Issue 26, Volume 77 by The Cougar

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Statistics open for interpretation with Cougars’ defensive unit

October 5, 2011

Stay healthy by avoiding cantaloupe

Issue 26, Volume 77

ADMINISTRATION

Khator praises University at fall address Jennifer Postel

THE DAILY COUGAR

Renu Khator is the 13th president of UH and has served since 2008. She is the first foreign born chancellor of the UH System. | Yulia Kutsenkova/The Daily Cougar

UH President Renu Khator explained why 2011 has been a banner year for the University in her third annual fall address Tuesday. Khator addressed hundreds of faculty, staff and board members – including Welcome Wilson, Jr. and newly-appointed Chairwoman Nelda Luce Blair – at Moore’s Opera House and expressed her sincere joy over UH’s recent national recognition. “Congratulations,” Khator said excitedly. “We did it!” During the last 10 months the University has made it’s mark on the national stage. Beginning in January with a Tier One designation from the Carnegie Foundation, the accolades continued to roll in for Texas’ third largest university – including being named one of the 376 best colleges in the nation by the Princeton Review. “In 2027 the University of Houston will celebrate it’s 100th birthday,” Khator said. “A history of the University will be written that day, there will be a chapter dedicated to one particular year, 2011.”

President Khator emphasized that “student success and Tier One status is a non-negotiable” and cannot be achieved without the support of a talented faculty and staff. In July the Chronicle for Higher Education named UH to its list of great colleges to work for, and to build on this achievement and the achievements of the students Khator has dedicated herself and the University to the enhancement of the school’s faculty and staff. “At this time, when we have great momentum, we cannot allow our talent to leave for greener pastures,” Khator said. “Therefore, this year, I am committed to faculty and staff raises. However, they will be based on a strict evaluation.” Keeping in line with the focus of continued student success, one area of concern is the University’s graduation rate – which lags behind the current national average of 53 percent. Currently, UH has a graduation rate of 46 percent. The seven percent gap is enough to keep the school from being recognized as a Tier One institution by the U.S. News and World Report. Beginning next year, admission standards will change to align with that of other Tier One universities.

President Khator assured the audience that the graduation gap should be of no serious concern and instead turned attention towards hard work and dedication as the characteristics of future success. “Research indicates that higher expectations inspire people to work harder and to achieve greater,” Khator said. “As long as they have the necessary tools to do so. “The focus has to be on offering the necessary tools and not on lowering the expectations, because as we all know, these students, after graduating, will face a world that is increasingly competitive.” A number of initiatives have been set in motion to ensure this success including the placement of UH advisers throughout the local community college systems, as well as offering a free education to students from low-income families. Khator told the audience that despite the challenges placed upon the University during the last year, it has still found a way to succeed. “You are our greatest asset,” Khator said. “Today, I ask for your leadership and I ask for your energies.” news@thedailycougar.com

ADMINISTRATION

VP for student affairs addresses campus issues at discussion Talk focuses on expanding university services, programs Ryan Rockett

THE DAILY COUGAR The newly-appointed UH vice chancellor and vice president of student affairs tackled issues concerning residency, parking and security posed by students in an afternoon roundtable discussion Tuesday in the UC Bluebonnet Room. About 15 student leaders attended the meeting after receiving personal invitations from J. Richard Walker, who is now three weeks into his term. Directly following UH President Renu Khator’s Fall Address, Walker opened the session by expounding on the administration’s University Center renovation and expansion plan as well as plans to expand student housing. The housing plan involves the construction of Cougar Village 2, beginning next May following the demolition and renovation of Cougar

Place. The new buildings will increase student rooms from the current 6,000-8,000. The vice president said plans are also in place to improve security in the area, and interviews for a second Police Chief position are currently underway. When asked if funding will be reflected in higher student fees and tuition, Walker said there’s no easy answer. “Our goal is to try and make sure we spend with efficiency,” Walker said, citing the recent cut in state appropriations. “It will be difficult. We have to be cognizant of the ceiling of what students can pay. “Housing rate and student fee increases are things that we will be looking at to try to do the best we can to keep education affordable for everybody.” Walker also said the administration is considering the construction of a new Health Center on campus, and the board is open to exploring green energy initiatives to cut costs further. Concerning the school’s constrained parking and expensive student garage parking passes, Walker said he plans to meet with the

director of parking and transportation soon to address student problems. “Anytime you’re expanding your infrastructure there’s always a parking issue,” Walker said. “There are going to be parking growing pains, but in this planning process we need to figure out that if parking is going to be displaced because of construction, then where are these students supposed to park?” Student Program Board member Amber Mulligan informed Walker of communication issues between student organizations and residents, and Walker took on a personal responsibility to fix the problem. “I think you will see much more collaboration and partnerships,” Walker said. “My expectation is that we do not need to be working in silence, we need to be working for the general good of the overall student experience.” Walker replaced interim Vice President Michael Lawrence on Aug. 17. He plans to have at least two more roundtable discussions this semester and encouraged a free flowing format in which students can openly discuss issues and ideas.

