@thedailycougar www.thedailycougar.com Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Est. 1934
Issue 1, Volume 87
Here, We Go? Most students are returning to campus for the first time in almost a year and a half, but some aren’t as optimistic as others. | PG. 2
2 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
NEWS
HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS
CAMPUS
After year and half, students return with mixed emotions HAYA PANJWANI AMINAH TANNIR
NEWS EDITORS
Students, professors and staff alike are on the verge of a school year like no other. With varied class formats, a new environment for some and differing views on issues like masking and vaccines, the UH community is coming back to campus after over a year. While incoming freshmen will be coming to the University with a fresh start on campus, last year some sophomores began their college career remotely. Sahir Moosani, a supply chain management and finance sophomore, is
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excited to be on campus. “This is the first year that I will be coming in person,” Moosani said. “I’m excited to start college life but at the same time, I’m scared because I haven’t done it in person before at UH.” Although he’s worried about COVID-19 and the rising concerns around the delta variant, he’s also concerned about adjusting to in-person learning. “I’m worried about adjusting to college life after the first year was all online,” Moosani said. “I didn’t have to worry about going to campus or commuting from Sugar Land so I guess I’m worried about that the most.” Mia Shippey, a media production junior shares similar sentiments. “Obviously this past year or so I don’t believe I have got the college experience, but I’m currently hoping to make up for lost time,” Shippey said. “I think doing my major classes and being with my peers is what’s most important.” The school’s approach on COVID-19 policies has changed a few times during the summer, but Shippey thinks their current policy works. “I think the school has a good approach toward COVID-19,” Shippey said. “All of my professors have been super aware of the situation. I can tell they always have the students’ best interests in mind.” Nevertheless, some students are worried
Students sitting in Student Center South on the first day of classes. | Haya Panjwani/The Cougar
about the variant affecting the rest of the school year. “It’s still a risk to go in person,” Moosani said. “I wish they made it all online this year but at the same time, being on campus is going to be a different experiment. If it gets worse, they should move it all online as soon as possible.” Pharmacy student Pooja Gupta is hopeful for what the semester will bring, despite the looming threat of COVID-19. “I feel excited to go back and have a mixture of in-person and online classes,” Gupta said. “I’m excited about us slowly going back to normal, but still taking necessary precautionary measures.” Gupta was worried about how the new delta variant that’s sweeping through Texas
will affect students’ education. The COVID19 delta variant, a more contagious variant, is ripping through Texas with over 10,000 infected daily. In response to the current public health conditions in the area, the University granted professors the discretion to hold classes in the format they see fit. “I think UH is doing an incredible job at taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by allowing students accessibility to testing centers on campus while maintaining guidelines enforced by the CDC,” Gupta said. “I believe I’m getting a good college experience even though we’re in a pandemic.” news@thedailycougar.com
LIBRARIES
BAMSA BAMSA BAMSA welcomes students from all academic disciplines who share a passion for the arts and interest in meeting like-minded peers.
@uh.bamsa @bamsauh
Library services make comeback this fall semester
UH Libraries expand services as UH returns to in person activities. | Haya Panjwani/The Cougar
AMINAH TANNIR
NEWS EDITOR @AMOUNA.JT
The days of merely empty wings are over. With many students returning for in-person classes this semester, UH Libraries are expanding the services they’re opening back up to students. M.D. Anderson Library reopened Fall 2020 with limited services available for students in-person, offering support for distance education to help students taking
online courses from their homes. The library had capacity limits along with restriction of students to the first three floors of the building. Desktop computers, printing and book checkout were among some the only services available to in-person students, technology and group study rooms unavailable.
LIBRARY
Continues on page 4
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 3
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PARTY IN THE PARK
4-7pm; Lynn Eusan Park PLAYFAIR
6-7:30pm; CRWC SC WELCOME BACK
11-2pm; Student Centers EXPLORE THE POWERHOUSE
10-2pm; Across Campus CAT'S BACK
4-6pm; Student Centers CANDLELIGHT
8:30pm; Cullen Familiy Plaza GLOW PARTY
9-12am; Lynn Eusan Park
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SEP.1
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WOW DAY OF SERVICE
12-5pm; Student Centers CAGE RAGE
6-9pm; TDECU Stadium CULTURAL TASTE OF HOUSTON
11-3pm; SC North
COMMUTER KICK-OFF
11-2pm; Butler Plaza GREEK-A-PALOOZA
4-6pm; Lynn Eusan Park INFRARED
7-11pm; Student Centers
4 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021 DINING
UH Dining introduces new options for Fall 2021
Two students stand in front of the Waffle Bus food truck. | Lino Sandil/The Cougar
HAYA PANJWANI
NEWS EDITOR @HAYAPANJW
ALLY TIE-DYE September 2nd 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Butler Plaza
Whether you’re a commuter student or on-campus resident, join the LGBTQ Resource Center for an afternoon of tie-dying while learning about resources and support services offered to our LGBTQ+ community and allies. Event is co-sponsored by Student Housing & Residential Life, and Commuter Student Services.
