t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e 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
THE DAILY COUGAR
®
GET SOME DAILY
thedailycougar.com
92 LO 70 Tuesday HI
Cougars look to beat Owls on home court
September 20, 2011
ACL’s heavy hitters gave a good show
Issue 17, Volume 77
UNIVERSITY
College mothers balance class, family Student faces the challenges of coursework combined with the rigors of raising her three children Naheeda Sayeeduddin
THE DAILY COUGAR Like any college student, history senior Simone Jn Marie-Cannon has her fair share of reading assignments, research papers, and exams each semester. But her daily routine is a bit different from that of a typical college student.
Her day starts at 4:30 a.m. when she begins her daily grind of juggling a full-time college course load, a part-time job and raising three kids (one of whom is under the age of two), all the while maintaining her house and her sanity. The hardest thing, she said, is time management. “I think the hardest part of that is trying to figure out what point in time I get to read 100 pages this teacher wants me to read by the end of the week, along with the other teacher who wants me to read so many pages,” Jn Marie-Cannon said. “Just trying to find time to study, because
when you’re out of school, the kids are out of school — and that’s very demanding. And basically you don’t do anything when the kids are home from school. It’s their schoolwork, their food, their cleaning, their everything.” Jn Marie-Cannon is one of the many “parenting students” enrolled at UH. According to a 2009 report by the UH Child Care Task Force, roughly 8 percent of students have children under the age of five. The report does not take into account students with school-age children. While college life is more difficult for a mother, support from the UH Women’s Resource Center is available to parenting
UH art museum opens next installment of exhibition
Prof helps spinal injury with stem cell treatment
The Blaffer Art Museum has debuted the second installment of its exhibition series, “Window into Houston,” featuring artist Patrick Renner and high school students enrolled in Blaffer’s Young Artist Apprenticeship Program. Renner, a native Houstonian and teacher at Sharpstown International Grades 6-12 School, leads the Blaffer Museum’s Summer Arts Program. “Window into Houston” is open every day from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at 110 Milam St. and will run through Sept. 28. — Jennifer Postel
Love Patel
THE DAILY COUGAR
CAMPUS
Over 1,000 albums created and owned by the late Houston icon DJ Screw have been donated to the University of Houston libraries. The music, which was donated by Screw’s father to the John and Rebecca Moores Endowed Library Fund, will be made available for research in 2013. DJ Screw, whose given name was Robert Earl Davis, Jr., was a major influence on the Houston rap/DJ scene and creator of the Chopped and Screwed technique. He died from a heart attack in November 2000. — Jennifer Postel
CORRECTIONS In yesterday’s staff editorial, “Good fan support in Ruston; more necessary” we listed Saturday’s game time at 6 p.m. The game begins at 7 p.m.
MOTHERS continues on page 3
RESEARCH
BLAFFER
UH library to receive late DJ’s discography for research
students. Lactation rooms are available throughout the campus, WRC Director Beverly McPhail said. McPhail added that the center also provided a support group for parenting students, but attendance has been lacking. “It was sort of a catch-22 that parenting students need the support but they’re too busy to come in for an extra meeting or stay longer on campus,” she said. One of the biggest issues for a parent is childcare, McPhail said. Women
Francisco Goldman currently works as a professor of literature and creative writing at Trinity College and has won multiple awards for his work. | Paul Crespo/The Daily Cougar
CAMPUS
Award-winning writer speaks at UH craft talk Discusses latest novel, gives advice on fiction Travis Alford
THE DAILY COUGAR Francisco Goldman, a writer and journalist, spoke about his experience writing a novel about his wife’s death on Monday in the Honors College Commons. The event, which was sponsored by Inprint, the UH creative writing program and the Honors College,
was centered around Goldman’s new novel, “Say Her Name.” “This book is my mourning,” Goldman said. “Say Her Name” is somewhat of a memoir about the love of his life, a fiction writer named Aura, who died in a body surfing accident two years into their marriage. “I can never replace what was lost, but you can never leave it empty,” Goldman said. Goldman turned to alcohol after WRITER continues on page 3
A procedure to help eliminate the need for major surgery for patients with spinal cord injuries is being developed by a research group that includes two UH engineering professors. The treatment, which involves injecting a solution that contains adult stem cells and nanoparticles into the patients’ spinal cord, would also help with recovery. “The nanoparticles will be used to help move the stem cells in the proper direction, and I am working on the fundamentals of this process,” said Li Sun, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. After the solution is injected, a magnetic field will expose the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles and turn them into an anchor that guides the stem cells. The nanoparticles gain polarity, so they attach to each other along the line where the magnetic field is present. This way, the stem cells align properly to reconnect the separated part of the spinal cord. “We are still working on finding a proper way to coat the nanoparticles with a polymer,” said Sun. Dong Liu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, said he is contributing with his background in dealing with the movement of nanoparticles. He’s currently working on a
method to present the nanoparticles to the adult stem cells. He said that the research is important because current methods of treatment require intensive surgery that may not even work. “You have to cut off a certain part of the damaged spinal cord, put the scaffold in and hope the stem cells grow in the right direction,” Liu said. “With this new method, we don’t need to arrange the stem cells in any physical bioscaffold. We put them in a solution because we want to inject them into the spinal cord.” Sun, an expert on material synthesis, will provide the nanoparticles. The project began when the Alliance for Nanohealth awarded a seed grant last year. The group was recently awarded a $390,000 grant from National Science Foundation. According to their website, the NSF provides funding for approximately 11,000 out of the 40,000 proposals that are sent. Sun said they have not received the money to move forward just yet, but he remains optimistic about continuing his work and watching everything fall into place. Liu said he feels that this procedure is something we could see in the near future, and that the only barrier is the toxicity of nanoparticles. “We will soon be able to demonstrate this in the lab,” Liu said. “This is something that can develop rapidly.” news@thedailycougar.com
2
■
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
NEWS
The Daily Cougar
You deserve a factual look at . . .
crime log
The Promised Land of Milk and Honey Could it have been? Could the dream still come true?
The following is a partial report of campus crime on Sept. 15. All information is selected from the files of the UH Police Department. The information in bold indicates when the event was reported to UHPD and the event’s location. Information or questions regarding the cases below should be directed to UHPD at (713) 743-0600.
In 1947, the British, who had the Mandate over Palestine, decided that they had enough of the decades of fighting and slaughter between Arabs and Jews. They washed their hands of the Mandate and turned it over to the United Nations.
