Issue 59, Volume 77 by The Cougar

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Cougars spring into action against undefeated Bears

January 18, 2011

UH opera receives national recognition

Issue 59, Volume 77

STATE

Texas to require meningitis vaccine Incoming students will be unable to register for classes in the spring without shot Naheeda Sayeeduddin

THE DAILY COUGAR New students under the age of 30 who plan to enroll in college classes are required by law to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis starting this month. This law also affects students under the age of 30 who are returning to college after a break in their enrollment of at least one

semester. “Approximately 3,000 students will need to meet the requirement to enroll in spring 2012,” said Stephen Soutullo, associate vice president for Student Access/Student Success at UH. “This number includes new students and returning students who were not enrolled in Fall 2011.” Soutullo said approximately 90 percent of those students submitted paperwork prior to the first day of classes and meet the requirement for enrollment in this spring. Some of the remaining students are still submitting the required paperwork. This law came into effect after Nicolis

SGA

STUDENTS

Student Government to discuss smoking, grades

Imagine Cup 2012 half full of Cougars

The first Student Government Association Senate meeting of the semester will take place at today at 7:30 p.m. in the Cougar Den at the lowest floor of the University Center, SGA President Michael Harding said. The senators will once again be looking at Senator Josie Caesar’s proposed smoking restriction bill and potential changes to the grade replacement policy, Senator Jeff Syptak said. The upcoming referendum on a $45 increase in student fees will also likely be discussed, Syptak said.

Williams, a Texas A&M junior from Sugar Land died in February 2011 after contracting bacterial meningitis. The parents of students who died from the disease fought for the bill to become law requiring college students to be vaccinated. “In the case where we had the college deaths, the parents were vocal,” UH Health Center Director Floyd Robinson said. “I think certainly they wanted to spare parents having to go through this horrible experience of losing a child.”

SYMPTOMS Meningitis usually causes inflammation of the membranes that cover the central nervous system within 24 hours. Symptoms include: J J J J J J J

Fever Severe headache Stiff neck and back Nausea Sensitivity to light Rash Disorientation

MENINGITIS continues on page 3

Source: Cazenovia College

Students take game design competition by force, solving world issues Max Gardner

— Joshua Mann

LAW CENTER

Alumni to have access to legal education courses UH Law Center alumni will now have unlimited use of West LegalEdcenter. The service provides webbased access to more than 6,000 continuing legal education courses. The service comes through a partnership between Thomson Reuters West LegalEdcenter, the law school and the UH Law Foundation. Alumni may register at www.law.uh.edu/alumni/ — Deisy Enriquez

CORRECTIONS Report errors to editor@thedailycougar.com. Corrections will appear in this space as needed.

THE DAILY COUGAR Three of the six teams competing in the Microsoft US Imagine Cup 2012 finals will represent UH in game design, marking the fifth-straight year that the University has had teams enter the competition. The competition is helpful in preparing the students for what they might expect in a real-life business situation, said Research Assistant Professor Yun, who mentored two of the teams. Each team must go through three rounds and bring their ideas from storyboard to the finished form that they are judged upon. The winners receive a cash prize and an internship opportunity with Microsoft Corp. “We can’t just create anything; it’s a real product. Microsoft is the client and we are the developer,” said Yun. “We have to create [the game] according to their description.” Team Zigers (Xbox), Team

UH is represented at the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 game design finals by Team Eager Beaver, Team Zigers and Team Wasabi Ninja. The competition is on April 3, 2012. | Courtesy of Chang Yun Wasabi Ninja (Windows Phone) and Team Eager Beavers PC (Windows) have each designed and developed a game centered around a major world issue and will present them in Seattle beginning on April 3. “The games that the students are doing are based on the United Nations’ millennium goals for 2015,” said digital media developer and mentor José Báez-Franceschi. “They focus on issues such as poverty and hunger, disease, renewable energies, environmental sustainability, global warming and education.” Graduates Patipol

Paripoonnanonda and Martin Le, and undergraduates Jackchalat Chaiyakhom and Josh Riffel of Team Wasabi Ninja, mentored by Yun, made the game “Phagy” for Windows Phone. The game makes use of the phone’s camera to allow the players to interact with their environment. “The player assumes a role of a nano-machine where the player needs to destroy harmful materials in the water systems,” said Paripoonnanonda. “The game is aimed to raise awareness of water pollution in developing countries as well as the rest of the world.” The Xbox game “Spillville”

This year we already have three teams set and we are trying to get more seats in spring... We would love it if we could break our own record.” Chang Yun, Research Assistant Professor and mentor of two teams focuses on oil spills and was created by Team Zigers, consisting of undergraduates Michael Slater, Chris Gonzales, Sin Ng and Allison Sherrick and is also mentored by Yun. GAMES continues on page 3

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

NEWS

The Daily Cougar

This Week in History WORLD

Volunteers are needed for the 10th Annual Mars Rover Celebration to be held on the UH Campus on January 28, 2012. Please volunteer to help us with one of the following jobs:

To sign-up please scan the QR code or visit https://marsrover.uh.edu/volunteerregistration.aspx. For more information, please visit the Mars Rover FAQ page at http://tinyurl.com/7pcdpe4.

