LIFE+ARTS
FINE ARTS
UNIVERSITY
A graduate painting student attempts to reconfigure the idea of traditional painting with her upcoming solo-exhibition.
Hofheinz Pavilion reaches budget approval from Board of Regents for $20 million.
Flying solo
Facility budget approved SEE PAGE 5
SEE PAGE 8
FEBRUARY
CALENDAR CHECK: 28
Bowl-a-Thon. Make bowls to raise funds for the hungry from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ceramics Studio in the Fine Arts Bldg.
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
O F
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Issue 82, Volume 79
H O U S T O N
S I N C E
1 9 3 4
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Commissioner suspended, impeachment possible Cara Smith, Nora Olabi Contributing writer, assistant news editor
The Committee on Internal Affairs moved forward with the articles of impeachment against the Chief Election Commissioner and brought them to the Senate. It approved further investigation by the Committee of Investigation. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
Investigation into a potential impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Kendrick Alridge will move forward after the Student Government Association decided to send an article of impeachment to the Committee of Investigation during a meeting Wednesday night in the SGA Senate Chamber. Alridge was accused of “nonfeasance and malfeasance” for using expletives directed at REDvolution party members, lacking impartiality and enacting a financial disclosure policy that allegedly contradicts election code. “Alridge’s comments, attitudes and behaviors toward one specific party running in the current elections cycle demonstrated a lack of impartiality,” according to the Articles of Impeachment 50001. “Alridge has overstepped the bounds of his position, particularly by composing new electoral policies, a power that can be neither found nor extrapolated from any of the duties outlined in Title II, Section C, Clause 1 or Title II, Section C, Clause 8 of the University of Houston Student Government Association’s Electoral Code.” The article was brought forth by the SGA
Committee of Internal Affairs. Tanzeem Chowdhury, a sponsor of the article, felt that though the elections would end before any possible disciplinary actions could be taken against Alridge, he was still in support of presenting the article to the Senate for a decision. “We still want to let students know that such behavior is not accepted,” Chowdhury said. “We’re still going to voice our opinion and let everybody know that SGA doesn’t stand for this.” College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences senator Guillermo Lopez, who co-authored the article, presented the article of impeachment to the Senate to call for a vote. The Senate voted to send the charges to the Committee of Investigation and voted to suspend Alridge from his position pending the decision of the Committee of Investigation. If it finds the case merited, a trial date will be set. Cougar Pawlitics presidential candidate Shane Smith called the charges “retaliatory” and said he believes Alridge has done his job as chief elections commissioner.
SGA continues on page 3
STATE
Same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional Laura Gillespie
Assistant news editor
A federal judge has ruled Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, saying that the 2005 amendment, Texas Proposition 2, is “unconstitutional and demeans the dignity of homosexuals,” according to NPR. Texas-born Judge Orlando Garcia struck down the law Wednesday, but he will not enforce his ruling in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, according to the Houston Chronicle. Two Texas couples, Nicole Diemetman and Cleopatra De Leon, and Victor Holmes and Mark Phariss, sued the state in a challenge of the state’s constitution, which was amended in 2005 to define marriage
as “the union of one man and one woman.” Diemetman and De Leon legally married in Massachusetts, and wish for Texas to recognize their marriage. Phariss and Holmes have been together for nearly two decades, and wish to be legally married in Texas. “As I suspected all along, since the federal law was changed, it’s just a matter of time for the rest of the states to follow suit, it’s like a domino effect,” said UH LGBT Resource Center program director Lorraine Schroeder. “Because the truth is a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. There are plenty of people
SNAPCHAT continues on page 4
Board of Regents passes fixed tuition rate Dona Cornell, vice president for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, left, and Benjamin Wells, UH System student regent, middle, sit at Wednesday’s Board of Regents meeting. The meeting passed several new items, including a four-year fixed tuition rate for first-time college freshmen and undergraduate freshmen for the 2013-2016 school years. For more on what passed, see page 3. — JUSTIN TIJERINA/THE DAILY COUGAR
LGBT continues on page 3
2 \\ Thursday, February 27, 2014
THE DAILY COUGAR
CALENDAR Today Screening: A workshop by Counseling and Psychological Services will explore stress and ways to combat eating disorders from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Session: A child trauma program informational session will take place from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in the Graduate College of Social Work, Room 110K. Lecture: The role of education in 21st century India will be discussed by the vice chancellor of Delhi University, Dinesh Singh, at 1:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Pavilion of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. Network: A “Meet the Dean” event for the C.T. Bauer College of Business will bring professionals, alumni and students together off campus from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Men’s Basketball: The Cougars will compete against Memphis University from 8 to 11 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion. It will be aired on CBS Sports Network.
Friday
STARVING DENTIST Do your gums bleed? Do your teeth ache? Bad breath? Would you rather take a calculus course than see a dentist? If you answered “Yes”, we should meet! As my way of saying hello, I am offering you
A dental exam with all the necessary x-rays for $50 & a free take home bleaching kit!
CALL TODAY @ 713.644.4331
Lecture: A discussion about digital methods in traditional humanities scholarship will be discussed in
Ten minutes from Main campus at I-45 and Broadway
Fair: The Business Career Fair will bring more than 100 companies looking for business majors, minors and alumni from noon to 4 p.m. on the second floor the Hilton UH. Professional attire is required. Art: A Bowl-A-Thon will bring local craftsmen, artists and students together to create bowls to raise money for charity from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building Ceramic Studio, Room 124.
