InsideTSU - Jan. 21, 2022

Welcome to the inaugural issue of InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter

of Texas Southern University (formerly eNews)!

Faculty & Staff Institute kicks off new semester

President Crumpton-Young highlights State of University

Approximately 500 TSU faculty and staff attended the first virtual Faculty & Staff Institute meeting of 2022. Dr. Lillian Poats, interim provost, served as emcee of the event, which included a "State of the University" presentation from President Lesia Crumpton-Young, outlining her transformative vision for TSU. Attendees also participated in motivational breakout sessions designed specifically for faculty, staff and administrators, as well as an engaging trivia contest focused on TSU history.

President Crumpton-Young's presentation centered around her theme of "working collectively to achieve unprecedented success at an accelerated pace."

"Together, we will achieve things that we've never achieved before," Dr. Crumpton-Young said. "We have to carpe diem - seize the day."

President Young's presentation included an overview of successes from the Fall 2021 semester, including:

a $7 million increase in scholarship funds (now totaling $19 million) for students;
a record $95 million in state funding for campus improvements via tuition revenue bonds;
re-establishing and creating new campus traditions - such as the Founder's Day and Matriculation convocations;
the creation of an academic health dashboard; and
the hiring of Dr. DeNeia Thomas as vice president of enrollment and student success.

President Young also outlined a new organizational structure that aligns and maximizes the university strengths. Dr. Poats additionally highlighted three new initiatives that will have major impact on student success and completion - "Some College, No Degree" (degree completion campaign); a thorough analysis of the barriers to graduation that TSU students experience; and the establishment of new degree programs.

"We've done so much in five months," President Young concluded. "As we usher in 2022, I'm counting on you to continue to be revolutionary - to take big ideas and turn them into reality. That is my charge to you."

TSU adjusts start of Spring semester due to COVID

As TSU begins a new year and new semester together, we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while providing a pathway for progress for our campus operations. The TSU COVID Prevention Center is vigilantly monitoring local, state, and federal health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the status of the COVID pandemic evolves, TSU will continue to adjust its response to slow the spread of the virus.

Dr. Rashid Mosavin, dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, spoke with KPRC Channel 2 prior to the semester about TSU's modified Spring schedule, which included online instruction during the first week of the semester and in-person instruction beginning Monday, January 24.

As we begin the Spring semester, and settle into a new normal, please be reminded that:

The use of fitted and properly worn masks while indoors is strongly encouraged. The CDC has updated its mask guidance, clarifying that some types of masks (specifically N95 and KN95-rated masks) provide more protection than others. Should you need masks of this type, please contact the COVID Prevention Center at covidprevention@tsu.edu.

Experts continue to encourage booster dosages for all who are eligible. The COVID Prevention Center will continue to provide rigorous testing and vaccination programs. Booster dosages are encouraged and our commitment to providing vaccination opportunities remains. Vaccinations are available each Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Nabrit Room 150.

Campus testing is available at two convenient campus locations. Results are available the same day if test is taken by 12 p.m., which will continue to allow expeditious response.

Faculty and staff: Gray Hall Room 235
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Students: HP&E Room 109
Monday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Here is an outline of what to expect during the first month of the semester, and any updates will be communicated regularly throughout the semester.

KTSU to celebrate Black History Month each Saturday in February

KTSU - 90.9 The Choice will celebrate Black History Month every Saturday in February for "Black History Houston" on the Plaza at Avenida Houston (1002 Avenida De Las Americas) in downtown Houston from 1-5 p.m. The event is free to the public.

KTSU will participate alongside 50 Black vendors, food trucks, and amazing live entertainment each weekend, including:

1st Saturday - Feb 5 features Patrick Williams and more "Jazz" Artists
2nd Saturday - Feb 12 features James "Boogaloo" Bolden with more "Blues and Zydeco" artists
3rd Saturday - Feb. 19 features "R&B and NeoSoul" artists
4th Saturday - Feb. 26 features "Gospel and Inspirational" artists

Special thanks to Houston First for the partnership with KTSU - 90.9 The Choice!

TSU partners with Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners to provide on-campus services for victims of sexual assault, trafficking and family violence

A new partnership was recently announced between the Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners (TXFNE), the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and multiple Harris County and surrounding counties’ colleges and universities (including Texas Southern University) to provide on-campus services to victims of sexual assault, trafficking and family violence. Other participating universities and colleges include Rice University, Texas Southern University, Lee College, Houston Community College, Prairie View A&M, and the University of Houston.

Links to additional information can be found here.

Ribbon cut for completion of Cleburne Street enhancement project

All roads lead to Texas Southern. To that end, TSU was proud to host the ribbon-cutting ceremony in December for the completion of the beautification and enhancement of Cleburne Street – a true team effort, as President Lesia Crumpton-Young so eloquently put it. President Young indicated that the beauty along Cleburne Street was one of the first things she noticed as she drove to the campus on her first day as president.

Special thanks go to Commissioner Rodney Ellis, whose office paid for the majority of the project, Mayor Turner, Harris County and many others involved. The work, along Cleburne from Scott to Ennis, replaced the dilapidated asphalt street, which was prone to flooding, with a new concrete roadway and adds more space for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north side of TSU’s campus.

More information about the project can be found here.

TSU student on mission to “Sock Out” Poverty

Princess Jackson, a freshman at Texas Southern University (TSU) is on a mission to stamp out poverty in Houston – one sock at a time. Jackson founded Sock Out Poverty, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization when she was nine years old and has given out over 15,000 pairs of socks to people in need.

Jackson, whose mother Phyllis Burton serves as executive director for the organization, said she learned that socks are often an overlooked but much-needed personal item while at a blanket drive with her family.

“We saw the homeless with blankets, cardboard beds and shoes, but they didn’t have socks to help keep them warm. As a kid who loves fun, colorful socks, I thought this was the perfect way for me to give back to the community,” Jackson said.

Since then, Sock Out Poverty has received donations from Walmart, Sam’s Club, the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation and local businesses. Princess has also received attention on the silver screen for her cause when she appeared on the Steve Harvey and Tamron Hall shows.

Read her full story.

TSU to co-host 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four

Texas Southern University is excited to be a co-host for the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four games in Houston alongside Houston Baptist University, Rice University and the University of Houston! While it’s not game day yet, TSU Athletics was represented at the unveiling of the 2023 Final 4 Logo earlier this month by TSU VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Kevin Granger, head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones (pictured, center, below with other Houston-area coaches), and the Texas Southern University "Ocean of Soul" Marching Band.

More information about the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four can be found here.

Center for Justice Research releases collaborative publication on violent crime drivers in four high-crime U.S. cities

The Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University announced its publication in the Journal of Crime and Delinquency with its study titled “An Exploratory Study of Environmental Stress in Four High Violent Crime Cities: What Sets Them Apart?” The research covered within the publication was conducted in partnership with Stetson University.

The study examines analytical patterns in four U.S. cities – Houston, TX; Baltimore, MD; Jackson, MS; and Wilmington, DE – to understand what economic, health and social factors motivate violent criminal behavior within these select communities. The study was completed through a two-part data analysis methodology. The first analysis reviewed collected city-level data against national rates of social stress indicators. The second analyzed neighborhood-level data to identify the factors are most associated with violent crime.

The results of the study indicate community stress, driven by health and economic factors, is associated with violent crime. The state Area Deprivation Index (ADI), unemployment, median household income, and population density were all factors related to criminal behaviors.

From a health and social standpoint, factors such as high STD rates, air pollution, single-parent homes, and insufficient food resources were also discovered as violent crime drivers. Race was found to have no significant effect on crime, and interestingly, there were low suicide rates across all four cities.

“Our research findings shed new light on the root causes behind violent crime in these four cities. Rather than looking at racial disparities in a vacuum, this study looks holistically at the surrounding social and economic factors that can propel dangerous behaviors,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, director of the Center for Justice Research. “The considerations uncovered in this study should undoubtedly inform future public policies that aim to reduce crime in these areas.”

More information and the full report can be found here.

Future bankers at TSU achieve 100% pass rate on industry exam

Students in Texas Southern University’s newly-established Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP) achieved an impressive 100 percent pass rate for a key professional certification exam – giving them a distinct advantage as they pursue careers in the finance and banking industry.

The Risk Management Association Credit Essentials Certificate (RMA CEC), which is tied to the program’s curriculum, helps students immediately distinguish themselves in a highly competitive field. The exam covers a variety of subjects, including cash flow, financial statements, projections, management, strategy, customer relations, credit, documentation and tax returns. The students earned the RMA CEC by scoring an 80 or higher on the rigorous 80-question test.

The Future Bankers Leadership Program began in fall 2021 and has received significant financial and in-kind support from a wide range of partners within the banking/financial industry, including JPMorgan Chase, Cadence Bank, Veritex Community Bank, Allegiance Bank, Moody National Bank, Moody Foundation, Hometown Bank, Texas Capital Bank, Prosperity Bank, Woodforest National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Federal Reserve Bank, First Financial Bank, Comerica Bank, Community Bank of Texas, and Texan Bank, as well as Baker Hughes Corp. and the Jesse H. Jones School of Business Advisory Council.

The new academic program gives students direct exposure to commercial banking. FBLP introduces TSU business students to the industry through a formal curriculum, interaction with executives and industry mentors, and commercial banking internships.

Center for Justice Research making headlines...

Dr. Ben Yisrael, policy research fellow with the Center for Justice Research (CJR), was featured on BlackStarNews.com in a conversation on voter and felony disenfranchisement with Virginia State Senator McClellan. This discussion extended from CJR's Incarcerating Democracy Report. The forum was sponsored by the Payne Center for Social Justice.

CJR director Dr. Howard Henderson weighed in on SB-23 (Texas legislation requiring county level elections for all plans to defund the police) on Austin-based Spectrum News. He also discussed police reform efforts around the country. The interview can be found on Spectrum News.

Just last week, City of Houston leaders made the move to combat violent crime with a new gunfire detection program. On Houston's National Public Radio, CJR examined the state of the research around this program and Dr. Henderson noted that Houston will have an opportunity to determine the program's effectiveness.

History professor discusses the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Karen Kossie-Chernyshev, professor of history, appeared on KPRC/Channel 2's "Houston Life" on Monday to discuss both the personal and professional impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his struggle for racial equality in the United States. Watch the broadcast here.

Former TSU player, coach to lead Valdosta State football program

Another Texas Southern University alum is making history. Former TSU football player and defensive line coach, Tremaine Jackson will be the 11th head coach at Valdosta State, making him the first black head football coach for a Gulf South Conference football program! Congratulations, Tremaine!