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University police report second daytime robbery in as many weeks Friday, February 5, 2010

Issue 87, Volume 75

thedailycougar.com

Resumes receive help from experts

UH police chief gives prevention advice

By Alan Delon The Daily Cougar

Students such as supply chain management senior Rodrigo DaSilva from Brazil took advantage of the career event. “The employer told me that I need to get my resume in good shape, that I should have a cover letter and make it shorter,” DaSilva said. “I am really excited and positive that I will find a job at the career fair after being helped today.”

UHPD police chief Malcolm Davis said there are ways students can help prevent crime. Not being hesitant to contact the police department when confronted with a suspicious or potentially dangerous situation, he said, is one of them. “It would help if students, faculty and staff let us know if they see people they haven’t seen before. Some suspicious reports don’t come back to anything, but maybe by reporting we could prevent someone’s window from being broken or a backpack being stolen,” Davis said. Davis reported minimal criminal activity during the break but does not expect the same trend this summer. “You tend to find out how good your holiday season was when students, faculty and staff start coming back and you may find a room was burglarized or someone left their car here and it was burglarized. We haven’t got much of

news@thedailycougar.com

see CRIME, page 6

Rockwell Career Center counselors and employers from different companies offered the business students from C.T. Bauer College of Business an “Emergency Help for your Resume” event. The event was held in the AIM Center for Investment Management lobby on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “The idea behind the event is to trick students into getting their resumes reviewed, so the event has been themed as if this is an emergency room so you can get the students’ attention,” Employee Services of the Rockwell Career Center Director Brett Hobby said. “We have definitely increased the number of tables. We have more staff to help, more employers, and the event has grown as a whole.” Hobby, who has hosted the event since 2006, said that the Resume ER is not like meeting with the career

By John Brannen The Daily Cougar

David Shih The Daily Cougar

Members of Houston Think Tank, a UH student organization, take advantage of the Bauer Resume ER event to enhance their resumes in preparation for spring recruiting. The event took place Wednesday and Thursday. counselors but its purpose is to get the proper recommendations to prepare the students for career fair. The AIM center lobby was decorated with red and white balloons, all the tables had stethoscopes and the employers and career counselors were wearing scrubs. “Our goal is to give C.T. Bauer students access to employers, alumnus and other crew staff people to have their resumes checked in 10 to 15 minutes,” career counseling

director Donna Grady said. “The big event that is open to all the students is the career fair. Students need to know you should have a resume if you are looking for an internship or a job.” Grady said the Resume ER event has helped many students succeed in future interviews. “Resumes are the first impression that students have with employers so that is what we are trying to do at this event,” career counselor II Oliver Blanco said.

Student honored for work with children

UH Dining starts new takeout plan

By Aimee Buras The Daily Cougar

By Ashley Evans The Daily Cougar

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars in association with America’s Promise has recognized a UH student with a prestigious award for community service. Psychology and pre-med senior Cynthia Tsai has been honored with the Scholar of Promise Award for her efforts in helping children who have suffered from abuse. “I was really surprised and honored,” Tsai said, “I did it for the children.” According to the NSCS Web site, to receive the award, a member must “complete at least 50 hours of youth-oriented community service within a 12-month period.” Tsai completed 318 hours of service between August 2008 and August 2009. Tsai began her service when she was offered an internship with Justice for Children, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of children who have

endured various forms of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. As an intern, Tsai is responsible for answering the hotline, providing as much assistance as possible to the callers and keeping in touch with her assigned cases for changes in activity. “I have become well equipped in maintaining patience with those in distress and showing empathy while obtaining the information necessary to analyze the situations and provide aid,” Tsai said. Tsai said the experience was fulfilling, and that when she leaves the offices after a shift, she knows regardless of how little she feels, she contributed. Children and concerned relatives benefit from having someone to listen to their stories and give them the resources to establish a beneficial environment in which the children can be raised. “My time with Justice for Children has enabled me to make a positive impact within the surrounding community and has

