The University of Houston’s Administration and Finance division joined other campus departments this summer to welcome new and transfer students through orientation sessions and resource fairs.
Administration and Finance departments participating in these events included Cougar Card Services, the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), Student Business Services, Auxiliary Services, Parking and Transportation Services, the Campus Store, and Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness (EHEP), which includes representatives from Fire & Life Safety, the Office of Emergency Planning, and Environmental Health and Safety, as well as UH Dining Services.
The University’s orientation sessions and resource fairs provide new and transfer students — and their families — with important information about the services, programs, and resources available to help them succeed at UH.
Between June and August, these A&F departments participated in 22 orientation sessions and resource fairs, connecting with thousands of students and family members. Staff answered questions, shared resources, and helped students start their UH journey with confidence.
Students and Families Leave Better Prepared
Incoming civil engineering freshman Kelly Robles and her mother, Lindsey Robles, were among the attendees. Both said they left feeling informed and prepared for the fall semester.
“Everything that we got was information that we needed to know before she comes to school,” Lindsey Robles said. “So, it was very good, very informative.”
Kelly Robles said the sessions helped answer questions she had not even thought of asking.
“They ended up answering a lot of questions that I had that I wouldn't have personally asked myself,” Kelly Robles said. “So, yeah, they answered all my questions.”
The information shared covered a wide range of university topics, including parking, campus emergency procedures and the Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP).
Parker Coburn, an incoming civil engineering freshman, attended with his parents, Katie and Chad Coburn. Earlier in the day, the family participated in a civil engineering orientation before attending new student orientation and the resource fair.
“There’s a lot of information to take in,” Katie Coburn said. “It’s been well organized, and we’ve been moved around campus with key information that we know Parker’s going to need to do well here.”
For Chad Coburn, attending orientation sessions and resource fairs is about “teaching him [Parker] how to take care of himself.”
Parker is already on his way. When asked what information stood out most, he mentioned the math and science placement tests, the Honors College and class registration.
Like Lindsey Robles, Chad Coburn remembered Aug. 18 as the tuition payment deadline. He also recalled a message shared throughout multiple orientation sessions.
“I’m hearing a lot about the drive for the four years and economic success,” Chad Coburn said. “And those are things that our kid is interested in doing, so it kind of aligns with why we’re coming here.”
Common Questions Highlight Students’ Top Concerns
At resource fairs, Student Business Services representatives frequently answered questions about the Aug. 18 tuition payment deadline. According to the department, one of the most common questions they received was: “When do I need to pay my tuition?”
Student Business Services, along with the other participating A&F departments, identified several topics that generated recurring questions from students and parents.
At UH Dining Services, many questions centered on campus dining options and available meal plans.
Jessica Ellefson, marketing manager for UH Dining Services, said students and parents are often surprised to learn that the unlimited meal plan offers more than unlimited access to the dining halls. She explains the exclusive benefits of Teaching Kitchen events, meal exchanges, and other meal plan perks.
“These conversations are a great opportunity to help students understand that a meal plan is more than just a way to eat on campus,” Ellefson said. “It's designed to provide convenience, flexibility, value, and opportunities to connect with the campus community from day one.”
For many parents, campus safety remains a top concern, and the questions received by UHPD and EHEP reflect that interest.
EHEP representatives answered questions about emergency alerts, fire safety and CPR training while informing students and families about UH Alert and training opportunities offered through Fire & Life Safety.
UHPD representatives fielded questions about parking lot and garage security, as well as the University’s plans for weather-related emergencies. Parking and Transportation Services staff answered questions about parking permits and the differences between permit options.
Another common topic was the Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP), which provides undergraduate students with access to required course materials on or before the first day of class for a flat per-semester fee, regardless of major or course load. CTAP was one of the subjects most frequently discussed by the UH Campus Store during the resource fairs.
At Cougar Card Services, many students and parents asked about the difference between Cougar Dining Dollars and ShastaBUCKS, as well as whether students can have both a digital and physical Cougar Card.
With orientation sessions and resource fairs wrapping up, A&F departments are now shifting into fall-semester mode as freshmen and transfer students begin their UH journey.