Issue 79, Volume 75 by The Cougar

1934 – 2009

t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t n e w s pa pe r o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f h o u s to n s i n c e 1 9 3 4

THE DAILY COUGAR

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years

WEATHER » hi

69 Lo 51

Forecast, Page 2

Check out this semester’s entire lineup of new comic strips online Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Issue 79, Volume 75

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SGA sets 2011 tuition proposal By Patricia Estrada The Daily Cougar The Student Government Association presented a proposal to the Tuition and Fee Advisory Committee during the Dec. meeting which called for a 5 percent cap on tuition increase and an efficiency task force to be created. The SGA tuition and fee task force

came up with the proposal, after meeting with other SGA leaders and former members. SGA Vice President Prince Wilson said the 5 percent cap on tuition and fee increase is to ensure that it won’t go any higher than that over the next two years. “Either it is 3 (percent increase) in one and a 2 (percent increase) in the second year; it will not give us

a scenario similar to University of California with a huge percent of increase,” Wilson said. “Five percent is a realistic number. As a growing campus trying to reach tier one status, we need to hire more faculty, need new equipment, faculty and staff salary increase, etc.” The efficiency task force to be created in the proposal will examine

wasteful spending and look for options to cut spending. The task force will be expected to study “the policies and practices that cater to the unique social, psychological and financial needs of non-traditional students who have families and may be single parents,” according to the proposal. Another responsibility of the task force will be to supervise scholarships

and financial aid by the University rather than individual colleges and departments. The proposal also asked that tuition rates be set for two years, in alignment with the Texas Legislature. “Several other universities in Texas have this similar option,” Wilson said. “State appropriate money for two see TUITION, page 12

Professor honored as new fellow First faculty member participates in leadership program

By Morgan Creager The Daily Cougar The University has implemented a Presidential Fellows program that allows faculty members to jumpstart their careers in leadership and step into the shoes of a chancellor. World cultures and literatures professor Marie-Theresa Hernandez is the first faculty member to participate in the 12-month program. Hernandez will attend exclusive meetings, tag along with President Renu Khator on her visits around campus and assist in helping the university reach its goal of attaining flagship status. “The idea is to accompany (Khator) and see how she reacts with the university and the community,” Hernandez said. “This will be a good learning experience.” As a result of becoming a presidential fellow, Hernandez was asked by Jerald Strickland, director of UH’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, to attend the exclusive SACS meeting. Khator and selected staff members will discuss plans on how UH will meet and exceed specific professional standards and criteria to be a recognized accredited school. “Without this meeting, we can’t function,” Hernandez said. Although Hernandez has been a part of the program for less than a week now, she has already begun to sculpt a project of her own. see PROFESSOR, page 12

COURTESY OF THOMAS SHEA

In commemoration

candlelight vigil and march of honor was held for Haiti by students from Texas Southern University, UH and Rice on Thursday at the University Center. They marched from Moody Towers to Wheeler Avenue to the TSU Campus Plaza, where a moment of silence and prayer took place for victims of the earthquake.

Religious centers take aim at intolerance Focus targets students interested in exploring various faiths gg

By Matthew Keever The Daily Cougar Rice University and UH are doing their part to provide Houstonians with a basic understanding of religions, and to generate peaceful coexistence between people of all faiths as well

as those with no faith. “In a university setting people are expected to be open minded and ready to learn. Students come here to be exposed to new ideas and new cultures, so being intolerant of something as universal as religion is simply ignorant,” Hotel and Restaurant Management SGA Senator John Price said. In 1985, the Religious Studies Program was founded at UH to focus on student interest in

religion. The program promotes knowledge of the history, practices and ideas of different religions, citing their importance for the education of attentive citizens and to preserve a free society, according to the program’s Web site. Professor Lynn E. Mitchell, who proposed and implemented the institution, is the program’s director. Mitchell has been teaching and developing courses in religious studies since its

establishment. Mitchell received his doctorate in religious studies from Rice University. After teaching at the University of St. Thomas for 11 years, he came to UH and began the Religious Studies Program. The A. D. Bruce Religion Center is the focal point for many oncampus religious activities at UH. The building, which serves as the site of many educational see RELIGION, page 12

2 n Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Daily Cougar

2010 schedule Individuals/Open Division Only January 26 th (Tuesday), 6:30 PM UC Bayou City Room No Entry Fee

CHESS

represent

Campus WINNERS and RUNNER-UPS will be awarded TROPHIES, T-SHIRTS and the OPPORTUNITY to represent the University of Houston at the ACUI Region 12 Recreation Tournament (part of the ACUI Region 12ʼs Tournament Weekend including Games Tournaments and Poetry Slam). This yearsʼ ACUI Region 12 Tournament Weekend will be hosted by The University of Texas-Pan American (Edinburg, TX), the weekend of February 19-20, 2010. Some regional champions (billiards & table tennis) may advance to international competition to be held at a site and date to be announced later in the semester. For additional information and registration, drop by the UC or the UC Satellite Games Rooms or phone the UC Games Room office at (713) 743-5321. Open to ALL UH STUDENTS currently enrolled in a minimum of three semester hours and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Championʼs Meeting Friday, February 12th 3:00 PM UC Atlantic Room

Partially funded by SFAC and your UC Fee.

XBOX MADDEN FOOTBALL ‘10

DOMINOES

BILLIARDS

Campus winners and runner-ups are requested to attend a meeting where Regional Tournament information will be shared and campus awards distributed.

