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
S I N C E
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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
2 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Daily Cougar
CALENDAR candidates for the upcoming election from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m. in The Honors College.
Today Tournament: The UH Law Center will sponsor the sixth annual competition hosted by the University’s Blakely Advocacy Institute, in which 16 moot court programs will explore environmental policies from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Downtown DoubleTree Hotel.
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Friday
Lecture: Guest speaker Dan McNichol, a former White House appointee, will talk about the need to reinvigorate the “ailing” U.S. infrastructure during his Dire States Tour 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Engineering Building 2, Room W122.
Music: The opera opening of “The Barber of Seville,” which will be sung in English, by composer Gioachino Rossini, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera Center.
Seminar: The Bauer College of Business will host a webinar on funding on MBA degree from noon to 1 p.m. online. Mixer: The Law Center will host its Third Annual Wine Tasting with alumni from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hofheinz House 3900 Milam St. RSVP is required.
Women’s Basketball: The Cougars will face off against Southern Methodist University from 2 to 5 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion.
Government: The Student Government Association will have two
713.22.SMILE (713.227.6453)
Music: The opera opening of “The Consul,” which will be sung in English, by composer Gian-Carlo Menotti, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera Center. $12 for students.
Saturday
Sunday Men’s Basketball: The Cougars will battle Southern Methodist University from 2 to 5 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion.
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NEWS EDITOR
FACULTY continued from page 1
drop out of college — their wasted time and the money they couldn’t afford to begin with and the lifelong regret from those who simply
can’t finish.” Soliño said the University has reached the turning point of new initiatives to raise its graduate rate — the system-wide Blue Ribbon Task Force that is trying to develop strategies to close the achievement gap and the Foundations of
Excellence program that focuses on enhancing the first-year experience. However, she expressed the concern that none of these initiatives will work without the help of the faculty. One of her main goals for the next year, she said, is to
SGA
LIBRARIES continued from page 1
Nationally, Rooks dedicated herself as a member of the board of directors for the Association of Research Libraries and the Association of College and Research Libraries. Despite her resignation of her dean position, Rooks will continue to be a part of the University. “I am pleased that upon her stepping down, she has agreed to assist me on several new initiatives in a new role in the provost office,” Short said in the email. news@thedailycougar.com
news@thedailycougar.com
energize faculty members across campus to make student success a priority. In order to do this, she plans to work with the administration to develop a system of promotion and compensation. She is seeking a compromise with the University in which the
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administration will develop this system while still allowing focus to remain on research for Tier One requirements. “We’ve come a long way,” Soliño said, “but the best is yet to come.” news@thedailycougar.com
East and Southeast Asian Contact Lens Wearers Needed for a Soft Contact Lens Study
continued from page 1
Attorney General David Ghably hopes to ensure across-the-board understanding of the election codes, which he hopes will be accomplished with the informational sessions. “Students don’t really know about how many positions there are. If they know about them, they wouldn’t be as hesitant,” Ghably said. “‘If I can change one thing about UH, what would it be?’ I can’t think of someone who doesn’t have one thing they wouldn’t complain about.” Ghably looks forward to a smooth transition between administrations. For biology freshman Chloe Stowell, this season is a chance to help out her friend, who plans on running for office. The informational sessions are a good way to know the ins and outs of SGA and learn how to be a part of it, she said. “Especially for freshmen, we want to get involved, but we don’t know how to get involved. I’m going to recommend it to my friend, who is running,” Stowell said. The information sessions are just one of a series of debates and
Amanda Hilow
You are being asked to participate in this study because you are self-reported as Asian and currently wears soft spherical contact lenses. Researchers at The Ocular Surface Institute, University of Houston College of Optometry want to compare 2 FDA-approved soft contact lenses. Minimum Eligibility Requirements: • Males and females between 18 and 70 years old with self-reported Asian ethnicity • Currently wearing soft spherical contact lenses everyday • Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding a baby
Student Government Association President Cedric Bandoh is graduating in May, leaving the door wide open for new potential candidates to be University leaders. | Aisha Bouderdaben/The Daily Cougar seminars this coming election season. Angela Kao, chief of staff, said she looks forward to seeing a new wave of faces at SGA. “It’s always a fun time of the year; it’s always the beginning of a new era,” Kao said. Two presentations will be given from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m. today and Tuesday in The Honors College in the M. D. Anderson Memorial Library, Room 212S.
