Meet the Homecoming King, Queen: The power couple clad in royal red
GAURAANGI GUPTA
NEWS EDITOR
@GAURAANGIGUPTA
On Saturday evening, UH found its 2024 Homecoming royalty by crowning business finance and marketing senior Maurice May and business marketing senior Jada Hill as King and Queen.
The real-life couple decided to run for HOCO royalty because they believed a king and queen should stay together and represent UH even after being crowned.
“I knew that the Homecoming King and Queen should be a dynamic duo of people who aren’t just gonna meet each other beforehand and then separate afterward,” May said. “They are a duo of people who actually know each other and will actually continually represent the University afterward.”
While May had been thinking about running for Homecoming Court for the longest, Hill did not share the same ambition. Hill tried her best to find May someone else to run with, but her efforts were in vain. However, May managed to convince Hill, which ended up with them winning.
“The moment was very overwhelming, but very joyful too,” Hill said. “I feel like there were not even words to describe how we felt in that moment because it just felt unreal.”
This year’s King and Queen share a special bond as they are two peas in a pod and do practically everything together.
From joining and graduating from the Program for Excellence in Selling to joining fraternities and sororities together, this couple is grateful to UH for
giving them this opportunity.
“We also joined the Black Business Student Association at the same time and we both were on the board together,” May said. “We’ve done everything.”
The pair’s story starts well before they got to UH when they started talking in 2019 during high school. February 2025 will mark the couple’s fifth anniversary.
Coming to UH was a natural decision for May while Hill transferred to UH as a sophomore to stay close to her boyfriend.
“I feel like everything paid off,” May said. “I did kind of base my decision on where I wanted to transfer on my boyfriend and had a lot of faith in our relationship.”.
Now that they have won the crown, May and Hill are reflective of their journey and how it brought them to the finish line
While the entire process of applying and getting selected was pretty stressful, both May and Hill were confident that they’d win because of their personal stories and marketing strategies.
“Most people told us that our marketing was the best because we put in so much effort into it,” Hill said. “I wanted people to see us on social media and know who we are immediately.”
The couple loved interacting with people during their campaigning process and enjoyed getting to know them. They felt grateful for all the connections they made and the support they received.
May and Hill even received some great advice and help from last year’s Homecoming King and Queen, Austin
Craig and Auyana Aird.
“It’s funny I helped Auyana with her campaign, social media and flyers,” Hill
make a smooth transition from postgraduation to finding their homes.
“It can be really stressful and we’re really proud to say that we’ve helped about 40 to 50 UH students find apartments post-graduation or during college,” May said.
In their personal lives, the duo is very family-oriented and agree that they want to settle in and start a family together.
“I just want to start my family with my woman, my amazing girlfriend,” May said.
“I always say this, I have amazing parents and if I can be half the man my dad is, I’ve lived a successful life.”
One of Hill’s biggest fears in this whole journey was one of them not being able to walk the stage with the other.
The couple emphasized how thankful they are to UH and the students who voted for them for giving them the opportunity to continue to do things together, even on the court.
“This has been our longest dream and we thank everyone for giving us this opportunity on this platform,” May said.
The couple also had words of advice for the future Homecoming kings and queens.
A majority of it revolved around having a strong marketing and campaigning strategies.
May and Hill will have their own float at the Houston Thanksgiving parade and the Houston Christmas parade, as well.
said. “Now, a year later, I was doing all that marketing for myself.”
Moving forward, the duo is very adamant about bringing changes to both the HOCO court as well as to UH students.
They want to work on introducing a scholarship for future HOCO kings and queens as they feel that there’s not much awareness about the importance of the Homecoming Court.
They also want more students and alumni to get involved and understand the real meaning of Homecoming, which is inviting back all the alumni.
Apart from that, as May and Hill are both realtors, they have a combined goal of ensuring and helping college students
The 75th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 at 9 a.m. in downtown Houston.
“[Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Student Life] Keith T. Kowalka, wanted more student involvement this year by the king and queen,” Hill said. “He wants us to interact more and would invite us out to be the judge for events happening at Frontier Fiesta.”