SPADES

Wednesday

Thursday

70˚60˚

Friday

69˚42˚

45˚28˚

Menʼs & Womenʼs 9-ball February 2nd (Tuesday), 6:30 PM UC Games Room Entry Fee: $3.00 Menʼs & Womenʼs Singles February 3 rd (Wednesday), 6:30 PM UC Cougar Den Entry Fee: $3.00

XBOX GUITAR HERO

FORECAST

Individuals/Open Division Only February 2nd (Tuesday), 6:30 PM Chiliʼs Too No Entry Fee (Limited to 64 Entries)

BILLIARDS

TABLE TENNIS

CAMPUS BEAT

Individuals/Open Division Only February 4 th (Thursday), 6:30 PM Chiliʼs Too No Entry Fee Individuals/Open Division Only February 9th (Tuesday), 4:00 PM UC Satellite Games Room No Entry Fee 2nd Chance 9-Ball Tournament February 10 th (Wednesday), 6:30 PM UC Games Room Entry Fee: $3.00 2 Person Team February 11th (Thursday), 4:00 PM UC Satellite Games Room No Entry Fee Championʼs Meeting February 12th (Friday), 3:00 PM UC Atlantic Room

Return completed form with payment to the UC Games Room (lower level University Center). Phone 713/743-5321 Copies of event rules/format available at the UC and UC Satellite Games Room Service Counters. Name

Phone

Hours enrolled for Spring 2010

Event

(A separate entry form must be completed for each event entered. Entry fee must accompany this form or the entry will not be accepted. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED.)

CALENDAR

» Send event information to calendar@thedailycougar.com

TODAY Comedy show auditions: 4–5:30 p.m., University Center Atlantic Room. Comedians hoping to book a gig for themselves can take advantage of this opportunity to audition for the Last Cougar Standing. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/spb Campus Recruitment Workshop: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Student Service Center 1, first floor. Completion of a Campus Recruitment Workshop is required to participate in campus recruitment or on-campus interviews. Learn how to identify which employers are interviewing for full-time, career level and internship positions, and how to request those interviews. Attendance at a CRW the semester before you wish to interview is recommended. For more information, call 713-743-5100 and visit www.career.uh.edu

WEDNESDAY Do Intellectuals (Still) Matter?: 4 – 5:30 p.m., The Honors College

CO R R E C T I O N S gg

Expand your career options with a Bauer MBA.

Commons. Honors College professors Robert Zaretsky and David Mikics discuss whether intellectuals still matter and their recent books on Camus and Derrida: Albert Camus: Elements of a Life and Who Was Jacques Derrida? An Intellectual Biography. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/honors Movie screening - My Sister’s Keeper: 7 p.m., University Center Pacific Room. My Sister’s Keeper tells the story of 13-year-old Anna, who sues her parents for medical emancipation when she is expected to donate a kidney to her sister Kate, who is dying from leukemia. METRO public meeting: 10 a.m., Rockwell Pavilion, second floor of M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. Representatives from METRO will hold a public meeting and present the company’s current plans for the University Line as well as answer questions. This event is being presented by UH’s Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Student Government Association.

» Report errors to editor@thedailycougar.com

The Daily Cougar misspelled the last name of the UH Dining Services executive chef in “Variety gets dining recognition” (News, Friday). The chef’s name is Tori Bergersen, not Bergeron.

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Phillipe Craig Robert Higgs (713) 743-5303 sports@thedailycougar.com

Life & Arts Editors

Travis Hensley Jarrod Klawinsky (713) 743-5302 arts@thedailycougar.com n

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Alan Dennis opinion@thedailycougar.com n

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abo u t About the Cougar The Daily Cougar is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer, at the University of Houston Printing Plant and online at http://www. thedailycougar.com. The University seeks to provide equal educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status, or sexual orientation. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. the first copy of the Cougar is free; each additional copy is 25 cents.

PHOTO | Thu Nguyen, MBA Student

Subscriptions Rates are $70 per year or $40 per semester. Mail subscription requests to: Mail Subscriptions, The Daily Cougar, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-4015. news tips Direct news tips and story ideas to the News Desk. Call (713) 743-5314, e-mail news@thedailycougar. com or fax (713) 743-5384. A “Submit news item” form is also available online at thedailycougar.com. Copyright No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the written consent of the director of the Student Publications Department.

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www.mba.uh.edu The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.

Copy editing

Hal Allen, Robert Higgs

Production

Alan Dennis, Newton Liu

Closing editor Ronnie Turner

The Daily Cougar

NEWS

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 n 3

Because your words matter. Have you been misquoted? Though The Daily Cougar strives for accuracy and fairness in its reporting, mistakes happen. Please report any errors you see in the paper to the editorial staff. Corrections will run on Page 2 as needed to amend the record. To report a correction, e-mail editor@thedailycougar.com or call (713) 743-5362.

voltaire archelus The Daily Cougar

Passionate protest

religious debate took place between a demonstrator and a student passing by in the area near the University Center and Leroy and Lucile Melcher Hall on Monday. The display drew a large, responsive audience after the demonstrator repeatedly chant, “You deserve hell.”

4 n Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

COMING WEDNESDAY: What is The Situation with the Jersey Shore?

EDITOR Alan Dennis E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/opinion

THE DAILY COUGAR

EDITORIAL CARTOON

editorial B oard Ronnie Turner, Editor in Chief Matthew Keever, Managing editor Patricia Estrada, News editor Hiba Adi, News editor Phillipe Craig, Sports editor Robert Higgs, Sports editor Travis Hensley, Life & Arts editor Jarrod Klawinsky, Life & Arts editor Alan Dennis, Opinion editor

STAFF EDITORIAL

The student paper requires a critical element: students

T mishele lamshing The Daily Cougar

GUEST COMMENTARY

MLK’s message, inspiration live on To examine a person’s biography from academic disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, research tools of historiography are necessary, especially to study the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther James King Jr. Conyers Jr. Too often, we study a black life in isolation and not as part of the African-American community, shaped and formatted by the interactions of other African-Americans in forums such as barber shops, beauty salons, grocery stores, porches and school yards. These are public environments where

black people fraternize. Such was the case with King’s family. Even more important, King is often viewed as a catalyst of the civil rights movement. Dr. Maulana Karenga, author and professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, categorizes King’s sociopolitical philosophy in four areas: 1.) King located blacks as a people whose suffering prepared them for a divine historical mission. 2.) He believed that blacks had the moral

right and responsibility to disobey unjust laws in their resistance to social order. 3.) He believed it was immoral and cowardly to submit in one’s own oppression. 4.) He believed human nature is perfectible through struggle. Let us learn from the voice, ideas and memory of Dr. King and the lasting contributions he made to the social landscape of America. Dr. James L. Connor Jr. is the director of AfricanAmerican Studies at UH and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

