Monday, August 27, 2012 // Issue 1, Volume 78 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
THE DAILY COUGAR
T H E
O F F I C I A L
S T U D E N T
N E W S P A P E R
O F T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
H O U S T O N
Can you graduate in four years? 84% didn’t Khator: Current turnover rate for students at University ‘not where it needs to be’ Julie Heffler News editor
Compared to the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, the University of Houston’s four- and six-year graduation rates are not acceptable to UH President and Chancellor Renu Khator. The four- year and six-year graduation rates among UH students have risen to 16.5 percent and 45.7 percent, respectively, placing UH below the six-year or less average of 57.4 percent for public Texas universities. UT has a four-year graduation rate of 50.7 percent and a six-year rate of 82.9 percent, while A&M graduates 53 percent in four years and 83.6 percent in six years. “Our graduation rate is not where it needs to be,” Khator said. “When I meet successful alumni, I always tell them how proud I am of them. But for every successful alumnus, there’s another student who is left behind.” Student Government Association President Cedric Bandoh shares with Khator’s disappointment. “We have an incredibly talented and diverse student body, with many of our students at the top of their high school class and the first GRAD continues on page 18
The majority of UH students take more than six years to graduate. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
Textbooks take their toll on student wallets Ellen Goodacre Assistant news editor
Like many students this week, Justin Shaw, an English grad student, is looking for books for his Literary Theory course. | Joshua Mann /The Daily Cougar
Students preparing for the semester have probably spent the last week scouring the Internet for ways to save money on textbooks required for many of their classes. The National Association of College Stores’ Student Watch 2012 found that students’ estimated spending was approximately $655 on required course materials in 2011, down $12 since 2010. Much of the cost stems from physical textbooks, which are still the preferred option for many students despite the often hefty costs and difficulty reselling them that are not as common as their e-book alternatives. “I prefer traditional textbooks because of the availability — you can carry it around with you,” biology
sophomore Jonathan Chang said. “Compared to e-books, you don’t need to turn it on; you can just open it. If you’re stuck on a certain area or want to get back to the area you were in, just (use) a bookmark,” Chang said. However, the price and hassle often associated with traditional textbooks has convinced some students to opt for e-books instead. “They’re cheaper, and sometimes you can download them for free legally,” biology senior Chandler Collins said. “There’s nothing physical to turn, no pages, so sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re making as much progress. But, having said that, you get the search function so that’s better than (physical) textbooks.” Despite what may seem like the BOOKS continues on page 17
S I N C E
1 9 3 4
EDITOR’S NOTE Providing news coverage for a school like UH is a lot of things — exciting, challenging, exhausting — but it’s never dull. The campus is always changing. Construction alone could fill the pages of every one of our issues — sports facilities, residence and dining halls, classrooms, the Metro light rail and the University Center are all under construction. The Student GovernJoshua ment AssoMann ciation under President Cedric Bandoh is restructuring its bylaws, the campus is on its way to becoming smoke-free and the organizations are rolling out their Collegiate Link website. And those are just the obvious things; behind the scenes, money is moving, policies are changing and research is being done. Even The Daily Cougar is changing; returning readers may notice our hip new look or the shiny new blog and calendar sections on our website. And if you aren’t content with just reading, send us a letter or a news tip through thedailycougar. com or, if you’re a student, apply to write, draw, take pictures or edit for us. There’s a lot going on, and the Cougar is dedicated to being the eyes and ears and voice of our university’s students, faculty and staff amidst all the change. What follows is 56 pages of what we thought would be a good start to understanding the campus around you, so sit back, sip your coffee and read on.
GET SOME DAILY
thedailycougar.com
ONLINE XTRA See an online gallery of the Y Building’s demolition
TOMORROW What has SGA done this summer?
The Daily Cougar
2 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
UH battles income inequality
AT A GLANCE 2012 Semester Calendar: Dates you should know
Brenda Resendiz Staff writer
Some important deadlines every Cougar should know.
August
27 First day of class September
3 Labor Day — No class 4 Last day to enroll in a class for the fall 12 Last day to drop a class without a grade 28 Fall 2012 regular graduation filing deadline October
26 Fall 2012 late graduation filing deadline November
2 Last day to drop a class with a “W” 22 Thanksgiving — No class December
11 Final exam period 20 Fall semester officially ends
The Pew Research Center released a study that reveals residential segregation by income is rapidly rising across the United States, and Houston is not exempt. Houston alone has a 37 percent share of lower-income households residing in majority lower-income neighborhoods. Houston, along with Dallas and San Antonio, was almost at the top of the list. UH has been acclaimed by the Princeton Review and the US News & World Report as being notably affordable for obtaining useful degrees. “The (University) was founded for the children of middle-class workers. The tradition lives on today. The overwhelming majority of students come from lower middle-class and working-class families,” said sociology associate professor Jon Lorence. Bridging the gap between upperand lower-income families comes from a rise in higher education enrollment rates, said the Center for Houston’s Future in its 2012 Community Indicator Report. One survey in the report shows an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent or less for Houstonians who obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is less than the 10.3
percent unemployment rate for those with only a high school diploma. The Board of Regents voted in May not to raise tuition costs. UH continues to be one of the schools from which students graduate with
The income inequality is affecting our students more because their families are not increasing their income.” Jon Lorence, sociology associate professor the least amount of debt, said Frank Kelley, associate dean of undergraduate studies of the C.T. Bauer College of Business. “The income inequality is affecting our students more because their families are not increasing their income. It makes it more difficult for them to pay for the expenses of college,” said Lorence. Biology senior Marisol Bustamante feels that coming from a middle-class family has greatly affected her education. “It’s taken away from my study
time. If I didn’t have to work, I would have more time to study. It takes away from potential opportunities,” Bustamante said. For those that do have to work and study, solutions for saving money are all over campus, from living offcampus to using secondhand school supplies. “An economic program could be developed where students network to pass down books. Something like this would really help with book expenses,” said neuroengineering junior Joel Uribe. While the economic gap may cause some struggles, Kelley believes that the issue will remedy itself over time as new students adjust. “Houston is a gateway for immigrants. On the surface, there is a growing disparity between classes, but beneath the surface, the number rises because many individuals are new to Houston and new to the United States,” Kelley said. To help reduce debt, UH gives approximately 70 to 72 percent of students some sort of financial aid, whether that be a waiver or a loan. “I will not have student debt when I graduate,” said finance senior Ileana Perez. news@thedailycougar.com
University Eye Institute The University Eye Institute offers comprehensive eye care. Our optical department carries more than 50 designer brands as well as sunglasses and protective sports vision wear. Open to the public Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment please call 713.743.2020 or visit www.uei.uh.edu We are located at 4901 Calhoun “On the Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler”
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 3
The Daily Cougar
The Student Government Association is a representation of the student body to serve as a liaison between the University and the community. We work to enhance campus life and improve the student experience by interacting with students, faculty, staff and administration. SGA consist of three powerful branches. The Executive Branch that consist of Student Body President and his nominated advisors. The Legislative Branch that include the Student Senate. Every College elects representation in the Senate to work towards improving the student experience at UH. The Judiciary Branch is vested by the Court of Appeals. The court is comprised of the chief Justice and 6 Associate Justices who are appointed by the President and serve until graduation. There are many ways to get involved in YOUR Student Government Association at the University of Houston: 1. Attend a Senate Meeting biweekly at the Rockwell Pavilion in the MD Anderson Library. Meetings are open to the public and guests may address the Senate during Open Forum. 2. Serve on a University Committee. 3. Join the Emerging Leaders Program if you’re a freshman, sophomore or junior. 4. Look on our website under the Get Involved tab to find open positions.
Please join us at our next meeting on September 5 at 7:30 pm at the Rockwell Pavilion in the MD Anderson Library. For more SGA information: facebook.com/UHoustonSGA @uhsga Website: www.uh.edu/sga
The Daily Cougar
4 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
?
8IBU TIPVME * NBKPS JO
Find your niche at
CLASS
Majors Art* Art Art History Studio Art -Graphic Communications -Painting -Photography/Digital Media -Sculpture Communication Advertising Corporate Communication Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Journalism* -Broadcast -Print Media Media Production Media Studies Public Relations
Communication Sciences & Disorders* American Sign Language Interpreting Communication Sciences and Disorders Comparative Cultural Studies Anthropology Liberal Studies Economics English* Creative Writing Literature* Health and Human Performance Human Nutrition and Foods Kinesiology -Exercise Science -Sports Administration -Fitness and Sports
Hispanic Studies Spanish* History* Modern & Classical Languages Chinese Studies French* Italian Studies* Music* Composition Education* Marketing Religion Theory Applied Music Brass Keyboard Percussion Strings Woodwinds Voice
Economics English* Health and Human Performance Human Nutrition and Foods Kinesiology Hispanic Studies Spanish Spanish for Business Professionals History* American Cultures History Latin American Cultures Honors College Creative Work Medicine and Society Phronesis, Politics, and Ethics Interdisciplinary Arts Mexican American Studies Military Science (Army ROTC)
Modern & Classical Languages Arab Studies Chinese Studies Classical Studies French* French for Business Professionals German* Greek dies Italian Studies udies Jewish Studies Latin* tur u es and Literatures Liter e at a ures e World Cultures Music* raatu t re/H His istoory Music Literature/History ory Music Theory ncee (Navy nc (Nav (N avyy ROTC) ROTC RO TC)) Naval Science Philosophyy cie ienc ncee Political Science ecur ec uritityy St Stud udie iess National SSecurity Studies ve SSoc ocia iall Science Scie Sc ienc ncee Quantitative Social w an andd Po Poli licy cy Values, Law Policy
Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology Theatre & Dance Dance* Theatre -Acting -Design and Technology -Playwriting and Dramaturgy -Stage Management -Theatre Education
*Teacher CertiďŹ cation Available. Please consult the Department Advisor for more information
Minors African American Studies Air Force Leadership Art* Art History Studio Art Communication Corporate Communication Film Studies Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Journalism* Media Production Media Studies Public Relations/ Advertising Communication Sciences & Disorders Comparative Cultural Studies Anthropology Global and International Studies India Studies Religious Studies
$MJDL r $BMM r $PNF #Z $-"44 "DBEFNJD "ĹŽBJST "HOFT "SOPME )BMM 713-743-4001 www.uh.edu/class
Psychology Sociology Theatre & Dance Dance* Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Women’s Studies Sttudies
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 5
The Daily Cougar
WELCOME TO
EXCELLENCE
Follow President Khator: Twitter.com/UHPres uh.edu/president
The Daily Cougar
6 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
38,752 8,752 Total Enro Enrollment ollm ment
39,820 Total Enrollment
Improvement on all campuses UH progresses in research expenditures, enrollment and degrees awarded, not just on the main campus, but on all other campuses. Each university improved in their research expenditures, with UH-Clear Lake more than doubling. Degrees awarded has also increased for all four universities in the UH System despite most course completion rates staying constant. Expenditures per student across the system dropped.
UH MAIN
Source: “UH System Performance Report� of 2012, released by The University of Houston System
2010-2011 0-20 011 2011-2012 $119,811,000 811,0 000 Research h Expenditures Expendiitu ures
231 2 31
Doctorates orates Awarded Awa ard ded d
7,230
Degrees egrees Awarded Awa ard ded d
71% 71 1%
Freshman Acceptancee R Rate atee
1090 10 090
Freshman an Median nS SAT AT T
$127,499,186 Research Expenditures
284
Doctorates Awarded
7,840
UH DOWNTOWN
Degrees Awarded d
63%
2011 20 11-2 -201 012 2 2010-2011 2010 20 10 0-2 201 2011 011 1 2011-2012 12,900 2,9 900 Total Enr Enrollment rollme men nt
Freshman Acceptance Ratee
1114 4
$1,285,575 28 85,5 575
Freshman Median SAT T
Research h Expenditures Ex xpend ditu urees
94% 94 4%
Course Completion ompletion n Ratee
2,376 2 2,3 376 6
94%
Degrees egreees Awarded Awa ard ded d
Course Completion Ratee
93.59% 93.59 93 59 9%
Course Completion ompletion n Rate Ra atee
$20,459 $20,4 459
Expenditure xpenditurre per perr FTE stu student udeent
$20,135
Expenditure per FTE student
$11,730 $11,7 730 0
Expenditure xpenditurre per perr FTE stu student udeent
12,918 Total Enrollment
$1,479,508 8
Research Expenditures es
2,562 2
Degrees Awarded d
93.91% %
Course Completion Rate te
$13,115 5
Expenditure perr FTE student nt
U UH CLEAR LAKE 2011-2012 2 2010-2011 $18,188 8,188
Expenditure xpenditure per FTE student FT TE stude dent nt
8,099 ,09 99 Total Enro Enrollment ollm men nt
$831,0000 31,00 000
Research Expenditures Exp pendiitu urees
2,127 2 2,12 27
Degrees grees Awarded Awa ard ded d
94.5% 94.5 5%
Course Completion mpletion Rate Rat R ate
$16,082
Expenditure per FTE student
UH VICTORIA 2010-2011 2011-2012 891
Degrees Awarded
94.3%
8,188 Total Enrollment
Course Completion Rate C
$1,700,000 0
Expenditure Ex xpen nditure d per er FTE student FT TE st stud udent
Research Expendituress
2,292 2
Degrees Awarded d
94.3%
$14,544 14,544 ,
4,095 Total Enrollment
991
Degrees Awarded
92.9%
Course Completion Rate
$13,875
Expenditure per Exp FTE student
4,330 Total Enrollment
Course Completion Ratee
UH Dental Office Back to school Specials! $1000 off INVISALIGN or WISDOM TOOTH Removal! Free WHITENING with initial visit!
On-site Services: Emergencies Preventative General Restorative Limited Major Bleaching/Whitening INVISALIGN & WISDOM TEETH Location: UH Health Center building, #525, Entrance 6
Fees: Deeply discounted fees are available for all visits. *We accept all PPO insurance including the student dental insurance. NOTE: You may only purchase the student dental insurance while enrolling in the student health insurance. Flexible payment plans are available when extensive work is required.
FOR QUESTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS CALL:
713-227-6453 MORE INFORMATION www.uh.edu/admin/ hc/dental.htm
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 7
The Daily Cougar
“Supporting Student Success”
Get Involved
Center for Student Involvement Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life Student Publications UH Forensic Program University Centers A. D. Bruce Religion Center
Stay Healthy
Department of Campus Recreation Counseling and Psychological Services UH Wellness UH Health Center
Live on Campus
Freshmen Sophomore and Upperclassmen Graduate and Professional Students Residential Life
Dean of Students Office University Career Services Urban Experience Program Children’s Learning Centers
Get Support
At UH, the Division of Student Affairs provides a comprehensive array of services, programs, and activities that enhance the learning environment and facilitate the development of the whole student. Whether it's helping you get involved, stay healthy, live on campus, or get support, our staff is happy to enrich your campus life experience beyond the classroom!
uh.edu/dsa UHDSA
UH_DSA UH_VPSA
The Daily Cougar
8 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
Student debt can overwhelm Joshua Mann Editor-in-chief
History senior Johnathan Richards, like many other students, took out governmental student loans to help pay for his education — his student debt totals somewhere on the order of $60,000, he said. When he graduated high school, he tried to apply for scholarships, but an error on his Free Application For Student Aid form forced him to miss the deadline and take out loans to pay
for school. “I took all AP classes, my GPA in high school was a 3.74 and I had decent scores on my SAT, so I was hoping to get some sort of scholarship,” Richards said. “After that first semester, my GPA wasn’t that good, so I was never able to get scholarships after that.” UH Director of Media Relations Shawn Lindsey said that in the 20112012 school year, 20,783 students at UH took out loans totaling $158.4 million — an average of a little more
than $7,620 per student — using the Federal Stafford Loan program. According to U.S. News & World Report, 44 percent of 2010 UH graduates had taken out loans, graduating with an average of $14,922 in debt, compared to 46.7 percent and $22,243 at Texas A&M and 51 percent and $24,667 at the University of Texas at Austin. “Some of (my loans) are Stafford loans from the government. What DEBT continues on page 12
Center leads for Tier One Channler Hill Staff writer
Despite UH’s efforts to reduce debt, students still struggle. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar
Since opening in 2009, The Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling has grown and gained success and recognition for its research, making it an important factor in UH’s Tier-One achievement. The center is working on 26 projects and has received more than $18 million in funding so far in 2012. “Excellence in research is an important criterion for a university to reach and maintain Tier-One status,” said Jan-Åke Gustafsson, director of the CNRCS. “Tier One status is determined by a number of factors, including research awards and expenditures. A productive research environment is one of the key foundations in building a nationally competitive research university,” said Shaun Zhang, UH professor and CNRCS researcher, in an email. “The Center is designed to contribute to the Tier One mission not only in research productivity, but graduate student enrollment and graduation as well as other areas.” The CNRCS’ funding has increased since its first year at UH, when grants awarded totaled $2.1 million. While part of the success of the CNRCS can be attributed to the significance and usefulness of its research, another part of what makes this center so successful might lie in the way it pursues funding. “We have grants from several sources, (such as) NIH, CPRIT and private funds,” Gustafsson said. “We are very active in writing grant applications, and we expect to see an increasing number of grants coming to our center over the next few years.” Another factor in its success may be that the center has recruited a variety of people who have helped to build a successful department. “There is a strong team feeling in the center and everybody is interested in collaborating with one another,” Gustafsson said. The center’s research is focused on the parts of molecules that allow for communication between and inside of cells. “Most of our projects concern nuclear receptors, (such as) proteins, in the cell nucleus, which are activated by certain hormones like male and female sex hormones. (These) bind to genes, thereby regulating the rate by which these genes CNRCS continues on page 17
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 9
The Daily Cougar
Affordable care for Cougars Taylor McGilvray Staff writer
Insurance coverage for students will change because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to uphold the Affordable Health Care Act. It consists of a series of deadlines for health insurance reform, was signed into law in March 2010. The Daily Cougar spoke with Patricia Gray, director of Research and External Affairs at the UH Law Center’s Health Law and Policy Institute, to learn how these changes will affect college students specifically. — The Daily Cougar: What major changes will university-aged students see? Patricia Gray: Universities may review their own offers of insurance coverage for students when the insurance exchanges are up and running. However, that is still speculative at this point, as Texas has not made a decision about whether it will offer its own exchange or allow the federal government to create it. That decision will influence whether policies that would be beneficial and affordable. TDC: Does Texas have a deadline to decide whether or not it will offer its own exchanges? PG: Technically no, but since the exchanges are supposed to be up and running in 2013, time is running out for them to do their own. The governor has said he doesn’t want any part of it, but there appears to be some behind-the-scenes communication between relevant state agencies and federal agencies about how to make this happen in Texas. In my view, it would be better for Texas to design its own since it could take into account the needs of various populations in the state — rural, urban, families with children, single adults, etc. — but there is a mechanism for the federal government to set up such a program. TDC: How will health care coverage change for students who are under their parents’ insurance plan and for those under their own plan? PG: Coverage for students under their parents’ plans will change in a good way. Students may stay on their parents’ policies until they are 26 whether they are in school or not, whether they are being claimed as a dependent or not and whether they are married or not. This provision is in effect now. Previously, students who left school, were no longer claimed as a dependent or got married could not be maintained on their parents’ policies. Students who have their own policies will see no change as long as the insurer continues to offer the policy and does not make changes to the coverage. TDC: How will students who don’t CNRCS continues on page 17
The UH Health Center not only offers doctor appointments to students, faculty and staff, but it also has a pharmacy. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar
The Daily Cougar
10 \\ Monday, August June 27,27 2012 , 2012
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE UConstruction Campus construction continued throughout the summer with much of the progress occuring in July. From parking closures to painting signs to building dormitories, UH has kept itself busy.