Next year, they are also expected to emcee events at Frontier Fiesta, the annual student run festival traditionally held in April.
news@thedailycougar.com
The Homecoming court at the kickoff pep rally on Oct. 12, 2024 at the Butler Plaza | Raphael Fernandez/ The Cougar
Maurice May and Jada Hill posing for the Cougar after being crowned king and queen on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in the TDECU Stadium. | Raphael Fernandez/ The Cougar
CAMPUS
Homecoming 2024 recap: Going Hard in Da Red Paint
GAURAANGI GUPTA, ANNA MONROE, JOSHUA VASQUEZ
NEWS EDITOR, SENIOR STAFF WRITERS
CURLY._.TOP11, J0SH_VASQUEZ
@GAURAANGIGUPTA,
Last week, UH hosted numerous events for Homecoming 2024 that showcased the Cougar pride behind UH’s traditions.
From bed racing to welcoming Waka Flocka Flame to campus, Homecoming is a week meant to celebrate and bring the University together.
“I’m already feeling the energy, there’s a lot of people, there’s already so many events and I love being a part of the school’s atmosphere during this time,” said biotechnology junior Arianna Brinkley.
Kick-off
HOCO week began with the red-skirted cheerleaders and the Spirit of Houston band coming together at Butler Plaza to perform and ramp up the energy, opening with the iconic “Womp Womp” song.
With Raising Canes, glitter tattoos, henna and much more, it was hard for students not to feel the abundance of Cougar Pride.
“My favorite thing is just the spirit,” said health sophomore Lexi Baker. “It brings everyone together. I think it’s really amazing to live this experience and see the Coogs win.”
Kadeem Foamkom, Milan Kemp-Murray, Maurice May, Jordan Porter, Braeden Williams, Jada Hill, Aneesha Varkey, Micah Cooper, Khaliyah Ballard and Tynecia Davis were announced as the 2024 HOCO Court.
Stuff-A-Coog
On Tuesday, HOCO festivities continued with Stuff-A-Coog, where students made their own Cougar plushies.
“It was so much fun,” said psychology senior Isabelle Joly. “I love stuffing bears.”
Stuff-A-Coog was designed to celebrate school traditions and give students a memento to hold on to.
“Our mascot is the Cougar, so we thought it was fitting to offer Cougar plushies with little sashes,” said director of Homecoming court activities Kiana McDonald.
While the event was well-received, the event experienced a delayed start that frustrated some students.
“I was waiting here for about an hour before,” said physics freshman Christian Rodriguez. “The weather wasn’t bad, but they did take a while to set up.”
However, the organizers explained that the reason for the delays was nothing but the high turnout, which was beyond their control.
“The best we can do, and have been doing, is managing the line to keep events running smoothly,” McDonald said.
Despite the wait, students like Rodriguez agreed that the experience was worth the wait and look forward to it again next year.
“People love it, and they’re enjoying not only the plushie itself but also the customization options,” said assistant director of the Homecoming Court Cesar Badillo. “It’s a fun addition to school spirit, maybe even a new decoration for dorm rooms.”
Strut your stuff
UH is filled with multi-talented students from all walks of life. At this performance event, students got to show off what they had to offer.
Student organizations that performed were the Vietnamese Student Association, Phy Mu and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Chi Omega and Alpha Sigma, Black Student Union and CYPHER.
“UH is what brought this team together, so to be part of Strut Your Stuff means that we get to represent our talent, passion for dance and the school that lets us express all of that on stage for people to see,” said the co-director of CYPHER Kyla Vargas.
The winner of the night was CYPHER who were also the winners last year.
Bed races
As a known tradition, bed racing is definitely one of the more unique and awaited experiences at UH. Teams of students are meant to customize their mattresses and bed frames on wheels.
With beds decked out in space themes to an array of streamers, teams raced their contraptions down the street in front of TDECU stadium.
Free food and entertainment were made available for students to enjoy and the athletics team took home the win for that
night.
