Issue 2, Volume 86 (9.9.2020)

@thedailycougar www.thedailycougar.com Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Est. 1934

Issue 2, Volume 86

Feeling hopeless? You’re not alone.

With online classes

and isolation, UH experts warn, “there can be an increase in depression symptoms. But, they say, campus mental health resources can help. | PG. 2

LIFE AND ARTS From voting to sending letters, the U.S. Postal Service is vital. | PG. 4

SPORTS UH student-athletes made a statement with their Black Lives Matter march across campus. | PG. 8

OPINION Please, keep your fellow students in mind when you hang out on campus. | PG. 10

2 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020

NEWS

DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

DINING

Dining considers safety, sustainability during pandemic DONNA KEEYA

NEWS EDITOR @DONNAKEEYA_

As the coronavirus pandemic readjusts UH dining plans and operations, it has correspondingly changed its sustainability plans and initiatives.

In an effort to encourage social distancing and prevent potential spread, the University began offering to-go meal options at dining halls last spring.

When UH community members take food from Cougar Woods Dining Commons to-go, they’re served in single-use, disposable containers.

“Currently, we are using more single-use plastics than before with 30 to 40 percent of our guests taking their meals to-go,” said UH System Dining district manager David Riddle. “In addition, our to-go packaging is 100 percent recyclable.”

Some students who prefer eating in the dining hall say they believe the University is doing well at staying sanitary and preventing the coronavirus spread.

“The dining hall staff does a great job of sanitizing,” said journalism freshman Alivia Guster. “Despite the times they shut down to clean, they continue to clean while dining is open. Overall, maintaining a

clean and healthy, corona-free environment.”

To encourage the University’s sustainability goals, to-go products used at Cougar Woods Dining Commons, the only dining hall open this fall semester, are made to be recyclable.

In previous academic years, UH dining halls didn’t have to-go meal options.

“We have made all packaging at Cougar Woods Dining Commons recyclable, from to-go containers to flatware,” Riddle said. “We are currently outfitting Cougar Woods with environmentally friendly composting receptacles.”

Cougar Woods Dining Commons has additionally transitioned from offering guests reusable silverware to single-use plastic alternatives.

“For enhanced safety, we have added touchless utensil dispensers, which require plasticware,” Riddle said.

When discussing UH dining’s sustainability journey, Riddle mentioned how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the availability of compostable goods, not just at the University, but nationwide.

“Due to the current pandemic, there is a shortage on compostable materials countrywide and prices for compostable items are inflated,”

While offering UH community members takeout dining options, Cougar Woods Dining Commons is using recyclable to-go products. | Claudette Vega/The Cougar

Riddle said. “When compared to other materials, compostable options are roughly three to four times the cost.”

Beyond pricing and availability, compostable containers are not preferred for carrying and holding hot food, according to Riddle.

“In addition, compostable containers do not hold hot items well and tend to get soggy quickly,” Riddle said.

To help prevent food waste on campus, UH dining started demand-based production as a

new initiative since the start of the pandemic. With demandbased operations, the amount of food made will reflect the amount the number of people regularly eating at the dining hall.

“Small batch cooking is how we reduce overproduction which is one of the primary causes of food waste,” Riddle said. “We have also adjusted our purchasing and production to reflect the smaller number of guests on campus. Despite the slow down, we’re operating very

efficiently.”

Contracts with UH dining’s previous food vendors are one of many aspects shifted due to the coronavirus. These include retail locations that won’t be reopening this semester.

“The current health pandemic has impacted all aspects of our business and certain vendor partnerships have been placed on hold such as food trucks, Tandoori Night, Smoothie King and others,” Riddle said. news@thedailycougar.com

HEALTH

Student health insurance provider change alters cost, coverage CRISTOBELLA DURETTE

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @CRIST0BELLA

The UH System has changed Student Health Insurance Plan provider for the 202021 academic year, ushering in changes to deductibles, in-network service providers and benefits available to insured students.

The University selected Academic Blue, underwritten by BlueCross/BlueShield of Texas, over previous insurance provider United Healthcare Student Resources insurance due to its lower cost in comparison to renewing the plan with the 20192020 SHIP provider.