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 2012
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stadium Garage opens
•
Leek Street lots close Construction of Lot 19A begins
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
Parking Lot 19A and ERP parking lot construction begins UC site begins to be fenced off and prepared for renovation Food trucks begin servicing campus Pedestrian access allowed through the south door of the Technology Building Intramural field renovations start and end Start of parking lot maintence Work on Calhoun Road and University Drive begins Parking Lot 6C closes permanently SR1 gets safety renovations
• •
•
•
•
•
•
• •
Start summer parking lot and street maintenance project Work begins to expand Lot 19D Gated Lot 13A was closed for construction Lynn Eusan Park stage renovations begin Parking Lots 21B and 6A were changed from resident parking to faculty/staff parking Retail spaces in Stadium Garage begin finalization Parking Lot 1B closes permanently Road work begins on Calhoun Road between University Drive and the Melcher Hall Lot 1A is closed permanently Blaffer work completed
•
•
•
•
• •
Construction on 1A Parking Garage begins Lot 15D converts from student to faculty/staff parking while Lot 15F becomes student parking Construction on SERC fourth floor ends UH Regents approve $85 million to begin construction of new football stadium Lynn Eusan Park stage renovations ends Gated Lot 19A opens End of annual summer parking lot and street maintenance project
• •
•
New dining hall scheduled to be completed Hilton receives safety upgrades Fleming also receives safety upgrades Framing, shearing and infrastructure will continue for Cougar Place Replacement
Statue moves from the UC Joshua Mann Editor in chief
The statue that was in the UC Arbor came down Aug. 14 and was put in storage. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar
This semester, returning students may notice something missing from the University Center, assuming that they can find a way past the sheetrock quartering off the UC Arbor. UH had the untitled statue removed from the UC Arbor and placed in storage in the Energy Research Park to allow for the next step in the New UC project. The statue, which depicted a cougar attacking a longhorn and an owl, had to be cut in three, carted through the UC Underground and hoisted through a skylight by a crane. “The biggest problem here is just access,” said Justin Griswold, owner of CrateWorks Inc., the company that removed and transported the statue. “Luckily, it’s lightweight, which makes it easier to work with.” Michael Guidry, curator of the University Art Collection, said the ultimate fate of the statue lies in the
hands of the System-wide Art Acquisition Committee, but the statue won’t be going anywhere before several weeks of conservation work. “We need to find a nice, new home for it,” Guidry said. “It was one of the first pieces in the collection.” Texas artist Bob Fowler built the statue in 1966. He died in November 2010. “Bob used to come out once a year and clean it,” Griswold said. “That’s what it really needs, yearly maintenance.” Louis Albizu, a graduate art student who works for Griswold, said he would like to see it back on display. “I hope they put it in a spot where everyone can enjoy it,” he said. “It’s a pretty cool statue. If you look at it, it’s pretty intricate.” One possible location for future display could be the Metro light rail stop to be built on Scott Street, Guidry said. news@thedailycougar.com
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 11
The Daily Cougar
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
e
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
December 2013
August 2014
•
•
•
•
•
Cougar Place Replacement scheduled to be finished
Garage 1A scheduled to be open
Cougar Village II scheduled to open
Phase 1 of UC renovations to be finished
New stadium scheduled to be finished
r
UC and construction photos taken by Hendrick Rosemond, aerial photo courtesy of Student Affairs Information provided by Bob Browand, director of Parking and Transportation, and Lea Stewart, executive administrative assistant for Facilities Planning and Construction
WWII-era buildings down one Julie Heffler News editor
The demolition occured the week before class. | Joshua Mann/The Daily Cougar
The long-anticipated demolition of the Y Building finally happened. The mid-July party hosted by the Cullen College of Engineering ended the era of the Y Building. The Y was the old laboratory building for the College of Engineering, but the hazards associated with the building became too great for continued use. More recently, the old pre-WWII era hangar has been used as an informal place for students to relax. “It was not safe and incredibly ugly, and I say that as someone with no aesthetic sense,” said David Shattuck, associate professor in the Cullen College of Engineering and director of the Honors Engineering Program. “It was not appropriate for faculty and students to be in. It had used up its time as a useful
building.” The Y came before WWII and before the influx of temporary metal buildings necessary after the influx of students associated with post-WWII. “The Y Building was in use already during the war, so it was not part of the group of temporary metal buildings bought by UH later, after WWII,” said Oscar Gutierrez, assistant to the Chancellor and President for Communications. “The book, ‘In Time,’ mentions that at the conclusion of WWII, President Kemmerer, preparing for the anticipated influx of returning war veterans, obtained 12 temporary classroom buildings from the Federal Works Agency from Camp Wallace and Camp Bowie. These were sold to UH as surplus Army property.” Only two temporary classrooms are still in existence, each one already repurposed. “One is on Cullen across the
street from Cullen Oaks. Channel 8 was based there — this was Channel 8’s second home, the first being in E. Cullen — prior to the construction of the Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting. It is now used by TLC2,” Gutierrez said. “The second one is near the architecture building. It now houses the Burdette Keeland Center Design and Exploration Center.” The plans for the Y are less certain than those for the other two temporary metal buildings. “In the short term, the space will be turned into a temporary parking space. In the long term, we are obviously hoping it will become another building,” Shattuck said. “ We think we need more space, but everyone thinks they need more space. We’d love a new building so that we could improve upon undergraduate and graduate education.” news@thedailycougar.com
The Daily Cougar
12 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
HEALTHY RESEARCH
UH falls short with Forbes
SUBJECTS NEEDED
Assistant news editor
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine need healthy, young adult volunteers to participate in a research study to evaluate a vaccine against norovirus, a common cause of short-term vomiting and diarrhea illness that occurs in our community (also comTVUS` RUV^U HZ PU[LZ[PUHS Å\ VY [OL JY\PZL ZOPW ]PY\Z Study requirements involve receipt of two injected doses of vaccine or placebo, an inpatient hospitalization (less than one ^LLR HUK ZL]LYHS V\[WH[PLU[ ]PZP[Z V]LY H TVU[O WLYPVKZ 7HY[PJPWHU[Z ZOV\SK L_WLJ[ [V ILJVTL PSS MVY H[ SLHZ[ H KH` VY TVYL *YP[LYPH MVY WHY[PJPWH[PVU HYL Z[YPJ[ ,UYVSSTLU[ PZ YLZ[YPJ[LK [V X\HSPÄLK Z\IQLJ[Z HUK WHY[PJPWH[PVU PZ HZZVJPH[LK ^P[O ZVTL YPZRZ Compensation will be paid according to the degree of a subject’s SL]LS VM WHY[PJPWH[PVU For further information contact study staff at:
713-798-7542
or e-mail
heavily populated with the military academies and highly endowed private institutions,� he said. The Center for College Affordability and Productivity, which compiles the rankings, graded each university according to five weighted categories: post-graduate success, student satisfaction, debt, four-year graduation rate and academic success. Debt accounted for 17.5 percent of each score, fouryear graduation rate accounted for 11.25 percent and student satisfaction accounted for 27.5 percent. “The Forbes methodology also places great weight on the four-year graduation rate, which UH continues to work to improve,� Bonnin said. “Most rankings look at the six-year graduation rate, for which UH has made significant progress.�
Ellen Goodacre
Forbes Magazine ranked UH as 482 out of 650, the bottom of the third quartile, in its annual list of top American colleges. “Last year when the football season went very well, people were excited to say, ‘Yes, I go to UH!’â€? said pre-pharmacy sophomore Jessica François. “But no one wants to go around saying, ‘Yeah, I go to UH and we’re ranked 482 on the Forbes list.’ It makes the University seem a lot worse than it actually is.â€? Richard Bonnin, executive director of media relations for the Office of University Communication, said Forbes places a strong emphasis upon student debt at graduation. “That is why the top of the list is
URISTERG@BCM.EDU (best)
According to the CCAP, only 15 percent of UH students graduate in four years. This number is considerably low compared to other Texas universities — such as the University of Texas at Austin, graduating 53 percent of students in four years, Southern Methodist University graduating 60 percent and Rice University graduating 79 percent. “The four-year graduation rate is inappropriate for UH in terms of rankings,� said John Antel, provost for UH. “We are an urban public university. Many of our best students work to pay for their education, so it is unrealistic for many of our students to graduate in four years.� Student satisfaction was judged FORBES continues on page 19
DEBT When you don’t know where to go for assistance, come to the Dean of Students OfďŹ ce. That’s the suggestion of the staff members who provide assistance to all students with universityrelated concerns through the Dean of Students. Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to students or make referrals to others on campus who can help.
continued from page 8
THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST STUDENTS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
OfďŹ ce Hours
FALL AND SPRING, WHEN CLASSES ARE IN SESSION: 8 AM TO 6 PM, MONDAY-THURSDAY, 8 AM TO 5 PM FRIDAY; SUMMER: 8 AM TO 5 PM
For more information
832-842-6183 OR COME BY RM. 252 IN THE UNIVERSITY CENTER, HTTP://WWW.UH.EDU/DOS
CALL
DSA
the Stafford doesn’t cover, I usually have to get through private loans, and for those I usually go through Sallie Mae,� Richards said. “If grad school requires me to take out more loans, it may go up as far as $200,000, but I don’t think I would even attend grad school if I had to get loans, because I’m already pretty much in the hole for undergrad.� There are some benefits to having some debt in school. According to Richards, if students stay on top of their payments, they can graduate with good credit. “I’ve got bills in my name, and they’re hefty bills, but there’s this sense of pride that eventually I will have paid for school on my own,� Richards said. “This is too big an investment for me to pass up. It was take out loans and go to school, or don’t go to school at all.� According to Richards there are downsides though, aside from merely having debt. “Just simply the numbers — it’s so daunting and so overwhelming that at times you can kind of get yourself in a rut, like, ‘How in the world am I going to pay all these bills?’� he said. “It can also be difficult tackling financial aid to get them to disperse your funds.� Richards says his plan is just to graduate and find a job before he attempts grad school. “A lot of these students are going to graduate, and they’re not going to have jobs. Six months later, the loan company — depending on who you go through — is going to want payments regardless of whether you have a job or not,� Richards said. “They’re going to get their money one way or another, and that’s kind of a scary thought.� news@thedailycougar.com
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 13
The Daily Cougar
PINCH YOUR PENNIES THEY WON’T CRY
RENT TEXTBOOKS FROM AMAZON
SAVE UP TO 70%
14 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
The Daily Cougar
The Daily Cougar
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 15
16 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
The Daily Cougar
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 17
The Daily Cougar
BOOKS
continued from page 1
growing popularity of e-books, digital textbooks still only account for a small percentage of the market. Less than 8 percent of respondents to an eCampus.com survey preferred e-books. “We also have news for anyone thinking that print books are heading the way of the dinosaur,� eCampus. com CEO Matt Montgomery said in a press release. “College students flat-out prefer old school, hardcover textbooks to e-textbooks.� Aside from decisions about the format, students also must decide between online retailers, discount stores and the on-campus bookstore.
They may have to do research to learn where they really save the most money or which store is most reliable. “The University of Houston Bookstore is a full-service operation, and its mission is to ensure that the right book for the right course is on the shelf at the right time,� said Felix Robinson, manager of the UH Bookstore. “Online retailers can’t guarantee that or accept financial aid or provide revenue, services or benefits to the students or school.� Buying is not the only way to acquire traditional textbooks — renting textbooks allows students to save a significant amount of money. “Students really do save a lot from renting. Rental prices can be
CNRCS
CARE
are transcribed into messenger RNA, which in its turn is translated into protein,� Gustafsson said. “In this way, nuclear receptors are extremely important regulatory molecules which are essential in health and disease.� The key to understanding and treating many diseases lies in the function of nuclear receptors and how different parts of cells and tissues communicate. “As much as 20 percent of prescribed drugs target nuclear receptors, and further targeting of nuclear receptors constitutes high priority programs in the pharmaceutical industry,� Gustafsson said. Zhang is working on a way to combat cancer by manipulating the function of a virus. “My group is focused on cancer virotherapy and specifically devoted to repurposing the herpes simplex virus two to combat cancer cells,� Zhang said in an email. “That project and others will hopefully see clinical trials in the future, with the ultimate goal of providing better treatment options for patients.� The CNRCS currently has ongoing team projects within the UH Center and various UH departments along with other universities and institutes, including The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas at El Paso. “There are many projects both at the Center and throughout UH with intramural and extramural collaborators,� Zhang said in an email. “Moreover, many of the projects involve collaborators from outside institutions, either in the nearby medical center, or across the entire nation.�
currently have insurance or are no longer eligible apply for insurance? PG: Students who don’t have coverage could be maintained on their parents’ policies or apply for coverage through the exchange once it is functioning. Until then, students may still seek coverage under a policy offered by the University or may contact independent insurance agents about coverage as an individual. If students seek individual coverage, they may want to consider a high deductible plan that would cost them a lower premium — higher out-of-pocket costs for routine care but could give
continued from page 8
news@thedailycougar.com
continued from page 9
anywhere from 55 to 60 percent off the list price,� said Sean Johnson, online marketing manager for eCampus.com. Aside from the lower prices, other motivations to rent textbooks are free shipping and large inventories. In a recent survey conducted by eCampus. com, 79 percent of customers rented their textbooks and preferred it to buying used copies or e-books. “I would say the only possible drawback would be that you might get a book in bad condition,� mechanical engineering sophomore Hosanna Escalante said. “But (renting websites) usually say what condition the book is in. I’ve never gotten a book in bad condition.� While textbook renting does have
some restrictions — like not being able to highlight or write in the book — it allows students to return books they do not wish to keep once they have completed a course. “There are no worries about selling them back and getting much less than what you paid,� Escalante said. “Plus, if you decide you might need to keep the book, there’s always an option to do that and you only have to pay a little extra.� Students are also advised to use peers and classmates as a resource. “Being involved in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, books generally don’t change too much,� Escalante said. “So I find other people who’ve used the same books before.�
Students have many of options to choose from when purchasing textbooks. If price is a factor, then renting textbooks may be the best option — it saved students 60 to 70 percent according to a press release by eCampus.com — followed by used books, which can save students 35 percent, and then e-books, which save students only about 15 percent, according to USA Today. Price aside, students should experiment and shop around. “First-year (students) just try to experiment with what they’re good with,� Chang said. “What helps them focus; what helps them be successful.� news@thedailycougar
good coverage for a catastrophic injury or illness. TDC: What is the tax penalty for not having health insurance, and how long do students have to enroll in a plan before the tax affects them? PG: The penalty for not having insurance doesn’t begin until the 2014 tax year. Initially, the penalty for a single adult will be $95 a year or 1 percent of the person’s taxable income above the federal poverty level for a single person, whichever is greater. The penalty will be added to the individual’s tax bill but cannot be enforced through liens or criminal penalties. news@thedailycougar.com
(QVXULQJ WKDW TXDOLILHG VWXGHQWV ZKR KDYH GLVDELOLWLHV L H 3V\FKRORJLFDO RU OHDUQLQJ KHDOWK KHDULQJ RU YLVXDO LPSDLUPHQWV
KDYH DQ HTXDO RSSRUWXQLW\ WR OHDUQ DQG VXFFHHG DW WKH
8QLYHUVLW\ RI +RXVWRQ ‡ $FDGHPLF Accomodations ‡ $VVLVWLYH $GDSWLYH Technology ‡ $VVLVWLYH $GDSWLYH Technolo og ‡ 7HVWLQJ 5RRPV ‡ 7HVWLQJ 5RRP P ‡ 'LVDELOLW\ 5HODWHG Counselin ‡ 'LVDELOLW\ 5HODWHG Counseling -XVWLQ 'DUW -U &HQWHU IRU 6WXGHQWV ZLWK 'LV$%,/,7,(6 &6'
ZZZ XK HGX FVG 7HO 77<
Â&#x2021; $GYRFDF\ Â&#x2021; $GYRFDF $GYRFD Â&#x2021; 5HVRXUFHV Â&#x2021; 5HVRXUF
The Daily Cougar
18 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
ADS START AT $5/DAY
Find a home. Find a job. Find it here. Help Wanted
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
Student Brand Ambassadors
wanted to promote new Collegiate
4VUKH` >LKULZKH` ;O\YZKH` HT WT
Custom Apparel Products
(KKP[PVUHS OV\YZ WVZZPISL .HSSLYPH (YLH
ORDER PROCESSING/ COORDINATOR
796- 7,:205
A nationwide electronic promotional product company is looking for an assistant for daily order processing
Answering Service Hiring Team Members Flexible schedules, Paid Time Off, must type 45 WPM. Please call (713) 866 - 6593 for your first interview.