“So far, it’s been super fun. This year being in hall council, it really immersed me in the HOCO environment which I really love,” said architecture sophomore Cedric Gonzalez. “I really love the school spirit. Homecoming Week is all about the Cougars and I really enjoy that.”
CANstruction
Homecoming is not just about competitions but bringing the community together through philanthropic ways, too.
CANstruction is a fundraising event organized by the Metropolitan Volunteering Program to bring organizations together to collect cans for the Cougar Cupboard on campus.
Teams are assigned to collect cans and build the best and most impressive tower they can. The trick is not to have any cans fall or they can not be donated.
“Whether or not you’re in a sorority, you could still help out,” said public health junior Shannon Mercer. “In philanthropy, we’re set up to easily go through the process of helping others, but I think everyone should be encouraged to get involved in some way on campus, I think this puts everyone in good spirits right before the homecoming season.”
Waka Flocka Flame concert
Another much-awaited event of the week was the Waka Flocka Flame concert. The concert was organized by the Student Programming Board in Lynn Eusan Park.
The students were hyped to see the rapper headlining the concert and the lines began to form as early as 6:30 p.m.
“Honestly, I have never seen him live, and I kind of grew up with him,” said psychology freshman Nickyra Gaston. “I want to say as a freshman, it’s the beginning of the party era, so the fact that I get to see him for free, makes me really happy.”
Students were satisfied with the decision to bring Waka Flocka Flame; however, many thought that bringing a Houstonbased artist instead would have been better.
“I am happy with the current choice but I was expecting a Houston-based artist,” said political science sophomore Audrey Forero. “I know some people were saying they wish it was more of a Houston-based artist or someone a little more relevant.”
The artist performed songs like “Round of Applause,” “No Hands,” “Hard in Da Paint,” “Grove St. Party” and “Karma.”
While the event was successful and students could not stop cheering for the artist, a fight did break out which led UHPD to get involved.
Apart from Waka Flocka Flame, the concert was opened by LilChika and the crowd responded well to his songs. He successfully kept the crowd engaged and even threw out some t-shirts to the crowd.
According to SPB, there were about 2,270 students in attendance.
Football game and HOCO King and Queen
Homecoming 2024 ended with a bang when the UH Cougars won the game against Utah, 17-14.
Business finance and marketing senior Maurice May and business marketing senior Jada Hill were crowned this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
news@thedailycougar.com
Progress Waka Flocka Flame headlining the Homecoming concert at Lynn Eusan Park on Oct. 24, 2024. | Raphael Fernandez/ The Cougar
The bed racing event happening near the TDECU stadium on Oct. 23, 2024. | Emma Christensen/ The Cougar
FOOTBALL
Jack Martin’s game-winning field goal seals homecoming victory
CAMRYN ALBERIGO SPORTS EDITOR
@CAMRYN.ALBERIGO
With seconds left, senior kicker
Jack Martin stepped onto the field for a 43-yard field goal attempt, a chance to become Houston’s homecoming hero. He drilled the ball through the uprights, clinching a 17-14 win over Utah at TDECU Stadium, the first gamewinner of his six-year college career.
The kick marked Houston’s first game-winner since Matt Hogan secured a last-second victory over Tulsa in 2009.
“It’s a kicker’s dream to make a game-winning field goal. I can finally cross it off my bucket list.”
Jack Martin, senior kicker
Down seven in the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss threw a 28-yard pass to junior wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV, to even the score at 14. As Utah entered Houston’s territory, A.J. Haulcy intercepted a pass intended for junior tight end Carsen Ryan, marking his fourth interception of the season.
Houston took over just shy of midfield with less than two minutes remaining.
“I knew my opportunity was coming,” Martin said.
Chriss and redshirt freshman Re’Shaun Sanford II marched
MEN’S BASKETBALL
down the field on eight straight runs to reach Utah’s 25.
Martin’s moment arrived.
“I can’t even tell you what was going through my mind going out there,” Martin said. “I have been practicing for this my whole life. It comes down to trusting your training, breathing and saying a little prayer.”
Martin’s game-winner was the second-longest field goal of his career, just shy of his personal best of 44 yards.