The updated program features a higher emergency room

deductible and no dependent coverage.

“The University of Houston System has made the decision that a change in the SHIP is necessary beginning the 2020-2021 academic year,” said Student Affairs and Enrollment Services head Richard Walker.

“Academic Blue presented a plan that offers an annual premium cost that is less than the annual renewal rate requested by the current SHIP provider,” Walker added.

The change and renewal of SHIP coverage has altered the deductibles that students have to pay upon receiving medical

INSURANCE

Continues on page 3

Changes to the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) include higher emergency room deductible and the removal of dependent coverage for insured students’ families. | File Photo

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 3 DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

HEALTH

CAPS, UH Wellness Center highlight importance of mental health this semester

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

AMINAH TANNIR

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @AMOUNAJT

The pandemic brought about not only disease, but stressors from job loss to social isolation, and college students aren’t immune.

“Some common issues that I have seen and talked with students about are anxiety about what the future holds for them,” said Reuben Parrish, UH Wellness director.

Parrish said students not only worry about their performance in online classes, but also about how they are going to eat since they

INSURANCE

Continued from page 2 treatment and the providers that are available within the healthcare provider’s network.

“To mitigate the cost of the premium, the emergency room deductible was increased and a deductible for prescriptions filled outside the UH Campus Pharmacy is now in effect,” Walker said.

In the 2019-20 academic year, medical emergency expenses accrued by an insured student

don’t have a job.

Students also mentioned they’re having trouble sleeping, and worry about the health of themselves and their loved ones.

“With isolation there can be an increase in depression symptoms like feeling hopeless, increased substance use or feeling that relationships are no longer meaningful,” said Marti TrummerCabrera, UH Counseling and Psychological Services assistant outreach director.

Trummer said professionals at CAPS pay attention for

circumstances where students live in environments that cause risks or conflicts for the student.

“We know that our environment impacts our mental state,” Trummer said. “Students may need support in creating a new academic environment in their homes to stay motivated in achieving goals this semester.”

CAPS offers online support through their Coogs Conquer series over Zoom. These virtual workshops cover topics such as mindfulness, ways to engage academically and emotionally,

racial trauma and anxiety.

Beyond the Zoom workshops, CAPS also holds consultations through their Let’s Talk program available to students, faculty and staff alike for advice and information about formal counseling.

Parrish explained that students can find ways to relieve stress with methods they haven’t explored such as meditation or physical activity.

He said that having a socially distant gathering with friends can also help.

The UH Wellness Center offers

virtual meditation sessions every Thursday, where students discuss different topics exploring self care and mental health.

Another program called Tea Tuesday has students log onto Zoom to discuss various topics while drinking tea every Tuesday afternoon.

“Students can alleviate some of the stress possibly by picking up a new hobby, spending more time with family, and engaging with friends virtually,” said Parrish.

at an in-network provider cost a $150 copay per visit, which would be waived if the individual was admitted to the hospital, and a preferred allowance.

Preferred allowance refers to the amount a preferred provider will accept as payment for covered medical expenses.

For the 2020-21 academic year, emergency care will cost students 80 percent of the cost of each visit after the payment of a $250 copayment. As was the case with the 2019-20 SHIP program, insured students will have the

copay waived in the event that they are admitted to the hospital for further treatment.

SHIP has undergone changes to policy as well as cost and coverage. Dependent coverage, which provides insurance coverage for family members of the policy holder, has left the spouses, children and partners of those enrolled in the SHIP program without the health insurance coverage that has been available to them under plans from previous years.

“Dependent coverage was not

part of the SHIP (previously,)” Walker said. “It was a separate policy made available for the prior two academic years and is no longer available. The cost of a dependent plan included with a SHIP would add to the premium cost of all students, with or without dependents, enrolled in SHIP.” The removal of dependent coverage comes as families continue to grapple with medical challenges presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

For some students, the changes to the healthcare plan raises concerns in light of the pandemic.

“I hope UH changes (the policy so) that dependents are able to have the healthcare they deserve,” biology senior Rael Memnon said. “To me, healthcare is a right and should be freely accessible to others.

