Archived Suggestions :: July 2009

Suggestion — 1199

Subject — Staff Training Courses

Forwarded to — Coordinator, Training & Continuing Education

Suggestion / Comment

Why are we spending money for a webinar on designing effective PPT, when we have individuals on campus who could teach the course well and in person? Let's pay our folks who can deliver the training on campus instead of paying several hundred dollars for an online webinar.

Response

The course taught twice a year by Eric Mims regarding PowerPoint presentations is a more basic course than the one faculty members teaching on-line courses requested. Our professors wanted something geared more to Web CT. The course we are offering on Thursday, July 23 reviews the latest tools for bringing the PowerPoint presentations online using SlideShare, Camptasia, GoView and others so professors can quickly transfer their PowerPoints into online classes. They will also learn how to integrate them into learning systems like D2L.

Our IT personnel in Victoria are currently drowning in implementation of other programs and don't have the time available for training right now according to our Senior IT Assistant. Also, we have been asked not to use University of Houston IT personnel for more training because their budget does not allow them to travel here.

Like you, I prefer "in person" training, but we were unable to offer a course with the content requested using our own people at this time.

Suggestion — 1200

Subject —UHV Website Images

Forwarded to — Director, Marketing

Suggestion / Comment

Here we are looking at downward expansion the bulk of which falls to Arts and Sciences. So, the perception is that Arts and Sciences is the adminstration's focus and the other schools are understudies... waiting in the wings. Today I see new pictures have been loaded into the UHV website. That is a nice one of the softball team. I click on the faculty link expecting to see someone other than Jeffrey Di Leo, since I was forced to look at him for the past year, and lo and behold there he is again with a couple of Arts and Sciences faculty. My suggestion... there are other faculty and other schools at the university. This is not The Unversity of Houston School of Arts and Sciences at Victoria, last time I checked.

Response

Thanks for your comments.
We will continue to update images and modify our Web site as we make ready for downward expansion. We look forward to meeting the needs of all the schools, as well as attracting a new generation of students to UHV.

Suggestion — 1201

Subject — Downward Expansion Information

Forwarded to — Chief of Staff

Suggestion / Comment

I think UHV would be a much better place to work if information was not treated as if it is a commodity to be hoarded. We are going through a downward expansion process and most of us don't have a clue about what is happening until the press release comes out. It seems all that needs to be done would get done more efficiently and effectively if more people were involved and if the right hand knew what the left was doing. I would suggest that adminstration have a university wide meeting to discuss the vision for downward expansion and the plan for downward expansion and then start including everyone in the process. I for one will be very embarrassed when a potential student or parent asks me about details and I have to say.. uh, well, uh, hmmmm I don't know.

Response

We want to be transparent in decision making and have tried to ensure an effective process for communicating decisions, so we appreciate suggestions to improve the process. Holding university wide meetings is a good idea and we will look at best ways to hold these for the most people to participate. One of the mechanisms for communication is the President’s Cabinet. Everyone within the university has a cabinet representative. University decisions are discussed in cabinet and one of the cabinet representatives’ roles is communication: providing input from those they represent and then communicating back concerning decisions that are made. If you have questions about decisions, please contact your cabinet representative or our Chief of Staff, Margaret Rice.

A second mechanism for communication is through our communications department. Communications personnel send every press release to “All UHV” before it goes to the media. This enables us to be informed and ask the appropriate people any questions we may have concerning the information. The communications department also sends a summary called “Newswire” that summarizes every article sent to the media, along with a link to the actual article.

If you would like a presentation of the overall process of downward expansion, Margaret Rice will be glad to discuss it with you, or make a presentation to your department.

Suggestion — 1202

Subject —May Commencement Ceremony

Forwarded to — Chief of Staff

Suggestion / Comment

May Victoria Commencement: Graduations are suppose to be a time of celebration, closure, and relief. This past May commencement in Victoria wasn't! In what was suppose to be the best day of my life turned out to be the worst day of my life! I feel like if someone else doesn't address the May outdoor commencement, then I will! It was unbearably hot at times. UHV students have worked so hard for their degrees and spent so much money at UHV. Thus, I think they deserve a better graduation than what took place today (perhaps, one indoors with air conditioning)! If it must be outdoors, at least have a cover from the scorching heat. I think these accommodations should of been provided in order to keep the students, faculty, and guests comfortable. I speak not only for my guests, but everyone (especially the elderly, young, and impaired). I know that we have the option of participating in the Victoria or Katy Graduation. But, who wants to graduate/walk after the fact??!! It is great to have both Ceremonies in two locations, but having both indoors would make a world of difference in the comfort of the attendees. One of my guest almost passed out and the others were sweaty and miserable. There were no festival moods! Not to mention the seating arrangement sucked! My family wasn't even able to see unless they were to stand up the whole time or walk toward the front! and the uncomfortable chairs! This was insane! Not what I paid for!! I also did not like the fact that the Masters Candidates were not recognized first, like they are in most Commencement Ceremonies. I am a Masters Candidate and by the time I was finally called, some of my guests had already gone inside or back in their vehicles for water and air conditioning to escape the heat. Who want's an outdoor commencement ceremony in the middle of May in South Texas?!!! It's just too hot and humid for that!! Why not split the schools up and have it at different times at the auditorium in Victoria? You mean to tell me that there are no stadiums in Victoria, TX? Where do they hold high school graduations then? If not, then it should not have been held in Victoria! I feel like Uhv should have done everything in their power to make this a pleasant event for the students and their families! Make them feel comfortable and give them a nice commencement ceremony (something they can remember for the rest of their lives)! After all, they have spent thousands of dollars on their education at uhv!! I still can not get over how miserable it was!! I never got the closure I sought. In fact I feel like I haven't even graduated!! I wonder if I could participate in the next indoor commencement ceremony? Though, it may feel awkward! Is there anyway uhv can compensate me and the other hundreds of grads that are stuck with these horrible memories for life?? Distraught