Saturday Women’s Basketball: The Cougars will face off against Memphis University from 2 to 5 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion. Performance: Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker and directed by Jack Young, Our Country’s Good, a play that takes place in 1789 Australia, will perform at the Quintero Theatre, hosted by the UH School of Theatre and Dance. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for faculty, staff and alumni, $12 for seniors and $10 for students.
CONTACT US Newsroom (713) 743-5360 editor@thedailycougar.com facebook.com/thedailycougar twitter.com/thedailycougar
Advertising (713) 743-5340 advertising@thedailycougar.com Center for Student Media (713) 743-5350
Dr. Brad Jetton 4005 Broadway Houston, TX
Music: The two-day Moores School of Music Jazz Festival will bring middle school, high school and guest performances to the University from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.
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.
thedailycougar.com/advertising
New Teeth
“Processes and Products in the Digital Humanities” from 3 to 5 p.m. in Agnes Arnold Hall, Room 106.
www.uh.edu/csm Room 221N UC North Center for Student Media University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015
Issue staff Copy editing
Samantha Wong
Copy chief David Bryant
Closing editors
Natalie Harms, Channler K. Hill, Jenae Sitzes
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 by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents. SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $70 per year or $40 per semester. Mail subscription requests to: Mail Subscriptions, The Daily Cougar, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-4015. 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. The Daily Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. studentpress.org/acp
Thursday , February 27, 2014 // 3
THE DAILY COUGAR
NEWS EDITOR
LGBT
SGA
continued from page 3
“I think that Kendrick has worked very hard, but last night, he blew it,” Smith said. ”It was inappropriate, but I would hate to see one moment of bad decision overcast months of hard work.” Alridge declined to comment on the proceedings. The REDvolution party was advised
news@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
thedailycougar.com/news
HIGHER ED
Commissioner tells universities to step up
continued from page 3
who are willing to step forward and sue for that type of discrimination.” The Defense of Marriage Act, struck down last year after passing in 1996, did not allow the federal government to recognize any stateallocated same-sex marriages. “What I know is that right now nothing is going to change until after the appellate court has had a chance to look at (the law),” Schroeder said. “Once that happens then I’m sure they’re going to uphold it. Then, having a law that bans samesex marriage will no longer be on the books.” Some conservatives, including Governor Rick Perry, have spoken out against the ruling because of personal beliefs or opposition to a federal judge deciding a state’s law. “Texans spoke loud and clear by overwhelmingly voting to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman in our Constitution, and it is not the role of the federal government to overturn the will of
Amanda Hilow
Natalie Harms Managing editor
A federal ruling by Texas-born Judge Orlando Garcia has declared Texas’ samesex marriage ban unconstitutional. Several state officials, such as Attorney General Greg Abbott, plan on fighting the ruling. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
our citizens,” Perry said in an official statement. This ruling makes Texas the latest of at least 20 other states to challenge its gay marriage bans. “My thought — not only is (the law) fair — but something that other people don’t think of is that is your child, the upcoming generation after us, if your child was gay, you would want your child to be happy,” said
by its campaign manager, Leo Mata, to refrain from commenting on the proceedings. Mata also serves as SGA President Cedric Bandoh’s deputy chief of staff. In the senate, REDvolution presidential candidate Charles Haston said that it was “incredibly inappropriate” for party members to participate in the discussion in chambers and vote to both suspend and send charges to the Committee of Investigation.
Valerie Ayaoa, freshman biomedical engineering major. “Part of that is being able to be with whoever you want, to marry whoever you want. And I believe that when you put it in that perspective, how it could effect you personally, how it could effect someone that you love, it changes things.” news@thedailycougar.com
Senators who have signed the charges against Alridge are Gregorio Ayala Guerra, Guillermo López Velis, John García, Tanzeem Chowdhury, Carol Ann Ross, Kirby White and Domonique Champion. The Senate passed an amendment to reflect that Alridge did not make “lewd and offensive remarks” to members of the SGA Elections Trial Board. news@thedailycougar.com
Texas needs to increase its higher education enrollments after they suffered a small decline recently, said Raymund Paredes, the commissioner of higher education at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in his opening remarks to the UH System’s Board of Regents meeting Wednesday. “We’ve witnessed a decline in enrollments in higher education
facilities in Texas,” Paredes said. “But, the declines in Texas are much less dramatic than the rest of the United States.” According to Fall 2013 enrollments at UH, the University saw a 3 percent decrease in enrollment, but most schools that are seeing great declines are community colleges. The struggle to raise enrollments isn’t the only thing the state is facing, HIGHER ED continues on page 11
UH SYSTEM
Ambassador brings Syria crisis to UHCL Cameron McHugh Guest writer
Students to hear United States Ambassador John Craig recount his experiences serving as a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service in a symposium on the Middle East. hosted by the UH-CL Model Arab League Student Organization on Tuesday. UH-CL Pesident William A. Staples introduced Craig to approximately 120 members of the audience of mostly students. Craig’s symposium highlighted the events of the Arab Spring revolutions, as well as the structural, political and economic changes that impacted American interests and foreign policy in the Persian Gulf
region. A key issue addressed during the symposium was the outlook of the continuing crisis in Syria, which has been plagued by a civil war during the past few years and cost more than 130,000 lives. “Ambassador Craig’s visit to UH-CL is a rare opportunity for students to work directly with a professional diplomat who has wide-ranging experiences in diplomacy and peace-building and a tremendous opportunity for the public who attends his Tuesday night address to the University community to gain insight into a rapidly-changing Middle East,” said associate professor SYRIA continues on page 11
ITEMS APPROVED AT THE BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING From the Academic and Student Success Committee: •
•
Request to reaffirm the policy statement regarding the use of race and ethnicity in student admissions; and Request to confer honorary degrees to two individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and the University.