Courtesy of Cynthia Tsai

Psychology senior Cynthia Tsai said she hopes people will be inspired to do community service after reading her story. reinforced my wish to work directly with those in need of help,” Tsai said. Tsai will continue with community service and returns to Justice for Children once a month. She hopes that others will follow her path. “I hope it will bring recognition to UH and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars,” Tsai said, “I just hope it will help UH achieve tier-one status.” Tsai will receive a pin, a letter signed by President Barack Obama and a certificate as part of her award. news@thedailycougar.com

In an effort to increase sustainability on campus, UH Dining Services has switched to biodegradable and reusable togo containers in all of UH’s dining areas, instead of the old Styrofoam containers. “It’s an initiative as a company that UH is embracing in order to become more sustainable,” marketing program manager Sevelia Johnson said. Johnson said though the containers were initially more expensive, the benefits are well worth the cost. On average, University Dining Services had an estimated 90,000 Styrofoam containers that were used per semester. Last semester Moody Towers used five to six hundred Styrofoam containers a week and Oberholtzer Hall used about three to four hundred a week. Initially, Foodservice Director

Edward Wrigley spearheaded the program as the University’s “sustainability champion.” Dining Services prepared a proposal to University Services and was able to get the first 2,000 containers at no extra cost to the University. University Services Marketing Manager Maria Honey said the best part about these new containers is that “they only require water, soap and sanitizer in order for them to have value all over again.” The residents at the dorms were the first to receive these new containers. They were handed out on the first day and Johnson and Honey both agree that they have had an overwhelmingly positive response. “The students are really taking ownership of the program, but the key to its continued success is going to be student responsibility,” Honey said. There have been two options implemented for returning the see GREEN, page 6

2 n Friday, February 5, 2010

The Daily Cougar

CAMPUS BEAT

Expand your career options with a Bauer MBA.

FORECAST Saturday

Sunday

60˚41˚

Offering Programs For:  Full time day MBA  Part time evening MBA  Leadership Executive MBA  Global Energy Executive MBA

59˚54˚

CALENDAR

“Which is the merchant here, and which is the Jew?”: Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice: Noon – 2 p.m., The Honors College Commons. The Honors College hosts the Ross M. Lence Master Teacher Residency. Lence’s career was marked by his commitment to the transformative effect of undergraduate education, and in his honor, the College brings a master teacher in for a week of seminars and events. This year’s Lence Master Teacher is Professor James M. Shapiro of Columbia University. Professor Shapiro is the author of influential and prize-winning monographs, most recently 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare, a book that won the Theatre Book Prize as well as the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for the best nonfiction book published in the United Kingdom in 2005. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Libby Ingrassia at 713-743-3714 or log onto www.thehonorscollege.com

PHOTO | Thu Nguyen, MBA Student

www.mba.uh.edu

65˚45˚

» Send event information to calendar@thedailycougar.com

TODAY

Monday

The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.

The Cougars swimming and diving squads square off against the Texas A&M Aggies inside the recreation center at UH. Admission is free if you present a valid Cougar Card at the entrance.

SATURDAY Men’s basketball: 5 – 7 p.m., Hofheinz Pavilion. The UH men’s basketball team squares off against Conference USA rival Southern Miss at Hofheinz Pavilion. Admission is free if you present a valid Cougar Card at the entrance.

SUNDAY Breast cancer awareness game: 1 p.m., Hofheinz Pavilion. The UH women’s basketball team will play the Memphis Tigers. Admission is free with a valid Cougar Card at the entrance. For the third consecutive season, the women’s basketball team is proud to partner with The Rose during “Hoops for the Cure” to help in the fight against breast cancer.

Swim meet: 5 – 9 p.m., Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.

CO R R E C T I O N S gg

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Corrections will appear in this space as needed.

