Issue 134, Volume 75 by The Cougar

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Issue 134, Volume 75

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NSM senators fill vacant seats Students focus on ‘combating the low retention rate’

By Joachim Clarke The daily cougar The College of Natural Science and Mathematics was the least represented college on campus

through the Student Government Association in the last term, but all four legislative seats have been filled this year. Biology and chemistry major John Flynt is returning for another year as an SGA senator. Last year, Flynt was one of two SGA senators representing NSM. This year, Flynt will get some much needed assistance.

“There was only one seat of four being occupied (last year), so I ran for SGA to fill one of the seats,” he said. “This year, I made sure all four seats were filled.” Flynt said that he sees things that need to be done within NSM and is looking forward to getting started. “I decided to run again because there are problems within my

Various organizations stress environmental issues, awareness gg

By Sarah Wiggins-Goff The daily cougar

By Sarah Raslan The daily cougar

see TECH, page 3

to UH. That does not include transfer students or those who take a year off. Flynt said that he plans to combat this low retention rate by implementing new programs for students this year. “I had a meeting with the dean about this,” Flynt said. “We are see SGA, page 3

Group involved in Earth Day

New business to open in lofts Engineering senior Rami Tony is diving into the business world by starting a computer repair business at UH called TechMonkies, which will be entirely student-run and opening in the fall at the new Calhoun Lofts business area. “I have always wanted to have a shop, but I would worry about finding the right location and pricing,” Tony said. “When I g g Tony found this retail space at the lofts, it clicked in my head that it would be the perfect location, because it is in the middle of a university campus.” TechMonkies will provide a wide range of computer repair services such as LCD screen installations and replacements, password recoveries, memory upgrades, tune ups, backups, power jack replacements and soldering, virus and spy ware removal and wireless system networking. “There are lots of students who have computer problems, and the school has problems with their computers at times, too,” Tony said. Tony said that he thinks the only competition for TechMonkies in the surrounding area is Best Buy. “My prices are so much lower and better than theirs that they

college that the current senators were not addressing,” Flynt said. “Within the college, we have a bad retention rate. We are only retaining about 70 percent of our freshmen and sophomores. The percentage of those that actually graduate from the college is about 32 percent.” However, Flynt said that is the number of high school students that come directly from high school

justin flores the daily cougar

The final results of the nationwide Recycle Mania competition, which UH is participating in, will be announced at the Earth Day festival Thursday in the Butler Plaza in front of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library.

UH faculty and students are commemorating the 40th birthday of Earth Day by throwing a celebration of environmentalism and sustainability on Thursday. The first Earth Day started as a teaching initiative to promote acts of environmental consciousness. “We see it as a great way to spread awareness, revamp people’s attention to the issues, and that ‘going green’ shouldn’t just be a fad, but should be integrated into your lifestyle,” said Vivian Nguyen, Secretary of the Environmental Club at UH. The Environmental Club is one of many organizations across campus that plans on participating in the festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Butler Plaza, in front of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library entrance. “The Environment Club will be having a booth trying to recruit people to sign a petition for climate legislation,” Nguyen said. “The person who brings back the most

signed petitions will get a $30 gift card to Buffalo Exchange. We will also be collecting old computer batteries, cell batteries and chargers to be recycled.” In addition to the Environmental Club’s festivities, there will be numerous other attractions, including recycling games, workshops, giveaways, concessions provided by Coke Zero and Chipotle and a plethora of educational presentations from various individuals and organizations. Among those will be a weather balloon demonstration by assistant professor of atmospheric science Barry Lefer, who will provide a lesson on ozone transportation. “The balloon payload includes instruments to measure temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, altitude and GPS location every second during the flight between the surface and 30 km,” Lefer said in a release. “The data is radioed back to the receiving station on campus in real-time and used to study the transport of ozone to and from the Houston area.” There will also be a “Test Your Carbon Footprint IQ” competition hosted by the Sustainability Task see EARTH DAY, page 3

Skateboarders break their stereotypes By Roland Henshaw The daily cougar Skateboarding had an unfavorable stereotypical image in the past, but today, it has become a very popular pastime for college students around the country. Engineering sophomore Gabriella Koenig, who has skateboarded for a year now, said

that it shouldn’t be viewed as a hobby for troubled teens. “People don’t skate because they are troublesome; many people use this hobby as a way to stay away from other negative activities they could be doing, like drugs and crimes,” Koenig said. For journalism sophomore John Grobe, skateboarding is primarily a method of releasing energy that

otherwise would come out in a negative form. “If I didn’t skate I don’t know how I would let all that energy out. I would probably get into a lot more trouble than I do now,” Grobe said. “Also, it’s just a more efficient way to get around.” Grobe has been skating for five years and says that although he has never partaken in a competition,

he would really like to someday. “I see people on TV at work who take part in these competitions and it makes me want to compete as well,” Grobe said. “I just hope I’m that good one of these days.” However, skateboarding does not come without its hazards. Grobe said he has broken the same see SKATEBOARD, page 3

2 n Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Daily Cougar

G.Y.T.

CAMPUS BEAT

APRIL IS STD AWARENESS MONTH

FORECAST

the Health Center is offering affordable STD testing to UH students

Wednesday

Thursday

80˚61˚

Friday

80˚68˚

83˚66˚

Men’s Clinic Friday, April 23rd 10:00am to 3:30pm Gonorrhea/Chlamydia, Syphilis, and HIV testing only

Women’s Clinic Tuesday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 28th 9:30am to 3:00pm STD tests as appropriate FREE Cougar Condom Covers to first 100 folks to drop by the WRC or Student Health Center UH HEALTH CENTER: Entrance 6 off Wheeler; Building 525 on campus map. Visit: www.uh.edu/admin/hc

Tests will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will pay for the office visit and STD testing at time of service. For more information call 713-743-5156.

