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THE DAILY COUGAR thedailycougar.com
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Issue 121, Volume 76
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March 31, 2011 Read. Recycle. Repeat daily.
newsline
Future of UH: public or private
Suspect apprehended in connection to Sunday assault
Cuts in funding are leading the University into an operation similar to private institutions
Got news? E-mail news@thedailycougar.com or call 713-743-5314
UH’s Department of Public Safety has arrested a suspect in a sexual assault case that was reported on Monday. A security alert was issued for the arrest but not for the reporting of the incident, which occurred between 11 p.m. Sunday and 7:20 a.m. Monday. According to the “Suspect Arrested” security alert issued after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, a visitor reported being sexually assaulted by a non-student resident at Cougar Place Residence Hall. The victim informed officials an acquaintance had drugged her and forced her to have sex. The suspect was identified following an investigation by UHDPS. He was arrested on separate charges of possession of a controlled substance and released to the custody of the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office. Charges of sexual assault are being pursued, the alert said.
Professors to tackle the obesity epidemic in center’s spring forum
Anna Gallegos, David Gonzalez and Taylor McGilvray
THE DAILY COUGAR With a cut in state funds, UH will operate more like a private institution instead of a public university. “The reality is that if we are funded at 80 percent or more from non-state funds, we will look and operate more like a private university, while maintaining our commitment to educational opportunity,” said Provost John Antel. Private universities depend less on government money and more on student tuition and donations to cover operating costs (e.g. staff salaries, supplies and building upkeep). With an estimated $27 billion deficit in the Texas state budget, the state will be paying
“Attendees will learn about a diverse range of obesity topics from several formal talks, as well as a moderated question-andanswer session featuring audience participation,” TORC director Rebecca Lee said in a news release. For more information or to register, contact Sarah Sweaney at 713-743-4019 or sarah@tlc2.uh.edu.
Miguel Cortina
Presenting on various aspects of obesity for the symposium are professors Norma Olvera, Dan O’Conner, Brian McFarlin, Jian Liu and Alok Bhargava.
CORRECTIONS !!
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today
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EVENTS Yonder Mountain Spring Band The “newgrass” phenomenon is headlining at the House of Blues tonight. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25. State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships The program begins at 6:30 p.m. today at Hofheinz Pavilion, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The program will air at 8 p.m. Tickets for students and faculty are $7.
FOR MORE EVENTS, CHECK OUT
thedailycougar.com/calendar
CUTS continues on page 3
SPECIAL REPORT
Budget cuts Every Thursday, The Daily Cougar will take an in-depth look at how proposed cuts to the state’s higher education allocation will affect the University and its future. Feb. 17: Tier One initiative Feb 24: Staff terminations March 3: Athletics programs March 24: The role of community colleges Today: Public vs. private debate April 7: Financial aid Track this series and find expanded resources at thedailycougar.com/budgetcuts2011
BAUER
Dean sets sights on program success
UH’S Texas Obesity Research Center is holding its 2011 Spring Symposium on Friday. The event is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in Philip Guthrie Hall, Room 232.
for less of UH’s operating costs as of the new state biennium. According to a presentation given by Antel at a December Faculty Senate meeting, state support for UH’s operating costs have dropped by 12 percent in the past ten years while student support has risen by the same amount to compensate for the loss. “State support to the University of Houston has fallen by 44 percent since 1981,” said Antel in an email interview. “Twenty years ago the state accounted for 48 percent of our operating budget; in the 2011 fiscal year, it accounted for 26 percent of our operating budget. This is why you’ve seen students having to shoulder a higher percentage of the cost of their own education.” Since the Texas Legislature is still in session
THE DAILY COUGAR The interim dean of the C.T. Bauer College of Business said she plans to take the college to the next level. Latha Ramchand, appointed to the position in early March, said her goal is to continue on what she calls “the pursuit of excellence,” and to take the success that the college got under former dean Arthur Warga’s leadership to the next level. “Some of the programs like the entrepreneurship program is a great program; the undergraduate program is ranked; the sales program has done a tremendous job; we have an accounting program that is doing very well,” Ramchand said. “So, if you think about these priorities, what I want to do is to take these to the next level to the extent I can.” As interim dean, Ramchand will start to work on a blog to connect with people in the community, whether it’s students, faculty or alumni, to get feedback on any new ideas for the college. The blog will be available on the Bauer website in the coming weeks. “The best part to working in an academic institution is that there’s a lot DEAN continues on page 3
Giving thanks to UH donors
S
hasta, UH’s mascot, spent Tuesday afternoon getting students pumped about praising UH’s many philanthropists at the University Center. Students and other community members were able to sign a banner. | Tap Nguyen/The Daily Cougar
Vets take part in oral history project Louis Casiano
THE DAILY COUGAR A discussion on “don’t ask, don’t tell” and the role of women in combat was held Tuesday afternoon in observance of Women’s History Month. The discussion was co-sponsored by UH’s Veterans Service Organization, the Women’s Resource Center and the LGBT Resource Center. The event was also videotaped as part of the Veterans Oral History Project. VSO Program Director Allen Grundy wanted
to have an event where students could talk about controversial issues. “These are topics that are readily in the news right now,” Grundy said. “These are social issues I believe need to have some kind of ear to the public.” Everyone had an opinion about whether female service members should be allowed into combat arms. The role of women in combat has become an ongoing issue for the military since the “War on Terror” began. More than 200,000 women have served in VETERANS continues on page 10