He raced to the edge of the field and leaped into the stands, celebrating with friends from his hometown of Dothan, Ala.
“This is the first game they’ve been to in the past two years,”
Martin said. “They told me midweek, ‘You have to hit a game-
winner, and you have to come find us and jump in the stands.’”
As Martin launched himself over the wall, his teammates followed to embrace him.
“I honestly did not think I would clear it, but the adrenaline helped me out,” Martin said.
The sensation was not totally new for Martin, who kicked a 28-yard game-winner during his junior year at Dothan High School, when his team mounted a historic comeback against Enterprise.
After high school, Martin headed to Troy for two seasons before a two-year stint at Alabama.
Last season was Martin’s first with the Cougars, where he served as the starting kicker and kickoff
specialist in all 12 games.
This season, he lost his starting job following a missed 42-yard kick in Houston’s opener and some bad practices.
“He’s faced a lot of adversity this year,” head coach Willie Fritz said. “He earned his starting job back. It was huge for a kicker to come back and make that kick with all the pressure on him.”
When Martin regained his role for conference play, Houston’s offensive struggles limited him to just four attempts before the Utah game. Despite this, his teammates never doubted him.
“We were confident in him,” senior defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. said, noting that the kicker often stays after practice to get in extra reps.
However it was not an easy road for Martin in his final year of eligibility.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little down when I lost my starting role,” Martin said. “I take a lot of pride in not giving up, keeping my head down, and showing up every single day. I know a lot of guys would have probably thrown in the towel at that moment.”
For the first time in three weeks, Martin and his special teams unit, including sophomore holder Jake Sock and junior long snapper Jacob Garza, had a chance to line up for a field goal.
“We have been through a lot,” Martin said of his special teams crew. “There are a lot of moving pieces with kicking. When you can trust those guys, it makes my job a lot easier.”
Through it all, Martin relies on his faith to guide him.
“I remember at my previous school (Alabama), Nick Saban always spoke about leaving a legacy. He didn’t focus on counting national championships; he focused on impacting others and trusting in God,” he said. While Martin savored the feeling of hitting a game-winner, he’s committed to leaving a legacy and supporting freshman kicker Joseph Kim, who held the starting role against Oklahoma and Rice. “I don’t like talking about getting the spot back because Joseph Kim is a good friend and a great kicker as well. He is the future here at UH.”
sports@thedailycougar.com
Unfinished business: Cougars set sights on championship banner
CAMRYN ALBERIGO
SPORTS EDITOR
@CAMRYN.ALBERIGO
Every year, Houston men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson unifies a new cast of players. This season, however, four starters are returning, united by one goal: to transform their shared journey into a national championship banner, something they have come heartbreakingly close to achieving.
“We made it to the Final Four, Sweet 16, and Elite Eight. We just feel like we need one more banner,” said graduate forward J’Wan Roberts. “We might as well use our additional eligibility to do something special that no one has ever done before.”
The decision to return to Houston wasn’t difficult for
the sixth-year forward, who announced his return just days after the season ended.
Graduate guard L.J. Cryer joined
the returning group with redshirt
junior guard Emanuel Sharp and senior forward Ja’Vier Francis. Despite the presence of
these four leaders, the Cougars understand that there are no shortcuts early in the season.
“If it was a four-on-four league, we could start playing January basketball in September, but it’s not. We have to start from scratch,” Sampson said. “We are always adding, subtracting, piddling, and tinkering.”
Every year brings a new narrative for the team.
This year, the question is who will fill the role of Houston’s former point guard, Jamal Shead, who entered the NBA draft.
The Cougars plan to answer this question in a unique way; it’s not about taking his place but evolving in his absence.
“We have got to pick up where Jamal left off. We all have to be
louder,” Sharp said. “We have a standard here. Sampson pushes us every year, and we continue to meet his standards.”
Appreciating every step of the journey, the squad recognizes that it wasn’t flashy plays or impressive shots that propelled them to a 32-5 record last season.
Instead, it was a resilient mentality that never faded, even during the final moments of their Sweet 16 contest against Duke, when an injury to Shead dashed their championship hopes again.
