UHD Composition Program

NAVIGATING: UNIVERSITY

Administration: The University of Houston-Downtown is one of four institutions within the University of Houston system. The others are the University of Houston (sometimes "Main Campus" or "Central Campus"), the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and the University of Houston-Victoria. Despite the geographic proximity, each of the campuses is independently administered, although they share a Board of Regents. (The U of H system is like a state system, but primarily in one city.) At UHD, the current university administration is organized as follows:

President: Dr. Max Castillo (625-S, ext. 8001)
Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost: Dr. Molly Woods (950-S, ext. 8003)
Vice President for Administration: Mr. David Michael Bradley (405-S, ext.8179)
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs: Dr. Patrick Williams (950-S, ext. 8982)
Associate Vice President for Policy and Planning: Dr. J. David Fairbanks (950-S, ext. 8941)

There are five colleges within the university:

College of Business, Dean Donald Bates (1009-N)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dean Susan Ahern (1015-S)
College of Sciences and Technology, Dean George Pincus (723-N)
University College (for undeclared majors), Dean Chris Birchak (655-S)
College of Public Service, Dean Beth Pelz (625A-S)

English is a department within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Within the same College is the Department of Arts and Humanities, which houses art and art history, communication studies, drama and drama history, humanities, French, Spanish, music, and music history. The Department of Social Sciences houses history, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy.

Bathrooms: On the tenth floor the women's bathroom is located across from the printer room (1032-S). The men's bathroom is located next to the water fountains in the middle corridor near 1070-South.

Benefits: Benefits are handled through the Employment Services & Operations in 910-South. Van Le (x8443, LeVan@uhd.edu ) is the primary contact person. There is one health care plan (Blue Cross and Blue Shield) for adjunct faculty. An adjunct must teach at least three courses to bring the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) to .60 (this means that you will have to pay a portion). An adjunct must teach five classes to bring the FTE to 1.0 (which means that, with five classes, the University will pay for your health coverage). Any changes in policy are usually sent out in late spring or summer. Contact Van Le for more specific information.

Directions (to and from campus): UHD is located between Main Street (a two-way street) and Travis (a one-way going north), between the Buffalo Bayou and the White Oak Bayou, just south of I-10. The official address is:

University of Houston-Downtown

One Main Street

Houston, TX 77002

The faculty garage is most easily accessed by following Travis Street north across the bayou (which basically means following signs for I-45 North) and turning right at the stop light on Girard Street, just after passing under the railroad bridge. For specific directions from various highways and byways, dial ext. 8130. See also http://www.uhd.edu/about/map.htm.

Email: Important departmental business is communicated on email and all faculty are expected to their email at least once a week. Faculty members get free email accounts through the university when hired. There is also a dial-up service available to allow you to access UHD and the Internet from home; for this, contact Information Resources at ext. 3000.

The English Language Institute offers courses for non-native speakers. This Institute is a private business, not part of UHD's academic program. It is located on S606. The phone number is 713-221-8047.

The Faculty Senate is the body that represents the faculty in the governance system of UHD. There are members from all departments; English has three representatives. Senators are elected for 2-year terms. Although the Senate has no power to implement or enact specific policies, it actively seeks to ensure that policies are enforced and revised as necessary. The Senate advises and works with the administration on many levels.

Food: During the long semesters, the cafeteria on the third floor is open from Monday through Thursday 7am-7pm, Friday 7am-2pm, and Saturday 8am-1pm. Closed Sundays. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited. Vegetables are frequently cooked with bacon or pork fat, especially bean dishes. It is worth asking if items on the Veggie Plate are made with meat products (rice made with chicken stock, beans made with pork, ham, or bacon), but workers are frequently uninformed. While something is always available, be aware that the hours and days of service of individual food sites varies, especially over breaks and summer sessions. Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian, Cajun, and Mediterranean food is available within walking distance.

Because of the downtown revitalization , many new cafes and restaurants are emerging along and around Main Street. If you have time, it is worth taking a walk and seeing what you can find.