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about 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. 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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Production

Sarah Neill, Newton Liu

Closing editor Ronnie Turner

Friday, February 5, 2010 n 3

The Daily Cougar

SPORTS

COMING MONDAY: See if the men’s and women’s basketball teams can defend Hofheinz Pavilion this weekend

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

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Cougars hosting So. Miss

UH sends Rice to steam cooker By Maurice Bobb The Daily Cougar

By Phillipe Craig The Daily Cougar The Cougars return home after a disappointing road trip and will have yet another tough challenge awaiting them in the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. UH (11-10, 4-4 Conference USA) jumped out to an 8-0 lead at UTEP on Wednesday and even led by as much as 14 during the first half but was unable to sustain their early offense and fell 65-58 to the Miners. UTEP (16-5, 7-1) used a 12-2 run to close out the first half and trailed 30-26 at the break. The Miners then used a 15-3 run early in the second half to take a lead they would never relinquish. UH did draw to 61-58 after an Aubrey Coleman bucket with 1:30 left, but after an errant 3-pointer by Kendrick Washington, the Cougars were forced to foul and attempt more long-range 3s to no avail. Head coach Tom Penders & Co. will now have to take on a Golden Eagles squad coming off of a comefrom-behind home victory over SMU on Tuesday that gave them a threegame winning streak in conference. After starting out 5-0, Southern Miss has cooled a bit and sits at 13-4 overall and 3-4 in C-USA.

daily cougar file photo

The Cougars return home after faltering in the second half of Wednesday’s 65-58 loss at UTEP and will again look to Aubrey Coleman to lead the way against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on Saturday. The Golden Eagles lead C-USA in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 60.2 points per game and are second in rebounding margin at +7.7 per game. They also boast a talented frontcourt combo of 6-8 Gary Flowers and 6-10 Maurice Bolden, who are averaging 14.4 and 10.2 points per game, respectively. UH held the Miners’ most talented player, 6-11 Arnett Moultrie, to only three points on 1-of-5 shooting but allowed fellow forwards Derrick Caracter Jeremy Williams to go for 34 points and 17 rebounds combined.

Despite improved play over the last two weeks from forwards Maurice McNeil and Washington, UH still ranks second-to-last in C-USA in defensive rebounding at 20.9 per game. McNeil and Washington will be charged with containing Southern Miss’ inside trio and relieving Coleman and Kelvin Lewis of all the scoring responsibility. Saturday’s game at Hofheinz Pavilion can also be seen on CSS Comcast channel 129 beginning at 5 p.m. sports@thedailycougar.com

UH went into Tudor Fieldhouse tied for sixth place in the Conference USA standings with in-town rival Rice, but snapped its deadlock with the Owls with a 7253 victory Thursday night. The Cougars (11-10, 5-3) moved into sole possession of fifth place and extended their road win streak to four. Junior forward Courtney Taylor scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the second half and grabbed 14 rebounds to tie Sancho Lyttle’s record for career doubledoubles with 35. “I’m happy about tying the record, but it’s not that big a deal to me,” Taylor said. “But I am looking forward to breaking the record because then it becomes mine.” Brittney Scott, the Cougars’ leading scorer, added 15 points and five assists against the Owls. D’Frantz Smart and Amenemope McKinney paced Rice with 11 points each. The battle in the early going favored the Owls (10-11, 4-4), who capped an early 12-4 run on a long jumper from behind the arc from senior guard Tara Watts. UH got in on the offensive action after getting into the lane for easy layups to tie the game at 14 with 12:08 remaining. Rice kept

itself in it by connecting on four 3-pointers before heading to the locker rooms with the game tied at 27. The Cougars came out more aggressively in the second half on the strong inside play of Lesslee Mason, who finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. “We have a habit of letting teams hang around, and that’s what we did in the first half,” Taylor said. “In the second, we just came out and focused on hitting our shots and trying to get the win.” Sophomore Jackie Stanley tried to rally Rice with six points on an array of mid-range jumpers, but when Smart fouled out at the 4:17 mark, UH was off to the races and never looked back. “We got behind early on in the game, so we had a choice: let them have it or fight back,” UH head coach Joe Curl said. “So we went out, fought back and got the win.” Next up for UH is a matchup against Memphis at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Hofheinz Pavilion. The Cougars will take part in “Hoops for the Cure” on Sunday to raise awareness for breast cancer. Events planned for the day include the recognition of cancer survivors and halftime entertainment provided by the Highflyers, a jump rope performing group. sports@thedailycougar.com