What are the facts?
was not allowed to live in peace. Virtually without interruption, it was victimized by attacks from Syria, A solution not accepted. Wishing to end the Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. There were two major bloodshed and to create a stable and, hopefully, wars: the Six Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur permanent solution to the decades of conflict, the War of 1973. Israel prevailed in both. It acquired U.N. decreed a partition of the country west of the major territories, most of which, in its never-ending Jordan River into an Arab and a Jewish state. In quest for peace, it returned. Following these deference to Arab Muslim insistence that it was their unsuccessful wars, the “third holiest city,” the Palestinians subjected city of Jerusalem, the “Then the dream could finally be fulfilled Israel to almost focus of all Jewish aspirations for two . . . Milk and Honey could indeed flow.” u n i n t e r r u p t e d “intifadas,” essentially millennia, was to be one-sided civil wars, in “internationalized.” For the Jews this was bitterly which suicide bombings and other assorted terrors disappointing. Still, in order to create their dreamedwere the main weapons. of state, to normalize the lives of the Jewish Despite these unending tribulations and absorbing inhabitants, and to make possible the ingathering of close to 4 million migrants from all parts of the the Holocaust survivors, they accepted the partition world, Israel prospered mightily. Its population is plan. They declared their state, Eretz Yisrael – the now close to 8 million. Over 1 million of them are Land of Israel – and became a nation. Forever to his Arabs. They are Israeli citizens, have all the rights of credit, US President Harry Truman recognized the their fellow Jewish citizens, serve in the Knesset nascent state of Israel within minutes of its (Israel’s parliament) and in the diplomatic corps. declaration of independence. They are full participants in the economic prosperity The Arabs rejected the partition proposal out of that permeates Israel. Israel’s product per person is hand. Instead, six Arab armies invaded the country on the same or higher order as that of most European from all sides. They vowed to wage a war of countries. It is a center of science and of culture. Its extermination. The Jewish population of only industrial output encompasses some of the most 650,000 people was lightly armed and almost advanced technology and sophisticated production in hopelessly outnumbered. But in an almost Biblical the world. Next to Canada, Israel is the most miracle, the ragtag Jewish forces defeated the represented country on US stock exchanges. Most combined Arab might. They suffered horrendous major high-tech companies have facilities – factories casualties – about 1 per cent of the population. It was and research establishments – in Israel. as if the United States were to lose 3 million people in All of this is admirable, of course. But there is a flip a conflict. The Arabs also suffered greatly. Goaded side to this edifying story. That is the fate of the Arab mostly by their leaders to make room for the descendants of those who fled Israel in the 1948 War invading armies, about 650,000 fled the fighting. of Liberation. Had they followed the example of the They were not accepted by their Arab brethren. They Jews and agreed to the partition decreed by the U.N., were interned and live to this day in so-called refugee they could today be in the same advanced position as camps, slum cities, in which they lead miserable and Israel, instead of the misery in which they live. totally unproductive lives, dependent on the dole of Because there is no question that Israel would have the world. They are consumed with hatred against been more than willing to enter into a federation the Jews who, they believe, have deprived them of with Palestine, in which citizens of both countries their patrimony. could peacefully partake in common prosperity. Prosperity despite unending attacks. But Israel Can that dream still come true? Of course it can! Israel has accepted virtually all of the “conditions” for reconciliation on which the Palestinians have insisted, with the sole exception of the demand for the “right of return.” That “right” would swamp Israel with hundreds of thousands of Arabs. And it would with one stroke be the end of Israel as the Jewish state. Even for the thorny question of Jerusalem a compromise could be found. But, having been misled by the thuggish Arafat for decades, Arab Palestine needs a wise leader in order to finally make peace with Israel. In view of Israel’s experience in Lebanon and Gaza and because it would be fatally vulnerable if an armed enemy occupied the Judean heights, the state of Palestine would have to be totally demilitarized and controlled (probably by US military) for compliance. It would be a difficult condition to swallow, but it would have to be the price to gain their own country. But the dream could then finally be fulfilled and peace and prosperity could be extended over all of the Promised Land. Milk and Honey could indeed flow. This message has been published and paid for by
Facts and Logic About the Middle East P.O. Box 590359 San Francisco, CA 94159
Gerardo Joffe, President
Have information on these or other incidents of crime on campus? Call 713-743-0600
FLAME is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational 501 (c)(3) organization. Its purpose is the research and publication of the facts regarding developments in the Middle East and exposing false propaganda that might harm the interests of the United States and its allies in that area of the world. Your taxdeductible contributions are welcome. They enable us to pursue these goals and to publish these messages in national newspapers and magazines. We have virtually no overhead. Almost all of our revenue pays for our educational work, for these clarifying messages, and for related direct mail.
112A
To receive free FLAME updates, visit our website: www.factsandlogic.org
WE HAVE MOVED! ROOM N 109 COUGAR VILLAGE
Traffic Offense – Sept. 15 10:05 a.m. – Lot 16 B — A student reported that someone struck and damaged her unattended vehicle while it was parked in lot 16 B. The striking driver failed to leave any information. The incident occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. Sept. 7. The case is Active. Theft – Sept. 15 11:09 a.m. – UC Underground — A student reported that someone stole his backpack from his Student Government office in the UC Underground. There are no suspects. The incident occurred between 10:40 a.m. and 10:43 a.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active. Disorderly Conduct – Sept. 15 12:59 p.m. – M. D. Anderson Library— A student entered a college he has no association with and behaved in a manner that offended those present. A staff member requested a ban against the student returning to the college. A blind Student Life Referral was issued to the student involved. The incident occurred at 7 p.m. Sept. 13. The case is Cleared by Referral. Disorderly Conduct – Sept. 15 13:51 hrs – Cemo Hall — A student was using vulgar language and causing a disturbance in a business class at Cemo Hall. The incident occurred at 1:51 p.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active. Burglary of a Motor Vehicle – Sept. 15 1:28 p.m. – Lot 18 A — A student reported that someone forcibly entered her secured and unattended vehicle while it was parked in lot 18A. The incident occurred between 8:28 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. Sept 15. The case is Active. Theft – Sept. 15 1:38 p.m. – Melcher Hall — A staff member reported that someone stole a UH owned laptop computer from a desktop in her unattended and unsecured office in Melcher Hall.
There are no suspects. The incident occurred between 1:25 p.m. and 1:35 p.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active. Theft – Sept. 15 2:29 p.m. – Cougar Village — A student reported that someone stole her unattended and secured bicycle from the bike rack on the northeast corner of Cougar Village. There are no suspects. The incident occurred between 1:30 p.m. Sept. 14 and 1 p.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active. Theft – Sept. 15 3:03 p.m. – Armistead Optometry Bldg. — A staff member reported that someone stole a UH-owned laptop computer from the Armistead Optometry building. There are no suspects. The case is Active. Theft – Sept. 15 4:57 p.m. – Athletic Alumni Bldg. — A student reported that someone stole her unregistered bicycle from the Athletic Alumni building. There are no suspects. The incident occurred between 12:50 p.m. and 2:55 p.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active. Traffic Offense – Sept. 15 6:21 p.m. — A student reported that someone struck her unattended vehicle and the striking driver failed to leave information as required by state law. There are no suspects. The case is Active. Traffic Offense – Sept. 15 9:13 p.m. – Lot 9 C — A student reported that someone struck his unattended vehicle while it was parked in lot 9 C. The striking driver did not leave the information required by state law. There are no suspects. The incident occurred between 1:30 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. Sept. 15. The case is Active.
