A Special Place For Gator Moms
By Sheryl E.Taylor
UHD’s Wellness Committee, in collaboration with the College of Public Service has officially opened the second Lactation Room (LR) on campus in the Commerce Street Building, Room C444.
These special spaces—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors and community partners—provide Gator Moms a safe place to pump as the need arises. Both locations (One Main and Commerce Street Buildings) are designed with a nursing mother in mind—from small refrigerators for temporary milk storage to comfortable chairs to reading materials related to breast feeding and nutrition for mother and child.
“The Wellness Committee, Student Health Services and now the College of Public Service are all excited to assist UHD Moms as they prepare to successfully balance Motherhood, College Courses and Work,” said Dr. Leigh Van Horn, interim dean of the College Public Service. We felt it was time to expand the service to another location as we grow in numbers at UHD.”
During normal business hours (7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), a lactating mother may contact designated staff members (Stacey Bryant at 713-221-5091 or Cynthia Hartman at 713-221-8906) in the College of Public Service in-person, by telephone, or email to request a reservation for the lactation room for a 30-minute time period.
The University of Houston-Downtown recognizes the importance of breastfeeding by providing a private room for students and staff who are returning to school or work after a pregnancy,” said Janet Franco, clinic coordinator, UHD Student Health Services.
The McGovern Medical School’s Lactation Foundation will visit UHD,10 a.m.
- 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19 on the fourth floor of the College of Public Service to share information to offer advice and share informational materials.
In the 2018, the Wellness Committee worked with Student Health Services to create the first LR in the One Main Building, Room S445. For convenience, access to the One Main Lactation Room is available after-hours and weekends by contacting UHD Police Department at 713-221-8065. For more information, visit UHD’s Student Health Services.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