WOMEN’S RESOURCE

CENTER

CALENDAR

» Send event information to calendar@thedailycougar.com

TODAY Resume Workshop: 10-11:30 a.m., Student Service Center, first floor. The purpose of the resume is to get you the job interview. The large majority of job candidates are screened at the resume stage of the search. This workshop will help you prepare a resume that will increase your chances of generating job interviews. For more information, call 713-743-5100. Census on campus: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., UC Satellite, University Center and the Center for Public Policy (Heyne Building, Room 104). Census on Campus/Census representatives and CHIP interns will provide assistance and resources about the 2010 Census at various information tables. For the Houston community (including UH) to prosper, everyone should participate. For more information, contact Mike Angel at 713-7433976 or mangel2@uh.edu 2010 School of Art Masters Thesis Exhibition: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Art Museum of UH. Each year, Blaffer Gal-

CO R R E C T I O N S gg

lery presents an exhibition showcasing works by graduating Master of Fine Arts students in the School of Art. This year, 11 students are featured in the exhibition. The MFA candidates are Debra Barrera, Nancy Douthey, Geoff Hippenstiel, Sura Khudairi, Robyn Lehmer, Grant C. MacManus, Richard Nix, Anne J. Regan, Keijiro Suzuki, Tala Vahabzadeh, and Vanessa VanAlstyne. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Blaffer Gallery at kveneman@uh.edu or the website blaffergallery.org

WEDNESDAY University of Houston Memorial Service: 11:30-12:30 p.m., Large Chapel, A.D. Bruce Religion Center. Each year, UH holds a memorial service to honor the memory of students, faculty and staff members that have died during the past year. For more information, contact the Campus Ministries Association at 713-743-5051.

» Report errors to editor@thedailycougar.com

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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Copy editing

Michelle Reed, Meagan Washington

Production

Alan Dennis, Newton Liu

Closing editor Ronnie Turner

NEWS

The Daily Cougar

SGA continued from page 1

going to form a student action initiative program where the NSM senators are going to go out and get enthusiastic students to come and help us campaign to high school students, so that we can get the graduation rate up.” Other senators have different ideas about what needs to be done in NSM. Sahr Ahmed, who was elected to NSM seat No. 1, said that she ran for SGA because there are a lot of things that can be done to improve the students’ way of life in

TECH continued from page 1

will hardly seem like competition to me,” Tony said. Tony said that he would fix virus issues for $60. He said that his service would be up to par, because he worked in this field for almost three years and has significant training and experience. “I will also be offering an

SKATEBOARD continued from page 1

wrist twice from skate-related causes. Other skaters like mechanical engineering student Robert Love have never broken any bones. Love has been skating for only six months and has made it an everyday hobby. “I haven’t really noticed a big skating community at UH, but in the meantime, I’ll just skate by myself,” he said. Love does not compete professionally, but said he hopes to in the future. However, he does attend many skate parks in Houston.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 n 3

NSM. “There are a lot of things we can do in the college,” Ahmed said. “A lot of students are not happy about the computer labs in NSM, so we’re trying to see what we can do about that.” Ahmed is a member of SGA for the first time and said the best thing about being an SGA senator is the ability to help the student body. “I love helping the students. I love that I can be their voice,” she said. “Basically we are a bridge between the student body and the administration, so we try to help out.”

Anna Zulfiquar, who was elected to seat No. 3, said that there needs to be something done about the computer labs in the college of NSM. “We don’t really have a computer lab,” said Zulfiquar. Zulfiquar said that she was very surprised that many students were not very well informed about SGA. This is something that she would like to fix in the upcoming year. “During the campaign process, I would go up to students and tell them that SGA elections were upcoming,” she said. “For the most part, they did not even know what SGA was.”

While some senators are focusing on things that will primarily help the student body, others are concentrating on the university as a whole. Brandon Balwant, who was elected to seat No. 4, said that he wants to make improvements on campus not limited to NSM. “I ran for SGA primarily because I saw many problems going on across the university,” Balwant said. “I personally thought that I could fix those problems.” Balwant said that one of the big problems that he had and that a lot of people complained about was the Internet connection across

campus. “It has really sloppy signal wherever you go,” he said. Balwant recently visited the UH Health Center, and certain issues caught his attention. “I talked to some of the doctors and nurses there, and they told me that they were understaffed, among other problems,” Balwant said. “Personally, I think we could build a new clinic on campus. I think that would be very beneficial not only to the staff of the clinic, but it would be really beneficial for the students.”

additional discount for students who use their Cougar Card,” Tony said. As a child, Tony enjoyed taking his toys apart instead of playing with them. While living in Egypt, he did not have access to a computer, but started using one when he moved to Houston in 2000. He first became interested in computers after watching his cousin build one. “I was really amazed. I started

messing around with computers. I enjoyed taking them apart, putting them back together and fixing them,” he said. “I continued to learn about computers by reading online and experimenting.” Tony began working at Best Buy, selling computers and electronics, and was promoted to working with the Geek Squad when they discovered his skills and abilities. “I worked for Geek Squad for almost three years,” Tony said.