“My stance is for UH to review this change … especially under the situations we are in (now).”

news@thedailycougar.com

news@thedailycougar.com

4 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020

LIFE AND ARTS NEWS

DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/LIFE-ARTS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

MAILING

Snail Mail: students discuss state of USPS, letters

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

SYDNEY ROSE

NEWS EDITOR @SYDNEYROSE1029

A way to exchange written letters, send postcards, deliver packages and more, “snail mail” is a process students at UH do not

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

take for granted.

With it being an election year and the nation being in the middle of a pandemic, the U.S. Postal Service is in charge of receiving many mail-in ballots come early voting and election day, which

students consider vital.

“I’m honestly very concerned that the USPS will be completely eradicated,” said English junior Danielle Bishop. “It’s such a vital part of our society and government function because

many people still use regular mail to receive bills, permits, legal documents, etc.”

Mailboxes have become a part of every living arrangement throughout the country, even the residence halls have mailboxes for student residents to receive mail as well as a place to pick up packages.

For college students who have family or friends far from campus, the mailing system can be used to communicate and exchange.

Students can even send mail to those who aren’t on campus due to coronavirus at this time.

“I think it is really nice to be able to receive a palpable item like a mailed letter,” said Bishop.

“And, because of the pandemic, I’ve invested in more stamps and even sent my own version of care packages.’”

As #SaveUSPS trends on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, there are activists and social media goers who are calling for people to buy stamps more often to help in saving the USPS. “I only hope that the USPS can be saved by providing more funding for it,” Bishop said.

Bishop used to not mail letters in high school because at the time, all of her friends lived nearby whereas nowadays, she writes letters to her friends and sends them for the sole purpose of boosting them up, she said.

“To me, sending letters to people I care about makes me feel content because I get to make someone excited to be expecting something and vice versa,” Bishop said.

A portion of letter writing can be people who write to their pen pals, either long distance or just for fun to have something that they can physically receive and open.

Bishop said she gets warm and fuzzy feelings over writing and sending letters.

“I have always felt compelled to show people that I care about them by giving them hand written letters,” Bishop said. “I love it because it is much more meaningful than sending someone a text. When you’re physically writing something out, you give it more thought and heart, I think.” arts@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 5

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SPORTS NEWS

ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

FOOTBALL

Houston LB Grant Stuard wants change in community, aims to start nonprofit

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Jhair Romero

MANAGING EDITOR

Jiselle Santos WEB EDITOR

Mason Vasquez NEWS EDITORS

Donna Keeya Sydney Rose ASSTISTANT NEWS EDITORS

Aminah Tannir Cristobella Durrette

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

James Mueller OPINION EDITOR

Gina Medina

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Juana Garcia

ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Gerald Sastra PHOTO EDITOR

Vacant

COPY CHIEF

Zai Davis

SPORTS EDITOR

Andy Yanez

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The 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 Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The 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 UH senior linebacker celebrates after a play against Praire View A&M during the 2019 football season. During Saturday’s march, he said that he and a few members of the UH football team are in the beginning stages of starting a nonprofit. “We just felt as if there was a severe lack of opportunity for us as studentathletes to go out and serve just because we don’t really have that much time on our hands to organize and do things like that,” Stuard said on the reason for wanting to start an organization. | Courtesy of UH athletics

JAMES MUELLER

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186

With racial tensions rising across the United States, UH football senior linebacker and captain Grant Stuard uses his platform to make a difference in the Houston community.

During Saturday’s march of student-athletes and coaches across campus to advocate against racial injustice, Stuard revealed that he and senior running backs Kyle Porter and Chandler Smith along with junior linebacker Donavan Mutin and football director of player development Daikiel Shorts Jr., are in the early stages of forming a nonprofit organization that centers

around serving, teaching and helping out the Houston community.

“A few teammates and I are currently developing a nonprofit organization that will focus on serving and giving back to those in our community, informing the public on how to be a part of action and leading the youth in the right direction,” Stuard said in a speech at the end of the march.

With college athletes being busy balancing school and athletics, they feel like they do not have the time to serve and make a difference in the community. This is what gave Stuard and his teammates’ the motivation to start a nonprofit organization and give student-

athletes a chance to serve.

“We just felt as if there was a severe lack of opportunity for us as student-athletes to go out and serve,” he said. “We don’t really have that much time on our hands to organize and do things like that.

