Opinion

Give Smith a break

Gordon Anderson
Guest Columnist

This column is in response to recent criticism of UH President Arthur K. Smith in The Daily Cougar opinion section.

First, fixating on Smith's salary with absolutely no regard to the tremendous strides UH has made during this manis tenure is foolish. The logic seems inescapable: A lower salary equals more funds for the tangibles that comprise an institution of higher learning. However, as the public information officer for a state agency, I know a little about state funding and the remarkable impact Smith has made at this University.

Smith played an enormous role in persuading members of the 77th Texas legislature to pass House Bill 1839, also known as the Texas Excellence Fund. HB 1839 directs approximately $17 million in research excellence funds each year to select schools outside the Permanent University Fund, beginning in fiscal year 2002. While other public universities benefited from the passage of this bill, particularly Texas Tech University, no other school benefited to the extent UH did.

UH, in fact, stands to gain $6.65 million in this fiscal year alone, funds which will soon translate to superior professors, increased matching research grants, expanded educational opportunities and an increased awareness with respect to UH in academic circles nationally.

Without Smithis vision, dedication and personal effort, I doubt that HB 1839 would have passed. He displayed outstanding leadership on behalf of the entire UH System, doing more to bring UH to a level financial playing field with Texasi two flagship research universities.

Smith's annual salary of $521,000 translates to approximately $15.32 per student, using 2002 enrollment figures. Even it the next president would work for former UHS Chancellor Bill Hobby's annual salary of $1, UH would not be able to purchase significantly more desks, create additional parking spaces no develop new residence halls with the savings.

However, UH stands to gain nearly $196 per student this year as the result of HB 1839, funding that has the potential to double or triple with the synergistic affect of matching funds and additional federal research dollars flowing to UH. These dollars may buy the many resources -- human or otherwise -- that will help position UH in the leading urban academic role it is destined to play.

Smith has played a critical role in defining UH and charting an exciting course for its future. My prediction is that history will look kindly upon his tenure at this University, and I for one sense he will be sorely missed.

Anderson, a class of 1981 alumnus, can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu.