Prepared Remarks
Morgan Dunn O’Connor
Vice Chairman, University of Houston System Board of Regents
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

State Capitol
February 19, 2003

Good morning… and thank you, Chairman Pitts and members of this sub-committee, for the opportunity to address you today…

I would like to focus my brief comments on the transition that is ahead for the University of Houston System, and how the Board of Regents views that transition in light of the extraordinary challenges facing the legislature and the state.

By now, most of you probably know that UH System Chancellor and UH President Arthur K. Smith has announced his intention to retire on September 3, 2003.

Some seven years ago, when the Board was looking for a candidate with impeccable leadership credentials and a proven track record to fill the new dual position of chancellor and president, the Board looked no further than Dr. Smith—he was, as a matter of fact, the only candidate brought forth by the nominating committee.

The accomplishments of the past six-and-a-half years, during Dr. Smith’s tenure, have followed the precise blueprint that the Board of Regents established as the principal priorities for the new Chancellor/President. I will cite just three of the most significant achievements…

First, Dr. Smith successfully led the complex merger of the UH System administration and the University of Houston main campus administration, resulting in cost savings and streamlining of functions. Most important, the merger of the two administrative units allowed the University of Houston main campus to position itself to realize its full potential as a leading public research university for the 21st century. In so doing, Dr. Smith will leave a legacy of fiscal responsibility, administrative stability, and national recognition for the University of Houston System’s academic and research programs that we must preserve and continue to build upon.

Second, Dr. Smith successfully expanded access to education throughout the region with the opening of multi-institution teaching centers in Sugar Land and Katy at both ends of Fort Bend County, one of the fastest growing and most diverse counties in the nation.

And third, Dr. Smith successfully implemented a set of strategies that have increased enrollment to record highs at the four UH System universities, bringing in a richly diverse students body that anticipates what Texas demographics as a whole will look like in five or ten years.

Why I consider these accomplishments important in light of the budget challenges facing us is that the Board of Regents intends to do everything we possibly can, individually and collectively, to ensure that the University of Houston System’s next leader maintains the momentum that Dr. Smith established.

At the precise time in the state’s recent history when good stewardship of public funds, accountability, and results are important, Dr. Smith will be leaving the institution on a very sound footing, a sound footing that the Board intends to preserve, and indeed, solidify in the years to come.

Yesterday, several bus loads of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the four UH system universities spent the afternoon "walking the halls" of the Capitol Building, visiting as many legislators and staff as possible in support of funding for higher education. This marks the third time a similar group has come to Austin in as many sessions.

I would like to close by saying that this group of students who took the day off from classes, staff and faculty members who took a vacation day to be here, and friends and alumni who spent a day away from their businesses and companies, would not have come to Austin at all if they didn’t have faith in the University of Houston System and its leadership, faith in higher education, faith in the legislative process and the wisdom of our elected officials, and faith in the future of Texas.

Chairman Pitts, thank you again for the time… Now, it is my pleasure to call on Dr. Arthur K. Smith, Chancellor of the University of Houston System and President of the University of Houston main campus, who will speak on behalf of the UH System and the University of Houston. He will in turn introduce the Presidents of UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, and UH-Victoria, or their representatives, who are here with him as well.

Chancellor Smith…