Issue 86, Volume 78 by The Cougar

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 // Issue 86, 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 PA P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

H O U S T O N

S I N C E

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ADMINISTRATION

Fixed tuition gets mixed reviews Minh Dam Contributing writer

Starting in the fall, incoming freshmen and undergraduate transfer students will have the opportunity to choose a four-year fixed tuition rate. The UH System has asked Texas Legislature for a delay in the implementation of the option until Fall 2014, among other requests. To the Board of Regents, the UH Political Action Committee and Chancellor Renu Khator, the time necessary to inform students and program changes required for student information systems just isn’t enough. The University welcomes the idea of a four-year fixed tuition option, said President and Chancellor Renu Khator. “But we are proposing modifications to make it a true option for students, since many of our students are part-time and many are unable to make a four-year financial commitment at once,” Khator said. According to the Almanac of Higher Education 2011, 23 percent of full-time undergraduate students,

who are 24 or younger, work 20 hours or more per week. With limited time to take classes, some are forced to extend their time passed the typical four years in college. “I am completely for the four-year fixed tuition. It makes sense to pay the same amount while you’re in school,” said political science and liberal studies double major senior Yesenia Chavez. “But it does concern me to have a fixed amount of time, because I’m definitely not graduating in four years and that’s basically an old-school institution kind of thing.” Students who opt for a double major degree plan will graduate after completing a minimum of 150 semester credit hours. Even enrolling full-time, double majors typically don’t graduate in the traditional timeframe. Among graduates in 2009 who continuously enrolled full-time, 45 percent needed an extra year or more to earn a four-year degree, according Beginning Postsecondary Student Rates from the National Center for

UH Academic Year Tuition Year tuition and required fees for full-time, first-time undergraduates: 2006-2012 $9,765

10000

$8,471 8000

6000

$8,862

Soggy students need help

$7,811

$5,886 $5,680

$6,196 $6,084

$6,658

$6,921

$7,342

$7,513 UH TUITION

4000 2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

Tuition and fees for full-time Comparison Group UH student, if first enrolled in 2006 (Chosen by UH): UH student that graduates in 4 years

$25,343

UH student that graduates in 6 years

$40,198

These figures don't take into account textbooks, school supplies and any financial expense related to commuting to school.

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (Cincinnati, OH) University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL) University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (Norman, OK) Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)

All data gathered from National Center For Education Statistics, www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/ Graphic by Andres Garcia

Two new assistant professors at the Conrad N. Hilton College have been awarded the New Faculty Research Grant, an annual research opportunity from the University. The grant is awarded to only a few assistant professors. The Guchait applications go through a university committee that chooses a recipient based on his or her merits within the field. Priyanko Guchait and Yoon Koh are two of the grant’s recipients for their research projects this month. “We have a great group of assistant professors,” said Dean of the Hilton College John Bowen. “In a way, it just validates that we chose a couple of more good people. We are very selective.”

Up-close with conductor SPORTS

TUITION continues on page 3

DONATION

Researchers gain recognition Professor promises gift Contributing writer

LIFE+ARTS

COMPARISON GROUP MEDIAN

HILTON

Erika Forero

OPINION

Guchait and Koh have published numerous papers and articles in distinguished journals in their fields, have earned doctorates and have at least three years of experience working in the industry. Guchait’s growing interest in what he calls the people aspect of management within the business field led him to the hospitality industry and eventually to UH and the Hilton College. Guchait said he is ready for the challenge that this grant brings. “I definitely feel the pressure to maintain the standards. But it’s a positive pressure. I think I can play at this level,” Guchait said. “That was one of the reasons I moved here. My colleagues are very supportive and helpful but we have a healthy competition going on in the department, which keeps all of us motivated.” Guchait’s research project is titled “Error Management in Hotel Teams: Impact on Employee and Firm Performance.” The research will focus on error-management

culture within the hospitality industry. According to a summary of the project, it encompasses organizational practices related to communicating about errors, to sharing error knowledge, to helping in error situations and to quickly detecting and handling errors. Guchait highlights the tendency for companies to focus on the negative aspects of error, how to prevent it and proposes a positive look at error. “Some positive consequences of errors are learning, knowledge management and creativity. You learn from errors and you get better in anticipating errors,” Guchait said. “You can avoid the errors from happening again in the future, and you can share the error knowledge with others so they do not repeat the same mistakes. You come up with better and innovative solutions to tackle the challenges in future.”