GUEST COMMENTARY

A life of achievements fit for a King The enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. centers on his faith in the inherent goodness of the human spirit. Because King’s focus in the 1950s and 1960s was largely on securing equal rights Christine for African-Americans LeVeaux-Haley in the U.S., we may be tempted to tell a story that begins there and ends with the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. On the other hand, some may say that King’s legacy manifested itself in 2008 with the election of this nation’s first AfricanAmerican president, which, in part, is true. But the totality of King’s legacy is much more broad and far-reaching. King challenged the U.S. government to make good on the promises that our forefathers made when they declared independence from Britain. He was convinced that the statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” not only applied to blacks in America but to all of mankind. The entire Civil Rights Movement

was, in effect, an elaborate experiment testing whether the U.S. government and the American people were committed to the ideals espoused by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Consequently, through the triumphs of the movement, the U.S. government gained legitimacy and a standard of what to expect from the government was established. Moving beyond the Civil Rights Movement, what makes King’s message so powerful is that it is completely transferable. It transcends race, ethnicity, gender, age, economic status and sexual orientation. Through King’s legacy we are taught to be intolerant of inequity, injustice and human suffering, regardless of who is being mistreated. Unlike various other civil rights leaders and groups of the 1960s, King welcomed the support and participation of white Americans as well as men and women of all ethnicities and races. He impressed upon people the reality that if one group suffers injustice, we all suffer. As King stated in a 1963 speech at Western Michigan University, “Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought

to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” With his words and actions, King promoted a sense of solidarity and oneness among Americans that can be observed in this nation’s children. This will undoubtedly increase with each generation. King was often criticized for his timing and lack of patience. In 1961, during a commencement speech at Lincoln University, he addressed this issue of timing, saying, “(There is the) myth of time advanced by those who say that you must wait on time, if you just wait and be patient, time will work the situation out. They will say this even about freedom rides. They will say this about sit-ins; that you’re pushing things too fast—cool off—time will work these problems out. Even a superficial look at history shows that social progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless effort and the persistent work of dedicated individuals.” With this, King reminds us that change is never easy, but if the outcome is liberty and justice for all, the struggle is always worth it. Christine LeVeaux-Haley, Ph.D., is the Interim Assistant Dean of the Honors College and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

he Daily Cougar is stuck in a rut: we are extremely low on manpower. We are looking for writers, copy editors, and columnists. We have talented people on our staff and we appreciate their hard work, but for a campus as diverse as UH – second in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report in 2009 – the paper is full of primarily communication majors of a similar ilk (and we’re all overworked). Where is the rest of the campus? Perhaps you think The Daily Cougar is a big joke; the laughing stock of the campus. This is your opportunity to change that perception, bulk up your resume and get coverage for what you think is important. Because chances are that a lot of other people think it’s important too. Are you involved with the Houston music scene? Are you in a college that always wants more coverage? Are you a sports fanatic? Are you a technology guru, always keeping up with the latest and greatest gadget? Do you know a professor who deserves to have his or her story told? Do you skim through these pages thinking you could do a better job than us? If so, show us. You should get involved with your school’s paper and make it your own. Leave your mark. You’ll never have an easier opportunity to get published and you never know the doors it could open. All majors from all colleges are encouraged to get involved. Professors, too, have the opportunity to write columns for the opinion section. Communication majors are important too, though. In fact, if you’re a communication major reading this, and you’re not involved in the paper, you should probably change your major unless you already have a job at the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Press or the Houston Business Journal. That, or you should get involved. When you graduate, a potential employer is going to ask to see your resume and portfolio and, if you have nothing, you’re not getting the job. Period. You may read this and laugh, but ask yourself what you’re doing with your college career. If you fall into the category of a student who comes to campus, goes to class and then leaves campus, you might want to reprioritize. Our newspaper should be as diverse as our students. We know you’re out there, and we want your participation.

E D I TO R I A L policy 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 them to (713) 7435384. Letters are subject to editing. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements published in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole. GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be kept to less than 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies to material already printed in the Cougar, but rather should present independent points of view. Rebuttals should be sent as letters. 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.

OPINION

The Daily Cougar

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 n 5

Obama on the defensive, but doesn’t need to be A win in the Massachusetts election for the late Sen. Ted Kennedy on Jan. 19 provided a spark of hope for the Republican Party. Scott Brown did what all his Andrew peers have been Taylor trying to do — marginalize President Barack Obama. The route Brown took was simple; he ran on a platform contrary to what Obama has been pushing for, mainly health care. Never mind the fact that Massachusetts has one of the best health care programs in the country and that the program itself was a model for what Obama was proposing, or that it was passed by Republicans with the help of Mitt Romney. The peculiar thing about the recent success of Scott Brown is the way he managed to achieve success without aligning himself too closely to either party while withholding the specifics of his plans. Obama won the presidency because his campaign was very specific in its intentions. If there was an instance when Obama did not directly address a policy, he was specific about how he differed from the opposition. The only reason why there is no true way to tell if Obama is losing traction now, it’s because he has failed to remain as bold as he once was. The president went from national briefings to interviews on 60 Minutes. stcl_opportunity-ad.pdf 1

