HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After greater than 5 a long time, Houston Group Faculty will quickly be Houston Metropolis Faculty.
On Wednesday night time, HCC’s Board of Trustees voted to begin branding the faculty in a 6 to three vote.
“It is concerning the college students, scholar successes, and we wish our college students to have a lot of successes,” HCC Board of Trustees Chair Eva Loredo stated.
Loredo stated the title change was first introduced earlier than the board final 12 months. The faculty launched a research to find out what components of the faculty’s title and notion mattered most to college students. The research discovered that whereas most individuals felt the phrase “group” meant a terrific deal to them, in addition they stated they need their faculty to be seen as greater than only a group faculty. The research additionally exhibits that dropping the phrase “junior” or “group” is a rising development throughout the state.
Loredo stated by changing the phrase “group,” she’s hoping future employers will not overlook the faculty as a severe instructional establishment.
“You could have selections, and you may rent somebody, and also you go, ‘Let me take a look at their diploma,’ or ‘Let me see the place they got here from,’ and so this fashion, then they see Houston Metropolis Faculty, they’re going to suppose twice about hiring them versus possibly Houston Group Faculty,” Loredo stated.
She’s additionally hoping the scholars will not really feel deterred from placing a junior faculty on the high of their checklist.
“We nonetheless have some who say that I will bypass the group and go straight to the college, after which they arrive again to us,” Loredo stated.
Whereas some college students could not have picked HCC, Loredo stated there hasn’t been an affect on enrollment.
The title change handed with a majority, however three trustees did vote towards it, saying they do not need alumni, college students, or future college students to imagine this additionally means a change in mission or the affordability related to a group faculty, particularly as pending laws could change who’s eligible for Pell Grants.
“I would a lot want that cash roll over to subsequent 12 months and truly assist the scholars who’re going to be shedding funding and having additional challenges,” trustee Monica Richart stated.
“One factor that got here screaming via the survey knowledge loud and clear is that that the group sees the title group in our group faculty as a sign of our affordability, and I believe a change of that title would sign that that affordability is not going to be there for them,” trustee Sean Cheben stated.
Loredo stated this title change won’t affect tuition, and that any value tied to the title change is already constructed into the funds, although she couldn’t say what the ultimate price ticket could also be.
“The main focus goes to be extra on the packages we’ve to supply, and once more, the affordability, the supply to the scholars,” Loredo stated.
Wednesday night time’s vote shall be formalized in August. College students and alumni who need to weigh in on the change are welcome to contact the board of trustees. Loredo was not in a position to say if alumni will be capable of have their diplomas reprinted, however stated they’re nonetheless legitimate.
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