Identification cards: Your ID cards are required to purchase a parking permit, use the library, and use the Academic Computing Lab. You may obtain an identification card at S204. You must present documentation from the English Department identifying yourself as an adjunct faculty member working in the Department. Each semester you must obtain a new sticker for your ID card.

Jesse Jones Student Life Center: The Jesse Jones Student Life Center is a facility that houses a basketball and racquetball court, exercise equipment, a workout room, and locker rooms. It is accessible from the first and third levels of the main building on the north side. It is not connected to the main building -- you must cross a bit of open space. The Center offers intramural activities for students, as well as many classes for faculty, staff, and students (i.e., dance, aerobics, martial arts, etc.). The phone # is 221-8227. To use the facilities you must have a current semester sticker on your ID and fill out a form at the front desk. (Note: there is no swimming pool.)

Lockers: In the hallway near the adjunct office (S-1099) are a number of lockers. At the beginning of each semester, you may temporarily claim one of them by writing your name next to a locker's number on the list posted on the bulletin board in the Faculty Lounge (S-1048). You might also sign up for a locker in the Dean's Office in S-1015. You must provide your own lock. Lockers must be emptied and locks removed by the day after the semester's grades are due.

Lost and Found: See Police Services .

Parking: Adjunct faculty members are entitled to purchase a semester-long parking permit for $10.00. Present your faculty ID at the Parking Office (S-390). The main faculty/staff parking garage fills quickly during peak teaching hours. However, lots on Wood Street and, especially, Washington Street provide additional availabilities. Keep this in mind and arrive early for your classes. If you park illegally, the campus police will ticket you and eventually have you towed. Adjuncts have to renew their parking permits at the beginning of each semester. If you forget, your magnetic key will not work. Parking for guest lecturers is available in the visitors' parking area if you reserve with the UHD police in advance. Ask in the Department office for a parking-token that will allow your visiting lecturer to use this area free of charge.

Police Services: UHD Police Department is located in 118-North. Their extension is x8065. For information about police assistance, call boxes (located on all elevators, entrances/exits, and in parking facilities), escort assistance (for accompaniment to your vehicle), motor assistance (the police will help you if you lock your keys in your car), and lost and found, go to the link below. Also, see Security . http://www.uhd.edu/campus/pd/pdservices.html .

Room Numbers: Admittedly, the room numbering system is confusing. Just remember that the Main Building has two wings---North and South, and the other building is cleverly labeled the Academic Building. The Main Building has ten floors, and the Academic Building has seven floors. The first number(s) of the room indicates floor level, the last two numbers indicate specific room on that floor, and the letter indicates which building. Thus, N-625 is on the 6th floor on the north side, S-625 is 6th floor on the south side, and A-625 is on the 6th floor of the Academic Building. IMPORTANT: The Main Building and the Academic Building are only connected on the third and sixth levels, so to get to other floors, you must use one of those two levels. There are several elevators in each tower as well as in the Academic Building.

Security: If you have a security concern, contact the UHD Police Department at x8065; they are often able to provide an escort to your car or other location on campus. The Police Department is located on the north side of the building on the first floor; the Chief is Richard Boyle. As you walk around outside the buildings (e.g., in the parking garage), you will also see emergency call boxes that connect you with the police department.

Sports: UHD has a number of intramural sports teams that operate out of the Student Life Center . Additionally, we are very proud of our competitive College Bowl team (the sport of the mind), which represents UHD at official College Bowl Tournaments.

Student Life Center: See Jesse Jones Student Life Center .

Weather Concerns: Occasionally, university services will be affected by weather. The most likely problem is flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Should the university need to close, announcements will be made on the UHD website and local radio and television stations.

In general, you should be aware of places around UHD that are subject to flash flooding, such as the Girard Street exit from UHD.

Writing Proficiency Exam: The WPE is a written exam that every student must pass in order to graduate from UHD. The exam requires students to write one essay from a choice of topics. The Office of the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs administers the test. Each essay is read and evaluated by a faculty member who is paid by the essay. Chairs usually ask for volunteers for this service activity. Each essay is about 2 pages long, and you may have to read anywhere from 20 to 50 essays. No written comments are necessary -- only a judgment of pass/fail.