial by FordGuyHTX:

I was thrilled to have learned that the UH System ("UHS") Board of Regents approved the initiation of a name change for the University of Houston-Downtown ("UHD"). When I saw the headline in the Houston Chronicle about UHD initiating the name change, I said to myself, "IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!" Here is a link to the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5953919.html

I have been hoping for this moment (UHD to change its name) ever since I started my freshman year at the University of Houston ("UH") back in 2002. There had been discussion about possible name change of UHD since 2004, but it never went anywhere. I am glad both UH System and UHD are moving forward with the name change in 2008 thanks to the support of Renu Khator (Chancellor of UH System and President of the University of Houston) in cooperation with Max Castillo (President of UH-Downtown). Although this is late, but never late then ever. I believe the UH-Downtown name change initiation is part of the UH System agenda for the University of Houston (UH) to move forward and become the next third flagship university in Texas--along with The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.

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 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. I have refrained from referring to my alma mater as "UH-Central" or "UH Main Campus" as the University of Houston is not a multi-campus university like the University of California or local community colleges such as HCC, San Jacinto, etc.

Most people think that UH-Downtown is a branch, satellite or extension campus of UH, which it is not. The general public thinks that UH-Downtown and UH is the same university. Hopefully the name change of UHD will end the reference of UH as "UH-Central" or "UH main campus". References to UH such as "UH-Central" and "UH Main Campus" are misnomers.

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 UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, or UH-Victoria.

• University of Houston System (UHS)
  • University of Houston (UH)
    
  • University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL)
    
  • University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)
    
  • University of Houston-Victoria (UHV)
    

Simply put, UH-Downtown is not part of UH; however, 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 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