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Gogue outlines UH goals

President wants University to double endowed professorships

by Jim Parsons
The Daily Cougar

The University will try to double its number of endowed chairs and professorships in coming years, UH President Jay Gogue said Wednesday during his annual State of the University address.

Gogue said there are about 300 full professors at UH, but only 75 endowed positions. He said his goal is to increase that number to 150, and he has already secured funds for 20 additional chairs and professorships, details about which will be announced in the fall.

"We've got to figure out how to go from that 95 to the 150-plus we need as an institution," Gogue told faculty members. "It's a very good use of resources."

Gogue also touched on enrollment and applications, saying that the University received about 1,700 applications in the first week of March -- 15 percent more than the same period last year.

"I would not be surprised if we see those numbers at the 20-percent level (for the year)," Gogue said.

He mentioned the 3,400-student cap on freshman enrollment, put in place three years ago to help the University balance enrollment and limited resources, saying that the quality of students would likely increase if the cap is retained.

Gogue said it would be possible to increase the number of the freshman class and still admit more talented students.

"It's a really, really important topic," he said. "Do we open that gate to admit them, or do we keep that number at 3,400?"

Regarding the physical plant, Gogue said $185 million in construction is under way or will begin this summer. He said $5 million has been tabbed to renovate classrooms and laboratories that will be vacated when the new science and engineering building at Cullen Boulevard and Entrance 14 opens late in 2005.

Although Gogue said that $5 million won't cover all the work necessary, he called it "a step and a commitment to move in the right direction."

Gogue also referenced the proposed 1,700-space parking garage at Scott Street and Holman Avenue, saying a garage is necessary regardless of its location and size. He said a garage, or garages, will be necessary to handle parking concerns.

The president also said he wants to reduce the turnaround time for travel reimbursement for University employees to five days, with the goal of doing so by the fall.

"There has to be a way to improve that process," he said. "If you don't get paid in five days, I want you to tell me."

Gogue's address was part of the Faculty Senate's Spring Faculty Assembly, during which Committee on Committees Chairwoman Anne Jacobson announced candidates for the 2004 Faculty Grievance Committee.

They are Richard Bannerot, engineering; William Chernish, hotel and restaurant management; Garret Etgen, natural sciences and mathematics; Pei Hor, natural sciences and mathematics; Jerry Paskusz, engineering; Barbara Stewart, technology; and Audrey Taylor of the library.

The committee is the only one whose membership is elected by faculty from across the University. Voting will be conducted online from Monday through April 9, Jacobson said. Voting instructions will be sent via the faculty listserv.
 

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