In a political arena where the opposing party or group does its best to mock and ridicule, Obama could benefit from more national exposure. A mere four months ago, Obama was addressing congress on health care reform when Rep. Joe Wilson caused an outburst that demonstrated the overall attitude of the party across the aisle. The president’s problem still stretches longer than outbursts and criticism from opponents. Obama’s complacency, or appearance of being so, is what has contributed mostly to his political sputtering and dithering altogether. The president could greatly benefit from a double dose of honest policy rhetoric and a triple shot of authoritative toughness. Obama would be well served to understand that the saying “what they don’t know won’t hurt them,” is simply not true. He needs to realize that what people don’t know, will ultimately hurt him. As the Republican Party tries to capitalize off Scott Brown’s election to Congress, the president needs to remind Americans that many of the problems we have were not directly caused by his administration. Obama needs to be clear that the only things delaying progress are childish reelection battles. It seems as though partisan politics has always been about looking good and sitting pretty until elections roll around. Right now, Obama seems to be too passive,12:04:34 too unwilling to direct 10/27/2009 PM

Courtesy of usbicef

the blame to its proper origins. In a New York Times article published Jan. 17, Paul Krugman wrote about Obama’s narrative and used his own wisdom to relate Obama to the likes of Ronald Reagan. “It’s instructive to compare Mr. Obama’s rhetorical stance on the economy with that of Ronald Reagan,” Krugman wrote. “It’s often forgotten now, but unemployment actually soared after Reagan’s 1981 tax cut. Reagan, however, had a ready answer for critics: everything (that

is) going wrong was the result of the failed policies of the past.” Krugman’s point is astute; Obama is often criticized on the deficit, unemployment and bailouts. He has been too quick to let Americans forget that it was the Bush administration that originally created the deficit with a war that was both unfounded and underestimated. It was Bush’s economic experts who for eight years in office overlooked all the signs that pointed to economic catastrophe. Also, the Bush administration

cut the first check to bailout General Motors. These are valid accusations that Obama has not taken advantage of, despite how much he should. Whether Obama fears the backlash from political pundits or he’s trying to still be the magical statesman who unifies the government that he leads is moot; at this point, he’s losing an uphill battle. Andrew Taylor is an economics senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

Op·por·tu·ni·ty

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Full and part-time applications for Fall, 2010 and full-time applications for Spring, 2011 are now being accepted. For information regarding enrollment call the Office of Admissions 713.646.1810 or visit the website at www.stcl.edu.

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6 n Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Daily Cougar

SPORTS

COMING WEDNESDAY: Forward Sean Coleman helps Cougars in any way he can

EDITORS Phillipe Craig, Robert Higgs E-MAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/sports

PLAYER PROFILE

Tellis feels comfortable at home with the Cougars By Tristan Tippet The Daily Cougar Junior guard Cory Tellis is back where he belongs. From 2006 to 2008, Tellis played at Schreiner University in Kerrville. After transferring to UH, Tellis joined the basketball team as a team manager for the 2008-09 season. This season, he will try to earn minutes for his hometown team. “I love Houston actually,” Tellis said. “I was born and raised here. Houston will always be my home.” Tellis went to Clear Brook High School in Friendswood. For Tellis, the road back to Houston was difficult, but his patience paid off. “Trying to make my way to Houston was kind of hard, but it was well worth the work,” Tellis said. “I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I

made the transition to come here.” His role on the team will be to provide depth at the crowded guard position, which includes Aubrey Coleman, Kelvin Lewis, Desmond Wade and Zamal Nixon. Depth will be critical for the undersized Cougars (10-9, 3-3 Conference USA) this season, who have tried to exploit mismatches based on quickness and athleticism. Speed is one of the team’s strong points. “The strengths of our team are our speed, and our defense,” Tellis said. Of these, Tellis said defense is what will take the team places. Tellis said despite the lack of size, the players are still confident in their roles. “Everybody on our team knows their role, and everybody does what they do best, and they

do it to the best of their ability,” Tellis said. “I don’t see us having too many weaknesses this year because everybody can do everything well.” The team’s aspirations are high, as it hopes to improve on last seasons finish. “Our goals for this year are like every other year: get to the tournament and hopefully make some noise, and get to a national championship,” Tellis said in November. “This year, we will get our results.” Tellis said he is enjoying playing at UH so far. “To me, playing here is a great experience,” he said. “I never thought I would be at this level, and I’m blessed to be here. It’s a great feeling coming out here and working hard everyday.” sports@thedailycougar.com

COURTESY OF UH ATHLETICS

Junior guard Cory Tellis served as one of UH’s team managers in 2008-09 before hitting the court with the Cougars this season.

FOOTBALL

Sumlin hires NFL assistant as new defensive coordinator Cougar Sports Services After a dismal performance on defense in 2009, UH head football coach Kevin Sumlin dismissed defensive coordinator John Skladany in the offseason and went in search of a replacement with top-notch experience.

He appears to have found his man. Sumlin announced Monday that he had hired Philadelphia Eagles special assistant Brian Stewart to be the Cougars’ new defensive coordinator. Stewart, who was an assistant defensive backs coach for the

Fighting Words

Talking smack and sports

At issue: Should Brett Favre retire now? Why or why not? gg

»»Tristan Tippet: Show me more Favre Brett Favre should not retire he is one of the most unique — quarterbacks of all time. Favre plays the most dangerous position on the field, and yet, he’s not only the most durable quarterback, he’s the most durable player in football history. Even the most punishing blow can’t knock him out, or even prevent him from being effective. The guy has incredible durability. Something tells me he can go another season. Even at age 40, Favre is still one of the elite quarterbacks in the game. He still has above-average mobility that allows him to extend plays when the pocket collapses and lets receivers to get open. Favre still has a great feel for the game. He can

sense when the pocket breaks and what play to call. He times routes and knows when to take a chance. Oh, he also has a rocket arm. He can still throw the deep ball with velocity. What does that mean? He elevated the Vikings from a good team to a near-Super Bowl contending team. I’m not a homer, and I don’t really care what he does. I just know a great quarterback when I see one.

