Issue 31, Volume 79

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

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Issue 31, Volume 79

O F

H O U S T O N

S I N C E

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

CITY

Firm dreams of Third Ward improvements Olivia Schultze Staff writer

LAI Design Group, a landscape architectural firm, has created a $1.5 billion urban redevelopment plan that will encompass eight city blocks throughout the Third Ward area near UH. The Third Ward Redevelopment Council, in collaboration with the ULI Urban Innovation Grant Partners and LAI Design Group, reflected on past research about the Third Ward to incorporate it into their new plan.

What developers are calling University Place will bring new facilities, such as a civic library, an H-E-B grocery store, a Hilton hotel and apartment complexes, along with shops, restaurants, offices and fitness and community facilities.

Such a combination of residential and commercial facilities is anticipated to lead to fewer lease turnovers.

“It will significantly improve the physical appearance of the neighborhood and boost its economic

The proposed University Place would bring new facilities to the UH and Texas Southern University communities, such as shops, restaurants, offices, apartments and a Hilton hotel, among others. | Courtesy of LAI Design Group stability,” according to the Third Ward Redevelopment Council.

Such projects have received criticism in the past because of worry regarding possible “gentrification” of the Third Ward, but other UH faculty, staff and students say

that as long as the existing residents of the area are alright with the change, so are they.

“I always invite improvements, but as long as (LAI Design Group) is not abusing or misusing the people that are there to get rid of

WARD continues on page 3

SCIENCE

VOTING

Grant fuels diesel emission research

SGA election controversies lead to reform

Ryan Graham Staff writerr

Nora Olabi Senior staff wrtier

Three bills were introduced into the Senate Wednesday that would reform campus election protocol and SGA members’ dress codes.

In response to the election controversy during February elections earlier this year, Sens. James Lee and Guillermo Lopez of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences brought forth two separate bills.

Lee presented the first election code reform, called the Election Reform and Accountability Act, which would amend election rules in campaigning, election implementing and concerns with voting turnout. Confusion about voting locations, candidate selections and social media presence were some of the highlights of Lee’s presentation.

“We have changed our system of voting to on-campus in-person

them,” said computer information systems senior Sam Davis.

“If they properly transition them somewhere, great — maintain emphasis on the fact that the humans come first.”

The redevelopment of this area

will connect it to the downtown Main Street corridor. This “Transit Oriented Development” will be easily accessible through the newly constructed southeast light rail line as well as regional access from Interstate Highway 45 and U.S. Route 59 for the 70,000 commuters who visit the area daily.

Additional profits are expected from the implementation of “green” building practices approved by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“Green building practices or sustainable design can place additional dollars in your pocket (by) reducing the operating costs and maintenance,” said Kenneth Puncerelli, CEO of LAI Design Group.

Energy Star appliances, compact florescent lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems will be used to achieve their goals.

The planned initial phase will include work on a mixed-use

Three senators that represent the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences presented two bills Wednesday that addressed voting issues that appeared during the Spring elections. | Emily S. Chambers/The Daily Cougar voting, and it’s the safest, most convenient way for students who are here on campus who are able to vote. The problem was, last year, our polling locations weren’t well thought out, and on top of that, you had problems with technology,” Lee said.

“The main thing we want to do

is increase accessibility for students and their involvement on campus.

And the main way to do that, in order to properly do that and to implement this engagement, we have to make sure they’re able to properly cast their ballots.”

REFORM continues on page 11

The Cullen College of Engineering has been awarded a $1.2 million grant by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy for research into diesel engines and their emissions. A team of professors at the college were awarded for their research of 15 years spent seeking a solution for the issue of pollution reduction.

“As (an) engine gets more efficient, it operates at a lower temperature,” said chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Dan Luss. “The most efficient examples release exhaust at about 150 degrees. However, current catalytic converters are built to operate at 200 degrees at the lowest.”

The catalytic converter is the part of an engine built to either remove harmful pollutants from engine exhaust or convert these

pollutants into a less harmful form. This means that new highefficiency diesel engines, when paired with catalytic converters currently in use, will pose a different threat to the environment.

An environment like this produces larger amounts of nitrogen oxides, otherwise known as NOx gases.

“NOx gases go into the atmosphere and react with hydrocarbons and sunlight to produce ozone. Ozone is a strong oxidant and can damage your lungs,” said chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Mike Harold.

“When you hear about a bad air day in Houston, it’s usually because of unacceptable levels of ozone.”

A series of regulations by the U.S. government known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards call for a significant increase in overall vehicle fuel RESEARCH continues on page 11

The Daily Cougar

2 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

CALENDAR Today Fair: The C.T. Bauer College of Business is hosting a Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Back Drum of Melcher Hall. The event will showcase non-profit organizations and allow students to get information on volunteer opportunities.

Art: The fifth annual UH Arts Open House, “A Taste of the Arts,” will be from 2 to 5 p.m. in the UH Arts District between Blaffer Art Museum, Moores School of Music and the Wortham Theater.

Homecoming: The Homecoming Block Party and the RHA Beauty Bowl will be at 4 p.m. in Lynn Eusan Park.

Discussion: The UH Bookstore and UH Libraries are sponsoring the event “Book Talk and Signing: Hip-Hop in Houston.”

Authur Maco Faniel will discuss his recently-published book from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Honors College Commons on the second floor of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library.

Friday Campus-wide event: UH Family Weekend, a campuswide twoday event, will be from 9 a.m. to 5

p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The weekend will feature cultural, academic and social events for the whole family.

Lecture: Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics is sponsoring another installment in the UH Ethics in Science lecture series. The latest installment, “Arming Mother Nature: The Birth of Catastrophic Environmentalism,” will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall, Room 232.

Panel: The Urban Experience Program Mentorship Series will feature Deborah Duncan of “Great Day Houston.” The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cullen Oaks Community Center.

Volleyball: The Cougars will play against UCF from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Athletics/Alumni Center.

Saturday Homecoming: The 5K Fun Run, hosted by Frontier Fiesta, will begin at 8 a.m. at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

Football: The Cougars will play against Brigham Young University at 2:30 p.m. at Reliant Stadium for UH’s Homecoming.

If you would like to suggest an event for The Daily Cougar calendar, please submit a time, date, location and brief description to calendar@thedailycougar.com. The Cougar calendar runs every Monday and Thursday.

CONTACT US Newsroom (713) 743-5360 editor@thedailycougar.com facebook.com/thedailycougar twitter.com/thedailycougar

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Issue staff Copy editing Maria Dupre

Copy chief

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

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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.

David Bryant

Closing editors Natalie Harms, Channler K. Hill, Janae Sitzes

The Daily Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. studentpress.org/acp

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 3

The Daily Cougar

NEWS EDITOR

Mary Dahdouh

EMAIL

news@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE

thedailycougar.com/news

NATION

Affordable Care Act changes coming fast Channler K. Hill Editor in chief

For the millions of Americans who still remain uninsured, there is just a little more than five months remaining to change their status to insured.

The opportunity to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Health Care Act ends March 31, 2014. Americans under the age of 30 have some of the best plans available on healthcare.gov, like the Catastrophic Plan, which helps to avoid high medical costs from major accidents or diseases that should arise. This health plan is available for individuals with minor health needs.

Texas State Director of Enroll America Mimi Garcia said their program has seen families of four

in the Houston area, who make around $50,000 a year, paying about $85 a month to insure their whole family. “We want everyone to know all of their options out there. Especially for students coming to the end of their college graduation‌ more and more jobs offering health care are becoming harder to find,â€? Garcia said.

Among many of the benefits of Obama Care is the ability for anyone under the age of 26 to have the option of remaining on their parents’s health insurance plan or getting their own plan to cover their needs. “We know that even though young adults value and want health insurance, they haven’t been able to afford it in the past,� said Anne Filipic, president of Enroll America

in a press release.

For students, enrolling in their university’s health care plan, such as the one available at UH for every semester and summer session, will also count as approved health care under the Affordable Health Care Act. “The new health care gives you more security ‌ (and) allows you to purchase your own health care at an affordable rate. (It helps) avoid students having medical and loan debt. You can’t predict when you’re going to be sick,â€?

Garcia said.

A tax penalty, which is prorated based on the length of time one is uninsured after March 31, 2014, will be levied with annual tax filings, Garcia said.

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WARD

continued from page 1

complex consisting of 250 apartments and 45,000 square feet of commercial space, beginning along Scott Street across from UH. The ULI Grant program includes a four-month research internship for a C.T. Bauer College of Business graduate student in its plans.

Currently, this project is in need of investors and lenders to proceed with phase one. “Without financing, this project is a dream,� Puncerelli said. news@thedailycougar.com

We do alignments, tires, wheels, lift kits, lowering kits, A/C services and full automotive.

Phone 713-923-2859 | Fax 713-643-1147

The proposed project would not just provide new services to UH students, but would improve the aesthetics of Third Ward. | Courtesy of LAI Design Group

6432 Gulf Freeway, 77023 Two exits down I-45 south, Exit Griggs

The Daily Cougar

4 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

OPINION EDITOR James Wang EMAIL

opinion@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE

thedailycougar.com/opinion

SOCIAL MEDIA

STAFF EDITORIAL

Gaga insults Muslim culture

Remembering Lynn Eusan

I

f you’ve seen the marketing campaign for the new Robert Rodriguez movie, “Machete Kills,” which premiered Oct. 11, you might be aware that a new Gaga song, “Aura,” is being used to promote the film in television and Internet advertisements.

And if you pay close attention to the song’s lyrics, you may be offended by David Gaga’s cultural Bryant insensitivity toward people who wear burqas.

The world-famous “Poker Face” singer spends much of “Aura” singing about wearing a burqa in order to be seductive.

“Do you want to see me naked, lover?” the chorus begins. “Do you want to peek underneath the cover? … Do you want to see the girl who lives behind the aura, behind the curtain, behind the burqa?” An alarming sentiment, considering the burqa’s significance in Muslim culture as a way of dressing modestly. Sure, you might say, but Gaga’s entire raison d’etre is to be alarming. True, but it’s not exactly offensive to any particular group for her to, say, cover herself in fake blood and act out a death scene

Sexualizing a woman in (a) burqa or hijab is the easiest way to demean, dehumanize and take away power from women who only want to share their sexuality with a few, or just don’t want to be defined by their sexuality at all.”

Illana Alazzeh, regarding Lady Gaga’s sexualization of the burqa

onstage at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

Even at the next year’s VMAs, when she wore a dress made of raw meat, which you might say is offensive to animal rights activists, she at least claimed to have an artistic reason for it — to represent, among other things, that she is “not a piece of meat,” she said on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Not so with the burqa references in “Aura.”

She, in fact, goes out of her way in the lyrics to deny the thought that she might have given deep thought to her actions: “Enigma pop star is fun/She wear burqa for fashion/It’s not a statement as much as just a move of passion.”

Gaga may not be trying to make a statement by wearing, for example, the translucent hot pink burqa she wore during Philip Treacy’s Fashion Week show in September 2012, but she’s still come under fire from the Atlantic Wire, the Huffington Post, Jezebel and countless other bloggers for her garb, which they justifiably deem cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation is the act of a privileged person or group taking — appropriating — elements of an unprivileged group’s culture, usually misunderstanding or oversimplifying those elements in the process. For example, Miley Cyrus has also recently come under fire for cultural appropriation of twerking and what she called “hood music” in a Billboard article in June.

In “Aura,” Gaga is taking the burqa — a piece of clothing with a strong religious meaning — and turning it into a tool of glamorization: “My veil is protection for the gorgeousness of my face,” she says in the song.

In doing this, she is reducing the burqa to a simplified icon that represents the direct opposite of how many Muslim women see it.

“The sexualization comes from this need to colonize Muslim women and their wombs — to invade and purify,” said Muslim

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

MANAGING EDITOR

T

David Delgado/ The Daily Cougar activist Ilana Alazzeh, according to Feminspire. “It’s why the Western man hates the hijab and covering, because it’s an overt way of saying ‘My body is for me’ and ‘I’ll choose you if I want you’ … Sexualizing a woman in (a) burqa or hijab is the easiest way to demean, dehumanize and take away power from women who only want to share their sexuality with a few, or just don’t want to be defined by their sexuality at all. … It’s about non-Muslim women capitalizing on speaking for and over Muslim women’s voices.”

Psychology senior Farah Atta felt “Aura” contradicts the reason many women wear head coverings such as the burqa.

“It’s kind of mocking the hijab or burqa, because … women wear it to protect themselves from men checking them out — checking out their butt or whatever,” Atta said.

“And that song totally goes against the whole purpose of it, and it’s really disrespectful. It’s inappropriate, not just toward Muslims or Islam, but even if it was about Jesus.