Important Events.

Fun Facts

On Jan. 18, 1918, the post-World War I peace conference began in Paris. The conference lead to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles five months later. On Jan. 20, 1981, the Iran Hostage Crisis ended when 52 American captives were freed from the US embassy in Tehran, Iran after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. On Jan. 22, 1998, “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, plead guilty to sending bombs to universities and other locations, killing three and injuring more than 20 people. He sent the bombs for 17 years from a remote location in Montana. On Jan. 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardoned more than an estimated 500,000 men who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.

On Jan. 18, 1733, Boston exhibited the first polar bear in America. On Jan. 19, 1953, Lucy Ricardo gave birth to Ricky Jr. on “I Love Lucy.” The show drew in more viewers than President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration. On Jan. 17, 1950, Anthony “Fats” Pino and 10 cohorts disguised themselves as employees of the Boston Brinks Armored Car Depot and stole more than $2.7 million from the compound, getting in and out in about a half-hour. The crew was caught in 1956, days before the statute of limitations on the crime expired, when Joseph “Specs” O’Keefe cut a deal with the FBI after a failed assassination attempt ordered by the rest of the team.

BIRTHDAYS

DEATHS

Jan. 18, 1965 Dave Attell Jan. 18,1961 Mark D Messier Jan. 18, 1955 Kevin Costner Jan. 18, 1950 John Hughes Jan. 19, 1943 Janis Joplin

Jan. 18, 1952 Curly Howard Jan. 18, 1862 John Tyler Jan. 21, 1793 Louis XVI Jan. 22, 2008 Heath Ledger Jan. 22, 1973 Lyndon B. Johnson

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON On Jan. 18, 1984, an anonymous petition circulated campus to abolish the Students’ Association, which has now evolved into the Student Government Association. The petition claimed SA was failing to represent the student body and fulfilling its needs. On Jan. 15, 2008, UH President Renu Khator toured the campus on her first official day. Khator

Reynolds and Reynolds is seeking Part-time Graphic Designers to develop marketing pieces for the automotive retailing industry.

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On Jan. 23, 1997, the UH College of Technology opened its charter school, establishing an elementary school under its jurisdiction. This was the first charter school program at a Texas university.

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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.

NEWS

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CULLEN COLLEGE

Engineering college receives $1 million Courtney Johns

THE DAILY COUGAR The colleges of engineering and technology received $1.25 million in donations from The Petroleum Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in December. The Cullen College of Engineering received $1 million to sustain the ASME Petroleum Endowed Chair in Subsea Engineering, while $250,000 was donated to the College of Technology’s Petroleum Initiative. “This endowment will enable UH to seek a rainmaker in subsea engineering who will educate students and make discoveries that promote safe and reliable subsea oil and gas production,” Matthew Franchek, chairman of

the UH department of Mechanical engineering and director of the subsea program, said in a press release. The donation made to the subsea engineering program will be eligible to be leveraged for up to $75,000 by the Texas Research Incentive Program in 2013. The $250,000 received by the College of Technology will extend the time the Petroleum Technology Initiative program will continue operating by helping to “fund such operating expenses as adjunct faculty support, scholarships, facilities, equipment, software and outreach programs,” the press release said. American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a non-profit global engineering organization. news@thedailycougar.com

These articles aren’t going to comment on themselves, now are they? www.thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

GAMES continued from page 1

Rounding off the UH competitors is Team Eager Beavers PC, whose computer game “Hydrobot Adventures” tackles restoring ocean life after heavy pollution. The team is made up of graduates Hien Nguyen, Sushil Joshi and Debjyoti Majunde and undergraduate Khoa Le and is mentored by Báez-Franceschi. “We expect to draw the attention of the audience toward the problem by showing hypothetical visualization of what the ocean environment will become in the future if we do not act now.” Joshi said. Six more competitors will be chosen in March, and Yun and