Entry Level Bookkeeper for a Property Management Company Monday -Friday 8:30 – 5:30 Position starting May 16, 2012 Starting Pay $27,500 Prior Retail Sales Experience Preferred MANAGErenthouses.com
713-528-5311
continued from page 1
Help Wanted
(::0:; +0:()3,+ >0-, >0;/ :/6>,9 +9,::05. /6<:,/63+ */69,: +90=05. ,;*
*VU[HJ[
GRAD
CALL 713-743-5356
JOB DESCRIPTIONS: -Quotation Preparation -Order Review and -Entry -Printing Proof Generation -Production Coordination -Customer Service QUALIFICAITONS: -Familiar with Computer Graphics & Accounting -Experience in Related Fields
Promote your schools Officially Licensed Apparel, help us grow, build your resume, and earn commission. Send resume to
gary@fanswithattitude.com
Hiring Catering
WAITSTAFF Part-time, flexible schedules, mostly night and weekends. No experience necessary. Paid Training.
We offer competitive salary and benefits. Please send resume to
resume@ktipromo.com
www.jacksonandcompany.com hr@jacksonandcompany.net
Live in female house sitter ,full/partime ,over 18 ,over 5’ 9” , up to $900/ month .713 647-0460.
PT OFFICE ASSISTANT, for a Property Management Company, M-F 12:30pm to 5:30pm, $10 hour, MANAGERENTHOUSES.COM - 713-528-5311.
*STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM* PAID survey takers needed in Houston. 100 percent FREE to join! Click on Surveys.
MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Museum district. Looking for Subs/Assts. Flex hrs. Excellent for Child Development, Education or Psychology majors! Call 713-520-0738
STUDENT HANDYMAN for remodeling work on apts near UH. Must have own tools. 713-743-2734 or 713-4659610
Bulletin Board
Rentals
Rentals
Walk to campus Utilities included
BEAUTIFUL GARAGE APARTMENT University Oaks 2 Blocks from UH Furnished Ideal for international students. $600 + electricity + deposit. 713-748-5064.
4 blocks UH Campus s 1 to 3 bdrm, 1 baths s modern kitchen s all new appliances s walk-in closets s newly painted & remodeled s electric driveway gate s large forest-like lot s granite counters s slate floors s 7 minutes to Med Center or downtown s public park across street. MLS 25577592 or call Karre Orton
713.539.3034. 2 LARGE BDRMS and a shared living area. Half a mile from UH within cycling distance. Washer/dryer. Off St. Parking 832-659-8130 APARTMENT FOR LEASE: Five minutes from UH. All bills paid. Central AC/ Heat. $1200/month. Call 832-4594444. DUPLEX FOR RENT: 6222 Foster 2 bdrm/1 bath. Close to UH. New carpet,, fresh paint, gated. $750 per month. 281-484-1111 FIND YOUR NEXT JOB. Read The Daily Cougar classifieds every day — in print or online.
Your ad here. Log on to thedailycougar.com/ classifieds to begin posting online and print ads.
J J
Online. thedailycougar.com/ Ô
classifieds
SIGMA ALPHA LAMBDA-NATIONAL HONORS/LEADERSHIP ORG. SIGMA ALPHA LAMBDA (WWW.SALHONORS. ORG) IS A NATIONAL HONORS AND LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 100 CHAPTERS NATIONWIDE. WE ARE SEEKING HIGHLY MOTIVATED AND INTERESTED STUDENTS TO BECOME FOUNDING OFFICERS/ MEMBERS TO BEGIN A CHAPTER ON CAMPUS. CONTACT: RMINER@SALHONORS.ORG. EMAIL RMINER@SALHONORS.ORG
J
Off campus?
BUY YOUR NEXT CLASSIFIED AD in your pajamas. Log on to thedailycougar. com/classifieds to begin posting online and print ads, 24/7/365.
Travel
Additional reporting by Alexandra Doyle. news@thedailycougar.com
Find a place to live and a job to pay the rent.
THE DAILY COUGAR
person in their family to go to college,” Bandoh said. “We frankly must do better.” UH’s location and the type of students it attracts may be the cause of the low rate — not necessarily student intelligence. “Enrollment at an urban public university such as the University of Houston includes a significant number of older beginning students, who typically take longer to graduate than traditional-age beginners,” said Executive Director of Media Relations Richard Bonnin. “(The graduation rate) is not surprising, as many of these students have the additional responsibilities of raising a family and are taking courses while working to pay for college or while fulfilling active military duty requirements.” This theory is supported by Bandoh. “Most classes are scheduled between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which doesn’t allow us to offer as many course sections as possible,” Bandoh said. Not all seem quick to blame the nature of the University or the faculty. “We’re at an amazing school that rivals schools like UT, A&M and Rice, and we should be proud of it and be ready to work hard to make our school proud of us. The only people to blame for low graduation rates are the students, and they’re the ones that need to step up and fix it,” said piano senior Bethany Monjaras. The solution may be what are called high-impact practices. These practices mentioned in the research from the National Survey of Student Engagement and the Association of American Colleges and Universities were cited recently by Khator as a factor that improves grades, engagement and student retention. “A recent study by UH’s Office of Institutional Research concluded that UH trailed its national peers in delivering highimpact practices such as learning communities. Only 13 percent of UH’s first-year students are engaged in learning communities compared to 22 percent at public non-residential institutions and 18 percent of urban institutions,” Bonnin said. As UH’s high-impact practice rate is also low, Khator aims to improve it as a way to increase four- and six-year graduation rates. “We must engage students in these practices early,” Khator said. “We don’t want to lose momentum. I compliment our faculty because I recognize its commitment to student success. These practices are just a piece of the puzzle and can help us improve our classrooms and continue to grow as an institution.” Bandoh hopes to attack this issue by encouraging the students to take on a larger course load and get more involved. “I always highly encourage students, if possible, to take 15 credit hours a semester to ensure graduation in four years. I also highly encourage taking summer school (and taking core classes at local community colleges and transferring them in to save money). If available and possible, high school students should get as many of the core courses completed as they can during high school,” Bandoh said.
®
classifieds
Need money? We can help. THE DAILY COUGAR classifieds
®
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 19
The Daily Cougar
FORBES
continued from page 12
by freshmen-to-sophomore retention rates and Rate My Professor student reviews. “In one sense, students are consumers of the education colleges and universities offer, with the core dimension of the learning
experience coming from classes taught by instructors,” said the CCAP in “Compiling the Forbes/ CCAP Rankings.” Students who post ratings on the website are viewed as experts because of their significant experience with the professors they are evaluating. While some may be surprised by the overall ranking, there are
some positive statistics found in the article, François said. “I was actually very glad that there were about 80 percent of students receiving financial aid, because I think that’s a lot better than other universities,” François said. “I don’t believe this ranking is truly representative of UH because this doesn’t get the whole picture
of the University. It focuses on very specific details and doesn’t consider things like student involvement.” Although UH may be ranked low on the Forbes list, the University has fared well in other comparative studies this year. UH was ranked among 150 institutions nationwide on the list of “Princeton Review Best Value
Colleges for 2012” in February, recognized as one of the 100 “Great Colleges to Work For” nationwide by The Chronicle of Higher Education earlier this month, and also ranked 12th in the nation for graduating students with the least amount of debt in 2011 by the U.S. News & World Report. news@thedailycougar.com
! S T N E D U T S N O T S U O H f o U L L A G N CALLI Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/thedailycougar
Stop by the Seventeen Magazine Pavilion & Style Institute at Cat’s Back! Pick up tons of free giveaways to gear you up for Back-to-School.
n w a L r e t n e PM • Rec C
7 3 9 • 2 t s u g u A , y a d s e Wedn
Feed back
Help us see things from your perspective! Online editor@thedailycougar.com Twitter @thedailycougar Facebook.com/thedailycougar
On the phone Call 713.743.5362 to speak to the Editor in Chief
In person Stop by our office Room 12, UC Satellite
UH WINS AGAIN!
23 %
23% to 10% Voice Plans discounts
10%
FREE Smartphones
Win again with Verizon Wireless and Sprint Discounts All UH Students, Employees, Alumni, and Business Alumni PIENSA GROUP - WIRELESS PARTNER OF UHAA Call 888.726.1110 Visit www.piensagroup.com
The Daily Cougar
20 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
Learning Assessment Services
Bri g
S
Learning Support Services Room N109 Cougar Village (Building # 563) Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu Mon - Thurs 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
LA
FREE TUTORING
h
eas from d i t
www.las.uh.edu WORKSHOPS FALL 2012
Location: / $PVHBS 7JMMBHF CVJMEJOH
Length: NJOVUFT 1MFBTF CF PO UJNF /P BENJUUBODF BŦFS NJOVUFT QBTU UIF IPVS Register: â&#x20AC;&#x153;8PSLTIPQ 4JHOVQu BU XXX MBT VI FEV MTT 0O MJOF SFHJTUSBUJPO JT OFDFTTBSZ UP PCUBJO B TQPU
CATCH UP
Learning Support Services r 1FFS UVUPSJOH r -FBSOJOH 4USBUFHJFT DPVOTFMJOH r 4UVEFOU 4VDDFTT 8PSLTIPQT
Problems registering? Call Dr. Laura Heidel at 713-743-5439 or Lorraine Schroeder at 713-743-5463
8FFL
Topic
Time #1
Time #2
1
4UVEZ TUSBUFHJFT GPS B HSFBU TFNFTUFS
8FE ! QN
5IVST ! BN
2
5JNF NBOBHFNFOU m 4DIFEVMF QMBOOJOH
5VFT ! QN
'SJ ! QN
.BJOUBJOJOH CBMBODF GPS DPMMFHF TVDDFTT
.PO ! QN
/PUF UBLJOH UJQT
5VFT ! BN
4
.BJOUBJOJOH CBMBODF GPS DPMMFHF TVDDFTT
.PO ! QN
4
3FBEJOH TUSBUFHJFT GPS DPMMFHF MFWFM DPVSTFT
.PO ! BN
.BJOUBJOJOH CBMBODF GPS DPMMFHF TVDDFTT
.PO ! QN
Improving concentration
.PO ! QN
.BJOUBJOJOH CBMBODF GPS DPMMFHF TVDDFTT
.PO ! QN
6TJOH "1" 8SJUJOH 4UZMF
.PO ! QN
5IVST ! QN
7
1SFQBSJOH GPS FYBNT
5VFT ! BN
'SJ ! BN
7
4UVEZJOH GPS OBUVSBM TDJFODF DPVSTFT
.PO ! BN
5IVST ! QN
8
-FBSOJOH CFZPOE NFNPSJ[JOH
5VFT ! QN
'SJ ! QN
8
#VJMEJOH PSHBOJ[BUJPOBM TLJMMT
.PO ! QN
8FE ! QN
9
(JWJOH QSPGFTTJPOBM QSFTFOUBUJPOT
.PO ! QN
5IVST ! BN
9
&ŮFDUJWF TUVEZ HSPVQT
5VFT ! BN
'SJ ! QN
4UVEZJOH GPS OBUVSBM TDJFODF DPVSTFT
.PO ! QN
'SJ ! QN
4UVEZJOH GPS .BUI 4UBUJTUJDT "DDPVOUJOH
5VFT ! QN
'SJ ! QN
11
5JNF NBOBHFNFOU m 4DIPPM -JGF CBMBODF
.PO ! BN
5VFT ! QN
12
"OBMZUJDBM 3FBTPOJOH
8FE ! BN
5IVST ! QN
#PPTUJOH NFNPSZ
5VFT ! QN
5VFT ! QN
14
3FEVDJOH UFTU BOYJFUZ
5VFT ! QN
'SJ ! QN
Overcoming procrastination
.PO ! QN
5IVST ! QN
$PQJOH XJUI ůOBMT
5VFT ! QN
8FE ! QN
8FE ! QN
STAY ON TARGET Retention Programs r $IBMMFOHFS 1SPHSBN
GET AHEAD 5VFT ! QN
5IVST ! QN
University Testing Services r "DDVQMBDFS r $SFEJU CZ FYBN r "EWBODFE 1MBDFNFOU r *OUFSOBUJPOBM #BDDBMBVSFBUF r (3& r 1MBDFNFOU UFTUT
GET INVOLVED Parent Education Project
ONLINE FACULTY/ COURSE EVALUATION http:// accessuh. uh.edu 6TF ZPVS NZ6) 1FPQMF4PŦ *% PS $PVHBS/FU *% UP MPHJO
The Daily Cougar
SPORTS
EDITOR Andrew Pate EMAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/sports
Back on top Cougars aim to ride high-octane offense p.6
Building for the future Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball put together heralded recruiting classes p.9
Learning Support Services Eval.uh.edu www.las.uh.edu/lss Complete course evaluation online at N109 Cougar Village http://accessuh.uh.edu for selected LSS workshops courses
Free Tutoring University Testing Services Learning Strategies Counseling www.las.uh.edu/uts 204 Student Service Center 1 WWW.LAS.UH.EDU
The Daily Cougar
2 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE
Comprehensively covering last season in C-USA our mission My goal for the sports section this fall is to provide the most all-inclusive outlet available for students, alumni and fans in regards to University of Houston athletics. This semester, we will cover stories our readers not just want to know but need to know. This is our campus, and no media source should be more reliable in getting to know our players Andrew and coaches Pate than The Daily Cougar. Along with my top-notch staff writers, I will go beyond the box score to provide stories readers canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find anywhere else. With the landscape changing for UH athletics and the Cougars joining the Big East next season, we will also seek to document the 16th and final year for Houston in Conference USA. Along the way, we will take a look
at the highs and lows of our athletic program in C-USA while recapping defining moments that caused each sport to get where it is now. In a state where football is the religion, head coach Tony Levineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cougars will receive the coverage they deserve â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but our section encompasses more than that. These are exciting times for our soccer and volleyball programs, both under the direction of first-year head coaches. Covering tradition-rich programs like cross country and golf will also be at the top of our priorities, along with womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball and swimming. Beyond our print edition, the same quality sports coverage will be available on our website in addition to play-by-play updates through our Twitter account. It is an honor to cover a premier athletic department with a history of final-four appearances, 16 NCAA golf championships spanning four decades, Cotton Bowl victories, a
Heisman Trophy winner and many more accolades. Like the readers of this section, UH sports are my passion and I look forward to covering our games with the same enthusiasm this fall.
STAFF Section editor Andrew Pate
Assistant editor Christopher Shelton
Staff writers Channler Hill Harrison Lee Alfred Mendez Roman Petrowski MĂłnica Rojas
Feature Cover Photo
T
Contact information Email: sports@thedailycougar.com Phone: (713) 743-5303
he cover photograph features junior running back Charles Sims and senior offensive lineman Jacolby Ashworth celebrating during last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 73-34 victory against rival Rice Owls at Robertson Stadium. Prior to this season, both players received national recognition with Ashworth named to the Lombardi Award watch list and Sims to the Maxwell Award watch list among others. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Andrew Pate/The Daily Cougar
University Eye Institute Sports Vision Performance Center
Sports Vision when you want to see it coming Personalized & Comprehensive Vision Care
6WLU [V [OL W\ISPJ 4VUKH` -YPKH` H T [V W T ;V ZJOLK\SL HU HWWVPU[TLU[ JHSS VY ]PZP[ ^^^ \LP \O LK\ >L HYL SVJH[LK H[ *HSOV\U â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Corner of Calhoun and Wheelerâ&#x20AC;?