Groups that the commission has reached out to during this first week of election promotion include the Houston Panhellenic Council and the UH College Democrats. The commission is under the umbrella of the Center for Student Involvement. The candidate filing period begins Monday.
To determine if you are eligible for the study, you will have an initial visit at the College of Optometry. You also will undergo a number of commonly performed clinical eye tests. There are 3 visits total for the study. Visit 1 and visit 2 last approximately 2 hours, and visit 3 lasts about 1 hour. You will be compensated for the completed study visit with a $60.00 Target gift card for Visit 1 and Visit 2, and a $30.00 Target gift card for Visit 3. Total compensation amount for the study will be $150.00. For more information about this study, please contact us at (713)-743-2809. Email: TOSI@optometry. uh.edu (Please mention study 113) This project has been reviewed by the University of Houston Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (713) 743-9204.
news@thedailycougar.com
currently serves as chair of its governing board.” Nationally, Rooks dedicated herself as a member of the board of directors for the Association of Research Libraries and the Association of College and Research Libraries. Despite her resignation of her dean position, Rooks will continue to be a part of the University. “I am pleased that upon her stepping down, she has agreed to assist me on several new initiatives in a new role in the provost office,” Short said in the email. Details about the initiatives and the new position in the provost office are not yet available to the public. news@thedailycougar.com
4 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Daily Cougar
NEWS CAMPUS
Ribbon cutting ceremony formally opens UC North Trishna Buch Contributing writer
Administrators, students leaders and many others have been planning for the University Center North for six years, and the construction has taken place for the past 18 months. According to President and Chancellor Renu Khator, 77 percent of UH students ruled in favor of the New UC. During her Wednesday speech at the official ribbon-cutting for the building, Khator read out a number of tweets sent to her by UH students, all of whom had positive responses toward the New UC. Khator said the New UC blew her away, and she shared the importance of the UC and of other buildings around campus. “We build these spaces for a purpose, and that purpose is student success,” she said. “If you have good student values, you
have good student bonding, you have good student retention and you have good student graduation. The UC is part of our bigger path, and that is making sure that every student has an opportunity to complete their college (degree).” Student Government Association President Cedric Bandoh and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Kowalka. also took the time to say a few positive words about the New UC, and about the overwhelming positive response to the project. “The New UC is a great addition to campus with its social environment,” said accounting sophomore Christina Nguyen. “It’s the spot to be on UH.” SGA Director of Public Relations Nancy Gutierrez agreed. “I think it’s a great place for students to come and network,” Gutierrez said. “It’s nice to have all the organizations close by as
The ceremonial scissors cut the ribbon to symbolize the official opening of the New UC North. Students, faculty and administrators gathered to enjoy chocolate and yellow cake. | Aisha Bouderdaben/ The Daily Cougar.
well, because it helps us to work together easier.” The celebrations came to a close with the official ribbon being cut by Khator and Bandoh. This event was one of the first in a series of events that will celebrate the opening of Phase 1 of the New UC.
Other projects to beautify campus are ongoing, and Khator said she expects the wait to be worth it. “The students are the heart and soul of the University. This building is their vision and dream,” Khator said. “This is a part of our student life agenda. I think student
life leads to better student retention and graduation.” Additional reporting by Christopher Shelton. news@thedailycougar.com
MLK
Celebration encourages students to fight for justice, equality Erika Forero Staff writer
Speakers at the UH Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration honored the memory of King and the civil rights movement and asked the UH community to continue change. President and Chancellor Renu Khator gave the opening remarks for the Wednesday event and reminded guests about the extraordinary feats that King endured in the times of segregation in the United States. Khator also honored the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, who she said also sacrificed much to make great change. “Three men, three fighters for justice and equality whose teachings and actions have intertwined themselves into one common narrative of personal sacrifice, commitment to a cause and the conviction that an individual can indeed move mountains,” Khator said. Jarvis Hollingsworth, chairman of the UH System Board of Regents, also addressed the buzzing University Center Theater. Hollingsworth said that King, who would have turned 85 this month, was someone everyone can learn from. “Be inspired by Dr. King,” Hollingsworth said. “Go out, do good works, help your fellow man and woman and make sure, as he did, make sure this city, this state, this nation and this world are a better place for those who will follow you.”