“I did networking and setting up computers for businesses. I’ve basically done everything from A to Z with computers.” Tony quit working for Best Buy’s Geek Squad last April to take summer school courses. After quitting, he continued to fix computers that his friends would bring him. He realized that he could keep doing this from home and started advertising his services on Craigslist. This brought

him a lot of business and he did freelance work for about a year. “I got to the point where I didn’t have to advertise anymore because my customers were referring me. I haven’t advertised in about four months, and I still have a lot of work coming in everyday,” Tony said. “Every customer I have ever had has been completely satisfied with my work and service.”

“There are a lot of places to go in Houston if you want to skate. You don’t even really have to go to a skate park; you can simply go downtown, to bike trails and other open places to enjoy skating,” Love said. Skating is a hobby that requires money. Pre-pharmacy freshman Austin Ross has spent at least $65 on around 13 broken skateboards. “I don’t think I’ve spent more money on any other hobby. It’s what I have been doing for three years now, and I don’t really mind spending money on something I love doing,” Ross said. “My mom always encouraged me to save my money, but I couldn’t help but to buy another skateboard every time one broke.”

Skateboarding has proved to be a convenient mobile tool for students on campus like chemical engineering student Rami Tony. “I drive to school, but when I park my car, I skate to my classes because it is easier than walking, and you get some attention while doing it,” he said. Tony was 11 when his neighbors took up skating. He finally became friends with them and joined them in their hobby. “Skateboarding to me can be a social hobby,” Tony said. “You can interest others just by showing them a few tricks, and in just a couple of days, they can get hooked to it, just like I did.”

news@thedailycougar.com

EARTH DAY continued from page 1

news@thedailycougar.com

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Force, in which participants will calculate their own carbon emissions based on many factors of their everyday lives and then learn how to reduce their harm to the environment. In addition to contributions from many on-campus parties, several off-campus organizations have been asked to participate, such as Green Mountain Energy, which will inform people about alternative energy options, and Hertz, which will promote car sharing and green commuting. Finally, the results of the nationwide RecycleMania competition, in which UH has been competing against hundreds of other universities for the last 10 weeks by measuring recycling weights across campus, will be announced. A full calendar of Earth Day events and times can be found at uh.edu.

Appreciation WEEK

Partially Funded by Your SFAC Fee

“Driving” yourself Crazy? Be appreciated, relax, and enjoy the week.

Monday Commuter Lunch: 11a.m. - 12p.m. (UC Bluebonnet Rm. 250)

Tuesday

Breakfast: 7:30a.m. - 9:30a.m. (UC South Tables) Commuter Game Night at the UC Games Room 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. (bowling, games, food, music & more.)

Wednesday

Commuter Fair: 11a.m. - 2p.m. (UC Houston Room)

WIKICOMMONS

U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie, author of the Clean Air Act of 1970, was the keynote speaker for the 50,000-plus crowd at the first Earth Week celebration in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia on April 22, 1970, intending to raise public awareness on environmental issues.

Thursday

Earth Day Commuter Breakfast with Green UH 7:30a.m. - 9:30p.m. (UC Satellite) Relaxation Workshop/Commuter Lunch 12p.m.-1p.m. (Commuter Services Lounge UC Underground, Rm. 52)

Friday

Get your event listed. www.thedailycougar.com/calendar

Commuter Break 11a.m. - 12p.m. (Commuter Services Lounge UC Underground, Rm. 52)

713-743-8994 www.uh.edu/commuter

4 n Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

COMING WEDNESDAY: Does the president deserve to be above the law?

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 Alan Dennis, Opinion editor Jarrod Klawinsky, Special projects editor

STAFF EDITORIAL

Perry uses inappropriate forum to criticize Obama

USBICEF

Politics hinder Court nominations Supreme Court Justice John Stevens announced in an April 9 letter to President Barack Obama that he would retire at the end of the court’s current session in June. Stevens’ seat on the will become Andrew Taylor bench vacant after what has been a lifetime of honorable service. This opportunity to appoint a new justice will serve as a way for Obama to shape history and the makeup of the court for decades. Obama will look to nominate a judge who provides qualities similar to Justice Sonia Sotomayor. When Obama was deliberating on a nomination to replace Justice David Souter last year, he decided to choose Sotomayor not only because of her impeccable academic credentials, but also because of her vast law experience. In Sotomayor, Obama found qualities that embody what the Founding Fathers shared in their intentions; he found qualities that resonated directly from the Constitution and matched its criteria for justices perfectly. Obama saw the character of a little girl who overcame the toughest obstacles, beat all the odds and stayed honest to her strong morals, values and beliefs. Most importantly, though, he saw a woman

who was dedicated to a lifetime of civil service for the people as a part of her personal American dream. Shortly after Obama announced Sotomayor as his nomination, she was met with plenty of opposition. The opposition was not toward her credentials or her academic record; rather, it was directed at her character and ethnicity. Sotomayor ended up being confirmed by a 68-31 vote. Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas were among the 31 who opposed Sotomayor’s confirmation. Hutchison voiced concern for Sotomayor’s nomination with claims of judicial activism and also regarding her opinion of the Second Amendment. Despite receiving some responses during the confirmation that she liked hearing and agreed with, Hutchison proceeded to vote against Sotomayor. Cornyn took a similar approach, voicing displeasure with a comment Sotomayor made about being a “wise Latina woman.” Despite Sotomayor’s explanation for the remark, both Cornyn and Hutchison continued to cast votes in opposition of Sotomayor’s nomination. These examples demonstrate the extent to which politics affect Supreme Court nominations, but they also

highlight a problem some government leaders have — a concern, or perhaps an obsession, with trivial issues. The crucial job of any Supreme Court justice is to apply law through interpretation of the Constitution. This means all justices need to remain capable of using their knowledge of precedence and the law with the respective consideration of reality. It is empathy that helps relate decisions to reality, however much conservatives or anyone else may disagree. Certain key terms in the Constitution were left vague for a reason; the founders knew the country would change over time. This time around, it will not be unusual for the president’s nomination to be met with plenty of opposition from an already enraged Republican Party. We must sift through the trivial and only focus on real concerns, if any come to light. We should concern ourselves with making sure potential nominees are capable of applying law and precedence and that they have a desire to interpret the law for the good of all Americans, the way in which the founders intended. Andrew Taylor is an economics senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