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 3
The Daily Cougar
SOCCER HOME OF THE $99 LAPTOPS Visit us at www.computrcafe.com
Scren Repair Data Recovery System Restore Password & Rouge Virus Removal Computer Diagnostic
Sell your old, used, or new laptops on our eBay Store! 30 Day Warranty
Extended Warranty Plan $8.50
Ask about our “Buy-Back Program” We buy & sell scrap Laptops
Servicing Houston and Surrounding Area “Delivery and On-Site Repair Services Available
9432 Hwy 6 S. @ Bissonnet
Like the football program, UH’s soccer team will be playing its final season in Robertson Stadium this fall. Away from home, UH faces a challenging schedule including games against Arizona and Arizona State. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
Under direction of Pfau, soccer kicks off season with new style Coogs keep up attacking nature, use non-conference schedule for tweaks Monica Rojas Staff writer
Three games into the season, the Lady Cougars stand at 2-1-0 after defeating the HBU Huskies 3-2 on Sunday at Robertson Stadium. Prior to the game, the Coogs faced Northwestern State at their exhibition match on Sept. 11, and defeated them with a goal by senior Katelyn Rhodes. The following game resulted in 2-0 loss to SFA on Sept. 17. “We are a new staff,” head coach Chris Pfau said. “We didn’t have the spring with them (so) it’s going to take some time getting comfortable with each other. That will change from game to game. Our big aspiration is to get everything figured out before we hit conference. We’ll take some losses trying to figure things out but the big picture is we want to be strong going in to conference.” Even so, junior midfielder Jasmine Martinez says the team is adjusting well. “Everyone is willing to do whatever he has us doing,”
Martinez said. “He’s bringing in a new style and everyone is working really well with it, getting to know each other and staying positive on becoming
Everyone’s willing to do whatever it takes. He’s bringing in a new style and everyone is working really well with it, getting to know each other and staying positive on becoming champions.” Jasmine Martinez, junior midfielder talking about the addition of new head coach Chris Pfau to the soccer program champions.” The new coaches’ style of play, a four-two-three-one differs from the four-three-three the team was accustomed to under former five-year head coach Susan Quill. “I think we all have the same idea of what we think soccer should be,” assistant coach Suzie Grech said.“We know it’s a beautiful game and we want to keep it that beautiful game. In the past they’ve played much more direct. We’re trying to a play a little bit more simple yet still attacking and going after teams. There are still things we’re looking to tweak
but at the same time we’re finding a nice foundation as to where we want to take this team. ” Such tweaking according to Pfau includes building on the positive and addressing problems. “I thought we kept our structure very well (Sunday),” Pfau said. “I thought we attacked very well, we created some very good goals, and we were dangerous at times and so we will build on that. We got to fix (things) defensively. We’re not strong in the air and we don’t walk up very well so we got to fix that, and going forward, we’ll be a good team.”. Conference USA games began Tuesday against SMU at Robertson Stadium and run through Oct. 26 in a culminating game against the Rice Owls at Robertson. sports@thedailycougar.com
TURN YOUR USED BOOKS INTO CASH. Sell your stuff for FREE to the UH community with online classifieds! To get started, sign up with your UH e-mail address at: thedailycougar.com/classifieds
THE DAILY COUGAR.COM M
HOME SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
Aug 11 Aug 19 Sept 16 Sept 21 Sept 23 Oct 5 Oct 7 Oct 19 Oct 21 Oct 26
Northwestern State Houston Baptist UTSA SMU Tulsa East Carolina Marshall Colorado College UTEP Rice
W 2-1 W 3-2 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Sign up at www.thedailycougar.com
The Daily Cougar
4 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
VOLLEYBALL
Preseason poll provides motivation to veteran program Harrison Lee Staff writer
Coming off a 19-11 campaign last year, along with a fifth place preseason ranking in a Conference USA poll, the UH volleyball program has plenty of extra motivation. “We know that’s nowhere near where we’re going to finish; obviously we’re expecting to finish first,” senior Stephanie Nwachukwu said. “Being that underdog always lights that fire under your belly.” With several upperclassmen returning, the Cougars look primed and ready to be plenty competitive and eager to improve even further. A new sight on the sidelines is new Head Coach Kaddie Platt. Platt, who joined UH after a 17-year career at Houston Baptist, brings with her new Assistant Coaches Jenny Andrew and David Hyte. Sophomore setter, Caitlin Ogletree, appreciates Platt’s demanding
Under first-year coach Kaddie Platt, the Houston Cougars volleyball program is poised to take on a difficult schedule that includes matches against Ohio State, Missouri and Florida State among others. | File photo/The Daily Cougar demeanor. “Our coaches are expecting so much from us,” Ogletree said. “At
the moment you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so much,’ but once you’re done with practice, you
realize that they believe in you. Whenever you have (coaches) believing in you and pushing you
I feel like we are very capable of keeping this conference title in hand.” If appearances act as any indicator, Coach Platt does not have any fears about her first year at UH. “I’m a very competitive person and I’m good at building teams,” Platt said. “We will definitely be a different team today than we will be in two weeks.” The season kicks off against Toledo on Aug. 24, with the first home game taking place Sept. 7, against UTSA. Tickets are still available for 12 more total home games this season, but they are selling fast. Home games are held at the Athletics/Alumni Center and expectations are high. “We want to win Conference,” Platt said. “Settling for anything less than that would be disappointing. I feel like we have the talent to do it, we just have to build the right team to do that.” sports@thedailycougar.com
Career advice? There’s an app for that. KPMG’s Branding U app is full of advice to help you brand yourself for success. Watch fresh videos, read smart articles, and get tips on polishing up your brand directly from KPMG recruiters and professionals. All at the touch of your finger. kpmgcampus.com The best advice on a mobile device To download KPMG’s free KPMGGO app, visit http://itunes.com/apps/kpmggo or scan the code here.
© 2012 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. 102373NDPPS
The Daily Cougar
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 5
The Daily Cougar
6 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
OFFENSE
Nesbitt takes command of air-raid attack Andrew Pate Sports editor
Despite all the changes in the Houston Cougars’ offense this season — new quarterback, offensive coordinator, receiving corps, even uniforms — don’t be surprised if it still looks familiar. “Somebody who’s been out of town since last December and comes to watch us play Sept. 1, they wouldn’t necessarily know there’s been a change,” said firstyear head coach Tony Levine. “What we’ve been doing here is what we (look for while recruiting), so I wanted to find somebody in that shared philosophy.” Under new Offensive Coordinator Mike Nesbitt, who subscribes to the same fast-paced, air-raid philosophy of his predecessors, the Cougars are expected to appear similar to last season. “I think we’re going to have the same strengths we had last year,” said junior running back Charles Sims. “We’re basically running the same offense, just with a lot of different signals.” That’s where the parallels end, though. Under center, redshirt
Offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt will seek out ways to get the ball to play maker Charles Sims. Against Tulane last season, Sims averaged 20.7 yards per carry, breaking a 58-year school record. | File photo/The Daily Cougar sophomore quarterback David Piland will take the reigns, two years following his appearance during season-ending injuries to Case Keenum and Cotton Turner. “I think we’ve got a unique situation in our program in that
when you lose your quarterback to graduation, the guy replacing him really has no game experience,” Levine said. “We’ve got a young man who has eight games of starting experience under his belt and is unique in the situation as well
DEFENSE
— that we were able to redshirt him this past year.” The normally pass-happy Cougars, who threw the ball 682 times and averaged 450 yards passing per game a season ago, will see significant contributions from a
largely new-receiving corps. “I’m not sure what it costs to buy a game program when you enter Robertson Stadium, but I recommend that fans in September at least pay the couple dollars and pick up one on the way in,” Levine said. “We’re going to have a bunch of guys catching footballs and scoring touchdowns for us, and you might need to match their jersey numbers with their name and picture in the program.” The mix of inexperienced players, an offensive line of four returning starters and Sims — who can break one at any moment — has the pre-season predictors playing the guessing game on where the Cougars will finish. “We’re really not concerned with what people think we’re going to do this season,” Levine said. “Some people have us doing real well, and a lot of people have us rebuilding and struggling this season. We’ll look back in December and find out how our regular season went and hopefully look back in January and have a successful bowl game.” sports@thedailycougar.com
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cougars explore new defensive scheme Christopher Shelton Assistant sports editor
In order for the Cougars to compete for a Conference-USA title, the defense has to have a great impact, and there are challenges ahead. The Cougars are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme. Former linebacker coach Jamie Bryant will take over as defensive coordinator for Bryan Steward Stewart, who departed for Maryland. Bryant is looking to turnover a new leaf and trot out a competitive defense on opening day. “(I’m) not interested in last year,” Bryant said. “All I’m interested in is how good of a defense we can be this year and worry about what’s ahead of us.” Linebackers were the strength of the defense last year. Unfortunately, two key parts of the line backing core are no longer eligible. Gone are Marcus McGraw, who led the team in tackles with 141, and Sammy Brown, who led the nation in tackles for loss.
In steps a new crop, headlined by returning senior starter Phillip Steward, who led the nation in interceptions as a linebacker last year. Steward will be flanked with Derrick Mathews and fellow senior, Everett Daniels. Daniels will attempt to fill the heavy cleats of McGraw, starting as middle linebacker. “Quite frankly, out of the three linebackers this spring, Everett has played the best,” Tony Levine said at media day. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he does this year.” Steward, who had six interceptions last season, says he pushes the secondary to get better. “I like to challenge them; saying I’ll have more picks than you this game so we can go out there and compete,” Steward said. With a push from Steward and some real talent, the secondary should be a strength of this defense. The Cougars are in a good position at corner with Thorpe Award Watch List recipient D.J. Hayden and Zachary McMillian manning receivers on the outside. Chris Cermin and Jeffery Lewis will start at the safety positions. The defensive line is chocked
full of veterans who will rotate along that four-man front. Line coach Carlton Hall likes to keep his team fresh. Dominic Miller, on the inside, is a name to watch. The Blinn College transfer had 25 tackles from the nose guard position last season. Radermon Scypion “had as good a spring as anyone in our program,” Levine said. Scypion and Joey Mbu will split time from the tackle position. From the defensive end positions, Zeke Riser and Eric Braswell will supply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Efrem Oliphant, Jon Witten and Desmond Pulliam converted to defensive ends since less line backers are needed to run the 4-3. Bryant says he knows that it takes a team effort to field a great defense. “We better have 11 guys that are the strength of this defense and hopefully 22,” Bryant said. The Cougars will look to continue improving on last season’s fifth place C-USA finish in total defense (380.29 yards per game) and seventh place finish in rushing defense (171.57 yards). sports@thedailycougar.com
UH will face the task of replacing dynamic return man Patrick Edwards who signed with the Detroit Lions this summer. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
Competition, experience highlight special teams fall preparations Christopher Shelton Assistant sports editor
The most often overlooked phase of the game is special teams. Not so at UH, especially with a head coach who has been a special team’s coach at four different destinations. Last season, the Cougars were among the nation’s best including Tyron Carrier’s three returns for scores — marking his seventh career return for a touchdown matching an NCAA record. “Special teams is one of the most important aspects of the game. You can win or lose it there,” kicker Matt Hogan said. “I think (Levine) really knows that and puts a lot of emphasis into it and it shows on the field.”
There is turnover due to graduation on the unit and the team is still searching for replacements. “When you talk about special teams, the big question mark, at least publicly, is who the returners are going to be, replacing Carrier as a kick-off returner and Patrick Edwards as a punt returner,” head coach Tony Levine said. At kick returner, Isaiah Sweeney and Jeffery Lewis will compete for the starting job. Both have experience in that arena so it is an interesting position battle. At least initially, Lewis and Sweeney will see time at kick returner. SPECIAL TEAMS continues on page 10
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 7
The Daily Cougar
20 12
C-USA OUTLOOK
WEST DIVISION
BY ANDREW PATE AND CHRISTOPHER SHELTON
EAST DIVISION
HOUSTON COUGARS 2011 record: 13-1 (8-0 C-USA)
Head coach: Tony Levine; 1st season; 1-0 career (1-0 at UH) Key losses: QB Case Keenum; WRs Patrick
Edwards, Tyron Carrier Key returnees: RB Charles Sims; CB D.J. Hayden; LB Phillip Steward
Outlook: Though 13-1 is probably unlikely, the Cougars still have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. With plenty of starters returning, the defense should be much improved. Will be a contender if: If David Piland has a good season at quarterback, the Cougars will compete for the C-USA crown. Besides UCLA in Pasadena and SMU in Dallas, all other tough tests are at home.
RICE OWLS 2011 record: 4-8 (3-5 C-USA) Head coach: David Bailiff, 6th season; 23-38 career (23-38 at Rice) Key losses: DE Scott Solomon; QB Nick Fanuzzi
Key returnees: RB/WR Sam McGuffie; CB Bryce Callahan; LB Cameron Nwosu
Outlook: Rice has good talent at the skill positions. If RB Sam McGuffie can stay healthy the Owls can be an exciting offense. Will be a contender if: Rice is a young team this season. The Owls need to improve dramatically on the defensive end if they want to compete.
TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE 2011 record: 8-5 (7-1 C-USA) Head coach: Bill Blankenship, 2nd season; 8-5 career (8-5 at Tulsa) Key losses: QB G.J. Kinne, LB Curnelius Arnick
Key returnees: RB Ja’Terian Douglas; WR Bryan Burnham; LB Shawn Jackson
Outlook: Tulsa is replacing one of their best quarterbacks ever in G.J. Kinne. However if Nebraska transfer Cody Green plays to potential, the transition won’t be that rough. Will be a contender if: The non-conference schedule lightens for Tulsa this season. Though their games against UH and SMU are on the road this season, a 10-win season is possible.
TULANE GREEN WAVE 2011 record: 2-11 (1-7 C-USA) Head coach: Curtis Johnson , 1st season; 0-0 career Key losses: WR Jeremy Williams; RB Andre Anderson
Key returnees: QB Ryan Griffin; RB Orleans Darkwa; DE Austen Jacks
Outlook: Tulane is a building project. But with its quarterback, running back and top four pass catchers returning, its offense should put up points. Will be a contender if: Tulane has home games against Rice and UAB. Tulane’s arrow is trending upward — they can win more than one game in conference this season.
UTEP MINERS 2011 record: 5-7 (2-6 C-USA) Head coach: Mike Price, 9th season; 128-130 career (45-52 at UTEP) Key losses: RB Joe Banyard; LB Jeremy Springer
Key returnees: QB Nick Lamaison; LB Jamie Irving
Outlook: UTEP returns its quarterback, four of five starters on the offensive line, the top three tight ends and the top two receivers. The defense could make an improvement as well. Will be a contender if : The Miner’s schedule will prevent them from competing for a conference title. UTEP draws the top 6 teams in the league and must face Tulsa, Houston and Southern Miss on the road.
SMU MUSTANGS 2011 record: 8-5 (5-3 C-USA) Head coach: June Jones 4th season; 100-69 career (24-28) at SMU) Key losses: QB J.J. McDermott
EAST CAROLINA PIRATES 2011 record: 5-7 (4-4 C-USA) Head coach: Ruffin McNeill, 3rd season; 12-14 career (11-14 at ECU) Key losses: QB Dominique Davis; DB Derek Blacknall;
LB Cliff Perryman Key returnees: WR Justin Hardy; DB Damon Magazu; LB Jeremy Grove
Outlook: : East Carolina will be forced to replace star QB Dominique Davis and find a solution to a running game that gained only 109 yards per game last season. Will be a contender if: In 2011, the Pirates struggled to hang on to the ball finishing 119th in the country in turnover margin. If East Carolina can find a way to move the ball offensively and take advantage of home games against UH and Marshall, anything is possible.
SOUTHERN MISS 2011 record: 12-2 (6-2 C-USA) Head coach: Ellis Johnson, 1st season; (0-0 career) Key losses: QB Austin Davis, WR Ryan Balentine, WR Kelvin Bolden
Key returnees: RB Jamal Woodyard, WR Tracy Lampley, DB Deron Wilson
Outlook: The defending C-USA champs are poised for another championship run behind RB Jamal Woodyard and an offense that led the conference in rushing last season. Will be a contender if: If the Golden Eagle’s pass defense can generate some stops and last season’s backup QB Arensio Favor, now in the starting role can move the ball through the air, expect Southern Miss to take the East Division.
MEMPHIS TIGERS 2011 record: 2-10 (1-7 C-USA) Head coach: Justin Fuente, 1st season; (0-0 career) Key losses: DL Dontari Poe, QB Andy Summerlin, QB Taylor Reed
Key returnees: DB/LB Akeem Davis, LB Kenyata Johnson, RB Artaves Gibson
Outlook: The Tigers have won a combined five games over the past three seasons and are forced to replace first-round draft pick defensive lineman Dontari Poe. Will be a Contender if: First-year head coach Justin Fuente will not fix the program over night and Memphis is expected to struggle again.
UCF GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2011 record: 5-7 (3-5 C-USA) Head coach: George O’Leary, 9th season; 102-84 career (50-51 at UCF) Key losses: WR A.J. Guyton, LB Josh Linam, LB
Jonathan Davis Key returnees: QB Jeff Godfrey, DB Kemal Ishmael, RB Brynn Harvey
Outlook: The Knights, who were picked as the overwhelming favorite in the C-USA East, will be ineligible this postseason due to recruitment violations involving cash payments. Will be a contender if: Despite the sanctions, UCF will have the opportunity to serve as a major spoiler. The defense should continue its dominance in C-USA and if the offense can avoid costly turnovers, the team should finish with 3-4 more wins than last season. MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD 2011 record: 7-6 (5-3 C-USA) Head coach: Doc Holliday, 3rd season; 12-13 career (12-13 at Marshall) Key losses: DL Vinny Curry, LB George Carpenter, S
Omar Brown Key returnees: QB Rakeem Cato, RB Tron Martinez, WR Aaron Dobson
Outlook: Head coach Doc Holliday appears to have the program heading in the right direction following up its 6-6 regular season with a bowl victory over Florida International. Will be a contender if: Coming off a season where the Thundering Herd finished 96th in the nation in total offense, they will be relying on QB Rakeem Cato to have a much improved sophomore season.
UAB BLAZERS Key returnees: RB Zach Line, WR Darius Johnson, LB Taylor Reed, DB Ryan Smith
Outlook: SMU was one of the best defenses in C-USA last season and will field another talented group this season. The skill positions are intact with RB Zach Line and receiver Darius Johnson returning. Will be a contender if: Texas transfer Garrett Gilbert will have to play more like the 5-star recruit than the bust in Austin. SMU has UH and Southern Miss at home.
2011 record: 3-9 (3-5 C-USA) Head coach: Garrick McGee, 1st season; (0-0 career) Key losses: Four starting members of OL
Key returnees: QB Jonathan Perry, LB Marvin Burdette
Outlook: First-year head coach Garrick McGee has brought a sense of excitement to a UAB program that has not had a winning season since 2004. Unfortunately, with a defense among the country’s worst only returning just four starters, the Blazers are likely in line for another disappointing season. Will be a contender if: UAB will rely on its offense and returning QB Jonathan Perry to provide some stability – last season Perry finished the season with 10 TD’s and 8 INT’s. For an overall young team, this will be a rebuilding year for McGee’s Blazers.
8 \\â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Monday, August 27, 2012
The Daily Cougar
Soccer
Sisters make good pair
Kayla, Aja Walker compel one another to succeed on, off the field MĂłnica Rojas Staff writer
Ă&#x2021;ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Â&#x2021;nĂ&#x2021;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x2021;xÂŁ{x 11 players. 100 yards. 140 characters at a time.
