SGA

Student Government Association President Joins the UH Regents

Chris Sharpe Rises to the Top in Student Government

(Houston, Texas, April 23, 2007)   Computer Science major Christopher Sharpe, who is president of the UH-Downtown Student Government Association (SGA) and a new UH-System regent, is not quite sure what attracted him to governance.  

"I just like helping people. I feel rewarded by serving students and working to benefit everyone in the university," he says.  

Sharpe began his university political service as a freshman, holding the offices of SGA senator and business affairs chairman.   He took on a short stint as SGA vice president, then ran for and won the presidency, where he has worked on such issues as North Main Corridor crosswalk/sidewalk repair, student safety, and the rise in tuition and fees.

Texas Governor Rick Perry, who signed legislation in 2005 directing each public university board of regents to include one student member, appointed Sharpe to the UH-System Board of Regents as one of nine student regents in the state.

"It's a learning experience for me. The structure of the system by which decisions are made that affect the entire university system is impressive."

He got to see the new UHD fine arts degree approved and worked to finalize the new tuition increase.

"It's quite a lot of work, but I find it very enjoyable," Sharpe says. "This is a forum where, by expressing student viewpoints on issues that directly affect UH-Downtown, I can make a difference."

UH-Downtown is a public university of nearly 12,000 students, offering a wide variety of bachelor's degrees, as well as master's programs in criminal justice, professional writing, security management and teaching. One of four distinct universities in the UH System, Houston's Downtown University is nationally recognized for its student diversity, wireless campus, outstanding academic opportunities and productive community partnerships. At UHD, the emphasis is on excellence in teaching and student success.

Established in 1974, UHD has increased 27 percent in student population in the past six years. The new Shea Street Building, houses the UHD College of Business and the Institute of Financial Literacy. The Commerce Street Building was added in 2004 and houses the College of Public Service. The restoration of the Willow Street Pump Station was completed in 2004 to serve as community meeting space. In 1997, the Academic Building and Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center were added to the original One Main Building.