RESEARCH continues on page 3

Tara Gonzales Contributing writer

After teaching for more than 40 years at UH, a political science professor has promised, through his will and a contract with the University, to financially endow a chair in the Political Science Department, as well as other financial support. “The two go hand-in-glove. If the university isn’t clear what to do with the money that I have left in the will then they might spend it on new furniture in the Cullen building or something,” said professor Robert Carp. “So, it needs to be clear between me and the University exactly what is to be done with the inheritance”. Carp said he made the decision because he loves the University and believes it and the UH System since he first began teaching after receiving his doctorate at the University of Iowa in 1969. “It’s a pledge,” Carp said. “Until GIFT continues on page 3

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CRIME REPORT Follow

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The following is a partial report of campus crime between Feb. 25 and Monday. All information is selected from the files of the UH Department of Public Safety. Information or questions regarding the cases below should be directed to UHDPS at (713) 743-3333.

Aggravated kidnapping: At 7:56 p.m. Feb. 25 at the East Parking Garage, a student was kidnapped, and the student’s non-UH affiliated ex-boyfriend was arrested for the offense and transported to Harris County Jail. The case is cleared by arrest. Theft: At 1:03 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Cullen College of Engineering 2 building, a student reported the theft of his secured and unattended bicycle. The case is inactive. Theft: At 2:27 p.m. Feb. 26 in Parking Lot 1D, a staff member reported an unknown individual or individuals stole an unattended and unsecured golf cart. The case is inactive. Theft: At 12:52 p.m. Wednesday at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, a faculty member reported the theft of his unattended and unsecured laptop. The case is inactive.

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Theft: At 4:10 p.m. Wednesday at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, a student reported the contents of his unattended and unsecured wallet were stolen. The case is inactive. Traffic offense: At 2:45 p.m. Thursday in Parking Lot 19C, a student reported a vehicle struck his unattended vehicle and the striking driver failed to leave the

information required by Texas law. The case is active. Criminal mischief/consumption of alcohol by a minor: At 2:25 a.m. Friday at Bayou Oaks Apartments, an underage student was arrested for alleged consumption of alcohol by a minor and was issued a Harris County citation on suspicion of criminal mischief. The student was transported to Harris County Jail. The case is cleared by citation. Possession of marijuana/possession of drug paraphernalia: At 3:57 a.m. Friday at Cambridge Oaks Apartments, a visitor was arrested for alleged possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and released to Harris County Jail. The case is cleared by arrest. Disorderly conduct: At 8:39 p.m. Friday in Parking Lot 5A, a student and a UH visitor were arrested for alleged disorderly conduct following a public fight. Both were released to Harris County Jail, and the student received a Student Life referral. The case is cleared by arrest. Criminal mischief: At 11:38 p.m. Friday at the Rebecca & John J. Moores School of Music, an unknown individual dispersed the contents of a fire extinguisher in the basement. The case is inactive.

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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 and online at thedailycougar. com. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 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 tips and story ideas to the editors. Call (713) 743-5314, e-mail news@ thedailycougar.com. A “Submit news” form is available at thedailycougar.com. COPYRIGHT No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

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Closing editors Amanda Hilow, Joshua Mann

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013 // 3

The Daily Cougar

NEWS EDITOR

TUITION continued from page 1

Education Statistics. In 2012 the four-year graduation rate for UH was 12 percent, while the six-year graduation rate was higher at 41 percent, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data from the National Center for Education Statistics. “Four years definitely isn’t going to happen for me. I’ve changed my major three times and I might even do it again,” said biology junior Hien Nguyen. “It’s hard to choose what I want to be doing after I graduate. The job market is tough. I need to be sure.”

RESEARCH continued from page 1

Koh said she is excited to be selected and eager to begin her research at UH with her research project “Seeking an Optimal Speed in International Expansion: U.S. Restaurant Industry Perspective.” It deals with the speed of globalization of firms as an important time-based dimension within the context of the U.S. restaurant industry that Koh said has been largely ignored by hospitality literature. “I hypothesize that there is an optimal speed in international expansion and firm performance for the U.S. restaurant companies since too fast and too delayed international expansion may

GIFT continued from page 1

I die, they really won’t be getting too much. So I’m almost a little bit reluctant for people to thank me yet,” Carp said. Throughout Carp’s notable career, he has he received the UH Teaching Excellence Carp award in 1996, served as the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences until 2000, co-authored several books and wrote several articles. Susan Scarrow, chair of the Political Science Department, said Carp’s gift expresses his trust in the faculty’s ability to educate future students. “I’m thrilled because it’s such