Plagiarism not to be taken lightly For as long as students have been required to write papers, teachers and professors have been talking about plagiarism. Most students have realized that whatever they write had better at Liz Price least sound original, and if they do choose to quote another source, they need to take the time to put it in MLA, APA or whatever format their professor wants it in. The Constitution states that Congress has the power and responsibility “to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.”

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, intellectual property refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images and designs used in commerce. Regardless of whether one supports the extensiveness of these laws, it is undeniable that many students fail to grasp the full importance of protecting their own intellectual property, nor do they truly understand all the fuss about respecting the work of others. Branding one’s work is a long and often difficult process, but if a person is partial to an idea, it is important to go through the process of obtaining a patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress or trade secret.

he Houston Chronicle reported Saturday that Gov. Rick Perry appeared at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth to promote his 2010 gubernatorial campaign’s sponsorship of a car in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Race. While there, Perry offered up a few choice words for President Obama. “The message there was, ‘You’re from Texas. We don’t care about you,’” Perry said in reference to a recent address by Obama, in which he discussed adding jobs at the Kennedy Space Center but failed to mention Texas. “I tell people this president has put a target on Texas’ back. Whether it’s programs that he’s talked about from the standpoint of making Texas an example, if you will. And I don’t appreciate it,” Perry said. “If Washington wants to get it right, come down to Texas, and we’ll show you. It’s pretty simple, actually. Don’t spend all the money.” Since he was at a NASCAR event, the crowd most likely ate up his words and was happy to hear a well-known politician criticize Obama. Even Bill White, Perry’s opponent and Houston’s former mayor, was displeased with Obama’s decision to temporarily cancel manned space flight. However, he chose to address the issue without making a scene. He, too, is hoping Obama will reconsider. In a letter last month, White told Obama it was “a step in the wrong direction.” White, however, doesn’t seem too worried about the matter. “High-paying, quality jobs should and will stay in Texas because of the revised plans for the Orion capsule and the International Space Station,” White said. Perhaps Obama is trying to make an example of Texas. Our state did, after all, say it will fight the health care law tooth and nail, and we are living in an influential, conservative state. While we’re happy to see a conservative speak his mind, it’s a shame that it had to be at a NASCAR event, pandering to conservative voters. There’s a way to go about disagreeing with the president while still showing him respect. We think White is doing a good job at that, which is one of the reasons we endorsed him to be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

It’s also important to realize that people unknowingly break copyright laws every day. Quoting a person without giving them credit, drawing a trademarked symbol in a public place or downloading illegal music all violate these laws. Though it is agreed that some artists and business go overboard in the quest to protect their work, people have to understand that they are stealing others’ thoughts and ideas. These images, slogans and secrets come from gifted and creative minds that have helped shaped the society we live in, and we ought to respect that. Liz Price is a communication junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 n 5

The Daily Cougar

SPORTS

COMING WEDNESDAY: The baseball and softball teams prepare for their midweek games

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

PLAYER PROFILE

Coogs like family to Wallace By Patricia Estrada The Daily Cougar Senior catcher Chris Wallace grew up with scarlet red and albino white — his mother Rhonda Sandel is a UH alumna. So when it came time for him to decide where he would go to college and play baseball, the choice was simple. “This is the hometown school,” Wallace said. “This is where I wanted to go ever since I was growing up.” In his time at UH, Wallace has established himself as a leader both behind the plate and with the bat. He was named to the 2008 NCAA College Station Regional All-Tournament Team and the Houston College Classic AllTournament Team in 2009. On April 6, 2009, he was named C-USA Hitter of the Week and was also named to the 2009 All-Conference USA Second Team. Finally, Wallace got the opportunity to play in the Cape Cod Baseball League Champion last summer with that league’s champions, the Bourne Braves. Four other UH players also played in Cape Cod: Michael Goodnight, Jared Ray, Chase Dempsay and Blake Kelso. “Playing in Cape Cod was fun, and playing against my teammates was real fun,” Wallace said. “Being out there and playing with some of the best players out

there is a good experience.” Wallace is hitting .255 with four homers and 13 RBIs this season. For his final season as a Cougar, Wallace said all he wants to do is win a championship and build on his success. “I think that should be everyone’s goal on this team,” Wallace said. “Just do the best that (they) can to help the team get (to the championship).” Despite the team’s 16-18 record, he has high hopes that the Cougars can turn things around and improve on last season’s shortcomings. “Everyone is still mad about last year ... the embarrassment,” Wallace said. “But I think this year is going to be, all around, much better. With the returnees we have, we should be real good. Our pitching staff is really good, although we said that last year and ran into some problems.” He praised head coach Rayner Noble for the way he handled the Cougars’ disappointing 2731 finish last season and said he appreciates Nobel for his knowledge of the game and for the support he gives to his players. “It has to be tough as a coach to sit out there and watch the bunch of the crap we did out on the field. I think that says a lot about (him) for how he handled it,” Wallace said. “He is a real knowledgeable coach. He probably knows more about the