From the Facilities, Construction and Master Planning Committee: •
•
Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the conveyance of a driveway access easement to the city of Sugar Land at the UH-Sugar Land campus; and Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the conveyance of two easements and a
sale of land to the Houston Parks Board at UH. From the Endowment Management Committee:
to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the reconstruction of Building 1A in the Energy Research Park; •
•
Request to modify the UH System Investment Policy for NonEndowed Funds;
•
Request to continue assessing the UH System Endowment at a rate of 1.5 percent for Fiscal Year 2014;
•
Request to liquidate four endowments from the UH System endowment fund and transfer three of the endowments to the UH Foundation and one to an operating scholarship at UH; and
•
•
•
Request to renew investment resolutions for the UH System.
From the Finance and Administration Committee: •
Request to delegate authority
•
Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the buildout of Building 5 in the Energy Research Park; Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for design and construction of the new Basketball Practice Facility at UH; Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the design and construction of the Girard Street Parking Garage and Welcome Center at UH-Downtown; Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the sale of UH properties acquired through
gifts and to use local brokers as needed; •
•
Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts associated with the sale of land by the UH System to the Houston Parks Board; Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts for the purchase of land by UH-Victoria;
•
Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute insurance policies for FY2014;
•
Request to delegate authority to the chancellor to negotiate and execute a contract for financial advisory and arbitrage rebate compliance service for the UH System;
•
Request to write of Accounts and Notes Receivables for FY2013;
and •
Request to modify the banking resolution governing the UH-D operating account at Bank of America.
Other items: •
Request to establish four-year fixed tuition rates for FY2015 and FY2016 at the UH System;
•
Request for the approval of changes made to the FY2015 and FY2016 variable-rate undergraduate and graduate tuition and fee rates for UH System campuses;
•
Request for the approval of changes to the mandatory student-recommended fees for UH System campuses; and
•
Request for the approval of changes to the voluntary and optional fee charges for FY2015 for UH System campuses.
4 \\ Thursday, February 27, 2014
THE DAILY COUGAR
OPINION EDITOR James Wang EMAIL
opinion@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
thedailycougar.com/opinion
Tell me about a time when you felt
TEXAN PRIDE
ABOUT
STUDENTS
Editor’s Note: “Tell me about a time when…” was created by senior staff columnist and print journalism junior Kelly Schafler with the hope of forming a more active and connected student body. On a campus this big and diverse, it’s easy to sometimes feel insignificant. Everyone has a story, and we want to hear them. Once a month, a new prompt will be issued to the student body. One student and one staff member of The Daily Cougar will be chosen to be featured in this monthly column. Thanks to those who have submitted stories and who may submit stories in the future for participation.
I grew up in Indiana, but I moved here in my senior year of high school, and everyone here is a lot more open and welcome. They’re a lot more “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am.” You don’t get that in Indiana. There’s a real strong sense of everyone else Allison Vanhaving pride. Gordon They’re real glad to be a Texan — everything’s bigger in Texas. When I grew up, I always said I was going to move to Texas. I don’t know why; I don’t have any family down here, but I told my mom that after I graduated high school, I was moving to Texas. I’ve told her that
since I was growing up. Everything you hear about Texas (made me want to move here): It’s big; it’s awesome; there’s always something to do. I love it. Also, we went to the Alamo a few months ago during Thanksgiving break, and it felt really cool to be there. I was there with my stepdad, and he’s a big history buff. So it felt nice to be there with him and connecting on our little family level, being part of where history was made and how Texas got to be its awesome self, looking at the Alamo and realizing “Hey, this is where that happened,” and to put some facts with the things you’ve heard your whole life. Nutrition junior Allison VanGordon
I’m proud to be a Texan because you just can’t find a place like this. It has an accumulation of so many things, such as culture, ideology and physical landscape. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the politics, but there’s a sense of home tied here. I think the best part is when Frances you travel and Guerrero people ask, “Where are you from?” and I say, “I’m from the Lone Star State. I’m from Texas.” You can say you’re from another state in the United States, but people know Texas because it’s out there and different. I wouldn’t want to say I’m from anywhere else. Also, (I felt Texas pride) when I
STAFF
purchased my first pair of cowboy boots, because I was originally so against it. But then when I was going to purchase my first pair of boots for the Rodeo, I thought, “What’s stopping you? Why not?” Another time is when I first embraced country music. I think college made me more open-minded. You tend to close yourself off and follow your parents’ ideologies (when you live at home), but then when you meet new people and start sharing different experiences, you realize you like different things. I used to think that country music was just for people who lived in the country, but now I love to two-step. Hotel and restaurant management senior Frances Guerrero
NEXT MONTH
The most definitive moment I felt Texas pride would have been when my family pulled off the road during a trip to Austin for a break. I was probably about 7 or 8 years old, and my family stepped out of the car for a breather. The field next to us was Gemrick full of blooming Curtom bluebonnets, and there was a slightly cool breeze to provide temporary relief under the hot Texas sun. There’s a picture of my sister and me out there in one of our lost family albums that will surely pull your heartstrings.