A short video presentation remembering the 1964 Civil Rights movement and a passionate dance performance by Stacy J and Unified Praise Dance Co. set the stage for the powerful words that were to come from the celebration’s keynote speaker, Gene Locke. Locke, who graduated with a political science degree from UH in 1969, didn’t just speak about King and his part in the movement toward racial equality in this country. Instead, he called for people to recognize what he called the “ugly truth” about how the U.S. got to where it is today. “Yes, I believe there are lessons from the past that we can learn,” Locke said. “Many of them ... can’t be learned from film clips of the civil rights movement. It can’t be learned from newspaper clippings from that time. We need to dissect the past.” Locke said the problem today lies in the last half of the story about how the fight for civil rights continues to go untold. “What really gets me going every year during MLK, is that people routinely run out the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, stop it there and that’s it. What about King in ‘65, ‘66, ‘67 and ‘68? They aren’t talking about his campaign against poverty, because that points out there are poor people in this country, and there is something wrong,” he said. “They don’t want to talk about the fact that he was
shot down in Memphis while helping garbage workers. They just want to stop the discussion right there. That’s intellectually dishonest.” As Locke continued, the audience, once silent, began to voice their agreement with outbursts of cheers and applause. “There are some great things that came out of the civil rights movement, but they are only great because there are many ugly things that fueled it,” Locke said. “You can’t have one without the other. But it’s OK; we are big boys and girls. We are Americans. We can talk about that and move on. ... It’s over, and it’s done. But we’ve got to at least
acknowledge that it happened.” Locke also addressed UH as a school of promise, calling it “inherently great.” But he didn’t forget to give a little constructive criticism. “Who cares what the folks in Austin do? Who cares what the people in College Station do? They are them,” Locke said. “We are us. I am a member of the Cougar family. And when you are a member of a family, you can brag about that family. But you can also criticize.” Locke asked UH to remember and support its surrounding low-income communities. “Let us not get so caught up in Tier One that we get tier crazy,” Locke
said. “I am absolutely for this school being the brightest start it can possibly be in academic excellence, but you can be Tier One and still bring in minority students and help them be the best they can be. “I believe that your university dollars as a Tier One school can go not only to big businesses, but for small businesses, women-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses, too,” Locke said. “It’s all about how we identify ourselves. We can identify ourselves as the University of Houston, doing things that A&M and UT are not even dreaming about.” news@thedailycougar.com
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy was celebrated with remarks by Chancellor and President Renu Khator, a video presentation about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a performance by Stacy J and Unified Praise Dance Co. at the New UC. | Erika Forero/The Daily Cougar
Thursday, January 23, 2014 // 5
The Daily Cougar
SPORTS BASEBALL
$2.2M facelift expected to expand national profile Before
After
The Cougars’ new field will not only serve as a sight to see for Cougar fans, but will also help boost notoriety around the nation. | Top: File photo/The Daily Cougar Bottom: Jenna Frenzel/The Daily Cougar Matt Bodiford Staff writer
Though UH made major aesthetic changes to Cougar Field this offseason, the idea dates back to head coach Todd Whitting’s arrival. “The turf is something I’ve wanted to do since I took the job back in 2010,” Whitting said. “There’s an advantage to it, and I think it now has elevated us to have one of the premier college baseball stadiums in the country.” In more than three years, UH has raised more than $2.2 million in commitments from members of the Dugout Club and Coaches Committee — UH’s baseball’s fundraising programs — which has allowed improvements to the field, clubhouse and facility. The Cougars’ home field has a brand-new look, as the grass has been replaced by an artificial playing surface called FieldTurf. The only dirt remaining on the field is on the mound. The warning track and base
paths are turf. What could catch the eye of fans is that the base cutouts are not the traditional brown color, but UH red instead. UH hopes hosting NCAA regionals and attracting talented recruits become perks of the new FieldTurf. Though the makeover has value for its looks, it will also provide a deeper advantage, too. Cougar Field will also help UH between the lines this season. “I want it to be a fast surface, because with the lack of offense, with the NCAA changing our bat standards a couple years ago, it’s kind of taken the offense out of the game,” Whitting said. “That’s another reason why I wanted to put the turf down — was to create more offense.” The field has two permanent branding elements. One is in center field with the UH emblem, and the other is located behind home plate with “Cougars” written in script. Players like sophomore shortstop Josh Vidales are excited about the new
look. “It’s awesome — our success last year brought us more attention and proved to people we can play on a field like this,” Vidales said, who was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team last season. “Playing on this field so far is the best I’ve played on at the collegiate level.” Alumni have voiced their approval of the new look. Pat Cauley, a middle infielder for the Cougars in 1993-94 and assistant coach in ’95, emphasized the importance of this upgrade. “The field looks great — very encouraged with the Athletics Department to keep baseball on the forefront. This will benefit all to achieve the ultimate goal of getting to Omaha,” Cauley said. The Cougars will welcome back Cauley and other alumni Feb. 1 as they take part in the annual Fan Appreciation Alumni Game. This will be the first live action on the new surface before opening day, Feb. 14. sports@thedailycougar.com
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6 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
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OPINION
EDITOR James Wang EMAIL
opinion@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
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CITY
Third Ward Renaissance: A short walk
The Houston Negro Hospital was dedicated by Joseph Cullinan to Houston’s black community and his son, John. A bronze tablet erected in front of the hospital read, “This building erected A.D. 1926... dedicated to the American Negro to promote self-help, to inspire good citizenship and for the relief of suffering sickness and disease amongst them.” | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar Editor’s Note: This is part two of a three-part series involving the renovation of the Third Ward which will run every Thursday in print from Jan. 16 to 30. It can also be found at the thedailycougar.com/ opinion.
