Utah Valley University faculty, staff and students have the unique opportunity to speak with their president during open office hours, though not everyone has taken the chance just yet.

"It gave people a chance to visit ... in ways that they might not otherwise have opportunities," Hitch said.

So far, the only people to come in during open office hours have been faculty and staff. While no students have come in yet, Hitch said the idea has still been a success. At least one or two people come in every week, a stark contrast to her experiences at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. As chancellor at La Crosse, Hitch held open office hours for the first time after hearing the idea from a chancellor at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

"It has really been more well-utilized here than at La Crosse," she said.

The stream of visitors was not as constant at her previous university, and Hitch said most people came to her office with complaints or concerns. At UVU so far, Hitch said people have come in with a range of issues. As a beginner fly fishing fan, Hitch said she has even had people come in to talk about fly fishing and get to know her.

Hitch said the response at UVU has been a surprise to her. She has found that Utahns are generally respectful of leadership, and she feared such an idea would hinder her attempts at welcoming visitors.

"I guess I thought that it might make them shy," she said.

The open office hour times have not yet had any adverse effects on her schedule either. Though a university president is always busy, Hitch said her schedule so far has not interfered with the weekly times, and visitors have always been respectful of time constraints.

While no students have stopped in yet, Hitch said she does not think it is a problem. Students are always welcome to stop in, but they also have the option of sending her messages online, which they do often.

"In this generation, that's an efficient way for them to communicate," she said.

Hitch said she did not have open office hours as vice president of academic affairs, but she may consider doing so when she returns to that post.

Cameron Martin, assistant to the president, said he believes the open office times have had a good effect so far. They allow her to be more open as the president, but she also does not try to undermine other leaders in the school, he said. People bring their concerns, and she either helps them or sends them to the person they should be speaking with.

Martin said he has been around for four different presidents, who all had open door policies. In the past, anyone could get an appointment and visit with the president, but the formal open office hours this year have allowed people to come in without notice.

"It allows it to be unfiltered and just a great way to communicate with the president," he said.

At Brigham Young University, President Cecil Samuelson does not hold open office hours because of other time commitments, said spokeswoman Carri Jenkins.

"His schedule is just so tight," she said. "But he does make many opportunities to meet with the students."

Jenkins said Samuelson keeps in touch with faculty and students regularly through meetings with student groups and the different colleges. Students can similarly correspond with the president online through the BYU Web site, and Jenkins said Samuelson reads and responds to many of the students' questions. Although he is busy, Jenkins said Samuelson is constantly involved on campus in different events.

"He is constantly in and about campus and involved with the colleges," she said.