Photo by: Oscar Herrera
Through the highs and the lows of a year, the University of Houston had an eventful two semesters from 2023 to 2024. As we say goodbye to the Spring graduating class of 2024, let’s recap some of the important events from this past year.
August 2023
Fresh out of the summer and starting a new semester, UH had many changes to account for that went into effect state-wide and nationally. One of the largest changes to hit the diverse campus was the response to Senate Bill 17, preventing Universities in Texas from holding diversity, equity and inclusion practices on campus.
The impacts of the legislation had many beloved resource centers at the University getting renamed, students protesting to not be deprived of these resources and many programs being defunded.
This all led to the formation of the Center for Student Advocacy and Community. This was set to bridge the gap after losing the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at the end of August.
September 2023
Uproar happened when students were waiting in long lines to hop on a shuttle from the main campus to UH Sugar Land. After plenty of back and forth with the efficiency of the shuttle, who was allowed to use it and how schedules worked, the University announced it would start to require permits for the previously free form of transportation.
UH climbed national rankings when U.S. News and World Report Rankings reported the University as No. 70. This was quite a leap from the 91st spot just the year before.
October 2023
Activism became abundant around the University as the events happening in Gaza started gaining more attention. Organizations such as the University of Houston’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine urged UH to divest and boycott as part of their campaign.
The Board of Regents voted to renovate the Moody Towers Dining Commons building to create a new dining hall, set to be under construction by 2025.
November 2023
A little later in the semester than most years, UH hosted the annual Homecoming festivities with Sean Kingston headlining the concert. New Homecoming royalty was elected in journalism senior Auyana Aird as queen and sports administration senior Austin Craig as king.
Another feat of one of the most awarded programs at UH, the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship was named a No. 1 program for the fifth year in a row. In Athletics news, the football team hired a new coach, Willie Fritz.
To finish off the semester with local politics, a new Houston mayor was elected with John Whitmore beating out Sheila Jackson Lee.
January 2024
Hopping into the spring semester, the first day started out with class cancellations due to freezing weather. With the new semester came new changes to a lot of projects happening around campus as construction got delayed, renovations to buildings such as the Recreation and Wellness Center and some buildings like Cougar Village II were flooded.
February 2024
When the Student Fees Advisory Committee recommended the Board of Regents redirect funds originally going to Athletics to be distributed to funding student organizations, President Renu Khator made a bold statement in rejecting the proposal. As this was the first time in 16 years this happened, an appeal was made by SFAC and students protested.
More protests appeared as the University installed a controversial structure as the latest art piece on campus, leading some students to rise in upset.
March 2024
The annual Student Government Association election commenced with the 61st administration headed by new president-elect Diego Arriaga and new vice president-elect Austin Craig. They are set to enter office on April 1.
In general news, a TikTok ban was in the air as a possibility to spread nationwide if the company did not divest from the parent company. In observation of Ramadan, the University’s Muslim Student Association, along with Islamic Relief USA and the A.D. Bruce Religion Center set up a Ramadan Tent to serve students during the celebration.
After a long year, we just want to say a congrats to our Spring graduates walking in May and thank you for such a wonderful year!
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