Natalie Harms

news@thedailycougar.com

When a student changes his major, any courses already taken not directly related to the new major are essentially wasted. Students are forced to play catch-up by taking additional classes to replace credits lost. As a result, the number of semesters it takes to graduate steadily increases. Preparations for the program have yet to be developed pending legislation outcomes. Currently, the option doesn’t allow for academic progress or continuous enrollment requirements for students to maintain eligibility. “If academic progress requirements were allowed, UH would likely require students to earn 24-30 hours per year to remain eligible,” said Assistant Vice President for Planning and Policy Chris Stanich. “But we are

not be beneficial in maximizing a firm’s financial performance,” Koh said. The issue of internationalization is something she has researched for years. “Thinking about Koh interesting topics in my focus area of research is one of the things I enjoy,” Koh said. “Each topic has its own story, but many times topics come from a combination of many different things.” Bowen has faith in Koh and Guchait as they begin their work and help advance the college and the hospitality industry as a

a great vow of confidence in our department and his colleagues,” Scarrow said. “He thinks our students are the future and I think it’s more than a wonderful gift, it’s also a wonderful message because it shows that you don’t have to be the Cullens to do this kind of thing. Even ordinary people can have the resources, if they plan right, to make significant gifts that can considerably help our university.” Carp said he is still reached by former students for recommendation letters, questions and comments. Students who still think of him and the positive impression he has made on their lives also get in touch simply to check up on him, he said. “It makes me feel good that this institution that has put bread on my table for the last 44 years,” Carp said. news@thedailycougar.com

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not moving forward until we have more clarity on the outcome of this bill.” Fixed-tuition pricing pricing tends to be more expensive than the non-fixed variety. This is in part to account for inflation during the fouryear period, Stanich said. The higher price tag is balanced by the certainty of knowing the total cost of a college education up front. An exact amount has not yet been discussed. Pending the outcome of the provisions to the bill, a press release will be issued officially announcing the program to incoming students. A fixed-tuition option for current students has not been discussed.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

MEETING WHEN 4 P.M. THURSDAY, MARCH 7 WHERE RIO GRANDE ROOM, UNIVERSITY CENTER

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whole. “Both of them are recent graduates from Ph.D. programs, so I know they would be on the cutting edge of things that are happening,” Bowen said. “They both have some industry experience, so they will be able to relate with that as well.” Koh and Guchait will be able to enhance their knowledge and gain recognition in the field toward their area of research. “They need to focus,” Bowen said. “Today there is so much threat to what you can do in any discipline that you don’t want to be a generalist, but you want your name to come to mind when talking about a certain area. You want to be known for something.” news@thedailycougar.com

WHAT UPDATES AND DISCUSSION ABOUT STUDENT PUBLICATIONS BUSINESS The SPC meets monthly during the school year to hear updates from the department’s units, to give a forum for public comment and to elect the editor in chief of The Daily Cougar. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/sp/committee If you require disability accommodations to attend the meeting, please call (713) 743-5350 to make arrangements.

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OPINION EDITOR

Aaron Manuel

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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CAMPUS ISSUES

When it rains, it pours

top me if this happened to you before: while getting ready for class, you see on TV or find online that there’s bad weather coming, but for whatever reason, you leave home without your umbrella, and by the time you get to class, you Sarah feel like you’ve Backer taken another shower. “There was once a 10 percent chance of showers in the afternoon, but it ended up being a downpour in the morning instead,” said UH-Downtown history senior Julie Workman. “Of course I did not have my umbrella, so at first I tried to just wait it out, but then I had to make a dash in the rain to my car as I had an appointment to get to and couldn’t wait. I was drenched but on time.” There is very to no cover on campus, and on Feb. 18, I found myself running in a torrential downpour sans umbrella to the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library for a research workshop. Skipping was not an option; attendance would affect my

grade. I had to sit soaking wet through an hour-long seminar. On my long 90-minute drive home through evening traffic, still soaked, the realization dawned that the University needs to figure out some way to help students when it rains. “I would suggest building a walkway where students can walk through just in case it rains,” pre-business sophomore Roxana Guzman said. That is a solution, but a costly one. A more feasible option would be for the University to adopt an umbrella system like those used by outdoor malls. For example, Market Street in The Woodlands has made more than 500 large umbrellas available to retailers and restaurateurs. Each shop typically has an umbrella stand with five to 10 umbrellas, and when it rains, patrons take one and deposit it at any of the shops when they are done. This is all done on an honor system. It is possible for the University to adopt this system. The umbrellas could have the UH logo and logos of sponsors so they would be easily