Response

Our commencement ceremony locations have been something we have grappled with as we have grown. There is no indoor location in Victoria to hold May commencement without limiting the number of students a graduate invites, even if we break commencement into separate schools. When we decided to move to an outdoor commencement, it was after extensive study and deliberation and with student input, and their support that this was the best solution. The student feedback, at that time, was a clear preference for no limitation on invitees regardless of other circumstances.

Although we have heard from some that felt it was too hot, we have heard from others who thought it was a wonderful ceremony. We constantly re-evaluate our limited options, and intend to go back to students to see if their opinion has changed.

Students always have the option to participate in the next commencement ceremony. It may seem like a long time to wait, but there was a time when we only had one commencement per year, and there are many schools at which this is still the practice. If you want to participate again in the commencement ceremony in the fall as you mentioned, you could contact Chari Norgard who oversees student services to see if this can be arranged (361.570.4290).

Suggestion — 1203

Subject —Downward Expansion Information

Forwarded to — Chief of Staff

Suggestion / Comment

Once again our administration has failed us in the information sharing department. It has been brought to many staff members attention that certain employees are being "promoted" into new key administrative positions due to downward expansion. Are these staff members knowledgeable enough to take on such duties? Is UHV moving too fast on this downward expansion? How can things be put into place for a successful transition in only one year? UHV is setting itself up for failure, and at the least to be the laughing stalk of the region. I and many other staff members would like answers to the questions posed above. I only hope our administration will see the light and not only answer them but stop hiding behind the so-called iron curtain.

Response

We have set up several mechanisms for information sharing. One of the mechanisms for communication is the President’s Cabinet. Everyone within the university has a cabinet representative. University decisions are discussed in cabinet and one of the cabinet representatives’ roles is communication: providing input from those they represent and then communicating back concerning decisions that are made. If you have questions about decisions in relation to downward expansion, please contact your cabinet representative or our Chief of Staff, Margaret Rice.

A second mechanism for communication is through our communications department. It sends every press release to “All UHV” before it goes to the media. This enables us to be informed and ask the appropriate people any questions we may have concerning the information. The communications department also sends a summary called “Newswire” that summarizes every article sent to the media, along with a link to the actual article.

I did not see any suggestions in your communication, but an idea that has been mentioned and we are looking into is holding some university wide meetings for information sharing.

Although some decisions about downward expansion must be made quickly in order to admit freshmen in fall 2010, it is NOT just a one year process. We will be continually evaluating, making changes, and adding components in the coming years. If you want to be more involved in the process, please let your cabinet representative know.

If you would like a presentation of the overall process of downward expansion, along with ways to be supportive, Margaret Rice will be glad to discuss it with you, or make a presentation to your department.

Suggestion — 1204

Subject —UHV Directory

Forwarded to — Manager, Web Services

Suggestion / Comment

have a more visible directory

Response

We are working on a redesign now, and will keep the directory on the list for more visibility.

As always, if you have other questions please, let us know.

Suggestion — 1205

Subject —Ed.D Degree

Forwarded to — Interim Dean, School of Education and Human Development

Suggestion / Comment

When is Uhv going to start the Ed.D. cohort program??? My former classmates and I are eager to start on our doctorates at uhv! They have been talking about it for the past 3 years! Is it just talk or are they really going to start this program? If so, will it be based at UHSugarland campus? Are they going to partner with other Texas Universities or what?

Response

Unfortunately UHV does not currently have an Ed.D program in counseling. We are aware of the student interest but before we can pursue a doctoral program, we need to add faculty, courses and facilities. The counseling faculty appreciates your interest and support and will continue to offer a quality Master’s degree.

Suggestion — 1206

Subject —Course Offerings

Forwarded to — Director of Services, SOBA

Suggestion / Comment

Dear Sir/ Madam: I would like to suggest that Accounting classes are scheduled on the regular semester not only on Summer session due to a lot of materials to cover and students run out of time to study for the materials or test. Second suggestion to have more than one teacher (at least two) who teaches Accounting class, so that students have a choice to select their teachers. Third suggestion to have accounting classes at night (face to face) at UH Sugar Land campus since a lot of students are full time employees. Fourth suggestion to give more accounting classes to teach for a good rating teacher especially for teaching the advanced accounting which needs more explanation from the teacher rather than self study with a lot of confusion. Fifth suggestion to have tutor available on weekend basis to help students to solve the problems outside classes. Thank you so much and look forward to better changes in the future.