Follow @thedailycougar for live game updates
Aja Walker celebrated from afar last season when her sister Kayla scored her first goal as a Cougar on Oct. 7 against UTEP. Sunday, she celebrated her sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game-winning goal against HBU, only this time from the bench. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were on the same Kayla Walker team in high school and play together very well because we work with each other on and off the field,â&#x20AC;? Kayla said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She plays midfield and I usually play up top. She gets me in, and we know what (the other is) going to do.â&#x20AC;? Having played together since
their mother placed them in the Fun Fair Positive Soccer League at a young age, the sisters have had a lot of practice together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got to play with her (before) so we know each other,â&#x20AC;? Aja said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t) have to learn how to work with each other because we already know.â&#x20AC;? Only 18 months apart and teammates for the majority of their lives, the Walker sisters are close, so much so that they even share a dorm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pretty much the same person,â&#x20AC;? Aja said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do differ a lot on the field because I play midfield. I like to find passes and she likes to get the ball more and run and score. So we do differ there. Other than that, we are pretty much the same.â&#x20AC;? However, knowing each other so well has its disadvantages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes if one of us makes a mistake or something, because we know each other so well, we
will yell at each other,â&#x20AC;? Aja said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually if someone else messes up we will be like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, good try,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; but because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sisters, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Come on, you can do that better.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Despite being on the same team, the sisters have not been able to play a game together as Aja suffered a leg injury two months ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been hard having her sit on the bench,â&#x20AC;? the sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother Margaret Walker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know her sister was crushed when it happened. She cried. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping maybe sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to play at the end (of the season) but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see how the therapy goes.â&#x20AC;? For now Aja cheers from the bench and Kayla takes care of her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to play with her again once her leg heals,â&#x20AC;? Kayla said. sports@thedailycougar.com
Volleyball
FREE ELECTRICITY Ogletree takes on leadership role Harrison Lee Staff writer
Same-Day Connection No Deposit No Credit Check No Late Fees
1-855-898-8583 Hablamos espaĂąol.
Call Now for $25 of Free Electricity ) "+ ,+&$ +" ##0 '&*+ +& ,*+&$ )2* &,%+ &% +! 3)*+ ,*"% ** 0 following the 30th consecutive day of service. Same day connection may require move-in fee. This is an indexed plan with a month-to-month term and no early cancellation fee. Refer to the Prepaid Disclosure Statement, Terms of Service ) $ %+ % # +)" "+0 +* # &) $&) + "#* - "# # &%#0 "% Oncor and CenterPoint service areas to residential customers with a provisioned smart meter. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your carrier. Š2012 TXU Energy Retail Company LLC. All rights reserved. REP #10004
Oddly enough, the first time Caitlin Ogletree ever visited the University of Houston, she cried. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mom literally dragged me here on my official visit. It was the only week I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have volleyball,â&#x20AC;? Ogletree laughed at the memory. From a rather bleak and dreary beginning, she quickly warmed up to the idea of being a Cougar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I fell in love with UH Athletics and how they were part of a growing program,â&#x20AC;? Ogletree said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that I am here and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting experience, with academics and athletics, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a privilege to be a part of that.â&#x20AC;? As if falling in love with the school wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good enough, Ogletree has become a key member of the squad, with head coach Kaddie Platt going as far to praise her as a natural born leader. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her greatest gift is she makes the players around her better,â&#x20AC;? Platt said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter who sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playing with; her teams always win because sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a winner.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absolutely amazing,â&#x20AC;? said senior Stephanie Nwachukwu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love Caitlin; sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always on fire. She loves volleyball so she makes you want to work so hard just for her and the team. She always pushes me to be better.â&#x20AC;? Her gung-ho attitude has
The sophomore from Montgomery appeared in 29 matches and led UH in assists (1,215) as the Cougars starting setter. | File photo/The Daily Cougar helped her advance in competitive volleyball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge difference between club play and high school play than coming into Division One,â&#x20AC;? Ogletree said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never realized how much I could push myself.â&#x20AC;? Along with the freshmen, the University has recruited some coaches as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new coaches are awesome,â&#x20AC;? Ogletree said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like they bring a completely different mindset to the game. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned so many new things.â&#x20AC;? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just as quick to praise her teammates.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone is becoming a more versatile player. In practice, everyone is almost working on every position. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been great for us.â&#x20AC;? After being named fifth in a pre-season C-USA poll, a lot of pressure rests on Ogletree and her teammates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That made some of us a little mad,â&#x20AC;? Ogletree said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A conference title is a huge goal for us. Definitely a conference title and definitely making it to a tournament have been goals for us, especially for the returning players. You gotta do what you gotta do.â&#x20AC;? sports@thedailycougar.com
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 9
The Daily Cougar
CROSS COUNTRY
UH must replace coach, continue standard Channler Hill Staff writer
Still, even without a head coach designated and cross-country practice for men and women beginning Aug. 24, runners seem to be on the positive side. “(I) keep working hard and doing a lot of mileage, getting ready
for the season, the same from last year but this time, a little better. I know how my last season was, so this time I have a better experience,” said men’s cross country runner Yonas Tesfai. “I think it’s better to keep the same coach, but since he can’t be here, we’re going to see how the new coach works.
But we’re looking forward for a good coach.” Reflection has also been taking place before the upcoming season; with the Cougars first meet Aug. 31 at Houston Baptist, following the Rice Invitational Sept. 14. The Cougars will need to stay focused and correct incidents that took
place last season. “The whole team had a problem with injuries (last season). We’ve got to stay healthy. This is going to be a young team, said Tesfai. “All the seniors left, so we’re just going to be sophomores and juniors. So we’re going to have to take responsibility and step up and try to do
good (this season).” Anderson-Kaapa hopes to continue on towards a record breaking path, which is among his reasons for potentially having a great season and why fans should come out and support. RUN continues on page 10
BASKETBALL
Big East presents challenge, opportunity
Men’s basketball head coach James Dickey is utilizing the abundance of talent in Houston area when it comes to recruiting. This year, the Cougars class finished 21st in the nation by ESPN. | File photo/The Daily Cougar Christopher Shelton Assistant sports editor
UH is joining one of two preeminent basketball conferences in the nation for the 2013-2014 season, when it enters the Big East. If continued success is the goal, the Cougars need to take another step in recruiting. Without a trophy case to match championship programs like Georgetown, Syracuse and Connecticut, UH has to balance the scales with other factors. Women’s basketball head coach Todd Buchanan said he wants to offer a unique environment that prospective recruits and their family would like to be a part of. “I don’t make a lot of promises,” Buchanan said. “My promise to them as parents is that I’m going to take care of their daughter just like I’m going to take care of that guy right there,” Buchanan said, pointing to a photo of his 3-year-old son, Colton. Family sells. It is often an
underestimated aspect of sports. Viewing your team as your family glues a team together through hard times. Camaraderie and chemistry are built through time and trust. The Big East sells too, and it will allow UH to broaden its recruiting base. “We go in and we look for more physical kids — the athleticism changes,” said Ravon Justice, recruiting coordinator. “Kids are excited. They feel like if they’re the best, they want to play against the best.” For men’s basketball coach James Dickey, the goal is to recruit talent from Houston and surrounding areas. If players can compete on the highest stage at a viable basketball program near home, they may be more inclined to attend UH. Freshmen Danuel House and Danrad Knowles are prime examples of what UH can expect — highly touted recruits who turned down other offers in order to play for the Cougars.
“Looking from abroad, I always thought (the University of Houston) had a chance to make major damage if two things could happen,” said Associate Coach Alvin Brooks. “One, if they could get into a much more competitive league where they can get national exposure, and that’s happened with the Big East. And another thing is if they could upgrade the facilities. That’s in the works — Mack Rhodes has already put together a plan.” In men’s basketball, greater talent usually equals greater turnover of players. UH isn’t scared of one-and-done players, though. “We want to recruit the best players, obviously those guys, more than likely have a chance to play beyond college,” said Ronnie Hamilton, assistant coach. “If a guy can stay here one year, two years or three years and it helps him and helps the program, more than likely, it means we’re having success. We welcome that.” sports@thedailycougar.com
MAKING THE GRADE Men’s Basketball Signing Danuel House and Danrad Knowles made a splash and pushed the squad into the top 25 of most respectable organizations. Also in the class are Valentine Izundu, Brandon Morris and Tione Womack.
Women’s Basketball UH added six recruits, two Juco transfers and an international prospect, including four-star recruit Jessieka Palmer, twins Tyler and Taylor Gilbert, Alecia Smith, Bianca Winslow and Marche Amerson. Yasmeen Thompson and Te’onna Campbell transferred from junior college and Sera Ozelci joins UH from Ankara, Turkey.
FEATURING: SATURDAY & SUNDAY stadium buffet FREE NY STRIP STEAKS from 12 noon to 5pm MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SPECIAL 20 for 20! $20 for 20 Buffalo Wings and an Ice cold pitcher of domestic or imported draft beer
Free cover for students and guest with UH ID Always Hiring waitstaff, reception and door personnel
www.RitzHouston.com | 10520 Gulf Freeway Houston Tx, 77034 | 713.944.6445
The Daily Cougar
10 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
SHOW YOUR U of H STUDENT ID & GET 10% OFF YOUR MEAL! D! O FO N ES! A LI IN RS! O! I A IT T W BEE AT T A REA S R P E R G XA O G TE DO UT O
Mandola’s Deli
is now OPEN for LUNCH AND DINNER 4105 Leeland Across the Freeway on Cullen!! www.MandolasDeli.com
MUST SHOW UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT ID & GET 10% OFF TOTAL FOOD PURCHASE after 3pm. LIMIT ONE ID per person, per order, per visit. GOOD ON FOOD ONLY - Valid after 3pm. Not valid on alcohol (sorry, it’s the law).
Matt Hogan’s right leg could factor heavily into UH’s success on special teams this season. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
Special teams continued from page 6
Back receiving punts will be a combination of Damian Paine and Dewayne Peace. Payne returned a punt 76 yards for a score in 2011 against Tulane. If he can show that kind of explosiveness it will help minimize the loss of Edwards. Charles Sims is also a wild card to return punts. He took reps as a
Your perfect
all nighter t te companion.
LIVE HERE LOUNGE open daily 5925 Almeda Rd., Suite D Houston, TX 77004 713.533.9400
punt returner during spring practice. The skill set for running back and punt returner is different but elusiveness, speed and burst translate. Keep your eye out for Sims. One of the most important advantages that you can gain from special teams is field position. Here is where UH’s punter, Richie Leone is a huge weapon. The junior averaged 41.1 yards per kick with 15 punts caught or downed inside the 20 yard line last season. Leone said he can be one of the best punters in college football. “As many times as our offense will get me to punt I’m gonna go out there and do the best that I can do,” Leone said.
Run
“I LIVE AT MOSAIC AND I LOVE IT ”
DEAR PARENTS – WHY PAY FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER TO RENT WHEN OWNING CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE? Buying at Mosaic can alleviate some of the worrying of having a child in college. We offer 24-hour concierge and valet, gated parking, and secure access throughout. It’s their home base away from home. 3% in Buyer Incentives* Great Financing Options Available Visit the Live Here Lounge or go to MosaicHouston.com 1 bedrooms from the $160s 2 bedrooms from the $300s Penthouses available
*For acceptable contracts written from 8/3/12-8/31/12. 3% in buyer incentives for homes in stacks 3 & 13 of North Tower. 2% in buyer incentives for all other homes in North Tower. Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating representations of the seller. For correct representations, reference should be made to the Purchase Agreement, the Condominium Information Statement and documents required by Code Section 82.153 of the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to be furnished by the seller to a buyer.
continued from page 9
“The tides are turning as far as distance running. There are a lot of records being made and Americans are starting to be able to break into those levels where only Kenyans, Ethiopians, and a lot of foreigners could only run, and now we’re getting Americans up there,” he said. “This a time where you can see the strength of the human body and mental discipline and see athletes from the states who have conventional lifestyles, unlike
“Playing here with the highpowered offense that we have, I’m not gonna get a lot of chances, I don’t think, but when I do I’m gonna make the most of them,” Leone said. Hogan etched his name in Cougar lore with a 51 yard field goal that defeated Tulsa in 2009 as time expired. He’s backed it up with solid contribution as a sophomore and a junior. Hogan is back for a senior campaign after connecting on 13-17 attempts last season. The kicking game may be a bigger factor if the offense takes a step back this season. sports@thedailycougar.com
people from other countries, actually doing what those other people can do.” The men’s and women’s cross country season will continue when both teams travel to Austin on Sept. 28 to compete at the Rouge Grass Routes Running Festival, followed by a trip to Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 13 to compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. Later, UH will head to the C-USA Championships, on Oct. 29, hosted by Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss. sports@thedailycougar.com
Missed a print edition? Browse recent publications in our virtual newsstand.
THE DAILY COUGAR.COM /print-edition
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 11
The Daily Cougar
Move in for $199 ! *
No Rent until November!
BROADWAY A
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
P
S
A
R
quare T
M
E
N
T
S
We accept ÀQDQFLDO DLG
The Daily Cougar
12 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
n e i c r e e i p t x ! E Natatorium Outdoor Natatorium, N Ou Leisure Pool, Poool Whirlpools & Sauna
53-Foot Climbing Wall Waall
Basketball, Volleyball, & Badminton Courts
Combat Room, Child Care, Locker Room & Showers
Racquetball Courts, Multi-Purpose Rooms
& Much More...
Fitness Zone & Indoor Track
PROGRAMS
HOURS
AQUATICS/SAFETY
FITNESS
SPORTS CLUBS
Monday 6:00 AM-11:30 PM
Swim Lessons, SCUBA & Trips, Master Swim, Century Club, & First Aid/CPR
Group Exercise, Personal Training, Fitness Assessments, & Martial Arts
Collegiate Non-Varsity Competition & Leadership
Tuesday 6:00 AM-11:30 PM Wednesday 6:00 AM-11:30 PM
INTRAMURAL SPORT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
FACULTY & STAFF
Outings, Gear Shop, Educational Workshops, L.I.F.T. & Resource Guide
Annual Golf Tournament
League, Individual Competition & Tournaments
YOUTH Swim Lessons
Thursday 6:00 AM-11:30 PM Friday 6:00 AM-8:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday Noon – 11:30 PM
The Department of Campus Recreation reports to the Division of Student Affairs.
713-743-7529 (PLAY)
www.uh.edu/recreation
The Daily Cougar
OPINION
UH blurs lines Light rail will further urbanize campus p.2
Harsh grades add value UH degrees are worth more with tougher classes, but only if people pay attention p.3
EDITOR Lucas Sepulveda EMAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/opinion
The Daily Cougar
2 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
Metro rail blurs line between city and campus Nick Bell Staff columnist
C
onstruction of the Southeast Line of the Metro light rail along UH property sparked a dispute between the University and the Metropolitan Transit Authority that was recently settled. The placement of the rail in close proximity to UH properties was a major part in the disagreement, which shed light on a big problem the University will face while trying to beef up their Tier One credentials: real estate. Once the rail is completed, scheduled for 2014, it will undoubtedly give way to a completely new form of transportation for students, commuters and residents. The problem with this ambitious project is that the construction is taking place on a sliver of land, which will cause an increase in traffic flow along the area. Although UH has vastly expanded the quality and sheer size of their on-campus facilities, nothing but a bottleneck effect can come as a result of the rail’s location, even after the construction clears. On one hand, the line gives students access to a variety of nightlife and social scenery in the city while also providing commuters with an alternative way to get to classes. On the other, urbanization brings an array of problems regarding safety and public image. There’s no question that UH is a very urban campus, but it has maintained a fairly spruced-up look. The rail has already changed the scenery of once less-utilized areas of
David Delgado // The Daily Cougar campus for commuters. The elephant in the room is that the Third Ward has going through a rapid gentrification period for the past couple of years. Several businesses and houses have already been torn down in the surrounding neighborhood because of the Southeast line. So while the rail is drawing a line between what is UH and residual Third Ward zoning, they’re making UH its own urban center for population flow and losing the small amount of surrounding land they had in the first place.
The rail is opening a Pandora’s box that will give UH’s public-representative staff headaches in the years to come. The introduction of the Southeast Line will allow people who are not UH students, to access buildings such as the residence halls and the childcare center. UH’s access was never exclusive, but its parking and ease of access was highly regulated. After 2014, UH will no longer have any semblance of a neighborhood environment, which judging by the businesses that were
weeded out and those that consequentially took their place, seemed to be the city’s plan the entire time. UH must decide if it wants to be a metropolitan campus or not, because the once-seamless transition between campus and the tree-filled neighborhoods outside is starting to disappear. Nick Bell is a media production senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.Writer’s Name Title or Position // The Daily Couga
University Eye Institute leaders in specialty soft and gas permeable lenses. Open to the public Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. “On the Corner of Calhoun Rd and Wheeler” To schedule an appointment, call 713.743.2015 or visit www.uei.uh.edu
*** Students with Privite or MACORI insurance receive special discounts
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 3
The Daily Cougar
Kathleen Kennedy // The Daily Cougar
UH sticks to tough grading Jacob Patterson Staff columnist
W
hile attending a university, you’re going to come across the viewpoint, “I pay tuition, so I deserve a better grade.” Unfortunately, the University of Houston is no different. This mindset frustrates students and teachers who believe that those with good grades should earn them through aptitude and hard work. It may be hard to believe some students would even entertain the idea that grades should come easy as a result of tuition, but Bauer Professor Michael Parks says such ideas exist. Parks has personally dealt
with angry students using the inane argument and he says that school should be a meritocracy, not a democracy — grades should be earned by merit and not by what the student wants. After all, employers and graduate schools don’t want students who buy good grades; they want students who earn them. A university is an institution of education, not a shopping center. Recent trends show that universities may be giving students higher grades as time goes on. Richard Schiming of Minnesota State University said in an article that the reasons vary from pressure to retain students, to driving up teacher evaluations, to faculty
24th 27 -31 4 August
PATTERSON continues on page 11
TOP 16 GradeInflation.com’s Sweet 16 of Tough Graders Toughest schools by region: Midwest Purdue University University of Houston Southern Polytechnic State Florida International University South Virginia Commonwealth University Hampden-Sydney College Roanoke College Auburn University West Reed College CSU-Fullerton Harvey Mudd College Simon Fraser University East Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Princeton University Boston University MIT
LAST The University of Houston and the College of Liberal arts and Social Sciences welcomes any undergraduate student interested in Latin America to the program and minor in Latin American Studies (LAST). This 18-hr minor is interdiisciplinary and focuses on the histories, cultures, economics and politics of this broad region. For more information or to register in the LAST 3300, a distance education course required for the minor, contact Professor Susan Kellogg (History Department, skellog@uh.edu) or check the program website, www.class.uh.edu/last.
