EDITORIAL: UHCL’s progress and problems since becoming a four-year university

This fall semester marks 43 years since the first students enrolled at UHCL. Over the span of four decades, the university has undergone various transitions with one of the more recent changes being the four-year initiative.  

As of fall 2014, the university has offered freshmen and sophomores the opportunity to become UHCL Hawks. With the first freshman class entering its senior year, it is time to examine the progress made by UHCL while also noting the areas needing improvement.

Steady increase of students 

Being the second-oldest of the four campuses within the University of Houston System, UHCL was the last to become a four-year university. Previously, UH-Victoria became a four-year university in fall 2010.

Prior to welcoming freshmen and sophomores to campus, UHCL had a student body consisting of 8,164 (4,970 undergraduates and 3,194 graduates) during the fall 2013 semester. When the hawks arrived the next fall, UHCL saw the student body increase by about 6 percent to 8,665 (5,386 undergraduates and 3,279 graduates).

The fall 2016 semester consisted of 8,669 students (5,860 undergraduates and 2,809 graduates), which is a slight drop overall from the fall 2015 semester of 8,906 (5,743 undergraduates and 3,163 graduates).

While the student body has grown steadily with the inclusion of freshmen and sophomores, the last fall semester indicates an overall decline that hopefully doesn’t continue. Notably, while the undergraduate enrollment numbers have gone up, the graduate enrollment has dropped significantly. 

Does this mean it was all for nothing? Not necessarily. It takes time for a student body to grow, especially when those enrolling are seeking a well-rounded college experience. 

Attracting new students should always be the goal, while also providing current students with the resources and experience desired. In addition, UHCL must put in a stronger effort to meet the needs of students seeking graduate degrees.

Maintaining and acquiring quality instructors 

Related to the four-year initiative, professors are a necessity to providing students a higher education. UHCL has gradually acquired more professors since the inclusion of freshmen and sophomores. 

Based on data collected and analyzed by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), professors, associate professors and assistant professors are faculty on tenure track or with tenure at UHCL.

The term “other faculty” is used by OIE for those without tenure and not on tenure track, which includes “adjunct, special, visiting, emeritus and lecturers,” as well as those on tenure track or with tenure at another institution. 

During the fall 2013 semester, UHCL had 60 professors, 95 associate professors, 68 assistant professors and 290 other faculty for a total of 513. The following semester, when the 4-year initiative finally went into effect, the total increased to 549.

As of fall 2016, the university has 63 professors, 108 associate professors, 94 assistant professors and 305 other faculty for a total of 570.

Even though there has been significant growth in the number of instructors, maintaining them and hiring based on quality rather than quantity is key to boosting academic success.

Without quality professors, a university runs the risk of losing students, which UHCL can’t afford to have happen.  

New buildings, old problems 

With the four-year initiative, UHCL has gone forward with the construction of three new buildings, including one at the UHCL-Pearland campus.  

The buildings include a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Classroom Building, a Recreation and Wellness Center and Pearland’s Health Sciences and Classroom Building. In addition, UHCL plans to provide on-campus housing that would consist of 300 beds. 

Slated to be completed by fall 2018, these multi-million dollar new additions are geared to attract new students while also freeing up space in the older buildings.

However, while constructing buildings provides improvements to the university, there are current buildings needing attention. Built in the 1970s, the Arbor, Bayou and Delta buildings are significantly in need of repairs. 

From the easily stalled elevators to paint touchups to mildewed door handles, UHCL lacks the basic care needed. Even the Student Services Classroom Building, constructed in 2004, requires improvements.

How can UHCL attract new students away from competing universities if it fails to dedicate time and funds to enhance the overall campus quality? Sure, there are other areas needing daily attention, but these minor problems shouldn’t take years to get around to.

Expanding the college experience 

This summer saw the hiring of several new UHCL employees including a Director of Residence Life and a Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness. With these new hires, there is hope for the expansion of campus life and the overall traditional college experience.  

Currently, UHCL has been able to maintain a decently active campus life with traditions such as I Heart UHCL Day, Cultural Extravaganza and the Chili Cook-Off. In addition, student organizations and the Campus Activity Board (CAB) have held their own activities to increase student involvement on campus.

Given that UHCL is a commuter campus, there are limitations as to how active students can be. However, as the university continues to expand with the new buildings and dorms, there is potential for an even larger campus life.  

University-sponsored sporting teams and the inclusion of Greek life are just a couple of ways UHCL can further its path toward establishing a traditional college experience. While these efforts would take some time to organize, starting early allows for stronger promotional opportunities in order to acquire new students.

Transition of power 

Entering this fall 2017 semester, UHCL has a new president following the 22-year tenure of William Staples. President Ira Blake officially took office Aug. 1 marking the historic transition of power with Blake as the first female and African-American at the helm of the university.

While respecting the achievements earned during Staples’ time as president, there is still progress to be made. Aside from new buildings and the four-year initiative, UHCL must now focus on other areas in order to maintain the student body it seeks to attract.

To fully provide students with a well-rounded college experience, UHCL needs quality improvements to its current buildings, expanding on degrees offered, bringing back theater and arts, and developing intercollegiate sports.

Some of these suggestions would require dedication, but would ultimately provide UHCL with the capability of competing with the likes of Sam Houston State University and the University of Texas at San Antonio. With the transition of power, there is hope for the building upon UHCL’s current progress.