Issue 01, Volume 79 - Opinion

The Daily Cougar

OPINION

UH on the rise The University’s popularity in Texas is increasing | page 8

Dear new students A Cougar writes a letter to incoming freshmen about the memories they will make | page 5

Monday, August 26, 2013 // 1

EDITOR James Wang EMAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/opinion

The Daily Cougar

2 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

ACADEMICS

Students struggle on what majors to choose

W

hen it comes to advice it doesn’t matter if you ask President Barack Obama, bestselling author George Sanders or talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

They will all tell you to do what you love and go for the gold. In regards to your Bryan educational Washington career, the piece of paper waiting for you at the end of all those tuition fees, parking tickets and credit hours is not the only point, although it certainly helps.

Most people aren’t going for the gold. You can’t control that, but you shouldn’t keep to that trend, either. A college education is a privilege that the weary world has gone out of its way to expedite for the generations that follow.

Take full advantage.

Starting off, college might not make much sense, monetarily.

However, there’s a steady curve in the income-to-education slope.

Scientists earn the most, followed closely by engineers and diplomats, followed by the loftier, but

less accessible, entertainers.

It leaves undergraduates with no choice but to sift through the fodder, making decisions leave them with the highest chances of attaining stability.

As a result, the artists end up as accountants, history teachers as bank attendants and ballerinas as

office temps.

So you should think about canceling your LSAT and book a flight to dance in Paris.

But it wouldn’t just be naïve to intuit that people make greater concessions every day.

In all honesty, debating between two or three fields of study is a luxury. When your living situation is agreeable enough to have several options for how to spend your time, there is only so much to gripe over.

Having the luxury of options belies a responsibility in itself.

And when you’re later imparting wisdom onto others, you’ll find yourself repeating the importance of pursuing what you love. hinese philosopher Confucius once advised others to choose a job you love so you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, Confucius, but most of the seven billion people on this earth do not live in 500 B.C. Euan China.

Leith Many of us

C

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar

are dealing with, or will eventually deal with, providing for our families. Most of us have to think about where we want our children to grow up. And all of us have to worry about buying a fuel-efficient car to get us to and from work every day without breaking the bank on gas.

Some of us are still living by a 2,500-year-old saying and applying it to our 21st century lifestyle.

You may have a better time working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday if you’re actually passionate about what you do than someone who works only for the money, but what happens for those people who love their jobs?

The simple answer is they can’t switch off their brain from work to

STAFF

play, which might lead to the loss of some of the passion that drove them to that career in the first place.

Having financial stability gives a person one less thing to worry about. They can go home and recharge their batteries to be ready for the next workday. If you are constantly worrying whether your credit card is going to get declined, you cannot focus properly on your work, and it may in turn cause unhappiness in the job you once loved.

English junior Bryan Washington and journalism junior Euan Leith are Opinion Columnists and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

Front Page Photographer Kayla Stewart

Section Editor

Closing Editor

James Wang

Natalie Harms Channler K. Hill Mahnoor Samana

Copy Chief David Bryant

Contact Information Copy Editor Amanda Hillow

E-mail: opinion@thedailycougar.com Phone: (713) 743-5304

University Eye Institute leaders in specialty soft and gas permeable lenses.

Open to the public Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 713.743.2015 or visit www.uei.uh.edu

*** Students with Privite or MACORI insurance receive special discounts

Monday, August 26, 2013 // 3

The Daily Cougar

TRANSPORTATION

UH light rail to bring convenience, danger Catholic Newman Campus Ministry Open House at the Catholic Newman Center Aug. 26th – Sept. 6th 9 AM – 5 PM during Welcome Week.

Free Ice Cream Sundaes from 1 PM – 4 PM Free Lunch on Wednesdays after the daily Mass @ 12:30 PM

Catholic Student Organization

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar

H

ouston is sometimes known as the city where the cement never settles.

Additions are constantly being made to its skyline, and UH is certainly no exception.

The continuous construction on campus makes it challenging to simply drive Kelly around the Schafler area.

And with the latest road block on campus, the development of the new light rail, students wonder how this addition will affect University life.

According to a press release from UH in 2012, construction of the light rail began in summer 2011 and is planned for completion in mid-2014. Houston already has a 7.5 mile light rail that runs from Reliant Center to UH-Downtown, but although Houston is no stranger to the light rail—light rails have been here since early 2004—some students might still find it a foreign concept.

The intention behind the MetroRail's addition was one of convenience. “(The MetroRail) is intended to provide service to the universities (UH and Texas Southern University) and connect them to the rest of Metro’s service area,” said Larry Badon, the Metropolitan Transit Authority's manager of long-range system planning.

Light rails are supposed to reduce pollution, help with traffic congestion and save money on gas. While the economic aspect of it is a big selling point, light rails are built using millions of tax dollars.

Light rails might have uses in certain Houston areas but its presence on-campus will likely only hinder transportation around the University. Metro insists otherwise.

“Metro preformed extensive traffic analysis as the project advanced in design,” Badon said.

“Overall, the vehicular traffic flow

through the University should not be negatively affected as the light rail only travels along the perimeter of the campus.”

Metro could certainly have conducted extensive research, but the placement of this rail segment still limits accessibility to the buildings that line Wheeler Street.

Safety is also an issue. Metro reminds citizens to always listen for train horns, whistles and signal bells and to remember the rail is quieter than most vehicles.

While the hush seems like a great selling point to some, it also seems like a way for someone to get hurt if they are not constantly vigilant. Bicyclists, jaywalkers and reckless drivers already make it hard enough to cross the street; adding a light rail might add to the possibility of accidents.

Still, Metro is taking proactive steps to assure these rail-related accidents do not happen. Jerome Gray, Metro vice president and senior press officer, reiterated that people should remain aware of their surroundings.

“Safety is a priority for us.

That’s why we have safety awareness campaigns as well as signage at our rail platforms advising patrons to stop, look and listen when crossing the street”, Gray said.

Unfortunately, none of these precautions changed the outcome of 20-year-old Rice student Vivian Ziwei Guan, who KHOU said stepped off the light rail in downtown July 22 with her bike in tow.

Onlookers said she then rode her bicycle in front of oncoming light rail — she was pronounced dead on the scene. Other light rail riders said that though they attempted to get her attention, she didn’t seem to hear them. This is not the first incident with light rails, causing people to wonder if more improvement could be made in regards to the safety of the light rails.

“The accident involving Vivian Guan is tragic, and we await the outcome of the investigation into

the accident,” Gray said.

One of the biggest concerns is the possibility of an inebriated individual crossing paths with the light rail. With the light rail situated between the on-campus bar and the economy parking near Bayou Oaks, the unfortunate scenario of someone getting hurt is not too hard to imagine.

In addition, students attending on-campus parties are often seen crossing that same area.

As for the economic concern, there has been no mention of LIGHT RAIL continues on page 10

First Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12th @ 7 PM at the Catholic Newman Center

Bayou Awakening Retreat for students

Sept. 13th – 15th at Camp Kappe, Plantersville, TX (for Young Adults 18 – 25, get application online at

archgh.org/youngacm/Awakening Mass Schedule:

Monday – Thursday @ Noon at the Catholic Newman Center Sunday @ 10:45 AM at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center (next to Quad Dorms) Sunday @ 6 PM at the Catholic Newman Center (across from the Recreation Center)

Reconciliation Service:

Before or after all the scheduled masses or by appointment with Fr. Joseph.

For more information call: (713) 748-2529 or visit uhcatholic.org

The Daily Cougar

4 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

TRANSPORTATION

Commuters overcome roadblocks to success

T

raditionally, residence halls and on-campus apartments have been a part of the ideal college lifestyle, but as the quality of distance education improves and families become more fiscally savvy, commuter culture continues to transition from Ciara alternative to Rouege standard.

For UH students, commuting can mean that you live around the corner or in a far-away suburb.

Reasons persuading students to live off-campus are more numerous than the options, but financial insecurity is likely the most common factor persuading students to choose the commuter lifestyle. The decision to live off-campus, either with nosey parents or shady roommates, is a decision to save money.

A 2012 Sallie Mae study showed that, nationally, more than half of college students opt to stay with their parents or other relatives.

“Living with my parents, I didn’t have to worry about buying groceries or paying rent,” said alumna

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar Monique Andy. “I could focus on buying books, and my school work.”

Many students make the decision to commute out of necessity rather than personal preference.

Living on campus means that early morning lectures are only steps away from your bed, eliminating the need for long drives through bumper-to-bumper traffic. When you literally eat, sleep and breathe at school, taking on a heavy course load and a resume teeming with activities is more feasible.

The commuter population is quickly growing, but the diversity and intricacy of commuter lifestyles make it difficult to come to conclusions about this community.