The Daily Cougar
4 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
Catholic Newman Campus Ministry
WELCOME WEEK 2012 (Aug. 27th – Sept. 7th) COME AND SEE! Open H O House att th the C Catholic th li N Newman C Center, t Aug. 27th – Sept. 7th 9 AM – 5 PM during Welcome Week. Free Ice Cream Sundaes from 1 PM – 5 PM Free Lunch on Wednesdays after the daily Mass @ 12:30 PM Catholic Student Organization First Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13th @ 7 PM at the Catholic Newman Center
Kathleen Kennedy // The Daily Cougar
Bayou Awakening Retreat for students Sept. 14th – 16th at Camp Kappe, Plantersville, TX (for Young Adults 18 – 25, get application online at www.archgh.org/youngacm/awakening.htm) Mass Schedule: Monday – Thursday @ Noon at the Catholic Newman Center Sunday @ 10:45 AM at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center (next to Quad Dorms) Sunday @ 6 PM at the Catholic Newman Center (across from the Recreation Center) Reconciliation Service: Before or after all the scheduled masses or by appointment with Fr. Joseph Lam Nguyen.
Athletics: A threat to academics Bryan Washington Staff columnist
A
t a glance, the obvious benefits of a nationally recognized sports program, from countrywide exposure to the perks of playing a household name, outweigh the negatives. Fortunately, for most universities, a glance is all potential students care to give.
They simply go with what they know. An impressive football program makes $50,000 tuition seem worthwhile. The burden prospective students face when choosing between an ESPN darling and just any old campus is relatively pleasant from UH’s perspective — a win-win scenario. But in the same way that a great athletics reputation
maintains a positive relationship with a student’s enthusiasm, the opposite does also. Just look at ticket sales after a bad season. You don’t need a master’s in English to catch the symbolism in a set of empty stands. Worse yet, any offenses committed by a university’s sports program, come with a stigma that’s just WASHINGTON continues on page 5
For more info. call: (713) 748-2529 or visit our website: www.uhcatholic.org
&DUHHU 6XFFHVV 6HULHV )DOO ; Tuesday, September 11th: EĞƚǁŽƌŬ >ŝŬĞ Ă WƌŽ͊, 3-6PM | MDA Library, Rockwell Pavilion ; Wednesday, October 3rd:
/ŶƚĞƌŶƐŚŝƉ ĂƌĞĞƌ &Ăŝƌ, 1-ϰWD ͮ ĂŵƉƵƐ ZĞĐƌĞĂƟŽŶ ĞŶƚĞƌ
th
; Wednesday, October 24 : ^ŽĐŝŽůŽŐLJ ĂƌĞĞƌ WĂŶĞů, 1-3PM | Student Service Center 1, Room 156
hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĂƌĞĞƌ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ 106 Student Service Center 1 www.career.uh.edu
(713) 743-5100 | ucs@uh.edu
3OHDVH YLVLW WKH 8&6 ZHEVLWH IRU GHWDLOV
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 5
The Daily Cougar
Israel can’t depend on US Matt Story Staff columnist
O
ver the past couple weeks, a war of words has been escalating between Iran and Israel. Iran is resolved to progress with its nuclear program, and Israel is 100 percent committed to preventing a nuclear-armed Tehran. Israel believes that economic sanctions are not enough to discourage the Iranians from discontinuing their nuclear ambitions, Iran claims their actions are purely for civilian purposes and Israel seems to have begun preparations to use military options to curb the perceived threat Iran poses. The Iranian hard-line government has repeatedly stated that Israel does not have the right to exist, but in reality, these threats are a little more than rhetoric. The true root of the problem lies in the
WASHINGTON continued from page 4
about impossible for any of the academic departments to shake. You could draft a textbook of examples. The Pennsylvania State University, despite being less than lauded as of late, has kept a top-notch technical education program for the past couple of years. But regardless of its academic accolades, its program will take a hit in exposure for the next couple of years, and for reasons that have nothing to do with educational standards. No matter what its organization turns into, who graduates, or who speaks on campus, their replacements will enter warily, if at all, recoiling from earlier events. No single entity should hold that much weight for a collective, but a university’s sports program does. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t matter if a school is academically competitive or a hidden opportunity for new students, because any energy taken for endorsing its strengths, accolades, or accomplishments ends up being redirected back to the school’s lacking sports program. It’s sad, but true. Should everyone be wary about this? Yes, absolutely. But more than that, people need to be aware that no matter how successful UH’s athletic endeavors are or aren’t, the repercussions will be felt all across the board. Sports culture is valuable, but in many cases it distracts from what truly is important to a school’s reputation and the futures of its students. Bryan Washington is a sociology and creative writing junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com
fact that Iran feels threatened. Israel has nuclear weapons; it also has the means to deploy them against any regional foe, such as Iran. Consequently, the Iranians won’t feel truly secure until they have one themselves. Not necessarily to deploy, but to deter from what they feel is a hostile western society. It is the same type of posturing and saber-rattling seen during the Cold War. Neither side wants a war, but both sides wish to be the top dog. It’s the same reason the world didn’t end during the cold war: No one was willing to make the first move. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that the Israelis do not fire the first shot. Not only would a war between these two nations be immensely destructive, but there is also a good chance the US could be dragged into such a conflict. This is all very reminiscent of the situation in Korea, when the North
developed nuclear capabilities. Here was a militaristic government with an irrational, almost primal hate for its neighbor, one that felt it was under imminent threat from the West, yet even the North Koreans were unwilling to use their weapon and open Pandora’s box. Israel is a sovereign nation, and they must ultimately decide whether to use their armed forces. If they resort to military means though, they must prepare to fight a large-scale war on their own. They can’t just rely on the US to bail them out if things get dicey. Simply put, the US is in no place to fight another war. After all, we can hardly handle our own problems. George Washington once said America must “avoid entangling foreign alliances;” this is exactly what he was talking about. Matt Story is a kinesiology senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.
& The University Center is under construction but...
we are still here and open! Room 279A University Center, Second Floor WRC: 832-842-6191 www.uh.edu/wrc LGBTRC: 713-743-5463 www.uh.edu/lgbtrc
Save the Date: Open House, Monday, September 10, 10am -2pm
The Daily Cougar
6 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
WELCOME! On behalf on the University of Houston Police Department, I would like to welcome each of you to the University of Houston in this new academic year, and to congratulate you on your decision to join the UH family. Please take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Police Department’s website (www.uh.edu/police). It provides information about our department, crime on campus, services we provide the campus community and a wealth of other useful safety and security tips and information. The University of Houston Police Department strives to enable students, faculty, staff and visitors to be safe while pursuing their oncampus endeavors. Every UHPD employee uses three principles to help ensure that the UH campus is a protected, user-friendly venue:
UÊ*À ÌiÊ> `Ê«ÀiÃiÀÛiÊ>ÊÃ>viÊV> «ÕÃÊi Û À i Ì UÊ `i Ì vÞÊ> `Ê « i i ÌÊivwV i V ià UÊ*À Û `iÊ}Ài>ÌÊVÕÃÌ iÀÊÃiÀÛ Vi These principles, in practice, help to make the UH campus a great place to study, work, or visit. Be smart. Be safe.
Ceaser Moore, Jr. Chief of Police University of Houston Police Department
1 Ê- 1, /9Ê, *",/
The Police Department, in concert with the UH Fire Marshal’s Office, compiles and distributes the Annual Security Report no later than October 1st , covering the crime statistics over previous three years. The Annual Security Report is available on our website at www.uh.edu/police. A printed copy may be requested by emailing us at police@uh.edu or by telephone at 713-743-3333.
" 1 /9Ê ", / " Ê Ê/, In the spirit of our academic environment, we believe that the first step in staying safe and preventing crime is to be armed with information. The Police Department employs subject matter experts in several safety and security related fields, and we are dedicated to passing on valuable information that you can use for personal safety. UHPD has online train-
ing in areas such as active shooter response, workplace violence and intimate partner violence. We also have comprehensive information online about subjects as diverse as hate crimes, sexual assault and harassment. You play the most important role in your own personal safety, and we will do everything we can to ensure you are prepared.
, Ê*, 6 / " ÊÊ *," , UHPD offers a variety of crime prevention programs to our community members, including: UÊ*iÀÃ > Ê->viÌÞÊ Ü>Ài iÃÃ UÊ"«iÀ>Ì Ê
UÊ,ià `i Ì > Ê> `Ê"vwViÊ-iVÕÀ ÌÞ UÊ-iÝÕ> Ê ÃÃ>Õ ÌÊ Ü>Ài iÃà UÊ Ì ÀÊ6i V iÊ/ ivÌÊ*ÀiÛi Ì UÊ iÜÊ-ÌÕ`i ÌÊ> `Ê « ÞiiÊ Orientation UÊ Õ ÌÞÊ > }ÕiÃÊ> `Ê Discussions
HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Emergency
911 UHPD 24-Hour Direct Line
713-743-3333 Parking Enforcement
713-743-5849 UHPD Lost and Found
713-743-0620 Crime Stoppers
800-252-TIPS www.uh.edu/police
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 7
The Daily Cougar
10
THINGS YOU
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPUS SAFETY & SECURITY
1
ÜÊ ÜÊÌ ÊV Ì>VÌÊÌ iÊ1 ÛiÀÃ ÌÞÊ vÊ ÕÃÌ Ê* ViÊ i«>ÀÌ i Ì°Ê
"ÕÀÊ« ÞÃ V> Ê>``ÀiÃÃ\
3869 Wheeler St., Houston, TX 77204-6191 "ÕÀÊÌi i« iÊ Õ LiÀÃ\
Emergencies: 911 24-Hour direct line: (713) 743.3333
2Ê 3
½ÌÊ i>ÛiÊÞ ÕÀÊ«iÀà > Ê«À «iÀÌÞÊÕ >ÌÌi `i`tÊ Do not leave personal property lying out in the open. Keep an eye on your personal property and valuables at all times. iÊÃÕÀiÊÞ ÕÊV> Ê `i Ì vÞÊÞ ÕÀÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ vÊ ÌÊ ÃÊ ÃÌÊ ÀÊ ÃÌ i °ÊMake note of the manufacturer, model and serial numbers of
all electronic equipment you bring to campus. If any of your electronic equipment is lost or stolen and later recovered, you must be able to positively prove that the recovered property is yours, not simply that you are missing a similar piece of property.
4
* >ViÊ `i Ì vÞ }Ê >À ÃÊ Ê> ÊÌiÝÌL ð Textbooks are
valuable items that can be sold if they are stolen or lost. Pick a number that is easy to remember and print your name and driver’s license number on that page of every text book you purchase. This will allow you to quickly and positively identify a textbook turned into Lost and Found, or sold to a bookstore as yours.
5
Ê ÌÊ i>ÛiÊÛ> Õ>L iÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ Ê« > ÊÛ iÜÊ ÊÞ ÕÀÊ Ûi V i° Either take your property with you, or secure it in your trunk.
6
iÊ ÃÕÀiÊ Ì Ê V Ê Þ ÕÀÊ ` ÀÊ Ü i Ê Þ ÕÊ i>ÛiÊ Þ ÕÀÊÊ Ûi V i°ÊWhen you return to your locked vehicle get in the habit of
7
iÊ>Ü>ÀiÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊÃÕÀÀ Õ ` }ðÊThink ahead and ask your-
making a quick look under your car as you approach and check the floorboard behind the front seats before you unlock your vehicle. If you see anyone under or inside your vehicle, keep walking and notify UHPD immediately.
selfÊ “Will the area I parked in and walked through to get to my class during the day look the same when I get out of class at night?” If not, try to park where it will be light after dark. Always be cautious if you plan to travel in remote campus locations, especially at night. Go with your instincts. If something about the situation makes you feel uncomfortable, take another route.
8
à `iÀÊÕà }ÊÌ iÊ1 * Ê-iVÕÀ ÌÞÊ ÃV ÀÌÊ-iÀÛ Vi° If you feel uncomfortable walking from one campus location to another, you can call 713-743-3333 to request an escort. A member of our team will be happy to escort you to your destination.
9
V>ÌiÊÌ iÊ iÀ}i VÞÉ v À >Ì Ê > Ê ÝiÃÊÜ iÀiÊ Þ ÕÊ À > ÞÊÌÀ>Ûi ÊÜ i Ê ÊV> «ÕðÊThese devices give
Þ ÕÊ i` >ÌiÊV Ì>VÌÊÜ Ì Ê>Ê1 * Ê Õ V>Ì Ê"vwViÀÊÜ ÊV> Ê` ë>ÌV Ê assistance or provide directions if you are lost.
10
i «Ê1ÃÊ i «Ê9 Õ°Ê Ãà ÃÌÊ Ê > Ì> }ÊV> «ÕÃÊ Ã>viÌÞÊ LÞÊ Ài« ÀÌ }Ê ÃÕë V ÕÃÊ «i « iÊ ÀÊ Ã ÌÕ>Ì ÃÊÌ Ê1 * Ê by using one of the Emergency/Information Call Boxes,
or by calling UHPD at 713-743-3333. Never be worried that your concerns are unwarranted. We are here to help.
You don’t want to make your vehicle a target.
Crime prevention is important to the campus community and you can help by reporting any crime or suspected crime to the University Police immediately. By doing so, you may be preventing someone else from becoming a victim of a more serious crime. Police officers assigned to your beat and patrol area will be glad to give demonstrations and talks to interested campus groups. Call our crime prevention number, 713-743-0417, for additional information.
- ,6 Ê Ê*,"/ / Ê"1,Ê1 6 ,- /9Ê " 1 /9
The Daily Cougar
8 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
The house always wins, but everyone else loses U.S. Attorney’s Office does investigation on Las Vegas Sands for bribery and laundering Nick Bell Staff columnist
T
Callie Parrish // The Daily Cougar
Too many must take debt Brian Washington Staff columnist
L
ess than a decade ago, finding several thousand dollars for a decent degree at an average university wasn’t uncommon, if not implied, among even the most modest of family incomes. There weren’t any hoops to jump through. The routine was that the money thrown in that direction would reciprocate itself in the long run, exponentially outgrowing whatever amount came from the bank to cover it at the time. A loan here and there wasn’t exactly a rarity, but it certainly wasn’t the sort of thing you’d mold your retirement around. If you had to get one, you got one, and you’d pay it off later. Nowadays, things aren’t so convenient. The new norm is not only the sort of loan that exceeds the amount of money required to attend the university
in question. It’s one that requires its borrowers to graduate with a good enough degree, acquire a good enough job, and pay it off in the long run. And that’s a pretty unpredictable possibility. This means financing college is becoming less of an effort designated solely to the student. Struggling students are finding it harder to zip through their four years on the fly, and in lieu of a co-sign, the mere notion of a student acquiring the documentation that’ll enable them to qualify for the big loan — assuming that they’re even in the eligible tax bracket — is an inconceivable one. Meaning said co-sign is exactly what they’ll try to get, which means the parents have to pay for college all over again. It puts the mountain of money on an extra set of shoulders. There was a point at which a parent might make it their obligation
to put their child through school, regardless of the obstacles before them, but those incidents are becoming scarcer. How many of us are attending this university, not because we wanted to, but because it’s the cheapest item on the shelf? In the best-case scenario, the answer is “not many,” but even one person is too many. Every decision that students make, from high-school graduation to tomorrow’s grocery list, are effects of the high costs of modern-day universities. There’s no more leeway, and it seems to only be getting worse. The fact that high tuition and student debt is the new normal is ridiculous, and it’s time we fix it before things get more dangerous. Bryan Washington is a sociology and creative writing sophomore and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.
Campaigns cost too much Matt Story Staff columnist
T
he United States Supreme Court made an unprecedented ruling in the case of Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission in 2010, which allowed unlimited political campaign spending from corporations and unions. This exacerbated a problem with American politics that has been steadily growing since the 1970s.
