SPORTS
BASKETBALL
ALUMNI
The Cougars will look for an upset win against the defending National Champion Louisville Cardinals on Guy V. Lewis night.
Former SGA President hosted a signing at the University Center Bookstore Tuesday.
Trying to make a statement
Cougar promotes first published book SEE PAGE 7
SEE PAGE 5
CALENDAR CHECK:
FEBRUARY
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Study Abroad Fair. Learn the ins and outs of studying abroad at the library at 11 a.m.
THE DAILY COUGAR
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Act supports education for immigrant students Rebecca Hennes Staff writer
Just as the issue of illegal immigration affects the country as a whole, it affects the state of education and universities, and changes in state and federal legislation across recent years give evidence supporting that belief. As it stands now, the Texas Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act affords children of undocumented immigrants the opportunity to study at Texas universities for in-state tuition rates, provided they meet certain requirements. “Right now, one of the most important pieces of legislation in Texas is HB 1403 (the DREAM Act), which was one of the first in the nation to allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition,” said law professor Geoffrey Hoffman, director of UH’s Immigration Clinic. “The law requires that, to qualify, a student must have resided with a parent or guardian while attending high school in Texas, graduated from high school or have received a GED in Texas, have resided in Texas for at least three years leading up to graduation or receiving the GED, and must provide a signed affidavit indicating an intent to apply for permanent residence as soon as possible.” The Texas DREAM Act was first signed into law in 2001. Since then, other states have followed suit, creating similar laws. While a federal DREAM Act has been debated on the Senate floor for several years, current federal law, which provides no financial aid for undocumented students, takes a ACT continues on page 3
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Issue 69, Volume 79 NATION
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
A Shining spotlight on UH
The Alley Theatre will be presenting its 2014-2015 season at UH as well as its future renovation plans to house productions, performers and visitors. Construction will begin on July 14 and continue throughout the next summer. | Courtesy of Alley Theatre Sonia Zuniga Contributing writer
The prestigious Tony Awardwinning Alley Theatre is packing up from its iconic home of 45 years and moving into UH this fall for the 2014-2015 production year, bringing with it grand renovation plans and a whole new audience to UH grounds, all in anticipation of bringing the spotlight to the new and improved main campus.
“There are a lot of people who I believe have a sense of not knowing what UH is, and they’re afraid that it’s this dangerous crime-induced campus,” said Jim Johnson, director of the School of Theatre & Dance. “I think this is a door we’re opening to a lot of people who may have this pre-judgment from decades ago of our university as a whole, and this will get them to campus and they’ll be surprised to see that this is a great place to come. It will open a lot of
doors to the university.” Starting in early July, the Wortham Theatre will be under construction to accommodate the Alley Theatre as its landmark building goes under a $46 million makeover, forming an exciting partnership between these two institutions, an alliance in which Johnson has been central. Johnson said when the Alley Theatre comes in, they’re going to do some additional improvements
to Wortham Theatre. “We’ll get this wonderfully improved space, but it’s also an opportunity for us to do improvements elsewhere in the building. Our costume shop has been expanded and upgraded. Our smaller theater got completely renovated over this past year. We’re still finishing up some details, but it’s almost complete, including a whole new THEATRE continues on page 8
Jazzing up the New UC Students relaxing at the lounge spaces in the New University Center were treated to a performance by their fellow Cougars. Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar