Amidst allegations of administrative negligence and deficient educational resources, students at the University of St. Thomas have released a video detailing their grievances with the institution, prompting swift reaction from the university's administration. The 10-minute video, which accumulated over 9,000 views since its upload to YouTube, showcases numerous student testimonials expressing dissatisfaction with the communication department's limited class offerings and the consequential impact on their job market readiness.
"I wish I had gotten out while I could, because I don’t feel confident that the money that I’ve been putting towards my tuition is going to land me a job and it’s become apparent that y’all don’t care,” a student stated in the video, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. University President Richard Ludwick responded with intentions to investigate the concerns, inviting students to a meeting to deliberate on the program's shortfalls.
In response to the outcry, Christopher Zeglin, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Marketing and Operations Marketing, Admissions & Student Services, acknowledged the video, saying, "We take this feedback very seriously and have begun an internal inquiry into the specific issues raised by our students," according to the Houston Chronicle. However, Zeglin did not comment on specific allegations by students, such as Jacquelyn Jordan's claim of being repeatedly singled out by her former professor, Adam Pugen, due to her Protestant faith. Pugen has not responded to requests for comments on these allegations.
This is not the first controversy faced by educational institutions associated with the Basilian Fathers in Houston. Two priests who previously taught at St. Thomas High School were named on a list of clergy with credible abuse allegations released by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. One, Father Jack Hanna, was removed from the faculty following an allegation of inappropriate behavior, leading to an assessment at a therapeutic center for priests. The details surrounding the allegation were not made public. The other, Father Raphael O’Loughlin, had already passed away but was nonetheless identified.
St. Thomas High School has expressed support for the Archdiocese's transparency, as indicated in a statement to KHOU 11 News. "St. Thomas fully supports the position and transparency of the Archdiocese," the statement read, laying out the actions taken against the priests following the allegations.
The University of St. Thomas, founded in 1947, continues to confront recent challenges, as students demand accountability and assurances for the quality education they were promised. The outcomes of the university's inquiries into these matters are yet to be seen, and the community watches on, hopeful for resolutions and reforms.