UH dining is introducing new dining options, as well as bringing back old ones that were closed due to the pandemic in previous semesters. In an announcement on their social media accounts, UH dining services mentioned the opening of new restaurants and coffee spots around campus — like Asado’s Burritos and Bowls and two new brew bars. Asado will be replacing Freshii’s in Student Center South. The incoming brew bars will be located in Farrish Hall and the Insperity Building. Other restaurants being replaced include Subway in University Lofts, which will be transformed into Wild Blue, a restaurant serving fresh sushi and power
LIBRARY
Continued from page 2 With the University transitioning back to full operations, library services are able to operate similarly to prior to the coronavirus. “Students should expect every available service and resource as they are accustomed, including the computer labs, group study rooms, printing and the audio and video studios,” said UH Libraries communications director Esmerelda Fisher. There aren’t any capacity rules limiting the number of students within the library at any given time, however, students are still encouraged to take precautionary measures by the University, that includes wearing face coverings and practicing good hygiene. “As a reminder, the University strongly encourages everyone to wear masks in public indoor settings, including M.D. Anderson Library, Architecture, Design, and Art Library, Health Sciences Library, and Music Library,” Fisher said. Although other public areas of the M.D. Anderson Library are accessible to students, they won’t be able to access the Blue Wing on floors 5, 7 and 8 due to construction that will end later in the fall semester, according to Fisher. For better safety and accessibility
bowls. McAlisters will be making a comeback to the Welcome Center, along with food trucks across campus. A full schedule of which food trucks will be available where and when, on the UH dining website. In terms of retail dining, a new app will launch in collaboration with Starbucks locations on campus called Starbucks Connect. The app will allow students to use their Starbucks app to pay for menu items and collect points. In addition, two new robots will be joining the fleet of current ones at UH Dining — their salad and cereal robots. “It’s really going to enhance the guest experience,” said District Marketing Manager for Chartwells Alexcis Mendoza in the IGTV announcement. news@thedailycougar.com
turnstiles were installed in May 2020 and will remain at the main entrance of M.D. Anderson Library. For a more speedy entrance into the library, students will need to swipe or tap their Cougar Card on the turnstiles for entry. Students who don’t have a physical card will have a dedicated lane to gain access to the library, where they can display their ID from the UH Go app. “We strongly recommend that students obtain a physical Cougar Card as there may be times during the semester when card access will be the only option for entry,” Fisher said. “In addition, the Cougar Card serves as your library card for book and material checkout and allows you to release print jobs from the library’s printers.” Library hours are anticipated to remain the same throughout the semester, according to Fisher. The M.D. Anderson Library will be open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until midnight, Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 24-hour lounge attached to the M.D. Anderson Library will be available to students throughout the semester. More detailed information regarding UH Libraries’ services and hours can be found on their website. news@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 5
! K C A B E M O C L WE
es ic v r e S t n e m ll o r n E ffairs & A t n e d u t S f o n io is From the Div
: o t e t i s b e w Visit our . t r o p p u s t e G Get involved. y. h t l a e h y a t S . Find work
2021 Back to School.indd 4
8/12/2021 3:39:35 PM
6 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
NEWS
HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS
CAMPUS
Students discuss staying safe on campus HAYA PANJWANI
NEWS EDITOR @HAYAPANJW
As students start coming back to campus after over a year, campus safety remains a concern amongst the university community. UH saw over thirty thefts and about eight cases of harassment over the summer, as of Aug. 21. “Campus safety could definitely be improved,” shared marketing senior Nina Joseph. “I mean the amount of people I know who have gotten their cars broken into in one year should not be that common.” While not as common over the summer, UHPD reported eight burglaries of a vehicle over the summer as well. Joseph added that her friends that are UH students will often opt for garage parking, or parking lots closer to campus because of fear of their cars being broken into. “It’s just safer, you know?” she said. Although in 2013, the Third Ward, or the neighborhood where UH is located, was voted as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the U.S, UH’s crime rate is historically lower than other parts of the city. That said, students who have been on campus since before the pandemic have simple tips and tricks they recommend for staying safe. “I would always recommend not to leave valuables in the car such as laptops & phones,” Joseph said. “Taking a cougar ride or asking for a security escort when walking at night has helped too.” Samuel Osemwingie, a senior studying psychology says, “I think newcomers can stay safe by looking around when you’re
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walking and not traveling alone at night. I’ve stayed safe on campus by just using my head. When I need to leave late, I make sure I have a friend with me to walk to my car.” Nili Patel, also a senior psychology major agreed and said, “I think just a good rule of thumb is just like any campus, no matter what campus it is - especially as a girl - when you’re on campus after dark, it just helps to have somebody else around.” Patel adds that by planning your schedule ahead, it helps you avoid staying on campus alone too late, “If you can, don’t take classes after 6 PM. Try to be back at your dorm or car before the sun goes down.” She also recommends mapping out your route to class as you plan your semester. “I say visit your classes and get
used to where they are so that you have a set path to take every day,” Patel said. The UH Police Department recommends reporting crimes as you see them occur, or they happen to you. “UHPD would like to let students know what our staff is here 24 hours a day and seven days a week to assist,” says Crime Prevention Coordinator, Sergeant Dina Padovan. “UHPD responds to incidents on campus, therefore we recommend that you save our dispatch number in your phone, 713-743-3333,” said Sergeant Padovan. “Our campus community works together to keep our campus safe, so if you see something, say something. We encourage you to report suspicious activity to our dispatch center.” news@thedailycougar.com
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 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.
