Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                            Matt Dulin    Barrett Goldsmith    Zach Lee 
                Jim Parsons            Christian Schmidt           Blake Whitaker

Staff status

UH President Jay Gogue softened the crowd at the Staff Council Spring Forum on Wednesday afternoon with jokes about the McDonald's super-size menu, but if the results from the faculty climate survey are evidence enough, the staff is already comfortable.

Gogue seems to have the right attitude toward the staff and lends an attentive ear to their concerns.

Responding to inquiries voiced last semester, Gogue drew applause by announcing that $300,000 had been allocated to fund scholarships for staff members who want to begin or continue their higher education at UH. Half that money came from the provost's office.

The money is well-spent, if a little late. UH-Clear Lake and UH-Downtown already have staff tuition funds -- and our administration should regret not committing to a fund here sooner.

Now, administrators have to figure out how the money will be distributed, looking at other UH campuses for guidance while weighing how to be equitable to staff needs here.

It's a small but meaningful step for Gogue in connecting with staff members. Parking is just as big an issue with staff as it is students, and Gogue knows this. In discussing the parking garage proposal, which will see a Board of Regents vote in April, Gogue said that while a garage won't mend everyone's parking woes, it's a step in the right direction.

Noting Gov. Perry's call for "healthy" state employees, Gogue also said the administration is looking into extending Campus Recreation and Wellness Center service to staff members at a lower cost -- another perk for UH staff looking for a reason to stick around, as if the free education weren't enough.

The University has to compete with the private sector for talented staff members, so it's nice to see an administration that recognizes the staff as valuable to the University. Moves like these will help UH recruit and retain the people who make the University work.


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