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

… Religious things should stay in the context they’re in and not be put into that kind of music.”

It’s unlikely that Gaga will listen to critics and see the pitfalls of appropriating others’ culture to make a quick buck, but if she does, I’d like to suggest she follow the example No Doubt set last year with their music video for “Looking Hot.” Controversy exploded immediately upon the Nov. 2, 2012 release of the music video, which depicted lead singer Gwen Stefani dressed as a stereotypical Native American.

In an unexpected and laudable move, No Doubt completely removed the music video from their official Youtube and Vevo platforms the next day and published a public apology on their website.

“We sincerely apologize to the Native American community and anyone else offended by this video,” the band said. “Being hurtful to anyone is simply not who we are.”

It’s simple: take down the GAGA continues on page 7

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.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must

oday, campus diversity brings students and faculty pride. However, 45 years ago this was not the case. In 1968, UH was still a mostly white school with a black student population of about 1,000 students. Fraternities were still segregated and racial tensions were high. This was Lynn Eusan’s world when she was crowned as UH’s first AfricanAmerican homecoming queen.

Before she was crowned, Eusan received death threats and Greek organizations put on minstrel shows mocking her.

“This was the first time black students on the campus have banded together and really been effective against overwhelming odds,” Eusan said to the Houston Chronicle for a Dec. 1, 1968 story.

Racial tensions intensified shortly after Eusan was crowned, casting a shadow on her success.

According to the Houston Chronicle, more than 100 activists presented then-UH president Phillip Hoffman with 10 demands in February 1969. These demands included an independent AfricanAmerican studies department and more black faculty and counselors.

Although Eusan lived to witness some changes to campus racial dynamics, she did not live long enough to witness most of the positive changes to the University.

On Sept. 10, 1971, 23-year-old Eusan was found dead in the back of a car. According to the Houston Chronicle, the man suspected of being her murderer was charged and then acquitted in 1972. The case remains unsolved.

So this week, as we celebrate the wonderful things about being part of the UH community, we also have to remember those who, like Lynn Eusan, fought for our equality. Although she left this world too soon, she left a legacy that encourages us to defy the odds and always fight for what is right.

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 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) 7435384. All submissions are subject to editing.

The Daily Cougar

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 5

The Daily Cougar

6 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Paulina Rojas

EMAIL

arts@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE

thedailycougar.com/life-arts

Halfway through Homecoming week Cougars rounded up and showed off their creative side during the Strut Your Stuff event on Wednesday at the Cullen Performance Hall. | Aisha Bouderdaben/The Daily Cougar

TALENT

Strut your stuff Cougars celebrated Homecoming week by engaging in a friendly competition showing off their dancing, acting and singing abilities

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 7

The Daily Cougar

OPINION SOCIAL MEDIA

No discrimination in free agency Speculation surrounds athlete being unsigned to his homosexuality

I

n April, the traditions of one of the world’s most influential organizations were shattered with three catalytic words — i.e., Jason Collins’ announcement of his homosexuality.

No athlete in the history of the NBA had Cara ever made such Smith an announcement, and Collins might have considered April 29 as the last guaranteed day of his ability to call himself a professional athlete.

After becoming the NBA’s first openly gay man, Collins found his declaration was warmly, wholeheartedly welcomed by the vast majority of Americans, especially the media.

Kobe Bryant announced his support for Collins via Twitter, and The New York Times cited Collins as the athlete who “shattered one of the last great barriers in professional sports.”

Even the surprisingly openminded Lil Wayne remarked on how well-received Collins’ announcement was within the public eye.

“Just to see how many people came to his support and things like that, that’s a pretty fair world out there,” Lil Wayne said.

It was April 2013, and life was pretty good for Jason Collins.

GAGA continued from page 4

offending material, apologize and avoid doing it again.Though it might make Gaga lose sales — after all, without a music video, “Looking Hot” peaked at an abysmal 397 on the UK Singles Chart — it would show that she has a modicum of respect for her fellow human beings.

Sadly, there’s no sign that compassion will win out against big bucks any time soon. Sorry, Gaga, but you can now officially consider me no longer a fan. Next time you want to make headlines, consider a kimono, a sari, a kaftan — or an apology.

Copy chief David Bryant is an English literature senior and may be reached at copychief@thedailycougar.com

Five months later, Collins is still unsigned and left scratching his head, speculating as to what exactly went wrong.