However, that’s not the only moment I felt Texan pride. My pride for Texas dates back all the way to grade school. Texas history was part of the curriculum, and for the entirety of fourth grade, Texas was at the center of attention. We learned about the Battle of the Alamo and even had a field trip down there. All of this information recycled to me in the eighth grade reiterates how much pride every Texan has. After all, aren’t we the only state that gets to have our flag up with the American flag? Sure, we might be ridiculed for being the least favorite state in the United States, but that’s probably because the other states are just
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
jealous. That or we always threaten to leave the rest of America too much. We also have the rodeo, Six Flags, a healthy economy and Tex-Mex. Some people think we ride our horses to school and make our own milk or butter, even though I tell them, “I’m from Houston.” We have plenty of beer, delicious burgers and most importantly, that southern hospitality. We love small talk. Though we like to act tough and say, “Don’t mess with Texas,” we’re all actually friendly. Austin keeps it weird, San Antonio has the beautiful River Walk and Houston gave the world Beyoncé. You’re welcome. I love Texas, and although I
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
occasionally contemplate leaving to explore other states, I have a feeling I’ll come crawling back. Texas will always be my home. We have a long, extensive history, and we care enough to ensure that students are at least familiar with it. The Houston weather may be unpredictable, but we know we’ll have the best time when it’s beautiful and sunny outside. There will always be something special about Texas, and I truly think it’s one of the best states in the country. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Opinion columnist Gemrick Curtom is a public relations junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com
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
It’s time to submit your story for a chance to be featured in next month’s edition of The Daily Cougar. Submissions should be between 300 and 400 words and may be submitted by email to opinion@ thedailycougar.com Remember, keep it clean Coogs.
MARCH’S PROMPT
Tell me about a time when you experienced discrimination and how you dealt with it.
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, February 27, 2014 // 5
THE DAILY COUGAR
SPORTS EDITOR
Christopher Shelton
sports@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
thedailycougar.com/sports
BASKETBALL
$20M practice facility gains Board approval Christopher Shelton
Sports editor
UH’s basketball practice facility took an expected step forward when the Board of Regents approved a $20 million budget Wednesday. The Cougars will still compete at Hofheinz Pavilion while the new structure is being completed. UH is expected to break ground in May for the new practice facility, which will include a full court and half court for each team, locker rooms, team lounges, academic/ film rooms and coaching office suites. “ It ’s a much-needed facility. It ’s going to help to put us on a level playing field to the rest of our Rhoades competitors, so it’s a great day for our coaches,” said athletics director Mack Rhoades after his
GOLF
Robledo earns AAC weekly award The Daily Cougar news services Roman Robledo was honored Wednesday as the American Athletic Conference Golfer of the Week after winning his second title of the 2013-14 campaign. The junior fired three consecutive rounds in the 60s — including a final-round 66 — to win the individual title at the Cougars’ Bayou City Collegiate ChampionRobledo ship last weekend at the Golf Club of Houston. He became only the 10th player in school history to shoot 66 or better in the third round or later of a tournament. After bogeying two of his first four holes to start the tournament, Robledo played the final 68 holes without a similar blemish on his scorecard. It was Robledo’s third tournament title in his last 17 tournaments. sports@thedailycougar.com
presentation to the Finance Committee. “In particular, our student athletes for both programs.” The Athletics Department has selected architectural and construction firms for the facility, which was funded through private donations. DLR Group and Page Southerland Page will serve as the facility’s architects. The two collaborated first for work on UH’s new football stadium, which will open in August. Austin Commercial will serve as the building ’s construction manager. “We’ve had an initial meeting with them, so they’ve started to focus in on design,” Rhoades said. The practice facility is a peg in the Cougars’ push to improve their out-of-date athletic facilities. During the the past year, UH spent “about $1.25 million,” Rhoades said, on the installation of FieldTurf at Houston Baseball’s Cougar Field, $250,000 to redo the softball locker room and $120 million on the new football stadium.
UH is expected to break ground on its new $20 million basketball practice facility, which will help the team compete in the American Athletic Conference. | File photo/The Daily Cougar The Cougars also plan a $40 million-plus renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion after the practice facility is completed. For President Renu Khator, it
is important for the University to attempt large projects in both athletics and academics. “The University of Houston is a big university with big ambitions.
We have a large student body, and we had a tremendous space deficit,” Khator said. sports@thedailycougar.com
FREE TUTORING Learning Support Services Room N109 Cougar Village (Building # 563) Full Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu/lss/tutoring.aspx Mon - Thurs Friday Saturday Sunday
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
All Students Welcome
Classes Offered:
Accounting English Arabic Finance Biochemistry French Biology Geology Chemistry History Civil & Env. Math Eng. Philosophy Comm. Physics Computer Psychology Science Spanish Economics Statistics AND MORE!
L SS WORKSHOPS
SPRING 2014
Location: N112 Cougar Village (building 563) Length: 50 minutes. Please be on time. No admittance after 5 minutes past the hour. 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 ** 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.
GRADUATE STUDENT WORKSHOPS Preparing for comprehensive/qualifying exams Thurs. 3/20 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 School/Life balance - there’s life outside of school? Tues. 3/25 at 4 p.m. N 112 Using APA Witing Style Effectlivley Mon. 3/31 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Preparing a research article for publication Wed. 4/9 at 3 p.m. Rm. N112
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER WORKSHOPS ADD: Organizing your academic/home materials Tues. 3/4 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112
MID SEMESTER TEST PREPARATION Test Preparation Tues. 3/4 at 3 p.m. Thurs. 3/6 at 4 p.m. Overcoming Procrastination Wed. 3/5 at 2 p.m. Fri. 3/7 at 11 a.m. Increasing Motivation Mon. 3/17 at 3 p.m. Tues. 3/18 at 4 p.m. Time Management Wed. 3/19 at 2 p.m. Tues. 3/20 at 3 p.m. Test Preparation Tues. 3/25 at 3 p.m. Wed. 3/26 at 1 p.m. Giving Professional Presentations Wed. 3/26 at 3 p.m. Fri. 3/28 at 11 a.m. Studying For Natural Science Courses Mon. 3/24 at 4 p.m. Thurs. 3/27 at 3 p.m.