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 7 HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/LIFE-ARTS
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
LIFE ANDNEWS ARTS
FASHION
Look book: A few first day of school outfits HAYA PANJWANI
NEWS EDITOR
@HAYAPANJW
Students came back to campus in style this semester. After a year of online learning, students are showing off the fits that have been hiding in their closets during social distancing periods. From dresses to flowy shirts and even casual sweatpants, students returned to UH with statement pieces that show off they’re ready to combat this unusual school year. Here’s what some students wore on their first day back to in-person learning in a back-to-school look book:
Nahom Girmai, business freshman.
Erase Zeynu, architecture freshman.
Vy Le, graphic design freshman.
Sami Shahed and Omar Alkhoja, mechanical engineering seniors.
arts@thedailycougar.com
Sofia Lopez, teaching & learning freshman.
Christine Ngo, biology sophomore. | All photos by Haya Panjwani/The Cougar
Kurtis Deschamps, mechanical engineering senior.
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
8 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
CENTER STUDENT INVOLVEMENT INVOLVEMENT Backpack essentials CENTER FORFOR STUDENT CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
What to keep in your bag going back to school
TUDENT INVOLVEMENT CONNECT DISCOVER ENGAGE CONNECTDISCOVER DISCOVER ENGAGE CONNECT ENGAGE
CONNECT DISCOVER ENGAGE
At the Center for Student Involvement, we provide the tools and expertise to develop student leaders organizations At the and Center for Studentto At theInvolvement, Center Student becomefor thewe best they can provide thebe! tools Check outprovide our website visit us in volvement, theortools andwe expertise to develop student Student Center North to find leaders and organizations toout nd expertise to develop student what the we best havethey to offer! become can be! leaders and organizations to Get Involved today! Check out our website or visit us in
Registered Student Organization Resources Leadership Development Programs
Registered Student Organization Entertainment and Social Events Resources
Registered Student Organization Resources
At the Center for Student Registered Student Organization Resources Leadership Development Programs Involvement, we provide the tools Entertainment and Social Events become the best they can to be! Leadership Development Programs and expertise to develop student Student Center North find out eck out our website or visit us in what we have to offer! Service and Civic Engagement leaders and to Opportunities Follow usInvolved on social media!organizations Get today! tudent Center North to find out csi@uh.edu 832.842.6245 www.uh.edu/csi Entertainment and Social Events what we have to offer! the bestCampus become theyTraditions can be! Get1st Involved floor ofus thetoday! Student Center North Rm. 103 Follow on social media! Check out our website or visit us in csi@uh.edu 832.842.6245 www.uh.edu/csi Service and Civic Engagement Opportunities Student Center North to find out 1st floor of the Student Center North Rm. 103 ollow us on social media! what we have to offer! Campus Traditions csi@uh.edu 832.842.6245 www.uh.edu/csi Get Involved today! SHIVANI PARMAR ffice Hours Mon–Thurs: 8AM–6PM, Friday: 8AM–5PM CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT dehydrated or burnt out. Service andDevelopment Civic Engagement Opportunities Leadership Programs
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Entertainment and Social Events Campus Traditions
Service and Civic Engagement Opportunities Campus Traditions
Office Hours Mon–Thurs: 8AM–6PM, Friday: 8AM–5PM
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Office Hours Mon–Thurs: 8AM–6PM, Friday: 8AM–5PM
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STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
DISCOVER ENGAGE
Gerald Sastra/The Cougar
STAFF WRITER @NEWSWITHSHIVANI
t floor of the Student Center North Rm. 103
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CONNECT DISCOVER ENGAGE
It has been over a year since many UH Check out Blackboard and prepare students have had in-person classes, and to bring any required materials to class with that gap it can be a challenge to like textbooks, class supplies, a copy of recall what the backpack essentials are. the syllabus, something to write with, Now is the time to dust off those deserted a laptop and your laptop charger. It is know are lostResources in your never fun to ask the people sitting next to Registeredbackpacks Student we Organization closet and start replenishing them with you for supplies. school necessities. Hand sanitizer and face masks FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT packing, CENTER you want to travel Leadership When Development Programs light, but not too light where you are not If the pandemic has taught students prepared. We did the thinking for you anything, it is cleanliness. As if many Entertainment and aSocial Eventswe believe are and made list of things students did not already carry one of worth filling your backpack. those fun hand sanitizers from Bath and Body Works, it can be beneficial this fall Service and Civic Engagement Opportunities as students can be exposed to thousands Sunscreen and sunglasses It is important to wear sunscreen of people each day. Although UH does not and sunglasses on campus during the mandate face masks, students might feel Campus Traditions beginning of the fall semester because a greater sense of security when wearing the walk to classes can be from one them inside buildings and in smaller side of campus to the other can include classrooms. intense exposure to sunlight.