Student Government Association Education Senator Denise McDougall said the event was a great opportunity. “I feel it was very positive,” the education junior said. “We were able to ask any question, and he was very responsive.” “I think he is very student oriented, and I feel confident that he will effect change.” The event was organized by Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs Juanita Jackson, who also provided lunch and beverages to the attendees. Walker was appreciative of the feedback and participation of the students during the event. “One of the most exciting components of my job is working with student leaders to create a stronger and more robust campus life and student experience,” Walker said in the invitation extended to student organizations. “The Division of Student Affairs staff and student leaders must be partners in this process.” news@thedailycougar,com

NEWS

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

In print print. Online Online. On the go go.

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Where do I get the latest UH news?

This Week in History This weekly article aims to show that historical events are comparable with events transpiring today; however, there will be interesting events and fun facts as well. In addition, I will be delving into the historical goings on at the University of Houston. I hope you enjoy it — If you have any suggestions or events that you would like to share, don’t hesitate to contact me at news@thedailycougar.com. — Zach Boudreaux

WORLD

Important Events

Fun Facts

On Oct. 5, 1947, President Harry S. Truman gave the first televised presidential address. He asked for the American public to conserve food to assist a war-torn Europe. Presidential addresses are used today to instantaneously broadcast important information, something that was previously done via radio. On Oct. 7, 1913, Henry Ford achieved his dream of making his cars attainable by the majority of the population by beginning an assembly line in his factories. On Oct. 8, 1971, The Great Chicago Fire started, burning a large portion of Chicago to the ground. Tragic as the event was, it led to a myth that the fire was started by a cow kicking over a lantern.

On Oct. 5, 1892, four of the five members of the Dalton Gang were killed in a shootout as they attempted to rob two banks. On Oct. 5, 1969, Monty Python’s Flying Circus first show was broadcast. On Oct. 6, 1889, The Moulin Rouge, a cabaret in Paris, opened its doors. On Oct. 6, 1955, LSD, an experimental psychedelic drug, was outlawed in the United States. On Oct. 11, 1975, ‘Saturday Night Live’ first featured George Carlin as a host for the show. On Oct. 8, 1976, The Sex Pistols, one of the most famous punk rock bands, signed a contract with EMI record company.

BIRTHDAYS

DEATHS

Oct. 5, 1830 — Chester A. Arthur Oct. 5, 1943 — Steve Miller Oct. 5, 1957 — Bernie Mac Oct. 7, 1885 — Niels Bohr Oct. 7, 1951 — John Mellencamp Oct. 7, 1952 — Vladimir Putin

Oct. 5, 2004 — Rodney Dangerfield Oct. 5, 2001 — Emilie Schindler Oct. 7, 1849 — Edgar Allen Poe Oct. 10, 2004 — Christopher Reeve Oct. 10, 1985 — Orson Welles Oct. 11, 1963 — Edith Piaf

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON On Oct. 9, 1991, drama professor Claude Caux stabbed himself in the abdomen in a second attempt at suicide. His first attempt occurred after the murder of local actress Mary Chovantez, when Caux stabbed the woman 15 times before turning the knife on himself.

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE LUNCH EACH WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER AT NOON 2 FLOOR ATRIUM OF THE ND

A.D. BRUCE RELIGION CENTER EXPERIENCE THE AMAZING SPIRITUAL DIVERSITY OF OUR U.H. COMMUNITY.

On Oct. 9, 1979, police arrested two students at a party in the UC for public intoxication and resisting arrest. Eyewitness Hugh McKenney reported that the officers used excessive force, stating that they “grabbed him by his hair and threw him face first against the wall.”

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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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Daily Cougar

EDITOR Joshua Siegel E-MAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/sports

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

It’s not as bad as it might look

Meet UH’s newest Cinderella story If you happen to be one of the few people on campus who’s managed to avoid Robertson Stadium Ricardo this fall, you’ll be Rivera glad to know the UH football squad hasn’t exactly stumbled through its first five games. Yes, the rumors are true — the Cougars are 5-0. And yes, Case Keenum and Michael Hayes are having the senior years everyone hoped they would. It certainly goes without saying that any renewed enthusiasm for UH around the Greater Houston area falls almost wholly on the backs of head coach Kevin Sumlin and the aptly dubbed “Cardiac Coogs.” As many in the know have already suggested, this very well may be the year UH reintroduces itself to the collegiate nation, and lands a prestigious spot in the splintering conference realignment bonanza. Sure, all that is enough to pump the blood of any die-hard Cougar, and rightly so. But with that in mind, UH fans are neglecting the fall’s true Cinderella story, the 10-5 volleyball team. When doling out credit for success — and there’s plenty to dole — it starts at the top. The UH Athletics Department made an excellent decision handing the reigns over to head coach Molly Alvey two seasons ago. She’s done everything short of suiting up and hitting the hardwood for the program since she arrived from Ole Miss. In just two years, she’s taken a broken program and made it legitimately competitive in a tough conference — that’s saying a lot for a team that only mustered nine wins in 2009. Without her imprint on the program, the Cougars don’t finish the 2010 season third in C-USA, and they certainly don’t start 2011 10-3. In terms of Xs and Os, junior outside hitter Katie Norris was a great find out of Ole Miss, and has paid off in the clutch again and again. She leads the Cougars in kills, holds the 11th spot for total points and 14th for kills per game in C-USA. Senior Lucy Charuk has been just as dominant, and been every bit the player her recent selection for the Canadian National Team would suggest. She currently ranks second in blocks per game in C-USA, and has served as the glue in tight moments. Critics, as critics do, may point out obvious flaws: they lack experience, and they’re undersized. Perhaps. But the Cougars have proven time and again they’ve got the most essential ingredient for success: grit. At this point, it’s a matter of execution. But UH fans would do well to hop on the bandwagon now, and avoid the traffic later. sports@thedailycougar.com

Defense gets by from creating turnovers

The Cougars rank fourth in points allowed in Conference USA and are tied for the best turnover margin at +3. | Joshua Siegel/The Daily Cougar

C-USA RANKINGS Pts allowed 3rd Dn %

Turnovers

TO Margin

4th 4th 2nd T-1st OVERALL

26.6

OVERALL

35.7%

OVERALL

Playing on Thursday instead of Saturday gave head coach Kevin Sumlin a chance to catch some of Joshua the other action Siegel happening around college football. “You watch the games Saturday and everybody’s scoring 30-something points,” he said. Of the 36 teams that played in the 18 games involving ranked teams, 21 of them cracked the 30-point mark. In Conference USA, six of the 11 teams in action scored more than 30 points. The Cougars allow an average of 413.4 yards per game, the 28th most in the NCAA. They also give up an average of 22.2 first downs per game. They allow plenty of big plays. But surprisingly, they have one of the better defenses in C-USA. “We’re fourth in the league in scoring defense at 26 points a game,” Sumlin said. “Seems crazy, but that’s where our league is.” Of course, it would be nice to get more stops, but the Cougars aren’t the Crimson Tide and it doesn’t seem like any of the other schools in C-USA have dramatically better defenses. The Cougars however have created the second-most turnovers in C-USA (11), which has helped

UH sees chance to move up in standings

Courtesy of UH Athletics

UH gets back in the pool for fall season

Cougars face second and third place teams Joachim Clarke

The Cougars will hit the road again this weekend. UH (4-8-0, 1-3-0 Conference USA) will face UTEP (9-3-1, 3-1-0 Conference USA) on Friday, and Colorado College (5-4-3, 3-0-1) on Sunday. The Cougars dropped both of last weekend’s games on the road. They will have to start strong against a Miners squad coming off a 3-1 victory against Southern Miss. UTEP is currently ranked third in the C-USA standings and have lost to only No. 25 UCF in conference play. Sunday’s matchup against second-place Colorado College will prove to be no easier. The Tigers are

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SWIMMING

SOCCER

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cover some of their blemishes, particularly against the run. “When you start looking at total numbers, I think you have to be careful with total defense and total offense,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “I look at points. “The name of the game, particularly for us, it’s points per game and defensive points per game.” And even if the 56-0 Georgia State massacre is removed from the equation, UH is allowing 33.3 points per game, while scoring a rather healthy 42.5 points per game. Opponents have only converted on 25-of-70 (35.7 percent) third down attempts. “I think that when we sit down at the beginning of the year, the things that we wanted to get better at primarily were our third down percentage and we needed to improve our rush defense,” Sumlin said. “I think our third down percentage has come down, but our rush defense is nowhere near where it needs to be.” It would be great to hold teams like Florida to 10 points in a game, but UH isn’t Alabama, nor is that a realistic goal right now. Most important is that the Cougars have come away with five wins in five weeks and have a chance to host and win the C-USA Championship.

Senior forward Jessica Zavalza leads the Cougars in goals, but has been held scoreless in her last three outings. | Aaron Cisneros/The Daily Cougar undefeated in their last six games, after most recently tying UCF 1-1. Scoring only one goal in their previous two outings, the Cougars will need to find an offensive spark against two of the conference’s topranked teams. The Cougars will have to hunker down defensively as well in order to shut down Tigers’ sophomore forward Lauren DiGregorio, who was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. The Cougars will be looking for leading goal-scorer Jessica Zavalza to step

up as she has been left off the score sheet in the last three games. Sitting at eighth in C-USA, the Cougars have their work cut out for them if they are to rise in the standings. Wins against two of the top three teams in C-USA will help their cause. Friday’s matchup against the Miners kicks off at 8 p.m. at University Field in El Paso. The Cougars then face the Tigers at 1 p.m. Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo. sports@thedailycougar.com

Head coach Augie Busch will get to see his squad compete for the first time when the Cougars begin their fall season today at the Red and White Meet at 3 p.m. at the Campus Recreation Wellness Center. The roster will be divided into two squads, competing against each other in two relay, eight individual and two diving events. The Cougars return 18 letterwinners (15 swimmers, three divers), and welcome four freshmen (three swimmers, one diver). UH will follow the meet with competitions against Boston University on Oct. 14 and Boston College on Oct. 15. — Cougar Sports Services

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

EDITOR Daniel Renfrow E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/opinion

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR LIFE

& ARTS EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Jack Wehman John Brannen Taylor McGilvray, Julian Jimenez Joshua Siegel Mary Baak Daniel Renfrow Natasha Faircloth

STAFF EDITORIAL

Occupy Houston starts national protest trend

ive years ago the e-book was nearly unheard of, but this month more than 11,000 public libraries across the nation will begin lending Kindle-format e-books through their library websites. The Kindle format joins e-books designed for Barnes & Noble’s Nook and the Sony Reader which are already available at select libraries. However, the Kindle has a much larger market share than these other readers and will also allow users to read Kindle books on a variety of other devices through its multi-platform applications.

he Occupy Wall Street protests are gaining steam — and they’re spreading. Houston, Dallas and Austin are all hosting protests on Thursday, and nearly every major US city is as well.

This is exactly how change happens. Libya, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have all started major government reforms because their citizens took to the streets and told the government to change or else. However, the Occupy Wall Street protests aren’t getting the same attention by the media that was given to similar movements in the Middle East this spring. Whether that’s because the US population is jaded or the media simply doesn’t care is another question. What’s clear is, no thanks to anyone but the supporters, the message is spreading. According to the Occupy Houston website, the protest is starting in the morning but anyone can show up, on time or not. “If you want to join us in the afternoon then please head directly to Hermann Square Park. Come join us and stand in peaceful solidarity with our brothers and sisters occupying Wall Street and the rest of the nation,” Occupy Houston says on the website. “Together we can END CORPORATE CORRUPTION OF DEMOCRACY!” UH students can assist in spreading the message by participating in Houston’s version of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Occupy Houston is an autonomous arm of the Occupy movement. That means it’s created by Houstonians for Houston’s benefit; the protests are put together from a Houston perspective; and the protest leaders are Houston-bred. UH students who are concerned about the direction of our nation should make an effort to come out for the protest Thursday. It will be a chance to let the Houston business community hear their dissatisfaction with the status quo, and it will be an opportunity for them to show solidarity with the protesters in other US cities. We are the future, and this movement is a chance for our voices be heard.

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.

Emily Brooks --E-BOOKS WILL INSPIRE NEW READERS

Since its inception in 2007, the Kindle has become quite popular. The rst version sold out in ve-and-a-half hours. The International Data Corporation estimates that in 2010, more than 12 million e-readers were sold, half of which were Kindles. Millions of books are now available in the e-book format, including 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright right works. E-readers have become ubiquitous on planes, Metro buses, and waiting rooms across the country. Due to the low costs of e-books and limited physical space, the new library program has the opportunity to make many more books available in the e-book format than could have t inside the building in paper form. Having to purchase an expensive device could easily mitigate the democratizing effects of access to such an extensive catalogue. One current set back of e-books is their lack of usefulness in a college environment. In 2010, a pilot study followed graduate students at seven universities using the larger format Kindle DX in their coursework and found that e-readers are simply not ready for higher education. The linear format of the Kindle is better suited to leisure reading than reference. Though it is possible to highlight and make notes on the Kindle, these functions so necessary to the college student can be awkward in practice. Furthermore, the bookmarking features can be buggy in some models, and it is cumbersome to move through sections quickly. Lastly, the e-reader industry has been reticent to permit individual lending of e-books. Publishers are understandably concerned about the rise of e-readers and the effect this will have on their bottom line. Amazon, the exception to this rule, allows the publisher to choose if a book can be lent. If the publisher gives permission, the book may be lent one time, for a 14-day period, but the majority of publishers decline, seeing every lend as a lost sale. This is not necessarily a one-to-one comparison. Many readers will purchase a borrowed book that they enjoyed, or more books by the same author, raising overall sales for that publisher. Prolic readers love to lend, borrow and share their books – hopefully Amazon’s deal with public libraries is indicative of a new acceptance of this social reading culture. BROOKS continued on page 8

DAVID DELGADO

Online education innovators should be wary

ome professors at elite universities are trying to devise a more economical university model, and they are using the Internet to do it. Sebastian Thrun, a Stanford professor, is an advocate of the online university and has ambitious goals: producing Rachel lectures and live, online Farhi discussions to thousands of students at a fraction of the cost, rewarding students for honed skills instead of “grades,” and eliminating the inefficiency of large campuses. Thrun is now offering free, online courses on artificial intelligence to over 100,000 students around the world. These courses teach the same material for which Stanford students pay $50,000 per year. Thrun offers dynamic, live lectures that end in a “Statement of Accomplishment,” but not Stanford credit. However, the opportunity to learn from the man who led the team

that built Google’s self-driving car is probably incentive enough to take his course. The high cost of a college education unfortunately perpetuates immobility between social classes; students from higher socioeconomic classes have almost automatic access, while students from disadvantaged neighborhoods have a much harder time. Supplementing a student’s education with online classes reduces the amount of money they have to spend. If students attend class only two days a week and have online courses the other three days, they save on gas, food, university fees, and other costs. However, what Thrun and other advocates of online universities do not consider are the non-academic skills and values that universities instill in students. Taking courses on a computer at home deprives students of a practical, social education that is necessary in most professions and not taught in high school. How does somebody develop a personal

relationship with a professor, or necessary networking skills when he or she is only one in a class of five thousand, and the only method of communication with peers and professors is through online chat or a discussion board? Professionals, especially service providers, need social skills almost as much as they need qualifications. Another problem with online courses is cheating from lack of supervision. Thrun portrays students with an idealism that is inspirational, but seems to be ignoring reality. Anyone can sit behind a computer screen and take a course, including a friend of a person enrolled in that course. So, how do we know who is sitting behind that screen? Without a professor and teaching assistants, to whom is the student accountable? Reducing the amount of money spent on a college education and increasing accessibility does not fix the problem of individual drive, appreciating the significance of one’s FARHI continues on page 8

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PHOTO

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Cougars spend the evening out

tudents stand in line waiting to receive free samples of Kellogg’s products at the National Night Out on Tuesday. Ironically, the events ended before the sun set, making the event more of an afternoon outing. | Yulia Kutsenkova/The Daily Cougar

bove: Many different organizations and vendors showed up to give anyone who showed up to National Night Out plenty of free swag to comb through. According to the National Night Out Facebook page, Texas is given the option of holding National Night Out in October; the other parts of the country celebrate the event in August. | Yulia Kutsenkova/The Daily Cougar

eft: There wasn’t just free information and food — there were plenty of activities present as well. A rock wall was provided for Cougars who didn’t want to take part in the hustle and bustle of the crowd and just wanted to climb something. | Yulia Kutsenkova/The Daily Cougar