“So our organization is going to focus on putting opportunities together.”

While this organization, which will likely be called Serve and Lead UH, is primarily focused on giving studentathletes an opportunity to go out and make a difference in the community.

It will also be open to any UH student who wants to seize the opportunity of setting an example and making a

difference in the surrounding community.

“We have to be the example of how to love others if we are going to get active and fight against hate,” Stuard said. “It starts with us and our individual actions no matter how small they may be.”

Stuard’s leadership during the march caught the eye of men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson, who praised Stuard’s passion for the topic.

“Of all the things that I was most impressed with today was Grant Stuard,” Sampson said.

“It’s that kind of passion that’s going to carry this generation forward.” sports@thedailycougar.com

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.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 7 ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

SPORTS NEWS

GALLERY

Relive UH’s Black Lives Matter march

Demonstrators on Saturday brought various signs for the march. Some had the letters “BLM,” which stand for Black Lives Matter, and others included the phrase, “how many more?” Which refers the shooting of African Americans at the hands of police officers. | Photos by Donna Keeya/The Cougar

Of the various concerns brought up by the student-athletes on Saturday, the NAACP was at the demonstration helping register anyone who wanted to be ready to vote for the upcoming election.

Outside hitter Alexis Cheatum speaking to the crowd of fellow studentathletes, coaches and family. “If anything, I think we are using our platform to make positive momentum,” she told reporters before the march officially began.

The march began in front of the UH football practice facility between TDECU Stadium and the Stadium Parking Garage and the student-athletes walked all the way to Lynn Eusan Park before returning to Fertitta Center.

8 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020

SPORTS NEWS

ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

UH ATHLETICS

UH’s demonstration a ‘wonderful display of unity’ seeking justice, equality for all ANDY YANEZ

SPORTS EDITOR @AYANEZ_5

The University’s studentathletes made a statement of unity on Saturday when all the different programs came together to march across campus and get the message across that they want justice and equality for everyone.

“It’s a wonderful display of unity and what people can do when they come together regardless of the color of their skin towards a movement that really just speaks towards justice for everybody,” said senior linebacker Grant Stuard.

The march on Saturday was all student-led. Athletes from different programs were given the opportunity to talk about their experiences, emotions and express the future they envision.

“It’s big for our school,” said junior basketball guard Quentin Grimes. “We’re just showing how we can come together as a whole school and as an athletic department and just bring light to what is going on in the world with racial injustice right now.”

Following weeks of turmoil and outrage across the country after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, many athletes, both professional and collegiate, have used their platform to voice frustrations.

Junior linebacker Donavan Mutin (left), senior linebacker Grant Stuard (middle), and senior guard Julia Blackshell-Fair (right) spoke at the end of the march in front of Fertitta Center. “I saw my team fighting against each other,” Stuard said. “I took it upon myself to educate myself about everybody’s opinion, everybody’s beliefs and to understand that unity is the only way we can move forward.” | Photos by Donna Keeya/The Cougar

The athletes at UH were no exception, and on top of expressing themselves, they also reminded people that what they desire is not attached to any group. Their desire is for everyone to be treated equally.

“It’s not anything political or anything like that,” women’s basketball head coach Ron Hughey told reporters at the demonstration. “It’s their passion and their voice for change.”

That passion was made clear

as the student-athletes marched and chanted across the entire campus.

The walk started at the doorsteps of TDECU Stadium, passed The Quad and Cougar Village II and ended back at Fertitta Center.

Before all the athletes, coaches and department executives went their separate ways, they all stood together at the concrete steps of Fertitta Center, and listened to multiple student-

athletes speak again.

Of the many athletes who spoke at the demonstration, Stuard’s message stood out loud and clear.

“To the people that get angry when they hear the words, Black Lives Matter,” he said. “To the people that think that this march is purely about politics … please understand that we do want everyone to be treated fairly in this country, regardless of the color of their skin.

“And when we at UH, say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ it is because they do. These words are being spoken because there is a real issue in our country.”

As Stuard’s words echoed throughout Cemo Plaza in front of Fertitta Center, multiple UH student-athletes cheered and clapped in support.

