Staff Holds Town Hall Meeting

By Nancy Nguyen

At the joint meeting of the Professional Administration Staff Association and Support Staff Association held April 9, the groups discussed the current and future endeavors of the university.  These meetings are held once a year and are open to all staff, faculty and students of University of Houston-Clear Lake.
The topics ranged from budgets and funding to job security and campus safety, as well as ongoing developments in student services. One of the topics that many attendees were concerned about was how the economy has affected the school and its funding.
In this tough economy, many employees are concerned about pay cuts and losing their jobs.  President William Staples assured those in attendance that the university would not be cutting jobs.  
“Our number one priority is compensation,” Staples said. “Not that we don’t value other priorities.”
 Staples talked about how the Texas Legislature could change state laws, possibly affecting future funding for the school.
“We do not know what is going to happen,” Staples said. “This is important for two reasons, at present our funding comes from two sources. It comes from formula funding from the state based on credit hours and from disciplines, such as education, business, and science, by degree levels, like bachelors and masters.”
Staples spoke of how stimulus money from the government will help stabilize concerns for now; however, he also noted that this is a one time endowment. He also mentioned how steadying sales taxes will help the overall economy, therefore, benefiting the university and other businesses.
In speaking about downward expansion, Staple reminded the audience that it had been shelved until 2011, but not stopped permanently.
“The four-year expansion could be reality in fall of 2012,” said Richard Adams, director of operations.
Staples spoke about this being important to the university’s growth and increasing its status in the Clear Lake community.
“Another issue that I was pleased to see included was the fact the rumors about layoffs are not true,” Adams said. “I will retire from UHCL.”
Another concern was for the safety of employees and students.  There has been an increase in crime in the area including events at UHCL.
“If you think you see something suspicious, call the police department,” Staples said.  “We are safer than most places in this region, but due to events that have happened, I ask all of you not to become complacent.”
Carl Stockton, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, spoke about changes in the spring that will introduce reverse articulation.
“To remind you what reverse articulation means is basically when a students comes to our university before completing their associate’s degree,” Stockton said. “Let’s say they have six to ten hours left to complete that degree and they come to the university and take the hours. Those hours can then be articulated back to the community college and they will receive their associate’s degree.”
On another note, Michelle Dotter, vice president for administration and finance, plans to work with the school’s Risk Management Department on different environmental projects such as planting trees and flowers on the campus.  She also spoke about leadership programs and culture changes that will be taking place on the UHCL campus.
“In helping with the environment our campus is making moves towards a paperless campus,” Dotter said.
She informed employees about new training programs currently on paperwork that is being converted to computers. Dotter reassured employees not to worry, the change would be as painless as possible.
“Over all I think the meeting went very well,” said Fran Davis, president of the support staff association. “I may be sounding bias, but I am a big fan of Dr. Staples because he honestly shows his concern for everyone here at the university.”