The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board require accredited universities to provide a minimum of 45 contact hours per semester. Not adhering to the requirement could result in the loss of the university’s accreditation that, among other things, would result in losing eligibility for giving financial aid to students.

In an Academic Affairs meeting held Sept. 18, school officials met to discuss possible ways to meet the 45-contact-hour rule.

Following the meeting, Carl Stockton, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, sent an e-mail to UHCL faculty stating, “The associate vice presidents, deans, associate deans and department chairs agreed to have face-to-face classes made up on a Friday/Saturday schedule.”

The decision to hold Friday/Saturday classes was made because of the difficulty in accommodating more than 1,000 courses scheduled back-to-back Monday through Thursday.

Stockton said they are really only asking for most classes to make up one 3-hour block.

The makeup schedule for face-to-face classes begins Oct. 10. Students should receive updated syllabi that reflect the makeup time by Oct. 1.

Online and Web-enhanced classes will adjust the course assignments and schedules to ensure that all course content is covered.

“We provided some structure and created a grid,” said Yvette Bendeck, associate vice president for enrollment management, regarding the makeup schedule. “It is a framework in which faculty, in an organized way, can work with the student.”

Bendeck stressed that there is flexibility in the structure and stated the only things not flexible are cutting material from classes and skipping the makeup time.

UHCL understands there will be conflicts with the schedule and has requested for teachers to work with their associate deans to resolve them, but to “adhere to the proposed schedule as much as possible.”

These makeup classes are the same as a regular class. For students who are unable to attend the makeup, it will be counted as a regular absence.

“We are trying as much as possible to support students as we go along,” Bendeck said.

Stockton encouraged students who are worried about catching up to talk with faculty before dropping, and try to work it out. The drop deadline is Oct. 27.

“Students are people, first and foremost,” said Raymond Pledger, director of masters program in clinical psychology.

In addition to dealing with the stress of Hurricane Ike, students are dealing with practical problems, which build bigger effects as they accumulate.

“Expect that you are going to have signs of stress,” Pledger said. “It is a stressful situation.”

Psychological Services is offering free individual, couple and family counseling to community members affected by Ike. Non-UHCL students should contact UHCL Psychological Services at 281-283-3330.

Pledger urges students to talk to their professors and to take advantage of UHCL’s student counseling services, particularly if their stress is developing into more serious problems.

“A lot of our students have experienced a great deal of trauma,” said Betty Brown, coordinator of outreach services, “It is helpful to talk about what is going on and exchange stories.”

The Office of Career and Counseling Services offers daily support groups at noon and 4 p.m. through Oct. 2 in the Student Services and Classroom Building, Room 3.103, for UHCL students in need. Individual and group counseling services are also available for free. More information and handouts are available at www.uhcl.edu/counseling services.

Students who have academic questions should work with their professors and advising office. Stockton stressed that faculty should work with the students as much as possible.