UHD Student Handbook
The Student Handbook is a roadmap for accessing services that will help you succeed
at UHD. While containing important information about the university, the Handbook is not
comprehensive in its listings. Instead, vital information is presented, and when necessary,
the Handbook will refer to other publications that provide more detailed information.
The provisions of this handbook do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied,
between any person and the University of Houston – Downtown.
Mission Statement - University of Houston–Downtown
The University of Houston-Downtown is a community of diverse faculty, staff, students,
and regional partners dedicated to nurturing talent, generating knowledge, and driving
socioeconomic mobility for a just and sustainable future.
Campus Goals
Educate our students: As a student-ready institution, we boost student success by being prepared for the
students whom we recruit and enroll.
Generate socially impactful knowledge: This will be manifested by our marked ability to bring the expertise of our students,
faculty, and staff together with that of community partners to explore and exchange
ideas and search for solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
Engagement with and outreach to the city and region: We encourage our students through experiential and applied learning to consider the
implications of public service and collaborative problem-solving as they bend to work
toward a just and sustainable future.
Shared Values
The University of Houston – Downtown is committed to values that enhance the educational,
sense of belonging, and institutional experiences of our campus community members.
UHD shared values are:
Excellence - UHD nurtures excellence in teaching, learning, scholarly work, and stewardship
of the University for the benefit of students, the community, and the academy.
Student Success - UHD facilitates and supports students in achieving their full potential for academic,
personal, and career growth through excellent programs.
Respect - UHD treats all individuals with respect and dignity and promotes collegiality,
cooperation, and open communication.
Integrity - UHD is committed to the highest ethical standards in its operations and holds itself
accountable to its constituencies.
Introduction to University of Houston–Downtown
Welcome, and congratulations on becoming a Gator! You're now part of one of the great
educational and research institutions in Texas.
In 1974, the University of Houston acquired the assets of South Texas Junior College
and opened the University of Houston-Downtown College (UHDC) at One Main Street as
a four-year institution. By the end of the 1970s, the Texas Legislature had approved
UHDC as a distinct university in the University of Houston System.
Today, UHD educates more than 14,000 students annually and boasts more than 67,000
alumni. The University is designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Minority-Serving
Institution and Military-Friendly School—indicators of a diverse and vibrant student
body, just like the city we call home.
Learn more about UHD's history through our digital archive.
Faculty
Students in any of our 105 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs
learn from the best. Our faculty members are internationally respected scholars in
the sciences, business, law, education, the humanities, and the environment.
Research
With nearly $10 million in annual research expenditures and multiple research institutes,
we've become a burgeoning urban research university. Our faculty members and students
conduct vital research in superconductivity, space commercialization, engineering,
economics, education, virtual technology, and much more.
Alumni
A University of Houston degree is a valuable and respected achievement. Our alumni
base-more than 67,000 strong and growing includes members of Congress, judges, CEOs
of major corporations, and many other national leaders in education, entertainment,
health, media, the arts, and engineering. More than 62 percent of UHD students secure
career-level jobs within three months of graduation. UHD has awarded more than 100,000
degrees, and roughly 80 percent of alumni remain in the Houston metropolitan area.
Community
The University of Houston-Downtown is not only a leader in education and contributions
to the arts, but also a valued member and leader in the Houston community. UHD provides
ongoing public service to the Houston community through more than 180 creative partnerships
with government, industry, and non-profit groups. Our faculty, staff, and students
volunteer in the surrounding communities every day. In fact, our students donate more
than 436,000 volunteer hours each year.