“The journey has always been more important than the destination,” Sampson said. “But if you aren’t inside the arena, you
UNFINISHED BUSINESS Continues on next page
Houston kicker Jack Martin is being held by his buddies after scoring the winning field goal during the second half of the game, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Houston. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
J’Wan Roberts (13) holds the ball as Texas A&M Forward-center Pharrel Payne (21) guards him during the second half of an NCAA college men’s basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Continued from previous page
only care about the destination. For the coaches and players dedicating their lives to helping each other through this thing we call a basketball season to be judged on just one game is pretty shallow, but it doesn’t bother us.”
The depth is there for the Cougars, who are ranked No. 4 in the AP preseason poll.
They welcome back starters Roberts and Cryer, who were named to the Big 12 preseason first team.
The pair will start alongside Sharp and Francis, with junior point guard Milos Uzan, a transfer from Oklahoma, rounding out the starting unit.
Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler and redshirt sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux are returning from injuries and ready to return to the floor.
Other returners poised
for impact include graduate guard Mylik Wilson, redshirt sophomore center Cedric Lath and senior guard Ramon Walker Jr.
Redshirt freshman guard Kordelius Jefferson, redshirt freshman center Jacob McFarland, freshman guard Mercy Miller and freshman forward Chase McCarty are still awaiting their Cougar debuts.
Although the 2024-25 Cougars are composed of players at various stages in their college careers, no player will be left behind, even if they don’t see the court this year.
The four returning starters know the feeling. Only Francis and Cryer logged any playing time during their first seasons.
“We encourage the new guys every day in practice, and they naturally get acclimated,” Sharp
said. “That’s what October is for—long and hard practices that help everyone.”
At the end of the day they all share a mission that transcends individual goals, whether they aim to take the next step after college or patiently wait from the sidelines.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson summed it up best: “The goal of the game is not to impress anyone or have people talking about how great you are. The goal of the game is to win.”
For the Cougars, winning is a mindset they are ready to bring to the court once again when they tip off against Jackson State on Nov. 4.
They have high hopes that it will culminate in a long-awaited banner. Until then, they will keep their eyes glued to the ones already hanging in their practice
facility.
“Those banners are a good reminder of why everything we do
now is important,” Sampson said. sports@thedailycougar.com
Fostering an electric game-day culture in Fertitta Center
opponents well below their average points per game.
With Houston ranked No. 4 in the AP preseason poll and coming off a dominating 79-64 win against No. 13 Texas A&M at the charity exhibition game on Oct. 27, the Cougars are looking to start the season strong and capitalize on recent success.
Houston men’s basketball has established itself as one of the nation’s premier collegiate programs, spending a remarkable 10 weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP poll over the past two seasons and advancing to the Sweet 16 for five consecutive years.
Last year, they were ranked first in scoring defense and effectively combined their strong defensive skills with efficient offensive rebounding, often holding
Despite their recent success, Houston’s basketball program is still relatively young, having played its first season in 1950.
In contrast, long-established programs like Kansas, founded in 1898 by James Naismith, embrace an extensive game history with deep-rooted traditions and a secure reputation.
Even Iowa State, an up-andcoming threat to the Cougars, claims a 40-year head start on Houston.
Older programs benefit from established reputations and generations of alumni that financially reinvest into the team.
Most importantly, these older programs started traditions decades ago that shape the
program’s culture and still exist today.
Having not experienced this level of success since the Phi Slama Jama era of 1982-84, Houston is looking to foster an off-the-court fan culture that matches the intensity and intimidation of their on-the-court performance.
Houston has great growth potential, and with the right dedication, it can match the legacy of older programs.
Strengthening Current Traditions
Houston’s Fertitta Center, opened in 2018 and offers a prime venue for crowds of dedicated students, yet its capacity of 7,100 is the lowest in the Big 12 conference. Nevertheless, strides have been made to create a challenging enviorment for opposing teams.
“I like the new traditions that UH has implemented recently,” said sophomore biomedical science student Kailey Jirsa. “The inflatables and banners during the opposing team’s free throws give us an advantage.”