For the complete report and to view past reports, go to thedailycougar. com/crime
CONTACT US Newsroom
Advertising
Editor in Chief
ads@thedailycougar.com
(713) 743-5360 Jack Wehman (713) 743-5362 editor@thedailycougar.com Managing Editor
John Brannen (713) 743-5360 me@thedailycougar.com
TUTORING COURSES
Accounting Biology Chemistry Computer Science Economics Engineering
English Foreign Language Finance Mathematics Physics Statistics
SCHEDULES FOR SPECIFIC COURSE TUTORING HOURS ARE AVAILABLE AT
WWW.LAS.UH.EDU/LSS
HOURS Fall/Spring Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday - Sunday
9 am – 8 pm 9 am – 3 pm 1 pm – 4 pm
Summer Monday - Tuesday Wednesday- Thursday Friday
10 am – 7 pm 10 am – 6 pm 10 am – 3 pm
LEARNING STRATEGIES Workshops: Time Management Test Anxiety Over Procrastination And many more...
www.survey.uh.edu Student Satisfaction Survey NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) for selected Freshmen and Seniors
Counseling: Individual assessments and individual instructions in learning strategies
www.las.uh.edu
www.eval.uh.edu Complete Course Evaluation online for selected courses.
(713) 743-5340 ■
Student Ad Manager
Victoria Gbenoba (713) 743-5340 vgbenoba@thedailycougar.com ■
Classifieds
(713) 743-5356 classifieds@thedailycougar.com
Chief Copy Editor
Business Office
Natasha Faircloth copychief@thedailycougar.com
■
(713) 743-5350 Fax (713) 743-5384 Mailing address
News Editors
■
Julian Jimenez Taylor McGilvray (713) 743-5314 news@thedailycougar.com
Room 7, UC Satellite Student Publications University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015
Sports Editor
Issue Staff
Josh Siegel (713) 743-5303 sports@thedailycougar.com Life & Arts Editor
Mary Baak (713) 743-5302 arts@thedailycougar.com Opinion Editor
■
Copy editing
Gopi Vijaya Zak Appleton ■
Production
Nine Nguyen ■
Closing editor
Jack Wehman
Daniel Renfrow opinion@thedailycougar.com Photo/Video Editor
Brianna Leigh Morrison (713) 743-5361 photo@thedailycougar.com Web Editor
Parmesh Krishen web@thedailycougar.com
THE DAILY COUGAR IS A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS.
ABOUT THE COUGAR The Daily Cougar is published Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and Wednesdays during the summer, at the University of Houston Printing Plant and online at http://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 Send 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.
NEWS
The Daily Cougar
WRITER continued from page 1
his wife’s death. “I was more than drunk for 6 months,” Goldman said. “I was hit by a car, drunk, at 5 a.m. I was told I was going to die.” At that moment, Goldman decided it was time to write. “I started to read a lot about what people did to cope with grief, but for me it was to write,” Goldman said. Writing about his wife helped Goldman cope with her death. “I was trying to capture her. It was the purest I’ve ever written,” Goldman said. “I wanted to bring alive what it was like to love her.” Goldman spoke of the grieving process as psychedelic at times.
MOTHERS continued from page 1
come in asking for child care recommendations. UH offers child care at the University of Houston Child Care Center, an option that McPhail says does not suit many students. “It’s a little bit expensive and their part-time is three days a week and a lot of students just need drop-in care,” McPhail said. The child care center option did not suit Jn Marie-Cannon. She said a drop-in care option would be best for when she needs a place on campus to take her children when they don’t have school. Jn Marie-Cannon says because
“I had to describe my grief with no distance. I even saw a psychiatrist about the delusions I was having from post-traumatic stress,” Goldman said. Goldman finished his lecture with some writing tips and techniques he’s developed in his career. “When I’m writing a book there’s a constant presence. Form gives the book meaning,” Goldman said. “Writing a novel is a search for shape. You don’t begin with style and form; it grows. Fiction and non-fiction come together and pollinate each other. The shape is the meaning.” Goldman has written four other books, including “The Art of Political Murder,” a New York Times Notable Book. news@thedailycougar.com
her kids come first, she is forced to schedule her courses and study time around her kid’s schedule. “Soccer season just started, and (the kids) are two different age levels, so that’s two different practices and two different games, and spending five hours at the soccer field with an infant knowing you’ve got a paper to write at home is really hard,” she said. “So scheduling around their schedules is very difficult.” Jn. Marie-Cannon said education was one of the sacrifices she made when she gave birth to her first daughter. “Unfortunately we made that decision when we decided to have kids to put ourselves on hold.”
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sororities welcome new members Weekend of introductions ushers in this year’s sisters Jessica Kirkland
THE DAILY COUGAR Big and littles, sisterhood and retreats are words that may not mean anything to the average student, but they will soon mean the world for new members at sorority recruitment this past weekend. UH had 126 women join sororities this weekend, a substantial number for UH’s Greek system. “We had a great Recruitment this year,” said Panhellenic President Leigh Hellinghausen, a senior psychology major. The event featured all six sororities in the Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu and Zeta Tau Alpha. Recruitment events began Friday and lasted until Sunday night. On the first day, future members visited each of the sorority
houses and talked to different active members about their experiences. It offered a chance for UH women to get to know each other. As the weekend progressed, the women decided which homes that they felt most comfortable in and sororities looked for women that would flourish in their chapters. On Sunday, sororities bid new members that they felt would accomplish great things in their sisterhood. The girls were then taken to Cougar Field where all active sorority members anxiously awaited their arrival. After Panhellenic revealed each girl’s new home, the girls went to spend time with their new sisters at welcome parties. Preparations for recruitment began early this summer. Houston Panhellenic Council sent out post cards and emails to potential new members who attend UH. Each girl who signed up for recruitment sent in an
application, transcript and $45 registration fee. Hellinghausen said that each sorority selected recruits based on what qualities they thought would best support their chapter’s mission. “These girls were selected based on grades, involvement, community service and interviews,” she said. This is part of how the sororities were able to decide who they would bid to join their sisterhood. By joining a sorority, women have an opportunity to become more involved in campus life, network, give back to the community, meet other students and create life-long friendships. “I think sororities help girls become strong, successful women,” Hellinghausen said. “Being in a sorority can help you grow as a person. These women learn from each other and find what it means to be a wellrounded woman.” news@thedailycougar.com
www.thedailycougar.com Stay in touch.
RECREPORT
DEPARTMENT OF CAMPUS RECREATION SPOTLIGHT
Campus Recreation Hosts UH’s First Zumbathon T
he Campus Recreation and Wellness Center was filled with music, dancing and fun this weekend as the host
site for University of Houston’s first ever Zumbathon. The event was organized by ProRec, a student-run organization on campus that advocates careers in the recreation industry. The funds raised from the Zumbathon will be used to help students attend conferences and obtain certifications relevant to the recreation profession. Zumba is the Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that is taking the fitness industry by storm. Many are attracted to Zumba because of it’s fun vibe and welcoming atmosphere but keep coming back for more because of the fantastic results. It’s not a work-out, it’s a fitness party! Typical Zumba classes are 45 to 60 minutes in length but the marathon of Zumba that took place on Saturday night
ZUMBATHON AT UH
Houston joined the rec center’s cadre of Zumba instructors to keep the event action-packed and full of energy.
cording to ProRec Treasurer Jordan Haywood,“everyone was WORKING!”
“It was a great first run,” said ProRec President Krissy Monlezun of the event. Because of the event’s success, the organization has plans to run a second Zumbathon in the spring in addition to a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Ac-
3
GREEK LIFE
news@thedailycougar.com
was over three hours long. Guest instructors from all around
■
For information on joining ProRec or on the next Zumbathon, contact Krissy Monlezun at kristin_monlezun@ yahoo.com. Don’t miss the next event!
The Rec Report is a paid advertising section for the Department of Campus Recreation.
4
■
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Daily Cougar
OPINION THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR LIFE
& ARTS EDITOR
OPINION EDITOR COPY CHIEF
Jack Wehman John Brannen Taylor McGilvray, Julian Jimenez Joshua Siegel Mary Baak Daniel Renfrow Natasha Faircloth
STAFF EDITORIAL
Harvard’s kindess pledge a good idea
I
ncoming Harvard freshmen were asked to make the following pledge this semester:
“As we begin at Harvard, we commit to upholding the values of the College and to making the entryway and Yard a place where all can thrive and where the exercise of kindness holds a place on a par with intellectual attainment.” The problem with this pledge is that it is simply that — a pledge. If someone is already unkind to begin with, they will likely overlook this pledge. There is no outside entity that can force someone to be kind to someone else. If force is involved in such a way, the end result is not true kindness, but coerced kindess. True kindness is something that comes from the heart. However, let us hope that Harvard will actually see an impact from this pledge. They will likely see the immediate impact, not on those who need it most, but on their students who are already kind. This could have a snowball effect. As more students are nice to other students, those students who were treated in a nice way will theoretically return the gesture to someone else. If anything, this policy draws attention to the miserable state of our culture. American culture is not a culture of kindness. This is seen in all aspects of our culture, from the world of reality TV to the world of politics; from the way professors interact with their students to the way those same students interact with their parents. One unkind act often leads to another unkind act, but we have already learned that kindness works the same way. Try to imagine an America where people are courteous to each other, where they treat each other with respect and where they do not repay an unkind act with another act of similar unkindness. If more universities implement pledges that are similar to Harvard’s new pledge, we may actually be able to create an America that is closer to this imagined version. In the absence of such a pledge at UH, Coogs should make their own personal pledges. They should pledge to try to be more kind to their fellow Coogs. Perhaps they could start in the campus parking lots.
E D I TO R I A L P O L I C I E S 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) 743-5384. 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.
EDITOR Daniel Renfrow E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/opinion
UH administration manipulates the facts when it comes to Tier One
Tier what? A
ny unadorned claims that the University of Houston is a Tier One university are a distortion of the truth regarding its true status as an institution of higher learning. Several recent college rankings reflect the degree to which campus leaders have been overstating UH’s prominence. There seems to be an intentional failure to distinguish UH’s Marc credentials as a research Anderson university from its performance in all other aspects of academia. As a result, students are being misled about the quality of education they are receiving, and much focus has been taken away from the many deficiencies that the school desperately needs to address in order to genuinely achieve Tier One status. Failing to face this reality, UH’s attempts at self-promotion will continue to be undercut by the more publicized evaluations of others. Early this year, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching placed UH in the esteemed category of a university with “very high research activity.” This is its highest level and is equated with being a Tier One research institution. While commendable, this recognition is very narrowly focused on just a single facet of a university’s makeup. When referring to how it determines the status of a school, the Carnegie Foundation’s website states, “that the groups differ solely with respect to level of research activity, not quality or importance.” In effect, it becomes contingent on money, with universities buying their rank with research grants and expenditures. Acceptance standards, student
performance, graduate success and many other important attributes are excluded from this measure, making the label “Tier One research institution” only vaguely informative to future and current students. The assumption is made that a high level of research necessitates a stronglyperforming university overall, but it is actually the corollary of that is true. That is to say, a top university must produce superlative research. To add to this obfuscation, a sort of jingoistic propaganda operation has emerged that slyly omits the “research institution” modifier and deceptively declares that UH is simply “Tier One.” Only reluctantly does UH concede that the Carnegie classification is one of three measures used to fully distinguish an institution as Tier One, with the remaining two serving as better indicators of the University’s educational quality and commitment to student success. Considering UH’s relatively lax acceptance standards, its less-than-stellar 46 percent six-year graduation rate and its steadily declining teacher evaluations, it is unlikely that the University’s status will improve in the near future. Formal recognitions aside, the public is more inclined to dismiss any talk of UH being top tier due to its standing in several of the more prominent rankings of US universities and colleges. Recently, the U.S. News & World Report released their annual list of the best national universities, and UH was distinctly missing. This omission was not due to any oversight. Rather, UH’s rank fell outside of the range that was published. For perspective, UT was 45th, Texas A&M was 58th, UT-Dallas was 143rd and Texas Tech was 160th. Not only was UH far removed from the two officially recognized Tier One
Students are being misled about the quality of education they are receiving, and much focus has been taken away from the many deficiencies that the school desperately needs to address in order to genuinely achieve Tier One status.” universities in Texas, it placed below two of the state schools that are competing for a Tier One ranking of their own. Such a dismal showing is not an anomaly; Forbes List of America’s Top Colleges listed UH as 543 out of 650 and has the University lagging behind six other Texas schools. Another list from the Washington Monthly places UH at 237, again below Texas A&M, ranked 15th, and UT, ranked 19th. Obviously, there is a considerable degree of variability between these ranking systems, and it can be argued that many of the determining factors they rely on are largely subjective. However, the fact remains that UH consistently places far below the legitimate Tier One universities in both the state and the nation. Understandably, UH is not going to advertise itself as a “Second Tier educational university,” but it should not inflate its credentials in order to sell itself. The University claims that it is making great strides towards improving its academic features, but for now it should save the “Tier One” banner until it has fully earned it. Marc Anderson is a 3rd-year cell biology Ph.D. student and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.
