Dr. Reiser opened the session by noting that early universities, developed originally for the education of priests, lawyers, and doctors, made frequent use of symbols, rituals, and traditions.
Modern universities continue to use symbols and ceremonies to create a higher sense of community.
Dr. Reiser asked group members to identify issues concerning UT-Houston's rituals and traditions and how rituals and traditions might be enhanced to better promote institutional development. Dr. Low noted that the existence of societies has long been defined and validated in either written or oral stories. Dr. Ronald Johnson noted that some stories are about the entire health science center and yet others are local stories at the school level. Dr. Reiser noted that integration of the two levels of stories is important but difficult since we don't know all of the local stories. He noted that it is important to know each other's key stories.