distinguishable. These sponsors could fund the purchasing of the umbrellas and stands, and UH could name them Pride Parasols, Cougar Cover, Shasta Shelter or something less dorky. The University would bolster school pride, provide advertisers with another avenue for display and keeps students and their things dry. The honor system might not work at UH; students love free stuff and might be prone to keep the umbrellas, even if they’re supposed to return them. To get around that, the University could require students to pay a small deposit. Then, when the student returns the umbrella, they could get their money back, or at least a portion of it. Workman gives another suggestion that may be more cost effective. “You could use the same idea but instead of using umbrellas, use plastic see-through ponchos with the logos displayed on them,” Workman said. “It would be more cost effective in the long run since those could be massproduced easier and cheaper than umbrellas.” While some people might say,

David Delgado | The Daily Cougar “just bring an umbrella,” many people often do not. Not everyone has time to grab one on the way out of the door or remembers to check the weather in the morning. An umbrella system would be a great convenience for the students, faculty

and guests of the University. I love the sound of rain, particularly when it is falling on an umbrella instead of my head. Sarah Backer is a business sophomore and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

VOICE OF THE PRIDE VOIC ld How woulyo u b a ance the federal budget?

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD Joshua Mann Amanda Hilow ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Samantha Wong NEWS EDITOR Natalie Harms SPORTS EDITOR Christopher Shelton LIFE & ARTS EDITOR Paulina Rojas CO-PHOTO EDITORS Nichole Taylor, Mahnoor Samana OPINION EDITOR Aaron Manuel ASSISTANT EDITORS Channler Hill, Kathleen Murrill, Jessica Portillo EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

Email opinion@thedailycougar.com with the subject title “Re: Voice” with your answer. Keep these things in mind: ß Be respectful. ß Limit your word count to 500. ß Include your full name, major and classification. Faculty and staff should list their title and department. *Alumni should include their degree and graduation date.

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.

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.

and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. 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.

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,

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

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 // 5

The Daily Cougar

SPORTS EDITOR

Christopher Shelton

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The Cougars are looking for more from sophomore defensive back Adrian McDonald, who contributed two interceptions and two fumble recoveries last season. | Catherine Lara/The Daily Cougar

Back in action The Cougars moved a step toward their regular-season opener by beginning spring practice Monday. Head coach Tony Levine said he will go into spring ball with an empty depth chart, like he did last season. Levine said he will focus on becoming more physical as a football club during the 15 practices.

(Above) Redshirt freshman quarterback Rex Dausin will compete with junior quarterback David Piland for snaps with the first team this spring. (Right) Junior Rowdy Harper (74) is one of six returning offensive linemen who started a game for the Cougars last season. | Catherine Lara/The Daily Cougar

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COMICS Fresh Out of Logic by Kathleen Kennedy

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ACROSS 1 Regret a workout, say 5 Stinging punishment 9 Stylebook concern 14 Bio kin 15 Titular Anne Hathaway role 16 Olympics star Comaneci 17 Calflength skirt 18 Rough guess 19 Appropriate by force 20 1996 Oscarwinning film (with “The”) 23 Witness 24 Prefix meaning “new” 25 Perfumer’s talent 26 A billion years 27 Small dog breed, briefly 28 Exalted poem 31 Accessory for an oldtime flying

ace 34 Attention 35 Attachment for cowboy boots 36 Bogart/ Hepburn classic 39 Paddle relatives 40 Quite some time 41 Quitter’s cry 42 ___ forma 43 Hebrew month 44Humorous fellow 45 Will name 46 Stove fuel 47 Dashed 50 1980 Richard Gere film 54 PushmiPullyu, in the movies 55 The Bard’s river 56 Run in place 57 To this moment 58 Opposite of “none” 59 Malicious 60 Zero of the population 61 Vaseshaped pitcher 62 Tadpole’s milieu