MENINGITIS continued from page 1

According to the Center for Disease Control, bacterial meningitis is a contagious disease that causes inflammation of the outlining membranes of the brain. The infection can be spread by sharing food and drinks, kissing, coughing and sneezing. The close proximity college students are in on campus and in dorms makes them highly susceptible to catching and spreading this infectious disease,

Báez-Franceschi say they hope this is a chance for more UH teams to compete. “This year we already have three teams set and we are trying to get more seats in spring. I hope and expect at least four teams,” said Yun. “We would love it if we could break our own record.” In 2011, UH was the only school to have four teams compete in the finals and achieved first and second place in mobile game design and third place in Windows/Xbox game design. “It’s not just because we are good mentors, but it’s because [the students] are highly motivated, dedicated and hard-working,” said Yun. “They contribute 10 to 40 hours a week for three months to improve their games. To win, to

Robinson said. UH is tracking compliance status as student records, Soutullo said. Students are responsible for submitting the necessary documentation to the University. Either provide official proof of vaccination or the required paperwork for a medical or conscience exemption, he added. Although UH has not seen a confirmed case in recent years, Robinson says the UH Health Center stays on top of any reports of suspected cases that are called into the office.

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FINALISTS

Half of the game design are from UH J

J J J

Credit / No Credit - University of Washington, Bothel Eager Beavers PC - University of Houston Zigers - University of Houston Drexel Dragons - Drexel University Panther Games Team Alpha - Santa Ana College, Chapman University Wasabi Ninja- University of Houston

Source: ImagineCup.us

represent UH properly, that’s what they have to do.” news@thedailycougar.com

“We always respond in person to that kind of call because we want to relay any fears. We want to talk about symptoms,” he said. “We want to talk about what to do, what not to do.” The UH Health Center is offering the vaccine for all students enrolled in classes. The cost for the vaccination is $136. Some insurance plans may cover the vaccination, but Robinson said there are many insurance plans that do not. news@thedailycougar.com

Click on it: www.thedailycougar.com

Cougar Voices Celebrate DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. “WITH THIS FAITH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE” Join the University of Houston as we celebrate the life, legacy and vision of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Featured guests are President Renu Khator, Reverend Victor Thomas, ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Rabbi Kenny Weiss, RABBI/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HOUSTON HILLEL: THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE University Center – Houston Room Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. (Doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Punch and light refreshments provided. Bring your lunch as we discuss the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. followed by a roundtable discussion with students, faculty and staff.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

EDITOR David Haydon E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/opinion

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD INTERIM EDITOR IN CHIEF

Daniel Renfrow

NEWS EDITORS

Taylor McGilvray, Joshua Mann

SPORTS EDITOR

Joshua Siegel

LIFE

& ARTS EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Jose Aguilar David Haydon

STAFF EDITORIAL

Perry’s star has fallen in his home state

ov. Rick Perry entered the 2012 presidential race with the gusto only someone nicknamed “Governor Good-Hair” could muster. His southern charm promised to propel him to the top of a cast of candidates who seemed either too moderate to recieve a nomination or too wealthy to be tailored into someone approachable. His star has fallen since — even in the Lonestar State. A recent Public Policy Survey shows that Perry is trailing two other presidential candidates in his home state. Mitt Romney is in the lead with 24 percent of the vote, while Newt Gingrich holds a close second at 23 percent — Perry is tanking at 18 percent. To put things in perspective, Perry was leading the pack in Texas four months ago at a solid 49 percent. Perry’s star isn’t just falling — it’s plummeting. His inability to carry his home state should signal to him that it is time to drop out of the race, stop embarassing his state and head home for an intense image-building campaign. Even if he does that, it is unlikely that he will be able to rebuild his image enough to win another term as governor. This is mainly because of on his inability to perform adequately in national debates, his bizarre off-stage conduct, and “oops” — we at The Daily Cougar can’t seem to remember the third reason. If Perry wants to regain the confidence of Texas voters, he needs become an expert in foreign affairs, know who our foreign allies are and prove that he can memorize and recite lists that include more than two bullets. This is not asking a lot of him. But even if Perry does these things, it is unlikely that Texans will want him back. It might be time for someone else to serve as governor of our state. Perry should count his losses, make this his last term and stop validating every Texas stereotype on the national stage.

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 to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements 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.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

E-books don’t replace the real thing

iting “other avenues” as the cause, Barnes & Noble has begun talks to cleanse its hands of its e-reader, the Nook. Inconsequential in the long run, the discontinuation of the Nook from the B&N arsonal was loud enough to Bryan reevaluate the allure Washington of the Nook’s physical counterpart, the hardcover book. Despite threats, attempts at derailing and false alarms, bound books have managed to outlive not only those who have decreed them as obsolete, but their very contenders as well. It would be safe to call them the ‘winning-est’ pieces of media in human history. Very much like zombies or an allegorical Jesus Christ, the physical book has defied its projected “outdated-ness” more than once.