Every year following the release

of National Survey for Student Engagement data, outside institutions submit essays interpreting the information collected. The most popular myths they have been trying to solve are regarding student commuters.

B. Lauren Young, a research analyst at the University at Buffalo, evaluates commuter students in comparison to their resident counterparts in her essay, “Commuter and Resident Students: Attitudes, Expectations and Their Influences on Integration and Persistence.”

“Commuters are more likely to have multiple life roles and responsibilities than residents. They more frequently have responsibilities as spouses, parents and employees as well as students,” Young said.

Residents are immersed in

the school, in addition to their own interests and goals. It can be argued that the college years are a time for self-discovery and building a foundation for your future career, but it is also an important time for young people to mature and transition into adulthood.

Although there is a large concern that students living with their parents would shelter them from the challenges of the “real world,” campus life is a controlled environment. All the conveniences are borderline crippling.

Commuters can’t request a new roommate because their partner’s snoring is unbearable at times, nor sneak off to the library late at night because they have a report due in the morning and there’s a newborn baby crying next door.

Commuters either quickly learn how to balance a demanding work life with a complicated home life or they crash and burn, but it’s short-sighted to conclude that the daily challenges facing commuters automatically wears down their drive to succeed in college.

“Commuters tend to have more diverse support systems than residents and rely to a greater

extent on spouses, relatives, friends, employers and other offcampus (relations) to negotiate the demands of a college education,” Young said.

The biggest myth about commuters is that they are less motivated to graduate.

Many UH students can testify that hitting the road at the crack of dawn to beat traffic, spending hours searching for a parking spot, choosing to pay tuition instead of living expenses and fitting your distant work life around school is a test of endurance.

However, thousands of UH students face these challenges regularly and overcome commuter pains every day because they are persistent in their goal of receiving an education.

Naturally, universities and other post-secondary institutions prefer that students live in environments that support academic growth and success, but throughout the years, many schools have realized that their roles in society are evolving and have embraced the commuter lifestyle and culture.

COMMUTER continues on page 8

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Monday, August 26, 2013 // 5

The Daily Cougar

ADVICE

Letter to a new Cougar I

f you walk to the campus fountain, there’s a bench by the edge where you can sit and think about who you drank with last night. It’s good for that. Some people think it’s what you’re sipping, or how much, but really it’s the faces in the foreground that matter — the people you’ve injected into your life, the people who’ve injected themselves, and the possibilities that wait in turn.

Bryan The breeze is just cool Washington enough to stand, and if you turn a little to the right, you can see the snout of the cougar behind you and maybe catch a fifth-year senior posing in their tassels for graduation pictures.

If you sit long enough, you might remember that there’s a chemistry exam to study for. Or a political science paper to write. The theater’s upcoming show to attend. But most likely it’ll be science, with the charts, graphs and formulas that are tacked up every year by the residents off Wheeler Street. Except for you. Because the view’s so nice, and it’s more fun to just think about it. You might get to it, after you’ve emptied out your Netflix queue.

You might get to it the next weekend.

You might not get to it at all, opting to scroll

through your contacts for a mass text instead.

By now, you’ve probably uncovered the secret about contacts: They change. Half the nicknames sitting in your phone will do just that.

You’ll call at least one of them from time to time, checking in on your favorite Austinite, Aggie or the guy who decided not to leave town after all. You might call your parents and call your grandmother every other day.

If you haven’t eaten yet, you might be hungry. It’s around this time that you’ll realize, despite all of its merits, UH has only a handful of places to eat. You could hit Taco Cabana, or walk all the way across campus to Chinese Star Resturant. You could visit the University Center Satellite, but it’s underground, and you’ve just seen that movie with the earthquakes. You have that kind of luck. And you will not have gained the freshman 15. No one gains the freshman 15. Six pounds, possibly and 20 pounds, less likely.

But 15? No one.

If your phone hasn’t rung, you’ll check it again because maybe you just didn’t hear it the first time. There might be a specific person you’re checking it for. You met in orientation, or you shared notes in anthropology.

Or maybe you just met eyes across the room at the Center For Academic Support and Assessment, silently praying before the chemistry exam. Maybe you asked them to pray for

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar you. These kinds of things actually happen.

It’s possible that you’ll respond immediately, but it’s more likely that you won’t.

If it still hasn’t rung, you’ll wait. You’ll check the time on the message they last sent you to compare the intervals. If it’s been more than 20 minutes, you’ll wait 30 minutes more.

