MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: Hurricane Harvey prompts closure of UHCL through Labor Day

Dear UHCL faculty, staff and students:

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey continues to make its mark on Texas and, as a result, many University of Houston-Clear Lake students, faculty and staff have had their lives changed dramatically. With that said, University of Houston-Clear Lake, upon recommendation of UHCL Emergency Management, has made the decision to stay closed through Monday, Sept. 4. We will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 5, to begin our 2017 fall semester. Your safety is important to us, as is your access to a high quality educational experience. UHCL faculty will be adjusting syllabi to ensure academic quality is not affected by the campus closing.

I am glad to report that our UHCL Police and Emergency Management have been monitoring the campus nonstop since we closed on Friday. Likewise, our Student Services team has worked diligently to make sure the students living in the nearby University Forest Apartments are safe and aware of weather changes. I applaud their efforts.

Please know that UHCL recognizes there are many stories and struggles as everyone works through the aftermath of the past few days. If you have questions for us regarding UHCL or the fall 2017 semester, I invite you to send them to president@uhcl.edu.

As I mentioned earlier, I know that many of you have been affected by this storm. Once we return next week, we can explore the many ways our university can make a difference in this community that has suffered so greatly. To quote the author Edith Wharton, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

My thoughts are with all of you and your families during this time. We will make it through this … together.
With warm regards,

Ira K. Blake, Ph.D.
UHCL President

Also published on Medium.