SWIM PREVIEW

UH gears up for C-USA title run with road trip By Tristan Tippet The Daily Cougar The Conference USA Championships are around the corner, and the Cougars continue their preparation for the event with a single meet against Texas A&M at 5 p.m., today at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium. Last weekend the Cougars hosted a two-day event featuring Tulane,

Rice and LSU. UH beat Tulane 213-134, but lost to Rice 197-144 and LSU 207-138. The Cougars’ record fell to 3-8 in dual action as a result, but head coach Mark Taylor was pleased with his team’s effort and said it helps with preparation for the championships. “I was happy with (the team). After all, we’re getting ready for the conference championships, which are three weeks out,” Taylor said. “We got a really tough schedule

with such great teams like Texas A&M, SMU, LSU. All those schools are top-20 programs.” Despite the outcome, the Cougars continued the trend of standout individual performances. Diver Julie Lonnegren’s win in the 3-meter event earned her a C-USA Diver of the Week award. Reka Kovacs continued her excellence with two more wins. Kovacs won the 400-yard individual medley and the 1,000-yard freestyle

with a finish that ranks fifth in UH history. “I got a good one when I got her,” Taylor said of Kovacs. “We haven’t had one girl from Hungary who’s not turned out great for us.” Taylor said these performances are encouraging signs for the future. “When you see some of the girls like Reka, Kim Eeson and Christine Salinas having best times given how hard I’m working them, it’s a great indicator,” Taylor said.

The Cougars will face Texas A&M, whom they swam against in the Cougar Classic Fall Invitational Nov. 20 to 22. Taylor said the meet would provide an important challenge. “I’m looking forward to putting some of our girls against them and giving them some experience in racing against the best ones in the country.” sports@thedailycougar.com

TRACK PREVIEW

Cougars hope to continue 2010 momentum in Big Apple By John Brannen The Daily Cougar As the Cougars prepare for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational this weekend in New York, the women’s team got word that it debuted at No. 7 in the South Central Region. The rankings are voted on by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association based on overall team strength. “It’s important,” head coach Leroy Burrell said. “Whenever you

rank and compare teams to [one] another it’s important. We feel like we’re a little bit better than that. But since the rankings are based on overall team strength, we feel like there are some areas where we haven’t really shown what we’re capable of doing.” Burrell is eager for his team to face off against more challenging opponents. This weekend will provide just that opportunity, as the meet will include over 100 schools, including some that are ranked higher in the South Central Region

rankings. “I’m excited about it. I think our athletes are too,” Burrell said. “We just have to rise to the occasion. I get really excited competing at our best against the best, so that’s going to be our objective this weekend.” Burrell hopes the men’s and women’s teams will make a statement on the sprints. Freshman Errol Nolan and his coach both hope for a provisional mark for Nolan in the open 400-meter and continuous improvement on the mile relay. “I want to hit 46 seconds in the

400,” Nolan said. “4x400, we’re just trying to make the finals.” The New Balance Collegiate Invitational differs from other track meets. It stresses participation and school pride, which is not typical at track and field events. “The Armory is a historic venue, it has a lot of ambiance, and it’s just a great place to compete,” Burrell said. “It’s a really good collegiate atmosphere. If your team wins a race or performs well, they play your fight song and teams really get into that.”

Although the Cougars trip to New York will be mainly businessoriented, some of the athletes are ecstatic about visiting the Big Apple. “We’ll have a little free time after the meet Saturday. The kids are really excited,” Burrell said. “Anytime you go to New York, it’s a special occasion.” Some of the Cougars will stay behind as UH hosts the UH AllComers Meet Saturday at Yeoman Field House. sports@thedailycougar.com

