Welcome to the University of Houston at Cinco Ranch! We’re happy to have you teaching here at the center.

Our mission is simple: to support you and the UH System universities in any way we can. This section has been prepared to assist your orientation to the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch and answer common questions.

UH System at Cinco Ranch is not a branch campus!
UH System at Cinco Ranch is a teaching center where all four University of Houston System universities deliver selected degree programs. Students attend classes of a “home university” which is the university that offers the degree program the student is enrolled in. Each of the degree programs available here at Cinco Ranch is delivered by the UH System university that has “program authority” for that program. When a university has “program authority,” it has the responsibility of offering the appropriate rotation of courses that will allow students to complete a degree in a reasonable period of time. A university may choose to augment their courses by offering articulated or “partnered” courses through other UH System universities. An example of this could be the University of Houston – Victoria offers a junior level accounting class that is recognized by the University of Houston – Downtown as a similar junior level accounting class. Successful completion of the course would fulfill the requirement just as it would if it were offered by the “home university.”

You don’t work for us, we work for you!
All faculty are employed by the universities they teach for and are subject to the rules, policies, and procedures of that university. The center staff (which includes the director) are employed by the system to support the staff and faculty of all four UH System universities. The center budget is determined and funded by the four universities in proportion to the number of students enrolled by each. We maintain the building, coordinate its use, buy and maintain equipment, and market center programs and services to the local community.

Faculty Information Card – Please fill out the information card found in your mailbox and turn it in at the front desk. From information on the card you will be assigned a computer account, a code for the copier, and request audio/visual or other equipment. It will also enable us to contact you in case of an emergency, inclement weather, or any other important notices.

Copy machine use – A copy machine is available to you in the workroom of the Administrative Office complex office. Please only use the copier for your Cinco Ranch class(es). Your account will be loaded for 1200 copies per section. If you need additional copies, please contact the Office Manager. Depending on class size, increasing your maximum may require Department Chair approval. PLEASE USE DOUBLE SIDED COPIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Paper and toner use is a major expense to UHS-CR over which we have some degree of control. Also, we encourage you to make your copies as far in advance as possible; remember, everyone can’t use the copy machine 15 minutes before their class is scheduled to begin.

Evacuation Procedures – Each classroom has evacuation procedures posted on the bulletin board. Please bring this to the attention of your class.

Weather Related Cancellations – Because UHS-CR is a teaching center serving all four University of Houston System universities, our procedures for closing are different. If weather forces UHS-CR to close, we will post signs on the doors and place a voice message on the phone system. News regarding any of the individual universities will be handled in a like manner. Another likely scenario is that the weather will only affect students or faculty coming from a particular region. Please spend some time during your first class session to discuss your preference for managing these situations. As always, unless the UHS-CR has been closed, canceling class is the prerogative of the instructor. If a student calls to check on a class that has not been cancelled, we will advise the student to use their best judgment and not to risk their safety in an attempt to get to UHS-CR.

The Wireless Network – UH System at Cinco Ranch maintains a password protected wireless network in the building that allows access to the Internet with any computer equipped with a wireless card anywhere in the building. For instructions on how to connect to the network, please click HERE.

The mobile computer lab – Three mobile racks, each with 15 Dell notebook computers, are available for your use anywhere in the building. They are all equipped for wireless access. Use of the mobile lab can be arranged through tech services at crtech@uh.edu or call 832.842.2828.

Computer labs – Room 126 is equipped with 20 workstations, one scanner, one black and white printer, and one color printer for student use for out of class assignments. These workstations have a variety of software including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Access, SPSS, Campus Planner 3.0, Pro Tax 2006, Visual Studio.NET, and Java.

Printing on Center Printers – A print management system is in place to allow all students and faculty 300 pages of printing. Students can buy more copies in multiples of 100 for $5 each. Faculty can request more copies through the Program Manager and may require the approval of your department chair. We are strongly encouraging students to save files to a USB memory device, DVD, or CD - rather than print out as a hard copy.

Equipment Reservation - If you need audio/visual (A/V) equipment for class meetings during the semester, please contact tech services at crtech@uh.edu or call 832.842.2828

Faculty Offices – Full time faculty who are primarily assigned to UH System at Cinco Ranch will be assigned designated workstations and be issued keys to the file drawers and over head bins. There are a number of visiting faculty work stations available for your use in room 136. Telephone and data ports are available at all workstations. The workstations are available on a “first come, first served bases.” We encourage you to talk with center staff regarding your space and technology needs before the semester begins.

Mailboxes – are located in the work room in the Administrative Office complex. Please check your mailbox regularly. A fax machine 281.395.2629 and shredder are also available.

Mail and daily courier services – Depending on the university, UPS or Airborne overnight make daily deliveries and pick ups, usually in the afternoon. If you are dependent on the timely shipping of class material, please inquire with front desk staff for more details. If the regularly scheduled service doesn’t work for you, speak with the Program Manager, Brigett Bentley bbentley@uh.edu or call 832.842.2821 and we will look at alternatives.

Reading Room (Virtual Library) – The reading room (166) is available for quiet study and computer access to the four university libraries. A library supervisor is available 40 hours a week at days and times posted in the Reading Room to assist students, faculty, and staff with research. Interlibrary Loan service and TexPress is available to request and ship materials. Food and drink are not allowed in the Reading Room. Virtual library patrons are encourage to copy material to a cd or thumb drive as opposed to printing

West Foyer – The West Foyer is a casual area where students, faculty, and staff can socialize, eat, enjoy the wi/fi network, etc. It is not considered a quiet area but consideration must be given to classes and meeting that are in session.

Food and Drinks – Food and drinks are allowed in the building except the Reading Room, ITV rooms, and the computer labs (this includes the mobile lab). As always, the decision to allow eating and drinking in your class is up to you.

Smoking and tobacco – Smoking and tobacco use is prohibited inside the building.