Campaign spending, particularly during an election year, has risen over the past four decades. Within the past four years, the sums of money thrown into the presidential fray have reached exorbitant levels. The current election cycle has only just begun to heat up and already there has been a total of $600 million donated to the various presidential candidates. With no incumbent president in the running during the 2008 elections, there were many more
prospective candidates aiming for the highest office. By the end of the race, the candidates had raised and spent a combined total of more than $1.6 billion. It doesn’t matter which politician or party you relate to, even an average person can see how much money is being wasted on what has essentially become a popularity contest, especially considering the fact that this country is in the midst of a
he U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating Las Vegas Sands Corporation and its connections with money laundering and bribery transactions. The head of Sands Corporation, Sheldon Adelson, is a major Republican campaign contributor and has vowed that he will give $100 million to candidates during election season, sending some of that money to the Romney Super PAC. Romney shouldn’t be criticized for accepting money from Adelson any more than other candidates who receive money from Super PACs and undisclosed sources. This is not a move by “the left” to discredit Romney before this year’s elections, either. The casino has already been questioned about high-rolling customers spending extravagant sums of money, such as Ye Gon, who was indicted for shipping pharmaceutical products to Mexico for methamphetamine manufacture and using Sands’ accounts to exchange money. Although the investigation will most likely not produce any proof by the end of this year’s presidential elections, the U.S. Attorney’s Office shouldn’t put off global criminal allegations for fear of the political pundits’ backlash. Adelson has been a huge proprietor for Macau, China — the only region that permits such business — and has worked closely with regulators and politicians to secure his casino’s place. Granted, the gambling business in Las Vegas has always been associated with vast amounts of untraceable money that attracts illicit activities, but the growing social consciousness has shifted towards financial transparency since the
market collapsed. There has been a push for casinos to act more like banks in that they should know more about where their customers’ money comes from. In a highly publicized move, Paul Ryan visited Adelson days after he announced he would be the presumptive vicepresidential candidate, which can only be expected to garner attention from the media and liberal groups. The relationship between Ryan and Adelson will definitely come under question should the investigation prove the allegations against Adelson and Sands Corp. Politics aside, the idea that we have a financial institution allegedly laundering money through an already exploitative business for the same people who have exploited this country’s drug problem for years is disgusting. If Adelson truly believes in Israeli relations and legal profit through relaxed regulations, that’s fine. However, it seems as though he’s trying to gain influence behind the Republican pro-business platform many white-collar criminals claim to support as a façade for ulterior motives. It’s hard to say what the outcome of this probe will produce, but the subject of the investigation should give legislators a hint towards regulation. Not everything stays in Vegas, especially if it’s funneled through Mexican currency exchange firms. US citizens bear the brunt of every facet involved in this scenario, and more legislation needs to be provided to curtail ill-gotten gains in Vegas; that should be political consensus at this point, not a partisan issue. Nick Bell is a media production senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.
STORY continues on page 9
David Delgado // The Daily Cougar
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 9
The Daily Cougar
Another run would be no fun Neither party should support a Perry campaign for governor in 2014 Nick Bell Staff columnist
I
t has been about eight months since Gov. Rick Perry backed out of the running for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for president. Any politician that runs for office, in today’s split-second society, is bound for a rocky road filled with faux pas. Perry has had arguably some of the worst of all the frontrunners, barring maybe Herman Cain. Perry has been a master at fundraising since he took office as governor in 2000. After quickly raising the cash for his failed presidential run, he continues to raise millions through his own political committee. Republicans, and obviously Democrats, should cringe at the hint that Perry might try for governor in 2014. Democrats should oppose because of blatant platform disagreements, and Republicans should because the last two Texas
STORY continued from page 8
financial crises, a war overseas, an aging infrastructure and a decaying education system. Everyone knows that these problems will need financial capital to fix, but the underlying question is always, “Where to get the money?” No one wants to pay more taxes, yet many of the same people throw money at politicians as if they were topless dancers. Over the last decade, the naïve mentality that all we need is the right politician to come to the rescue and save us has evolved.This is all a microcosm of the fierce partisanship that has defined American politics. Unfortunately, it seems that most people today would prefer to spend their time and energy blaming others, as opposed to
Republican governors’ appearances have brands in the state’s political arena. The exchange of a “can-do” bravado to get into office, instead of candidates with true probusiness policies, has created an unfavorable image of Texas political culture. The economy in the state of Texas is largely autonomous, so it seems as if most anyone with a smirk and the right financial backing can kick their cowboy boots around Austin’s capitol building. Perry is already the longestserving governor in the state’s history, and the time has come for a change of appearances on the Republican Party’s behalf. The idea that Texans are broad-picture people when it comes to politics doesn’t go over well with the other 49 states, nor should it in Texas. Regardless of political affiliation, no one should welcome the idea that Perry might seek another term as the state governor.
It doesn’t matter which politician or party you relate to, (anyone) can see how much money is being wasted on what has essentially become a popularity contest.” making efforts to fix the problem. Even if a mere 50-cent donation out of every dollar spent politically was given the Red Cross, the Texas Children’s Hospital, or even a local school district, we would all benefit, and we might just reduce some of the problems that we can only hope Washington will fix for us. Matt Story is a kinesiology senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.
Your perfect
Whether Americans like to admit it or not, politicians have to play politics. There is no candidate out there that doesn’t have to pull strings, that is why we choose them in the first place. A certain degree of being a scapegoat comes with the job description of a politician and only increases with importance. Republicans and Democrats alike cannot afford to let a “personality politician” prevail if we want to be taken seriously. Although Perry is a well-known name among Texans, Attorney General Greg Abbott might try to run for governor and has raised campaign money as well. There are plenty of respectable Republican politicians in Texas, but the ones who have been in the spotlight in the past decade have made Texans out to look like a caricature instead of a representation.
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/thedailycougar
Nick Bell is a media production senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.
Powerful Choice.
Houston’s MBA. www.mba.uh.edu
POWERFUL energy to change your future. POWERFUL ideas driving real-world strategies. POWERFUL connection to global business leaders. POWERFUL degree of excellence.
Full-time day MBA Q Part-time evening MBA Leadership Executive MBA Q Global Energy Executive MBA
all nighter companion.
The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.
C. T. Bauer College of Business is an AACSB accredited business school.
Newsgroup by David Haydon
Apply at
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
me@thedailycougar.com
or scan and send to
The Daily Cougar newsroom, UC Satellite, RM 12
and turn this in to the managing editor:
Draw something witty, cute, funny
Your Comic Here
10 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012 The Daily Cougar
COMICS
Evil Genius by Kevin Aquino
Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham
Robbie and Bobby by Jason Poland
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 11
The Daily Cougar
THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR LIFE
& ARTS EDITOR
OPINION EDITOR
Joshua Mann David Haydon Amanda Hilow Julie Heffler Andrew Pate Allen Le Lucas Sepulveda
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Ellen Goodacre, Chris Shelton, Bryan Dupont-Gray
STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Daily Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed,
including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.
and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.
GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted
ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Daily
from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address
Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.
PATTERSON continued from page 3
attitudes and mission changes. There is a graph that a former Duke professor created showing the rise in GPA of different schools through time, located at www. gradeinflation.com. With a median change of about .14 per decade, UH has increased grades at a rate lower than the average university, making it on the site’s Sweet 16 of Tough Graders. Locally, grades at the University of Texas have increased at .6 points over a span of about 20 years. Nationally, top schools like Duke, Dartmouth, and Harvard have increased around an entire letter grade for more than 45 years. It appears that UH doesn’t bend to the pressures as much as other universities. This could be good, as some could see that a student excelling at a consistently challenging school would carry some weight behind it. However, when you think about the competition that UH faces from prestigious schools that curve their grades, the refusal to budge might harm new alumni seeking job opportunities. Comparing prestigious schools reporting increasingly higher grades to up-and-coming schools like UH staying relatively steady; some might jump to the conclusion that students at universities with grade inflation are harder workers and better job candidates than UH graduates. UH President and Chancellor Renu Khator considers this a reflection of the overall quality of education available at UH and points out that Houston is the only Texas school that made the “16 Tough Graders” list. Although some employers may not know much about the trends in grade inflation and may take the person with a higher GPA between two equally qualified candidates from different schools, the issue has started to get some attention from publications such as Texas Insider and The Chronicle of Higher Education. The University could receive a boost in reputation as the problem of inflated grades becomes more widely known —the more people who start to recognize its tougher grading consistency, the better chance UH has to climb the national rankings. Jacob Patterson is a business senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com.
Grow your own way Every career path is different. That’s why we help you design your own. We’ll provide the training, coaching and experiences that allow you to build relationships and take advantage of career opportunities. You decide what happens next—at PwC or beyond. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. www.pwc.com/campus
© 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Daily Cougar
12 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER Welcomes All Students For Fall 2012 Walk-in Clinic: Visits for general medical concerns, lab work, and specialist referral. 713-743-5151
Nursing Care: Immunizations and blood pressure monitoring. Contact the nurseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s station at 713-743-5156
Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinic: Well woman exams, evaluation for gynecological complaints, contraception, STDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and treatment. By appointment only. Contact 713-743-5156
Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinic: Service to diagnose, treat, counsel on issues affecting menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. By appointment only. Contact 713-743-5156
Fall and Spring Hours M, T, Th, F 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Attendant Care Services: Care and lifestyle
Summer Hours
assistance program for needs of physically challenged students living on campus. For more information, contact 713-748-8603
M, T, Th, F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Orthopedic Clinic: Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions including sports injuries and disease of the bone and muscle. By appointment only. Contact 713-743-5156
Hours are Subject to Change For After Hours Emergency, Call
UH Police - 713/743-3333 Web Address:
www.uh.edu/admin/hc
Psychiatric Clinic: Board certified psychiatrists to provide evaluations, treatment plans and ongoing medication management.
By appointment only. Contact 713-743-5149
Pharmacy: Provides prescription and over the counter items at very low cost. For more information contact 713-743-5125 UH Student Health Insurance: Information, online waiver criteria and rates. Deadline to add or drop insurance for Fall 2012 is 5:00 p.m. September 12, 2012. Contact 713-743-5137
The Dermatology Clinic is staffed by a board certified dermatologist available to diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, hair and nails. By appointment only. 713-743-5156 Dental Clinic Preventive dentistry, restorative, limited major dental procedures. By appointment only. 713-22-SMILE. (713-227-6453)
Entrance # 6, off Wheeler, Bldg # 525 on Campus Map
r www.uh.edu/admin/hc
The University of Houston Health Center is a comprehensive health care facility available to all currently enrolled students. Faculty and staff are eligible for walk in clinic.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;All visits and inquiries are confidentialâ&#x20AC;? 24- Hour Student Emergency Care Hot line
1-866-315-8756 (Services provided through American Health and Holding, INC. which is not affiliated with the University of Houston Health Center)
Health Center will be offering
FREE CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS HIV TESTING on the following dates:
World AIDs Day - November 30, 2012 National HIV Testing Day - June 27, 2013
The Daily Cougar
LIFE +ARTS
Local sounds Coog Radio airs unique offerings p.2
Greeks ready to rush Fraternities and sororities ramp up recruitment for incoming freshmen p.5
EDITOR Allen Le EMAIL arts@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/arts
The Daily Cougar
2 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
MUSIC EDITOR’S NOTE
Coog Radio revamps staff, sounds Variety of Darlene Campos Staff writer
Coog Radio, UH’s non-profit, studentrun radio station, was founded in fall 2011 by Conner Clifton, Markley Rogers and Matt Womack. The station offers more than 30 shows per week broadcasted by 40 DJs. Officially 1-year old this fall, the station has prepared itself for celebrations and new material for airplay. “This semester, students will definitely hear more from Coog Radio,” said Joyce Lin, the PR and Marketing Director of Coog Radio. “We’re planning on collaborating with
different organizations like SVN and UH sports. The station is also celebrating its one-year anniversary this fall — it’s going to be on Sept. 20 at Mango’s and we’re going to have a couple of local bands.” Since its debut, the station has been featured in Rice University’s student newspaper, The Rice Thresher, and in Study Breaks. Though Coog Radio does not offer any paid positions, it does offer experience to students interested in the communications career field. The station centers around variety programming, which provides something interesting for every listener and prospective DJ.
“Fat Tony was one of our DJs, and he had a pretty big following. Same with Aimee Rivas and her show “Pulse,” which was big with the (electronic dance music) crowd in Houston,” said Music Director Alex Segura. Coog Radio does not shut down during summer, either, as the station is always online. According to Station Director Clinton Blankenship, 17 shows were added over the summer and there are seven more debuting this fall. “We are on 24/7/365, including leap year,” Blankenship said. “Right now, we are only live while the UC is open, but we are playing music RADIO continues on page 3
University Eye Institute
Sunglasses Which ones are Right for me?
coverage headed your way The summer brought a lot of time to reenergize, refresh and rejuvenate ourselves as students as we are once Allen again getting Le thrown into the back-to-school activities for the fall semester. The Daily Cougar Editorial Board, including myself, was never really given a summer break — some of us took on summer classes, internships and jobs — not to mention, reporting to the newsroom to produce summer issues every week. But we did it for you — the students, faculty and alumni of this institution — that are now heading into the second full year as a Tier One university. I plan to have the Life & Arts sections filled with the best in entertainment — on — and offcampus. I will offer hard news about the pop culture happenings such as the next time Kanye West throws another on-stage fit, when Kim Kardashian breaks a nail or when your favorite Hollywood star finally becomes pregnant. More importantly, the Blaffer Gallery. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Performing Arts, and the student produced works of the Moores School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance will all be frequently featured in this section. Get some daily. arts@thedailycougar.com
STAFF
Contact Lenses Which type is Best for my specific Needs?
Section editor Allen Le
Assistant editor Bryan Dupont-Gray
Staff writers Darlene Campos Channler Hill Harrison Lee Christopher Lopez
Open to the public, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 713.743.2020 or visit www.uei.uh.edu
4901 Calhoun (on the corner of Calhoun & Wheeler) free patient parking
Contact information Email: arts@thedailycougar.com Phone: (713) 743-5302
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 3
The Daily Cougar
RADIO
face-to-face interview,” Lin said. “We are looking for people who have a personality that can be memorable to our listeners.” continued from page 2 Blankenship said Coog Radio aims to be a unique radio station. all day, every day.” “Someone once sent us an application Though Coog Radio is a campus organithat had nothing but Drake as their set zation, it is not limited to UH. Coog Radio list. That’s not going to get you hired. Our participated in Free Press Summer Festival general rule is we do not play mainstream in June and was also music that has been on terrestrial radio durhonored as Best Music Blog by Houston ing the last five years.” Press. Segura believes that Coog Radio serves as Becoming a DJ with Coog Radio can a way of keeping UH students connected. provide not only experience with radio “Radio has the power to bring us technology but also with the entertainment together,” Segura said. “It has the power to industry; however, the application process really bring our school together and fulfill must be completed first. this promise we made, and Coog Radio will “Applicants are required to submit a Senior in political science and psychology Khalid Alsomali is a Coog Radio DJ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. be there when it’s met.” show concept, a 15-song playlist and a topevery Wednesday. Coog Radio is a student run radio station that broadcasts from the second floor of five song and musician list. Based on that, the University Center. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar arts@thedailycougar.com we choose those who stand out to us for a
5
AFRICAN/AMERICAN STUDIES
An Experience in Academic and Cultural Diversity!
WAYS TO GET IN THE COUGAR
The mission of the African American Studies Program at the University of Houston is to develop, promote and enhance the knowledge of information of the discipline as well as the collective consciousness of African descended people. AAS focuses upon the cultural and historical heritage of Africans on the Continent,
1. Buy an ad. Yeah, it costs money, but it’s the only way to guarantee you’ll see your message in print the way you want it. Rates are affordable and discounted for student organizations. Call 713-743-5340 for information.
in the Americas and throughout the great Diaspora.
FALL 2012 UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
2. Make contact. Call us, e-mail us, contact us on Twitter or Facebook — make contact early and often and tell us about the event you’d like covered or the story you want looked into. Call 713-743-5462 to talk to the editor in chief.
3. Get listed. Send your event information to calendar@thedailycougar.com to be included in our print and online event calendar.
4. Blog it. Apply for a blog on our Web site; they’re free to UH students and are a great way to get the word out about your organization or cause. Check out thedailycougar.com/blogs for more information.
We love giving exposure to people who deserve it, but we need to know about it first.
Questions, concerns and story ideas?
editor@thedailycougar.com
COURSE NAME
SCHEDULE
ROOM
PROFESSOR
AAS 2320
Intro to African American Studies
1–2:30PM T,Th
M 108
Crawford
AAS 2320
Intro To African American Studies
7–10PM T
AH 7
Sylvers
AAS 2320
Intro To African American Studies
10–11:30AM T,Th
AH 15
Walker
AAS 2320
Intro To African American Studies
9AM–12PM Sat.
AH 7
Walker
AAS 3310
African American Experience Through Theater
11AM–12PM M,W,F
AH 204
Anderson
AAS 3348
African Americans and the Law
10–11:30AM T,Th
GAR 118
Staff
AAS 3394
Special Topics: Community Internship in AAS
TBA
TBA
Conyers
AAS 3394
Special Topics: Voodoo and Visual Culture
1:00PM–2:30PM M,W
TBA
Samuel
AAS 3340
African American Socialinguistics
11:30AM–1PM T,Th
AH 628
Conyers
GRADUATE COURSES
5. Do something amazing — and let us know about it.
THE DAILY COUGAR
COURSE #
COURSE #
COURSE NAME
SCHEDULE
ROOM
PROFESSOR
AAS 6307
Seminar on MLK, Jr. and Malcolm X
1–4PM W
AH 628
Conyers
628 Agnes Arnold Hall • Houston, TX 77204-3047 • (713) 743-2811 ®
The Daily Cougar
4 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
TWEETS O’ THE DAY:
BACK TO SCHOOL
The Law Offices of
Grateful to Board of Regents for giving me a new contract...I feel blessed to be in Texas, in Houston and at UH.
Ana Maria Schwartz Immigration Law Immigration services in the following areas: s Family Based Petitions s Spouse Petitions- K-3 & CR1 process s 245(i) petitions s Briefs on criminal issues for immigration purposes s Adjustment of Status s Fiance Visas K-1
s Consular Processing s Removal of Conditional Residency Card s Citizenship/ Naturalization s Waivers (I-601 and I-212) s Deffered Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
— @UHpres, 15 Aug.
I’ll be the first to say, I’m so ready for the fall semester to begin. So many new and exciting changes for us #UHCougars! — @itsdavidruiz, 22 Aug.
