Closing the Loop on Student Feedback with Actions
UTHealth Houston, through the Office of Academic Administration, regularly conducts the Student Perception Survey to assess satisfaction with central student services. The most recent survey, conducted in spring 2025, provided valuable feedback that has directly informed service improvements across campus.
We greatly appreciate the time students took to share their insights. Linked below is a summary by department, highlighting key concerns and the specific changes being made in response.
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Bookstores
Action 1 → Change in Management. A new Store Manager (Nov 2024) is improving customer service, online ordering, product availability, and overall quality assurance.
Action 2 → Merchandise. The District Manager is coordinating with schools and Public Affairs to expand school-specific branded merchandise.
Action 3 → Special Events. Pop-up stores are provided at schools without onsite bookstore services for special events.
Action 4 → Customer Service. Auxiliary Enterprises Management meets quarterly with the District and Store Managers to discuss these issues. -
Bursar's Office
Action 1 → Payment Improvements. A new contract with Transact (launching March 2026) will expand payment options, reduce processing issues, and enhance international payment capabilities.
Action 2 → Website. The website now includes clearer payment plan information, documentation, and orientation resources. A tuition calculator is being developed to assist cost estimation. -
Educational Technology
Action 1 → Additional Training. Provide additional training for faculty related to audience response systems and proctoring.
Action 2 → Student Resources. Provide resources to students on utilization of exam software systems.
Action 3 → Document Storage. Re-evaluate available space and consider raising quota for users. -
Food Service – RG Grill
Action 1 → Food Prices. Food prices are kept as low as possible while maintaining quality.
Action 2 → Communication. Weekly menus are shared with schools.
Action 3 → Dietary Considerations. Allergy-conscious options are provided whenever possible. -
Housing
Action 1 → Affordability. Rental rates remain below market, with UTHealth Houston learners receiving a 15% discount; the last rate increase was 1–2% in 2024.
Action 2 → Customer Service. Staff will pursue customer service training in FY26 and will implement a leasing/management service survey by March 2026.
Action 3 → Pest control. All units received full pest treatment in Spring 2025; a heat-map system helps target recurring problem areas, with property-wide treatment planned for October.
Action 4 → Maintenance. The work order system upgrade is complete, improving accessibility and response times.
Action 5 → Website/Portal. The Housing website has been rebuilt with updated content; the rent-payment vendor will address recent student concerns.
Action 6 → Trash Service. A new dumpster will be added to Phase 2 by February 2026 to expand trash collection capacity.
Action 7 → Waitlist. Waitlist procedures will be reviewed for 2026 to better match students with preferred, budget-appropriate units. -
Parking Services
Action 1 → Customer Service. Staff are receiving ongoing reinforcement of customer service principles, with regular meetings to address challenges and de-escalation strategies.
Action 2 → Limited Parking. Options for adding student parking are being explored, including maximizing available spaces in the MDACC OST garage to free capacity on UTHealth Houston lots. -
Recreation Center
Action 1 → Identification Requirements and Reservations. A new Fall 2025 system will enhance badge scanning and reservations, offering flexible protocols for handling forgotten or damaged IDs.
Action 2 → Expanded Facilities. A 24/7 satellite fitness center opened in May 2024; future expansions depend on feasibility studies, and equipment selection prioritizes safety and diverse needs.
Action 3 → Facilities & Comfort. Daily cleaning and bi?monthly deep cleans are performed; Housing is exploring privacy screens in the men’s locker room and coordinating with FPE on HVAC issues. -
Registrar's Office
Action 1 → myUTH. New 'How To' instructions have been added to myUTH, with additional video FAQ content under development.
Action 2 → Veterans Affairs. The Veteran’s Coordinator has streamlined processes in collaboration with the Bursar’s Office. -
Safety, Health, Environment, & Risk Management (SHERM)
Action 1 → Gross Anatomy Lab. SHERM and the anatomical services program are reviewing safety training content for the Gross Anatomy Lab.
Action 2 → PPE. Postings and training materials on the appropriate use of PPE in public areas are being updated.
Action 3 → Training Website Clarity. Website updates clarify safety training requirements and access instructions.
Action 4 → Hazardous Waste Collection. Hazardous waste pickup processes are being modernized, including the introduction of electronic request submissions and clearer frequency expectations.
Action 5 → Emergency Communications. SHERM is working with Emergency Leadership to improve the speed and clarity of emergency communications. -
Shuttle
Action 1 → New Contract. A new contract with LAZ Transportation (Aug 2025) introduces new buses, drivers, and a tracking system.
