UScholars postpones move

Undergraduate Scholars, a program that provides academic support and services to undergraduate students, is delaying its move to the M.D. Anderson Library basement because the area did not meet fire safety codes, UH Fire Marshal Bob Bowden said.

"When the new offices were constructed, certain sprinklers needed to be moved but weren’t. Hopefully, it will all be corrected by the end of this week," Bowden said.

The basement’s fire alarm system is not yet fully operational and violates fire safety codes, delaying the planned move, Bowden said.

The University Studies Division and the Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention merged into the Academic Advising Center this spring, Diana Velez, director of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention said. The Academic Advising Center has been working hand-in-hand with the College Success Program, part of UScholars, formerly the Scholars’ Community, to help tutor undergraduate students who have not yet declared a major, Velez said.

Despite setbacks, UScholars is still preparing for a branch of the program to move, Velez said.

"It is a move that is far overdue… (although) an official date has not been set," Velez said. "We will soon be more central to the campus… the Welcome Center is right across the way, and we’re no longer scattered about," Velez said.

The offices will contain an extensive reception area and multiple offices, and the CSP will offer the same services the Scholars’ Community provided to students, including tutors and mentors, Velez said.

"We see the space as a learning center for our students. We don’t process students, we partner with students," Velez said.

CSP Director Melody Richardson said she is also ready for the move. An additional class involving time management, budgeting, and stress management techniques will be available in the fall at the new location, Richardson said.

The new location will allow the program to further help students keep a strong grade-point average and give students contact with advisors who will help them succeed in college, Velez said. Along with allowing the offices to be closer to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Office of Admissions and many more facilities, the move will allow the UScholars offices to be more accessible and user-friendly for students, Velez said.