Registered Student Organization Resources
Follow us on social media!
csi@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csi Leadership Development Programs 832.842.6245 At the Center for Student Involvement, we provide the tools Office Hours Mon–Thurs: 8AM–6PM, Friday: 8AM–5PM and Social Events andEntertainment expertise to develop student 1stleaders floor of the Student Center North Rm. 103 and organizations to become can be! Opportunities Service the and best Civicthey Engagement Check out our website or visit us in Student Center North to find out dent Registered Student Organization Resources Campus Traditions what we have to offer! the tools Leadership Developmenttoday! Programs student Get Involved
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Houston has unpredictable weather. Even after checking the forecast before heading out to campus, the predictions may alter throughout the day. Keep a mini umbrella inside your backpack, and CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT you have one less thing to worry about.
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
832.842.6245
–6PM, Friday: 8AM–5PM
Umbrella
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Reusable Water bottle UH encourages students to use reusable water bottles to save money and conserve plastic. Stationed in many buildings on campus are water bottle refill fountains. Keeping water on hand is vital for students walking on campus as temperatures remain in their summer high. The last thing anyone wants to be is
Sweater
Despite Houston’s scorching hot weather, keeping sweaters on campus will come in handy as many classrooms and buildings with lower temperatures to beat the heat. No one wants to hear teeth chattering in the middle of a lecture.
Snacks Although UH has plenty of on-campus dining options, packing a snack can save students a few bucks and help you hold off until your next meal. Sometimes your day may get so busy it might be the only thing you eat for hours, so a healthy and satisfying snack is advisable. arts@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 9 JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS
SPORTS NEWS
@THECOUGARSPORTS
FOOTBALL
UH defense believes play will surprise people in 2021 JAMES MUELLER
SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186
A buzz has been going around Houston defense as the 2021 football season draws nearer, but the Cougars do not want to spoil the surprise of the quality of play they believe and expect to put on display under the bright lights this fall. This confidence may come as a surprise to Cougar fans, as UH defense showed major holes, during the first two years under head coach Dana Holgorsen in regards to defending against the run and pass. “One of our biggest downfalls was not having depth,” junior linebacker Donavan Mutin said. “You can’t go into seasons and make big runs if you don’t have depth.” As a result, the expectations for the defense from UH fans are at an extreme low. Many are expecting to see the Cougars defense display more of the same problems from the past two seasons appear in 2021. Despite doubt from the outside, the Cougars’ defense is confident they will not only catch people by surprise by elevating their play this season but show they are capable of being one of the top defenses in the country. The high hopes the UH defense has in themselves stems from a new sense of urgency. As well as, the way the defense has attacked preparation for the upcoming season. Coming together after the New Mexico Bowl loss to Hawaii, they vowed a season like 2020 would not happen again. “Our accountability has been better,” senior linebacker Deontay Anderson said. “Our mental (mindset) has been better of how we attack workouts. How we attack practice has been better.
