SPORTS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OPINION
Blue-collar mindset
Third Ward Renaissance Pt. 2
Despite setbacks early in his tenure, interim coach Wade Scott balances his hard-nosed mentality with a light-hearted spirit .
SEE PAGE 6
Shining a spotlight on the dilapidated conditions of the University’s backyard and reminiscing of a spirit long gone.
SEE PAGE 8
JANUARY
CALENDAR CHECK: 24
OPERA DEBUT. Dancers will showcase their skills at noon and 7:30 p.m.
THE DAILY COUGAR
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Thursday, January 23, 2014
Issue 63, Volume 79
H O U S T O N
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
FACULTY SENATE
New president hopes to increase student success Amanda Hilow News editor
A wooden gavel was passed from president to president-elect of the Faculty Senate on Wednesday, marking the end of one reign and the beginning of another as the University transitions into a new term. In his seventh year at the University, Steven Wallace, 2013
Faculty Senate president, welcomed 2014 President Maria Soliño during the organization’s January meeting in the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion. “I want to thank all of you (in the Faculty Senate) for teaching me this year and really giving me the opportunity to learn about what you do. I’ve learned a tremendous amount just about how
UH functions — its leadership, its faculty, its staff and its mission,” Wallace said. “The title of president means nothing in terms of actual leadership. It’s what you do with it. … You can inspire people around you to do the kinds of things that you find innovative and also understand their needs — what they want to do, where they want to go and how
they want to contribute.” Soliño, associate professor of Spanish literature and film, said that as president, she plans to contribute to the University by working with her team at the Faculty Senate to increase student success. “Our graduation rate is unacceptable — at multiple levels. The most obvious are when we lose not only funding but prestige when we
say that we have a 50 percent sixyear graduation rate,” Soliño said. “But these are not just numbers. These are the people that we see every day in our classrooms. A mind really is a terrible thing to waste. Each dropout is a personal tragedy. Think of the heartbreak someone must feel when they FACULTY continues on page 3
ADMINISTRATION
Chair, dean of libraries steps back
The Daily Cougar News Services
as many candidates from different student organizations.” Available positions for the 201415 academic year are president, vice president, all graduate and undergraduate senator-at-large and all college senator positions.
UH’s long-term dean of libraries and Elizabeth D. Rockwell chair resigned Wednesday and will step down once her successor is appointed, Provost Paula Short said in a campus-wide email. Dana Rooks, who has served as dean for 17 years, raised more than $30 million while serving in her position and was vital in the 2005 renovation of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. In addition to her many library accolades, such as being named Librarian of the Year in 1997 and recipient of the Texas Library Association Distinguished Service Award in 2009, she has Short’s utmost regards for all her statewide triumphs. “Dana has helped shape library services in the state of Texas,” Short said in the email. “She is recognized as one of the founders of TexShare, an innovative model for statewide library resource sharing. She is also one of the founders of the Texas Digital Library and currently serves as chair of its governing board.”
SGA continues on page 3
LIBRARIES continues on page 3
Chancellor and President Renu Khator (center) cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the New UC North, which took more than six years of planning and construction to complete. For coverage of the event, see page 4. — AISHA BOUDERDABEN/ THE DAILY COUGAR
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Information sessions to smooth out election kinks Nora Olabi Assistant news editor
The Student Government Association undergoes a presidential election season every year, and with incumbent Cedric Bandoh graduating in May, the floodgates will be open for candidates. In preparation of the season,
the Election Commission will present informational sessions to inform the student body about the the positions available, candidate responsibilities and the electoral process to encourage students to run for office. Kendrick Alridge, the chief elections commissioner, hopes to work toward a historic
voter turnout this year. “I think it’s important for students to get involved with the elections. If they’re concerned about issues — tuition, financial aid, student opportunities — they should get involved, either by voting or running for office,” Alridge said. “The commission tries to promote