Fighting Words

Talking smack and sports

At issue: Which was more impressive: Jimenez’s no-hitter with six walks or the 20-inning game between the Mets and Cardinals? gg

»»Keith Cordero Jr.: Gotta give it to Jimenez

I am going to have to say that the first no-hitter in Rockies history, and the first no-hitter of the young 2010 season, by Ubaldo Jimenez trumps a 20-inning, 2-1 Mets victory over the Cards. Despite the six walks, Jimenez throws very fast, and, even as he recorded the final out, his last pitch hit a ridiculous 97 miles per hour to retire Braves catcher Brian McCann on a groundout. Jimenez threw 128 pitches, chipped in with a RBI and was helped by a spectacular defensive play by center fielder Dexter Fowler. Nohitters are very impressive and don’t happen everyday. The 20-inning game was spectacular and provided fans with some weird position moves, including the Cardinals using second baseman Felipe Lopez and

outfielder Joe Mather for pitching relief, and pitcher Kyle Lohse playing some left field. It was a great day in baseball, but poor Jason Bay and Jeff Francouer went 0-for-7, which really drops their batting average.

»»Joachim Clarke : What he

said

As much as I love disagreeing with everyone, I think Keith hit the nail on the head. The no-hitter was much more of an enjoyable game to watch. I am not the biggest fan of baseball, but both games caught my attention. The 20-inning game between the Cards and the Mets, where the first runs were scored in the 19th inning, is not exactly my idea of a great game. It was an impressive victory for the Mets, but I think the game probably meant a lot more to the players

game than anyone I’ve ever met, and that is a big thing. You can go and talk to him about baseball or life and he is always there for you, whenever you need it.” Of his time behind the plate, Wallace said he enjoys catching all the pitchers on the team, but without hesitation he said his favorite is Ray. “For the most part, when he is at his best, like he was at the end of last season, he hits his spots. He is pretty easy to catch. He throws hard, and it is fun to catch guys that throw hard — they get people out,” Wallace said. When asked which player he most respects, Wallace named one of the all-time great major league catchers, Ivan Rodriguez, for how he handles pitchers and calls games and for his hitting. “He is just a good catcher to look up to,” Wallace said. “I think he is the catcher everyone should look up to. He is probably one of the best, if not the best of all time.” Like many baseball players, Wallace admits he has rituals he has to do before every game. “I have never been really big on superstitions,” Wallace said. “But I do wear two pairs of sliding shorts because I tore a whole in one of mine, but I like them, so I wanted to keep wearing them. I just put on another pair to cover up the hole during a game where I hit two home runs. I have kept them ever since.”

than the fans. All in all, I think a game that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats during the initial nine innings is a better game than a 20-inning marathon that probably only 10 percent of the fans will watch until the end. Also, the Mets-Cards game did not set any records. On the other hand, the Rockies made history Saturday. Congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez for throwing the first no-hitter in Rockies history, and kudos to Dexter Fowler for making the diving catch in the seventh inning to keep the no-hitter alive.

TONY NGUYEN The Daily Cougar

Chris Wallace has been a steady force behind the plate for the Cougars in his four years with the team. He also has to drink a Monster Energy drink before every game. A consumer science and merchandise senior, Wallace said he is ready for whatever life will bring him after he leaves UH. He hopes to get drafted by a major

sports@thedailycougar.com

It’s your turn. Log online and tell us what you think.

Whaa, Whaa

the players on the edge of their seats for nine straight innings. Everyone is gasping for air as batters come up to the plate to see if the no-hitter is going to last. Extra inning games, on the other hand, although still exciting, by definition drag on and on. Besides, as both Keith and Joey mentioned, the Rockies made history with this weekend’s game. And Ubaldo Jimenez, without a doubt, had a gem of a game. It was a great game to watch, particularly because he silenced the Braves lineup.

First of all … judges, what is up with this question? Epic fail on your part. You need to ask questions that will stir up a debate; remember, this is Fighting Words. The answer to this question is simple. The no-hitter is far more exciting than a 20-inning game. Although it has to be noted that I hate to agree with Keith on any and everything, this time I have no other choice. Note to Keith: I will give you props; this is the first time your Fighting Words argument did not put me to sleep, but by no means was it exciting. You are slowly getting it. Better late than never, I guess. A no-hitter keeps the fans and

Guys and girls, before you start whining about the question, make sure you read it first. The question was not which game was more exciting to watch, it was which feat was more impressive, the no-hitter or the 20-inning game. Even that may seem like a question with an obvious answer, but it’s not so clear once you look a little closer. No-hitters are always impressive, and it does take some amount of help from a pitcher’s teammates for him to get one, as witnessed by Fowler’s great diving catch in the seventh, but it’s still, ultimately, an individual achievement.

»»Patricia Estrada: Whaa,

league club. Although he said he doesn’t care who he plays for as long as he gets to keep playing ball, the hometown Astros would be his team if he had a choice.

»»Judge Higgs: Not so fast

There are some teams sports where individual achievement is and should be most highly regarded — see the month-long LeBron and Kobe commercial that is the NBA playoffs if you want an example — but baseball is not one of them. And when teams play as poorly as the Mets and Cards did Saturday, it is truly an impressive feat. To play nearly seven hours worth of inept offense shows a level of determination in your crapitude that you can only say is impressive. So the answer is not really that one is more impressive than the other; here, we’re just talking about two different kinds of impressiveness.

