University of Houston–Clear Lake
Restoration of Ten Percent Reduction
(New Item)
Description and Justification
The total 10% reduction for UHCL is $699,554 over the biennium. This request is to restore the full amount of funding in order for UHCL to maintain the current level of service, learning technologies, and research.
Eighty–six percent of the reduction supports operations of the university. This funding has been used to provide technical support to assist with distance education to offer students alternative learning opportunities and to provide support for the Financial, Student, and Human Resources systems. In addition, the funding has allowed UHCL to provide continued support for scholarships, establish new academic program initiatives in management information systems, social work and systems engineering, and improve processes and increase efficiency through the creation of new positions, programs, and activities.
The remaining 14% of the reduction supports two special items – High Technologies Laboratories and Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies. High Technologies Laboratories funding is necessary for maintaining existing infrastructure for developing research and for other operating expenses that are used for supporting new research activities. The Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) was created with the funding for Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies and has been used to stimulate and support faculty research at the UH Central and UHCL campuses, as well as provide the ability to compete with other institutions outside the State of Texas for major projects and initiatives.
During the last biennium the Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies special item experienced a 5% cut in funds. In the previous year UHCL experienced a 13% cut. Additional cuts would translate into an overall reduction of 17.2% over the base 2003–2004 funding level. Based on these reduced funding levels, UHCL will continue to experience a major decline in the amount of federal dollars that we are able to secure due to lack of sufficient matching state funds. As a result, there would be an expected loss of up to $700,000 in federal research grants.
Factors Impacting Strategy
A 10% reduction in non–formula general revenue items would significantly impact the operations of the University of Houston – Clear Lake. The rapid pace of technological change presents a constant challenge as universities strive to provide relevant real–time instruction. A 10% reduction would have a negative impact on enrollment and the services currently provided to students. This funding provides the resources necessary to achieve a level of excellence in a number of key areas. Positions, programs, and services would need to be eliminated if other sources of funding could not be identified.
A 10% reduction in the High Technologies Laboratories special item appropriation would impact the ability to leverage funding for new research. Related to the Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies, targeted research in the area of ozone reduction, public health protection and conservation of natural resources would be severely impacted. In addition to research programs, support for elementary and secondary teacher training programs in basic and environmental sciences would be dramatically reduced. This would directly affect the ability of teachers to administer science programs designed to meet the mandates of the "no child left behind" initiative. Based on the proposed cuts, our ability to provide these services would be severely curtailed. For example, EIH has been working with local and regional city and county governments on waste management programs that would serve up to 2 million people in the Houston/Galveston area. The proposed budget cut would effectively stop this effort.
Requested |
||||
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
||
| Worker’s Compensation Insurance | 26,165 |
26,165 |
1 |
|
| Excellence Funding | 62,440 |
62,440 |
1 |
|
| High Technologies Laboratory | 5,755 |
5,755 |
1 |
|
| Houston Partnership for Environmental Institute | 41,563 |
41,563 |
1 |
|
| Institutional Enhancement | 213,889 |
213,819 |
1 |
|
| Total | $349,812 |
$349,742 |
||
Excellence Funding
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
Funds are transferred to Operations Support to provide funding for:
- Technical support to assist with distance education to offer students alternative learning opportunities
- Support for the Financial, Student, and Human Resources Computing Project
Factors Impacting Strategy
The rapid pace of technological change presents a constant challenge as universities strive to provide relevant real–time instruction. As this situation is not expected to change, universities will have to work to identify the resources needed to remain technologically current.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $624,405 |
$624,405 |
$561,965 |
$561,965 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 62,440 |
62,440 |
1 |
||
| New Request | |||||
| Total | $624,405 |
$624,405 |
$624,405 |
$624,405 |
|
Houston Partnership for Environmental Institute
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
This special item funds the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH), a partnership among the University of Houston–Clear Lake, University of Houston, government agencies, businesses and environmental organizations. The institute supports research, professional development for teachers, and broad based participatory efforts for environmental issue resolution.
EIH provides funding for research efforts of faculty and students at both universities in four focus areas: pollution prevention, natural resource conservation, environmental public policy, and social and cultural issues related to the environment. Balanced environmental education is an important activity and an outcome of the research effort. Many state and federal agencies partner with EIH in research or education projects because our combined expertise enhances the service provided to the citizens of Texas. Ties with industry and environmental organizations permit EIH to facilitate dialog about environmental issues. EIH works toward a sustainable future by incorporating the views of all stakeholders and the breadth of university expertise from humanities to science. No other organization participating in resolution of environmental issues in Southeast Texas has the scientific and scholarly credibility and objectivity of EIH.
