Maybe you know off the top of your head, but are we as good academically as any of the public flagship schools? Seems like any school who can make that case, would be able to gain admission.
I did indeed send her an e-mail, congratulating her on her new position, telling her how much my undergrad alma mater will miss her, and requesting that she strongly consider UH for membership in the AAU!
Back in around 2010, when we had a graduate dean, he told me we were in a flatfooted tie with Stony Brook and ahead of Rice in AAU rankings. I do not know why it has not happened