There was much reason for applause at the onset of the University of Houston Staff Council Spring Forum.

The annual event allows staff to ask questions to UH President Jay Gogue and his cabinet, but before the forum began, it was announced that starting this summer, UH will increase its staff scholarships from $750 a semester to $1,200. And for the first time, UH will award the scholarships for the summer semester. Now, staff members can receive scholarships three times a year – fall, spring and summer.

Staff Council’s Staff Affairs Committee is currently creating applications for its summer scholarships. They will be available later this semester.

During the question-and-answer session, the focus shifted to the upcoming hurricane season, which begins in June. Considering the lasting aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, one staff member asked what lessons did UH learned from these two disasters.

“One of the things we learned was the importance of adapting our decisions to the changing situation,” said John Rudley, vice president of finance and administration. “After Katrina and before Rita, we began preparing ourselves. The one thing that we learned from Katrina is that there was little on-the-spot decision-making.”

A later question centered on Cullen Performance Hall’s (CPH) upcoming status as a classroom and commencement facility and whether it would still be used for various events and functions. Considering the hall’s numerous uses — hosting performances, guest lecturers and staging Cougar First Impressions — some staff members were concerned that UH would lose a valuable resource.

Donald Foss, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, responded that due to a shortage of campus space CPH will be used for academic purposes, but it would still be used for various events. Such functions would have to be scheduled around classes.

UH merchandise was another topic discussed at the forum. One staff member questioned why so many other universities’ products could be easily found in stores around Houston, but UH products were scarce.

John Robinson, assistant director for athletics, said that the demand for a university’s products is dependent on the success of its teams. Still, he encouraged everyone to ask for UH products at local stores. As more merchants realize that there is a demand for red and white Cougar items, they may begin stocking the shelves with UH-related gear.

Foss then recalled a recent visit to the Galleria in which he asked a store clerk for a UH cap.

“He said ‘they didn’t carry any,’” Foss said. “I asked, why not, and he responded that there was no demand. I then corrected him, and told him that I was demanding one. My response to this is let’s all go request some UH paraphernalia.”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu