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News

Gogue, science complex mulled

Hermes says Board of Regents working to make potential switch 
to new president smooth as possible

by MAYRA CRUZ
The Daily Cougar

Faculty members expressed concern over the possible departure of UH President and UH System Chancellor Jay Gogue and the status of the Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex at the Spring Faculty Assembly and Faculty Senate meeting at the Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion on Wednesday.

The chairman of the UH Board of Regents, Leroy Hermes, was invited as a guest speaker at the meeting to address some of the changes occurring in the UH System.

Hermes addressed the construction of new buildings in accordance with the master plan, legislation and the possible replacement of President Gogue, who is currently the sole finalist for the presidency of Auburn University.

In regard to president Gogue's possible replacement, Hermes said the board will take steps to ease the transition for the University.

Faculty members also raised questions about the newly built science building, which is currently not used for teaching, but was built to attract outside research.

The new science building is not being used for teaching but left empty as a "shell" building, meaning that potential researchers would be able to customize laboratories to conduct specific research. Several professors expressed concerns that the idea behind the building as a means to attract scientific investigation with research grants is not a feasible plan.

Hermes also said he is working with the current session of the Texas Legislature to help develop the governor's agenda for higher education. The four universities in the UH system are combining in a joint effort to lobby the Legislature, Hermes said.

"The Legislature, for the first time since I can remember, everyone there generally recognizes that higher education needs to be treated differently," Hermes said.

Faculty Senate President Joseph Kotarba expressed a need to work more closely with the Student Government Association. In the past, Kotarba said, the Faculty Senate has worked with the SGA only in times of crisis, but now wants to establish stronger ties between the two organizations.

The issue of faculty parking permits was also raised. A resolution was passed unanimously March 5 that states parking rates should not increase beyond the annual percentage of faculty salary raises.

Physics professor Alex Ignatiev said that faculty should not have to pay for parking at all.

"Faculty at this institution ought not to pay parking at all -- we contribute a service to the community," Ignatiev said.

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