University of Houston System
Restoration of Ten Percent Reduction
(New Item)
Description and Justification
Exceptional item funds are needed to recapture the funding reduction required as part of the legislative appropriations request process. These resources are essential to the effective operation of our programs, as well as fulfilling our academic, research and public service missions.
Requested |
||||
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
||
| System Office Operation | 176,310 |
176,311 |
1 |
|
| NASA Programs | 57,973 |
57,974 |
1 |
|
| Total | $234,283 |
$234,285 |
||
System Office Operations
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
Established by Acts 1977, 65th Legislature, as codified in Section 111.20 of
the Texas Education Code, the University of Houston System Administration provides
leadership, coordination, support and some centralized services for the four
universities in the UH System. The UH System’s mission is to serve
the full range of educational and research needs of Houston, the Gulf Coast Region
and the State of Texas with programs of highest quality and efficiency.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The rapid demographic changes facing Houston and Texas present both social and economic challenges for the state and its public universities. The University of Houston System is the largest single source of professional and technical talent for the Gulf Coast Region, providing the intellectual as well as the research, technological and cultural base for the area. The UH System contributes greatly to the economic future of the state by preparing the workforce with academic programs serving all populations in the region and expanding the research and technology base.
The role of the UH System Administration has been reviewed by the Board of Regents to ensure the greatest responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency of services to the community and the four universities. The Board has combined the top two positions in the System, the Chancellor and the President of the University of Houston, into a single Chief Executive to effect greater cooperation, coordination and efficiency. This new management model will continue to bring the universities together for shared services where economically beneficial; for system-wide initiatives, such as partnerships with community groups, public and private schools, corporate and industrial organizations; and for coordinating support from private individuals and corporations as well as federal, state and local governments.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $1,761,391 |
$1,764,822 |
$1,585,252 |
$1,588,340 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 176,310 |
176,311 |
1 |
||
| New Request | |||||
| Total | $1,761,391 |
$1,764,822 |
$$1,761,562 |
$$1,764,651 |
|
Texas Aerospace Scholars/Technology Outreach
NASA
(Existing Item)
Description and Justification
The Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) programs provide distance learning opportunities and onsite experiences at the NASA JSC for students and teachers from across the state of Texas. Since 1999, more than 4,700 Texans have participated in the programs and have explored career opportunities available to them in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). High school juniors explore opportunities in STEM academic degrees and careers by completing interactive on-line modules and travel to NASA in Houston for a one-week summer experience. Middle school educator participants learn innovative ways to integrate existing NASA instructional materials across various disciplines that align with state/national standards. The community college program challenges student teams to compete on an aerospace related project for a potential NASA contract. Participation includes web-based assignments and onsite activities where students interact with engineers, scientists and astronauts.
The TAS pilot internship program will focus on strengthening the STEM workforce pipeline by offering semester-long internships to TAS alumni. The Technology Outreach Program (TOP) transfers NASA/ Johnson Space Center scientific and engineering expertise to meet innovative Texas small business’ technology requirements that foster economic retention and expansion. During the past two years, TOP has helped 204 small businesses solve technical challenges facing their business. TOP assistance has resulted in new products, job creation, increased sales, retention of jobs and new capital investment.
Exceptional item funding for the TAS program would be used to: expand existing programs to increase school district participation in TAS, target underrepresented, underserved and rural populations across the state; develop an internship for TAS alumni to strengthen the workforce pipeline; and continue to identify partners to leverage Texas' investment in TAS. Exceptional item funding for the TOP program would enable the aggressive expansion of TOP throughout the state to benefit Texas small businesses and inventors.
Factors Impacting Strategy
The Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) initiative harnesses the excitement of human space exploration to Texas students across the state to encourage these students to pursue careers and degrees in math, science, and engineering. TAS will: increase the number of Texans with high-tech skills; promote economic development through the creation of an increased technical workforce; provide access to a unique educational and internship opportunities to students from rural communities, inner cities, and border regions; ensure Texas’ future growth and prosperity and continued world leadership in technology; and provide high-visibility to the Legislature’s commitment to math, science, and engineering education
The Technology Outreach Program (TOP) applies technology and expertise developed through human space flight to assist Texas small business to expand and diversify. Economic impact includes: new and improved manufacturing processes for existing and new companies; new technology development, existing product improvement, new patents, new physical plant improvements; new peripheral and secondary economic impact on upstream vendors and suppliers; increased opportunities have resulted in a healthy, robust economic climate that is vital to Texas in growing the Texas economy; and additional companies in the greater Houston region have the opportunity to access NASA/Johnson Space Center technology.
Appropriated |
Requested |
||||
FY06 |
FY07 |
FY08 |
FY09 |
Priority |
|
| Base Dollar Funding | $579,735 |
$579,736 |
$521,762 |
$521,762 |
|
| Exceptional Funding | |||||
| 10% Recapture | 57,973 |
57,974 |
1 |
||
| New Request | 260,881 |
260,881 |
2 |
||
| Total | $579,735 |
$579,736 |
$840,616 |
$840,617 |
|
