Cover Image by Robert Bribiesca
Fall 2025 marks the start of a new academic year on campus. Just like with every other fresh start, it comes with fresh changes and updates.
The university continues to find ways to enhance the campus experience for all its students, staff and faculty members. This fall, that is evident.
Here’s some of what has changed on campus since the spring semester.
The Centennial Construction Project
Perhaps the most significant and noticeable one of them all: the Centennial Construction Project.
To prepare for its 100-year anniversary, UH has embarked on a pioneering construction project. It aims to modernize the overall look of the campus as well as promote environmentally resilient architecture.
The key areas of construction for this project include the University Drive, the creation of a historic center called the Centennial Plaza and Wilhelmina’s Grove.
UH President Renu Khator calls the centennial plan a “transformative project.”
The revised infrastructure is expected to accommodate more shade trees to increase sustainability, low-maintenance paintings to achieve higher aesthetics as well as inviting seating areas to encourage more gatherings.
Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026. This is just in time for the centennial festivities to commence all around campus.
MD Anderson Library Opens Access to Floors 7 and 8
The MD Anderson Library has always been a top choice for students to lock-in throughout the semester, whether it be to complete assignments, have group or individual study sessions or to prepare for exam season.
The UH Libraries recently reopened access to floors seven and eight with a more vivid aesthetic. Eighty seats have been added to each floor, providing a more spacious configuration for students to access.
The renovation to these floors has also led to the introduction of cushioned pods, single-user carrels and tables with privacy screens, offering a wide variety of seating choices for students to choose from.
If you wish to visit and take a look at these changes, floors seven and eight can be accessed through the Blue wing elevator inside the MD Anderson Library.
UH Parking and Transportation Services Introduces New License Plate Reader (LPR) Technology
New upgrades are also in store for the UH parking garages. UH Parking and Transportation Services is introducing License Plate Reader (LPR) Technology to establish a smoother gate entry to each garage.
As you approach the gate, the license plate readers will scan your license plate and confirm if it is associated with a valid parking permit in your myParking account. If the verification is successful, the gate arm will automatically raise.
The intent of introducing a new technological system is to increase efficiency and to offer an easier parking experience to all members on campus.
The LPR technology has been introduced in five of six parking garages, with the Stadium Garage being the only exception as it still awaits budget availability.
UH Expands its Behavioral Health Programs
Effective this fall, the UH College of Education is introducing three new programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) due to an increase in demand for behavior analysts across the state.
The three new programs are as follows:
- A minor in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- A Master of Education in special populations, with a specialization in ABA
- A post-baccalaureate certificate in ABA for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree
Students can take these programs online or in person at the UH Katy campus.
UH Becomes the First Public University in Texas to Adopt the Revised Academic Fresh Start Law
The implementation of a revised Academic Fresh Start law occurred after a student complained that they were unable to transfer to a four-year program due to poor grades from eight years ago, despite completing an associate’s degree with honors.
The revised law will now exclude all eligible coursework older than five years. Lawmakers believe that by revising the law, enrollment will increase, which will bolster the state’s workforce and economy.
People often say that change is the only thing that remains constant in life. And clearly, not every change has to be bad. Change can be a force for good and can lead to a more prosperous future if we have the right intentions.
The university seems to be following that mantra!
Recent Comments