LIFE+ARTS

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Daily Cougar

HEALTH CHECK

Avoid illness from deadly bacteria found in cantaloupe Reesha Brown

THE DAILY COUGAR As many as 18 people, including two Texans, have died from the Colorado cantaloupe listeria outbreak, which health officials are calling one of the deadliest outbreaks in a decade. The Centers for Disease Control has said that 100 people have become sick in 20 states from the outbreak which has been traced to cantaloupe shipped from Jensen Farms near Holly, Colo. Colorado has reported the greatest number of illnesses, at 30 cases and five deaths. A statistical update from the CDC has shown a significant pattern in the populations that are most at risk. The elderly ranked first, with pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems also in the in most at-risk category. The CDC said the median age for those who have been sickened is 79 and one in five who contracts the disease can die. Healthy people are less at risk and can contract some of the contamination and avoid illness, or suffer only minor illness. Listeria is more deadly than other more well-known pathogens

like salmonella and E. Coli, though those outbreaks generally cause more illnesses, according to the CDC. Twenty-one people died in an outbreak of listeria poisoning in 1998 traced to contaminated hot dogs and possibly deli meats. Another large listeria outbreak in 1985 killed 52 people and was linked to Mexican-style soft cheese. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. A person at high risk who experiences flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell their physician or health care provider about eating the contaminated food, according to the CDC website. Experts believe no tests or treatments are needed for those who have eaten food contaminated with listeria and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show any symptoms, even for those most at risk. Pay close attention to the following tips for avoiding listeria because officials believe the number of people affected is expected to grow. How to avoid listeria The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) advises that you rinse raw fruits, vegetables and meats thoroughly, including fruit that needs peeling. For firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers make sure

you scrub the food clean. Make sure to also dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel. Keep in mind that listeria can grow in your refrigerator. Try to keep your kitchen environment thoroughly clean. Wash your hands knives and cutting boards after preparing uncooked foods. Clean the spills in your refrigerator, and use a thermometer to check the temperature of your fridge. The refrigerator should be 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and the freezer should be zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. The CDC recommends that you store foods safely. Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as possible. In other words, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use food products past the use-by date. Hot dogs should be stored no longer than one week in unopened packages, no more than two weeks in the fridge. Store-opened packages and meat slices from a local deli should not be stored in the fridge any longer than three to five days. For those who are more at risk of contamination, the CDC also recommends avoiding any deli meats, hot dogs, or dry sausage. These consumers should also stay away from soft cheeses, such as CANTALOUPE continues on page 8

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HELP WANTED

Fertility Resources of Houston

The Listeria outbreak from cantaloupe has left 18 dead and at least 100 people ill. Stay healthy by keeping your refrigerator at a cool enough temperature, cleaning utensils and storing your food properly. | Photos.com

JOBS, HOUSING, SERVICES + MORE

713-743-5356 classifieds@thedailycougar.com thedailycougar.com/classifieds HELP WANTED University of Houston

Egg Donors Needed! Compensation $5,000-$7,000. Must be: non-smoker, healthy, BMI within normal ranges, and between 19-30 years old. Visit www.fertilityresourceshouston.com or call 713 783 7044 for more information and to fill out a preliminary application.

Learning Support is

NOW HIRING

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

Student Tutors!

Surrogate Mothers Needed. Earn $25,000+, Ages 21-39.

(713) 771-9771

www.cooperinstitutearm.com email : ivf@cooperinstitutearm.com AmeriSciences-Pre-Launch Business Opportunity- Distributors Wanted Would you like to: *Be your own boss instead of someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employee? *Own a business with products codeveloped in a Space Act Agreement with NASA? *Join a team with experienced business coaches invested in your success? If any of these attributes appeal to you, along with the desire to participate in the growth of a $110 Billion industry, then please go to www. amerisciences.com/30278, review the Fox26 News Report and email us for more information or click the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Own a Businessâ&#x20AC;? tab. Contact us today!

WANTED:

Exercise Science Majors Join our Team of Trainers! Seeking well-spoken, fitness-oriented individuals who are looking to learn & help others achieve their personal best while earning a great income. Part-time hours available.

Call 713-963-0899 for interview!

WWW.UBSKI.COM

TELL â&#x20AC;&#x2122;EM YOU SAW IT in The Daily Cougar Classifieds!

Worship Services 7:15a.m., 9:00a.m., 11:00a.m. & 1:00p.m. Wednesday, Bible Study: 12 noon & 7:00p.m. Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, Pastor Rev. William A. Lawson, Pastor Emeritus Sunday Services via webcast: www.wheeleravebc.org

Westbury Church of Christ 1024 Hillcroft

Multi-tasking skills and excellent customer service a must. Email resume to: rhinailspa@gmail.com.

