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News

New circular facilitates information flow

NSM newsletter serves to inform, entertain, provide forum 
for students to voice concerns

by LORI MARTINEZ
The Daily Cougar

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is developing new ways to keep student informed about college events and scholarship opportunities.

The In the Know newsletter was launched in mid-February and includes information about graduation, enrollment and campus organizations.

The newsletter, which has already pubished two editions, is distributed by the NSM dean's office.

On Friday the newsletter, which is already available online, will be made available to students via old ashtray boxes.

Chris Cheatham, a UH alumni in charge of the newsletter's content, is the visionary behind the In the Know newsletter. 

Cheatham worked with the University to convert unused ashtray boxes in the seven buildings used by NSM students into literature holders for the newsletter.

"These boxes have been in the buildings for years. We figure why not convert those boxes into something useful for students," Cheatham said.

He also worked with colleagues in the college to create a decal for the boxes to help students identify the newsletter. The boxes are officially called, "Your station for information," Cheatham said.

Other types of information will also be distributed at the boxes, including flyers about campus events.

"I just saw the need for improved communication between the college and the students," Cheatham said. "I saw this as a great way to broadcast (information) to students and keep them informed."

The newsletter highlights research and ambassador programs. Students will also be notified about application deadlines and inductions. 

In April, the newsletter will address students' questions about graduation.

"One thing we're really excited about (is) we're going to have an In the Know newsletter devoted to graduation." 

The newsletter is designed to unite NSM students taking classes across campus and to keep them informed about relevant scholarship opportunities. 

"This will put more of a face to the college," Cheatham said. "We kept it upbeat with lots of pictures for students to see."

The newsletter already takes many forms including the hardcopy newsletter, found in all of the NSM buildings, e-mail notifications and a link on the NSM Web site.

A flat screen monitor was installed in the hallway of the Science and Research Building 1 in January as a way to notify NSM students about important dates and events.

News clips delivered by Cheatham as a way to entertain and inform students will be shown on the new monitor. 

Students can also voice concerns via the newsletter. Cheatham said input from students will be used to improve the newsletter and the college.

"It's very important that they contact us," Cheatham said. "The program is here for them so we just want to hear from them."

Cheatham also said the college will try to install more monitors in other buildings that have a steady flow of NSM students.

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