Football season is getting closer! #GoCoogs! — @UH_Cougars, 15 Aug
Contact: Email: ana@schwartzimmigration.com Phone: (713) 337-5270 3100 Timmons Lane, Suite 340 , Houston, TX 77027
Gearing up for a great semester! — @UH_SigmaChi, 20 Aug.
www.schwartzimmigration.com I have now officially paid for classes at University Of Houston. Can’t wait!! Whose House? Cooogs House — @Shayan_Kabani, 20 Aug.
13 days until HOUSTON COUGAR FOOTBALL! Are you ready? Are YOU ready? ARE YOU READY?! WHOOOOSE HOOOUUUSE? #UHCougars — @coog57, 20 Aug.
I’ve lost count of how many UofH shirts I’ve collected over the years. #GoCoogs. — @moronasaurus, 22 Aug.
Now enrolled in my last classes as an undergrad at UH. Feels great!!! #GoCoogs — @zeke_riser, 22 Aug.
Follow us! @TheDailyCougar
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 5
The Daily Cougar
GREEK LIFE
Greek organizations urge freshmen to join Beginning of fall semester heralds the heavy recruitment of fraternities, sororities on the University campus Andrew Pate Sports editor
When Panhellenic advisor Megan Francis came to UH from the University of Arkansas where she served as Graduate Assistant in the office of Greek life for 2 years, she saw an incredible opportunity in front of her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The women of the Houston Panhellenic Council are capable of making their community whatever they want it to be and I am excited to help them through the journey,â&#x20AC;? Francis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that my experience can help the women grow their community into one that is a nationally competitive Tier One sorority experience.â&#x20AC;? Both the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council (IFC) are in the midst of recruiting
potential members for the Fall semester and while members of Panhellenic are excited about the influx of interest, UH fraternities are also seeing a spark in their recruitment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are more incoming freshmen looking to get the college experience,â&#x20AC;? Sigma Chi Fraternity president David Gelovani said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Largely, I feel that each fall the interest in fraternities grow and everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefiting.â&#x20AC;? To provide women with the chance to meet members and learn more, Panhellenic will be hosting several events on behalf of its 6 sororities in the upcoming weeks including a Greek picnic at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Bayou Oaks.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joining a sorority is a great way to make friends, especially for those new on campus,â&#x20AC;? President of Panhellenic Laura Singleton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an opportunity that will help women throughout college by providing them with a good support system as well as networking beyond school.â&#x20AC;? The support system along with a sense of loyalty is echoed by many throughout Greek life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are many things I can take from my experiences with my sisters, but something I value most is always having someone by your side,â&#x20AC;? Chi Omega member Vanadie Carpio said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through thick and thin they are always there.â&#x20AC;? At UH there are 15 IFC fraternities. Vice
President of Recruitment Joshua Chipley encourages students to push aside any stereotypes and come see fraternity life for themselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Find which fraternity you feel like has the most brotherhood,â&#x20AC;? Chipley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In many cases the fraternity you choose will provide lifelong friends.â&#x20AC;? Both the fraternities and sororities work hard year round participating in events such as Frontier Fiesta and Homecoming in addition to putting on their own events to raise money for an assortment of philanthropies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supporting each sorority and fraternities RECRUIT continues on page 8
Post comments to our articles on thedailycougar.com
Talk at us.
Here To Serve International Students, Research Scholars and Faculty. Provides services and information pertaining to: t 64 *NNJHSBUJPO MBX t 'JOBODJBM "TTJTUBODF t $PVOTFMJOH "EWJTJOH t *OUFSOBUJPOBM 'SJFOETIJQ 1SPHSBN t *OUFSDVMUVSBM 5SBJOJOH t 0SJFOUBUJPO t "SSJWBM 4FSWJDFT
International Student Counselors also serve as cultural guides for international students and scholars by connecting students with appropriate ofďŹ ces and resources both on and off campus.
302 Student Service Center 1 (713) 743-5065
www.issso.uh.edu www.facebook.com/UH.internationalservices
The Daily Cougar
6 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
CULTURE REVIEW
Allen Le takes a look back at the big moments in entertainment W
COOPER COMES OUT O CNN’s prominent news anchor, Anderson An nderson Cooper, publicly discloses that he e is a gay man via an email sent to a friend friiend and gave permission to be posted on thedailybeast.com.
PRIDE The annual Houston LGBT Pride Parade and Festival celebrates one of the city’s many diverse communities and welcomes approximately 320,000 attendees who light up the evening parade in the Montrose neighborhood. According to pridehouston.org, next year’s parade will take place on June 22.
NEW SPIDER-MAN TOMKAT DIVORCE The five-year marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes comes to an end when Holmes files for divorce in New York City in June. Holmes currently seeks sole custody of their six-year-old daughter Suri. News of the TomKat divorce dominates headlines in mid-summer.
Harrison Lee analyzes the fall TV line up for viewers
Primetime Slot 666 Park Avenue
30 Rock
Premiere date: Sept. 30. on The CW Gabrielle Pierce’s meshing of “Dante” and “Gosford Park” looks to be ABC’s first soiree into the ethereal, demonic element. The cast is an eclectic combination of ABC elites, such as Terry O’Quinn and Rachael Taylor. They play characters residing in Upper East Side of Manhattan apartment building that may or may not be owned by the devil. Few plot leaks have hit the market, leaving potential fans and critics awaiting the first episode for any legitimate information.
Gossip Girl
Premiere date: Oct. 4. on NBC It’s about time for guts to start bursting from uncontrollable laughter. “30 Rock” starts its seventh and final season in October. With 13 episodes including a one-hour series finale, fans can look forward to one last go-around of clumsy but loveable guffaws. With rumors of six seasons of guest stars making one last tour through the now memorable 30 Rockefeller Plaza, devotees can sit back and enjoy a retrospective on what true comedy is.
The Walking Dead
Premiere date: Oct. 8 on CW One of the more underrated and underappreciated night-time soap operas in recent years is entering its sixth and final season this fall. Fans should be thrilled to see the Upper East Side gang because most of the starring cast, such as Blake Lively in “Savages,” have debuted in stellar motion pictures during the off-season. Rumors speculate that with only 10 to 11 episodes left, every episode might function as a mini-finale for each character. Other rumors suggest that guest stars such as Barry Watson and Sofia Black D’Elia are staying on the show for extended arcs.
RE
“The Amazing Spider-Man,” which stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, officially reboots Marvel’s franchise of the blue and red web-slinger. The film premieres just before the Fourth of July and has a weekend gross of $65 million.
DUCE USE CYCLE
Premiere date: Oct.14 on AMC As season two came to a close, everyone’s favorite dysfunctional group of zombie survivalists stumbled upon a prison, a discovery that sparked dramatic music and left fans wanting more. “The Walking Dead,” one of the many potent bullets in AMC’s drama revolver, returns this fall with new characters and a darker plot line. Fans of the actual dead in the show need not worry; the show has never sacrificed dialogue for well-placed gore. Along with a darker storyline should come more of that awardwinning makeup and special effects.
In addition to keeping you updated on the latest news, sports, arts and campus happenings, The Daily Cougar can also be used as a bookcover, a paper airplane or an umbrella for those rainy days. When you’re done, don’t forget to recycle.
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 7
The Daily Cougar
TRILOGY ENDS Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale finally conclude their Batman trilogy with the release off the highly bllockbuster anticipated summer blockbuster Rises.” The film “The Dark Knight Rises.” later becomes overshadowed overshad dowed and o shooting, spoiled by the Colorado where 12 people were killed k at the film’s midnight premiere. premiere.
LONDON OLYMPICS The 2012 Summer Olympics in London Lon becomes “the most watched entertainment or sporting event ever ente A on American television” — with 219.4 mill million viewers — according to an NBC report repo published by the New York Times. s. Michael Mic Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian of all time with dec m 19 medals, Gabby Douglas becomes Am America’s sweetheart overnight and the US brings home 104 medals, the most out off every country that competed. e
PRESIDENTIAL RACE CE CE Summer 2012 most notably concludess with Mitt Romney announcing his vice e presidential running mate — Wisconsin in n Rep. Paul Ryan. The 2012 Election Day on Nov. 6 is now less than three months away.
TWILIGHT STARS SPLIT
R&B GLORY R&B singer Frank Ocean confirms his bisexuality in a post on his Tumblr ahead of the release of his debut album, “Channel Orange.” Ocean’s letter is recognized for its brave and sincere message and refreshingly receives support from fans and hip-hop figures alike, including Jay-Z and Russell Simmons. “Channel Orange” debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with 131,000 copies sold.
‘12 Fall Releases
CHICK-FIL-A Chick-fil-A’s donations to anti-gay organizations are in the spotlight again after the company’s president and chief operating officer vocalizes his thoughts against same-sex marriages. The controversy quickly causes strong debates and discussions about the First Amendment on Facebook and Twitter. Supporters and protestors alike attended Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1.
The stars of the “Twilight” films — Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart — break off their real-life relationship after photos surface online of Stewart kissing the director of “Snow White and the Huntsman,” a film the actress starred in earlier this summer. The final installment in the novelturned-film series — “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” — premieres in November. Will the two be able to reconcile their differences and walk the red carpet with each other by then?
Bryan Dupont-Gray highlights the major titles in the coming months
The summer may have been a great lineup of titles for the video game world, but that’s nothing compared to the months of titles that lie ahead. The Fall semester is finally here and while students crack open new textbooks and ready their spirals, some gamers have already chosen to pick up their joysticks rather than study for finals. Here’s five reasons why:
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Developer: Namco Bandai Publisher: Namco Bandai Console: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U Rating: Teen Release date: Sept. 11
One of the best-selling fighting franchises is going back to its team-play roots with Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Based on the original, TTT2 is all about forming a solid partnership and duking it out in the square-circle. The game has a 50-character roster, harboring new and old fighters from the series and spanking new stages and also introduces “World Tekken Federation” to the online mode.
Master Chief is back and ready to take on a new opposing force that threatens the entire universe. He’ll be set in an entirely new environment with new Halo 4 enemies and new weapons. Developer: 343 Industries Now in the hands of a new Publisher: Microsoft Studios Console: Xbox 360 developer, Halo 4 is the start Rating: Mature of a new trilogy with heavily Release date: Nov. 6 boosted multiplayer option and cooperative and mapediting modes.
What do you get when you have a role-playing first-person shooter that has more than a million weapons, four different classes ranging from a stealthy assassin to a two-gun berserker and various species of monsters that drop money or items after being killed? Borderlands 2. Set five years after the events in the first game, four new vaulters look to save Pandora from Handsome Jack, a cocky narcissist looking to release a forbidden threat that will wreak havoc on the entire land.
Treyarch is reinvigorating the Call of Duty franchise with Black Ops II by taking an already near-perfect style of gameplay and bringing it to the future. From unmanned aircrafts to hovering robots, Black Ops II takes warfare to a new level. Strike Force missions will force players to make tough decisions that will alter the campaign storyline. Plus, what would Black Ops II be without an insane online mode with bigger and better maps the Zombies mode?
Borderlands 2 Developer: Gearbox Software Publisher: 2K Games Console: PS3, Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Release date: Sept. 12
“Call of Duty: Black Ops II” Developer: Treyarch Publisher: Activision Console: PS3, Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Release date: Nov. 13
The Daily Cougar
8 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
RECRUIT continued from page 5
philanthropic causes are my favorite events to attend,” Carpio said. “It really goes to show where our values stand as Greeks. Yes, we like to have a good time, but we know there are greater things in the world and we have the opportunity to put our time and efforts into The IFC’s recruitment continues until Sept. 28 while the deadline to sign up for Panhellenic recruitment ends Sept. 7. arts@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE Check it out online: uh.edu/panhellenic
The majority of Greek organizations at UH are housed in Bayou Oaks. The location is located a few miles away from campus and offers brothers and sisters a quite, isolated area to bond and form lifelong friendships with each other. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
Music fuels UH alumnus book debut Obama presidency inspires author to write Channler Hill Staff writer
University of Houston alumnus Chinedu Achebe’s debut novel “Blunted on Reality” follows the life of a Nigerian lawyer in his late ’20s who is trying to figure out the complexities of life, find value in his job, deal with his family and juggle two women during the Obama presidency. “I honestly never had any intentions of writing a book,” Achebe said. “I always thought you had to be famous or have some extraordinary story to tell before you could write something. I think after Obama won the presidency, I started to think about documenting this historic moment.” “But I didn’t want to write the storyline that everybody else was doing. I decided to carve my own unique storyline covering the span of one year beginning the day after Obama won the presidency.” He began writing “Blunted on Reality” in August 2010 and found musical inspiration from various artists like Fela Kuti, Jay-Z and John Coltrane. He completed the work in November 2011 and named it after The Fugees’ first album.
Although Achebe’s major was economics and he did not join any writing organizations in college, the craft has always been with him. “I feel that my passion for writing has been with me my whole life, but I think it took me writing this book to see the full manifestation of everything,” Achebe said. While Achebe published the 174-page novel himself, his editing company aided him by providing information on how to put together a book’s interior with the cover design, which symbolizing how life can be reflected in a multitude of lenses. Achebe, a native of Richmond, Va., worked as a sales representative with Nextel Communications after graduation until he landed his current job working in the tax department of a state governmental agency. The release of his novel has given Achebe confidence and he aspires to continue writing and pushing himself creatively. He is focused on marketing “Blunted on Reality,” which has received a mix of good reviews but low sales, and has learned through this process that everything takes NOVEL continues on page 10
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 9
The Daily Cougar
PLAYLIST
T
his summer introduced an overwhelming amount of relaxation and free time. The entertainment industry effectively capitalized on the liberty that young adults in college were able to enjoy over the past three months. Houston’s heat waves came with movie blockbusters, summer concert series, and one of my favorites — new music to listen to while soaking up the sun. Justin Bieber’s 26-year-old protégée scored a violin-based hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. Tweens and teens obsessed over the resurgence of boy bands — especially the one with five metrosexual British knock-outs. And Kanye West professed his affection for his Lamborghini Murciélago. Whether you hated or loved it, these were the songs that dominated the clubs, parties, and radio airwaves in the summer. — Allen Le
Welcome Back! Fall Convocation August 30, 2012 Reception at six in the evening; program begins at seven o’clock Grand Ballroom, University Hilton Hotel
Dean William Monroe and the
Faculty and Staff of the Honors College Cordially invite you to attend the
Fall 2012 Convocation Keynote address will be delivered by
Mike Feinberg KIPP Schools Co-Founder
http://The HonorsCollege.com/convocation
The Daily Cougar
10 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
NOVEL continued from page 8
time and patience. “You should just enjoy the moment,” Achebe said. “Don’t be carried away with thinking you aren’t a successful author because you didn’t make the New York Times Best Seller list. The reason that you wrote your book in the first place is because you had a story to tell.” arts@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE Check it out online: amazon.com/author/chineduachebe
MUSIC
Bloc Party outshines indie genre Album displays band’s depth, explores new sounds with strong instrumentations Christopher Lopez Staff writer
U.K indie-rock band Bloc Party has circled back to its post-punk revival roots with a refreshing twist in its new album, “Four.” After Bloc Party’s emergence in 2005, fans have missed its original style. However, the group has returned with a new sense of maturity. The album jumps off with the loud start of “So He Begins to Lie,” which showcases a heavy guitar and Americana sound many listeners are not used to. In the track “3x3,” the lyrics start off raspy and low, with wordplay like that of Slayer and Megadeth. It
Missed a print edition? Browse recent publications in our virtual newsstand.
THE DAILY COUGAR.COM /print-edition
later switches to lead vocalist Kele Okereke hauntingly saying, “No,” before screaming, “Yes.” The album takes a break from hard rock towards the middle, but closes with “We Are Not Good People.” The interludes that connect the verses give off a standard guitar sound that American fans easily adapt to. Bloc Party’s best rendition of the harder style of rock is “Team A.” The untamed guitar near the end is exhilarating, and the adrenaline punch by the lyrics, “I am going to ruin your life,” serves as an icing on the cake. “Coliseum” stands out in “Four” because it starts off with a bluesy folk intro and subsequently
powers through with a strong guitar presence. The song’s ravishing tone builds up to the astonishing lyricism. Bloc Party still retains their irreplaceable depth in “Truth,” which has astounding vocal hooks and emotions relayed by the lyrics, “I am yours now respectfully. I am yours now truthfully.” The band’s second single, “Day Four,” is this album’s version of “This Modern Love,” from their début album in 2005. The song ends with echoing vocals and violin music fading into the distance. It also has a similar sound to Bloc Party’s other track, “Real Talk.” The second verse incorporates a banjo that assists the piece from start to
finish. The first single, “Octopus,” reminds the fans of Bloc Party’s older sound. From its moving hooks to the lyrical structure of the song, avid followers of the indierock music are no strangers to this playful tone. Some of the harder rock tracks do not fit the bill with this band, and may seem more like a tribute anthem than the original roots. The thresher tracks should not be dismissed, though. The more tranquil and less power-driven tracks are amazing, and give us back the nostalgia that this band has created since 2005. arts@thedailycougar.com
Click on it: www.thedailycougar.com
Monday, August 27, 2012 // 11
The Daily Cougar
Best Venue - Houston Press Music Awards 2011
FORMERLY VERIZON WIRELESS THEATER
520 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002
+286721
THE BOX OFFICE AT BAYOU MUSIC CENTER OR CHARGE BY PHONE AT 800-745-3000
All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. A service charge is added to each ticket.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SHOWS & OTHER SPECIALS, GO TO HOUSEOFBLUES.COM/HOUSTON FOLLOW US A ATT
/ /B /BayouMusicCtr
FOLLOW US AT
/BayouMusicCenter
The Daily Cougar
12 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012
MINOR IN
Mexican American Studies
M
o W
ld or u! w o
e h t e k a
r o f y k r
The Center for Mexican American Studies Celebrating 40 years of Excellence in Higher Education For more information:
Visit: www.class.uh.edu/cmas Email: lcano@uh.edu