713-729-7880

www.westburycocc.com

713-426-6245 RENTALS

MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Museum district. Looking for Subs/Assts. Flex hrs. Excellent for child dev, Education or Psy majors! Call 713-520-0738

Administrative asst. needed for real estate investment and management company. Candidate must be self- directed, organized and have excellent skills in Excel, Word, Power Point and Publisher. Knowledge of real estate transactions is preferred. Email pjones@corinthianre.com

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

GRADUATE STUDENT seeking proof reader. Salary negotiable. Tony 713987-4990.

Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www.AdDriveClub.com

Math tutor needed for students taking the GMAT Test call 713-533-9428 please leave a message

MOTOR-ASSISTANT BICYCLES from $550 & up. 125+ mpg and 30 mph. No insurance, registration or license required. Call Miserly Motors at 832596-5400.

plus t/s

1-800"H@>"L>A9 Â&#x2122; &"-%%",*)".)*(

Apply online at www.las.uh.edu

SPA COORDINATOR: 20-35hrs/wk. $9-11/hr.

breckenridge

20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price.

Highly motivated and talented individuals. Pay is contingent on experience. www.TutorVilleTexas.com Complete application & email to:

Math and Science Skills a Plus

713.857.0367

COLLEGE SKI & BOARD WEEK

FROM ONLY

TutorVille is Hiring Tutors!

Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church 3826 Wheeler Street Houston, Texas 77004-2604 713.748.5240

CourtneyBarta@TutorVilleTexas.com

TRAVEL

Vail Â&#x2122; Beaver Creek Â&#x2122; Keystone Â&#x2122; Arapahoe Basin

worship directory

Hardwood Fenceds yard $850; $750 deposit 610 /I 45 3,1 1/2,1 C/A/H Non smoking , No pets 210-5085916

FOR SALE

THANKS for reading The Daily Cougar!

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Bible Class 10:30 a.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY PRESENTS

THE AWAKENING

Worship, Prayer, Message, Food, & Fellowship. WHERE: University of Houston A.D. Bruce Religion Center. WHEN: Every Sunday at 6:30pm (Main Chapel) For More Information Contact:

Rev. Pastor Vijay Gurrala: 281-686-4135 Shalon Gorge: 832-367-1467 112 A D Bruce Religion Center Houston, TX 77024

Living Water Ministry & Pastor Sang Kim

invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings @ 10:00 Located upstairs in the Education building. All are welcome especially Asian Americans.

Free lunch afterwards.

CATHOLIC MASS ON CAMPUS 35.$!93 !- 2ELIGION #ENTER 0- #ATHOLIC #ENTER 7%%+$!93 - 4 7 4H .OON CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER #ONFESSION "EFORE OR !FTER -ASSES Ofď&#x192;&#x17E;ce # (713) 748-2529

5IF TFDSFU UP GJOEJOH B KPC

5IBUÂľT $MBTTJGJFE

The Daily Cougar

COMICS & MORE

comics The Handshake by Kevin Goodman

Blundergrads by Phil Flickinger

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

GET SOME DAILY In p print. Online. On the g go.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

crossword ACROSS 1 Geometric determination 5 Juan and Eva 11 Walker’s charge 14 Rural water source 15 Yemen, Qatar, Oman et al. 16 Chicken-king tie 17 “Song Sung Blue” singer 19 Wine, in Quebec 20 Hans Brinker, for one 21 Babe in a nursery? 23 Beanery serving 25 Item for 8-Down 26 Part of a stairstep 29 Biological eggs 32 Avian abodes 35 Nose-scruncher 36 Deals a heavy blow 38 Architect I.M. 39 Cellar dwellers 40 “The First Noel,” e.g. 41 Ask for ID 42 Luau dish 43 Marriage-related crime 44 Garfi eld’s foil 45 Amount wagered 47 “Boola Boola” collegian 48 Uncertain estimate 49 Oscar-winning Kedrova 51 Corn or wheat, to a farmer 53 Undiplomatic 57 Domed homes 61 Take to one’s bed 62 Jilted lover’s despair 64 African plains grazer 65 Seeking to squelch a squeak 66 “Take ___ Train” (Duke Ellington hit) 67 Classroom replacement 68 Words of consent

69 Some math test answers DOWN 1 Wheat field bristles 2 Need a shower 3 “A Streetcar Named Desire” director Kazan 4 Sane, slangily 5 Noah took many 6 Chapter in history 7 Butts 8 Kind of woodwind instrument 9 Forty-___ (gold seeker) 10 Disheartens 11 “Rules of Engagement” star 12 Lena of “Havana”

13 Criminal group 18 Precious 22 “To Kill a Mockingbird” novelist 24 Reverence 26 Easy wins 27 Utterly senseless person 28 Place to hang out 30 Pneumonia type 31 Sort of clock or number 33 Hatcher and Garr 34 Combative factions 36 Poli-___ (college major, briefly) 37 Cathedral city of England 41 Rhyming pairs of lines 43 Hotel gofer 46 Young fox 48 Vincent van ___

2010 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.

