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
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Come Monday, check the Web site for a few surprises; it’s brand new Friday, February 12, 2010
Issue 92, Volume 75
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Senate upset with executives SGA cabinet members and senators struggle to find balance gg
By Patricia Estrada The Daily Cougar Some Student Government Association Senators displayed their frustration with Senate executive
members after not being able to meet quorum during Wednesday’s meeting. The Senate was one senator away from meeting quorum, and Vice President Prince Wilson was the only executive member who stayed through the meeting. Director of Finance Carlos Reyes, Director of External Affairs Mariam Zakaria, former Director of Public Relations
Andi Zambrano (who resigned prior to the meeting due to a conflicting schedule) and Speaker Kyrie Ruiz were not at g g Ruiz the meeting. President Kenneth Fomunung left the meeting almost immediately
By Morgan Creager The daily cougar
McQueen’s family asks for privacy after shocking news gg
By Jarrod Klawinsky The daily cougar
see MCQUEEN, page 6
during the meeting were “completely false” and that if they had issues with the way she was doing her job, they should have brought them up with her personally and not during a meeting she was not able to attend. “I will say that yes, sometimes it takes me a couple of days to respond, but I never leave an e-mail see SGA, page 6
Experts engage in heart issues
Iconic British designer dies
The news of Lee Alexander McQueen’s death spread like wildfire yesterday morning. Police were called to the London home of the 40-yearold designer shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday morning, and paramedics pronounced McQueen dead on the scene. “McQueen was found dead this morning at his home. We’re devastated, and I hope you understand that out of respect to his family and his colleagues, we’re not going to be making any further statements,” a spokesperson for McQueen said. McQueen’s talent was praised around the world for his distinct imagination and stunning runway shows, which evoked emotion from those who attended. “Alexander McQueen made an outstanding contribution to British fashion,” UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport Ben Bradshaw said. “His extraordinary talent and creativity mean that his designs are adored not just by the followers of haute couture but loves of great style everywhere. This is a great loss to one of Britain’s most successful industries and to the design world more widely.” Women’s Wear Daily reported the death as a suicide, but police have
after giving his report. Interim Speaker Mila Clarke presided over the meeting. Senators were particularly upset with Ruiz because they said she was not e-mailing legislation to all senators before meetings, answering their e-mails or available during her office hours. In an e-mail, Ruiz wrote the accusations the senators made
KENDRA BERGLUND The Daily Cougar
Care is in the air
T
he UH Chapter of UNICEF held a Valentine’s Day fundraiser Thursday in the UC Satellite. The group sold carnations, roses and baked goods at the event. The proceeds of around $500 are going towards the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, UH researchers are proposing ideas to keep hearts healthy and ready for love. A UH professor may have a solution to mend broken hearts: using a patient’s skin cells to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue. The breakthrough is pioneered by Robert Schwartz, a Cullen distinguished professor of biology and biochemistry at UH and researcher for the Texas Heart Institute. “This is big,” Schwartz said. “And it is highly efficient.” This process involves a combination of two things, Schwartz said. Though each factor is proprietary information, there is a general way of understanding how the process works. According to a document by Rolando Garcia, first, the skin cells are treated with a factor to transform them into stem cells. These stem cells could then be used to treat several organs such as the heart, the brain, the pancreas, etc. Schwartz furthered the research by treating the cells with a second factor to turn them to earlystage heart cells. “This is a world-class operation,” Schwartz said. “We can activate beating heart cells with skin cells.” Schwartz explained that though
he may have made a scientific breakthrough, there are still questions that need to be tested through experiment. “How well will these cells function? Will they last? Will they correct damaged hearts?” Schwartz said. Schwartz has partnered with James T. Willerson, the presidentelect and director of the Texas Heart Institute, to further the heart research. “(Willerson) has provided extraordinary resources to help me do this,” Schwartz said. Before coming to UH, Schwartz did 33 years of heart research at the Baylor College of Medicine. After leaving Baylor, he ventured out to continue his research at the Texas A&M Health and Science Center. He was later offered a position at UH, where he has been since December 2009. “I felt UH was serious, and that attracted me,” Schwartz said. “It look likes it’s a place on the go… and this [breakthrough] will help UH reach its Flagship status.” Schwartz has another vision in mind too: to one day create a human heart outside of the human body. “This is a long-term vision I share with Willerson,” Schwartz said. Those who are looking to see V-DAY, page 6
UHPD praise student victims’ cooperation By John Brannen the daily cougar UH police arrested and charged a suspect with three second-degree felonies in connection with robbery for two separate incidents. The first robbery happened on Jan. 26 in parking lot 9C, the second on Feb. 4 close to 4500 Cullen near UH entrance 10. Both student
victims involved identified the suspect through a photo spread. The 17-year-old suspect was identified as Brian Christopher Gray. In the Jan. 26 robbery, the male victim attempted to sell his iPhone through Craigslist. Gray contacted the victim by phone and suggested they meet in UH parking lot 9C. Once they met, he drew a weapon and stole the victim’s
iPhone and an additional iPhone the victim had, University police said. Gray fled into a vehicle, which was captured on video surveillance. In the second incident on Feb. 4, Gray approached a female student and asked to use her iPhone. He held the student at gunpoint. When the student offered no resistance, Gray ran. Police said they
credit the victims for giving them precise descriptions of Gray, who is in no way affiliated with UH. “Tuesday, I was able to drive in the parking lot (9C), and we were doing a robbery detail in unmarked vehicles due to the increased activity,” Police Sergeant Leslie Gremillion said. see ROBBERY, page 6