Response

Thank you for your suggestion. As I indicated in my suggestion response in May (suggestion 1196), we are alternating our course schedule at Sugar Land to accommodate both day and evening students. For the coming year, core classes will be split between morning and evening, and accounting concentration courses will be taught in the evening. We anticipate conducting a follow-up survey of our BBA students this fall, which will include both schedule preferences and tutoring needs.

I understand that taking an already-challenging course during an abbreviated summer term can be taxing. However, we’ve established the accounting course rotation as we have to ensure that students have the option of completing their upper-division BBA requirements within two years if they choose. We will continue to conduct periodic evaluations to determine whether our course rotation is meeting the needs of our students.

At this time, our enrollment in accounting courses at Sugar Land is not sufficient to support multiple sections of the concentration courses, so it isn’t always possible for us to duplicate summer classes into a fall or spring semester, or to offer multiple sections of a course within the same semester in order to give students a choice of instructors. However, we will continue to hire highly-qualified doctoral faculty to support our growing programs and ensure that we are offering our students the best instruction possible.

Suggestion — 1207

Subject —Information Sharing

Forwarded to — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Suggestion / Comment

Faculty have a representative in the President's Cabinet? Really? Since I have been in my school (many years now)there are no updates coming from the Dean after President's Cabinet meetings. I doubt this is unique to my school. I heard about the DN3 only through the Newswire and local newspaper stories. Apparently, Education is part of the DN3 as it is in the list of areas one can get a degree. Of course I found this out from the Victoria Advocate, not from anyone in my school or administrators at the University. But is anyone in the SOEHD telling us about our role? No. But that may be because downward expansion and the DN3 is solely for Arts & Sciences and A & S is now taking over the role the SOEHD. I guess I better start looking for another job. Margaret Rice should not be the sole person responding to these requests for information. Faculty (unless you are part of the elite group in A & S involved in DN3) should be getting information from the Deans and Provost about what is happening at the university. When we don't get information from the source we piece things together from various sources and this never turns out well. I will never understand the reasoning behind the administration here to keep people in the dark. It creates distrust and poor morale. We are not children.

Response

Thank you for sharing your concerns about on-campus communication regarding Downward Expansion. The faculty representative on the President’s Cabinet is the President of the Faculty Senate. This past year Dr. Dan Jaeckle has served in that role (among many other responsibilities) and next year Dr. Cindy Schnebly will be President of the Faculty Senate. Minutes of President Cabinet meetings are posted on the President’s website. Most School’s at UHV have few faculty meetings during the semester so the Deans rely on interested faculty to read the posted minutes.

Downward expansion is an all-UHV initiative and opportunity! The School of Arts and Sciences is responsible for teaching courses in the new University Core Curriculum but all UHV faculty need to approve it. The academic programs throughout the University will be the catalysts for attracting new students in and beyond the Golden Crescent. The DN3 is one option and certainly not the only one for new students.

In July Chari Norgard and I met with the Faculty Senate to discuss downward expansion issues, including DN3 and recruiting new-from-high school students. At that meeting I announced that the Academic Council provides a forum for open dialog and planning for downward expansion. At the first fall faculty meetings, Deans will announce to faculty and staff that the Academic Council meetings are open meetings and that they are welcome to attend and participate in discussions. We certainly want all faculty and staff to be knowledgeable about downward expansion and to be welcoming and helpful to all students, not just freshmen and sophomores.

All members of the University administration are interested in your questions, concerns, ideas and suggestions. Please feel free to contact any of us. No one has any intention of keeping anyone “in the dark.”

Suggestion — 1208

Subject —May Commencement Ceremony

Forwarded to — Chief of Staff

Suggestion / Comment

May Commencement Ceremony: If there are no indoor locations in Victoria to hold a Commencement Ceremony without limitation of guest, Why have it in Victoria in the first place???? I'm quite sure there are surrounding locations big enough to hold a ceremony. It didn't seem like that many people for you to make such a statement. I find it hard to believe that extensive study was done before the decision to hold commencement outdoors. This is insane!! We are in SOUTH TEXAS!!! It is as HOT as HELL!!!! Not only was it insane, it was a health risk also! NO want's to have a heat stroke on what's suppose to be the "perfect day"!! 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? In what way can you compensate me for this horrible experience??? I have spent so much money at UHV!!??

Response

I think that I tried to respond to your thoughts last month – it is hard to know since “suggestions” are anonymous. The only suggestion that I could locate in your submission was to find another place around Victoria that is more comfortable. We have looked fairly thoroughly and have yet to find it, but if you hear of an indoor air-conditioned or, even an open-air, but shaded venue that holds 3,000 plus people we would like to know. To hold both fall and spring commencements in Fort Bend County would cause just as much concern from many students and families as you have expressed concerning your ceremony. We are continually evaluating commencement options and will soon be doing so again. I did not see any other suggestions in your submission.

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