Less than 10 might warrant five. You know there’s no correlation between the two and that the inverse relationship between sent

and revceived is a myth at best, but there’s no point in seeming desperate. The residence halls taught you that desperation is not a good thing. It’ll be another year on campus before you see that was a lie, too.

If you haven’t enrolled in John Harvey’s course in the Honors College, you’ll almost certainly have taken Richard Murray’s. You’ll have seen pictures of President Renu Khator.

She will almost certainly be smiling. If she’s not smiling, then she’s probably speaking.

You will have heard stories about her — possibly about her occasional Segway cruises across campus, or the four bedroom apartment in her office, or the notion that she’s en route to making UH even bigger than it already is. But they all pale in comparison to the Segway, and it occurs to you that you’ve been waiting by the bench in hopes of spotting her on it.

Then again, you might just be enjoying the view. You’ve got a few years ahead of you. You’re out the door in December. You’re halfway to a new life in Dallas, New York or graduate school at Rice. But what you’ll take with you is the view of Ezekiel W. Cullen, the two Cougar statues, and the sun on the bench at the edge of the fountain.

Opinion columnist Bryan Washington is an English junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

Got Questions?

Get your life Moving with prayer

Two free lectures

by Mark Swinney

THE HEALING EFFECT OF YOUR PRAYERS Monday, Aug. 26 7:30–8:30 PM, Oberholtzer Hall, Room 3A The impact of prayer is huge! Discover how to “move mountains” and have BIG results with this inspirational talk.

WHAT IS IT THAT CONNECTS PRAYER WITH HEALING? Tuesday, Aug. 27 4–5 PM, Agnes Arnold Hall, Room 108 Explore how feeling the presence of God as Love has the effect of bringing moments of wonderful inspiration and enlightenment— moments that actually reform and cure.

Grab a friend and come hang out.

All are welcome!

Find us on facebook: facebook.com/ChristianScienceHouston Contact Sue for more information: 281.808.3731 Sue@DoesPrayerHeal.com Sponsored by Christian Science AD Bruce Religion Center 105 www.DoesPrayerHeal.com Not affiliated with Scientology.

The Daily Cougar

6 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

WELCOME! On behalf on the University of Houston Police Department, I would like to welcome each of you to the University of Houston in this new academic year, and to congratulate you on your decision to join the UH family. Please take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Police Department’s website (www.uh.edu/police). It provides information about our department, crime on campus, services we provide the campus community and a wealth of other useful safety and security tips and information.

The University of Houston Police Department strives to enable students, faculty, staff and visitors to be safe while pursuing their oncampus endeavors. Every UHPD employee uses three principles to help ensure that the UH campus is a protected, user-friendly venue:

UÊ*À ÌiÊ> `Ê«ÀiÃiÀÛiÊ>ÊÃ>viÊV> «ÕÃÊi Û À i Ì UÊ `i Ì vÞÊ> `Ê « i i ÌÊivwV i V ià UÊ*À Û `iÊ}Ài>ÌÊVÕÃÌ iÀÊÃiÀÛ Vi These principles, in practice, help to make the UH campus a great place to study, work, or visit. Be smart. Be safe.

Ceaser Moore, Jr.

Chief of Police University of Houston Police Department

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The Police Department, in concert with the UH Fire Marshal’s Office, compiles and distributes the Annual Security Report no later than October 1st , covering the crime statistics over previous three years. The Annual Security Report is available on our website at www.uh.edu/police. A printed copy may be requested by emailing us at police@uh.edu or by telephone at 713-743-3333.

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Ê/, In the spirit of our academic environment, we believe that the first step in staying safe and preventing crime is to be armed with information. The Police Department employs subject matter experts in several safety and security related fields, and we are dedicated to passing on valuable information that you can use for personal safety. UHPD has online train-

ing in areas such as active shooter response, workplace violence and intimate partner violence. We also have comprehensive information online about subjects as diverse as hate crimes, sexual assault and harassment. You play the most important role in your own personal safety, and we will do everything we can to ensure you are prepared.

, Ê*, 6 / " ÊÊ *," , UHPD offers a variety of crime prevention programs to our community members, including: UÊ*iÀÃ > Ê->viÌÞÊ Ü>Ài iÃÃ UÊ"«iÀ>Ì Ê

UÊ,ià `i Ì > Ê> `Ê"vwViÊ-iVÕÀ ÌÞ UÊ-iÝÕ> Ê ÃÃ>Õ ÌÊ Ü>Ài iÃà UÊ Ì ÀÊ6i V iÊ/ ivÌÊ*ÀiÛi Ì UÊ iÜÊ-ÌÕ`i ÌÊ> `Ê « ÞiiÊ Orientation UÊ Õ ÌÞÊ > }ÕiÃÊ> `Ê Discussions

HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Emergency

911 UHPD 24-Hour Direct Line

713-743-3333 Parking Enforcement

713-743-5849 UHPD Lost and Found

713-743-0620 Crime Stoppers

800-252-TIPS www.uh.edu/police

Monday, August 26, 2013 // 7

The Daily Cougar

10

THINGS YOU

NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPUS SAFETY & SECURITY

1

ÜÊ ÜÊÌ ÊV Ì>VÌÊÌ iÊ1 ÛiÀÃ ÌÞÊ vÊ ÕÃÌ Ê* ViÊ i«>ÀÌ i Ì°Ê

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3869 Wheeler St., Houston, TX 77204-6191 "ÕÀÊÌi i« iÊ Õ LiÀÃ\

Emergencies: 911 24-Hour direct line: (713) 743.3333

2Ê 3

½ÌÊ i>ÛiÊÞ ÕÀÊ«iÀà > Ê«À «iÀÌÞÊÕ >ÌÌi `i`tÊ Do not leave personal property lying out in the open. Keep an eye on your personal property and valuables at all times. iÊÃÕÀiÊÞ ÕÊV> Ê `i Ì vÞÊÞ ÕÀÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ vÊ ÌÊ ÃÊ ÃÌÊ ÀÊ ÃÌ i °ÊMake note of the manufacturer, model and serial numbers of

all electronic equipment you bring to campus. If any of your electronic equipment is lost or stolen and later recovered, you must be able to positively prove that the recovered property is yours, not simply that you are missing a similar piece of property.

4

* >ViÊ `i Ì vÞ }Ê >À ÃÊ Ê> ÊÌiÝÌL ð Textbooks are

valuable items that can be sold if they are stolen or lost. Pick a number that is easy to remember and print your name and driver’s license number on that page of every text book you purchase. This will allow you to quickly and positively identify a textbook turned into Lost and Found, or sold to a bookstore as yours.

5

Ê ÌÊ i>ÛiÊÛ> Õ>L iÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ Ê« > ÊÛ iÜÊ ÊÞ ÕÀÊ Ûi V i° Either take your property with you, or secure it in your trunk.

6

iÊ ÃÕÀiÊ Ì Ê V Ê Þ ÕÀÊ ` ÀÊ Ü i Ê Þ ÕÊ i>ÛiÊ Þ ÕÀÊÊ Ûi V i°ÊWhen you return to your locked vehicle get in the habit of

making a quick look under your car as you approach and check the floorboard behind the front seats before you unlock your vehicle. If you see anyone under or inside your vehicle, keep walking and notify UHPD immediately.

7

iÊ>Ü>ÀiÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊÃÕÀÀ Õ ` }ðÊThink ahead and ask yourselfÊ “Will the area I parked in and walked through to get to my class during the day look the same when I get out of class at night?” If not, try to park where it will be light after dark. Always be cautious if you plan to travel in remote campus locations, especially at night. Go with your instincts. If something about the situation makes you feel uncomfortable, take another route.

8

à `iÀÊÕà }ÊÌ iÊ1 * Ê-iVÕÀ ÌÞÊ ÃV ÀÌÊ-iÀÛ Vi° If you feel uncomfortable walking from one campus location to another, you can call 713-743-3333 to request an escort. A member of our team will be happy to escort you to your destination.

9

V>ÌiÊÌ iÊ iÀ}i VÞÉ v À >Ì Ê > Ê ÝiÃÊÜ iÀiÊ Þ ÕÊ À > ÞÊÌÀ>Ûi ÊÜ i Ê ÊV> «ÕðÊThese devices give

Þ ÕÊ i` >ÌiÊV Ì>VÌÊÜ Ì Ê>Ê1 * Ê Õ V>Ì Ê"vwViÀÊÜ ÊV> Ê` ë>ÌV Ê assistance or provide directions if you are lost.

10

i «Ê1ÃÊ i «Ê9 Õ°Ê Ãà ÃÌÊ Ê > Ì> }ÊV> «ÕÃÊ Ã>viÌÞÊ LÞÊ Ài« ÀÌ }Ê ÃÕë V ÕÃÊ «i « iÊ ÀÊ Ã ÌÕ>Ì ÃÊÌ Ê1 * Ê by using one of the Emergency/Information Call Boxes,

or by calling UHPD at 713-743-3333. Never be worried that your concerns are unwarranted. We are here to help.

