Comments on: UHD to Pick New Name: The University of Mexico in Houston?

By: Willie Huggins

Willie Huggins — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:31:41 +0000

Houston State University

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:14:48 +0000

I second your notion, Miles!

By: Miles

Miles — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:21:08 +0000

As a UHD Alumnus I believe that one of the great misconception of our school is the implied inner city mission supported by the open admissions status. Sure there is a revolving door of first year students who are not the normal college demographic, but the majority of people that the school graduates have two things in common, they live outside the loop and they are transfer student finishing a degree started elsewhere. I’ll admit that I learned those bits a couple of years ago, but I would bet they still stand. No matter what the name becomes, we need to get away from labeling UHD as a starting point for poor performers and get it recognized as a finishing point for top performers.

By: Jamie Barnes

Jamie Barnes — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:07:05 +0000

Your characterization of the campus being in the shadow of a freeway overpass is very misleading. Whatever you have to say good or bad about the school, its main structure — the old M&M Building — is quite an impressive, attractive building that stands out even against the backdrop of much taller buildings nearby. I think in terms of overall square-footage, this is still one of the 10 or 15 largest buildings in Houston.

For the record, I think the name change is stupid and misguided. So what if MOST campuses with the name “Downtown” in them are satellite campuses? UH-Downtown should remain unique in that regard.

If there really is a significant and damaging perception problem with the campus, it stems from the fact that — as far as institutions of higher learning go — this is a new one, created in 1969. Colleges only truly develop their own identities after decades. They only (wisely) change their names when the mission of the school changes enough to merit such a move.

University of Houston-Downtown is the perfect name for the school.

By: Anthony O.

Anthony O. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:27:55 +0000

I think and believe that the current name Identifies UH-D quiet sufficiently from Its senior sister school. UH is UH while UH-D is UH-D. All this argument about a name change is utterly disrespectful. For what the institution and its faculty have done to make it what it is
It is utterly wrong for the President, Mr. Castillo, who in a few months wont be having any tie downs to the institution of which he has faithfully and grandly helped make what it is today to even think and promote. If this was a sovereign nation, and I was the justice, then this would be considered treason. But I guess that’s not the situation.
To be fair, we have many who are for the idea of the name change, but look here, Y’ALL, there is a lot that is seen about this and there is a lot that is not visible, not just yet.
But here is the breakdown, suggesting the name change is fine, guess what, that is just the begining, in the aftermath, there will be a lot to be done, first, it will be the physical name change, the posters, the signs among other things. The state would then mandate that UHD ceases to exist and guess what else…. legal challenges would kick in…
thats just to mention just two of the case scenarios that will be inevitable to avoid. Even after the legislature approving this grotesque of an idea, guess what, it will not be willing fully fund this situation we are discussing, guess who will have to fund all this changes…… probably Y…… I will let you finish it for. I’m telling its going to be really expensive and i can guarantee you one thing , the state will not be there to help
For the Alumni,” mr. robbie cooper”, It is easy for you to bring a suggestion like this, but I do have a question, since you know that these two institutions are separate, independent and distinct from each other why do you think that other people would or are having a problem distinguishing the two institutions. I think and feel that all you are trying to do is have some kind of a guerrilla thinking of lets show them that we can fight WITHOUT A REASON without ever thinking of what other people think and feel about it. Dont get me wrong, you are entitled to your own opinion, but not try and persuade people about situations that you know you dont have an understanding of. And oh! this is Texas and further more its an American territory. You are free to start a Mexico University, but you know where? in MEXICO….. check the Capitalization of Mexico and check your name somewhere in the text. see the difference.
and check the difference in your thoughts….
signing out..