4 n Friday, February 5, 2010

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

ONLINE: Follow the Opinion section on Twitter at @TDCOpinion

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

Vegas to Obama: Stop picking on us, you bully

Chenlong He The Daily Cougar

Haitians made to pay bill with lives On Monday, the U.S. Army resumed flights to transport severely injured Haitians to Florida for medical care. The flights had been suspended after Florida Gov. Charlie Kristin Crist requested federal aid to alleviate Esparza the cost that was being absorbed by the state; the hospitals receiving the patients wanted to know who would pay for the care. Shortly following the request, flights were stopped and now no one wants to take responsibility for making the call to stop them. Army Maj. James Lowe told the New York Times, “The places they were being taken, without being specific, were not willing to continue to receive those patients without a different arrangement being worked out by the government to pay for the care.” It seems that even in the worst possible conditions, the American health care system is more interested in the value of the dollar than in the value of a human life. For more than a century, the CIA has been involved in a series of covert

operations in Haiti that either resulted in or perpetuated existing corruption within the island nation. This involvement prevented the establishment of a successful democracy and hindered the economic growth of a country whose Gross Domestic Product is 2,000 times less than that of the U.S. For the U.S. to even temporarily halt aid to the Haitian people is deplorable, because in short, we owe it to them. Natural disaster victims with spinal cord injuries, burns on the majority of their bodies and paralysis should not be left to suffer, or worse, die, because the government was not sure who was going to pick up the tab. It is not a matter of failing to provide care to Americans at the expense of caring for Haitians, or overrunning an already bogged down health care system with new patients. To date, there are less than 1,000 Haitian earthquake victims in U.S. hospitals. Crist’s question about where the funding would come from is legitimate, but simply asking a question should not have resulted in the unnecessary suffering

and death that undoubtedly occurred during the five days that our leaders took to figure out the answer. The government scrambled to respond to a disaster after it occurred rather than developing a plan beforehand. The Department of Health and Human Services ultimately released funds from the National Disaster Medical System to aid those most in need. Countless American charitable organizations stepped up to offer funds to help with medical and other expense and hospitals around the country volunteered their beds. We should all be proud that America stepped up and provided aid to those most in need, but also disappointed that even one person could have suffered while bureaucrats worked out the logistical details. The government must learn to help those in need first and work out the details later. As a nation, we need a plan for doing so in the first place. Kristin Esparza is a history senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

Savings over safety at what cost? Not too long ago, most people equated the Toyota brand with safety and dependability. Now, everything the car manufacturing giant seemed to stand for is in question. On Nov. 2, Toyota released a statement recalling 4.2 million various Alan Dennis Toyota and Lexus models because of a problem owners had the potential to encounter in which the driver’s floor mat could potentially wedge the accelerator pedal down all the way. Then on Jan. 21, Toyota issued a separate recall for another 2.3 million vehicles to fix a design problem that caused accelerator pedals to stick.

The Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, ES350, IS 250, IS 350, RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Highlander and Sequoia models from 2010 (and some from as far back as 2004) were all affected by the recall. Just when it looked as though things couldn’t get worse for Toyota, CNN’s Peter Valdes-Dapena reported Thursday that the company had allegedly known “for some time” about brake problems in its eco-friendly line of 2010 Prius cars that have led to four accidents thus far, but decided to not alert Prius owners. Valdes-Dapena said that Toyota only made the public aware of the issue after the Japanese government initiated an investigation. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said Thursday that it would begin investigating claims

about Prius brake issues in America. It’s deplorable that any company would cover up potential safety issues with its products from its customers, but car safety is something that affects everyone. This isn’t a dangerous crib or a laptop with an inefficient battery; it’s a multiton piece of machinery that when not working properly can lead to more than just a bad day for one person. Toyota needs to realize that its priority should be its customers and not its shareholders. Any company unable to understand that saving lives is more important than saving money doesn’t belong in business. Alan Dennis is a communication senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com