“It’s that kind of passion that’s going to carry this generation forward,” men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson said.

“And that’s the generation that matters. Young people, they are smart, they are driven, they are motivated all across the country.”

As for the coaches, they will continue to support the studentathletes every step of the way.

“We’re not holding them back,” volleyball head coach David Rehr said.

While the days between Saturday’s march and the present day will grow, the hope that the UH student-athletes have is that it was only the beginning in the fight for equality.

“Some people try to overlook what’s going on, and try to keep doing certain stuff,” redshirt freshman forward J’Wan Roberts said. “But I feel like, with this situation we got right now, we can get together to start a movement.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Student-athletes from multiple programs at the University battled scorching tempertures as they came together on Saturday to march against racial injustice. | Donna Keeya/The Cougar

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 9 ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS NEWS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Cougars’ No. 1 goal heading into uncertain 2020 season:

‘We plan on winning conference’

The University’s women’s basketball team come together before the start of a game and throw up the their “Cougar paw.” The team ended the 2019-20 season with a 12-19 record and were 5-11 against the American Athletic Conference. | Photos courtesy of UH athletics

JAMES MUELLER

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186

Approaching the 2019-20 season, UH women’s basketball head coach Ronald Hughey was confident that their transfers had a good case to be granted immediate eligibility, but the NCAA deemed otherwise, requiring every one of the Cougars’ new transfers to sit out for the season before they could take the court wearing red and white.

This decision was extremely tough for the women’s basketball program because they were counting on their transfers playing big roles for the team.

As a result, UH only had a bench of two or three players each game, and the heavy minutes each player played took a toll on them throughout the course of the season.

While the heavy workload was extremely tough for the athletes who played last season, it was even harder on all the transfers who knew they had to wait a full year before they got their chance to take the court.

“I think I can speak for all the redshirts, we really did have a hard time (sitting out),” said redshirt sophomore guard Miya Crump. “We used to talk about what we were going to do next season when we get on the court.

That’s how anxious we were to play.”

Some of them, including redshirt senior guard Eryka Sidney, had a countdown going with assistant coach Lasondra Barrett, eagerly marking off each

day until they were eligible to get on the hardwood.

After a long year of not being able to play, the Cougars’ transfers finally have a chance to take the court this season and could not be more excited.

UH women’s basketball head coach Ronald Hughey draws up a play for Houston during a timeout in a game against Temple during the 2019-20 season.

“It feels so good,” Sidney said.

“Last year, it was good cheering on my teammates and getting familiar with the culture, but now that I’m actually in action, I’m stoked.”

With the Cougars preparing for the 2020-21 season, Hughey has emphasized to his transfers to approach this season as a redemption year since they did not get an opportunity to play last season.

“We’re in for a redemption year and I’m telling you right now, we plan on winning the conference,” Hughey said.

“No ifs, ands or buts about that.

We are putting the work in to do just that and the standard is set and we’re not backing down from it.”

While the logistics of the upcoming season are still being worked out due to the coronavirus pandemic, one thing is for sure.

“No one’s ever going to forget 2020,” said assistant coach Tai Dillard, “so you might as well do something special.” sports@thedailycougar.com

10 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020

OPINION NEWS

GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

CORONAVIRUS

Be smart with on-campus hangouts

ANNA BAKER

STAFF COLUMNIST @ANNA2POINT0

Students moved in a couple of weeks ago and unsurprisingly, we have a few COVID-19 cases on campus already. However, for all of us living on campus, we have a responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community as much as possible.

In order to do this, we need to make smart decisions, including social distancing, small social circles and not partying.

The term “social distancing” has been banged into our heads since March and yet some people still don’t follow it. When out and about at school, do your best to stay away from people.

If you’re in Student Center South having lunch, make sure you’re at least 6-feet apart from others. The same goes for the dining hall.

Be courteous and don’t block walkways so that others can get through without having to squeeze by. And when you’re in line for something and you see those red stickers on the ground that say “stand here,” stand there.

Don’t stand right behind the person in front of you.

While some people may be keeping their distance when getting food or shopping, they might still be hanging out with friends and what not. This isn’t necessarily bad, and it’s understandable that when on campus you’d want to hang out with friends.

Experts even agree that it’s hard to blame college students for seeking socialization, which is what college was all about.

The key is keeping your social circle small and consistent. If you

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

see your significant other and one other friend and they don’t see other people, that is fine.

What you don’t want is a case where you get COVID-19 from someone that’s four degrees of separation from you because the people you’re seeing are seeing other people who see other people and so on.

Only seeing the same people is called social bubbling, and it’s been recommended for slowly returning to normalcy after the pandemic. We’re not through this

yet, but if you absolutely need to see people, make sure it’s a small and consistent group.

Of course, many people have roommates so be sure to check with them about how many people they are comfortable with you seeing. It’s only right to do so since you share a space; if you were to bring something back, it’s likely that they would get it too.

Lastly, do not party. And what I mean by that is don’t go to a party. Don’t be in a crowded space where you share food,

drinks and sweat.

It may be obvious to some people but many colleges across the country are experiencing large gatherings of students. At the same time, many colleges are also experiencing large outbreaks on campus.

Some may argue that parties should be allowed since on-campus housing is permitted, but remember: dorms are not just for partying.

Many students don’t have safe or comfortable places to have

class and study outside of on campus housing. Not all students came here to party so don’t ruin it for those students who need to be on campus.

So far we have very few on-campus cases, and that is great. Let’s try and keep it that way.

Be responsible and keep your fellow students safe.

Anna Baker is an English junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE CLASSES

Combating online learing’s side effects GINA MEDINA

OPINION EDITOR @ITSGINA_M

As we start our third week of online learning, most of us have realized the immense difference between a traditional classroom and Zoom university.

There are pros and cons for each one and reasons to love one over the other, however, this online delivery method has universal side effects on students’ productivity and health.

Productivity, or lack thereof If you opted to exclusively

take online classes, whether synchronously or asynchronously, odds are that you are lacking motivation and are struggling to stay focused, which is understandable given the circumstances. However, your environment has a bigger role in your attention span than you might think.

The catch of online learning is the commodity of working and studying from home; yes, it is convenient, but it is also impractical as the transition from a desk to a comfy couch or bed is almost seamless.

Working on a cluttered desk or in your bed is a recipe for distractions and low productivity. Your mind will likely be distracted by all the stimulus around you and it will be harder to focus, which is why it is best to work on a cleared desk with little to no distractions.

Taking a few minutes at the beginning of your day to clear your workspace can significantly improve your productivity and

ONLINE

Continues on page 12

As students begin to adapt to online learning, many are experiencing the side effects of this new instruction method and it is up to them to combat these negative results. | Christopher Charleston/The Cougar

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 11

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg January 23, 2019

ACROSS 1 McMahon and Asner 4 Lady in a chocolatier’s logo 10 Nightlife spot 14 Stroke gently 15 Lean toward 16 First-rate 17 Bullfight cheer 18 Baseball film DVD that’s missing the last scene?

20 Fashionable 22 Nanny animal 23 Third Greek letter 24 Celebratory slap that doesn’t quite connect?

26 Socialist Marx 27 Tirade 28 Frantic scramble 31 Rap or rock 34 Rower’s need 35 4-Down suggestion 36 Near-miss remark that’s a clue to 18-, 24-, 50- and 58-Across 41 Santa ___ winds 42 Fitting 43 Alpha’s opposite 44 Crumb catchers

1/23

47 2017 World Series champ, slangily 49 At one’s ___ and call 50 Mostly get rid of?

54 Lacking a partner 56 Oktoberfest quaff 57 “Spare tire” 58 Slightly early marital restlessness?

61 Elected officials 62 Innovator’s spark 63 Gossiped 64 Vote of support 65 Org. 66 “I’m all ears!”

67 Roseanne’s husband DOWN 1 Many, many years 2 New ___, India 3 “Shrek!” author William 4 It aptly bookends “Google Maps” 5 Mount Hood locale 6 Deeply religious 7 “My concern is ...”