A quiet crumble Take a drive through the worn streets of the Third Ward, and you’ll see the footprints of former residents all around you — some dignified and stately, others in need of a desperate reawakening. Cara The Second Smith Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, which remains well-kept despite closing its doors in 2007, serves as a physical example of the economic hardships that have degraded the greater Third Ward community. Churches in any community illustrate a communal need for, well, community. More often than not, they
serve as a safe haven of sorts, facilitating activism for the area’s youth and city involvement for the area’s elderly population. When a church can no longer stay afloat, a community loses much more than a church — it loses a place once reserved for peace, hope, charity and positivity. Put simply, the Third Ward can’t afford to lose a place like that. Likewise, the Houston Negro Hospital’s presence in the Third Ward served as something of a communal hub in its own respect. Founded in 1926 by Joseph Cullinan, the hospital was explicitly born out of the needs of Houston’s growing black community. The hospital is no longer able to serve the Ward’s population today, but that doesn’t mean its people are no longer in need.
THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD Channler K. Hill Natalie Harms WEB EDITOR Jenae Sitzes NEWS EDITOR Amanda Hilow SPORTS EDITOR Christopher Shelton LIFE & ARTS EDITOR Monica Tso PHOTO EDITOR Fernando Castaldi OPINION EDITOR James Wang ASSISTANT EDITORS Laura Gillespie, Nora Olabi, Justin Tijerina, Andrew Valderas EDITOR IN CHIEF
MANAGING EDITOR
Second Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church is one of many historical churches within the Third Ward area, showing the universal need for community among any body of residents. | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar
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
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 N221, University Center; 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
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 N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.
Thursday, January 23, 2014 // 7
The Daily Cougar
OPINION
This abandoned, dilapidated housing structure is one of many deserted properties located on land that could otherwise generate revenue for the area. | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar A land of affliction Drive through the Third Ward’s sprawling suburbia, and you’ll see a loss of dignity. You’ll see the once-grand quarters of Houston’s early aristocrats now rotting in perpetual pauperism. Look at the area from the eyes of a child, and you’ll be introduced to the trials they face. With few businesses and little access to public transportation, many will succumb to more accessible, illicit temptations. Seeing the area that houses so much of Houston’s history now sitting in dilapidated shambles serves as a reminder of many things. It shows, undeniably, that the sun that rose during the Ward’s momentous triumphs against racism in the 1960s is now little more than red blush against the horizon. It showed how
quickly the fiscal tides could turn for an area that once brought so much culture, art and life to Houston. This series isn’t an explicit proposal for displacement. It’s the recognition of the fact that a massive expanse of our city is suffering, and an exploration into ideas that could end that suffering. It’s a proposal that hopes to open the conversation on breathing new life into an area that desperately needs it. The children of the Ward deserve better. Residents who have called the Ward home for generations deserve better. They deserve increased welfare, a strong sense of security and a shot at a prosperous life. The milk and honey of the Third Ward is all but dried up. Today, it deserves better.