President Obama is well known as a prolific speaker; even when he’s not using a teleprompter, the president is known for having a way with words. That is, at least, until his recent comments about people spending their money in Las Vegas. Last February, Obama said that bailed-out bank executives shouldn’t be spending taxpayers’ money in casinos, citing Vegas as an example. Though Obama probably only used the Silver State as an example because of its prominence — When you think of gambling in These high America, don’t you think of Vegas school too? — his second “slip of the tongue” has caused an uproar. students “When times are tough, you aren’t going tighten your belts,” Obama said, to Vegas any according to a White House transcript of his appearance time soon. Tuesday at a high school in Nashua, N.H. “You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices.” And even Democrats are upset. Or perhaps they’re just trying to get votes. Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley said in a statement “enough is enough! President Obama needs to stop picking on Las Vegas, and he needs to let Americans decide for themselves how and where to spend their hard-earned vacation dollars.” Really? Sure, even Las Vegas is suffering in the current economic climate, but Obama was merely making an example, an apt one at that. These high school students aren’t going to Vegas any time soon. And, if their parents are, Obama’s two minor jabs (if you can even call them that) at the city probably aren’t going to effect their decision. Those foolish enough to gamble away their college tuition probably won’t read or hear about this anyway. And those with the money to go to Vegas probably will still go. Dear Mr. President, please stop being a good example for children and giving them good advice. We, the American public and politicians, would really appreciate it if you just twiddled your thumbs for the next three years. Thanks.

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.

Friday, February 5, 2010 n 5

The Daily Cougar

LIFE+ARTS EDITORS

COMING MONDAY: Check out the best movies to watch on Valentine’s Day

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

3-D movies not for home sets By Ryan Popham The Daily Cougar

Courtesy of 20TH century fox

With the successful return of 3-D to theaters, movies such as Avatar present a problem for viewers who want to watch movies at home.

The 3-D movie has returned. What was once a special establishment for cheesy ‘80s horror flicks is now popular thanks to Disney animation films and the likes of Avatar. RealD provides the glasses responsible for the enhanced viewing experience, which are either kept by the viewers or recycled after the movie. Going to see movies in 3-D makes for a special once-in-a-lifetime experience — that is, unless you see them multiple times. Once the movie has left theaters, it will no longer be available in 3-D. When a movie, such as James Cameron’s Golden Globe-winning film Avatar is advertised as being in 3-D, it magnifies the original appeal for the movie and can leave a lasting impression. It usually makes the movie better and more enjoyable. The opening credits might glide past your head or objects in the movie may fly toward you. When people talk about seeing a movie available in both 2-D and 3-D, they are always sure to specify which version they saw it in. This shows that seeing the movie in 3-D is a totally different experience from watching the regular movie. On the other hand, when the movie

comes out on DVD, it isn’t as enjoyable. While watching the movie home, depending on how many times you saw it in theaters, it is easy to pick up on the intentional extreme close up shots that were used for the entertaining 3-D parts of the movie. This can be a buzzkill, because it makes you think of how much better it was in 3-D at the movie theaters. The movie may still be good, but some movies are only enjoyable because of their 3-D effects. We go to the movies to be entertained and that is exactly what animated 3-D movies will do. They are a different viewing experience, astonishing for the most part and show just what film can do today, especially with the special effects seen in Avatar. One downside to the 3-D viewing experience is how it strains the eyes while watching it. This setback is not enough to stop people from watching movies in 3-D. “To someone, who enjoys the little details, watching a movie like Avatar in 3-D would be euphoric,” accounting sophomore Manjul Agrawal said. 3-D movies have come a long way since the early ‘80s and they have distinguished themselves as the future of the regular viewing experience. arts@thedailycougar.com

The force of moving furniture By Sarah Krusleski The Daily Cougar College students can still harness the power of feng shui with a few easy solutions. Proponents of feng shui claim that this traditional Chinese interior decorating method can help people harness positive energy in their homes and lead lives marked by wealth, lasting relationships and fulfillment. Feng shui consultants advise homeowners to move furniture and decorations, re-paint walls or even renovate their homes so that energy can more easily flow in a more auspicious manner. While UH may not allow students to make radical changes, college students living in smaller apartments and dormitory rooms still have many pleasing feng shui options that can help them organize their rooms and take control of their lives. Katherine Ashby from Feng Shui Houston said that she sometimes uses a method of feng shui that was developed for Western homes. Using this method, students can gauge the auspicious areas of their personal living spaces by standing in their doorway and seeing which areas of the room correspond to a special map known as a “ba gua,” which can be printed off of feng shui Web sites such as www. fastfengshui.com A student sharing an apartment with multiple bedrooms should apply this map to his or her personal bedroom. Ashby advised students with roommates to focus on their side of