Action 2 → Delays. Some schedule delays are unavoidable due to Texas Medical Center construction and traffic conditions.
Action 3 → Ongoing Review. Auxiliary Enterprises and LAZ meet bi?weekly to address concerns, shifting to quarterly meetings after the transition period. -
Student Counseling
Action 1 → Provider Availability. The unit continues to explore additional after?hours and lunchtime appointment availability.
Action 2 → Patient Communication. Staff are refreshing best practices to strengthen clear and empathetic communication.
Action 3 → Online Appointment Scheduling & Management. The feasibility of online appointment scheduling and management tools is under review. -
Student Financial Services
Action 1 → Office Training. Mandatory monthly training ensures staff remain current on federal financial aid policies and regulatory changes.
Action 2 → Counselor on Duty. A counselor?on?duty is assigned daily to respond to calls and emails.
Action 3 → Website Updates. Website information is reviewed monthly to ensure accuracy and updates. -
Student Health
Action 1 → Appointments. Appointments may be made by phone, patient portal request, or email.
Action 2 → Vaccine Documentation. Students are asked to bring vaccine and TB documentation to expedite processing and verification. -
Office of International Affairs (OIA)
Action 1 → Timely Communication. Staff must acknowledge all emails to the main inbox within 48 hours, providing either a full response or an estimated timeline if additional review is required.
Action 2 → Advisor Changes. New Student Advisors have been hired, and workloads are being redistributed by alphabetical range. Updated advisor assignments will be shared with students. -
TMC Library
Action 1 → Database Resources. Staff will promote available database resources and support tools to enhance student research.
Action 2 → Accessing E-Books/E-Journals. Additional tutorials will clarify how to access e-books and e-journals using OpenAthens.
Action 3 → Feedback. Students are encouraged to submit an online Suggestions and Comments Form directly to library leadership. -
University Relations & Equal Opportunity
Action 1 → Accommodation Website. A centralized accommodation website is being developed to consolidate guidance, FAQs, templates, and policy information.
Action 2 → Accommodation Metrics. Data on accommodation requests and response times will be shared with 504 Coordinators to support proactive faculty engagement and best practices.
Action 3 → Communication. EO/TIXO will continue improving communication to ensure clear understanding of responsibilities and available resolution pathways. -
UT Police at Houston
Action 1 → Collaboration. The Threat Management Team collaborates with behavioral assessment committees to review reports and coordinate timely, appropriate responses to potential threats.
Action 2 → Badge Access. Access issues often relate to approver decisions or role changes; students are encouraged to contact their Area Approver for clarification.
Action 3 → Bikes & Scooters. To maintain safety, bikes and scooters must be properly secured in designated areas; UT Police conducts proactive patrols and removal of unsafe items.
Action 4 → Complaints. Concerns or comments may be submitted online (www.utph.org); all reports receive a thorough review. Comments relevant to our reaccreditation may also be submitted through the CALEA Accreditation Public Comment Portal.
Action 5 → Found Property. Timely reporting of found property improves the chances of returning items via the online Found Property Database.
Action 6 → Access Control. Door access problems may stem from mechanical issues or permissions; malfunctioning doors should be reported to the Risk Operations Center (713-792-2890).
Action 7 → Skybridge Hours. Skybridge hours are determined by MD Anderson, with badge access required after hours; questions may be directed to [email protected].
Action 8 → Courtesy Escort. Courtesy escorts are available from sunset to sunrise, with possible delays during peak times or shift changes. To request a courtesy escort, call 713-792-2890.
Action 9 → Case Follow-Up. Case investigations may take time due to complexity; individuals may follow up directly for case-specific updates.
Action 10 → Campus Safety. Campus safety information is detailed in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, available on the UTP-H website.
Action 11 → Crime Resolution. Crime investigations may have limited publicly shareable outcomes, but statistics and safety updates remain available in the annual safety report. -
Vending Services
Action 1 → Card Readers. Efforts continue to keep card readers connected. Students are encouraged to report outages or refill needs by emailing [email protected] or calling 713-500-8400.
Action 2 → Refunds. A QR-code refund process allows quick submission for undispensed items or incomplete sales, with refunds emailed to users.
Action 3 → Healthy Options. Additional healthy product options are being considered.
Action 4 → Affordability. A market analysis will be conducted to assess pricing.