Previous puzzle solved

50 52 53 54 55 56 58

Condor’s home After-wedding wear Baggage attachments Aborigine of Japan Singer’s syllables Downhiller’s gear Honolulu’s here

59 City in Utah 60 Subway stops (Abbr.) 63 Compass dir.

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THE DAILY COUGAR.COM /print-edition

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LIFE + ARTS

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Daily Cougar

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Houston restaurant’s quality leaves bad taste in mouth Sarah Nielsen

THE DAILY COUGAR

Like a skinny rooster with no spurs, Houston’s own Big Red Cock is a lot of talk with little game. This restaurant, excuse me, “Gastro-Pub,”

has little to show for all its flash. I usually write about joints that give good eats for less than $15, but this place is overpriced and proves

gay?

fine by me. National Coming Out Month 2011 Monday Oct Oct. 10 10, 2011 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. n front of M.D. Anderson Library In

FREE t-shirts

Be Part of the Human Rainbow Flag Photo

Rain location UC World Affairs Lounge For more information call 713-743-5463

to be a disappointment. A friend of mine, whose taste I value, took me to this restaurant on a recommendation. We shared a meal that rang up at $50, with beer. Now, that’s a fair price for some serious dining on a college budget. However, this place only left a hole in my pocket and a nasty feeling of regret in my stomach. We started out with the macaroni and cheese, which they serve in different guises for every day of the week. Maybe it was simply because the god of good eats was frowning upon our eagerness for a lavish meal, but the macaroni and cheese was awful. It was more like some sort of macaroni and queso. I mean, it tasted, felt, and looked like the cheese they were using was the queso from a can that is poured over tortilla chips at baseball games. It even had the taste of cheap metal cans. Whatever it was, it was not at all a delight for the taste buds. I should mention that this sweet disgust rang up at $10. The chef’s salad with chicken and homemade ranch sauce was adequate in its quantity, but was rather dry and ho-hum for all its grandeur. I ordered a burger with something called a ham roll, a fried egg, and

some refrigerated tomato slices on top. Tomato, it should be known, should never, under any circumstances, be refrigerated. It changes the chemistry and ruins the flavor, if there is any to begin with, given our modern grocery set-up. The egg, I must say, was perfectly cooked to a runny goodness, however. The mysterious ham roll was, of course, overstated: a big piece of cheap-tasting ham folded on top of the challah bun. Religious faux pas aside, the bread may have been blessed, but the meats were not. And the entire thing was damp. Maybe their burger meat had more than 20 percent fat in it — either way, it was low-grade and it showed. Now, the beer we enjoyed was delicious and cold coming from the tap, as well as being fair-priced. I would recommend this as a good place for a fairly priced beer, if only their music weren’t blaring reminders of yesterday’s forgotten radio singles. This restaurant may be appropriately named, but it is the kind that none of us want to be around.

CANTALOUPE

and after handling whole melons, like cantaloupe, watermelon, or honeydew. Cut melons or refrigerate promptly. Keep your cut melon refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less for no more than seven days. Discard cut melons left at room temperature for more than four hours.

continued from page 6

queso fresco, queso frie, or others like these, unless the label says that it was made with pasteurized cheese. Melons need extra attention during preparation. Make sure you wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before

FARHI continued from page 4

EEO/AA institution

education, and whether or not students entering these classes

arts@thedailycougar.com

can handle the material. Unequal opportunity and training in public schools also makes the “universal accessibility” dream unrealistic. To reap the benefits of these classes, students must have the proper training before they graduate. Otherwise, even a completely free education does no good. Online courses are a great idea. They are already being used by some degree at most universities, but implementing the online change slowly may make room for constructive criticism and ensure that the system works as well as it could. Rachel Farhi is a senior political science and English literature double major and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com.

BROOKS continued from page 4

There will always be those who need the smell of old ink and the feel of a well-worn page, and despite design efforts, the Kindle screen can cause sore eyes a good deal faster than your standard paperback. But progress is progress, and I am optimistic that the Kindle will inspire more readers than it alienates. After a few more years of evolution, the e-reader will be on its way to dominating the way we read. Emily Brooks is an economics senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.