a dormitory room. The roommate whose bed is located far away from the front door could use the ba gua from the edge of his side of the room that he crosses when he enters the room from the front door. “In the upper left-hand corner (of your space) is the wealthy area. In the right hand corner in the back is the marriage area and love and relationships,” Ashby said. Ashby added that she can do a feng shui reading based on a complicated and older tradition that takes into account the resident’s Chinese astrological sign and his most productive compass directions for sleeping and furniture arranging. “There is a direction that is best for money, one that’s best for health, love and relationships and that’s for protection. There are other directions. There is a direction that is the most unproductive direction of all, and at all costs they should avoid sleeping in that direction,” Ashby said. “I think everybody should know their four good directions and four bad directions. Then, they can get a little compass, like a $15 compass at the store, like at Academy or Sports Authority, and figure out their directions.” When arranging their room according to feng shui principles, Ashby advised students to soften sharp corners and jutting, uneven furniture with soft, pleasant drapery and to be aware of their interactions with the room. Wind chimes and crystal balls can also soften harsh corners,

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Westerners have, by some accounts, missed the point of feng shui. Much of the knowledge behind it has been lost in translation. such as the jutting entryway into Quadrangle rooms and some Cullen Oaks floor plans. “Sometimes you’ll have a dresser or an armoire or some big piece of furniture, a bookcase, and an edge of it is jutting out into the room. If you are looking at it the whole time or it’s aimed at your back while you’re trying to study, you won’t be able to concentrate” Ashby said. Local certified feng shui consultant Laurie Levin also had suggestions for students. “You can still decorate with furniture and accessories. You can choose your bedding, any type of bedside table or lamp, throw pillows,” Levin said. Levin spoke a bit about dispersing negative energy that collects in rooms, saying that students can spritz water mixed

with 20 to 30 drops of lavender or peppermint around their room or even vacuum the floor. Students who live off-campus can consider lighting incense. Levin advised students to pay attention to the five Chinese elements when designing their room. “The main thing is to have a balance of earth, water, metal fire and wood. Those are really the five elements in nature that make us feel most comfortable indoors,” Levin said. Students can incorporate the elements into their decoration through many ways. Residents of Law Residence Hall have wooden bed frames, while Cougar Place residents have the element of metal in their metallic bed frames. Certain shapes and colors are

also associated with different elements, so students can work with a consultant to decorate their rooms and even use special procedures to activate the unique properties of different accessories. “When you don’t have a lot of space or control over your space, just having a shelf with the elements can help the “chi” in your room. When you see the shelf, it gives you a good feeling. The two in combination really help to change things in your life,” Levin said. However, Levin warned that change comes only with effort. “Placing simple objects is not really gonna change your life, but when you have specific intention in combination with placing, that’s going to make it significant.” arts@thedailycougar.com

NEWS

6 n Friday, February 5, 2010

The Daily Cougar

GREEN continued from page 1

containers after use. The students can return them to the dining halls or to one of the drop stations located around campus. When finished with the containers, students can go to any of the six drop stations located at the convenient stores around campus and receive a voucher for a new,

GOOD NEWS Gospel Choir at the University of Houston th

30Anniversary Celebratory Concert

MAJORING IN MINISTRY minoring in music

Sat., Feb. 6

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Special Guests

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For more information: uh_gngc@yahoo.com or 832-216-2474

campus apartments and said that if he were a resident at the dorms, it wouldn’t be such an inconvenience. However, not everyone shares Roussett’s sentiment. Business freshman Carlos Falcon said he likes that UH is being less wasteful. “When weighing the pros and the cons, it’s really not that big of an inconvenience, and the containers are easy to clean,” he said.