These additions complement longstanding traditions, such as the iconic newspaper confetti throw during opponent announcements and spirited Cougar chants during game play.
“Every season, I see our student section become more electric,” said senior computer information systems student Axel Avendano. Students dedicated to UH traditions must consistently fill the Fertitta Center to build on this developing excitement heading into basketball season.
Outside of the Stands
Enhancing the game day experience in the Fertitta Center involves more than just a spirited student section.
Initiatives such as towel handouts, shirt tosses, and Canes’ discounts are incentives provided by the university that motivate student turnout, and a deeper investment into these practices would boost student attendance.
The opening team videos in the lights-out arena, accompanied by a court illuminated with red and white, are further displays of pride that exhilarate fans and create an electrifying game day experience, precisely the kind of thrill the Fertitta Center needs seconds before a game.
Next Steps
To maximize fan engagement, the Houston student section could benefit from two improvements: a firmer commitment to the current traditions and efforts to expand school spirit.
Learning from the football program, Houston could adopt new traditions, such as striping the sections in red and white, in addition to the annual blackout game, to create a unified visual impact.
While it would be exciting to establish an original practice of spirit, Houston still has much to gain from observing established programs.
For example, Kansas students camp out for up-close seats to their home games, and the Dukes Cameron Crazies create a fervent atmosphere that rivals the intensity of UH’s Bleacher Creatures.
The most radical improvement to the fanbase would be expanding the student section.
“Being able to crowd behind the basketball goals and distract opposing teams during their free throws would be a fun addition to the game,” junior architecture student Jenna Small said. This adjustment would permanently create a more formidable presence behind the basket where opponents shoot for a half, a practice that most of our rivals have already employed. However, expansion of the student section is unlikely until the current allotment is consistently filled.
We Are Houston
Students are integral to UH basketball’s everlasting reputation. The chant “We are Houston” echoed by the Cougar Dolls during game play, serves as a reminder that every fan contributes to the team’s success in the Fertitta Center.
Men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson emphasized this connection to students at the Student Center pep rally on Oct. 24: “The environment we create in the Fertitta Center always comes from the students,” Sampson said. Students are responsible for creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams and have the unique opportunity to continue to get Houston on the map.
“The more students come to support our student-athletes, the better we are all going to be. It’s going to elevate our play and elevate the experience,” said Houston athletic director Eddie Nuñez. “I need them now more than ever.”
sports@thedailycougar.com
Emaunel Sharp (21) holds the ball as he flies towards the basket in a NCAA men’s basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
Sasha reads a spirit paper in the student section at a Houston basketball game inside the Fertitta Center. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
POLITICS
Online voter registration would increase voter turnout
PARKER HODGES-BEGGS
OPINION EDITOR @ALASTFAIR
With the presidential election season underway, many eligible voters found themselves scrambling to register before their state’s deadline. In most states, this was made easier by the existence of online voter registration. Unfortunately, eight U.S. states don’t have this option, with Texas falling into that list.
Online voter registration is a more streamlined method that makes voting more accessible and greatly increases turnout, especially among younger demographics. The lack of such a practice is a hindrance to the democratic process and should be implemented in all states.
This is especially true for regions with a population as large as Texas, which only allows online registration when renewing one’s license.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health concerns led several states to implement online systems so that the general public could avoid human contact that may have put them at risk.
Even despite health concerns, there are a multitude of obstacles one may face when registering without an online system to aid in the process.
FINANCES
Citizens may not have access to a printer, preventing them from filling out the necessary registration forms. Some lack transportation, which can keep them from mailing in forms or visiting locations where they can register.
Those with disabilities may also face difficulties that could easily be avoided if they had access to a modernized method of registration, rather than the tedious processes states like Texas require.
In addition to this, there’s a common sense of apathy among voters that prevents many from putting in the effort to register. If this could be done online, the ease of access could quell that attitude and increase the likelihood of higher voter turnout.
It’s also important to note the sort of positive effects online registration has not only on voter turnout but also on general efficiency and costs.
