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CATS on prowl for support

Cougar News Services

In conjunction with the Houston Alumni Organization, the legislative advocacy group for UH -- Cougar Advocates for Texas -- is urging all students, faculty and alumni to attend UH System Day in Austin on Feb. 18.

Given the state fiscal crisis, levied by a $9.9 billion budget shortfall, CATS leaders are saying that now, more than ever, is the time to raise support for UH and higher education in general at the state capitol.

On Feb. 18, CATS plans to bus hundreds of UH supporters to Austin to speak to legislators about higher education and UH issues.

Associating their efforts with strengthening Texas' economic viability, CATS sent out a letter saying that while UH cannot expect great increases in funding, it can provide the political support for combining the state's research funds.

At the top of CATS' agenda is promoting Tier 1 status for UH, which would entail securing long-term funding increases for research and other academic developments -- benefits enjoyed only by the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University among Texas schools.

During the last legislative session in 2001, more than 450 alumni and students attended the day of support. Their efforts, coupled with the leadership of UH System Chancellor and UH President Arthur K. Smith, likely contributed to UH's funding increases that year.

CATS is aiming to get 500 or more students, faculty and alumni involved in this year's session, with hopes that a bigger voice will have a bigger impact. 

Moreover, UH should see considerable support from its own in the halls of the state capitol. A UH System Office of Governmental Relations report stated that at least four state lawmakers are UH alumni.

Sylvester Turner (D-Houston), recently named Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Callegari (R-Houston), Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) and Martha Wong (R-Houston) are among the confirmed UH graduates in the state congress. None are serving on the Higher Education Committee.

Woolley, however, is on the Calendars Committee, which oversees and ultimately determines what bills the House will consider.

Wong is chairwoman of Rules and Resolutions. Callegari is chairman of Natural Resources.

The report said the Senate Finance Committee began hearing testimony from state agencies Monday.

The System Day involves a 13-hour schedule, beginning with a 7:15 breakfast. The buses leave for Austin at 8 a.m. and return to Houston at 10:30 p.m.

The large group will break up into smaller groups of a dozen, each of which will be assigned to particular legislators to visit. The large group will meet again for an evening reception.

CATS and HAO organizers for the event say participants can make their own travel arrangements if desired, but that they still need to register with the group. 

This year, CATS is offering online registration at www.uh.edu/alumni/involved/catsuhday.html.

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