A Short History of the University of Houston-Downtown

In 1974, the University of Houston acquired the assets of South Texas Junior College and then opened the University of Houston-Downtown College at One Main Street as a four-year institution.   By the end of the 1970s, the Texas Legislature had approved UHDC as a freestanding university in the UH System.

The early university focused on meeting needs of Houston's diverse and dynamic work force.   The college's first four-year degree was a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and resident students attended for $4 per credit hour.   During the first five years, degree programs expanded quickly to include accounting, office management, real estate, business services and engineering technology.   Soon the college received full accreditation, and enrollment reached 5,000.

By the early 1980s, it was clear that UHDC was more than a college and the word, college, was officially dropped from the institution's name.   During this decade when Houston was booming, UHD succeeded in having the M & M building named to the National Register of Historic Places, degree programs continued to grow, and UHD's first Red Rose Ball became a signature fundraiser.   Tuition increased in 1984 to $12 per credit hour.   UHD's outreach to the community remained strong and Houston PREP - a pre-freshman engineering program for talented middle and high school minority students began.

UHD moved into the 1990s as the state's third fastest growing university.   UHD welcomed Max Castillo as its new president in 1992.   During the 1990s, UHD focused on becoming a premier, metropolitan university, appealing to traditional students as well as working professionals.   Technology became one of UHD's hallmarks.   During the early 1990s, UHD also began key partnerships with community colleges and it moved to meet greater Houston's demand for qualified teachers when it added a teacher certification program in urban education.   During this time, the Weekend College Program began and a new Academic Building and the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center opened.

As the 1990s ended, UHD moved ahead again, earning full approval from the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer graduate programs; the University's first master's degree in criminal justice was approved.   UHD also began offering degree programs at The University Center in the Woodlands.   By fall 1988, more than 8,300 students were enrolled on campus.

UHD's expansion and growth continued as a new millennium arrived.   Master's degree programs in criminal justice and teaching were added.   Physical growth also continued and the Willow Street Pump House was renovated while a new, bricked-face Commerce Street Building opened at the Corner of Commerce and Main Streets, providing a new home for the College of Public Service.   As UHD grew so did the number of students participating in commencement.   In 2002, UHD became the first university to award degrees in Minute Maid Park.   UHD won national recognition for its wireless campus and the bachelor of business administration degree in general business became UHD's first on-line degree.   By fall semester 2007, fall enrollment climbed to a record 11,793 students and an impressive Shea Street Building opened to great returning students in August 2007 as the new home of the College of Business.

Today, while degrees, buildings and even the institution's name continue to evolve, students remain at the heart of UHD's traditions.

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