Exceptional item funding is needed for personnel to support regional environmental education (EE) support for various local schools. Currently, there is only one dedicated FTE for Environmental Education (EE). The rest of employees are funded at 25 to 80%.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The Houston–Galveston area is a natural laboratory for studying the balance of economic development and environmental quality. A very large industrial complex is situated adjacent to a large human population and surrounded by sensitive wetland, forest, and bay ecosystems. The region has a long history of environmental disputes, but has gained a national reputation for broad–based consensus approaches to environmental planning and issue resolution. EIH is the major interface between the community and the UH System for participation in environmental discussions, e.g. ozone reduction strategies. The emphasis on education reform has provided an impetus for enhancement of environmental education (EE) in Texas. EE is a strategy for improving student motivation and performance. Government agencies and businesses are less likely to have personnel to devote to educational activities with environmental subject matter. Therefore, the services of EIH are in demand for professional development for teachers in EE and the needs are great.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $415,626 |
$415,626 |
$374,063 |
$374,063 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 41,563 |
41,563 |
1 |
||
| New Request | 520,000 |
725,000 |
3 |
||
| Total | $415,626 |
$415,626 |
$935,626 |
$1,140,626 |
|
High Technologies Laboratory
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
The High Technology Laboratory uses a collaborative model of research and development to enhance training and education of engineers, computer scientists, natural scientists, and to develop and transfer new technology to the Texas economy. The funds are spent on salaries, laboratory equipment and supplies needed to conduct research. The special item funding has been highly leveraged by grant and contract funds from federal agencies and corporations. The High Technology Laboratory uses a collaborative model of research and development to develop and transfer new technology to the Texas economy while improving education of engineers, scientists and mathematicians who work to reduce risks to Mission and Safety Critical (MASC) systems essential to the goals of NASA.
The primary goal of the exceptional item funding for this next biennium is to help NASA and its selected contractors to successfully develop the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Project as a part of its long range Constellation Program. This multi–million dollar CEV Project is the cornerstone of the multi–billion dollar Constellation Program intended to replace the aging shuttle fleet, complete the international space station, create a permanent human presence on the moon and begin the human exploration of Mars and beyond.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The announcement of the CEV contract awards in August 2006 is a major milestone in restoring NASA research and development funding to the Johnson Space Center more than a decade after the space station program became "Operational" and was no longer a "Research and Development" program. Because of the critical role of the CEV and its assignment to JSC, NASA/JSC is now the focal point for our nation’s hopes for the future of the human exploration, research and development of space. The High Tech Lab provides an objective mechanism for conducting and reporting the needed research to reduce the MASC risks of required computing and communications systems. Continued funding will ensure the continued development and support of joint research among NASA, UHCL and aerospace contractors.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $57,546 |
$57,546 |
$51,791 |
$51,791 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 5,755 |
5,755 |
1 |
||
| New Request | 226,000 |
226,000 |
4 |
||
| Total | $57,546 |
$57,546 |
$283,546 |
$283,546 |
|
Institutional Enhancement
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
This special item provides continued support for scholarships. These funds are transferred to the Operations Support strategy to provide funding for:
- Positions to improve processes and increase efficiency
- Marketing, recruiting, and advertising efforts
- New academic initiatives
- Miscellaneous programs and activities
Factors Impacting Strategy
With budget constraints, the university will be challenged to meet the demands for existing services much less expanded services. The Institutional Enhancement funding provides the resources necessary to achieve a level of excellence in a number of key areas that students have come to expect as their cost continues to rise.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $2,138,888 |
$2,138,191 |
$1,924,999 |
$1,924,372 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 213,889 |
213,819 |
1 |
||
| New Request | |||||
| Total | $2,138,888 |
$2,138,191 |
$2,138,888 |
$2,138,191 |
|
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
This strategy provides funding to cover the cost of workers’ compensation losses and the cost of administering claims. The allocation is to also encourage the development and implementation of risk management programs and practices designed to minimize occupational injuries and illnesses, protect state property, and provide safety and health training for employees.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The University has established a return to work policy to minimize lost time due to injury.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $261,652 |
$261,652 |
$235,487 |
$235,487 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 26,165 |
26,165 |
|||
| New Request | 1 |
||||
| Total | $261,652 |
$261,652 |
$261,652 |
$261,652 |
|
Arbor Renovations and Addition
(New Item)
Description and Justification
HB153 authorizes the issuance of $10,604,808 in revenue bonds or other obligations to fund capital projects for UHCL. Debt service funds are requested to support bond issuance for funds to renovate and expand the campus original building, the Arbor Building, constructed in 1971. This project includes remodeling a wing of the Arbor Building to better support the instructional program of the School of Education; straightening the hallway for more efficient use of space and to create a new classroom; and creating an instructional science laboratory and related chemical storage and preparation areas. Additionally, plans are to upgrade classrooms to incorporate current technology and renovate spaces to better serve the needs of the clinical programs supported by the Center for Educational Programs. A model classroom for early childhood education would be created within the 30,000 GSF of new space, as well as three general use, forty student capacity classrooms in the new addition to the Arbor Building.