Junior defensive lineman Logan Hall, who coaches and teammates have raved about throughout the offseason, lines up on the edge during a UH football fall camp practice. | Courtesy of UH athletics
And that carried over into the summer.” One of the units that have received lots of hype from coaches and players has been the defensive line because of the depth, feeling like there is no noticeable drop-off between the ones and the twos. Defensive coordinator Doug Belk said the Cougars have a solid 10 to 12 man rotation that can shuffle in and out at the defensive line position. This gives them the advantage of being able to have fresh bodies throughout the course of the game. “We really believe in strength in numbers and I don’t think anybody in the country plays the D-line the way we do,” Belk said. Senior offensive lineman
Dennis Bardwell has experienced firsthand the level of talent and depth the Cougars defensive line possesses, battling it out in the trenches each day in practice. “In my opinion, they are going to be one of the best in the conference if not the country,” Bardwell said. At linebacker, the Cougars have a mix of young blood and veteran leaders that Holgorsen believes will be the “heart and soul” of the team. The linebacker unit has gotten a major boost in getting Mutin back after the 6-foot linebacker missed the final five games of the 2020 season with injury issues. Along with Mutin being healthy, Anderson had a full offseason to
continue to learn the linebacker position after shifting from safety in the middle of the 2020 season. Anderson said he is more comfortable at his new position and his teammates, as well as coaches, have high expectations for him in 2021. Redshirt freshman Mannie Nunnery has garnered high praise, led by Mutin, for the leap he has taken over the offseason. “Mannie Nunnery is a freak,” Mutin said. “He’s as elite as anyone I’ve ever seen athletically. Not football or any specific sport. He can do anything athletically and he can play ball at a really high level.” In the secondary, the Cougars are loaded with experience led by
the highly regarded cornerback duo, seniors Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams, as well as experienced leaders at safety in sophomore Hasaan Hypolite and junior Thabo Mwaniki. As a whole, Belk says the defense has excelled at fall camp in the two things it takes the most pride in: playing fast and playing physical. While there are still some things the defense has to work on before UH’s season opener against Texas Tech, the confidence as a whole is sky-high. “I can’t wait for people to see what we put on the field,” Mutin said. “We’re going to be dominant.” sports@thedailycougar.com
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10 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
SPORTS NEWS
JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS
@THECOUGARSPORTS
RUGBY
Up from the ashes: Revival of the UH men’s rugby club JAMES MUELLER
SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186
Lagniappe is a Cajun French term meaning “a little something extra” and has been used to describe what Christian Glover has been doing all summer. Glover, supply chain junior and president of the Houston men’s rugby club, has made it his mission to revive one of the University’s oldest intramural clubs, which some have believed to been hidden in the shadows and unbeknownst to the majority of the UH community for years. Mark Speer, the club’s head advisor and coach, has been around the game of rugby and the Canadian Football League his entire life and says he has never seen someone accomplish so much with so few resources and in such a short amount of time than Glover has. “I’ve been in this game of rugby for 52 years, this is the first cat I’ve ever seen that has taken the world and put it on his shoulder,” Speer said. “What (Glover) has done, you could take every rugby club in the state and put them together and they still couldn’t total what (Glover’s) done.” Glover, alongside Speer and Joseph Nguyen, a Kinesiology senior and the club’s vice president, have each put in an average of 50 hours per week over the past three months
The UH men’s rugby club gathered together for a photo after a practice on an August evening at Godwin Park. | Courtesy of UH men’s rugby club
in an effort to get the club off the ground and running. From walking the UH campus to try and recruit potential young men to join the club, to working in the Astros team store, to selling advertisements for club programs the team
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handed out at events, Glover and Nguyen have dedicated all their time, energy and effort for the benefit of UH rugby.
A unique appeal The biggest selling point for the UH men’s rugby club is that it reflects the diversity of the city of Houston. Its members are from all over the globe, with different ethnic groups, religions and sexualities coming together to play the game. “We are a United Nations team,” Speer said. “We’re a smorgasbord of nationalities.” While the UH rugby club’s members are as diverse as any club or student organization across the country can be, at the end of the day, they treat each other as a giant family. They are there for each other through the good and bad, celebrating each other’s highs and comforting one another during their lows. They socialize with each other regularly, and go out for team meals. “The camaraderie, it feels like you’re at home,” Nguyen said. “With this rugby team, everyone’s family.”
Setting high standards The UH mewn’s rugby club has high expectations regarding their performance on the pitch, but Speer sets even higher standards for his team off the pitch with the goal of transforming these boys into men. For one thing, the only way a member of the club receives playing time is if they have all A’s and B’s. “You make a F, a D (or) a C, you ain’t playing for me,” Speer said. “I guarantee you I’ve got the only sports program (at UH) with young men making all A’s and B’s.” While Speer’s requirement of his players to have A’s or B’s is much stricter than a typical college athletic program which simply requires a player to be passing all of his or her classes in order to be eligible, Speer places a large emphasis on receiving a quality college education. By requiring his players to keep up high grades, Speer hopes each young man is in the best position possible to be successful once
they leave UH. Another thing Speer puts a special emphasis on is manners. From using “yes sir” or “yes ma’am” when responding to another person to saying “please” and “thank you” to always holding the door for others, Speer does everything he can to teach his players how to be a “gentleman”. “A requirement of these young men is you must be a gentleman,” Speer said. “Manners and treating women with respect are mandatory.”