A trip through the Third Ward is typically characterized by multiple sightings of rundown shanties (top), punctuated at street corners by the occasional surviving corner store (bottom). | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar
A shot at prosperty Traveling to Riverside Terrace means going through the heart of the Third Ward, making the arrival at the subdivision littered with gorgeously renovated mansions both a humbling reminder of the Third Ward’s majestic past and a sign of what the Third Ward could one day be, albeit distantly. MacGregor’s mansions, reminiscent of the once-Victorian-esque era of the Third Ward, have been beautifully upkept and renovated. These homes weren’t plopped into the Ward to try and play contrast to the otherwise cripping poverty. They’ve called the Ward home since their widespread establishment in the 1930s, mostly built to cater to young Jewish families. With that being said, the mansions are also reminscent of the racially fueled era of segregation, and no part of that is a desirable future for the historic Ward. Still, the safety and prosperity that these residents assumedly have is a universally desirable future for every resident of the Third Ward — young and old, current and future.
Riverside Terrace is home to numerous mansions, including this one located on North MacGregor Way. Many of the mansions have been kept up or restored to reflect the once-Victorian era air that the Third Ward possessed. | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar
Senior staff columnist Cara Smith is a communications junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com
8 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Daily Cougar
SPORTS EDITOR
Christopher Shelton
sports@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
thedailycougar.com/sports
Interim head coach Wade Scott has endured an extensive losing streak, but his upbeat attitude and movie references have helped the team stay together. | Photos by Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Scott’s persona keeps Cougars loose Andrew Valderas Assistant sports editor
Wade Scott is not someone who seeks a lot of attention or recognition. He likes to label himself as a bluecollar guy who prides himself on just getting the job done, regardless of how arduous the task may be. “You want to talk about me? There’s not too much to tell,” he said jokingly. “It’s kind of a boring story.” But everyone has a story. And he enjoys reading others’, too, preferably nonfiction books that involve life-or-death scenarios. Two of his favorites, “Lone Survivor” and “Service: A Navy SEAL at War,” are stories that entail Navy SEALs who fight not just for themselves, but for the others by their side — Scott’s perfect illustration of what he expects from his Cougars. Scott said he occasionally tells parts of the book to his players to enforce what he wants to see. At a loss So far, his Cougars have been unable to come out victorious in their recent battles. The Cougars (4-14, 0-7) have lost
seven consecutive games and haven’t won since Scott became the interim head coach when Todd Buchanan resigned Dec. 21. “It wears on you. It wears on everybody,” Scott said. “(The players) are just as stressed about it as we are. One thing I’ll say about the kids is that they won’t quit and will keep fighting. I wouldn’t want anything less.” The Cougars have come up short a number of times this season. But other than games against Louisville and Connecticut, nine of the team’s 12 losses have been by single digits and have usually been decided on the last few possessions. “Right now, it’s about the team trying to band together. We’ve just got to make a little bit of better decisions at the end, hold onto the ball and make a few more shots,” Scott said. “Sometimes, we’re playing more not to lose rather than to win.” X’s and O’s guy When he served as associate head coach, his title before interim head coach, Scott was, and still is, the one who draws up the plays on the sideline during practice and timeouts in the game. He is the X’s and O’s guy
during critical moments. Scott said his role was not only different for himself, but for his players as well when he took over for Buchanan. As associate head coach, he could be more of the hands-on guy and be a little more positive. But now as the head coach, he’s the one who has to be more vocal toward his players during a game. “A lot of times, it kind of catches (the players) off guard. It used to be where I can say, ‘That’s OK, that’s OK,’ but now I’m the one who has to say, ‘no, that’s not OK.’ It’s an adjustment; not only for them, but for me as well,” Scott said. Assistant coach Ravon Justice played for Scott from 2001-02 at Clarendon College and was Western Junior College Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She said Scott will do whatever is necessary to ensure his team will be ready for their next opponent. “He takes pride in learning the game. He stays up and watches film. Anytime he plays somebody, he’ll watch seven to eight films,” she said. “He’s the type of person who will call other coaches at the NBA level for plays. He loves the game of basketball.