DOWN 1 Highest points 2 Crepe de ___ (silklike fabric) 3 Counterbalance, financially 4 “The Last Command” Oscarwinner Jannings 5 Abate 6 Even if, briefly 7 Big shot in ice hockey 8 Cuban dances in duple time 9 Apt to turn out badly 10 Agra attire (Var.) 11 Yemeni seaport 12 Basic idea 13 Stuff your face 21 Two common prepositions 22 Battleship on a Monopoly board, e.g. 26 Big Band and Gaslight 27 One walking back and forth 28 Oil cartel acronym 29 Pointof-honor

settler 30 Fish-eating bird 31 Getting-off place 32 Blacken, in a way 33 Prefix with “magnetic” or “dynamics” 34 Place for stogies 35 Like some numbers 37 Halfdiameters 38 Sort of, but not quite 43 Add fizz to 44 Robert of “Austin Powers” fame 45 Hairychested ones with muscles 46 Garden figure 47 Show with big bucks? 48 Haggard hero Quatermain 49 “... with ___ in sight” 50 “And another thing ... “ 51 BLT layer 52 Make no bones about 53 Walking difficulty 54 Office PC linkup letters

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013 // 7

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LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Paulina Rojas

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Q &A CRISTINA MENDOZA Mendoza is a second- year doctoral student of musical arts specializing in instrumental conducting. She taught for 10 years at Nicholls State University in Louisana. She sat with The Daily Cougar to talk about conducting, her experiences at UH and about what she has going on this semester.

Q: How has your experience with the program been?

A: This program has really given me more hands-on conducting time than I would have received in other doctoral programs. We have three concert bands made up of music majors and one campus band that is open for anybody who wants to play. As graduate students in the band program, we are assigned pieces (repetior) to play with each band. ... We get a variety of experiences and teaching. You don’t see that in many other doctoral programs. You are usually limited to just a few experiences, whereas our professor, David Burtman, really believes in giving us a lot of hands-on experience. Q: Can you describe a standout experience you’ve had? A: I can remember the first time I got in front of the wind For some students, it can be hard to break out and make new friends. Joining organizations can help students expand their horizons and make long lasting friends. | Catherine Lara/The Daily Cougar

STUDENT LIFE

Getting more vocal and social Becoming involved in campus organizations can help shy scholars break out of their shells Crystal Brannen, Jessica Portillo Contributing writer, assistant life & arts editor

College is a time of transition that can cause stress and anxiety for students when they encounter new pressures from academics, finances and their new social lives. Fortunately for students struggling with shyness and other anxiety issues, there are certain things they can do to prepare for university life, said Kay Brumbaugh, the outreach coordinator and psychologist in the Counseling and Psychological Services. “Educate yourself about the differences between normal stress and an anxiety disorder,” Brumbaugh said. “Get involved with the UH community and know what resources are available for support.” Broadcast journalism junior Jesse Hudgens offers his advice to

those who haven’t broken out of their shell. “It’s about getting social opportunities. Join a club on campus. My social life at UH didn’t pick up until I joined Coog Radio and GLOBAL — the LGBT group on campus,” Hudgens said. English senior Anthea Rafique said it takes a little courage and self-motivation. “I would recommend to just put yourself out there, speak up, walk confidently, smile and try something you have never done — within reason — which will give you experience and, of course, bragging rights to say ‘Oh, I have done that.’” Rafique said. But it’s not always easy. Chemistry junior Josué Portillo has heard this all before. “It’s a lot harder than just putting yourself out there,” Portillo said. “It’s crippling.” He also believes the media is responsible for downplaying what it means to be a shy person. “Television shows have some pretty girl acting weird and calling that being that socially awkward when it’s not,” Portillo said. “It’s insulting. If being bubbly and

cute is socially awkward, I’d hate to know what I have.” Brumbaugh said it takes time to overcome shyness, but individuals that focus on building self-confidence and using positive self-talk to reduce stress and make their university experience a little more comfortable. “CAPS offers group counseling, which is a popular and beneficial service to address shyness and anxiety concerns,” Brumbaugh said. “Individuals meet weekly with other group members and one or two clinicians to explore new ways of coping, behaving and interacting with others.” Even though there are a lot of resources and advice to help deal with shyness, perhaps one of the least difficult is to embrace who you are. “Our society glorifies the celebrity, the outspoken, but very rarely celebrates the quiet and reflective,” Hudgens said. “Many of your classmates appear to have it all together, but most everyone feels some degree of insecurity.” arts@thedailycougar.com

ensemble, which is our top group, and I was assigned the rehearsal all by myself. There were no other teachers in the room, or things like that, and I was terrified to get in front of this excellent group of musicians who were very kind to me — very supportive. ... They are all my friends. We work together so much that we all have a great working relationship, and a lot of them are close friends of mine. After I finished that rehearsal, their (reaction) showed me that I was at the right place and that I felt I could really achieve a lot in that group.