Verdict As the only one who actually read the question and didn’t just talk about which game was more fun to watch, I have to begrudgingly give Cordero the win this week.

Facetime NFL Draft starts Thursday night, who will the Texans draft?

LIFE & ARTS

6 n Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Daily Cougar

Newcomer LIGHTS outshines Owl City By Matthew Keever The Daily Cougar Owl City, LIGHTS and Paper Route rocked a sold-out Verizon Wireless Theater on Friday night. The audience, which was composed primarily of 10-15 year-olds, screamed their hearts out from 8 p.m. until Owl City performed “Fireflies” and then headed home because of curfew. LIGHTS, an electro-pop artist from Canada, was second to perform and stole the show. Not only was her act impressive, but unlike most pop artists, she didn’t rely completely on her backing band to make her look good. She played the piano and keytar while singing throughout the entire performance. Her vocals on her recently released album, The Listening, are all auto tuned, but two songs into her set list, it was apparent that this was only for effect. In a nutshell, the girl can sing and quite well, too. On YouTube, a quick search of LIGHTS will bring up a bevy of acoustic videos the singer/ songwriter has performed in the last few years. The acoustic sessions fully showcase her talent, but pop music sells, and it’s understandable that in a society that has embraced auto tune so wholly, an up-andcomer would take advantage of such a marketing strategy. Still, her

CD is enjoyable in spite of all the production on it, and we suggest it for anyone who’s looking for some uplifting, nonabrasive pop music. The way LIGHTS puts it, she uses the pop genre to speak to the soul. She feels that pop music is similar to gospel music in its catchiness. While she says she’s not preachy in her music — and she isn’t, we assure you — she takes advantage of pop music’s ability to carry people away. And it’s true; gospel and pop share that similarity (and only that similarity), but LIGHTS is hoping to find a niche market in those who enjoy the genre but are looking for more inspiring songs. She seems to be well on the way. Paper Route opened the show and was fairly well received. The lead singer’s microphone, however, had far too much reverb on it, which made the words inaudible. The band’s performance wasn’t very impressive (if for no other reason than poorly balanced microphone and instrument levels), but as every song ended, the fans cheered, so it must have been doing something right. Owl City headlined the show, but didn’t do much other than keep fans waiting until nearly the end for the hit “Fireflies.” The performance was solid, but far from memorable. Adam Young, the mastermind behind the “band,” made a few

kendra berglund The Daily Cougar

LIGHTS took to the stage at Verizon Wireless Theater on Friday night, pleasing the crowd with her voice and skills on the keytar. relatively weak references to Houston that all involved space. He brought up NASA after every third song or so, and the famous speech by Ronald Reagan about the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger was played over the speakers. It wasn’t the best choice, because right after the band’s

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biggest hit, most of the crowd started heading for the doors. After a four-minute clip of Reagan’s speech, Young performed another two or three songs. The performance, overall, was a hit with fans and their parents alike, who almost outnumbered their kids. We were pleasantly surprised

that both LIGHTS and Owl City are more than capable vocalists. The auto tune is just for effect, and while I wish it wasn’t popular in the first place, it’s marketable, and the end result has been success for both artists. arts@thedailycougar.com

Help Wanted

Marketing Consultants Help Wanted

Egg Donors Needed. Ages 21-32. Earn $5,000+, High demand for Asians.

Reynolds and Reynolds has Marketing Consultant Positions Available in Your Area! Requirements:

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EARN $1000 - $3200 a month to drive new cars with ads. www.youdriveads. com SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED. Make $5 to $25 per survey. www.getpaidtothink. com

Help Wanted AFTER SCHOOL COUNSELOR 2:30 to 6:00. Working with children 3 to 12 years old. 713-470-5608. Montrose area. BUS DRIVER NEEDED for private school in Museum District. Class B license required. Short distance driving (around the Museum District) for a private school. Call 713-520-0738 MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Museum district. Looking for Subs/Assts. Flex hrs. Excellent for child dev, Education or Psy majors! Call 713-520-0738 NEED PT File/Scanning Clerk - 20 hrs flex during day. Email Resume to randyc@intonline.com Thanks for reading The Daily Cougar!

Call or submit resume to apply: Attn ad # 120 Phone: 800-701-0854 Fax: 800-704-5374 Email: Careers@reyrey.com EOE.

RiveR Oaks COuntRy Club

is seeking friendly, energetic and career oriented individuals for the following job openings: Experienced Dining Room Servers, Server Assistants, Certified Lifeguards, and Swim Instructors. To apply, call 713-874-6335, fax 713-874-6280 email hr@riveroakscc.net

In the heart of downtown Houston

TH E MA GNOLIA is currently seeking individuals for the following positions:

Front Desk Agent Restaurant Server Banquet Server PT All positions require proof of work eligibility upon hire date. Magnolia Houston performs criminal background checks and is a drug free workplace. Apply in person at 1100 Texas Avenue. HR hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 11am to 1pm. Email resume to sferoze@magnoliahotels.com or applications can also be filled out online. AA/EOE

OFFICE CLERKS: Part-time. Galleria area. Upscale customers. Weekends available Permanent Positions Open late morning, afternoon. For Spring/Summer. Immediate opening. Call: 713-780-9222 Fax: 713-780-0191 11:30 to 6 pm

Mentors Needed for Fall Great Experience! Great Pay! 832-842-2122 College Success Program

FIND A

1 BR TOWN HOME $480 per month. $195 move in. 843 sq ft. Call Brad at (713) 392-3248.

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UScholars@ UH College Success Program

For Sale IN THE DAILY COUGAR

CLASSIFIEDS

rentalS

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PLACE TO LIVE

www.tangibledifference.com We provide ABA therapy, Speech therapy, and LPC services for: Autism, PDD-NOS, Speech Delays, and Behavior Problems. Currently interviewing: -ABA Therapists, no exp. required -SLPs and SLP-As -OTs and OT-As Part or full time, internships, or volunteers welcome to apply. Email resume to: director@tangibledifference.com

SUMMER WATER SAFETY instructors & lifeguards needed for private school in Museum District. Good pay & fun working w/ children 3-12 yrs. Cert. required. Call 713-520-0738

Tutors Needed For Fall

www.reyrey.com

Tangible Difference Learning Center

*STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM* PAID survey takers needed in Houston. 100 percent FREE to join! Click on Surveys.