It’s his passion.” ‘Go-getter’ Even though the team has a 4-14 record, Scott knows it is important to keep the players with a positive attitude while still always giving their best effort. “He’s one of those energetic coaches. You need a laugh, he’ll make you laugh. He’ll just talk to you (in a way) that seems to always get you going,” said sophomore guard Alecia Smith. “He’s a go-getter. He wants the best out of all his players.” Scott feels he has to keep an upbeat attitude himself. “My mom has always told me, ‘If you lose your sense of humor, you’ve lost yourself.’ It’s either laugh about something or cry about everything. Part of that is to take a little bit off them and relax a little bit,” Scott said. Like the military stories he had read, Scott’s philosophy is prided on hard work, accountability and most of all, “being a great teammate.” Because when you’re competing on the basketball court, it feels like life and death — because in collegiate sports, losing hurts. Everybody has
to do their job and look out for their teammate and keep a perspective on life, Scott said. “This is not life and death. It’s a sport. Now we want to excel in that sport, don’t get me wrong, but, in the end, nobody is going to lose their life if you lose a game. You’ve got to chalk up, come back to work and see what you can do better.” sports@thedailycougar.com
Thursday, January 23, 2014 // 9
The Daily Cougar
SPORTS
CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN AS UH SEARCHES FOR RELEVANCY IN THE NEW AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE, A FAMILIAR FOE AGAIN STANDS IN THE WAY
UH: Forwards
Memphis: Forwards
UH: Guards
Junior TaShawn Thomas has been a force, leading his team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals. Freshman Danrad Knowles has stepped up after injuries and become a real go-to-guy. — Caitlin Hilton/The Daily Cougar
The Tigers have more depth at this position in terms of size. Although their leading rebounder, Shaq Goodwin, averages 6.9 rpg. Goodwin contributes on offense with 12.8 ppg. — Joe Murphy/Memphis Athletics
Although it will just be their third game back from injuries sustained earlier in the season, the Cougars need Danuel House and L.J. Rose to play well to matchup with Memphis’ experience. — Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
Memphis: Guards Memphis has a true veteran presence in the backcourt with four key contributing guards whom are all seniors. Its guards are athletic, versatile and tenacious rebounders. Senior Geron Johnson adds a spark and is their second leading rebounder grabbing 5.8 per game. Joe Jackson (13.8 ppg) and Michael Dixon Jr. (11.4 ppg) are leading scorers for the Tigers. — Joe Murphy/Memphis Athletics
MATCHUP
NOTEBOOK
Record: (11-7, 3-2) Last game: W, Rutgers 77-55
Record: (13-4, 3-2) Last game: W, LeMoyne 101-78
Starters
Starters
F - Shaq Goodwin
F- Danrad Knowles
12.8 pts, 1.4 stl, 1.5 blk
8.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.3 blk
F - Michael Dixon Jr.
F - TaShawn Thomas
11.4 pts, 5.4 reb, .79% FT
16.7 pts, 8.7 reb, 3.3 blk
F - Austin Nichols
G - Brandon Morris
9.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.3 blk
6.1 pts, 2.2 reb, .46% 3pt
G - Joe Jackson
G - LeRon Barnes
13.8 pts, 3.3 reb, .85% FT
3.8 pts, 3.0 reb, .40% 3pt
G - Chris Crawford
G - L.G. Rose
8.9 pts, 2 ast, 38% 3pt
9.2 pts, 5.1 ast, .88% FT
STANDINGS
American men’s Basketball CONF.