Presidential debates will expose Perry
W
ith Gov. Rick Perry’s announcement that he intends to run as the Republican presidential candidate, the political talkers, writers and reporters have been sinking their teeth into him like vampire bats. Those not in the know may assume this is because Perry is a bit of an eccentric, but the real reason is that Perry finally has to participate in debates, David and people can’t stop Haydon talking about it. While running for his third term as governor of Texas, Perry refused to debate. He also refused to answer questions from reporters and journalists. Perry did everything in his power to sell himself like a well-marketed household appliance, never deviating from his well-prepared and well-written speeches. This may have stemmed from his campaign managers and statisticians who suggested that he wouldn’t have to debate in order to win his third round as governor. They were right. All of that is in the past when contending for a Republican presidential nomination. A presidential candidate must debate. There is no dodging the
question. There is no ducking the issues. Perry has no choice. He has to answer questions. In the beginning of August, when large areas of Texas blazed with fire, Perry dropped campaign meetings and planned to be absent for a NBC debate. Perry felt the need to be in Texas during the time of crisis. Later, during a CNN hosted Tea Party Republican candidate debate, Perry stood among Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann and others. This was when the media noticed something: The other candidates grilled Perry nonstop. Bachmann and Romney raked Perry over the coals. Perry was constantly referenced and attacked for his views on Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, as well as the State’s undocumented immigrant issues. On the 2006 HPV vaccine he said his decisions were a mistake. On Social Security being a joke he said he no longer felt that way. On some issues he merely did the classic politician duck and weave, as all the other candidates did. It’s true that Perry stole the spotlight from Michele Bachmann when he announced his candidacy. Bachmann, who was the favorite of the far right, may have felt jilted, but should probably
thank Perry; he caused her to look more moderate. Debates aren’t the only medium that make Perry look bad. Critics are calling him out on his book, “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington.” Perry didn’t pull any punches in the text, which outlined his views on state rights, gay rights, the theory of evolution, climate change and other hot topics. His spokesperson said that the book doesn’t reflect Perry’s current views on politics, but the text hit the shelves less than a year ago. How soon can one change their political opinions and viewpoints? When the debates occur, Perry has to own up to the HPV vaccine fiasco. Perry has to blush when his relationship to big businesses comes up. Perry has to account for the embarrassment that is Texas public education system. Good looks and charisma cannot compensate for these. Make no mistake — Perry is charismatic out on the campaign trail, but that charisma can only be utilized when he’s not being forced to own up to his mistakes. If Perry wants to run for president, he’s going to have a lot of explaining to do. David Haydon is a political science senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Daily Cougar
5
■
EDITOR Joshua Siegel E-MAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/sports
FILE PHOTO/THE DAILY COUGAR
FOOTBALL
Quarterback gets props for performance in comeback win Senior quarterback Case Keenum got another pat on the back from Conference USA yesterday, winning his second C-USA Offensive Player of the Week Award this season. Only UH players have earned the accolade so far. Senior wide receiver Patrick Edwards won the award after last weekend’s win against North Texas, Keenum previously won it after the Week 1 victory against UCLA. Keenum completed 25 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns — one to senior running back Michael Hayes and the other two to Edwards. He had 15 incompletions and two interceptions in the Cougars’ 35-34 win versus Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The signal-caller helped rally UH back from a 27-point deficit in the second half by marching the offense into the end zone on four consecutive possessions. It was the biggest comeback in school history, Through three games, UH is the top passing team in the country, averaging 408 yards per contest. Keenum is also the NCAA leader in total offense with an average of 382.7 yards per game. On the year Keenum is completing almost 67 percent of his passes for 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has a quarterback efficiency of 168.6. Keenum has thrown for at least 300 yards 28 times, has thrown for multiple touchdowns in a game 29 times and he is tied for fourth in NCAA history with 117 touchdown passes. — Cougar Sports Services
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Former player set to join Buchanan’s staff One of the best basketball players to ever wear a UH uniform will make a return to Hofheinz Pavilion. Forward Chandi Jones has joined head coach Todd Buchanan’s as the video coordinator. Her responsibilities will include editing game footage, scouting other teams and other duties to help UH prepare for games. “My short- and long-term vision has been to have former players come back to the staff and reunite as part of our basketball family,” Buchanan said in a release. “For this to come full circle in such a short amount of time, it’s remarkable. The word exciting doesn’t do full justice to how I feel about having Chandi Jones back at the University of Houston.” Jones played at UH from 2000-2004, and finished her career with an average of 23.6 points per game — good for the all-time best mark at UH. After college she was selected eighth overall by the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. “This is a great opportunity to come back to the University of Houston,” Jones said. “I have so much pride in this school, and I took pride in representing it when I played. I’m grateful to be able to contribute to getting the program back to where it belongs.” — Cougar Sports Services
Freshman forward Alexis Weaver and the Cougars will have the chance to stretch their win streak to four games when they open up their Conference USA schedule against Memphis on Friday at Robertson Stadium. | Aaron Cisneros/The Daily Cougar
SOCCER
UH on three-game win streak Non-conference schedule ends on a high note as Cougars defeat Ragin’ Cajuns Joachim Clarke
THE DAILY COUGAR The Cougars notched their third consecutive win of the season when they downed the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 2-0 Friday at Robertson Stadium. After starting the season with five straight losses, the Cougars have improved to 3-5-0 on the season. Head coach Susan Bush said she was impressed with the effort given by the Cougars’ attack Friday. “Wins build confidence,” she said. “We
still have things we need to work on, but I thought we looked good in this game.” Freshman forward Kelsey Zamora scored her third goal of the season on a through pass in the 24th minute. Racing up the left wing, the freshman forward chipped the ball over ULL goalkeeper Amanda Moorefield to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. The advantage remained for the first half as the Cougars continued to apply pressure, but were unable to break through a resilient Ragin’ Cajun defense until after the half. “The past two weeks we’ve come together as a team and done a lot of team bonding stuff,” Zamora said. “That shows on the field that we’re being a team. We know how to play and who to
SPLITS
Split personalities onal alit al itie tie es Since losing sing ng g ttheir h ir he ir first rstt five ve he C he o g ou gaarss h ead ea d games, th the Cougars head nce e US U Ap pl lay ay into Conference USA play with a three-game me e wi w winning iinn nniin nn in streak.