You don’t want to make your vehicle a target.

Crime prevention is important to the campus community and you can help by reporting any crime or suspected crime to the University Police immediately. By doing so, you may be preventing someone else from becoming a victim of a more serious crime. Police officers assigned to your beat and patrol area will be glad to give demonstrations and talks to interested campus groups. Call our crime prevention number, 713-743-0600 or email at preventcrime@uh.edu for additional information.

- ,6 Ê Ê*,"/ / Ê"1,Ê1 6 ,- /9Ê " 1 /9

The Daily Cougar

8 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

CAMPUS

UH popularity in Texas soars to new heights

R

egardless of the state flag, it appears that the official Texas colors are burnt orange and burgundy, but with UH football joining the American Athletic Conference and the University’s marketing becoming more aggressive, the state will soon burn red.

The University ranks Ciara high academiRouege cally and has impressive programs from business and scientific research to law and creative writing, but our educational prowess is winning us few points in regards to immediate popularity.

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar One of the quickest ways a college can gain national recognition is with a sports program that competes in leagues warranting

national coverage.

Early this year, Texas A&M exercised their bragging rights for finally joining the elite

Southeastern Conference by stationing pro-Aggie advertisements across the Austin and Houston areas in a tactless marketing

campaign.

This tactic included a billboard, which featured an A&M football player with extended arms and the caption “This Is SEC Country,” staring down at UH from across the interstate.

The board was quickly replaced with a pro-UH ad, but the sign made it clear that our programs have a lot of bark, but our alumni and students have little bite.

Looking at the surface, it can be argued that the UH fan base either needs an injection of red adrenaline or is borderline nonexistent, but until recently the main problem has been that the major wasn’t on the radar of any major networks.

Fortunately, Houston will be competing in the American, which will give the school more visibility starting this season.

“We will play in a league that guarantees automatic access to the Bowl Championship Series...for the first time in our program history,” said associate athletics director David Bassity.

The American features popular schools, specifically the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville, which have pulled in heavy media coverage for its past few seasons. Whether or not POPULARITY continues on page 9

COMMUTER continued from page 4

UH’s Parking and Transportation Services has The Commuter Club, which provides carpool vans, emergency ride-home taxis, car rentals and shuttles for students dealing with a rough commute time or parking problems on campus.

Although commuting can be vigorous in comparison to residential life, the desire that most commuters carry to further their education establishes the emotional stamina needed to survive greater life challenges. But developing an unbreakable persistence is not the only benefit.

Students who live at home benefit from the support of a nurturing family life.

“I love my family, and I’m glad that I’m not missing out on them, especially since my younger brother will be graduating from high school next year,” said hotel and restaurant management sophomore Jessica Gonzalez.

Opinion columnist Ciara Rouege is an advertising junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

Monday, August 26, 2013 // 9

The Daily Cougar

POPULARITY continued from page 8

Houston wins against these fierce competitors, attention from the games will build up demand for UH products.

“The network TV deal the American has reached will give our games national coverage that is exponentially better than what we have received in the past. Our football and basketball games will be aired on the ABC/ESPN family of networks,” Bassity said.

The basketball package also includes airings on CBS. In order for UH to cultivate a fan base as active as the ones supporting UT and A&M, the University will have to win over buyers at major stores, which means the school’s marketing department has to be more active in persuading stores like Academy and Target that there is a demand for UH products.

Recently, the school has taken their contract from the Collegiate Licensing Company and resigned with the Licensing Resource Group to enhance brand exposure and the Cougars’ presence in retail.

Since the switch, the school has debuted a more printable and distinct logo and made products more accessible and affordable for off-campus fans.

But pride is not cultivated from new logos and trendy T-shirts. It takes tradition and legacy.

The Athletics Department’s annual Fan Appreciation Day and Frontier Fiesta events are possibly the most impressionable initiatives the University has taken to build the school’s popularity. These occasions invest the student body and help create interest in the University as early as possible.

Athletics has been pushing and organizing other efforts to encourage students and alumni to step up and support the University and all of its sports. Among these other initiatives are developing a communication system with key contacts in Student Housing & Residential Life, the Student Government Association and Student Program Board, among others.

