Thank you for speaking truth to power - keep going. I think of an old quote from my days there - it has always seen me through rough times: "Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.” ― Thomas Aquinas
Thank you for the overwhelming feedback. Due to the attention this video has received, we have finally been contacted by the administration to meet on Monday, April 22nd, to discuss our concerns. There are more individual testimonies to come. **The lack of context in this video is intentional, as it was created specifically for the University of St. Thomas Board of Directors. This video follows numerous emails and conversations exchanged with them. While we're pleased it has garnered attention, we'd like to reiterate its intended purpose.** To submit your own testimony or collaborate, email ustconcernedstudents@gmail.com. Help save our department!
I went to St. Thomas as a Communications major (Class of 2010) and totally regret it. Waste of money, I should have just went to HCC and UH and saved myself a lot of debt. They didn't really set you up for success after graduating.
I lasted a semester there on almost a full ride. Turned down an equally good scholarship at UH because I thought private school would be “better.” The education I received that semester was ABYSMAL compared to what I got as a dual-credit student in high school or at UH, where I transferred to the second half of my freshman year. I took on student loan debt because of that switch, but it was 100% worth it because the academics were superior.
As an recent grad I felt this even in my art program. They claim to have a studio arts program but just send us to Glassell school of art and up charged for so much. A normal glassell class is around 750 and UST charged me about 3k. The only thing that made UST worth it was the friends I made and maybe 3 or 4 faculty and staff.
Honestly, this has always been a struggle at UST. We were always desperate for funding and fighting not to be censored by the university. But it sounds like maybe we still had it better than you, which makes my heart hurt. I'm a 2003 UST Communication alum. I was editor of the Cauldron and part of the Innocence Project Team. I met my husband in the Communication Department and still have many close friends from that time, including professors. My life changed when I found the Communication Department and I'm so grateful for my experiences but have no sense of pride being associated with UST. I wish y'all luck and encourage you to use the alumni network to help with whatever comes next.
A student union is needed. We need to have an organization which exists independently of the administration, one which is run solely by students and power which derives solely from the student body. Power cannot derive from the administration, that isn’t actual authority.
It’s sad that it took this for you all to get their attention. Student voices should be heard first and foremost. I commend you all for taking this step.
I graduated in December ‘22. I can attest that not all of the professors were an issue, but the ones who upheld the beliefs and approach desired by the administration were. I’m in debt for nothing. I was given scholarships and false promises which caused me to consider UST, and UHCL or UHD even would have been better choices. I worked on the Celt Independent as it was being shut down for not being a PR mouthpiece and asking questions. I was informed that we did not have our first amendment rights there because it is a private religious university. I feel like I was scammed. I have an empty degree and wound up having to take a low paying position outside of the field. I echo every sentiment in this video, and have plenty of my own.
I am truly sorry to hear about this. I did not graduate from the communications program but I was an editor on the Cauldron the year it was shut down. The school had some truly outstanding communications faculty at that time, but the writing was already on the wall. All of this is saddening but unsurprising. I hope you are able to resolve your issues, and please let me know if I can do anything to help as a UST alum ('08), even if it's just an email.
Don’t pay attention to the comments shitting on you guys for wanting to major in communications. I was class of 2020, an assistant editor of the Celt Independent, which I think now is defunct, and this is so upsetting to see the university let the comms program get to this state. It feels like they’ve been trying to shut this program down for years. Good on you for speaking out and advocating for the education you were all promised!
This is hard to hear, I go here as well and I can’t imagine how stressful that must be! 😭😭 That’s completely unfair to yall, hope this is addressed soon and you guys get what you deserve out of your education!
If you make future videos, for greater impact on an audience without context, perhaps lead with the issues in the department and the religious discrimination. It was unclear to me for the first few minutes what the actual problem was.
Howdy Gang, Do any of y'all watch the cartoon Oswald? The one about an octopus and his good-time gang? It is "Must See TV", in this viewers opinion! Food for thought.
No. There are many great professors who have worked in the Comms Department. The issue isn’t the professors, it’s the administrators over the University and that they value Catholicism above credentials or education. The professors are desperately trying to help their students.
Unfortunately, we had MANY great professors, but they have all been systematically run off (5 of 7 removed in the past year alone). Most of the old guard professors left a few years ago, and they are disgusted with what has happened to the dept. since they left.
@@bellaanima7786 Bornigia, Sheih, McDonald, Casarez, Jefferson, Olsen, Bradley etc.. They have either been removed, pushed out, or had their classes cancelled, so there are only 4 COMM classes available in Fall 2024 instead of 14-16 avg. in previous Fall semesters.
@StThomasHouston You need to make things right with your students. "...'Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed," be just to the orphan, plead for the widow. 'Come now, let us talk this over, says Yahweh..." Isaiah 1:16-18 🖤✝🤍
Thank you for speaking truth to power - keep going. I think of an old quote from my days there - it has always seen me through rough times:
"Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.”
― Thomas Aquinas
Thank you for the overwhelming feedback. Due to the attention this video has received, we have finally been contacted by the administration to meet on Monday, April 22nd, to discuss our concerns. There are more individual testimonies to come.
**The lack of context in this video is intentional, as it was created specifically for the University of St. Thomas Board of Directors. This video follows numerous emails and conversations exchanged with them. While we're pleased it has garnered attention, we'd like to reiterate its intended purpose.**
To submit your own testimony or collaborate, email ustconcernedstudents@gmail.com. Help save our department!