»»Salomon Fuentes: Favre

should listen to his gut

I don’t think you need a quarterback coach to tell you that Favre still has talent, but what it really comes down to is what does Brett Favre want to do? He’s playing a high-stakes game should he return for another season, as he risks putting his 40-plus-year old body through another year of

Houston Texans from 2002-03, was the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for two seasons before joining the Eagles. He was the San Diego Chargers’ secondary coach from 2004-06. Stewart’s collegiate experience includes stops as an assistant at Cal Poly (1993-94), Northern Arizona

constant beatings. Not only that, but Favre has a family that he could be spending more time with at this point in his life. That we as fans would want to keep him around because he’s unique or fun to watch is a reasonably selfish sentiment. Favre should listen to whatever his gut instinct is on this, though the sensible thing is to walk away, pure and simple. But that’s not my call nor anyone else’s to make but his own. If he wants to come back for another year to finish his career on top and Brad Childress and Zigi Wilf will have him, then more power to the guy. But if he waffles again as to whether or not he’s coming back then it becomes less about the team and more about Favre and I don’t think anyone can stomach another summer of that.

»»Keith Cordero Jr.: Vote

(1995), Missouri (1996, 1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98) and Syracuse (2001). “His prior experience as defensive coordinator in the NFL and as a position coach at the collegiate level is exactly what we were looking for to elevate our defense to the next level,” Sumlin said in a release.

Stewart anticipates that a successful stint at UH will help him to move further up the coaching ranks. “I would like to be a head coach some day, so being a successful coordinator in a successful program in a large city like Houston will put me in line to do so,” Stewart said in a release.

It’s your turn. Take the poll at thedailycougar.com/sports in the regular season, the one intercepted by Saints cornerback Tracy Porter during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter proved costly. Favre and the Vikings should be headed to Miami for a visit with the Colts, but five turnovers none bigger than the Favre pick gave the Saints life. This was a great season for the Vikings and Favre, and I would like to see him return. Let’s not forget he signed a two-year deal with Minnesota at the start of the season so if he would fulfill his contract the fans should get to see the No. 2 quarterback of all time in my opinion for one more season. Age should not be an issue for a player with so much talent.

Favre for President

»»Judge Phillipe: No country

OK Tristan, you need to put the brakes on with the analysis of Favre’s game — you are not an NFL quarterbacks coach. Don’t get me wrong, Favre can still play and is a Pro Bowl talent, but despite having a career-low seven interceptions

You guys all make a convincing argument regarding Favre’s talent. There’s no question the guy still has all the physical tools to compete at the highest levels and has probably forgotten more football than any of

for old Favre

us will ever learn in our lifetimes. That being said, he still lives and dies by his gun-slinger mentality, and that is what ultimately hurt him and his team Sunday. The last two times Favre has played in an NFC championship game, he’s thrown what were essentially game-ending picks. Even the most die-hard Vikings fans would trade in the game-winning throw against the 49ers in the regular season, which was just as illadvised as Sunday’s interceptions, for a chance to have their own kicker have a shot to beat New Orleans with a field goal. The bottom line: Old man Favre needs to quit while he’s ahead.

Verdict Salomon wins, simply because he feels the same way I do about the impending will-hewon’t-he soap opera we are all about to deal with.

Facetime Has anyone else seen Damned United or is that just me?

SPORTS

The Daily Cougar

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 n 7

KING SALOMON’S COURT

Player’s death aside, privacy rights still important Despite being all of six foot five inches and 260 pounds, the death of Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams somehow was largely missed by the media Salomon and many NFL fans. Fuentes On one hand, it’s understandable. Adams wasn’t a big name, and between the hoopla of the NFL playoffs and the tragedy in Haiti, most other stories were pushed from the headlines. Yet, how many 26-year old professional athletes do you know who have died

of a heart condition? Adams’ particular condition— cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart—could have been detected had he undergone an electrocardiogram, and the league is considering having all players undergo the procedure, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. From a medical point of view, this makes logical sense. Adams’ condition could have been treated, and thus his death possibly prevented. The NBA already has such measures in place, following the death of Jason Collier in 2005.

The legal and ethical aspect of this is far more complicated. Although the EKG itself is not seen as an issue, it could raise the question of what would be done to players who are found to have issues with their heart. Take for instance Eddy Curry who, according to the AP, was asked to take a DNA test by the Chicago Bulls in 2005. Curry, who had a minor heart condition but had been cleared to play by doctors, refused to undergo the DNA test due to concern that it might have shown a larger underlying condition. He was subsequently

traded. Some may argue that Curry is gambling on his life, but that is his decision to make. Had the DNA test revealed a condition, it is possible Curry could have been forced to retire or had his contract voided. Not surprisingly, this ethical argument has been expanded to the world outside of sports. Can employers or health care providers demand that you take a DNA test to check for possible conditions? Could you then be denied a job or health care if you were merely more likely to

have a mental illness or high blood pressure? President Obama has expressed reservations about such practices by introducing legislation in 2007 as a U.S. Senator to check assure accuracy on such tests. Adams’ death is a sad event for his family, friends and teammates to be certain. Though the NFL is right to want to err on the side of caution, it needs to tread lightly to protect privacy rights. sports@thedailycougar.com

THE PEOPLE’S GAME

FA Cup primed for exciting finish From a field of 762 qualifiers, 16 teams remain standing after four rounds in what is the largest and most unpredictable soccer event in the world. In a sport where the Gordon wealthiest Furneaux and most recognizable clubs dominate, the FA Cup has proven why fans of every league in English football eagerly await this tournament. After spending decades in futility and anonymity where they were relegated to a third tier league, Leeds United was able to rocket back into relevance by beating Premiere League defending champions Manchester United 1-0 in their third round match. The win allowed them to recapture some of the sheen from their glory days, when the two teams met at the top of the standings, in what fans called the Roses Rivalry. Leeds United will replay Tottenham after reaching a draw in their first meet up to see who will face off against Bolton in the next round. Another lower ranked team who is making noise is Notts County, who currently sit in the Second League, one behind Leeds. After facing off against other teams in lower leagues, Notts’ draw has become more competitive. In the fourth round, they let a two goal lead against Wigan slip away, holding on for a tie. If they win the replay, they will play against dominant side Fulham in the fifth round. On the other end of the spectrum is Chelsea, who is undefeated in nine games, and is the odds on favorite to win the cup after the disqualifications of fellow powers Manchester and Arsenal. With team leader Didier Drogba potentially distracted with the African Cup of Nations, where he plays for Ivory Coast, teams might have thought it was a good time to catch the club off guard, and steal a win. But their 7-2 victory over topside Sunderland last week showed they are well positioned to overcome any possible obstacles. Chelsea is not the only Premiere League team left in the tournament, but probably received the more favorable draw against Champions League side Cardiff. If Wolverhampton beats Crystal