OVERALL
Team
W L GB W L Pct Str
Cincinnati Louisville SMU Memphis Houston UConn Rutgers UCF USF Temple
6 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 0
0 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 6
— 1 2 2.5 2.5 3 4 4.5 4.5 6
17 16 15 13 11 15 8 9 10 5
2 3 4 4 7 4 11 7 8 12
.895 .842 .789 .765 .611 .500 .421 .563 .556 .294
W10 W3 W4 W1 W1 W1 L2 L3 L2 L7
SCHEDULE American games to watch Central Florida vs. Cincinnati (Today) TV: CBS Sports Network UConn vs. Rutgers (1/26/14) TV: ESPNU SMU vs. Houston (1/26/14) TV: ESPNews
Knowles, Thomas get AAC honor The Daily Cougar news services After joining the starting lineup against Rutgers and helping lead UH to a 1-1 week, redshirt freshman forward Danrad Knowles was selected as the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week. Against Rutgers, Knowles scored a game-high 16 points and had four blocks during UH’s 77-55 win. Knowles came off the bench and scored six points during UH’s 90-52 loss to defending national champion Louisville. “He is going to be a special player,” said head coach James Dickey after the Cougars’ win on Sunday. Junior forward TaShawn Thomas was named to the league’s Weekly Honor Roll. With 16 points and 11 rebounds at Louisville, he posted his conference-leading seventh doubledouble of the season and scored 12 points with four rebounds with three assists and a blocked shot against Rutgers. sports@thedailycougar.com
Written by Jordan Lewis Infograph by Farah Hasnie
Bottom line Besides experience, which can go a long way, the matchup of the guards is fairly even in skill and size. Memphis is 28th in the nation in scoring with 80.7 ppg and seventh in the nation in team assists with 17.4 per game so its offensive chemistry is top notch. UH averages 71.2 ppg and probably won’t beat the Tigers by just scoring in an offensive contest, so the Cougars defense has to be on point if they hope to upset Memphis as they did UConn. Both teams are coming off blowout wins and are tied in conference play at 3-2. — Caitlin Hilton/The Daily Cougar
10 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Daily Cougar
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COMICS Telly by Tiffany Valle
®
ACROSS 1 Closure for loose clothing 5 Movie theater yell 10 Coin hole 14 Eye lasciviously 15 Make up for, as sins 16 Welldrawn character? 17 Traveling at 186,500 miles per second 20 Add bells and whistles 21 Baltimore’s nine 22 Celestial spheres 25 Show gloominess 26 ___ about (wander) 29 Japanese aborigine 31 Make a second account 35 Bobby, Bruins’ #4 36 ___ for the mill 38 ___ weight (precious metal measurement) 39 How actions speak? 43 Abu Dhabi
dignitary 44 Art photo shade 45 This may be inflated 46 Titles for chairwomen 49 Lunar valley 50 ___ Monte (food giant) 51 Stakedriving hammer 53 ___ on (put trust in) 55 Tilted 58 Like porridge or granola 62 Toothcleaning product’s claim 65 Fifties audiophile’s purchase 66 A fine playing marble 67 Heavy burden 68 Oil cartel letters 69 Did a cobbler’s job 70 Big name in elevators
DOWN 1 Place for lost change 2 “By gosh!” 3 As well 4 The first “M” in M-G-M 5 “A Bridge Too ___” 6 Giant legend “Master Melvin” 7 Silver salmon 8 Divest of munitions 9 Fourthyear student 10 Small dagger 11 Opera house box 12 ___ and aahs 13 Dangerous stick 18 Make enemies of 19 Carefree gait 23 Whirring sound 24 Peevish states 26 Automaton of Jewish legend 27 It lures people to the kitchen 28 Tree worshiper 30 Poe’s doomed
Shoot by Nancy Tyan
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house 32 Went the wrong way 33 Skier’s quarters 34 Household antiseptic brand 37 Fleshysnouted beast 40 Striking in appearance 41 Shade of green 42 Rejoice in 47 Long, heavy hair 48 Buddhist sermons 52 Set free 54 Web company 55 Liner or tanker 56 Term for some judges 57 Indian dish made with stewed legumes (var.) 59 Add a little color to 60 Vanity case for milady 61 Costner role 62 One of the five W’s 63 Donned the feedbag 64 “Waking ___ Devine” (1998 film)
Thursday, January 23, 2014 // 11
The Daily Cougar
LIFE & ARTS
EDITOR
Monica Tso
arts@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
thedailycougar.com/life-arts
While the New University Center was under construction, UH welcomed food trucks to offer students another selection. With its opening, the food trucks will relocate to Pad 3 in February. | Carolina Trevino/The Daily Cougar
DINING
Food trucks roll to new pad BoJanay Posey Senior staff writer
Food trucks have a definite place at UH even though the New University Center is open — so much so that another cluster of trucks will become available soon, said Amber Arguijo, marketing manager for UH System Dining. Pad 3 will open in February at a former loading dock at the Old Science building facing the U-drive at Entrance 14. Arguijo said the students and faculty have been asking for more dining options in that area, which also gets plenty of traffic from the shuttles and students traveling to classes. The pad will be able to accommodate
three trucks, and students will be able to use their Cougar Cash at the trucks. “The trucks have been so popular over the past 18 months and have gained loyal fan bases among the student body,” Arguijo said. “They also provide a variety and fresh perspective that many brick-and-mortar locations cannot since they are able to so quickly shift their menu as tastes and seasons change.” The lineup of trucks — Bernie’s Burger Bus, The Waffle Bus, Bare Bowls, The Rice Box, Happy Endings, Third Coast, Coreanos and Kurbside Eats — will be the same as before, but unlike previous semesters, the trucks will not stay open until 6 p.m.