Am glad I went a real school that actually teaches cough University of Houston
I hope UST listens to the concerns of the students and prioritizes their needs and sincere desires to learn
They wont, they have perfected that art
I went to St. Thomas as a Communications major (Class of 2010) and totally regret it. Waste of money, I should have just went to HCC and UH and saved myself a lot of debt. They didn't really set you up for success after graduating.
I was UST comms class of 09, and I wish I had gone to UH
@@reddipageshoustonhey! Good to see you still bitch and moan about everything!
I lasted a semester there on almost a full ride. Turned down an equally good scholarship at UH because I thought private school would be “better.” The education I received that semester was ABYSMAL compared to what I got as a dual-credit student in high school or at UH, where I transferred to the second half of my freshman year. I took on student loan debt because of that switch, but it was 100% worth it because the academics were superior.
This is terrible for the image of the communications majors!
Cameron School of Business too!
how come?
As an recent grad I felt this even in my art program. They claim to have a studio arts program but just send us to Glassell school of art and up charged for so much. A normal glassell class is around 750 and UST charged me about 3k. The only thing that made UST worth it was the friends I made and maybe 3 or 4 faculty and staff.
Honestly, this has always been a struggle at UST. We were always desperate for funding and fighting not to be censored by the university. But it sounds like maybe we still had it better than you, which makes my heart hurt.
I'm a 2003 UST Communication alum. I was editor of the Cauldron and part of the Innocence Project Team. I met my husband in the Communication Department and still have many close friends from that time, including professors. My life changed when I found the Communication Department and I'm so grateful for my experiences but have no sense of pride being associated with UST.
I wish y'all luck and encourage you to use the alumni network to help with whatever comes next.
I'm so sorry you guys have gone through this, especially the protestant student who was discriminated against based on religion.
A student union is needed. We need to have an organization which exists independently of the administration, one which is run solely by students and power which derives solely from the student body. Power cannot derive from the administration, that isn’t actual authority.
It’s sad that it took this for you all to get their attention. Student voices should be heard first and foremost. I commend you all for taking this step.
I graduated in December ‘22. I can attest that not all of the professors were an issue, but the ones who upheld the beliefs and approach desired by the administration were. I’m in debt for nothing. I was given scholarships and false promises which caused me to consider UST, and UHCL or UHD even would have been better choices. I worked on the Celt Independent as it was being shut down for not being a PR mouthpiece and asking questions. I was informed that we did not have our first amendment rights there because it is a private religious university. I feel like I was scammed. I have an empty degree and wound up having to take a low paying position outside of the field. I echo every sentiment in this video, and have plenty of my own.
They’re taking statements and complaints to release more and bring it before the administration.
I am truly sorry to hear about this. I did not graduate from the communications program but I was an editor on the Cauldron the year it was shut down. The school had some truly outstanding communications faculty at that time, but the writing was already on the wall. All of this is saddening but unsurprising. I hope you are able to resolve your issues, and please let me know if I can do anything to help as a UST alum ('08), even if it's just an email.
Make a bigger stink. Be active. UST needs you more than you need them. Use your power
Don’t pay attention to the comments shitting on you guys for wanting to major in communications. I was class of 2020, an assistant editor of the Celt Independent, which I think now is defunct, and this is so upsetting to see the university let the comms program get to this state. It feels like they’ve been trying to shut this program down for years. Good on you for speaking out and advocating for the education you were all promised!
I’m sorry this has happened to you. It’s such an expensive school. You should have had more support and clarity.
I 100% agree with the lack of classes offered that are required to graduate, majored in chemical engineering and it was brutal.
But the first class of chemical engineering students from UST only just graduated this year… 2 weeks ago…
I recognize this also. Open
This is hard to hear, I go here as well and I can’t imagine how stressful that must be! 😭😭 That’s completely unfair to yall, hope this is addressed soon and you guys get what you deserve out of your education!
If you make future videos, for greater impact on an audience without context, perhaps lead with the issues in the department and the religious discrimination. It was unclear to me for the first few minutes what the actual problem was.
Asked whats happening with employees.
That’s awful to hear :(
Howdy Gang,
Do any of y'all watch the cartoon Oswald? The one about an octopus and his good-time gang? It is "Must See TV", in this viewers opinion! Food for thought.
Wow. So the only good professors are John Butler and Ceaser Wright???
No. There are many great professors who have worked in the Comms Department. The issue isn’t the professors, it’s the administrators over the University and that they value Catholicism above credentials or education. The professors are desperately trying to help their students.
And getting zero support for it. They’re completely spent and overworked.
Unfortunately, we had MANY great professors, but they have all been systematically run off (5 of 7 removed in the past year alone). Most of the old guard professors left a few years ago, and they are disgusted with what has happened to the dept. since they left.
@@bellaanima7786 Bornigia, Sheih, McDonald, Casarez, Jefferson, Olsen, Bradley etc.. They have either been removed, pushed out, or had their classes cancelled, so there are only 4 COMM classes available in Fall 2024 instead of 14-16 avg. in previous Fall semesters.
This school needs to fix this. This adds to my dislike of everything catholic.
If this is about the school not being Catholic enough then you are ruining UST.
It’s not! It’s about the lack of communication within the department and the lack of transparency and classes available
It doesn't sound like it's about that at all.
@StThomasHouston You need to make things right with your students.
"...'Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.
Cease to do evil.
Learn to do good,
search for justice,
help the oppressed,"
be just to the orphan,
plead for the widow.
'Come now, let us talk this over,
says Yahweh..."
Isaiah 1:16-18
🖤✝🤍