Palace, they will contend with Aston Villa, who had a respectable season in the Premiership and are currently seated seventh. Just below them in the tables is recently promoted club Birmingham, who are having a standout season and will want to continue their strong showing with a successful run in this tournament. They will be playing Derby in their fifth round match. One of the most anticipated matches of this round is Stoke City against Manchester City. Manchester City has not had the season they anticipated after their record-breaking signings during the summer. That large investment will no doubt make the 1.8 million pound check the cup winner receives all the more enticing. Stoke City, conversely, will want to continue their run of good play after beating Arsenal in the fourth

round and tying Liverpool last week. Lastly, Portsmouth, sitting at the bottom of the table, will play First League team Southampton, while the Championship League’s Reading and West Brom finish the round. sports@thedailycougar.com

Covering UH’s quest for greatness since 1934. Watch UH’s story unfold at thedailycougar.com

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The Daily Cougar

LIFE+ARTS EDITORS

COMING WEDNESDAY: Shaziya Bandukia takes a look at the fashions of the award season

Jarrod Klawinsky, Travis Hensley E-MAIL arts@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/life_arts

TECH TUESDAY

Coupe pricing with the soul of a lux sedan By Jarrod Klawinsky The Daily Cougar German carmaker Volkswagen has had a series of successful vehicles that have sold reasonably well, from the popular Beetle introduced in 1983 to its first sedan, the Passat. Volkswagen released an all-new vehicle at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the ‘CC,’ which stands for Comfort Coupe, is marketed by VW as a

more luxurious vehicle than its sister, the Passat, with frameless windows and a flowing design. While based on the Passat, and sharing its wheelbase, the CC is longer by an inch and sits lower by two. The Daily Cougar was given the chance to test-drive the CC in November on a trip to Austin, and we were impressed with its overall elegant styling and plush leather interior. The options are nearly limitless; from the ‘Sport,’

COURTESY of Momentum Volkswagen of Houston

The Volkswagen CC is comparable to the Passat, but surpasses it in luxury styling and performance. Falling under $30,000, the CC comes impressively equipped at its base price.

to the ‘Luxury’ or ‘VR6 Sport,’ the four trims are designed to fit most budgets. The 2010 CC flaunts its timeless silhouette. The contrasting stitching and leather interior makes this vehicle one of the sleekest on the road for its modest price. Even if the buyer opts for the base model they’ll have plenty to enjoy, like an eight-speaker stereo, a six-disc CD changer, sport suspension and leather wrapped steering wheel.

Even more pleasing is the base price, which falls at $27,100. Among the features new on the CC, Car and Driver points out an improved instrument panel and the option of a touch screen navigation system and satellite radio, all of which are leaps and bounds above what can be found on the Passat. The CC is a sedan with coupe styling, which balances affordable luxury with exceptional performance. Under the hood

of the base model, the CC features a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder, 200-horsepower engine. It is far from the most powerful car in its class, but can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in just under seven seconds. If you are in the market for four-door coupe with the soul of a luxury vehicle, the Volkswagen CC would be the place start your search. arts@thedailycougar.com

Why buy the book? Just read the blog By Travis Hensley The Daily Cougar

Courtesy of Apple

Apple is said to introduce its much-anticipated tablet Wednesday at a press only junket in California following a Wall Street Journal report that Apple would hold the event in late January.

Apple rumored to release tablet By Jarrod Klawinsky The Daily Cougar The Apple iPad, iTablet, or iSlate will soon be announced … we hear. The blogosphere has been buzzing with rumors for the past six months about the date when Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc. will release his much-anticipated contraption. Apple invited the press to view

its latest creation Wednesday following reports from the Wall Street Journal that it would hold an event in late January to announce the tablet. From what we can discern from the rumors, the Apple tablet will rejuvenate the world of print journalism, in that publishers such as Conde Nast, HarperCollins, The New York Times and, recently, The LA Times, will produce editions

exclusively for the iPhone. Apple is also “exploring electronic textbook-technology.” The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple “envisions that the tablet can be shared by multiple family members to read news and check e-mail in homes.” WSJ also says “it will come with a 10 to 11-inch touch screen.” Steve Jobs said “This will be the most important thing I’ve ever done.”

Looking for a good laugh? Some of the best writers can be found on the Internet as well as in the bookstore. Bloggers Walker Lamond, Maddox , Tucker Max and Christian Lander have all put out books that have been based off of their blogs. The most interesting thing about these writers is the great material, most of which has been previously bound and sold at bookstores, that each gives to readers for free. After going to these Web sites, if readers still want the feel of reading off paper, students have something else to do with their 500 printing pages at the library. 101 Rules for my Unborn Son Young boys need rules, and unborn ones need more rules. Walker Lamond knows that there is no better place than on the Internet to find one-line philosophies in the form of a really long list. His blog offers readers a chance to get in a good laugh in the face of parenthood.

Despite having the power to affect change in the life of their sons, Lamond affirms rules that usually go unsaid. For example, rule 405 states that “no one wants to watch you practice the guitar” or rule 258: “No vanity license plates.” The Web site, which is comprised of 1,001 rules instead of the measly 101 available in the book, is easy to navigate, with interesting links about the author and archives of the all of his entrees. The blog can be viewed at www. rulesformyunbornson.net. The Alphabet of Manliness Maddox’s Best Page in the Universe is different from his book, but it serves to be a good thing. Using the alphabet to structure his rants, Maddox expresses his offensive opinions on abortion, Mac users and Cameron Diaz. Along with his opinions, he also offers poorly drawn, but awfully humorous cartoons to compliment his articles. However, he has fallen behind on updating his Web site. With the most recent post from Aug. 8, 2009 – “I Hope I get swine” see BOOKS, page 9

LIFE & ARTS

The Daily Cougar

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 n 9

St. Martin Press, Citadel Press and Random House Trade Paperbacks

Various books have been adapted from the authors’ current online blogs.