8 Blow off steam 9 Sleeve tattoo spot 10 Duck, to a French chef

11 Appear imminent 12 E pluribus ___ 13 Second Greek letter 19 “Omigosh!”

21 Comedian Rock 25 Come to grips with 26 Corn syrup brand 28 “Geez!”

29 Like bachelor parties 30 Queen on Mount Olympus 31 Thom ___ shoes 32 Elbow-wrist connection 33 Political platforms?

34 A giant among Giants 37 Target of a heist

38 FedEx alternative 39 Fortune 500 abbr.

40 “Later!”

45 Nairobi resident 46 Slurpee kin 47 Simmer with anger 48 Old Toyota 50 Voltaire, theologically 51 Long Greek story 52 Literary uncle 53 Buddy who played Jed Clampett 54 Myanmar’s locale 55 Eye shades?

56 Wooden train maker 59 Stir in 60 “Good” cholesterol letters

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“One-Off” by Andrea Carla Michaels and Alan Arbesfeld

12 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020 GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

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VOTING

It’s time for Gen Z to have a seat at the table and vote i

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SAIRA HAQUE

STAFF COLUMNIST @SWEETSASSYSAIRA

The presidential and congressional elections are around the corner and fast approaching, and there is no doubt it’ll be an election to remember for a long time coming.

The United States is going through a new wave of economic and social change. Most of Generation Z, those who were born after 1996, aren’t old enough to participate in this upcoming election, but 24 million will still have the opportunity to cast a vote.

I know that the people that

ABOUT CSM are a part of this generation are a little apprehensive and have this mentality where their voices don’t matter; there are people out there that are scared, afraid of change.

I promise every single one of you, as a fellow Gen Zer, your voice counts, and your voice matters.

Here’s why your vote matters: Gen Z is more racially and ethnically diverse than any other generation beforehand. They’re also on track to be the most well-educated generation yet, with most of them being second generation college students.

We also grew up in the digital world. Generation Z strongly believes that the country’s growing racial and ethnic diversity is an incredible thing, with that, they’re less likely to see the United States as superior to their international counterparts as previous generations thought the opposite.

There are new faces running for Congress.

These candidates are young and innovative.

They’re coming from different educational backgrounds.

Some candidates are in the field of medicine. Donna Imam, a candidate who is running for

Texas’ 31st congressional district in Austin has a background working as a computer engineer.

Candidates like Imam bring a fresh face and perspective to the table which caters to a younger audience.

There is a growing number of new and younger voters which means we need leaders to represent us, all of us. For new voters, please do your civic duty and vote in this upcoming election. Your voice does matter.

Be a part of the change that’s going on in our nation.

Saira Haque is an anthropology junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE

Continued from page 10 motivation throughout the day.

Deteriorating health Although racing across campus to make it to your next lecture is not exactly an Olympic sport, most of us can agree that it does give us that small endorphin rush and that light perspiration on our upper lip that we get from five minutes at the gym.

Sometimes this slightly panicked jog to class is a sufficient amount of daily activity, but in times like these, most of us are getting little to no exercise, which is resulting in

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The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, CoogTV and COOG Radio.

Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, intercultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment. ultimately, degree attainment. While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.

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(713) 743-5350 students experiencing symptoms of depression.

Exercise can help alleviate those symptoms and even reduce stress, so consider taking time out of your school and work schedule to take a stroll outside and get some fresh air.

Another great way to relieve some of those feelings is by socializing with loved ones.

Although our in-person interactions are fairly limited at the moment, technology allows us to stay connected.

Reaching out to a loved one can be extremely therapeutic and regenerating when you are feeling blue; you can even call

them while you are going for a stroll around campus or wherever you are.

Aside from reduced activity and interaction, constant computer usage can have negative side effects on our vision.

If you are experiencing constant headaches, if your eyes can’t seem to focus for periods of time or if you have blurred or double vision, you might be experiencing computer vision syndrome, which is caused by prolonged screen usage.

Your eyes can get tired, which can cause some discomfort, and the best remedy is to simply let them rest.

The 20-20-20 rule consists of taking a break from screens around every 20 minutes and looking at something that is 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds; this method is a simple, yet an effective way to give your eyes much needed relief.

As we all adapt to this new learning environment, it is up to you to avoid the pitfalls of online education and make sure you are taking care of you.

So, maybe go for a walk and call up a friend.

Gina Medina is a journalism senior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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