Though one would think that history has made a case for the physical book’s timeliness, it hasn’t. Scoping the outcome of the e-book-versus-physical book war from a distance, it looks like they’ve negotiated a cease-fire. At first glance, Barnes & Noble’s retraction appears to be the work of its primary competitor’s product, the Kindle. A second look, however, it seems as though the battle began much earlier than that, predating the births of even the product’s own founders. They’ve been at it since the third century. Groups have always acted with the intent of ridding society of words and pictures on paper. “Curious George” and “The Little Prince” have outlived dictators, conquerors and fascist revolutionaries alike. How bringing literature to a more digital output can qualify as being more perilous to the nature of printed word

Very much like zombies or an allegorical Jesus Christ, the physical book has defied its projected ‘outdatedness’ more than once. Though one would think that history has made a case for physical book’s timeliness, it hasn’t.” than armies, dictators and god-figures bent on their destruction is a mystery. The predominant reason the book won’t die is simple: Their accessibility. senior citizens read books. Toddlers read books. College professors and their WASHINGTON continues on page 5

GUEST COMMENTARY

Personhood amendment lacks logic

arlier this year, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that life begins at conception. Many have coined this ruling as the reverse of Roe v. Wade and in the US we have already begun to feel the effects of this major ruling. The ruling was the result of a successful campaign known as the “personhood Alejandro movement.” It has Caballero now appeared here in the United States. In November 2011, Mississippi residents voted down an initiative that would have given embryos full legal

rights. Only about 55 percent of voters rejected the amendment. Pro-life advocates were dumbstruck — Mississippi is one of the most conservative states in the union. Pro-lifers thought it would be a sure win; however, experts note the amendment likely failed because it was extremely vague. Its language outlawed abortions even in cases of rape or when the life of the mother is in danger. Also, there was legal cloudiness when it came to fertility treatments. Doctors feared they could incur criminal charges if an embryo died during in vitro fertilization. Amy Brunson was quoted in an article from The Huffington Post: “The lines

are so unclear on what may or may not happen. I think there are circumstances beyond everybody’s control that can’t be regulated through an amendment,” she said. Any amendment to outlaw abortions in the US is sure to fail. American women have been raised in a society where “serial monogamy” roams free. The current social setting is entirely different of that in the past. A woman need not be a virgin when she gets married. In fact, it’s now a social norm that she has some experience prior to her wedding night. The regulations on abortions might CABALLERO continues on page 5

OPINION

The Daily Cougar

WASHINGTON continued from page 4

overpaying students read books. For every step we take to a paperless society, we waddle 12 paces to the paperback counterpart, packed tightly in between fading hard covers and out-pressed first editions. Between used book shops, two-for-one sales and high school literature courses, the exposure offered by print media would be replaced only by a mass effort brought upon by corporate television. It’s unlikely we’ll find ESPN making massive contributions to the business of keeping books in print.

CABALLERO continued from page 4

get tighter this year, as the GOP sees this as a wedge issue. Various states have already passed bills that cut funding to Planned Parenthood. The sad truth is that Planned Parenthood is not merely an abortion clinic, but it also provides reproductive, maternal and child health services to those who may not be able to afford it. The abortion controversy has always been centered on the question of the so-called ‘natural order.’ Women who become pregnant give birth — that’s nature. However, society and technology have empowered women to feel differently. This relatively new empowerment has spurred on the

When you add the individuals who make it their life’s work to keep physical books in motion, you open a completely different can of worms. The entities’ influence alone is sufficient. but when combined with the aid and influence of supporters from every walk of life, it is daunting. Despite the appeal of having 2,400 pieces of literature between your fingertips, it simply can’t replace the joy of flipping the actual pages. Without any certainties, it’s safe to assume that print media is going nowhere anytime soon. Bryan Washington is a sociology freshman and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

modern woman. She has goals, is financially independent and chooses when she has children. In Texas, Gov. Rick Perry has gone through several iterations of his views this past year. Perry stated he supports abortion only in the case that the mother’s life is in danger. After a meeting with Rebecca Kissling, a woman who was a result of rape, he decided to settle on his most recent view. He says she told him, “I am a product of rape, my life has worth.” Her words are indeed powerful and abortion should be regulated but should not be outlawed. After all, the famous Roe was a Texan. Alejandro Caballero is a creative writing junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Daily Cougar