Of course, the department also implements more traditional methods like fliers, cross promotions, engaging fans with social media, working closely with Coog Crew at football games and advertising in The Daily Cougar.

The Univesity’s fight to keep Houston red will forever be an ongoing battle, but in light of the recent changes, Cougar fans everywhere can expect to see the future becoming much brighter throughout the next few years.

Opinion columnist Ciara Rouege is a print journalism junior and may be reached at opinon@thedailycougar.com.

ACADEMICS

Double majors mix dual interests

M

any students who double major choose fields that complement each other, often within the same college. What happens when you choose two apparently contrasting fields?

Take mathematics and art — the most objective Callie of subjects versus the Parrish most subjective. It sounds like a duel. These two seem to be complete opposites, but with enough thought, any two majors can fit together well.

Most people will focus only on the differences, but in their own way, the two subjects complement each other. Math is everywhere, even in nature. In art, mathematics is just disguised.

Ratios, proportions, shapes and perspective are all mathematical concepts, which

Callie Parrish/ The Daily Cougar constantly appear in art. Without them, we wouldn’t have art. Geometry is used in art as well. Every artist knows perspective geometry.

They may not know the rigorous mathematical approach, but they may know the concepts

even better than mathematicians.

Although this may seem counterintuitive, mathematics is a creative field, especially with problem solving. Many people view math as nothing but boring algebra, stupid equations that you have to memorize and word problems that make no sense. Math provides the tools that are needed to solve problems, which often calls for thinking outside the box.

In a mathematical proof, you’re tasked with proving something and communicating it in the simplest way possible. The shorter the proof the more elegant it becomes. This can take a lot of time, and is truly an art form.

Sometimes, nothing in this world could feel more wonderful than successfully completing a rigorous proof.

Double majors aren’t just for students.

Mathematics adviser Tristan Sims practices DOUBLE continues on page 10

& The University Center is under construction but...

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Room 279A University Center, Second Floor WRC: 832-842-6191 www.uh.edu/wrc LGBTRC: 713-743-5463 www.uh.edu/lgbtrc

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The Daily Cougar

10 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

HOUSTON’S ORIGINAL ENERGY MBA PROVEN. DRIVEN. CONNECTED. bauer.uh.edu

ADVICE

From the eyes of a transfer student

I

n today’s job market, seeing a resume littered with multiple universities is becoming a common occurrence. It’s a sign that our generation demands more from our schools. UH holds a high percentage Cara of incoming Smith transfer students — a clear sign that this school is doing something right if so many flock to become a part of it.

Like many of you, Fall 2013 will be my first semester as a Cougar. Unlike many of you, I’ll be a junior. I expect transferring to UH from a university with a population of 3,600 students will be nothing short of an awesome experience. Here are some of my initial thoughts upon entering this incredible University:

Athletics rule Coming from a university with an almost nonexistent athletics program, it’s easy to take for granted the role that a prominent program plays at a school. The school spirit it generates on this campus is truly incredible, and the sense of pride it instills isn’t a feeling all students experience in their collegiate careers. Students around the nation are familiar with this University for more reasons than one. Being featured on ESPN throughout football season doesn’t hurt, though, and UH students should be nothing short of electrified to be a part of this nationally recognized program. I know I am.

Large-scale programs With more than 40,000 students to cater to, this University brings no shortage of

LIGHT RAIL

DOUBLE

students having to pay any additional fees for the light rail other than an optional Metro card.

It seems as if the safest way to operate around the rail is to be cautious. Only time will tell whether this light rail will be a good use of taxpayers’ money and if it will be as helpful to the University as Metro hopes.

photography, for example.

“As a photographer, I use math and geometry to create pleasing compositions. Concepts like rule of thirds, perspective at varying focal lengths and hyperfocal distance help to capture not just any photo, but a photo that is pleasing to the eye,” Sims said.

“Starting with the basics, photographers have to use math for the inverse square law, calculating hyperfocal distance, et cetera — lots of algebra. From the creative standpoint, rule of thirds and even print dimensions are vital. Something taken at a 1:1 ratio is going to be different than a 3:2.”

The stress from seeking two degrees in dissimilar fields can get to a student, but the experience of loving two things that fit so well together can be rewarding.

Yes, it may seem incomprehensible that both mathematicians and artists are engaged in similar endeavors, but both are interpreting reality. If you open your eyes a little wider, you’ll see the same stands for degrees other than art and math.

Double majoring can open up many opportunities for students.