BOOKS

The blog can be seen at www. tuckermax.com.

continued from page 8

– the Web site is plain looking with links that send viewers to the related articles as well as some of his favorite fans’ blogs. The URL for his blog is www. maddox.xmission.com. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell With the new book Assholes Finish First on its way, Tucker Max, author of I Hope they Serve Beer In Hell, has already proven his blog a place for comical life stories of depravity. His Web site features several short stories about his drunken sex life and other misadventures. Incredibly repugnant to any reader who does not find drunk people hilarious, the site doesn’t hold any punches. If viewers are not in the mood for an outlandish story, Max also offers several non-story entrees, like his Female Rating System and his Drunk Scale. The Web site is entreating and easy to navigate, so much so that it has the most advertisements on it and the fewest posts.

Stuff White People Like Author Christian Lander knows what white people like, and he serves to let the rest of us know. His blog and book prove this, with a listing style that is a lot like the 1,001 Rules For My Unborn Son (the Web site, not the book), abundant with comical oneliners. Instead of poking fun at parenthood, this blog pokes some fun at white people, with items such as “124. Hating People Who Wear Ed Hardy” and “14. Having Black Friends.” Unlike the 1,001 Rules, Stuff White People Like offers an explanation on why white people enjoy these items, places and people so much. This Web site is probably the most easy to navigate, because viewers can move to a link that shows a full list of what white people like. A site like 1,001 rules for my unborn soon could benefit from a feature like this. The URL for his blog is www. stuffwhitepeoplelike.com. arts@thedailycougar.com

“ those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without and

thunder

lightninG.”

Frederick Douglass American abolitionist, Author, orator (1817-1895)

TIME OF YOUR LIFE THE

This is college! Carpe diem! And don’t worry about the details. You’re likely going to forget half the stuff you did in college anyway. But we’ve got it covered. From the big wins on the Cougar gridiron to the events that made the campus come alive, you’ll find it all in your yearbook. Buy a Houstonian. Remember the times of your life.

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SPORTS

10 n Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Daily Cougar

Volleyball hires Alvey as new head coach Cougar Sports Services

We’ve moved!

UH athletic director Mack Rhoades announced Monday that Ole Miss volleyball assistant coach Molly Alvey had been hired as the Cougars’ fourth head coach. Alvey, who spent the last five seasons at Ole Miss, replaces Bill Walton, who retired Nov. 25 after going 458-319 in 24 seasons at UH. “Molly will be a great leader and role model for our student-athletes, as she brings a winning demeanor to the court and classroom,” Rhoades said in a release. “Her fiery passion will undoubtedly prepare them for success in all areas of life. We are excited to have Molly join our Houston athletics family.” Alvey had similar praise for her new boss. “The number one reason that I chose Houston is Mack (Rhoades),” Alvey said in a release. “His vision for volleyball and his vision for the athletic department, as a whole, is very clear, and he is ready to move with it. “He is an excellent communicator and is someone I feel extremely comfortable with as a supervisor. He is someone that has the same vision and values as I do which is important for running a successful program.” Alvey will have to rebuild a UH team that struggled to a 9-23 finish in 2009. Alvey helped the Rebels reach the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2007. Ole Miss’ appearance in the

And we’re not going anywhere. The Daily Cougar and Houstonian yearbook, in continuous publication since 1934, have relocated to new offices in the UC Satellite. We may have moved, but our mission never changes. You can count on Student Publications to deliver an awardwinning daily student newspaper and yearbook day in and day out, year after year. 1934 – 2009

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Help Wanted

2006 NCAA Tournament was the first in school history. The Rebels tied a school record for conference wins with 10 that season. While serving as recruiting coordinator, she helped Ole Miss land the nation’s 23rd-ranked recruiting class in 2009. Alvery, who recruited Texas heavily while at Ole Miss, is confident that she will be able to replicate that success at UH. “I am extremely comfortable recruiting in Texas and recruiting is the basis for finding success in college athletics,” Alvey said in a release. “You have to get the kids to the program that you need to win and to build upon the system that you want to utilize. Half of our roster is from Texas and that’s where I spend a lot of my time. Being able to build a program in Texas, I have the roots and the recruiting contacts that I need. I definitely think it’s a program and a university that I can bring good kids to. In addition, the talent that we currently have at Houston will give me the jump-start that I need to get the program where I would like.” Before arriving at Ole Miss, Alvey served as head coach at Southern Indiana, an NCAA Division II program, in 2004. She led the Screaming Eagles to a 24-7 record and the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season title in her lone season as head coach. sports@thedailycougar.com

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COMICS & MORE

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COUGAR COMICS

Find more daily strips at thedailycougar.com/comics

Dim Sum by Ho Yi Lau

today’s crossword ACROSS

Limbo by Paulo Aninag

today’s sudoku How to play

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3-by-3 boxes must also contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Previous puzzle solved

1 Wharf 5 Molten material 10 Phoenician deity 14 Sonic bounce 15 Gawked at 16 Arm bone 17 King in a play 18 Goyas hang here 19 Stumble onto 20 Hologram makers 22 Like air at high altitudes 24 Smuggle 25 Montana capital 26 No way! 28 Refinement 32 Joule fractions 35 Sun, poetically 37 Gaynor or Estefan 38 UPS unit 39 — Jean Baker 41 Utmost degree 42 Halted 45 Street in Paris 46 Music category 47 First name in cosmetics 48 “Aba — Honeymoon” 50 Flocks of geese 54 Viking letters 58 Stress 61 Yellow fruit 62 Part of Caesar’s boast 63 Gem State capital 65 Orderly 66 Corrida sight 67 Small harbor 68 Nights before 69 Blow away 70 Slalom runs 71 Hire a decorator

