Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the fall semester! Whether you recently returned to campus or are new to our institution, I am honored to offer greetings on this second week of this academic year.

I’ll admit that my first Texas summer was hotter than expected! Regardless of the triple digit temperatures, I am proud to call Houston my home and eager to begin the semester on the right foot.

This is also my first fall semester at UH, and I am impressed by the many back-to-school activities I’ve seen on campus. I’d like to thank those faculty who provided guidance to students at the Staff Council-sponsored Cougar First Impressions and helped campus residents settle into their residence halls during Cougar Move-In. Your service to students is most commendable!

Another good start to Fall 2023 is the rollout of CoogsCARE, which was addressed in an email to the campus community. This new website contains information related to mental health resources, safety, wellness and academic support services. It is an excellent tool for the entire UH community. Please share the link to CoogsCARE with your students if you haven’t done so already.

Aside from CoogsCARE (which is certainly an invaluable tool), don’t hesitate to look to our most effective campus resources for support … each other. Turn to a friend or fellow faculty member for guidance during times of concern or uncertainty. Also, be available to others when they need a helping hand!

No start to the semester is without challenges, and we were reminded that we must contend with issues such as classroom disruptions. Look for an email later this week with guidance and resources on how to prepare and respond to classroom disruptions.

I recognize that the beginning of an academic year can be a whirlwind experience, but let’s continue to work together and support students—and each other— as we begin the semester!

Respectfully,

Diane Z. Chase
Senior Vice President and Provost, University of Houston