Providing an opportunity The UH men’s rugby club’s ultimate goal is to become a welcoming atmosphere on campus, creating an opportunity for any UH student, no matter what level of rugby experience they have, to join a unique family and learn important life lessons that will help students get the most out of their time in college. That is why the club does not cost a single penny to join. Instead, the club raises its own money to pay for food, travel and accommodations, equipment and whatever else it might need. “It doesn’t cost anything to play,” Glover said. “All we ask is that you just show up to practice, volunteer with us (and) fundraise with us. We don’t want to take anyone’s money.” Due to the countless hours of work Glover and Nguyen put in over the past few months the club has grown to around 30 members and raised enough money to participate in three tournaments this summer. Speer hopes the club will grow to between 45-60 guys by the time the it kicks of Lone Star Conference play in early September. “Everybody knows your name, everybody knows your problems, everybody knows what you’re good at,” Glover said. “These are people that are going to take you very seriously and we’re going to do everything we can to include you.” sports@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 11
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12 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
SPORTS NEWS
JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS
@THECOUGARSPORTS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
How former Cougars fared in the NBA Summer League SEAN THOMAS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @SEANTHOMAS723
Former Houston stars Quinten Grimes, DeJon Jarreau and Nate Hinton made their NBA Summer League debuts this August in Las Vegas, Nevada, with hopes of proving they belong on an NBA roster. Initial expectations varied from player to player, here’s how the former Cougars fared in their first go at Summer League action.
Quentin Grimes Grimes was drafted 25th overall by the New York Knicks and had high expectations set on him coming into the Summer League. Despite the slow start, he lived up to them. Through the first three games, Grimes was quiet, averaging just over 7.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on a mere 26 percent shooting from the field. After a slow start, Grimes turned things around over his final three games as the first-round sharpshooter was lights-out, showing why the
Knicks were so high on him. Grimes totaled 15, 28 and 26 points in the final three games highlighted by knocking down a combined 15 3-pointers in those contests. The former Cougar brought his six-game averages up to 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists per game, all while shooting 40.7 percent from deep. The Woodlands native proved not only could he compete at an NBA level, but also get over a few rough games and bounce back when the team needs it most. Grimes is expected to make the Knicks roster and make his NBA debut on Oct. 20 against the Boston Celtics in Madison Square Garden.
DeJon Jarreau Jarreau’s NBA Summer League showing was one to talk about as well, not only for his performance but because he was not guaranteed an NBA roster spot after the tournament. The resilient guard from Louisiana went undrafted but was quickly offered a deal by the Miami Heat. Here he will play on
Nate Hinton
Former UH guards DeJon Jarreau and Quentin Grimes put up strong performances in the NBA Summer League debuts. | Courtesy of UH athletics
the Summer League team with hopes of sticking around. Despite missing the first two games due to a thigh contusion, Jarreau proved he could play, stuffing the stat sheet in nearly every game he was in. Used as a point guard primarily, Jarreau averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists along with 1.4 steals per game.
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The undrafted free agent’s best game came against the Atlanta Hawks Summer League team, where he posted 14 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Despite spending the summer with Miami, it was reported Jarreau signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Former UH guard Nate Hinton made a Summer League debut after completing his first season in the NBA as a two-way player for the Dallas Mavericks in 2020. Like Jarreau, Hinton was also undrafted. Hinton had a slow showing, averaging 7.8 points, 6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with the stat sticking out the most being the 1.4 steals he averaged over the five games played. The newly-signed guard had a rough shooting affair as well, shooting 31 percent from the field overall and 21 percent from three. Despite the rough showing in the Summer League for Hinton, it is likely he will remain with Dallas as a two-way player. There he can further his development in both the NBA and the G League. Hinton has already appeared in 21 NBA games in his short career so far, but whether he gets more NBA action is up to how he develops in the coming season. sports@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 13 THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION
ANNA BAKER, EDITOR
OPINION NEWS
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
COVID-19
It’s more important than ever to get vaccinated against COVID-19 SUMERA SIDDIQI
STAFF COLUMNIST
In order to combat the COVID19 delta variant, everyone who is able to, must get vaccinated. Just as our country thought it was out of the woods in this pandemic, the deadly delta variant of the coronavirus made itself known to the world. Despite the fact that this variant spreads faster, infects more people and can cause more profound and dangerous symptoms than the initial strain of coronavirus, some people still refuse to mask up and get vaccinated. However, the coronavirus vaccine is invaluable in combating this disease, and can allow us to return to our normal lives. According to the Texas Department of Health Services, COVID-19 cases are up 92 percent in the state of Texas, with 75 percent of the infections being caused by the delta variant. Unsurprisingly, those who are unvaccinated are most likely to be affected by the disease, thereby spreading
it to others. This is extremely dangerous, given the risks this variant imposes on us. While the simple solution would be to simply get the COVID-19 vaccine, many people in the state of Texas refuse to get it because they do not want to be forced into it. However, in regards to public health, doing the right thing for your community should not be considered forceful. It is simply a means of protecting others and ensuring safety. The current coronavirus vaccine is still effective against the delta variant and will help us more than harm us in the long-term. While it is still possible to be infected with COVID-19 while vaccinated, the risks for severe symptoms and passing the disease onto others is significantly lower. There is no rational reason for most people to opt out of taking the vaccine. Most importantly, getting vaccinated is the key to not only protecting ourselves, but also others. The devastation that struck the world in the beginning of the pandemic was unfamiliar
Juana Garcia/ The Cougar
to any other we had experienced in our lifetimes. We don’t want to keep that devastation going. Thankfully, the University has created many opportunities for students to get vaccinated.