New law requires 6 hour program before obtaining driver license. Driver’s License Training School approved for course. For class information call 713-227-4409 or visit us near campus 4009 Polk. Sch. License C0092.

KING SIZE MOTIONLESS waterbed with all equipment $100 and to be picked up 713-594-9910

3 BEDROOM 2 BATH beautiful home, 1 block from U of H. 2100 sq feet. Hardwoods, washer, drier included. $1500/month. Contact 713-5305428 GARAGE APT FOR RENT. $525/mon incl electricity and water. Full size kit, built in table, W/D included. Walk to campus. Only 2 blks. 713-530-5428 HOUSE RECENTLY REMODELED 3 bdrm, 2 bath, fence, carport for 2 cars. 5 Min from dt and uh 713-228-3899, 713306-9014 REMODELED ONE BDRM APT. At greenway plaza hardwood floors, new a/c, covered parking $780/month 713-444-0710

COMICS & MORE

The Daily Cougar

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

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 n 7

1 Amazon source 5 Coasted 9 Like piecrust 14 Not sunnyside up 15 Go underground 16 More ill-mannered 17 Fearsome insect (2 wds.) 19 Desktop symbols 20 Sweater letter 21 Cablegram 22 Stickup 23 — 500 race 25 Helena’s loc. 26 Banjo cousin 27 Nice person (2 wds.) 30 Thick slices 33 Mardi Gras sights 34 Filmmaker — Lee 36 Actress — Sedgwick 37 Easy mark 38 Debtors’ notes 39 Genre 40 Type in again 41 Hobby shop wood 42 Got away 44 Home furnishing 45 Small barks 46 Unisex wear 50 Like a stale joke 52 Deep voice 53 Hard wood 54 The One-L Lama 55 Part of a circus act 57 Peace goddess 58 Fit to — — 59 “Got it!” (2 wds.) 60 Animal’s track 61 Boot-camp fare 62 Flea, to Fido

DOWN

1 Elbowed 2 Musical about Peron 3 Kind of race 4 Search engine find 5 Sacred space 6 Virgo’s neighbor 7 — fixe 8 Sandra or Ruby

27 33

62 ©

4 4 Allergic reactions 46 Philosophers 47 Rope’s slipknot 48 Rubbernecks 49 Clay-target sport 50 Goldfish 51 Bogus butter 52 Quick snack 54 Negative prefix 55 Soft lid 56 Tear open

Previous puzzle solved R PM M C I A O A A TWT R R E NO I R RO Y F RO S T I L AM A N A R A B G R E H EM E R A S E D P L O S HOO O L OC K E R A S T E R P E ON S

SOUL FOOD

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with purchase of any Family Pack on your next visit to this Wingstop. 8326 Broadway St., Broadway, Belfort Center, Houston, TX 77061 (713) 847-9464

One coupon per guest, per visit. Valid only on future visit. Coupons may not be combined. Valid at participating Winstop Restaurants thru 3/31/10 to 5/31/10.

APARTMENT SEARCHING?

RECEIVE $125 FOR LETTING US HELP YOU! Once we help you find your new apartment, we will send you a $125 Gift Card to Target or store of your choice!

We are a Fast and Free Service! John Milam-real estate agent (713) 784-APTS (2787)

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RESTAURANT

4331 Old Spanish Trail

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$2 Mimosas Every Sat & Sun Get a fresh mimosa with our Brunch Open-Faced Tenderloin Medallions on Rye! Just 5 minutes from the UH campus!

501 Pierce

2009 United Feature Syndicate INC.

BREAKFAST &

with any Wing purchase on your next visit to this Wingstop.

IT’S JUST GOOD

get

9 Pals 1 0 Plexiglas 11 Turmoils 12 Reeve role 13 Time divs. 18 Lucas’ beasts 22 Play — (be absent) 24 Big brass 25 Like damp rocks 27 Enclosed 28 Brit’s slammer 29 Veld grazers 30 Go on runners 31 Singer — Lovett 32 Havens 33 Forces 35 Cookie-selling org. 37 Full of energy 38 “Othello” heavy 40 Prince of Monaco 41 Exploded 43 Rostand hero

26 30

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LIFE & ARTS

8 n Tuesday, April 20, 2010

U n i v e r s i t y o f H o Usto n stU dent satisfa ction sU rvey

HOW IS UH DOING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS?

The Daily Cougar

Quick fashion just a click away By Shaziya Bandukia The Daily Cougar

Take a survey on:

• dining services • study Lounges • safety • student Government association • Parking & transportation • Health & Wellness • the daily cougar • student financial services • University center • counseling • campus activities • Welcome center • residential Life and Housing • student Program Board

• course availability • campus recreation • student services • advising • UH Libraries

Log on & take the survey today! Every 50th student who completes the survey will receive a $50.00 gift card! (up to $3,000) the information that you provide will be of great value and benefit to the University of Houston. student satisfaction survey is administered by Measurement and evaluation center, Learning & assessment services.

