Brian Reading
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Everything posted by Brian Reading
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Thanks for the good news. I'm guessing that this will be the new facility on Wheeler Avenue.
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Deleted post.
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I certainly disagree, but remember, I'm not advocating keeping the name either. I think using the distinction "Allen's Landing" will make a lot of difference. Two main things should accompany the name change. Firstly, a large ad campaign should be launched in conjunction with the UH System and quick re-branding should be done. This will allow for education in the community and general public. Secondly, the university needs to look at much more traditional ways of expanding. How about changing their open admission policy? Maybe look into adding athletics programs? Take a look at UH-Victoria! These guys have the right idea for expansion, and probably even a more logical reason for a name change. This is what will truly gain this university recognition. Like I said, nobody sees UCLA as in the shadow of UC Berkeley anymore. Although, this wasn't always the case. It took lots of hard work, not a simple name change. Basically, I guess my main point is that a name change doesn't create recognition, tradition of prestige does. Yes, but having different names hurts those university systems in the same way that UHD's name change could hurt the UH System. I personally feel that the UH System is superior to the Texas State and Texas Tech Systems, so a comparison there isn't worthwhile to me. The Texas A&M University System is also nowhere near as established as the University of Texas System, despite their flagship. I stand by my idea that prominent university system schools want to show solidarity with their respective systems. Separation might fix confusion, but it's throwing out the baby with the bathwater. As I mentioned above, there are better ways to fix this issue. I feel that UHD's public rejection of the UH System does more to hurt my university's quest for Tier I status than help. What do you think?
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What nobody seems to talk about is the damage the name change will cause to the University of Houston SYSTEM! As mentioned above, having "University of Houston" in the name is what allows for name recognition, not because of simply the flagship university, but because it's part of something greater than just one university. Dr. Hoffman, would probably hate to see what Max Castillo has done here. Allowing a university in the system to disregard those system ties is signifying a weak brand recognition for UHS. Our system is fledgling as it is, we don't need more fragmentation, but unification. Let's look at some of the more prominent public university systems in the country. Do you think the universities in the University of California system don't want to be associated with the UC name? How about the universities in the University of Texas System? The fact is that it actually helps to build a university, rather than tear it down. Having a similar name to a "flagship" university in the system doesn't stifle growth either. Just ask UCLA. The school made a name for themselves on their own. UTSA, UTEP, and UTD are starting to do it too. As Chancellor Khator mentioned, there's nothing formally set-up that disallows UHD from being treated equally from UH. Thus I recommend, if there is to be a name change, that it keeps the "University of Houston" in the name. My favorite was "University of Houston-Allen's Landing". It's distinctive, nods to history, is highly Houston-oriented, and upholds brand recognition for the University of Houston System. Hell, it even could be a kinda catchy little abbreviation; UHAL. I hope that they start thinking about this, and allow for UH names again in the new process. What do you guys think?
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Okay, so here's a look at the progress now. Calhoun Lofts appears to have gotten a lot of exterior work done on it. Especially on this side (towards Law Center) Here's an empty lot across from Calhoun Lofts. It's apparently privately owned, and the retail advisors, Page Partners have a sign prominently displayed in front of it. Visiting their website, they have some info on it, and call it the "Cougar Den Plaza". Let's hope they actually do something with this soon, as it's really a premium location for retail. Across from Melcher Hall, right outside the parking lot also on Calhoun I saw this sign marking the location for the "East Parking Garage". And finally, here's what's going on with the new Michael J. Cemo Hall. It's really just a pile of dirt out there. I'm sad that they hadn't done more. Maybe there's just a lot that you can't see.
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The great thing is that even though most of the campus is dead right now due to the holidays, that bar is still lively, and Pizza Hut looked to be busy. More areas like this are key to making students want to stay on-campus outside of class. I can't say if that's the original color, maybe somebody else knows...
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I'm pretty sure it's considered to be officially on-campus. It's pretty much in between the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and the Catholic Newman Center in what was part of the parking lot for the rec center. The land is owned by UH, and in this case the building is owned privately by a company called "Lovett Commercial". Sort of like the operations that Cullen Oaks, Bayou Oaks, and Cambridge Oaks run on-campus. This is opposed to the Welcome Center across the street, where UH owns the land and the physical facility, but lease space for retail.
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It's a faux second floor exteriorly. The only business that utilizes it is The Den with a tall ceiling and a faux second floor interiorly...I hope that makes sense. Let me know if I need to clarify. Yeah, and Moody Towers apparently really needed the restoration. Here's UH Plant Operations' info regarding it. It apparently is at about a million dollar cost.
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Thought you guys may want to see some of the updates on-campus in their current state. These were taken with my iPhone yesterday, and the sun was on its way down, so they're not the best quality. Let me know if you want to see any photos of other things on the campus, and I'll snap some. I'm a current student at the university, and live on-campus so it's no big deal. Here is the new professional/graduate student housing known as Calhoun Lofts near Entrance 1 from Spur 5: This is the new retail area also on Calhoun next to the Recreation Center. The location consists of Maui Wowi (a tea/drink franchise http://www.mauiwowi.com/), Subway, Pizza Hut (take-out only), a textbook buyback/reseller, and a nice new bar called "The Den". These guys have an High Definition projector, and several TVs with satellite. This is Moody Towers being restored/sealed. They're currently sandblasting and painting the exterior, and they're not done yet, so it's crazy looking.