Refusing the vaccine will only lead to higher infections, and possibly new, more deadly variants of the coronavirus. Although we are kept at distance with oceans, land and political
boundaries, we share one world, and it is up to us as human beings to make sure the world is a safe and healthy place for all. opinion@thedailycougar.com
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14 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021
OPINION NEWS
ANNA BAKER, EDITOR
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION
POLITICS
Gov. Greg Abbott is overstepping his authority ANNA BAKER
i
The Cougar
thedailycougar.com
ABOUT THE COUGAR
OPINION EDITOR @ANNA2POINT0
Despite claiming principles of small government, Gov. Greg Abbott has been enacting the opposite in his policies. Despite Republicans often touting that they are for smaller government, individual Republican politicians often go against this value. This is the case with Abbott. He’s criticized the federal government before for overreach but does the same thing. Instead of allowing communities to choose their own COVID19 regulations, Abbott is demonstrating government overreach by keeping cities and counties from governing themselves. Abbot’s initial response to the coronavirus pandemic resembled that of someone who believed in small government. He did initiate a lockdown in March 2020 like most states but quickly ended it in May 2020. For months he didn’t have a full mask mandate and even when he did, he said he wouldn’t force counties to abide by it. He was very loose in his COVID-19 policies and that wasn’t surprising for a Republican. Overall, most Republicans in this country tend to be in favor of fewer COVID-19 restrictions rather than more. However, as of recently, he has been supporting policies that totally go against
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his pattern of government passivity. He wrote an executive order preventing state-funded institutions like schools and universities from mandating vaccinations or masks. He also signed the fetal “heartbeat” bill preventing women from getting abortions after six weeks. Abbott is demonstrating intense government
overreach in trying to control the lives of Texans. His recent policies will hurt the freedom of communities to make their own decisions about COVID-19. UH is a victim of this tyrannical decision-making. It had a mask mandate until Abbott’s executive order. The university should have the freedom to decide its own rules and the same goes for public schools. In fact, multiple school districts and communities in Texas have gone against Abbott’s restrictions. In fact, so many communities in Texas have taken action against this mask mandate ban, that COLLEGE OF NURSING ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM enforcement for public schools has been UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENTS FOR dropped. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that schools could mandate masks for now. This is a win for freedom against OFFERED AT UNIVERSITY OF government overreach in Texas. The HOUSTON AT KATY OLLEGE EGE IONS OF COLLEGE NURSING OF NURSING OF NURSING ACCEPTING ACCEPTING ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS URSING TING APPLICATIONS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS government should not interfere with a OLLEGE ICATIONS COLLEGE OF COLLEGE NURSING OF NURSING OF NURSING ACCEPTING ACCEPTING ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS OF CCEPTING NURSING APPLICATIONS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS DEADLINE: APRIL 1 FROM M OR UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY FROM UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON OF HOUSTON OF STUDENTS HOUSTON STUDENTS STUDENTS FOR FOR FOR community or school’s safety regulations. ON SITY STUDENTS OF HOUSTON FOR STUDENTS FOR NTS FROM FOR FROM UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY FROM UNIVERSITY OF OF HOUSTON OF STUDENTS HOUSTON STUDENTS STUDENTS FORFOR FOR OUSTON IVERSITY STUDENTS OF HOUSTON FORHOUSTON STUDENTS FOR This entire situation has shown how Abbott doesn’t necessarily believe in freedom for Texans. Despite multiple communities and schools going against his order, Abbott KATY FFERED ED AT OFFERED UNIVERSITY AT UNIVERSITY AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON OF HOUSTON OF HOUSTON AT KATY AT KATY AT KATY HOUSTON IVERSITY AT OF KATY HOUSTON AT KATY didn’t rescind the order until there was legal action. Abbott only believes DEADLINE: APRIL DEADLINE: APRIL 1 1 APRIL 1 IL 1DEADLINE: DEADLINE: APRIL 1 in freedom when it can suit his own 4 TIME RECIPIENT HEALTH PROFESSIONS HIGHER EDUCATION Republican agenda such as passing EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY (HEED) AWARD (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) COLLEGE OF NURSING ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS COLLEGE OF NURSING ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS permitless carry and allowing for harmful 2017, RST-TIME TIME 2020) FIRST-TIME PASS PASS RATE FNP RATE ON PASS (2015, THE ON 2016, RATE NCLEX-RN THE 2017, NCLEX-RN ON THE 2018, (2015, NCLEX-RN (2015, 2016, 2016, 2017, (2015, 2017, 2020) 2016, 2020) AND 2017, FNP AND 2020) (2015, FNP AND (2015, 2016, FNP 2016, 