Issue 85, Volume 79

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THE DAILY COUGAR

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

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H O U S T O N

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Issue 85, Volume 79

S I N C E

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

ENERGY

ACADEMICS

Symposium debates about government assistance

Javi Salazar

15 hours a semester future norm Staff writer

Harrison Lee Senior staff writer

U.S. Congressman Gene Green, alumnus Jimmy Glotfelty of Clean Line Energy and Robert L. Bradley of the Institute of Energy Research took to an elevated podium Tuesday in the Energy Symposium Series in the UH Hilton’s Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom to articulate their opinions about whether governmental support is necessary for renewable energy operations in the state. “I want Texas to be the energy capital of the world — not just oil and gas,” Green, another UH alumnus, said. He represents the 29th Congressional

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Dean Dan Wells of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics presides over the pre-introduction of the symposium featuring, from left to right, Robert L. Bradley, Jr., Joseph Pratt, Jimmy Glotfelty and Congressman Gene Green, D-TX | Jessica Sunny/The Daily Cougar District that comprises most of eastern Harris County. Green, a Democrat of Texas whose district contains five refineries and more than 20 chemical plants, pointed out he was also in support of wind and solar energy, categorizing them as important parts of a whole that would be a net positive for the economy of his

district as well as Texas. He said that, according to a report he had seen, there would have been rolling and massive brownouts from North to Southeast Texas during Sunday’s rapid cold snap had there not been available wind energy. “I’m a Republican, and I like wind energy,” Glotfelty said in agreement.

Green’s pitch was heavy against criticism of the cost of the Production Tax Credit — the federal incentive for financial support for developing renewable energy facilities. Representing the stance that the PTC works for wind, solar, nuclear and clean coal ENERGY continues on page 3

Catching spring fever UH enters its spring practices with more stability compared to last season and returns a majority of its starters on offense and defense. It held its first of 15 practices Monday and will conclude with its annual red/white spring game April 11 at Carl Lewis Field. For more coverage, see Page 5. — Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

Starting Fall 2014, UH will take measures to encourage students to take a minimum of 15 credit hours a semester. Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Raymund Paredes said to the UH Board of Regents on Feb. 26 that mandating that students take 15 credit hours per semester to be considered a full-time student would be a key boost to the success of higher education institutions. “Going from being a part-time to a full-time student increases his or her chance of graduation by 50 percent,” Paredes said. “We recommend 15 credit hours for full-time status to become the standard, and we strongly urge students to take 15 hours a semester or 30 hours a year.” Some colleges throughout Texas have already implemented this 15-hour minimum standard, and University administrators are considering jumping on the wagon. UH is responding to these suggestions by piloting the “UH in 4” program in Fall 2014. With a task force led by Teri Longacre, vice provost and dean for undergraduate student success, UH in 4 aims to provide and spread awareness about tools concerning degree plans and offer incoming freshmen a preset, fixed-tuition, four-year degree plan. “This new initiative will set firsttime-in-college students on track to graduate in four years,” said Provost Paula Short. “By signing up for UH in 4, students will save money, save time and enter their careers or graduate study even faster.” UH in 4 also serves as a response from Texan lawmakers requiring universities to create four-year fixed-tuition CREDITS continues on page 3


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