Students, leaders to advocate for legislative priorities during virtual UHCL Day at the Capitol

University of Houston-Clear Lake students and leadership along with UH System leaders will engage with Texas legislators and representatives to advocate on behalf of the university during a virtual UHCL Day at the Capitol on March 17.

The event occurs every biennium, and usually provides university ambassadors an opportunity to travel to the Texas Capitol in Austin to connect with state lawmakers, share UHCL priorities, and reinforce the university's funding needs. Due to the pandemic, all universities have been asked to participate virtually. UHCL participated in a Day at the Capitol for the first time in 2019. The 87th Texas Legislature began its 2021 session on Jan. 12, and the regular session lasts 140 days.

"This is a unique civic engagement opportunity for our campus community," said UHCL President Ira K. Blake. "The university is doing extraordinary work, and it is critical that we continue to share the impact of our efforts with our state legislators so we can secure the necessary funding to enhance the student experience and have greater impact in our community and region in the future."

This year, the University of Houston System is requesting stable formula funding, which is the financial foundation of the state's public universities and a preservation of expansion funding for UHCL's continued growth as a four-year institution, among other priorities.

UHCL priorities include, but are not limited to:

• Expansion Funding - Maintain funding for UHCL's downward expansion to enhance freshman and sophomore services and programs.
• Expansion and Renovation Funding - A request for funding of debt of service for the expansion and renovation of facilities at both UHCL and UHCL Pearland to support science, technology, engineering and math fields. This would include a new STEM II building and renovations of 230,000 sq ft of academic spaces at UHCL, and completion of the Health Sciences and Classroom Building at UHCL Pearland.
• Community-Based Support Programs - An additional $333,000 in funding to expand existing centers and programs that provide services to the community, state and local agencies, such as the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

The UHCL delegation will discuss priorities with lawmakers during the March 17 event. Visit UHCL Day at the Capitol to watch the live webinar beginning at 3 p.m.