ENDING THE SEMESTER SUCCESSFULLY Time Management Mon. 3/31 at 3 p.m. Thurs. 2/3 at 10 p.m. Ending the Semester Successfully Tues. 4/1 at 1 p.m. Thurs. 4/3 at 3 p.m. Improving Your Memory Tues. 4/1 at 3 p.m. Wed 4/2 at 3 p.m. Improving Concentration Mon. 4/7 at 3 p.m. Tues 4/8 at 4 p.m. Improving Your Memory Wed, 4/9 at 1 p.m. Thurs, 4/10 at 4 p.m. Coping with Finals Thurs, 4/10 at 10 a.m. Fri. 4/11 at 11 a.m. Reducing Test Anxiety Tues. 4/15 at 3 p.m. Thurs. 4/17 at 1 p.m. Time Management Wed. 4/16 at 3 p.m. Thurs. 4/17 at 4 p.m. Overcoming Procrastination Mon. 4/21 at 2 p.m. Thurs. 2/23 @ 3 p.m. Coping with Finals Tues. 4/22 at 4 p.m. Thurs 4/24 at 3 p.m.
6 \\ Thursday, February 27, 2014
THE DAILY COUGAR
SPORTS BASEBALL
UH to make up suspended game in April The Daily Cougar news services UH will continue its matchup against McNeese State on April 29 after Tuesday’s game was suspended because of rain. The Cougars had a 5-2 lead entering the ninth inning when rain came down. The delay lasted about 20 minutes before the game was called off. The Cougars came back from a 2-0 deficit by scoring five runs in the eighth inning. Sophomore center fielder Ashford Fulmer brought in three runs on a double and took a 5-2 lead. Sophomore infielder Justin Montemayor tied the game with a tworun home run. The five runs scored is the highest earned this season. Stats will not be calculated until the conclusion of the final inning at McNeese. UH, still with a 7-0 record, will play its 14th consecutive season in the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park this weekend. The Cougars will play Texas Tech at 12:05 p.m. on Friday, Texas at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday and TCU at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday in a three-day span. Sam Houston State and Rice will also compete in the tournament, but the Cougars will not face either. 11 named to AAC All Academic Eleven student-athletes from the UH Houston Football program were named to The American Athletic Conference’s All-Academic Team the league announced Tuesday. The group consisted of two seniors, offensive lineman Kevin Forsch and linebacker Austin Wilson, two juniors, wide receiver Markeith Ambles and punter Logan Piper, three sophomores, long snapper Nolan Frese, wide receiver Casey Martin and punter Dylan Seibert, and four freshmen in wide receiver Demarcus Ayers, kicker Ty Cummings, wide receiver D’Juan Hines and fullback Tyler McCloskey. ESPN picks up BYU football game UH will travel to Provo, Utah, on Thursday, Sept. 11, to face BYU. The game will be broadcast by ESPN. BYU’s home opener for the 2014 season will be the second meeting between the two programs after BYU defeated UH 47-46 for its first loss of the season at Reliant Stadium. Kickoff for the game will be announced closer to the start of the fall season. sports@thedailycougar.com
Freshman Brian Barraza fell in love with running when he was 7 years old, now, he has become one of the best in the country. He is ranked the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 athlete in freshmen under 20 years old in the 3000-meter and 5000-meter. | Courtesy of UH Athletics
CROSS COUNTRY
Freshman hits the ground running Khristopher Matthews-Marion Staff writer
Though Brian Barraza excelled at El Paso Franklin High School, where he set the school record in the 1600meter, 3200-meter, three-mile and 5K and was an important piece of their 2011 and 2012 District Championship teams, he never dreamed he would have immediate success at the collegiate level. Barraza thought there would have been a bigger acclimation period to the Houston humidity and that his high school’s relatively new track program contributed to his ability to break records. But his background provided a healthy advantage. “El Paso is in the desert, so it’s super-hot during the summers with no humidity, and in the winters it gets really cold. El Paso is also in altitude, which poses different physiological challenges. What I figured out is that those challenges are equally matched by the humidity here,” Barraza said “I went from a school where the records were not hard to break simply because there weren’t many
students who came through there, because the school was relatively new. Now I am at a university where hundreds, if not thousands, of student athletes have come through here and succeeded. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that in such a short time I can count myself with the best this University has produced.” Barraza is the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 athlete in freshmen under 20 years old in the 3000-meter and 5000-meter, respectively. Barraza broke the first record, the 3000meter, at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational with a time of 8:16.84. It was a record previously broken a year earlier by his teammate and friend Yonas Tesai. “Everyone here is really supportive; we really work like a family. We want to see the best for each other. ... I mean, even though it was his record I broke, he wants me to get better, and I want him to get better,” Barraza said. “I want us to push the record as far down as we can. That’s one of the things that I love about this team, we all have each other’s backs. It’s more like a family than
a team.” Tesai, who recently took second in the 800-meter at the Texas Invitational, agreed with Barraza and expressed his appreciation for the freshman’s humility and talent. “To see a freshman break my record, that’s just nice. I’ll eventually get my record back, but for now it’s nice to see him succeed early. I was like him when I was a freshman — checking all the records but staying humble, asking Coach Magness for advice and working hard,” Tesfai said. “When you work hard, you see the results. To have a freshman class like that — always motivated and hungry — makes the older runners love doing what we do every day.” Barraza has loved running since he was 7 years old, when his mother signed him up as a 100-meter and 200-meter sprinter after giving up on baseball. At 11, Barraza moved into distance running when “everybody started getting faster.” Cross country allows Barraza to combine a passion with a talent. “I ended up running cross