FOLLOW YOUR NOSE The Waffle Bus @TheWaffleBus
Coreanos @coreanoshtx
Kurbside Eatz @KurbsideEatz
Third Coast @ThirdCoastHTX
Bernie’s Burger Bus @BerniesBurgers
Bare Bowls @BareBowls
as some did when they were at the UC’s Pad 1, Arguijo said. Chris Chambers of Happy Endings said he is glad the University has extended the food truck program. As a former student, he said he enjoys seeing the progression of the University and seeing the campus embrace Houston’s growing food truck scene. “Coming back here having been a student in the past and seeing all the different changes to campus, I think it’s really cool Pad 3 is about to come,” Chambers said. “Food trucks on campus is cool because it really shows a change of pace for campus activity. It’s something fresh; it’s something new; it’s (an) ever-changing thing here in Houston since it started up in the past few years, so it’s nice to see the school adopt things that are going on with the city as the city changes.” Philosophy senior Geo Thayil said The Waffle Bus is so good, it reminds him of his hometown in India, and he’s glad they’re not going anywhere. “It just sort of reminded me of my hometown, and so me and Waffle Bus have a connection, if you would say,” Thayil said. “(When Pad 3 opens), I’ll bring them more customers. I’ll bring
Six local food trucks have brought a variety of snacks, bringing students a wide selection of Mexican-Korean fusions, Chinese delectables, vegetarian bowls, mouth-watering burgers and more. | Carolina Trevino/The Daily Cougar my dad, my mom, my grandparents, my brothers, my sisters, my aunts, my uncles, my nieces, my nephews. I love that place.” Computer information systems freshman Nicole Grandy said she loves that the food trucks are staying on campus. She wants to see more trucks on campus, like Oh My Gogi!, a Korean BBQ truck, and have them available at more locations like by the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. “They’re better than the Satellite food and the UC food because everything they have at the Satellite and the UC, you can get that anywhere else, but food trucks — they’re harder to find,” Grandy said. “With the food
trucks, it’s better quality food.” Other students, like mathematical biology senior Justin Joseph, are indifferent about the opening of Pad 3. He said though he loves Bernie’s Burger Bus and feels food trucks have a place on campus by providing diversity to a diverse population, he still won’t be frequenting them and especially now since the UC is open. “The main thing is that the UC’s cheaper, so I don’t see myself going back there anytime soon. It’s too expensive. It’s like 10 bucks for a meal,” Joseph said. “It’s more options, but I don’t know how successful they’ll be now that the UC is open.” arts@thedailycougar.com
12 \\ Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Daily Cougar
LSS WORKSHOPS SPRING 2014 LOCATION: N112 Cougar Village I (Building 563)
REGISTER: “Workshop Signup” at www.las.uh.edu/lss On-line registration is necessary to obtain a spot. Problems registering? Call Laura Heidel 713.743.5439 or Jason Yu 713.743.1223
WEEK 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15
TOPIC
College Level Reading Overcoming Procrastination Improving Concentration Note Taking Succeeding at a Large University Reading for STEM majors Writing Research Papers Improving Your Memory Learning Beyond Memorizing Reducing Test Anxiety Test Preparation Overcoming Procrastination Increasing Motivation Time Management Test Preparation Giving Professional Presentations Studying for Natural Science Courses Time Management Ending the Semester Successfully Improving Your Memory Improving Concentration Improving Your Memory Coping with Finals Reducing Test Anxiety Time Management Overcoming Procrastination Coping with Finals
TIME #1
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**Workshops will be added when necessary throughout the semester. Please visit the “Workshops Signup” link on the LSS website www.las.uh.edu/lss for the most up to date information.
SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER WORKSHOP SERIES ADD: Time Management Part 1 Tues., 1/28 at 4 p.m. ADD: Time Management Part 2 Tues., 2/4 at 4 p.m. ADD: Concentration Part 1 Tues., 2/11 at 4 p.m. ADD: Concentration Part 2 Tues., 2/18 at 4 p.m. ADD: Study Skills for your particular classes Tues., 2/25 at 4 p.m. ADD: Organizing your academic/home materials Tues., 3/4 at 4 p.m. To register or for more information please contact Laura Heidel, Ph.D. at 713-743-5439 or lheidel@uh.edu
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