One of the best ways you can improve the University environment is to maximize and not minimize the graduation experience. The holding of the commencement exercise outside at 1 pm is insane, and only minimizes what should be a festive and joyful occasion. People were becoming ill this past Saturday trying to be close to their loved ones on what should be a "perfect" day. Many senior citizens were suffering, and eventually had to resort to watching their loved ones on television which is not where they wanted to be at all. Surely smarter decisions and minds can and will prevail in the future.

UHV began holding an outdoor ceremony as it outgrew its former indoor location. The facility we formerly used, which is Victoria's largest indoor auditorium with seating for 1,900, simply could no longer accommodate the increasing number of graduates and their guests. To avoid limiting the number of guests graduates could invite, especially in light of the fact that so many of our graduates are first generation learners and important role models in their circle of family and friends, UHV inaugurated the outdoor ceremony and overall attendance now reaches approximately 3,000.

For this past May, it had indeed been our intention to hold the ceremony earlier in the day when the prospects for cooler weather were greater. Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict with Victoria College, which was only communicated to us late in the semester, left us little option but to hold the ceremony around 1:00 pm when all other factors were considered -- travel time for out of town guests, possible conflicts for those needing to attend both commencements, security, restricted/handicap parking on campus, the weather, the typical onset time for mosquitoes, return travel time for out of town guests, catering logistics, and possible conflicts with graduates' own receptions were among the myriad of factors taken into account by members of our commencement committee.

Bearing in mind the time and predicted weather, we did arrange to provide a live indoor video feed for those with health conditions preventing them from being outdoors -- admittedly not as good as being in the outdoor audience but a reasonable compromise under the circumstances. And, some other precautions, such as canopies for additional shade and bottled water available at no cost, were taken to ensure a safe environment.

Notwithstanding the time and weather, the overwhelming bulk of the many comments we have received regarding the ceremony have been positive. Still, holding ceremonies outdoors is a new tradition for UHV (and, by the way, places us in good company nationally as many fine institutions do likewise -- even many with facilities that could accommodate indoor ceremonies) and we are still learning. It is certainly our hope and desire in the future, as it was in this instance, to avoid the mid-day heat to the extent possible and to continue to allow all graduates to invite as many supporters as possible to attend.

Thank you for your suggestions and concern.

The graduation exercises held last Saturday were the most uncomfortable ever. It was "HOT AS HELL" and everyone was suffering, especially the poor graduates who had on caps and hot black gowns. This is an "institute of higher learning". How about using some of that "higher learning" and make some "higher learning" decisions on when and where to hold such functions? There is Air Conditioning now and surely some place in Victoria can hold that many people. If you have to have it outside, how about 9AM or 7PM, but certainly not 1PM in sunny, humid south Texas. In case you did not notice, there were many senior citizens out there, and they suffered the most. It is hard to be proud when you are having a heat stroke.

Forwarded: Director of Community Relations

I participated in the May 13th commencement ceremonies (Yea!). By the end of the ceremony I had heat exhaustion - I almost passed out! Whose idea was a May mid-day outdoor ceremony? I like the idea, but not the time.

Thanks for the raise! I personally am thrilled. Money may not be the only motivator ultimately to keep staff at UHV in an "enviable position nationally", though.

Why not try modifying the hours to something when students are here. Say, M-Th 8-6, closed Fridays or closed at noon.

Students are worth it, and the flex schedules for staff could still be in play for those that need it.

Just a thought. Wouldn't cost any money, and you might even save some.

The summer schedule does have the university staying open 30 minutes longer then the Fall and Spring scheduled hours of operation. We would adjust the summer operational hours to 6:00 pm to handle students if there was a need to do so. So far there has not been one. The switch board, IT help desk, and the President's Office are open the normal 8 to 5 Monday through Friday and have not reported discontent from students or the public. We have posted the hours of operation in several locations on UHV's web site.

As far as the raise, you may or may not be aware that the raise is contingent on the university having a 5% enrollment growth this Fall over last Fall. There are several new initiatives in the three Schools to strive to make the 5% growth a reality.