The New York Times has labeled Collins as a marginally average player at best, noting that he averages 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

For the overwhelming amount of people who deduce no meaning from that stat, including myself, Houston’s Omer Asik averages 10.1 points per game.

Granted, Asik is an incredibly gifted center.

However, the wide discrepancy in points per game shows that the aging Collins isn’t as desirable athletically as he may be to, say, a late-night talk show or newspaper editorial.

Broadcast journalism junior Taha Ali expresses his discontent with those that assume the NBA is being discriminatory based on Collins’ newly accounted sexual orientation.

“Collins wasn’t even that good when he got out of college — he’s been playing poorly for years, and he’s been kept on the rosters because he’s a stand-up guy and probably boosts morale,” Ali said.

“If Collins didn’t just come out as being gay, him going unsigned this year wouldn’t be a surprise at all.”

The timing of Collins’ announcement and professional stagnation is incredibly unfortunate, yes, especially to those who assume the two have some sort of correlation.

What’s important here,

though, is to not assume that the NBA or the Washington Wizards — the last team Collins played for — are discriminating against Collins based on sexual orientation.

Statistically speaking, Collins’ career isn’t exactly flourishing.

The only reason this has cracked the media is because of who Collins is, and while that’s certainly justifiable in this particular instance, it’s important that we do not afford certain privileges to people based on factors outside of situational relevance.

Slamming the NBA for neglecting to offer Collins a gig based on sexuality is discrimination.

It’s assuming Collins should have gotten something based on his orientation, which is no different than wishing less upon those with the opposite orientation.

Whether it be positively or negatively, treating people differently based on whom they’re attracted to and expecting things to pan out differently based on said preferences is undeniably discrimination, regardless of the intent behind it.

He’s an aging, unexceptional athlete, and until the NBA announces otherwise, it’s best we assume that Collins’ athletic shortcomings are the only reasons he hasn’t signed any contracts.

Your perfect

all nighter companion.

Senior staff columnist Cara Smith is a commuications junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

Got an idea?

You can win up to $1,000!

Cougar Pitch, a business elevator pitch competition conducted by the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship (WCE), is open to all University of Houston students.

First place wins $1,000, two months co-working space at RED Labs, and a mentoring session with WCE Director Ken Jones!

The Daily Cougar

8 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

LIFE+ARTS MUSIC

Classical soul, local artist releases album Bryan Dupont-Gray Staff writer

Marketing senior Treveon Roseberry didn’t expect to discover what he found when he arrived early for one of his classes at the Moores School of Music.

During prior meetings of the class, he had found music and business senior Princeton Miles jokingly playing Beyonce’s “Ego” on the piano with friends.

However, Roseberry didn’t truly recognize that special spark in Miles until he dug deeper into Miles’ musical activities.

“I thought the kid had rhythm and a little bit of soul inside him. Although there would be times that I would ask him to sing, and he would be shy and didn’t do it,” Roseberry said. “Then I saw him perform with the Men of Moores vocal group, and they did a mashup with Beyonce’s ‘Halo.’ After that, I knew that there was something there and I had to find out what it was.”

Without hesitation, Roseberry began his relentless campaign for getting Miles into the studio to make music.

Miles finally gave in after declining the offer 16 times. Soon enough, Miles went from writing and recording music on his laptop to having his sounds broken down and transformed by talented producers.

After a few short sessions, Miles began working with Roseberry in March on his recently released “Hear Me” extended play.

The two spent months molding his style and artistry to fit alongside the music.

“It’s kind of funny. I started writing music a couple of years ago with the intention that one day, if I ever got the opportunity to record something, I’d have something to record,” Miles said. “Treveon took me from that person who just recorded on my MacBook to being someone who has business cards, fanpages, Soundcloud, Twitter — he really had the vision for the project.”

At a young age, Miles got in tune with music after having been surrounded by gospel music, followed by his participation in the local church choir. His growing passion for classical music branched out after

I saw him perform with the Men of Moores vocal group... after that, I knew there was something there, and I had to find out what it was.”

Treveon Roseberry, Princeton Miles’ manager and marketing senior

Music and business senior Princeton Miles collaborated with manager and marketing senior, Treveon Roseberry. Together, they released his first R&B EP, “Hear Me,” which is now available on Etsy. | Courtesy of Treveon Roseberry he became a member of the Houston Boys Choir. Noticing his potential, his mother, Dorothy Miles, had him attend the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he took part in various musicals.