UHPD is now issuing a vehicle security report card that is placed on parked cars’ windshields. If a vehicle has done everything necessary to prevent a robbery, the car will be given a passing grade. A failing grade would result from any of the following: valuables showing, a cracked-open window, money, electronics in view or unlocked doors. The UHPD offers multiple online resources for the community, including a Facebook and Twitter page. The UHPD’s Web site also offers an “Ask a Cop” feature where anyone may ask a non-urgent question to a UH police officer. Davis said he is interested in

seeing what students would like to see offered on these Web sites. Davis and his staff hope for a safe semester but want to remind students that keeping the campus safe is a collaborative effort. Davis also said UH officers are not just college cops with no jurisdiction. “Something I don’t know if everybody knows or not: we are real police,” he said. “If a crime happens here, we’ll go off campus to investigate it, to make arrests. It’s not that once the bad guy crosses the boundary from the University that’s it and hands off. It doesn‘t work that way.”

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that in awhile,” Davis said. “In the past, crime used to go down but now it doesn’t slow down for the summers.” Theft of personal items remains the most common crime at UH. Davis suggests students put their names on personal items and never leave possessions unattended. Cyclists should use a secure U-bolt lock on a bicycle rack, keep personal items out of sight in parked vehicles and immediately contact police if they think something has been stolen.

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clean container. This voucher is proof that the student has done their part, since as of now there is no tracking system in place. Communications junior Ryan Roussett has mixed feelings about the new containers. While he admits that the change is a good initiative, he feels like it is an inconvenience and the containers are hard to keep up with. Roussett lives at one of the

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A.D.D. Circus by Chris Jacobs

today’s crossword ACROSS

At the Hot Dog Stand by Mishele Lamshing

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 Go over rapidly 5 Pulls 10 Elevs. 14 Horse’s gait 15 Radio-tube gas 16 Dwarf buffalo 17 “You got — — deal!” 18 TV teaser 19 Research sites 20 Made hay 22 Sterile 24 “Did you ever — — lassie . . .” 27 Avid support 28 Wall reinforcer 32 “Eleanor —” (Beatles tune) 36 Queen of Thebes 37 Prickly pear 39 Eager 40 Netbook screens 42 Apple drink 44 Essay byline 45 Compliments 47 Annapolis student 49 Trial VIPs 50 Pizazz 51 Open-minded 53 “— La Douce” 56 Big Board letters 57 Not worry (2 wds.) 61 Gaze fixedly 65 Scat vocalist 66 Mailbox device 69 Walkman’s successor 70 Moose or elk 71 Hawk’s lair 72 Amiable 73 Moist 74 Hamburger extra 75 Org.

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6

Concrete chunk Mr. Dithers’ wife “C’mon, be — —” Latest Skip stones Grammar-school trio 7 Beside oneself 8 Yankee great Lefty —

Where do I get the latest UH news? www.thedailycougar.com

Friday, February 5, 2010 n 7

21 24

22 25

43 47

52 56

61 67

75 ©

Monday

9 Saw logs 1 0 Radioactive element term (hyph.) 11 Pitbull sound 12 Fit — — tied 13 Return env. 21 “Monster” actor 23 Enemy of the Buddha 25 Fair-hiring org. 26 Tomato jelly 28 Defrauds 29 Not abridged 30 Hot rum drink 31 Nobelist from Egypt 33 Funny Radner 34 Mulroney of Canada 35 Brewer’s supply 38 Strung along (2 wds.) 41 Isolated 43 Depend (on) 46 Parched

51 53

32 38

4 8 Dick Tracy’s gal 52 Eye part 54 Chinese port 55 Wan 57 Fred, on “Sanford and Son” 58 “Waiting for the Robert — —” 59 Vast number 60 Dr. Zhivago 62 Sacred bull 63 Mythic birds 64 Perfect place 67 Oaxaca uncle 68 Yet, to a poet

2009 United Feature Syndicate INC.

Previous puzzle solved J U K E D L H A S A O S I E R I E NG I N DO I NG GR A F E S N E S E T S T E A S T E R C H I D E I ON C NOG T G T E S

F I N C I E S S T H A P U E T S H L O I T P E

A D E N C R U S H E V A N

B L E E A L R V E G C R S T A R I S P O B M S U H Y S E V I B L A C L P S E S Q N A U D L E

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8 n Friday, February 5, 2010

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