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
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Issue 110, Volume 79
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H O U S T O N
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Potential fee nipped in the bud by SGA Nora Olabi Assistant news editor
The passage of a Student Government Association resolution mounts opposition to the institution of a mandatory student transportation fee. Resolution-51002 opposes the creation of “any new and distinct compulsory fee for the purpose of funding any University of Houston Auxiliary Services.” Though the resolution is a sweeping opposition to any fees that would fund auxiliary services, this resolution pits SGA and the student body against the potential $25 increase in fees that has been suggested by the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee. Supporters of the resolution, which opposes the creation of compulsory fees to fund Parking and Transportation Services, point to the fact that auxiliary services, by definition, function as a separate entity from the SGA continues on page 15
Bauer Senator Sunil Motwani (left) co-authored the resolution to oppose the creation of compulsory fees for the purpose of funding auxiliary services at the University, the ramifications of which would impact a proposed transportation fee. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
RESEARCH
CONSTRUCTION
UH junior recognized as one of nation’s top STEM students Regents Hadiya Iqbal Senior staff writer
One of her grandfather’s greatest wishes became a reality for mathematics and physics junior Khanh “Kate” Nguyen. Nguyen was recognized as one of the nation’s top science students after she was selected as one of the 2014 recipients of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards available to undergraduate students in the country. It provides funding to sophomore and junior students majoring in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering with plans to pursue careers in research. Nguyen was among 283 recipients selected from a field of 1,166 candiMathematics and physics junior Khanh Nguyen was selected as a 2014 re- dates and is the seventh student to cipient of the Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious award that funds under- receive a Goldwater Scholarship in graduates who plan to pursue a career in research. | Courtesy of Chris Watts UH’s history. Nguyen will receive
$7,500 for tuition, fees, books, and room and board for the 2014-15 academic year. “The Goldwater Scholarship is a marker of the very best young scientists in America today,” said Stuart Long, associate dean of undergraduate research and The Honors College. “When these students go on to apply for graduate school, having the Goldwater on their application will certainly capture the attention of admission committees.” Nguyen said she was excited to come to America from Vietnam in 2008 at the age of 16, because she had more educational opportunities. However, because she had little understanding of the English language, most of her classes were difficult at first except SCHOLAR continues on page 3
CONCERT
Operetta to celebrate Moores director’s years of devotion Sonia Zuniga Contributing writer
The Moores School of Music unites faculty and students to end its season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday with Leonard Bernstein’s operetta “Candide,” a celebratory piece that has crossed the boundaries of musicals and opera. The performance is honoring David Ashley White’s 15 years at UH. Based on the Voltaire novel, “Candide” features cameos from
musicologist Howard Pollack and Director of Jazz Noe Marmolejo as well as Opera Director Buck Ross in his stage debut and alumnus Joseph Gaines, who flew from Pittsburgh to star as Candide. “The spirit of the piece, and Bernstein’s composition, is a favorite of David White,” Ross said. “It’s an upbeat piece, and consequently it’s a good piece to conclude this CANDIDE continues on page 8
The Moores School of Music is honoring director David Ashley White with its concluding production of “Candide” on Saturday. | Courtesy of Alexandra Strycula
approve rollout of Cullen Blvd restructure Ryan Graham Staff writer
A special meeting of the UH Board of Regents on Monday approved official UH support of the repaving of major sections of Cullen Boulevard. As many UH students and faculty know, Cullen Boulevard is a major thoroughfare for the UH campus, providing access to numerous classroom buildings and research labs, the school’s art museum and theater, and to the soon-to-be-completed football stadium. However, drivers on the road have seen potholes and uneven paving, requiring massive work to be done. After meeting with representatives from the city council and public works and engineering department, the Board of Regents formally approved the city’s plans to reconstruct the road. “Our commitment to creating a Tier One university isn’t limited to classrooms and labs,” said UH President Renu Khator. “It includes maintaining and enhancing the CULLEN continues on page 13