His acceptance into Moores, his work on vocal structure with faculty vocal coordinator Joseph Evans and his continuous dedication as First Presbyterian Church’s music director further cemented his love for classical and gospel music in the highest degree.

Working on the six-track EP motivated him to step outside of his comfort zone, away from his classical roots and laptoprecorded R&B repertoire. He also had to get personal.

“It’s experimental. I do have that choral background, but I really love alternative pop music. The EP is really kind of an experiment,” Miles said. “Every track on there is very different. ‘Hear Me’ is all about things

that you have never said something to someone, but it’s what you always wanted to say. In this music, you’re finally letting that person hear how you feel.”

Though courses have taught them to approach music from a business standpoint, Miles and Roseberry found a new challenge in attempting to define individual artistry.

“I’ve challenged him mentally and, in some cases, physically in the gym. It takes all of that,” Roseberry said.

“People may not hear it in the music, but it’s a part of it. That was the real challenge.

Getting people on board? Not so much, because they heard him sing. That explains it itself.”

As evident from Miles’ performances at Fitzgerald’s, The Mark Houston and, most recently, the EP release party at the Red Cat Jazz Cafe, the host of “Music in the Making” on 91.7 KUHA is proving that his musical focus has dramatically increased since he

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was discovered in 2009.

“I think he has grown a lot as an artist,” said Roseberry’s co-marketer and personal assistant Charnele Pendarvis. “The EP is very eclectic — not just because of the genre shifts, but vocally, too. Everything he does, GOSPEL continues on page 9

LISTEN Hear Me, Hear Miles Check out Princeton Miles’ latest project with the release of his first six-track EP, “Hear Me. “ It is now available on Etsy and will be released on iTunes and Amazon.

Stay tuned with updates from Miles on Twitter, @PrincetonMiles.

Visit his website at princetonmiles.com.

Get your speech on.

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 9

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LIFE & ARTS YOU’RE INVITED TO THE...

GOSPEL continued from page 7

it sounds like he has grown into mixing different styles instead of sticking to one chord, which was originally happening.�

With graduation in December, Miles’ plans with music are always running wild in his mind. Miles noted the contrast between his first artistic venture and future projects and how breaking old boundaries and reaching previously forbidden levels sounds much more enticing now than it did before. “A lot of it had to do with me not being afraid to be creative.

I’ve been pushed to challenge myself creatively, even during performances. You have to not be afraid to be that crazy person that’s sticking out because that’s a good thing,� Miles said. “The music is a passion. I’m always going to do it and it’s always going to be a part of me. There isn’t really one point that I want to get to; rather, I just focus on wherever music takes me.� “Hear Me� is now available on Etsy and will soon be released on iTunes and Amazon. arts@thedailycougar.com

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from 6pm-8pm

3224 Yoakum Blvd, Houston TX 77006

Having performed in several popular venues in Houston, the duo, Princeton Miles and Treveon Roseberry, have also caught the attention of local radio shows since debuting in 2009. | Courtesy of Treveon Roseberry

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Don’t miss the first concert with AndrÊs Orozco-Estrada!

MIDORI PLAYS MENDELSSOHN With AndrĂŠs Orozco-Estrada, Music Director Designate

$15

October 18, 19, 20, 2013 AndrĂŠs Orozco-Estrada, conductor Miles Hoffman, host (ACCESS) Midori, violin Gubaidulina: Fairytale Poem Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2

Use Promo Code

STUDENT

*Note: $15 tickets available starting one week out from the concert and up until show time. Must present valid student ID for student price.

Official Television Partner

Official Health Care Provider

Official Airline

houstonsymphony.org | (713)224-7575

The Daily Cougar

10 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

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ACROSS 1 Share knowledge 6 Run ___ of (conflict with) 11 Special ___ (military force) 14 Like Santa’s girth 15 Russian crepes 16 Extreme abbr.

