THE DAILY COUGAR E!
INSID
TODAY’S WEATHER
Opposite day in the life of ‘Coraline’/LIFE & ARTS
Musick to our ears: ‘I knew ... I was going to come back’ /SPORTS
3-day forecast, Page 2
Hi 75 Lo 65
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Issue 94, Volume 74
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www.thedailycougar.com
Prof awarded for anxiety research By Larissa Gonzalez The Daily Cougar Peter Norton, director of the UH Anxiety Disorder Clinic (ADC), received the annual Theodore Blau Early Career Award for his professional accomplishments in clinical psychology Jan. 21. “It’s a great honor. When I opened the envelope, I let out a big cheer,” associate professor Norton said. “(I hope the award) gives a little bit more credibility to the psychology department and to the work my team and I have been doing here at the University.” Norton said he sees the recognition as an opportunity “to
reach out and help more people with anxiety disorders or to simply help other practitioners in studying anxiety disorders.” He was nominated for the award by his former colleague, psychology professor Martin M. Anthony of Ryerson University in Toronto. Anthony g g Norton is a previous recipient of the award. The award recognizes “professionals for promoting the practice of clinical psychology
through professional service … or other novel or creative activities advancing the service of the profession,” according to ADC’s Web site. As a clinical psychologist, Norton has been dedicated to running ADC, training graduate and undergraduate students on how to conduct research. He also organizes community workshops to train future therapists, as well as for his research on testing and improving upon anxiety disorder treatments. In addition, Norton has authored more than 60 research papers and has delivered presentations to the American Psychological Association for his work on anxiety.
Suzanne Klenck is the assistant director of ADC and has been contributing to research for the past four years. “It is really nice to see Norton receive this award. He is great to work with and he has a phenomenal career ahead of him,” Klenck said. “It is also great to bring awareness to the ADC and let people know that there is ‘state-of-the-art’ treatment here in Houston at a very low cost.” Jessica Grogan is a graduate research assistant and has been working at ADC for three years. “Norton’s awards represent the contribution he has made to the field of clinical psychology while still early in his career,” Grogan said.
“He provides graduate students the opportunity to present and publish with him on his main projects as well as encouraging them to develop their own lines of research within anxiety or in related fields.” In December, Norton coauthored The Anti-Anxiety Workbook with Anthony. The self-help book came out of the realization that “the vast majority of people with anxiety disorders aren’t receiving treatment.” Norton said he hopes the book will allow his cognitive-behavioral therapy tips and research findings to go where they are needed most, see NORTON, page 3
SFAC hearings to adjourn
after review
By Steven Oster The Daily Cougar The Student Fees Advisory Committee will discuss the use of tuition fees for proposals today, on the last of a 3-day meeting held in the Bluebonnet Room, University Center. SFAC is considering proposals from the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, the Athletics Department, the Student Government Association and Student Services. CAPS is requesting $67,612 for the addition of a fulltime psychologist with expertise in military trauma. The University of Houston lags behind other schools in the psychologist-to-student ratio, as the International Association of Counseling Services recommends one clinician per every 1,500 students. The University of Houston has a ratio of one clinician for every 3,522 students. With student enrollment forecasted to increase in the fall semester, the ratio will be further displaced. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 will take effect August 2009. The bill will subsidize tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing for eligible veterans. A large influx of student veterans is expected for the fall semester. “We do not have figures at this time, but it is expected that 250,000 servicemen and women will be returning and will have the funding to attend a higher education institution,” CAPS interim director Norma Ngo said. Many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder would benefit from specialized counseling services, Ngo said. The addition of a full-time specialized psychologist would also allow the program to provide outreach services to students, crisis intervention and training for University personnel on signs of suicide. The importance of counseling services has become increasingly apparent after incidents like those in Virginia Tech, Ngo said. The Athletics Department is seeking funds for upgrades to existing facilities such as Robertson stadium. “If you look at the bathrooms (in Robertson stadium) compared with others, the need for an update becomes obvious,” Athletics director David Maggard said. One of the most visible aspects of a university for incoming students and casual observers is the Athletics Department, Maggard said. Increased funding could see SFAC, page 3
Courtesy of Air Force ROTC
Full metal jog-it
H
ouston Corps of Cadets stretch together Monday in the Garrison Hall parking lot after completing their annual Valentine’s Day jog. The three-mile early-morning trek was open to all partcipants who could keep up the nine-minute-mile pace. The cadets represented Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Navy/Marine ROTC.
Vigil to be held for Tall Pastor says remembering murder victim will help begin healing process By Zaneta Loh The Daily Cougar UH Lutheran Campus Ministry will hold a campuswide prayer vigil at the Metro bus stop on the 3400 Block of Cullen Boulevard on Wednesday. The vigil is at the site where Joe Tall was shot to death on Feb. 7 while sleeping on the bench at the bus stop. Pastor Bradley Fuerst, who has worked with Lutheran Campus Ministry for a year a half at the University, said he wanted to make sure Tall’s death did not
go without proper memorial. “Didn’t it amaze you that life kind of just went on?” Fuerst said. “I’m driving by there and there’s people waiting for the bus. It’s like nothing ever happened.” Fuerst said he wanted to help those affected by the shooting begin the healing process through the vigil. “When you see something like that on the front page (of the newspaper), I think that is what rattles a lot of people, but then we just carry on without marking it,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we walk around
and hang our heads. …What it means is taking some time to turn aside, to stop, to say, ‘This is what happened here. A life was taken.’ In doing that, there is some healing.” Fuerst is handing out fliers to encourage members of the UH community to attend. “Everyone’s welcome. That means students, staff, faculty, Muslim, Christian, Jewish — I don’t care. I think none of us ought to care about that,” he said. see VIGIL, page 3