country because my mom suggested it, even though I thought cross country was running on roads and trails and didn’t want to get lost. What I found out is that I love running long distance. I love the mental aspect. You can do something completely phenomenal as long as you have the mental strength to hammer through it,” Barraza said. “When I was in high school, it never felt that I was any better physically; it just felt like a series of mental breakthroughs. I found that I could run harder for longer just because I have the will to do so.” Barraza is quickly proving to himself and the nation that through purity of his craft and the love of running, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field and in the annals of UH history. When asked how he’s handling his newfound star status, the response was as humble as the man himself. “I’ll enjoy it when I cross the line,” Barraza said. sports@thedailycougar.com
Thursday, February 27, 2014 // 7
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Rose becomes on-court leader after transfer
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Sophomore guard L.J. Rose didn’t think he would have to deal with the same nagging obstacle when he transferred from Baylor. The Cougars’ starting point guard sustained a foot injury and missed five games midway through the season — the same injury he had during his junior year in high school. Rose, who averages 8.3 points per game and leads the team in assists with 5.2, said the injury made it tough for him to adjust, but it just meant he had to persevere more to prove himself a productive point guard in the American Athletic Conference. Rose said he now feels comfortable in his role as one of the leaders of the team. “He’s still just a sophomore, but anytime you put the ball in the hands of your guards, you expect them to be leaders out there,” said head coach James Dickey. Adapting to his new environment was easier than he expected, but simultaneously having to deal with an injury made it more challenging for Rose. He said he had to put in extra work to feel right mentally. Fortunately for Rose, he had welcoming teammates, some of whom he already knew, like junior forward Mikhail McLean and sophomore forward Danrad Knowles. Rose, Knowles and McLean all have Bahamian roots. The coaching staff was also helpful, which made transferring a fluid process, Rose said. “(Transferring) is almost like starting over, but we were thrilled to have him eligible immediately, and he knew a lot of our guys and they knew him,
CRITICAL GAME UH faces Memphis on Thursday for an important conference matchup. When: 8 p.m. Thursday Where: Hofheinz Pavilion Watch: CBS Sports network Listen: 950 AM KPRC so it was a smooth transition,” Dickey said. It was an up-and-down process for Rose. During his rehabilitation, he was keen on returning to game shape and getting his timing back. Now that Rose has his timing back, he feels like he is able to contribute. The 6-foot-4 Rose has even earned some admiration from a legendary opposing coach. “They’ve got a transfer point guard that knows how to play and makes others around him better,” said SMU head coach Larry Brown after his team defeated UH 75-68 on Jan. 26. Rose’s primary motivation is to win, and he is steadily trying to improve his leadership and his ability to control the game to help this team get back on the map. “We need to win, which comes back to our coaching staff and our point guards, who are an extension of the coach on the court,” Rose said. “With us not winning, I think that’s what motivates me the most. A couple games we played well but were unable to come out with a victory, so that’s my main thing.” sports@thedailycougar.com
After transferring from Baylor, sophomore guard L.J. Rose has developed into one of the Cougars’ most consistent guards. He averages eight points per game and 5.2 assists per game. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
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THE DAILY COUGAR
LIFE & ARTS EDITOR
Monica Tso
arts@thedailycougar.com
ONLINE
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ARTS
Graduate student opens first gallery Sara Samora Senior staff writer
Graduate painting student Melinda Laszczynski will open her first solo exhibition at Fresh Arts on Friday. Laszczynski’s exhibit, “Always Plus One Day,” was inspired by a friend who lost his mother, whom he had promised he would “love her always plus one day.” “It’s like a mantra,” Laszczynski said. “Not to sound too hokey, but it’s sort of ambiguous if you take out the ‘love.’ I thought it was interesting because it has this sort of contradiction that I see of pining for something but then having to let it go in the present or in the moment, sort of sensing a balance.” Laszczynski’s exhibition will feature 15 works, some from 2012 and 2013 and a few from this year. “I was thinking of a lot of things,
For me, it’s really the aim for someone to want to experience it again, discover new things and see paint in a different way.” Melinda Laszczynski, Graduate painting student at School of Art
and when I was writing the proposal, I was thinking a sort of overall loose theme that my work at the time could fit into,” Laszczynski said. “It was right after my first year of living in Texas; I came up with the title.” From Cleveland, Laszczynski moved to Houston to attend the three-year graduate art program at the School of Art at UH. Although Houston is known as having one of the best art scenes in the state, she was homesick and missed her friends. “Moving to a new place is really scary,” she said. “I came here by myself, and I was terrified. I was thinking of letting go of an old home or an old place that you lived and sort of embracing the present.” Some of the materials she uses in her work are photography, spray paint, tape and discarded construction material. “The photographs are things that I sort of collect,” Laszczynski said. “One of them has a tiny cat in it. It’s a found photo, but it sort of looks like my roommate’s cat.” As for the discarded material, Laszczynski said she usually gets inspired by walking around, finding things and finding the potential in them. “That’s usually what it boils down to — just silly little eye-catching things,” she said, adding that she often finds the materials around a warehouse, the Heights or even a
Graduate painting student Melinda Laszczynski is showcasing her first solo exhibition, “Always Plus One Day,” which was inspired by a friend, on Friday at Fresh Arts. | Courtesy of Melinda Laszczynski
dollar store. Laszczynski is working on a few more pieces for the upcoming show. One piece was inspired by her walk to the sculpture building. “There was a mixtape just in the grass with all these flowers, and PAINT continues on page 9
HEALTH
Cougar promotes awareness, helps sister fight cancer Janeka Porter Staff writer
Kill Bill series brings thrills to campus theater The Student Video Network presented a free screening of action film, Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 on Wednesday evening at the New University Center Theater. Jimmy Moreland/The Daily Cougar