Wins
Losses
12
Goals For
2
0
Goals Against
14
W-L
0-5
3-0
SOCCER continues on page 6
VOLLEYBALL
League play set to begin against Owls Ricardo Rivera
THE DAILY COUGAR UH will open Conference USA play today when it goes to Rice for the first of two meetings against their cross-town rivals. UH (7-3) enters the matchup as winners of four of its final five non-conference matches, the most recent coming against Lamar in a quick three-set sweep at the Athletics/Alumni Center on Sept. 13. “I think coming off Lamar and the other previous weekends we’ve had, this match is huge for us being the conference opener,” head coach Molly Alvey said. “Everything we’ve worked for and practiced, we’re hoping translates into conference wins. Ultimately, that’s where we earn our bid into the NCAA Championship.” Currently, UH sports a 4-0 record at VOLLEYBALLcontinues on page 6
The Cougars get a chance to improve on their 3-3 road record against Rice. All of UH’s road games have taken place out of state. | Yvette Dávila/The Daily Cougar
6
■
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SPORTS
The Daily Cougar
TENNIS
Fraser, Sanders help UH open strong Two of four reach semis at Islanders Open Cougar Sports Services
Sophomore Ceclia Fraser led the Cougars to wins in six of 10 combined singles matches to open the fall season at the Islanders Open in Corpus Christi. “We wanted to get some wins and we did,” head coach John Severance said. “We also found what we needed to work on and we will.” Fraser reached the semifinals before falling to Karrie Cartwright of Tyler Junior College (6-3, 6-1). Sophomore Dionne Sanders also lost in the semifinals (6-2, 6-0). Severance did not accompany the Cougars for the trip, but was encouraged by what he heard from his assistants. “I don’t like to lose,” Severance said. “Any time they lose I don’t like it. But from what the girls and the assistant coach said, we played with good intensity and we
Sophomore Dionne Sanders was one of two Cougars to reach the semi-finals at the Islanders Open. Sanders went 13-7 last season. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar also had a few errors, which led to some of the losses. That’s what we will be working on.” Next up for the Cougars is the San Diego State Invitational beginning on Sept. 30. After that, UH will send the
four student-athletes who did not compete at the Islanders Open to the Roberta Allison Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Additional reporting by Channler Hill. sports@thedailycougar.com
VOLLEYBALL continued from page 5
the Athletics/Alumni Center, with all three of their losses coming in tournaments played on the road. Though the Cougars have proven to be offensively explosive, the inability to maintain composure in tight situations has left UH vulnerable for dropoffs late in games at times. In two attempts, UH has yet to claim a match on an opponent’s home court. “Essentially we’re at home, but on an away court,” Alvey said. “The only way you come out a winner is by keeping your composure. “All those really good things that we’ve been doing from the beginning of matches, we’ve also got to do at game point. That’s something we’ve struggled with.” After claiming wins against Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin at the Chilly Filmore’s SFA Invitational, Rice begins conference play with a 5-6 record. The Owls were picked to finish sixth in the preseason Conference USA Coaches Poll. “We’re going to need to a full team effort,” Alvey said. “We have the firepower to really dominate, so if we
Freshman setter Caitlin Ogletree leads the Cougars in assists with 370 on the year. | Emily Chambers/The Daily Cougar have five attackers on, we’ll be really difficult to stop. “We’ve worked our butts off this preseason, and during the summer, so now we’ve got to bring it to conference.” First serve for the C-USA opener is set for 7 p.m. today at Tudor Fieldhouse. sports@thedailycougar.com
SOCCER continued from page 5
Kennedy Foundation The Kennedy Foundation is a not for profit organization started in the Fall of 2011. Its mission is to serve the local Houston community. Its staff will be made up solely of student volunteers, from the President of the organization to the Secretary. Hence, if you are passionate about your community and want to develop your leadership skills, please consider joining the Kennedy Foundation.
Develop Leadership Skills Learn to Run a Non-Profit Organization Enhance Your Community Build a Strong Resume Helping Our Communities Each and Every Day. For More Information: Contact Brad Horton at Bradley.horton@nationaldiversitycouncil.org
A Four Year Mentoring Program designed to prepare students to transition from college to career. *Accepting only Freshmen.
Curriculum includes: Career Planning Leadership Skill Visibility Strategy Communications Skills
Only Six Spots Available
Following Majors should Submit an Application: x x x
Business Economics Political Science
x x
Engineering Communication
Submit Applications to CEO of the National Diversity Council: Dennis Kennedy at dennis.kennedy@denniskennedy.org
play to.” In the second half, UH continued to push forward as the ULL defense began to tire. The Cougars’ form began to show as their passes became crisper. The Cougars consistently held the ball in their opponents’ half of the pitch and registered a season high 22 shots for the game. “We strung our passes together and created all kinds of different chances,” Bush said. “We J Sophomore Cami weren’t predictKoski has posted able in the shutouts in the attack. Cougars’ three wins. “Now we just have to finish more of our 22 shots.” The Cougars breathed a collective sigh of relief in the 83rd minute when sophomore forward Sami Sackos found freshman forward Alexis Weaver in the open field with one defender to beat the defender at the top of the 18 and drove the ball into the top right corner for her second tally of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Cami Koski registered her third straight shutout of the season, but the Cougar defense made her job easy as the ULL offense struggled producing only four shots, none of which were on goal. “The defense holds a tight line in the back,” Koski said. “I do what I have to do, but the defense pretty much keeps me in the clear.” The victory marked the end of a difficult non-conference schedule for the Cougars. However, the road will not get any easier for the squad as they open conference play against the defending Conference USA champions Memphis on Friday at Robertson Stadium. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. sports@thedailycougar.com
The Daily Cougar
ADVERTISING
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
■
7
8
■
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Daily Cougar
EDITOR Mary Baak E-MAIL arts@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/arts
Taken to the
Limits Mary Baak
THE DAILY COUGAR
I
Above: Austin City Limits brought between 70,000 and 80,000 concert-goers each day to Zilker Park this weekend. | Ashley Garmon
Right: Cee Lo Green performed his Saturday afternoon set on the Bud Light stage. He was backed by a band of women who added loads of sex appeal to the performance. | Dave Mead
Fleet Foxes attracted the most indie of all audiences this weekend. Their predominantly acoustic set still had folks dancing and singing along to the tunes. | Dave Mead
Bringing the Austin City Limits to a close, Arcade Fire performed an hour-and-a-half long set to an audience that spanned nearly half of the festival grounds. | Ashley Garmon
f you didn’t make it to Austin City Limits this year, your ears missed out on an incredible musical experience.
Of more than 130 acts, there were seven performances that captivated the audience and stole the entire 10th anniversary festival. Friday night headliners Coldplay and Kanye West weren’t the only good events at ACL. Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, Cee Lo Green, Chromeo and Arcade Fire gave performances that had everyone at Zilker Park singing at the top of their lungs with their hands in the air. Iron & Wine took the stage while rain fell over the park on Saturday afternoon. Their set featured jazz instrumentals, which are prevalent in their more recent work. Both Cee Lo and Chromeo took it up a notch later in the evening with performances that oozed sex appeal. Cee Lo wasn’t modest about his sexual prowess and had four smoking hot women on guitar, bass, drums and keys. Dave Macklovitch and his partner, P-Thugg had their audience — which was comprised mostly of high school and college-aged girls — fawning over their performance. On Sunday afternoon the Bud Light stage had back-to-back performances from Broken Social Scene, Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire. As one might expect, there were quite a few plaid flannel shirts, Wayfarers and fedoras in the audience. Broken Social Scene performed a set of about 10 songs, one of which was a cover of Modest Mouse’s “The World at Large.” They brought their set to a close with a full, electrifying sound that was unmatched by any other act at the festival. Fleet Foxes followed suit with an exceptional folk rock set which featured a number of songs from their first record. “Ragged Wood” and “Mykonos” captivated audience members and “White Winter Hymnal” was easily the most notable performance of their set. As the last act of the entire festival, Arcade Fire opened with a suburbia-themed film. Their performance attracted fans young and old. They mostly played songs from their recent album, “The Suburbs,” which won album of the year in February; however, a sprawling, passionate performance of “Wake Up” ignited the audience, resulting in them screaming the lyrics along with Win Butler himself. The lights and sound from Arcade Fire’s set resonated across Zilker as the sun set over a brilliant performance — it was a perfect end to a perfect weekend.
arts@thedailycougar.com
Though it rained during most of their set, Iron & Wine delivered a spot-on performance with keys, guitars and added percussion. | Matt Ellis
LIFE+ARTS
The Daily Cougar
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
■
9
NOTES FROM THE CHEF
playlist »
Austin City Limits playlist
T
he sounds of more than 130 acts to music aficionados resonated through Zilker Park in Austin this weekend. If you didn’t make the trek down 290 to see your favorite musicians perform, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight songs from our favorite performances from ACL. — Mary Baak Gold Digger Kanye West
Boy With a Coin Iron & Wine
We Used to Wait Arcade Fire
In My Place Coldplay
Hang Me Up to Dry Cold War Kids
Don’t Cha Cee Lo Green
Lights & Music Cut Copy
Night by Night Chromeo
RE
DUCE USE CYCLE
In the kitchen, less is always more The number of gadgets people feel compelled to buy for their kitchen always comes as a surprise to me. I am not condemning the idea of having kitchen tools, but not those that are Jorge made with only Porras one function. In the end, you wind up wasting money on several gadgets for a job that only one could do. One gadget that always comes to mind is the garlic press, which is essentially a hinge device that pushes a clove of garlic through a small grate and considers this to pass for mincing. I have heard the advocates say that the garlic press comes in handy if you don’t like the smell of garlic to be on your hands or when you’re in a rush and don’t have time to mince by hand. Though these statements may be true, you will find yourself having to clean out the tiny little grate and hinge so as to avoid sticking and build up of bacteria. All I see is meticulous cleaning for a tiny payoff. If you need a tool that will make garlic mincing easier, look no further than a Microplane. I have used
mine for zesting, shredding cheese, grinding spices, mincing garlic and shaving chocolate. The Microplane is a truly multipurpose tool that no kitchen should be without. One of the most commonly used utensils that have become overly specialized are knives. It seems as though there is a knife that has been hand-crafted for every kind of cutting job. The worst part is that people spend obscene amounts of money on several types of knives when one of three basic knives can do the job. Honestly, there’s no reason why someone would need a knife specifically made to deal with the extremely complicated job of cutting vegetables. Having worked in the industry for almost one-third of my life, it’s no secret that the only knives you really need are the chef’s knife, the fillet knife and the serrated knife. The chef’s knife is the cornerstone of any knife set. The majority of all cutting tasks can be done with this knife. Some may argue that there is a need for a paring knife and a chef’s knife may seem too bulky, but remember you can almost always do a little job with a big knife but you can’t do a big job
with a little knife. If the chef’s knife is the muscle, then the fillet knife is the finesse. When kept sharp enough, I have found this knife to be almost as versatile as the chef’s knife. Though I may not be filleting a fish everyday, I still can use it for removing the rind from the zest of an orange or lemon, separating the ribs off of peppers or performing a task meant for a finer pointed knife that my chef’s knife cannot perform. When slicing won’t work, you can always make use of the serrated knife for bread slicing, cutting bones, cutting hard cheeses and anything else you don’t want to dull your knife by cutting. The only advice that I would give about purchasing the right knife is to never buy a flexible serrated knife — leave that characteristic for the fillet knife. A flimsy serrated knife never cuts in a straight line. Unless you have an enormous kitchen to fill with a bunch of useless gadgets, you’ll want to purchase tools that you can get the most use and value out of, while conserving space and overall time. arts@thedailycougar.com
In addition to keeping you updated on the latest news, sports, arts and campus happenings, The Daily Cougar can also be used as a bookcover, a paper airplane or an umbrella for those rainy days. When you’re done, don’t forget to recycle.
GET SOME DAILY & TWEET SOME DAILY Got twitter? Tell us you’re reading, snap the QR code to tweet @thedailycougar!
In print. Online. On the go.
10
â–
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
OPINION
The Daily Cougar
GOP to gain votes from ID bill
LETTERS
W
Cover of 9/11 issue was offensive, unprofessional
hen the voting rights act was implemented in 1965, the spirit of the law was to put an end to widespread discriminatory practices in the South that were aimed at preventing African-American citizens from voting. Poll taxes, literacy tests and other discriminatory practices were banned, and states that had used such tactics — including Texas — were required by the act to obtain pre-clearance from the Department of Justice before enacting any changes Emily to voting practices. Brooks The DOJ is currently reviewing Texas Senate Bill 14, which passed the Texas legislature earlier this year. This bill, which would become the most stringent voter ID legislation in the nation, would require all Texans to show a photo ID before being allowed to cast their ballot, even if they are on the voting roll. Nonphoto identification, such as voter registration certificates or birth certificates, will no longer be accepted. Minority and impoverished citizens are twice as likely to lack government-issued photo ID. Many students also lack a photo ID other than their student ID card, especially in cities like Austin where driving is unnecessary. Student IDs will not be accepted under the new law. It is interesting that while identification regularly held by minorities and young people are not acceptable, some exceptions have been made to the law. Persons born prior to 1931 will be exempt, and a handgun license will be an eligible form of ID. A section of the bill permits voters to receive an ID from the DPS free of charge. This provision, which could cost the state up to $14 million, allows voters to place a provisional ballot so long as they are in possession of the
identification within 6 days of casting the provisional ballot. As anyone who has received an ID from a Texas DPS can tell you, it will be a miracle if the ID is received within two weeks. This bill, and the many others like it around the country, is designed to discourage in-person voter fraud. Certainly voter fraud is disturbing, and if by potentially disenfranchising thousands of voters, we can eliminate a larger number of fraudulent votes, perhaps voter ID would be a necessary evil. The problem is that ID laws only impact one type of fraud — in-person voter fraud. According to a comprehensive report on voter fraud conducted by the NYU School of Law’s Brennan Center for Justice in 2007, “It is more likely that an individual will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.� So if we know that the only kind of fraud this bill could prevent, in-person voter fraud, is practically non-existent and that by implementing the law thousands of Texas voters would face significant barriers to their constitutional right to vote at great cost to our state, why bother with a voter ID law at all then? Royal Masset, the former political director for the Republican party of Texas, was quoted by the Houston Chronicle in 2007 saying, “It is an article of religious faith that voter fraud is causing us to lose elections.� This is a true statement, but not for the obvious reason. According to the same 2007 Houston Chronicle article, enforcing a voter ID law would add 3 percent to the Republican vote. This is because such a law would result in the political disenfranchisement of poorer Democratic voters — the true goal of Texas Senate Bill 14. Emily Brooks is an economics senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.