2017, (2015, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2018, 2017, 2018, S00% LEX-RN RATE (2015, ONAND THE 2016, NCLEX-RN 2017, 2020) (2015, AND 2016, FNP 2017, (2015, 2020) 2016, AND 2017, FNP 2018, (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, FROM UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENTS FOR FOR FROM UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENTS environmental actions to take place such 100% FIRST-TIME PASS RATE ON THE NCLEX-RN (2015, 2016, as not banning plastic bags. 2017, 2020) LICENSURE EXAM. However, Abbott never hesitates XCELLENCE HEALTH INHEALTH DIVERSITY PROFESSIONS PROFESSIONS HEALTH (HEED) PROFESSIONS HIGHER AWARD HIGHER EDUCATION (2016, EDUCATION HIGHER 2017,EXCELLENCE 2018) EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN(HEED) EXCELLENCE DIVERSITY IN DIVERSITY IN (2016, DIVERSITY (HEED) AWARD AWARD (HEED) (2016, (2016, AWARD 2017, 2017, 2018) (2016, 2018) 2017, 2018)to RECIPIENT PIENT TIME RECIPIENT GHER TH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION HIGHER EXCELLENCE EDUCATION IN DIVERSITY EXCELLENCE (HEED) INAWARD DIVERSITY (2016, 2017, AWARD 2018)(HEED) 2017, 2018) overstep his bounds as governor to OFFERED AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AT KATY reach a conservative goal. He’s tried to CONTACT A PRE-NURSING ADVISOR AT 832-842-8200 OR IN DEADLINE: APRIL 1 de-license public childcare facilities e-nursing a ontact pre-nursing aHEALTH pre-nursing advisor advisor at 832-842-8200 advisor at 832-842-8200 at 832-842-8200 842-8200 advisor at 832-842-8200 BUILDING 2, OFFICE #2020 from helping undocumented and refugee 100% FIRST-TIME PASS RATE ON THE NCLEX-RN (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020) AND FNP (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, children and overturned local community SITE ISIT RMATION WEBSITE OUR WWW.UH.EDU/NURSING WEBSITE WWW.UH.EDU/NURSING WWW.UH.EDU/NURSING FOR MORE FORFOR MORE INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION MORE INFORMATION VISITINFORMATION WWW.UH.EDU/NURSING MORE INFORMATION NG UH.EDU/NURSING FOR MORE FOR MORE INFORMATION bans on fracking. Don’t be fooled when Texas Republicans TY ON RSITY ATOF KATY KATY HEALTH PROFESSIONS HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY (HEED) AWARD (2016, 2017, 2018) 4HOUSTON TIME ATRECIPIENT talk about freedom. Abbott is the perfect FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA example of one that talks about freedom Contact a pre-nursing advisor at 832-842-8200 but acts like a tyrant. Despite being quick to criticize regulatory overreach from VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.UH.EDU/NURSING FOR MORE INFORMATION the federal governments, Abbott has no @uhcollege @uh_con UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AT KATY problem enacting it himself. University of Houston
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021 | 15 ANNA BAKER, EDITOR
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION
OPINION NEWS
POLITICS
Permitless carry infringes on the right to safety SUMERA SIDDIQI
STAFF WRITER
Gov. Greg Abbott’s new permitless carry law should not happen due to the recent increase in mass shootings. Despite the fact that mass shootings in the state of Texas have increased by 65 percent in 2021, Abbott has proposed that under permitless carry, any person the age of 21 or older can carry a handgun with them in public. This plan should not materialize in order to prevent more shootings. The outline of permitless carry is simple: one can carry a handgun without a license in public in the state of Texas, as long as they are at least 21 years of age. In June 2021, Abbott signed the unlicensed carry bill, making it a law starting Sept.1. This law will put so many of us in danger, considering it is already extremely easy to get a gun in this state. We take the mentality that guns bring us freedom and that they are part of our identity to the extreme. With a society that prioritizes guns so much already, making unlicensed carry legal is unnecessary and poses a big safety risk. Being able to carry an unlicensed handgun in public will only make it easier for gun violence to occur. Although there are many factors involved in gun violence,
Juana Garcia/ The Cougar
one of these factors is the leniency of gun laws, as states with relaxed gun laws are 15 percent more likely to experience gun violence. If one is allowed to carry an unlicensed gun in public, we risk losing more innocent lives to shootings, something our country is very familiar with. Furthermore, men who own guns are eight times more likely to commit suicide
by shooting themselves. Guns give people more opportunities to hurt others and themselves, so they shouldn’t be able to get a gun super easily. Texas needs to make sure gun owners have good mental health for their own protection as well as others’. According to a 2020 poll, more than 50 percent of Texans want stricter gun control. This plan is a step in the wrong direction
and will only make our citizens feel less safe. Humanity needs to become a bigger priority in this state. This means that stricter gun control is necessary. Our government should listen to its people and make them feel safe, rather than allowing a law as dangerous as permitless carry. opinion@thedailycougar.com
16 | Wednesday, August 25, 2021