When integrated communications senior Martha Garcia discovered that her 13-year-old sister was diagnosed with cancer, her immediate reaction was to help not only her sister but also the community. When Garcia’s sister, Jacklyne, was diagnosed with stage two of Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2013, she joined the Lymphoma Research Foundation. “I found the organization online when I was trying to find out more information about the disease,” Garcia said. “It is really rare, and no one really hears about it. I joined and wanted to help in any way that I could to get the word out.” T h e Ly m p h o m a R e s e a r c h
Foundation is a nonprofit organization devoted to funding lymphoma research and providing up-to-date information about this type of cancer to people and healthcare professionals. Each year, the foundation hosts a non-competitive 5K walk for lymphoma survivors, caregivers, loved ones and friends to show support for one another while raising funds for lymphoma research and programs. This year, the Houston Lymphomathon will be held at 9 a.m. on April 26 in Stude Park. Jacklyne will walk with her middle-school friends to support the foundation and raise enough money to meet her goal. CANCER continues on page 9
Thursday, February 27, 2014 // 9
THE DAILY COUGAR
LIFE+ARTS
PAINT
continued from page 8
WEEKEND EVENTS Today Workshop: The Counseling and Psychological Services is exploring stress in #LoveYourBody: Eating Disorders Screening Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Rotunda. Theater: Directed by Jack Young, the play, “Our Country’s Good,” will be shown from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Quintero Theatre. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission.
I thought it was a really beautiful image,” Laszczynski said. “I sort of made up this narrative about someone making a mixtape and then throwing it in the grass after a breakup. It was a good point to just make something about that experience that I potentially saw in it.” Laszczynski said a lot of the work she creates happens in the moment or intuitively. “I’m really interested in looking at things and seeing the potential in things can be discarded or overlook,” Laszczynski said. “Stressing the experience and the materiality is almost more important than the title or the longing feeling, but for me, it’s really the aim for someone to want to experience it again and discover new things and see paint in a different way.” She is working on a piece that she hopes will become a favorite, called
“A Group of Luxurious Objects,” inspired by an art piece at the Cleveland Museum of Art. “I think it would be pretty interesting to go,” said geology junior Mark Ferguson. “I enjoy photography and it sound like she has a personal connection to her work.” Another piece she’s working on involves an installation of paint skins. She had a similar piece in a November show in which the paint skins were attached to the wall. She received a lot of positive feedback and is working on a larger scale with the paint skins. “I would go see it,” said nutritionist junior Natalie Avina. “She’s like a scavenger for her art. She’s very eclectic.” arts@thedailycougar.com
The opening reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Fresh Arts, Winter Street Studios.
Off-campus: Join the conversation about dynamic women of diverse cultures and professions at the Table Talk 2014 hosted by Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Americas.
GET JAZZY
Grammy-nominated artist headlines at annual jazz festival Alto saxophone player Brad Leali is bringing his talent to the 16th Annual Jazz Festival on Friday and Saturday at the Moores School of Music. Leali was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra and won a Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 1998. He has been noted as one of the most important voices of the alto saxophone. Tickets for individual performances at the MSM Jazz Festival can be found online at uhjazz.edu/events/jazzfestival. Discounted tickets packages are only available to all school groups participating in the festival. For more information, call (713) 743-3388.
Friday Arts: Create clay masterpieces in the 5th annual Bowl-A-Thon, hosted by the School of Art, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building, Ceramics Studio. The bowls will be purchased, and proceeds will be donated to the Houston Food Bank. Music: The 16th Annual Moores School of Music Jazz Festival kicks off with a series of performances from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Moores School of Music.
Saturday Music: The 16th Annual Moores School of Music Jazz Festival continues with a series of performances from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Moores School of Music. The MSM Jazz Orchestra will be performing with guest artist, Brad Leali.
Sunday Religion: Join the Catholic Mass on Campus from 10:45 a.m. to noon at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.
for summer & fall 2014 Integrated communications senior Martha Garcia joined the Lymphoma Research Foundation to promote awareness after her sister was diagnosed with cancer. | Courtesy of Martha Garcia
CANCER continued from page 8
“I volunteered her because I want her to meet people that have the same disease, and I want her to make friends, because there are a lot of kids that have her same disease,” Garcia said. “I just wanted her to have an opportunity to get out there and help others, because she may not know or understand now, but she is actually lucky that her cancer was diagnosed early other than other people that can’t.” Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and occurs when the lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing malignant cells that have the abnormal ability to invade other tissues throughout the body.
The lymphatic system is a network of nodes connected by vessels that drain fluid and waste products from the body. The lymph nodes act as tiny filters, straining out foreign organisms and cells. The lymphatic system also is involved in producing important white blood cells called lymphocytes that help protect the body against infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. “The good news is that Hodgkin’s lymphoma is very treatable these days, and many people live a long and healthy life after diagnosis. This is starting to be the case for types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as well,” said Dr. Scott Spear, executive director and chief physician at the University Health Center.