17 Prohibited 19 ___ chi ch’uan 20 “Thanks, but I already ___” 21 Baby fox 22 Shark’s appendage 23 Officebuilding no-no 27 Appearing to be 29 Sigma follower 30 Cheese in a ball 32 Catch in a stocking 33 Work for a director 34 Archaeological find 36 Average guy 39 The 4077th, for one 41 Russian country home 43 “___ Trek” 44 American felines

46 Goes right by 48 Part of a pension plan, briefly 49 Top-level domain name 51 Jalousie element 52 None whatsoever 53 Predatory critter, in dialect 56 Periods in stark contrast to global warming 58 Six-legged hauler 59 Freshsounding antelope 60 Chewbacca’s captain 61 Colorful neckwear 62 Some baseball players 68 ___ Morrison (Them singer) 69 Golden Horde member 70 Outfit 71 Bit of work in physics class 72 Move toward one’s prey, perhaps 73 Temporary tattoo dye

DOWN 1 “The Way” of Lao Tzu 2 Down Under bird 3 Well-put 4 Dagger partner 5 Bigger and stronger 6 Blood type letters 7 The grippe, now 8 Parts of pig tales 9 Boxers, e.g.

10 Tunes in 11 Beating in the ring 12 Apparent 13 Yellow jacket’s defense 18 On ___ knee 23 It’s often stuck in the corner 24 Hong Kong neighbor 25 Being more clever than 26 Bashes 28 Apple varieties 31 Jagger and Fleetwood 35 Five alarm stuff 37 Guillotined Antoinette 38 Grad student’s hurdles

COMICS Telly by Tiffany Valle

Fat Burger by Francis Emelogu

Puzzle answers online: www.thedailycougar.com/puzzles

40 “Bodily” follower 42 Military attack helicopter 45 Water sources 47 Kind of bomber 50 Like some company picnics 53 Trombone part 54 “Lend ___” (Listen) 55 “___ Frutti” (Little Richard classic) 57 Wrestling’s ___ the Giant 63 Circulation increaser 64 Bug or annoy 65 Great geological time span 66 “Arrested Development” narrator Howard 67 Whirlpool site

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 11

The Daily Cougar

NEWS

REFORM continued from page 1

For Lopez, who is one of eight CLASS representatives, an equally important component of election reform has to do with timeliness of information for the SGA, prospective candidates and students interested in casting their votes, which he addressed in the bill “Election Commission Accountability Act.�

He believes that the election

committee has an obligation to report to the Senate on the progression of elections in order to update the calendar. “We need to make sure that the elections run smoothly. Clear and efficient elections are not only beneficial for the candidates running, but also for the students who want their voices heard,� Lopez said. “If the students believe that it’s disorganized or there’s no accountability, they’re not going to feel excited about the process.�

SGA President Cedric Bandoh announced new student senator appointments for two University colleges. | Emily S. Chambers/The Daily Cougar

RESEARCH continued from page 1

economy within 12 years. Those involved in this research initiative hope it could prove helpful in meeting these new standards. “What we’ve been working on is designing catalysts at the molecular level, making those catalysts, testing those catalysts, ultimately

trying to come up with the catalyst that will work under the worst conditions possible,� said chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Bill Epling, who leads the project.

Along with Epling, Harold and Luss, professors Vemuri Balakotaiah, Lars Grabow and Hugh Roy are also involved in the research. news@thedailycougar.com

SGA also touched on the matter of dress codes for its members.

Because of a student comment about the acceptability of casual wear in the government body, a bill is being introduced to possibly reform this. For Attorney General Shane Smith, this is an essential addition to fostering a professional environment. “We’re here representing the students, working hard for them. We need to appear professional and act professional, and the dress code bill has come up as a result of being as professional as we can for the students,� Smith said. “We want to be taken seriously; we want both the students and the administrators to know that we’re here and that we’re trying to make the University a better place, and a part of that is looking the part.�

For Lee, who enjoys sporting a business casual look, implementing a mandatory dress code could go against the spirit of inclusion. “Me personally, I like to dress up, but I realize and understand that not everyone can. I don’t want to make it a classism organization,� Lee said.

SGA will vote on the bills during the next meeting on Oct. 31.

Grad School Fair October 17 5–8 p.m. . Free!

University of Houston MD Anderson Library 4800 Calhoun Road www.idealisthouston. eventbrite.com hosted by:

Hot. Fresh. Daily. www.thedailycougar.com

news@thedailycougar.com

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The research conducted by Cullen College of Engineering would hopefully find a way to reduce pollution emissions from burnt diesel gas. | Courtesy of UH.edu

The Daily Cougar

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 12