Another degree means one more set of skills to help in your future career.

continued from page 3

TRANSFER continues on page 11

continued from page 9

The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution

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Opinion columnist Kelly Schafler is a print journalism junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

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226 Student Service Center 1 – Located Next to the Health Center Call CAPS at 713-743-5454 for more information or to schedule an appointment

Opinion columnist Callie Parrish is a mathematics and art senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

Monday, August 26, 2013 // 11

The Daily Cougar

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD Channler K. Hill Natalie Harms WEB EDITOR Mahnoor Samana NEWS EDITOR Mary Dahdouh SPORTS EDITOR Christopher Shelton LIFE & ARTS EDITOR Paulina Rojas PHOTO EDITOR Kayla Stewart OPINION EDITOR James Wang ASSISTANT EDITORS Jessica Crawford, Laura Gillespie, Justin Tijerina, Monica Tso, Andrew Valderas EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

TRANSFER continued from page 10

groundbreaking, world-renowned academic programs to the table.

The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship ranks No. 1 in the nation, according to the Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report ranks UH’s law program as the 48th best in the nation.

Coming from a university that’s trying to gain a foothold in its own city-(let alone the nation)- has made my transfer to UH all the more humbling. UH students hear phrases like “Tier One” and “nationally ranked” more than they probably realize. Take some time to absorb these words, and you’ll realize you’re at one of the greatest schools in the nation.

Texas hospitality Whether turning in a transcript

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

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

743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

Like many of you, Fall 2013 will be my first semester as a Cougar. Unlike many of you, I’ll be a junior. ” Cara Smith, on her transfer to UH. or consulting financial aid, I have never had to worry about finding my way around the 667-acre because of kind UH students.

Being walked from Hofheinz Pavilion to the UC Satellite by a fellow Cougar just to make sure I didn’t get lost was a stamp of reassurance on my decision to transfer. Another student took the time to call his friend to verify that the directions he was giving me were accurate.

Needless to say, it’s already evident that the communal spirit at this university is incredible, and being a student at this school means being part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

At my previous school, it was said that its students weren’t “just numbers;” rather, they were individuals that would be treated more personally than they could ever expect to be by large universities. One can only assume that those who spoke that way have never had the UH experience. Brimming with possibilities, UH clearly doesn’t just treat its students as individuals — it gives them the necessary tools to help them develop into the best possible versions of themselves.

Opinion columnist Cara Smith is a communications junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

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)

Someone will know the answer.

You. Take $300 off a classroom course using promo code HOUM$300COOGS. When you’re ready for the next step, Call 800- 2Review (800-273-8439) or visit princetonreview.com today.

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The Daily Cougar

12 \\ Monday, August 26, 2013

UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER UH STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE Deadline to add or drop insurance is the Official Reporting Day of each fall and spring semester.

Contact 713.743.5151

DENTAL CLINIC Preventive dentistry, restorative, and limited major dental procedures.

By appointment only.

713.22.SMILE (713-227-6453) PHARMACY Provides prescription and over the counter items at very low costs. For more information contact 713.743.5125

WALK-IN CLINIC Visits for general medical concerns, lab work, and specialist referrals. For more information, contact 713.743.5151

NURSING CARE Immunizations and blood pressure monitoring.

Contact the nurse’s station at 713.743.5156 WOMEN’S CLINIC Performs well woman exams and evaluations for gynecological complaints and provides contraception options as well as STD testing and treatment. By appointment only.

Contact 713.743.5131

PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC Board certified psychiatrists that provide evaluations, treatment plans, and ongoing medication management. By appointment only.

Contact 713.743.5149

WELCOME ALL STUDENTS

ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC Diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal conditions including sports injuries and disease of the bone and muscle. By appointment only. Contact 713.743.5156

MEN’S Diagnoses, treats, and counsels on issues affecting men’s health.

By appointment only.

Contact 713.743.5156

ATTENDANT CARE SERVICES Care and lifestyle assistance program to meet the needs of physically challenged students. For more information, contact 713.748.8603

All visits and inquiries are confidential FALL AND SPRING MTThF 8AM–5:30PM, W 8AM–6:30PM, SUMMER MTThF 8AM–5PM, W 8AM–6PM

ENTRANCE #6, OFF WHEELER, BLDG #525 ON CAMPUS MAP www.uh.edu/healthcenter Students who desire to quit smoking can consult a physician at the UH Health Center. There is no insurance requirement.

Call 713.743.5151 for more information.