Archived Suggestions :: March 2009

Suggestion — 1182

Subject — New UHV Staff Members

Forwarded to — Director, Human Resources

Suggestion / Comment

It would be nice to know when staff members move from one department to another. Often times the news is heard through the grapevine instead of directly, making some people feel they are totally out of the loop. If the aim is a cohesive staff unit, timely information would be appreciated. If you can post a job opening, you can surely let everyone know when positions are filled. This would be good for new hires as well as promotions from within. Consider it a kind of introduction. I realize most departments physically walk the person around to introduce them, but if I'm out of the office I must keep up with the "gossip". I am guilty of calling someone only to find out they no longer work in that department...oops. Information is power, please empower me!

Response

We try to let everyone know when someone is leaving/transferring/retiring when we post the position that is being vacated. We also send out a "notification list" of hires/transfers/terminations to those on a need to know basis, for example, Information Technology, Budget, Telecommunications, etc. If you need to be on that list, please let us know. Thank you for your suggestion.

Suggestion — 1183

Subject — Faculty Diversity

Forwarded to — Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Suggestion / Comment

I am in the process of deciding a UH campus to attend for a business degree. Instructor diversity is important to me in my decision. What does the university plan to do to hire more diverse instructors in the business department? Thank you.

Response

Valuing diversity in its faculty, student body and staff is strong at UHV. Every faculty position announcement is sent to multiple publications to attract a diverse pool of applicants. Search committee members are asked to circulate position announcements to their colleagues around the world. Interview schedules and questions are designed to be consistent for all interviewed. In the past three years we have made progress in diversifying the faculty but we recognize that this commitment must continue.

Suggestion — 1184

Subject — Student Workers

Forwarded to — Sr. Director, Student and Academic Services

Suggestion / Comment

I believe that student workers need to have some type of general training given by the University. Many of these student workers have never held "real" jobs before, so they need training on how to dress, what to do when they can't come to work, how to answer the phone & greet visitors, etc. - just general office training. Unfortunately, when they are hired, staff is busy training on them on the particular office where they will work, and there is no time for general office training. Thanks.

Response

Thank you for your suggestion. We have been working on an "Orientation to Working UHV" for student workers that will address specifically many of the items you mention in your suggestion. We hope to meet with those managers whose offices hire most student workers in the next month to review this online information and talk more about the logistics of implementing this "orientation" university wide. We want to ensure that each unit/department still provides specific training necessary for students in that department but that this orientation provides the "general office training" that you suggest.

Suggestion — 1185

Subject — Summer Flex Schedule

Forwarded to — Director, Human Resources

Suggestion / Comment

My question is about the summer flex schedule. How effective is it for part of the university to be here on Friday afternoons and the other part not. If you are here you can't get any work done because most of the depts. are closed. Students come in looking for help and there is no one to help them. I think the whole school should close or the whole school should be open. It's not cost effective either, the electricity is running for a few people where the AC and lights could go off at noon and save some extra dollars.

Response

The Summer Flex Schedule is reviewed each year by the President’s Cabinet. The Summer Flex Schedule was originally adopted the Summer of 2006 after a study and recommendation came forward from Staff Council. The study found that 95% of staff were in favor of a Summer Flex Schedule. They also determined “that based on the information provided it was agreed that the cost savings would not be significant enough to warrant a change based only on utility savings; however, it was agreed that adopting a Summer Flex Schedule would be a good benefit for employees.” Another survey is being conducted by Staff Council this month concerning Summer Flex Schedules and the results will be provided to President’s Cabinet. Many colleges and universities have summer flex schedules, including UH-Clear Lake and Victoria College. Summer hours are posted on the university’s web page for the public. If you have concerns about the Summer Flex Schedule, you may want to contact Denise Prescott, Staff Council President. Thank you for your input.

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