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ACROSS 1 Many a homecoming attendee 5 Bacterial infection 10 Delighted expression 13 Goldfish relative 14 Diagram grammatically 15 Eugene O’Neill’s “___ Christie” 16 What every sales rep seeks 19 “... __ he drove out of sight ...” 20 “My fault!” 21 “It just doesn’t ___” 22 Arm bone 23 Cobbles, in a way 25 Main arteries 28 Group of six 29 Northern seabird 30 One who puts the punch in punch 31 “His Master’s Voice” co. 34 What college provides 38 “All right!”
39 Egyptinspired Vegas hotel 40 Look ___ (visit briefly) 41 Bathroom fixture 42 Bounce on one’s knee 44 Some appetizers 47 Contorted 48 “In memoriam” items 49 Aug. follower 50 “The Princess and the Pea” prop 53 Where the most important things are listed 57 Celebratory poems 58 Flooded 59 Abbey resident 60 Always, poetically 61 They’re left at sea 62 Orange or cherry DOWN 1 Feel the pain 2 Animal house 3 Sudden hankering 4 Dashboard
abbr. 5 Some silverware 6 Buccaneers’ home 7 Gives guns to 8 Tire gauge meas. 9 “For ___ a jolly good fellow” 10 Battery terminal 11 Untie the knot? 12 Hinged door fasteners 15 Assisted 17 Coke or Pepsi, e.g. 18 About 30 percent of Africa 22 State whose motto is “Industry” 23 Happen again 24 Board member, for short 25 Covered with soot, e.g. 26 “Grapes of Wrath” character 27 Floor coverings 28 Wore 30 All the words in a language 31 Brie
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covering 32 “___ Hand Luke” 33 “Green Gables” girl 35 Run out 36 Trojan Horse, e.g. 37 Color lightly 41 Tub events 42 Bottommost areas 43 Initial poker stake 44 Small salmon (var.) 45 Bear with patience 46 Country east of Mali 47 Beauty’s beau 49 Appendectomy evidence 50 Crude, rude dude 51 Whitetailed eagle 52 Actor Dick Van ___ 54 Maple fluid 55 Love-seat capacity 56 Clock standard, briefly
Thursday , February 27, 2014 // 11
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NEWS
HIGHER ED continued from page 1
Paredes said. In efforts to “close the gaps” between Texans with and without college degrees, the board set a goal of attaining 210,000 completed degrees
— meaning bachelor’s, doctorates and master’s — they would like to see Texas students complete from 2000 to 2015. Already Texas has surpassed its goal, with 236,682 in 2012. “If I could pick one goal for closing the gaps that is most important, it would be completions,” Paredes said.
Raymund Paredes, the Commissioner for Higher Education for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, spoke at Wednesday’s Board of Regents meeting about issues that Texas universities, like the UH-System, should focus on. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
SYRIA
continued from page 3
of sociology and UH-CL MALSO faculty adviser Mike McMullen in a UH-CL press release. According to Craig, the crisis in Syria serves as a “proxy war in which
the U.S. is competing with Russia, Saudi Arabia with Iran, and militant factions with each other,” all with the objective of establishing influence throughout the region with the fall of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Craig was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as U.S.
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Another closing-the-gaps goal is to get 630,000 new enrollments by 2015. In 2013, enrollments stood at more than 585,000. “We are falling a little bit behind our goals in enrollments,” Paredes said. M o v i n g f o r w a r d , Pa r e d e s announced some other initiatives he wants to focus on from Complete College America’s “The Game Changers” document. He said he’d like higher education facilities to be proactive about these problem areas, like preparing for outcomes-based funding. He asked the UH System to increase co-requisite remediation options for students not yet on a college level. “If students are below the level of college readiness, instead of putting them in non-credit-bearing courses, we put them in credit-bearing entry-level courses and give them a lot of instruction, tutoring and other kinds of help,”
Paredes said. Paredes asked universities in Texas to make 15-hour semesters the qualifications for full-time status or 30 hours a year. “Complete College America’s data show that as soon as a student goes from being full-time to part-time, that his or her chances of graduating declines by 50 percent.” Paredes said he knows this is not possible for a lot of students, but he wants universities to encourage all of their students who are able to attend full-time. When it comes to nontraditional students, scheduling becomes a nightmare the farther along in one’s degree plan. Paredes praised provost Paula Short, who is taking action to make structured schedules for students so they can more easily coordinate their work, home life and school schedules.
Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman from 1998 to 2001 and led the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs for the State Department’s Near East Bureau. In addition to serving in Oman, Craig held diplomatic posts in Egypt, Colombia, Haiti and Syria, where he served as the deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy.
Craig advised the UH-CL team in the regional competition for the Bilateral U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce Model Arab League, a diplomatic and leadership competition in which universities represent Arab countries and engage in policy discussion. Craig’s expertise in the region proved of valuable assistance to the UH-CL team,
“One of the things we’ve started to tell faculty is that the classes they only offer once a year are going to have to be offered more,” Short said during her Pizza with the Provost event on Feb. 14. “I’m actually analyzing how many classes there are, when they are taught and how many students are enrolled in it to get a sense of how we are using six days a week, five days a week and 24 hours to make things accessible to students.” Finally, Paredes noted the growing deficit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics students. He said he thinks universities should incentivize professors to increase interaction with high school students the way they incentivize researchers. “Faculty will do what they are rewarded for,” Paredes said. news@thedailycougar.com
which represented the Sultanate of Oman and went on to win first place in the regional competition. The team will be heading to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National University Model Arab League from March 28 to 30 at Georgetown University. news@thedailycougar.com
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