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

TENNIS

Senior Giorgia Pozzan looks to build off of her two fall-singles titles and help lead the Cougars to a national ranking this spring. | Catherine Lara/The Daily Cougar

Expecting big things this spring

Senior guard Darian Thibodeaux draws the responsibility of shutting down the Mustangs leading scorer, Robert Nyakundi, tonight. The 6-foot-8 Nyakundi presents an interesting matchup for the Cougars because of his size and ability to knock down three-point shots. | Aaron Cisneros/The Daily Cougar

MENS BASKETBALL Albert Torres

THE DAILY COUGAR Anyone for tennis? The Cougars open their spring campaign against Big 12-powerhouse Baylor (2-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Waco. After a strong fall season, head coach John Severance said that UH’s goal for the spring is to earn a national ranking. “We have a fairly decent schedule and have the talent to compete with the best programs in the nation,” Severance said. Senior Giorgia Pozzan led the Cougars last fall with a 17-6 record overall and followed that with two singles titles in the fall. “Her work ethic is very good and she has an strong will to win,” Severance said. “She has those qualities that can’t be coached” Liselot Koenen and Charlotte Phillips, who showed flashes during the fall, highlight a freshmen class that Severance called “one of the best we’ve had.” Despite some of the Cougars’ key players being less experienced players, Severance thinks that youth might also work as a strength. “We’re a young team, have great leadership and have great team character,” he said. Despite the impressive collection of individual talent, the Cougars will have to come together to find success. “It will have to be a team effort,” he said. “Everyone will have to contribute “This the best 1-6 we’ve ever had in terms of talent.” The Bears will provide a great benchmark for the Cougars to measure themselves against. “Baylor has been a top-five program for a while now and we have great respect for what they have achieved,” Severance said.

Tip-top defender Joshua Siegel

THE DAILY COUGAR Darian Thibodeaux will draw one of his toughest defensive assignments of the season tonight against the Mustangs. The 6-foot-3 senior guard has been pegged to shutdown SMU leading-scorer Robert Nyakundi. “I’m always excited for a challenge,” Thibodeaux said. “He’s a good player, a good shooter, great size. It should be a nice matchup for me.” Nyakundi, a long-6-8 forward, presents an interesting challenge for the Cougars because of his size and shooting ability from beyond the arc. Despite the disparity in height between the two, “Tip,” as his teammates call him, has the confidence of head coach James Dickey after

locking up Nyakundi last season. In that game, Nyakundi went off for 16 first-half points on 5-7 shooting, 4-6 from three-point range. Nyakundi went scoreless in the second half with Thibodeaux shadowing him and managed only one field goal attempt. Dickey said that the Cougars will have several other players guarding him as well because of unique matchup that he creates. “We’ll have to mix it up because he plays the 4-position,” Dickey said. “A lot of times you’ll have one of our 4-guys on him and then if we do put a guard on him, it forces one of our bigs to guard one of their smaller players. He’s one of those guys that’s a hard matchup.” SMU relies on a grind-it-out style, holding opponents to the second fewest pointers per game (59.5) in C-USA, but also only managing

STANDINGS

MATCHUP

C-USA Men’s Baskeball CONF.

Record: (9-8, 1-3) Last game: L, Memphis 89-55

Record: (9-8, 1-3) Last game: L, UTEP

Starters

C - TaShawn Thomas

F - Robert Nyakundi

10.5 pts, 7.7 reb, 2.5 blk

F - Alandise Harris 13.8 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.6 blk

G - Jonathan Simmons 14.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 55% fg

G - Darian Thibodeaux 6.6 pts, 1.3 3pt, 93% ft

G - J.J. Thompson 6.6 pts, 2.5 ast, 83% ft

15.1 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.6 3pt

F - Shawn Williams 7.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 stl

G - Jalen Jones 7.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 43% fg

G - London Giles 11.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.2 stl

G - Jeremiah Samarrippas 6.7 pts, 4 ast, 85% ft

62.7 points per game themselves on 42-percent shooting. The Cougars are second in points per game this season at 75.3 with four players averaging double figures. The Cougars plan to energize their offense by spreading the floor and creating greater opportunites to get into the lane for layups or open jump shots. “Getting to the glass, not dribbling from baseline to the mid-court line; you have to penetrate,” Dickey said. The Cougars have put their loss to Memphis behind them and have had great energy and focus in practice since the 89-55 loss.