With finals right around the corner and malls being practically out of reach, it is inevitable that our want for new fashion trends be fulfilled through something easier and, best of all, more affordable. Instead of wasting gas driving around town or waiting in long lines on the weekends, the best option to shop for designer brands is to resort to Web sites that give special discounts to its registered members. Members find low-priced designer clothing and convenient shopping, which erases the hassle of driving through bad traffic, skipping schoolwork or even searching for parking at a crowded mall. Web sites such as Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), Daily Candy (www. dailycandy.com) and Hautelook (www.hautelook.com) provide its members an outlook into thousands of designer styles at a much cheaper “member” price. The movie Confessions Of A Shopaholic gave its viewers an insight on exclusive sales around town and on Web sites that feature designer products. When watching the movie, it was difficult to figure out where those sales would take place or how to gain access to such exclusivity. But upon becoming a member of a site such as the ones listed above, sales parties and online discounts are much more apparent.

It’s simple. A person can visit one of these Web sites, sign up to become a member and start shopping instantly on big brands. And even if you’re not near a computer all the time or unaware of when sales are taking place, you receive an e-mail every morning reminding you of all the sales on a particular day. Although some designers will have many items on sale on their own personal Web sites, such as William Rast denim, becoming an exclusive member of one of these Web sites is completely worth it. Because with William Rast denim jeans being originally priced at $189.99, but 63 percent off on a sale Web site, the 30 percent discount featured on “select” styles on the brand Web site means absolutely nothing. And in turn, shopping should be a breeze with the affordability of such big brands. Media outlets such as Oprah Magazine, teenVOGUE and Shine have praised HauteLook as the editor’s choice for “what our fashion team is crazy about this month” and as a “favorite place to shop for unbelievable designer stuff.” No more driving around in traffic or having to search for parking at a crowded mall only to be disappointed with the lack of stock or the high prices. Join an exclusive Web site, take advantage of the sales and become a very happy shopper. arts@thedailycougar.com

WWW.UH.EDU/RECREATION 7 1 3 - 7 4 3 - P L A Y

Aquatics & Safety

Blood Drive

Adult & Youth Swim

Share the gift of Life. GIVE BLOOD.

May 17 - May 27th Classes offered Monday thru Thursday

Check website for course numbers and times.

CRWC Members: $35-45/session Non-Members: $45-55/session For specific times/levels, visit our Web site at www.uh.edu/recreation

SCUBA: Advanced Open Water Certification

Wednesday, April 21st 2pm - 6pm Doors will recieve a T-shirt Tuesday, May 25st 3pm - 6pm Wednesday, July 21st 3pm - 6pm CRWC Rotunda

Session 2:�April 26th thru May 5th

UH Faculty and Staff

Classes offered M/W 6:30pm - 9:00pm

at the Campus Recreation Center

CRWC Members: $180/session Non-Members: $205/session

Students need to provide their own personal equipment. Personal equipment includes: snorkel, fin, and masks. Campus Recreation has it available for rent for the entire course for $25 if needed you can rent this equipment.

Masters Swim Team

Free Fit Fridays

6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Our university was issued a challenge from Governor Rick Perry to join other state agency and participate in the Governor's Challenge in support of GetFitTexas! and Texas Round-Up.

Who: Adults 18+ (all skill levels!) Where: Natatorium When: Tuesdays -Thursdays 6:00am-7:15am Cost: Students $35/month, Members $40/ month, Non-Members $45/month + $150 annual joining fee

Final Day Activity from 11:30am - 1:30pm include: Friday, April 23 - Group Exercise Join a free Massage @ Outdoor Pool

713-743-9509

Click on http://www.uh.edu/cougarroundup/ for details to participate.

Outdoor Adventure Fundamentals of Climbing Class

This two hour course will instruct you on the proper methods of roped climbing at UH. Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to belay at the rock wall!

--Spots are limited to 4 participants per clinic. Mondays from 4-6pm --, 4/26 Thursdays from 5-7pm -- 4/22, & 4/29

Kayak Class

Learn how to paddle, brace, roll, and wet exit a whitewater kayak. All equipment and instruction is provided. Remember to bring a swim suit and a towel!

--Spots are limited to 8 participants per clinic. Tuesdays from 7-9pm -- April 27

Surf School

In this bi-monthly clinic, participants will learn the basic steps to paddling, balancing, standing up and riding a long board. No experience is required and surf board and wetsuit is provided. Remember to bring a swimsuit and a towel!

--Spots are limited to 8 participants per clinic! Tuesdays from 8-9pm -- April 20th

Lead Climbing Class

OA's lead climbing class is a must-have for any climber looking for advancement in skills and the transition to outdoor climbing. Participants must have completed the Fundamentals of Climbing course and demonstrate satisfactory climbing at a 5.10 level.

--Spots are limited to 4 participants per clinic. Fridays from 12-3pm (Or By Appointment) -April 30th

Outing Calendar of Events

Farmer Market Bike Tour Saturday, May 1

-- $10/$15

Don't miss your last chance to get our local produce, handmade goodies, and ride around Houston with Outdoor Advenure.

Lake Day Huntsville State Park Tuesday, May 4

-- $25/$35

Unwind & clear your mind before finals begin by spending a day at the lake, activities include swimmimg, hiking, biking, kayaking, grlling and relaxing. Contact Caleb Wells at 713-743-0808 for details.