Hi 83 / Lo 67
|
Hi 83 / Lo 67 |
Student Publications
©1991-2007
Last modified:
Contact:
|
Volume 71, Issue 120,
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
News University changes on-hold messages Telephone services provide more news about campus deadlines, projects and programs by ALLISON WARDZINSKI
More changes are on the way for the on-hold telephone service at the University. On Monday, the live radio broadcasts that usually play when anyone is placed on hold were switched to informative segments that feature UH programs and projects. A new on-hold line targeted toward students is in the works. Callers now listen to information about the $45 million M.D. Anderson Memorial Library expansion project and the highly ranked health and intellectual property law programs. Previously, callers placed on hold listened to music and news programming from Houston Public Radio KUHF 88.7. "We partnered up with Information Technology to create these messages, so that they would be University of Houston specific messages," associate vice president of public affairs Wendy Adair said. "We'll be able to change these at least once a month. We'll add new ones and rotate some things off, and we are collecting ideas from the colleges and from students about what great news and facts about the University they'd love to hear." Adair said she hopes a second line specifically for student callers will be operational by the end of April. "When we were working with all the admissions people and the student services people, we came up with a lot of information points that would work really well for students, and so we are going to do a different line for that," she said. The student line will be on the phones in admissions and enrollment services and other departments that deal with mostly student callers. "It'll have jazz music," Adair said "And the messages will be a combination of the kinds of messages that you hear on this main line, and also information about when applications are due, and what website to go to find out more stuff for students." The voice behind the messages is Marisa Ramirez, a media relations representative with UH external communication. Ramirez is a former reporter and anchor at Newsradio 740 KTRH and served as the spokesperson for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. "I did the on-hold for (Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston) as well," she said. "Again with the same concept, to just talk more about the organization. So it's really a great idea and a great opportunity for people to hear more about UH, things that are going on —— interesting things, so that if you have to be on hold, well, at least you're hearing some cool things." Ramirez said that the student messages are the next thing on the agenda. She said these messages will include information about deadlines for scholarships. "We are very thankful that we are able to use the facilities of the beautiful KUHF studios," Ramirez said. "So I will be recording with them, through their generosity probably within the next week or so, some new messages that are for student services." Ramirez said she was pleased to be asked to do the
messages. "I'm happy to obviously help out UH, which is also my alma mater,
in any way that they need," she said.
Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
To contact the
To contact other members
of
 |