OVERALL

Team

W L GB W L Pct Str

Marshall Memphis Souther Miss UCF Rice Tulsa UTEP SMU Tulsa UH Central Florida Memphis

4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 0

— .5 1.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5

13 12 16 13 11 9 9 0 0 0 0 0

4 5 3 4 7 9 9 0 0 0 0 0

.765 .706 .842 .765 .611 .500 .500 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

W4 W6 W1 L1 W2 W2 W1 W-1 W-1 W-1 W-1 W-1

Standings accurate as of today

C-USA SCHEDULE

Today’s games Men’s basketball Marshall (13-4, 4-0) at Marshall (13-5, 4-2) 7:30 Houston (9-8, 1-3) at SMU (9-8, 1-2)...................8 Tulane (12-5, 0-3) at Tulsa (9-9, 2-2) ...................8 UAB (5-11, 0-3) at Rice (11-7, 2-1) .......................8 ECU (9-7, 0-3) at UTEP (9-9, 2-2) ..........................9

“I believe all that is behind us and we’re just looking forward from there,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s going to be a dog fight; it’s going to be a grind. We just have to stay together overall.” sports@thedailycougar.com

FOOTBALL

Cougars claim another top defender Joshua Siegel

THE DAILY COUGAR For the second time in three days, the Cougars landed a potential impact player on defense. Former LSU linebacker Trevon Randle is the latest coup for the Cougars as confirmed by a source close to the team.

Randle, who still has four years of eligibility after redshirting his freshman year with the Tigers, announced in December that he would not be returning to Baton Rouge. The former-Clear Spring High School standout will help bolster a linebacker unit that will be lacking seniors Sammy Brown and Marcus McGraw next season.

Out of high school, Randle also received offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Baylor, Texas A&M, Tulsa, UCLA, Arizona and UH. Randle, who also played running back in high school, possesses good speed and could be an asset playing on the edge. In his senior season at Clear Springs, Randle recorded 108

tackles and three interceptions, while also carrying the ball 15 times for 73 yards and three touchdowns. As a junior, he tallied 152 tackles, three interception and four fumble recoveries while also running for 386 yards and 12 touchdowns on 78 carries. sports@thedailycougar.com

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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EDITOR Jose Aguilar E-MAIL arts@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/arts

ASTROLOGY

OPERA

Sarah Nielsen consults the stars to help students acheive a productive semester

Honors delivered to ‘Postino’

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The sun is in your sign until the beginning of the week, and this is a great time to consider your game-plan for the coming year. Your astronomical and astrological birthday are the chance to start being the ‘new you’ in the New Year. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): This is the time for you to shine. We’re coming into your astrological sign next week and we’re all looking forward to some charisma, some serious ideological action and, of course, your bright outlook on this semester. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Dearest dreamer, your sign will lead us into the spring break and the end of the astrological year. While the glass is always half empty, it is also always half full. I encourage you to look on the bright side until the sunshine arrives. Aries (March 21-April 19): It’s a good idea to get a head start on class work because we all know that the springtime weather could take a toll on responsibilities nearing the end of the semester. In the meantime, keep up the optimistic perspective. Taurus (April 20-May 20): With Jupiter expanding your horizons at the moment, grab this opportunity to imagine the possibilities ahead and then buckle down and get moving. Now is the time to dream, plan, work and then dream again. Gemini (May 21-June 20): The start of a new activity is your optimal time for making new acquaintances, fresh starts in work, and the time might be right to consider a new romance, but don’t let it get in the way of school. Cancer (June 21-July 22): With your sign generally uninfluenced by any planetary visitors at the moment, it’s a good time to retreat and spend some time with yourself and those closest to you so that all your ducks are in their basket for the rest of the semester. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Like Cancer, your sign is experiencing an absence of influences, so now is a great time to lay out your intentions and goals for the new year, especially when it comes to academics and employment. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Mars is in your sign right now and is providing the impetus for your launch. It might feel like your plans are stalled for a moment, but in a couple of weeks, everything you’re working on now will take off as planned. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Apply yourself to your studies. It might seem like a hard time for any kind of fun or lackadaisical attitudes while Saturn is visiting your sign, but we all know that putting our heads down and taking lessons as they come is generally beneficial. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t get emotional right now. The Moon is in your sign and we all know how sensitivities and passing moments of frustration, especially at home, can get in the way of work and play. Don’t worry, the end of the week looks better. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Always with your eyes to the sky, don’t be surprised if dreams are coming true right now. Romance and passion are the bird’s word, but keep in mind the responsibilities that coincide with the times.

arts@thedailycougar.com

Final collaboration with famed composer receives national recognition Channler Hill