Online systems lift some of the burden off election officials, minimizing the work required to read forms filled out by hand. Studies have shown that states with online registration have saved thousands of dollars by modernizing their systems, as this cuts paper costs and lessens the need for workers to be tasked with processing thousands of documents.
It is undeniable that the
implementation of online voter registration has had a largely positive effect on many states. The only question now is why isn’t everywhere else following suit?
Online voter registration would benefit every state, making voting more
accessible and efficient for everyone. Considering Texas’ trend of increased voter turnout over the last ten years, adopting a modernized system can increase those numbers.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
Financial aid should prioritize every student, not just freshmen
ANAYA BAXTER
OPINION ASSIST
@ANAYABAX
This year, UH proudly boasts a recordbreaking freshmen class. The enrollment of over 6,000 new students highlights the university’s growing momentum, but the glimmering spotlight is leaving upperclassmen in the dark.
“Our commitment to transfer students remains strong,” said President and Chancellor Renu Khator in the 16th annual State of the University address.
“However, with the rising reputation of the university and increasing financial aid to freshmen, students seem more inclined to
join us straight from high school.”
It seems the school is most interested in assisting freshmen, and in turn, reducing aid for upperclassmen who struggle to pay for schooling.
Several financial aid resources are available to students, including scholarships, loans, grants and work study.
11 internal scholarships are allocated to freshmen, as well as 11 for upperclassmen. Transfer and international students both have two each and all undergraduate students are eligible for 17.
When considering this list, transfer and international students are severely disadvantaged. In addition to internal aid,
the university has a scholarship portal that connects students with external donors.
Despite available aid, numerous students struggle with costly bills every semester. Many find themselves overwhelmed after factoring in tuition, parking, and potential housing and meal costs.
For upperclassmen whose aid decreases, the thought of payments is particularly jarring.
One’s aid may change due to no longer meeting eligibility criteria, but others are receiving less help despite maintaining their GPA and other requirements.
Expecting a certain amount of aid and seeing that reduced can leave students and their families scrambling, especially when support changes on short notice.
These sudden changes can force upperclassmen to take a gap semester or year, forgo living on campus or even reduce their credit hours which can slow progress in their degree completion.
According to a national survey, 61% of students are negatively impacted by financial stress.
Constantly thinking about money or choosing between college expenses and basic needs is incredibly daunting and carries over into academic performance and extracurricular efforts.
The president’s speech can be interpreted as freshmen prioritization. However, the financial aid office denies
this.
According to the executive director for scholarships and financial aid Briget Jans, “priority is given to students who apply early.”
The directorsaid that aid is generally awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, and, “once available funds are depleted, there may be fewer resources for later applicants.”
There is no explicit withholding of funds to non-first-year students.
UH has high aspirations for itself and incoming students, from new dorms to plans of becoming a top 50 school. These goals must include support for existing students. Tens of thousands of students need resources, and it is unfair to watch new applicants receive exclusive benefits while others struggle.
Finances are one of the largest stressors for students and largely influence the outcome of their college years.
It is hard to have a healthy personal and academic life when worrying about how one’s classes will be paid for.
Insufficient financial aid is an overwhelming issue to tackle at a campuswide level, but students may find relief in doing their best to optimize their aid. By applying early, constantly seeking out scholarships and speaking with the financial aid office, stresses could be remedied.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar
OBITUARY
In loving memory: Lee Alexander Tucker
MARSHA
TUCKER
WRITER
GUEST
Long-time Houston journalist and community spokesman Lee Tucker died on Oct. 19, 2024. He was 92.
Lee was born in Fort Worth to Alice and Charles F. Tucker on Dec. 16, 1931. Because of his father’s work as a defense attorney, Lee moved with his brother Charlie and parents around the country, living in Chicago, New York, New Orleans and Washington D.C. The last post was Houston.
Lee’s teen years were during World War II. His brother was a U.S. Navy medic in the Pacific Theater. He began studies at the University of Houston, graduating in 1954.
The U.S. Army interrupted post-grad studies in 1955. The commanding general at Fort Ord, California appointed him editor of the base newsletter with the privileges of an officer.