The remodeled area will include a state–of–the–art instructional science laboratory to better prepare science teachers. This will also eliminate the safety issues with the current lab. Remodeling the Arbor building will result in improved space (clinical space, class labs and offices) supporting the School of Education's instructional and clinical programs. The remodeling will also create a model classroom for early childhood education. A critical need exists to accommodate the demand for art and design classes, especially in graphic arts. This demand comes from the need (by NASA, aerospace contractors and energy businesses) for people trained in computer graphics, digital photography and digital video.
To meet this need, the School of Human Sciences and Humanities (HSH) is developing the foundation for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, concentrating on these technical arts. Such programs are space intensive, hence the research done by HSH faculty and students in Social psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors, Applied Behavior Analysis and industrial and Organizational Psychology. This will not only improve student's education, but also will enhance the institution's capability to obtain externally sponsored activities. The three technologically enhanced classrooms in the Arbor Addition will support the above programs.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | |||||
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | |||||
| New Request | $962,461 |
$962,461 |
2 |
||
| Total | $962,461 |
$962,461 |
|||
Success Through Education Program (STEP)
(New Item)
Description and Justification
The Success Through Education Program (STEP) is a teacher education project comprised of special academic programs and comprehensive support services that guide students through a seamless track from high school to community college to the University of Houston–Clear Lake, culminating in a college degree, teacher certification and employment in local school districts. This program works to enable disadvantaged and low–income students to pursue a four–year degree and certification toward professional employment and to increase the number of minority and other teachers in local school districts. The pilot STEP program has proven effective, and the requested funding is intended to allow expansion of this program. Built into the STEP program is the machinery that helps students overcome risk factors that often lead them to failure. Evaluation considers student graduation and certification, transfer, professional placement, achievement and employer satisfaction.
Through funding of this program, two new partnerships will be established consisting of UHCL along with at least one high school and one community college in two school districts. It is anticipated that through this program, 100 high school students and 70 community colleges students will be identified with the program, with at least 30 additional students enrolling in teacher certification programs at UHCL over the funding period.
Factors Impacting Strategy
STEP has experienced strong growth. For example, 14 students were enrolled in the first STEP program at Galveston Ball High School in 1993. As of 2005, there are approximately 951 students participating in the program, at all three levels, with 124 of these on the UHCL campus. This program has graduated 475 certified students since its inception. To date, UHCL has established partnerships with six high schools in four school districts and four community colleges. The most recent addition to the program has been approved by Houston ISD, with Austin High School, and Houston Community College–Southeast. Funding for this exceptional item provides for academic and faculty advising, program management, student financial support, professional development, field and related activities for students and the expansion of the program into other school districts and community colleges.
The State is faced with critical shortages of teachers in a variety of teaching fields; school districts also are desirous of having a teaching force that reflects the demographics of the student population. This program is designed to assist with the resolution of these deficiencies in our immediate service area and to validate the STEP program as a model for addressing such needs statewide.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | |||||
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | |||||
| New Request | $342,000 |
$315,150 |
5 |
||
| Total | $342,000 |
$315,150 |
|||
Collaborative Bilingual Educator Preparation Program
(New Item)
Description and Justification
As the number of English Language Learners (ELL) in the state of Texas continues to grow, so does the need for bilingual teachers, counselors and administrators. The Texas Education Agency continues to list a critical shortage of bilingual teachers and notes that the vast majority of ELL students in pre–kindergarten and kindergarten are taught by teachers who are not certified and about 40% of the ELL students in elementary classrooms are taught by those not certified as bilingual teachers. Currently the Texas Education Agency lists approximately 15% of Texas’ public school students and Limited English Proficient. Almost all school districts express a critical unmet need for bilingual teachers and also express a similar need for bilingual counselors and administrators who can work effectively with bilingual children and their families.
The proposed special item request is to provide a program that will recruit 24 bilingual students into a preparation program for certification as bilingual teachers, and also provide stipend and scholarship support for six bilingual teachers preparing to be counselors and six bilingual teachers preparing to be principals.
As we strive to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind, the population of ELL students presents special challenges and requires that fully certified personnel be available to address their needs. This program will help school districts to meet their need for highly qualified teachers, counselors and administrators.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL) has long established collaborative relationships with school districts in its service region. UHCL has received significant funding from the Department of Education to develop and evaluate preparation programs for bilingual teachers, counselors and administrators. This special item request will build upon these proven models to provide additional critically needed personnel for the schools in our service area and further refine the training programs used to prepare these educational professionals, providing a model that can be replicated in other programs throughout the state.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | |||||
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | |||||
| New Request | $328,000 |
$342,150 |
6 |
||
| Total | $328,000 |
$342,150 |
|||