Anthony Owiso

By: Chris Von Dohlen

Chris Von Dohlen — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:27:53 +0000

University of Mexico or whatever that is and also the possibility of Saguine in the title is the dumbest things I’ve ever heard and quite disrespectful!!! We are in Texas which this state did everything to get away from Mexico…who ever suggested those names must be Mexican. Having Saguine is even more ridiculous bc that had to do with that historical figure trying to take over Texas and keep it away from the rest of the states. But of course since the downtown campus has a larger urban poulation your gonna get these stupid suggestions from those people. There is no chance in hell the board of UHD will ever let that happen. Texas is the proudest state in the US. Texas didn’t even want to be apart of the US so why the hell would they feel any less about MEXICO!! But like I said all those opinions and suggestions come from the Mexican population at UHD which is by far the largest at that campus. UHD needs to associate it’s name with being in the city because we all know that it’s in the heart of the city of Houston. It’s completely offensive to hear these opinions about names…those folks need to go ahead and retire their hot air balloons and just be appreciative and make use of all the free tuition theyre receiving!!!

By: Don Caleb

Don Caleb — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:21:48 +0000

Look bottom line is that this is all pure ignorrance! President Castillo knew the name of the school when he took the position as President and the people at the Main campus( yeah i said main campus) need not to worry about the miniscuole B.S. as their name being tarnished! university of Houston is not some Ivy league institution that has that much to offer!
I have seen worse learning, teaching and social life at UH than any University in the greater houston Metro area! President Castillo shouldn’t get caught up in the name game! neither should the UH system! If we were/ are not part of the UH system why did the Interm President speak at the Fall 2007 graduation of UHD? This is all so stupid and I am personally appauld and disturbed that this would even be discussed!
I attended both Universities and feel that I learned more at UHD be it that the classes are smaller, the professors give a damn at UHD and you are a person at UHD not just a person in a damn enourmous class! And believe me i have had numerous intellectual conversations with students from UH, Texas AM, UT and numerous other schools and I blow them out of the water with what I know and have learned from UHD!
Leave UHD students, professors and our damn name alone!

By: Brian Spencer

Brian Spencer — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:49:16 +0000

Gulf Coast University? Absolutely and utterly WEAK. That would make the school sound like it is implanted upon an oil rig.

My three suggestions include: Houston University, Houston International University, or Houston Metropolitan State University.

But out of those three, my favor rests with Houston University. Why? It gives it more distinction and follows in the footsteps of great schools like Auburn University, Miami University, and most notably, New York University (which is obviously a sprawling urban campus like UHD; but is a very hard school to get into, unlike UHD). Heck, UH isn’t even that hard to get into yet people IN Houston tend to put UH on a pedestal of glory. I can say this as I am a former UH student who transferred to UHD’s College of Business to pursue a degree UH’s Bauer College of Business didn’t have – a BBA in International Business.

Houston University is appealing. We could do what NYU (New York University) is doing. Build new schools where space permits, and if space doesn’t permit, we can rent out space in buildings downtown and have flags outside noting their location and affiliation with HU (Houston University).

Take a look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NYU-Gallatin_School.jpg

Right now, UHD has the potential to rise above UH. But it all depends on the name we choose, how we decide to progress with building new schools, acquiring more space in downtown Houston, and offering more degrees (all the way to the doctorate level). And although we are doing the community a favor by offering an “open admissions” policy, I do strongly feel that UHD needs to change its admissions policy a bit. That will also help build a positive reputation for UHD (soon to be called Houston University, maybe). We really should require some sort of SAT or ACT score upon entrance. Students who engage in taking these examinations tend to show more determination to finish college, thus decreasing our “drop-out rate” (as stated by the author of this blog). In the beginning, we don’t have to require high SAT or ACT scores, but SOMETHING. And like I said, it’s not like UH required any score of significance when I was attending there.

And remember, it’s the alumni who actually do something with their degrees that give a school its good reputation. Every school was a new school at one point. It’s up to us to give it a good, STRONG name.

Higher learning. Strive for excellence. Houston University.

By: JC

JC — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:13:04 +0000

I personally think that this university should not change its name, but if they must, then why not name it “Downtown University Houston” I think that sounds more professional and more in line with what a university should sound like.

By: Toni

Toni — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:39:28 +0000

I understand the reason for changing the name of the University, but to change the name to identify a particular race is crazy. If this were to be done this would require the University to change the school’s name each time the enrollment status changes. Location, founder, or specialities usually name schools, not the race of the attendees. If this were the case we should change the name of Texas Southern University to the University of African Americans.

Ridiculous suggestions and changes will only limit the University.

My choice Houston University!!! It’s in Houston

Senior