Following graduation and service in the U.S. Army, Lee was a general assignment reporter for KPRC-TV, the NBC Network affiliate in Houston. As a reporter, Mr. Tucker interviewed many notable personalities including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammed Ali, and Margaret Mead. Among history-making events he reported was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.
Other stories he covered included the first heart transplant recipients in America, the Civil Rights movement, and portions of
the Watergate story from the Nixon White House.
When the Gemini and Apollo space programs began, Lee became the NBC affiliate’s primary reporter, covering all manned space missions for network broadcasts on the national nightly news.
Aside from the memorable Apollo 11 lunar landing, the almost catastrophic Apollo 13 mission captured attention worldwide. Mr. Tucker reported the mission for both the NBC Network and the British Broadcasting Corporation. At the completion of the Apollo program, Lee left television broadcasting.
The remainder of Lee’s career included positions with the Mayor’s Office, City of Houston, and the Houston Chamber of Commerce.
In his executive capacity, he worked with the U.S. Department of State to coordinate visits for various dignitaries and heads of state including Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt and Deng Xiaoping, premier of the People’s Republic of China.
Later, he assisted the country of Belize with economic initiatives.
Lee participated in trade missions to Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom, working to facilitate commerce between various entities. On a local level, he also represented Houston in numerous Congressional hearings on infrastructure, aviation, and trade.
Lee was a devoted and loving
Courtesy of Lauren Taylor
husband, father and grandfather. His delightful sense of humor, profound wisdom and appreciation of nature will be greatly missed by his loved ones.
Mr. Tucker is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marsha Carr Tucker, UH Class of 1968; daughters Lauren Tucker Taylor, UH Class of 2001, and Blythe Tucker Zemel, UH
Class of 2004; three grandchildren; and sons-in-law Daniel Taylor and Ryan Zemel.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2024, in the chapel of Ebensberger and Fisher Funeral Home, 1245 North Main St., Boerne, TX. news@thedailycougar.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Don’t sound the alarm this year. Take care of unfinished business and save yourself time, money and grief. Be original, inventive and disciplined; the outcome will exceed your expectations. Give yourself breathing room and the strength and courage to do what’s best for you instead of conforming to someone else’s plan.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
22) -- Your strengths are your discipline, courage and desire to put your mind at ease. The choices you make and the changes that result are up to you. Follow your instincts.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Letting your emotions rule and acting out of instinct will tempt you when patience is required to avoid a costly mistake. Protect what you have by saying no.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-
Jan. 19) -- Refuse to let love, emotions and others’ wants get in your way when a choice arises. Weigh the pros and cons. An opportunity is only worthwhile if you can afford the offer.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
-- Keep your financial situation to yourself. Do your research and set doable goals. Taking a risk will fall short of your expectations. Be smart and avoid unnecessary stress.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Trying to please or impress someone will have disadvantages. Be more observant and less eager to buy acceptance; it will save you from financial and emotional heartache.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
-- Listen to your inner voice. Learn from your mistakes and avoid taking on a project you
can’t afford. Anger will not solve a problem, but ingenuity, being true to yourself and following through with what matters will.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
-- Stop sitting on the sideline. Embrace opportunities; it will rejuvenate and recharge you and encourage you to turn your expectations into something tangible. A positive attitude will make a difference.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -Take care of matters personally. Lower your overhead and say no to indulgent suggestions. Rely on your emotions and heart to steer you in the right direction instead of letting someone lead you astray.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Bypass anyone using emotional manipulation to point you in the wrong direction. Think for yourself and put your energy
into what benefits you most. Act out of peace and love, not anger.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Put your energy where it counts. Don’t waste time or money trying to appease others when what you achieve will have a much more significant impact on your life. Don’t believe everything you hear; do your research.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
-- You know the rules. Feel free to point out right from wrong or say no to something that you don’t like. Know when to walk away, set boundaries and reject expenses you cannot justify.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -Look at every detail, evaluate options and set your sights on what’s feasible. Treat every choice as a learning experience, and you will discover how to get the most out of your situation.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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