Thursday, October 18, 2012 // Issue 31, Volume 78 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
THE DAILY COUGAR
T H E
O F F I C I A L
S T U D E N T
N E W S P A P E R
O F T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
H O U S T O N
Hispanic Student Business Association helps youths
S I N C E
1 9 3 4
OPINION
Julie Heffler News editor
On Friday, the Hispanic Business Student Association held a youth outreach program at UH where they encouraged students from various high schools to go to college. Eric Flores, accounting junior and community relations director for HBSA, said one of the goals for this program is to reach students that would otherwise not have the opportunity to visit a college campus. “We wanted to help the low social economic schools surrounding the area because the kids have this idea that because they’re in a low social economic high school, they don’t have the opportunity like other kids to succeed — to go to college,” Flores said. “We motivate them, share experiences of us in college and also just help them understand how college is essential to reach a goal, to reach a dream.” The students were on the campus for most of the day and were given a tour of the University. “The event is structured; first, we give a presentation and then we have a guest speaker,” Flores
Constitution essay winner LIFE+ARTS
Women talk gender roles Students from Scarborough, Reagan, Springwoods and Chavez High Schools listen intently to the HSBA presentation. Approximately 150 students attended the event. | Bethel Glumac/The Daily Cougar said. “It was about obstacles, how people sometimes tell us what we can or can’t do. And we have that on our minds, ‘Oh, I’m not good at sports, so I’m not going to be good at sports,’ but sometimes it just takes … you (trying) it.” HBSA is not a stranger to community-related events, Flores said.
“We’re really focused on that, and that’s why I chose this position in particular because I like to give back to my community. It’s just something that makes me happy,” Flores said. “We actually care.” Mariella de Alba Ortiz, faculty advisor and career development curriculum manager, said she felt the program is really important to reaching college-age students.
“I participated in that last year, and it’s such a great program because these kids — I mean at the end of the day they are like, ‘Wow, it’s the first time I get to come to college and see what it’s like,’” de Alba said. Fo r d e A l b a , H S B A i s a unique organization because YOUTHS continues on page 3
Students tune in to politics Alfred Mendez Staff writer
Though Tuesday’s presidential debate was held in Long Island, N.Y., students witnessed its live coverage in the auditorium of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. The Student Gover nment Association, the UH chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Honors College Policy Debate team sponsored a debate watch party — held in Rockwell Pavilion for students who wished to see President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney spar in the political arena, once again.
This particular event comes at a time when the SGA is seeking to increase the level of political activity within the University. “At the beginning of the year, President (Cedric) Bandoh made it very clear to me that he wanted to be more active, not only within the community but also within the university,” said SGA Director of External Affairs Mark Solano. “We were lucky enough to be in administration during a national election year so we took this opportunity to make sure our students are informed.” The event also featured a discussion before the televised debate. The discussion panel included student leaders representing the
Democratic, Republican and Libertarian presidential nominees who responded to questions about issues like education and the economy. “It was refreshing to see Gary Johnson and the Libertarian party acknowledged for once,” said nutrition junior Heidi Bouzas. “Though he won’t be featured on tonight’s debate, I feel obligated to watch as this does pertain (to) my future and I think more students should be aware of that.” Some believe that by discussing the issues beforehand in a group setting makes the debate’s subject matter relatable. “It’s good for students to hear their peers talk about subjects that are politically relevant, in ways
students can more easily understand,” said Neimon James, Political Action Chair of the UH NAACP and a member of the panel. Some students agreed that the quality of the debate, and Obama’s approach, improved since the first on Oct. 3. “Obama did a good job recognizing his faults in the previous debate; he seems more prepared and even aggressive at times,” said kinesiology junior Nayda Sanchez. “I support him, so seeing it not so one-sided anymore is pretty encouraging.” The tension between the candidates was an entertaining spectacle, POLITICS continues on page 3
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