THE DAILY COUGAR Last year’s production of “Il Postino” in the Moores Opera House recently garnered top honors from the National Opera Association. The production, which took place in April 2011, was ranked first by the NOA in Division IV of the Opera Production Competition. Representatives of the opera house attended a ceremony for the honorees on Jan. 7 in Memphis, Tenn. “The recent award from the National Opera Association for the Moores Opera Center’s production of ‘II Postino’ spotlights our wonderful student singers, our fine opera orchestra and the terrific production that brought the opera to life,” said David White, director of the Moores School of Music at UH. “In addition, such an award would not have been possible without the vision of Buck Ross, the director of the Moores Opera Center, the members of our tremendous voice faculty, Thom Guthrie, who designed the sets and lighting and Brett Mitchell, our opera orchestra conductor, along with everyone else who was involved with the project,” White said. “II Postino” was the last production that UH collaborated on with Catán before his sudden death in early April. UH began its relationship with Catán in the staging of “Florencia en el Amazonas,” which gave birth to the Moores Opera Center Daniel Catán project, where productions of his work were to showcase every other year in the Moores Opera House. “Ultimately, without the support of the composer, Daniel Catán, who selected the Moores Opera Center to present the second American production of his masterpiece, based on his previous wonderful collaboration with our opera program, none of this would

Performer Paul Hopper took on the role of Mario the postman, the title character in composer Daniel Catan’s “Il Postino,” which played in April 2011. | Photo courtesy of Moores Opera House

have happened,” White said. Catán, the famed Mexican opera composer, had once noted that he believed the fate of opera in America was dependent on the work and the longevity of centers like Moores Opera House. “I believe the future of opera in this country is tied to centers like the

Moores Opera Center,” Catán quoted in a UH news release. “They alone have the resources to train students and the flexibility and freedom to teach them a repertory that will soon be the staple of our opera houses,” Catán said. arts@thedailycougar.com

MUSIC

‘Say Revenge’ say hello to new adventure Jose Aguilar

THE DAILY COUGAR Most bands tend to stay together when they venture off into new territory, but San Antonio-based Say Revenge is going another route. Following their first tour stop at Houston’s Super Happy Fun Land on Saturday night, the band trekked onwards to California where they are slated to play a slew of shows including the first tonight in San Diego. Once those shows are over, however, lead singer Christina Rodriguez is planning on setting up residence in the City of Angels to further build a base for herself and the band. “The entire band is eventually going to move up too,” Rodriguez said. “Everyone needs to plan and adjust for a move

After their show at Super Happy Fun Land, San Antonio band Say Revenge swung by Houston hotspot Tacos A Go-Go before continuing on to California. | Courtesy of Say Revenge

to L.A., so it’s not going to happen right away, but I would say soon.” Rodriguez said that many people

have expressed doubt that the band will REVENGE continues on page 9

LIFE+ARTS

The Daily Cougar

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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Join the crowd. www.thedailycougar.com/register

Emily Chambers/The Daily Cougar

Art Across Campus: The Gourds

n 1966, the Board of Regents and former President Philip Hoffman voted to dedicate one percent of the cost of all future building projects to art, making UH the first state institution to establish a percent for an art program. The most recent addition to campus resides outside Calhoun Lofts: A sculpture grouping of three gourds by Australian artist Lawrence Argent. The pieces were installed in early 2011. “The gourd is an inherently universal thing,” Michael Guidry, curator of the University Public Art Collection, explained. “Everybody knows what a gourd is. (Argent) liked that universality about them. He liked the idea of working with an object that was open-ended, something that a lot of people have a reference to.” Argent created 12-inch models of the pieces using three-D modeling software and sent these to the company in China responsible for the project’s fabrication. “They look like they’re machine-made, but they were all done by hand. It’s a beautiful piece,” he said. “It’s funny and elegant and quirky all at the same time.” | Alicia Wilson/The Daily Cougar

REVENGE

playlist »

WANT TO BE AN ARCHITECT ?

continued from page 8

School is now in session

he start of a new semester brings with it a whole host of new opportunities. New faces are all around campus and the adventure is just beginning. For some, this will be the last semester spent UH as an undergraduate, and our hats go off to you. Others have just begun their journey as a college student. Whatever the case may be, we urge you to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way and keep your eyes on the prize — whether that’s walking across the stage in a cap and gown or across campus on the arrival of the new semester. Cheers to a fresh start. — Mary Baak Hot for Teacher Van Halen

