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Raekwon goes back to the kitchen
On to the next one, Cougars face Cowboys
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Run-offs continue, students with info asked to come forward The SGA run-off elections began Monday and will continue until Thursday for the office of President and At-Large Senator Seat #2. The presidential run-off is between Michael McHugh with his vice presidential running mate Silva Gevorkyan, and Michael Harding, with his vice presidential running mate Craig Premjee. The At-Large Senator Seat #2 election is between Brandon Balwant and Stephen Cronin. Students can only vote online at election.uh.edu. For information about the candidates, visit www.uh.edu/sga. All official complaints regarding elections are reviewed by the elections commission and are ruled upon before becoming part of the public record. There are two pending investigations. Students can come forward with any information regarding election complaints by emailing editor@thedailycougar.com or calling (713) 743-5360.
BAUER
Business College dean takes medical leave and steps down Arthur Warga, the C.T. Bauer College of Business dean, is taking medical leave and then stepping down. Warga has faced several health challenges recently, Provost John Antel said in an e-mail sent to the University community. Latha Ramchand is taking the office as interim dean. Ramchand serves as the Associate Dean of Programs and Administration of Bauer, and is also a professor of finance. Warga will return to the finance faculty as a chaired full professor, but it is unknown when that will happen. Under Warga’s leadership Cemo Hall was opened and Melcher Hall was remodeled. —Miguel Cortina/The Daily Cougar
Report errors to editor@thedailycougar.com. Corrections will appear in this space as needed.
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March 8, 2011 Read. Recycle. Repeat daily.
Administrators under fire Faculty respond, some say ratings not accurate Anna Gallegos
THE DAILY COUGAR In the 2010 Faculty Climate Survey released mid-February, the College of Engineering reported the lowest numbers in job satisfaction and gave President Renu Khator and Provost John Antel the lowest approval rating out of all of the colleges participating. “I don’t believe this is an accurate assessment of the college,” said Michael Evans, junior chemical engineering and
student senator for the College of Engineering, in an e-mail interview. “I believe initially (engineering students) would be stunned and wonder why,” said Evans about students’ reaction to the survey, “but they would understand that the 30 or so responses to the survey only represent a fourth of the engineering faculty.” According to the survey, 36 faculty members from the College of Engineering responded. The college had the fifth most representatives in the survey out of 13 colleges. CLASS had the most respondents with 136. Even with the low number of respondents, engineering gave Provost Antel a
“slightly disapprove” rating at 3.75 on a 1 to 7 response scale. President Khator received a higher rating from the college with a “neutral rating” at 4.41, compared to the highest number coming from the Library with a 6.83 “somewhat approve” rating. “The reason why the ratings might be low is because the engineering faculty think that they are not receiving enough money or provided with adequate facilities,” Evans said. Evans also commented on the difficulties from on-campus construction. “Engineering student groups are FACULTY continues on page 3
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Weekend event a hit, staff volunteer Scholarship and financial aid information provided Ayesha Mohiuddin
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Issue 109, Volume 76
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EVENTS UH Men and Women’s Chorus The Moores School of Music is presenting “Songs of Love and Passion” and other small ensembles. The event will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $10, $5 for seniors and students. Keith Urban The country singer is headlining tonight at RodeoHouston. The show begins at 6:45 p.m., and ticket prices are ranging from $15 to $200. Parking around Reliant Stadium starts at $10.
FOR MORE EVENTS, CHECK OUT thedailycougar.com/calendar
Cougar Preview allowed prospective students to explore academic and recreational facilities at the University of Houston Saturday. Prospective freshmen and transfer students received information about various academic programs, admission requirements, scholarships, financial aid opportunities and campus housing. About 500 freshman and transfer students attended. “This is great. I never got a formal tour of the campus before, but today I’m learning new things. I even got to meet with some of the faculty and staff,” said Sanober Ali, incoming freshman. “I’m really excited about graduating from high school and getting the full college experience at UH. I didn’t realize how big this school is.” The financial aid information allowed students to better understand the process. Angela McGhee, incoming freshman, said she was confused about the financial aid process prior to the event. “Before the event I was PREVIEW continues on page 3
Hotel and Restaurant Management students gather to observe graduate student Chris Ray as he measures the pH levels in fermenting wine. | Jorge Porras/The Daily Cougar
Brewing up alcohol, success Beverage class teaches scientific process and differences among varieties Jorge Porras
THE DAILY COUGAR Maya chocolate stout, strawberry cream malt liquor and chocolate raspberry — this is not a beer menu from a new trendy bar, but a few class projects produced by the students of the Production of Alcoholic Beverages class at the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The class offers a wealth of knowledge about how beer, wine and spirits are produced and refined by giving students hands-on experience in making alcoholic beverages of his or her own. Glenn Cordua, assistant professor, established the class in 2002 as a part of the Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Students enrolled have received an indepth look into how some popular alcoholic beverages are made. “We want to form interest in the beverages themselves. We want to prepare people interested in a career in the beverage industry,” said Cordua, explaining the goals of the course. Other than the idea of free liquor, beer and wine, students who take this class can look forward to learning how to check the pH levels in fermenting wines— and how to raise or lower it to result in a better product. They also experiment with different flavor profiles for beer, and understand the chemical reaction that takes place when making champagnes. “It’s a great way to hide science,” said Aaron Corsi, Cordua’s graduate assistant. One of Cordua’s first assignments requires students to go out and try different BEER continues on page 3