CLASSIFIEDS BULLETIN BOARD
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
I find it extremely unprofessional and insensitive to have used the image of one of the tragic and fatal explosions of the towers. It is disrespectful of all the families and friends that were directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy of that day, and insensitive to the American people. People don’t use images of
Send yours to letters@thedailycougar.com car wrecks or freak accidents at their loved one’s funerals do they? Instead of having used such a horrid image of a fatal event, why wasn’t an image of the new memorial used instead, or simply the American Flag? I am asking again for the writer of the article, and the staff involved in the choosing and approval of that image (including yourselves), to apologize for its use as soon as possible on a forthcoming issue of the Daily Cougar (noticeably on
the cover), on your website, on twitter, and facebook pages. Not to myself, but to everyone that was offended and for the profession of serious journalism. As someone else offended by the image reminds us in the comments “ Codes of journalism: Harm limitation principle - Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.� — Pedro
EDITOR’S RESPONSE While the concern is noted, the photo of the Twin Towers on the front page was not meant to be disrespectful or insensitive. The Daily Cougar always takes its front page seriously. We do not place something on the front of the paper without weighing the outcome first. This was especially true for the 9/11 issue. This singular voice of dissent may find the photo to be in bad taste, but that is not the stance of The Daily Cougar. The photo is everlasting proof of what happened on
9/11. It is an intense image; the attacks were a terrible tragedy that were seared into the brain of every American instantly. We chose to display the photo so people do not forget just what 9/11 was. It was frightening, chaotic and evil. As for the claim that publishing the photo was not serious journalism, The Daily Cougar was not the only media outlet with pictures or video of 9/11. MSNBC, ABC, CNN and too many newspapers to name all played back the newscasts and images of
the Twin Towers. Just because the image is horrific does not mean it should not be on the front page, at least not in this particular case. We are memorializing the worst terrorist attack on US soil, and the best way we felt we could do that is by showing the image as it happened, not by using a stock photo of the flag or a picture of Ground Zero. We take the concerns of our readers seriously, but the Daily Cougar stands by its choice to publish a photo of 9/11. — Jack Wehman
JOBS, HOUSING, SERVICES + MORE 713-743-5356 classifieds@thedailycougar.com thedailycougar.com/classifieds HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Egg Donors Needed. Ages 21-32. Earn $5,000+, High demand for Asians. Surrogate Mothers Needed. Earn $25,000+, Ages 21-39.
(713) 771-9771 www.cooperinstitutearm.com email : ivf@cooperinstitutearm.com
TRAVEL
HERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE PAID FOR YOUR OPINIONS!
)JSJOH $BUFSJOH
8"*545"''
FOR SALE
1BSU UJNF GMFYJCMF TDIFEVMFT NPTUMZ OJHIU BOE XFFLFOET 1BZ TUBSUJOH BU QFS IPVS /P FYQFSJFODF OFDFTTBSZ 1BJE 5SBJOJOH
MOTOR-ASSISTANT BICYCLES from $550 & up. 125+ mpg and 30 mph. No insurance, registration or license required. Call Miserly Motors at 832596-5400.
ROOMS FOR RENT ROOM FOR RENT 1 bdrm garage apt. $575/mo+ gas/electricity. 5 min from UH. 713-504-1260 ask for Sam CHECK OUT Cougar Classifieds online: thedailycougar.com/classifieds
Please give us a call at (713) 840-9500 and ask about our Young Adult projects!
IS!KBDLTPOBOEDPNQBOZ OFU
RENTALS 1 BR TOWN HOME $550 per month. $195 move in. 843 sq ft. Call Brad at (713) 392-3248.
Plaza Research, a marketing research firm located in the Galleria, is looking for students and consumers to participate in focus group discussions or interviews. Participants are paid immediately after each group or interview. Compensation usually averages $75 for a 2 hour group.
PART TIME CAREGIVER NEEDED Female needed to assist partially disabled wife during the mornings and some weekends. Days off to be arranged. Must be able to assist with showering, dressing, driving to store, moving from wheelchair to seat etc. Galleria area apartment. Call Brian 713 298 8783 THANKS for reading The Daily Cougar!
MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Museum district. Looking for Subs/Assts. Flex hrs. Excellent for child dev, Education or Psy majors! Call 713-520-0738 *STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM* PAID survey takers needed in Houston. 100 percent FREE to join! Click on Surveys. Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www. AdDriveClub.com
You saw it in the Cougar. Remember that. THE DAILY COUGAR classifieds
We are seeking a full-time or part-time International Assistant Buyer in the 610 Loop & Richmond area, with strong organization, verbal, and written communication skills, and proďŹ ciency in Microsoft OfďŹ ce. The position is good for Supply Chain majors, please send resumes to gekko@gekko-inc.com
Female driver wanted to drive15 year old daughter from home to University of Houston and activities. For more information please reply to gilbertchin@yahoo.com
NEED A JOB? WE’VE GOT ‘EM RIGHT HERE. Ž
THE DAILY COUGAR
ÂŽ
The Daily Cougar
COMICS & MORE
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
COMICS
CROSSWORD
Blundergrads by Phil Flickinger
ACROSS 1 Talk big 5 1960s hairdos 10 Fluctuate 14 Gray wolf 15 Mild recession 16 If not 17 Cat’s-paw 18 Mammy Yokum 19 Igneous rock, once 20 Turkey filler 22 Minor mistakes 23 Pass the -24 In -- (as found) 26 Muppet grouch 29 House feature 33 Disagreeable people 34 Dutch export 35 Neckline type 36 Indigo plant 37 Mooring posts 38 Cereal holder 39 Hasty escape 40 Thick wools 41 Country bumpkin 42 Hiss 44 Lutz alternatives 45 Beatty and Buntline 46 Coyote’s plaint 48 Roof topping 51 Unclean 55 Refer to 56 Not quite right 58 Cathedral part 59 Shaman’s quest 60 Coffee and steamed milk 61 Manitoba tribe 62 Conductor’s baton 63 Hawke or Coen 64 Do damage to
The Fishbowl by Thomas Hernandez
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
DOWN 1 Diner orders 2 Show team spirit 3 -- Ben Adhem 4 Duffer’s need 5 Tomato jelly 6 Side 7 Ladder part 8 Mantra chants 9 Go undercover 10 Expensive paper
©
11 12 13 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 37 38 40 41 43
Jai -Host’s plea Pro votes Expensive coats Dance move Flavors the popcorn Cow-headed goddess Translucent gems Mideast desert Scale a peak Flat-topped hill Call forth Stair post Informs Does a no-no in pinball Tiny sphere Picnic to go (2 wds.) Leave in a hurry Ketch’s cousin Mean to
46 Shade-loving plant 47 Merlin --, former NFLer 48 Barge 49 City or bean 50 Ra’s symbol 51 Kind of helmet 52 Scarlett O’Hara estate 53 Constantly 54 Regard as 56 Pub pint 57 Floor pad
■
2010 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.
Previous puzzle solved
CONSTITUTION DAY IN 2011 The Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs are joining efforts to promote the observation of this special day in the history of the United States.
U. S. Constitution Day Observance Did you know that every school receiving Federal funds MUST observe Constitution Day on September 17th (can be observed the week before, during or after), and provide a Constitution-related educational program? UH’s annual Constitution Day of observance is scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st from 11:30am to 1:00pm
GET SOME DAILY
BY EMAIL Snap the QR code with your smartphone and sign up for daily e-mail headlines!
In print. Online. On the go.
11
Display tables and the distribution of US flags and miniature Constitution booklets will be located at the University Center, UC Satellite and Cougar Village lobby. Other exhibits and online lectures are scheduled and can be found at www.uh.edu/constitutionday
Voter Registration Application Voter registration applications will also be available at the three sites noted above and at the Campus Housing service desks, the Student Information and Assistance Center at the UC, the Dean of Students Office, and through the Student Government Association and online at www.tax.co.harris.tx.us (click on Voter Registration)
Things to remember on voting: Deadline - October 11, 2011 Early Voting Starts - October 24, 2011 Last Day of Early Voting - November 4, 2011 General Election Day - November 8, 2011
visit www.uh.edu/constitutionday for more information.
12
■
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
ADVERTISING
The Daily Cougar