Another Brick in the Wall Pink Floyd

Campus Vampire Weekend

School Spirit Kanye West

College Animal Collective

Can’t Stop Now Major Lazer

Friday I’m in Love The Cure

We’re Going to be Friends The White Stripes

Keep Your Eyes Ahead The Helio Sequence

Working for the Weekend Loverboy

survive the change, but she has to disagree. “Many bands (make) it and so will we.” Judging from the show on Saturday, the band doesn’t look ready to stop performing together. Rodriguez and guitarist Maria Benavides, bassist Chris Compean and drummer Eddie Gutierrez jammed through a 45-minute set inside the experimental space and, considering the crowd’s response, brought new fans on board. “We had a great time in Houston playing Super Happy Fun Land,” Rodriguez said. “We played with great bands and made new friends and the hospitality of the venue was awesome.” Rodriguez and her bandmates will now need to tackle their first shows outside of their home state. “This is our first tour out of Texas and the total mood is excitement,” she said. And that excitement should carry the band through until that moment comes when Benavides, Compean and Guitierrez join Rodriguez in LaLa land. Until then, the band’s focus will be on building its base through its music. The band released its debut album “Rough Night, Sugar?” in September and will promote it until more dates are set in either California or Texas. “Rough Night, Sugar?” is available on CDbaby or Interpunk. Two singles are available for download on iTunes. For more information on Say Revenge, visit www.sayrevenge.com. arts@thedailycougar.com

Get a professional masters degree in architecture after a bachelors degree in any field. Come to the College of Architecture’s Graduate Program information session:

Wednesday, January 25 5-7 pm UH College of Architecture Building Atrium Contact Christy Muniz at cmuniz@central.uh.edu or 713.743.3463 to RSVP

LIFE & ARTS

The Daily Cougar

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

â&#x2013;

Sidewalk Style Students showcase their favorite look on the first day of class

EMILY CHAMBERS/THE DAILY COUGAR

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I kind of do what I want, do my own thing. I tend to be drawn more towards vintage. I like stuff like that but I like mixing it with modern pieces just to give it some variety.â&#x20AC;?| Chandler Sosebee, Fine Arts Junior

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just wear whatever. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I have a genre. I just wear whatever looks good â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just casual and practical.â&#x20AC;? | Duc Nguyen, Psychology Junior

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wear however I feel. I try to change it up a lot so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wear the same style every day. I could go from vintage to classy. I think I could pull off any look because I try new things all of the time.â&#x20AC;? | Bianca Chowdhury, Nutrition Junior

URBAN VINTAGE

CLEAN-CUT CASUAL

CLASSY ECLECTIC

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COMICS & MORE

The Daily Cougar

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

comics

crossword

06.13 by Jessi N.

ACROSS 1 ___ mater 5 Big name in dog food 9 Ruler marking 13 Catamaran feature 14 Greenish-blue color 15 Walked off with 16 Controversial excavation site 18 SAG member 19 Junior’s junior 20 Stimpy’s cartoon buddy 21 Dorothy’s woodsman wore one 23 Creatures forming the hair of Medusa 25 Baker’s sweet concoction 27 “Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations,” e.g. 28 Elite or pica, e.g. 29 Before, once 30 Biblical tower-building site 33 Curbed (with “in”) 36 Where Washington’s forces wintered 38 Fit for consumption 40 Natural rope fiber 41 One of four, on most tables 42 Word said in churches 44 Bounce, as from a bar 48 Boudoir wear 51 Handsome Greek of myth 53 Nobel-winning “Mother” 54 Second-to-last letter of the Greek alphabet 55 180 degrees from WSW 56 Canine with active canines 57 Amole, for one 60 Unfinished software releases 61 Micro- relative 62 “. . . with 1,001 ___” 63 Play ___ (perform a song grouping) 64 Obi-Wan portrayer Guinness 65 “. . . slithy toves did ___ and gimble” (“Jabberwocky”)

That Monkey Tune by Michael A. Kandalaft

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

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3 She left Moses in the bulrushes 4 Ring king born Cassius Clay 5 Tip-tops 6 “___ Eyes” (song by The Eagles) 7 Place for bacon 8 2,000 pounds

9 In need of calamine lotion 10 Attention-directing phrase 11 Debate ender 12 That lady yonder 15 Having all one’s marbles 17 ___-K (toddler’s school) 22 Musical beginnings

Previous puzzle solved

25 26 28 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 43 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 56 58 59

24 Meal on a skewer Jurisdiction in Rome Nancy Drew’s boyfriend Attorney’s charge Every last one Causes tearing Historic period “Nanook of the North” abode Brief scene “Jaws” omen Right-angled building annex Olympic team? Poisonous atmosphere A little nervous Commandment-breaker Feared African fly Extraordinary Plural suffix with “mountain” Jellied garnish Short swim Window section Business degree Fluid for a car Carry with difficulty

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