Q: What do you hope to do once you are done with your degree? A: After I finish my degree, I would like to find a job teaching at the collegiate level.

Q: Is it different when you are conducting a classical piece than something more modern or contemporary? A: It really can be a different experience, especially if a piece is very familiar — like an older classical piece that you might be familiar with from your past — or (even) if it’s something relatively new you’re not familiar with. So you really have to investigate the score, look at all the instrument parts and figure out who’s important at a particular moment and help the ensemble communicate the emotion and the intent of the music to the audience.

Q: What are you looking forward to in your upcoming projects and performances?

A: Thursday is the wind ensemble performance, and I am conducting two works in that concert. One is very expressive and lyrical, and the other is up-tempo and in the style of an Irish jig. Those are very contrasting, and I am excited for that performance.

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Brazil’s leading ambassadors of contemporary dance

GRUPO CORPO Imã and Sem Mim

s Grupo Corpo’s compelling style grafts the pliancy of modern dance and rhythmic complexity of Afro-Brazilian dance onto ballet, captivating audiences with stunningly sexy physicality, dynamic ability, and rich visual ﬁnesse.

8PM

MARCH 14 & 15

CULLEN THEATER, WORTHAM CENTER

GET TICKETS TODAY! $10 FOR STUDENTS! (Discounted tickets by phone only) (From left) Junior center and forwards Yasmeen Thompson, Te’onna Campbell and Marissa Ashton have contributed to the Cougars’ improvement this season. The team has 10 more wins than it did last season. | Andrew Valderas/The Daily Cougar

SPAHOUSTON.ORG 713.227.4772 FOR GROUPS OF 15 OR MORE: 713-632-8113

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

No place like home Transfers look to build on their first season, make UH team competitive Andrew Valderas Staff writer

Head coach Todd Buchanan started the season surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Before the season, 10 of the 12 players on his roster — a total of six freshman, three transfers and one walk-on — were waiting for their debuts in Cougar red. A season-ending injury to redshirt senior point guard Porsche Landry meant junior center Mae Woods was the only Cougar on the current roster who played more than three games last season. “The difficult part has just been to build a camaraderie and chemistry within the group, and for me to have as much patience as I possibly can,” Buchanan said. “I love this group. I think our foundation is really strong and have been proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.” Growing up in Ontario, Calif., junior forward Te’onna Campbell spent her first two collegiate years at New Mexico Junior College, where she averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds

and 2.6 steals per game. She was able to garner NJCCA Second Team AllAmerican honors and was named the Western Junior College Player of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. Campbell said the challenge to play against the best of the best was her main motive that led to her transfer to UH. “I wanted to go big. When I heard they were moving to the Big East Conference, I just kept thinking big. My junior college was in a small town and I was just thinking I have to get myself out there,” Campbell said. Campbell has made her presence felt on this team, as she leads the team in steals with 2.7 per game, while also averaging eight points and eight rebounds. She put up career highs with 17 points and five assists to top off her game-winning layup with four seconds remaining on Feb. 17 at Tulane. “She’s so athletic. Her athleticism is one of the intangibles that you just can’t coach,” Buchanan said. Before junior center Yasmeen Thompson chose to transfer to UH, she wanted to make it feel as close to home as possible. “I was looking for a place that was going to be family oriented,” Thompson said. “When I heard about all the recruits coming in, I just wanted to

feel a part of what was going on.” Thompson attended Paris Junior College. She earned NJCAA All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in the 2011-2012 season after averaging eight points and nine rebounds per game, while shooting 44 percent from the field. For the Cougars, Thompson averages eight points and nine rebounds, while leading Conference USA in blocks with 1.6 per game. When junior forward Marissa Ashton decided to transfer to UH from Texas Tech, she said the program wasn’t right for her there and she wanted to feel closer to family. “Every program isn’t right for every player. I was unhappy and made me want to come close to home,” Ashton said. Buchanan sees Ashton as a player that presents more than just a great skill set. “With as many freshmen we signed this season, I think her experience coming from a division one school has helped our team growth a lot,” Buchanan said. “She’s gaining a lot of confidence after each game and practice. We’ve grown a really strong bond in a coach-player relationship.” sports@thedailycougar.com

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