The University of Houston (UH) is a state research university and the flagship institution of the University of Houston System.[5] Founded in 1927, UH is the third-largest university in Texas with nearly 41,000 students.[4] Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of Houston–University Park from 1983 to 1991.[6][7] The Carnegie Foundation classifies UH as a Tier One research university.[8][9][10] The U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 189 (Tier 1) in its National University Rankings, and No. 106 among top public universities.[11][12]
History
The University of Houston began as Houston Junior College (HJC). On March 7, 1927, trustees of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution that authorized the founding and operating of a junior college. The junior college was operated and controlled by HISD.[22][23] Originally HJC was located in San Jacinto High School and offered only night courses.[24] Its first session began March 7, 1927, with an enrollment of 232 students and 12 faculty.[22] This session was primarily held to educate the future teachers of the junior college, and no freshmen were allowed to enroll. A more accurate date for the official opening of HJC is September 19, 1927, when enrollment was opened to all persons having completed the necessary educational requirements.[25] The first president of HJC was Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer, who was the dominant force in establishing the junior college.