DOWN

1 Wooded valleys 2 Body of water 3 Wild-goose — 4 Pusan people 5 Swabs 6 Crop sci. 7 Angry look 8 Olympics prize 9 Delight in 10 Thundering herd 11 Others, to Ovid 12 Author — Rice

We ❤ lots & lots of TO: THE DAILY CO UG

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 n 11

37 40

46 48

50 58

25 26

71 ©

1 3 “Shane” star 21 “King Kong” studio 23 SASE, e.g. 25 The good guy 27 Lily-pad locale 29 Tuscan river 30 In — (as found) 31 Satirist Mort — 32 Behold, to Cato 33 Country addrs. 34 Tiny insect 36 Subzero comment 37 Earth personified 40 Wet soils 43 Conference part 44 Blondie’s shrieks 46 Amble 49 Bikini half 51 Pianist — Blake 52 Golf-bag contents 53 Simon and Diamond 55 Unwary

5 6 Finished up 57 Go-ahead (hyph.) 58 GIs 59 Mob scene 60 Pantyhose shade 61 Puts money on 64 Date regularly

2009 United Feature Syndicate INC.

Previous puzzle solved S W A M

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PROFESSOR continued from page 1

She recently met with Executive Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid Sal Loria, to discuss a process in which the university could financially assist a specific group of high school students to attend college. “You know the quiet, (smart) kids in school?” Hernandez asked. “Those are the ones we want to help.” Hernandez said these types of students tend to be overlooked by scholarship programs or universities because of their lack of involvement in football, cheerleading or student council, but some of them are too intelligent to pass up. “We would be using a different approach to reach out to these students,” Hernandez said. UH would make it a more detailed and personal process by, for example, taking the time to make individual contact with teachers who know the students they are pursuing. Though the project is in its newborn phase and needs time to grow, it has the potential to make UH a better

TUITION continued from page 1

years, and it will be better to align with that two-year term, because it will give predictability both to administrators as well as students.” A raise in the Cougar Promise cap to $50,000 was another issue

campus, according to Hernandez. “We are just talking about the idea right now and figuring out how it will come together,” Hernandez said. Along with this project, Hernandez is continuing to mold another blueprint for student assistance alongside Director of Admissions Dijuana Young. The program would purposely seek out community college students that have succeeded well and invite them to the University. Hernandez said that she is excited to launch these programs and plunge into the life of a chancellor, but she will miss her profession. “I loved my job (as a professor). I was having so much fun,” Hernandez said. Hernandez said that becoming a presidential fellow was an unexpected honor. She was encouraged by family and friends to apply for the position, and, when chosen, she was surprised. “UH is in a wonderful phase right now, and I get a lot out of knowing that I could help the students (on campus),” Hernandez said.

RELIGION continued from page 1

news@thedailycougar.com

programs and activities dealing with religious issues, provides office space and facilities for eleven charter denominations. Rice, too, is doing its part. It has brought together speakers and educators from various faiths to lecture on the topic in hopes of revamping the World Religions Lecture Series, a series that focuses on peacefully explaining and discussing the differences (and similarities) between religions all over the world. The World Religions Lecture Series was started through the Boniuk Center at Rice University. The Boniuk Center, established in April 2004 with a $5 million endowment from Dr. Milton and Mrs. Laurie Boniuk, was founded to give Houstonians a better understanding of religions, both their own and those that they are not familiar with. The Boniuk Center has made it easy for people to discuss religion by implementing an open — but always considerate — forum, leading to a peaceful coexistence among citizens of diverse

discussed in the proposal. The cap is to help accommodate more families and grant eligibility to all students who qualify for financial aid via Cougar Promises and not just incoming freshman as it stands now. “As economic conditions, as well as the standard of living changes, it’s crucial to consider the eligibility level for our students,” Wilson said.

“No student should drop out of school because of this tough economic condition.” Wilson said the proposal recommends that more classes be offered at a discounted rate, as well as expanding the “Two for the price of one program” for all summer school sessions. There will be a tuition and fee

The Daily Cougar

religions. “So much suspicion and distrust of people of other faiths is rooted in ignorance,” Shira Lander, interim director of the Boniuk Center and an expert in interfaith relations said in a news release. “If we can begin to dispel people’s misunderstandings about other people’s religions and replace harmful assumptions with accurate facts, then we can begin the road to creating interreligious understanding.” Houston is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse cities in the country. According to visithoustontexas.com, the city is 42 percent Anglo, 33 percent Hispanic, 18 percent black, and 7 percent Asian/other, and more than 60 languages are spoken in the homes of Houston’s school children. Houston is ranked among the top 10 cities in the U.S. visited by Hispanic-American and AsianAmerican travelers, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. Houston is home to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Muslims, Jains, Jews, Christians and Baha’is, to name a few religions, as well as the largest

forum from 5:30-7p.m. Thursday in the University Center Big Bend Room 279. The proposal will be reviewed by the Tuition and Fee committee later to make a proposal to the UH System Board of Regents for the final decision. news@thedailycougar.com

church in North America, Lakewood Church, which is only a few miles from both the Rice and UH campuses. The center used Houston’s diversity as its inspiration. The Boniuk Center welcomes ideas for events and projects from community organizations and individuals who share its mission to bring peace and understanding to all those who wish to learn about others’ faiths. “I think it is important to be understanding of other people’s religious beliefs because I want to be respected for what I believe in,” education senior Nelsy Alvarez said. “Understanding other people’s religious beliefs helps create more unity between people. When people try and understand other’s religious beliefs it helps unify people of all walks of life. Although I might not agree with other people’s religious beliefs I believe I have to be tolerant of them to create friendship that could be long lasting. It is important to understand other people religious beliefs at UH because there are many people of different faiths.” news@thedailycougar.com