Issue 21, Volume 85 by The Cougar

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Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Issue 21, Volume 85

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Who will win?

sGA elections are upon us. Learn about the three ambitious presidential candidates before they face off in the Feb. 20-26 election. | PG. 2-3

SportS

opiNioN

Houston found a star in Ryan Hernandez

First-gen students face crippling loans

The junior first baseman had a stellar debut weekend for the Cougars, surprising his teammates who admire his confidence. | PG. 4

For first-generation students, rising student debt is a payment that binds them at their feet and leaves them unable to move. | PG. 8

2 | Wednesday, February 19, 2020

NEWS

Autumn rendall, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

@thedailycougar

Who has your vote?

Youh party

As president, Arackathazhath would vouch for increased campus safety, diversity

One of SGA presidential candidate Abraham Arackathazhath’s plans is to increase the University’s amount of cultural activities. | Photos by Kathryn Lenihan/The Cougar

students unite

Khademakbari wants to bring more inclusive support, affordable housing to campus One of SGA Senator Jasmine Khademakbari’s plans as president would be to bring CAPS and the provost’s office together to create an academic support group.

Autumn rendall

news editor @autumnrendall

As a candidate for SGA president, mathematical biology junior and SGA Senator Jasmine Khademakbari is focused on bringing inclusivity and academic support to students. Khademakbari and her vice presidential running mate Hiba Rashid are members of the Students Unite party. Khademakbari’s journey to beginning her campaign started as a College of Natural Science and Mathematics senator. “SGA is about having the courage to have that voice, to

be the voice for advocacy, to be able to go to an administrator and have the courage to disagree with whatever they’re going to say, and to try to advocate for the student,” Khademakbari said. “And that, to me, is my biggest motivation.” In the Senate, Khademakbari has co-sponsored and written many bills. These include the Student Transfer Helpful Tip Sheet bill that added a tip sheet about the University to transfer student orientation packets, the Cougar Equipment Sharing Service bill that allowed students who have forgotten lab equipment to

borrow some, and more. “I just really had a passion for being a good citizen,” Khademakbari said. “And when I saw something on campus that I wanted to change, then I would go and try to change it.” As the Student Life committee chair, Khademakbari also played a role in discussing and voting on other matters such as replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day and adding accessibility to the shuttles on campus. “I learned how to work in a team of other senators,” Khademakbari said. “A lot of the bills that I wrote, it wasn’t just me who wrote them. I would collaborate with other senators as well.” Her drive to become SGA president stems from an admiration about what student government can do for campus. Khademakbari believes in the diversity of UH, and she wants to create inclusive and advancing spaces for every student.

Some of Khademakbari’s plans include green campus initiatives, affordable housing and campus safety. “The majority of us are the people who have been historically underrepresented,” Khademakbari said. “And I think that’s what makes the University beautiful and unique.” One of Khademakbari’s plans as president would be to hopefully bring Counseling and Psychological Services and the provost’s office together to create an academic support group for students. “It could be like a group setting where people who are going through maybe a tough time in their lives can think about their academics outside of just a therapy setting,” Khademakbari said. As a leader of Students Unite, Khademakbari has handpicked members of her party she believes show strong leadership, hard work and dedication to want to change the University

for the better. “There was something that I saw in them, whether it was being a student leader from a different org, or maybe they brought a unique perspective in some way,” Khademakbari said. news@thedailycougar.com

How to vote: Students wishing to cast their ballot in the upcoming SGA elections can do so by logging onto Get Involved during the Feb. 20-26 voting period. Tell us your opinion, use hashtag #REaDAllOver

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | 3 Autumn rendall, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

Get to know the 2020 SGA presidential candidates ahead of the Feb. 20-26 election Christen Stevenson

staff writer @cdanielle2329

SGA presidential candidate and public health junior Abraham Arackathazhath is running to better campus safety and elevate UH’s diversity. “I wanted to run for president to make sure that I keep this campus safe, especially the students,” said Arackathazhath, who is a part of the YouH party. His freshman year, Arackathazhath was on SGA’s health policy committee, and for the last two years, he’s been part of O-Team. His plan as president would be to bring increased safety and cultural inclusion to the University. Arackathazhath said since

UH is a school with many commuters, it can sometimes be a difficult task to get students involved on campus. However, he plans to solve that by increasing cultural activities on campus. “We want to explore diversity, and we want to do all sorts of activities to make sure we include all sorts of cultures,” Arackathazhath said. The candidate’s stance on campus safety came about when a robbery hit too close to home. “A few months ago, my friend got robbed at gunpoint next to his car when he was going home,” Arackathazhath said. “It was my best friend, and just knowing he got robbed on campus, especially my favorite

NEWS

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campus that I’ve been on for more than three years now, that made me push forward and recognize what the issues on this campus are.” Although there is a chance to feel unsafe on any college campus, Arackathazhath thinks he has the right plan to make UH students feel safer. His party has discussed having UH establish a safety team on campus as a start, but further plans are going to be discussed, he said. “I know that we have UH police on campus, but I feel like having a safety team or something, (would) provide the students with the feeling that they’re in a safe space,” Arackathazhath said.

“Especially in parking lot areas and when we’re going outside of campus. I want to propose a bill where we make sure that they’re safe.” Arackathazhath encourages students to come up and talk to him about issues they may have on campus. He loves attending the University and living in Houston, something he thinks would help him in his presidency if he were elected. “Honestly, I love the students here and everybody in the city of Houston is nice,” Arackathazhath said. “All of the professors here are amazing and really nice. If you need help, then they’ll help you.” news@thedailycougar.com

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About the Cougar The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters and online everyday at thedailycougar. com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents.

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Issue staff Closing editors

Michael Slaten Katrina Martinez COPY EDITING

Mason Vasquez COVER

Kathryn Lenihan

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

About CSM #forthestudents

Martin talks campus sexual assault policy reform Cristobella durrette

Staff writer @crist0bella

SGA presidential candidate Isaiah Martin in his campaign is focused on issues he believes are causing the University to be looked at as lower than other universities in the state, including student retention and safety. A conversation Martin had with his friends about how the University compares to others in Texas led him down a road of research. Martin looked into SGA initiatives centered around on student retention, the response to sexual assault and student safety on campus. After researching the issues and what SGA has done on previous years, Martin said he felt that not enough had been done to combat these problems. These findings pushed Martin to launch his campaign with the #ForTheStudents party, his vice presidential running mate Wassem Sarakbi by his side. Despite having no prior involvement in SGA, Martin feels the experience he gained through creating a youth sports organization prepared him for the position. “I believe that my experience in business, particularly with team building, will allow for a positive term in office,” the #ForTheStudents presidential

candidate said. During his term, Martin plans to focus on three targets. The first of these is to improve the University’s graduation rate by creating what he’s dubbed the Cub to Coog program. “It basically takes the orientation experience past the first two days that freshmen go through in the summer and really extends through their first semester,” Martin said. “We believe that if we can expand that freshman orientation past the first semester, that will encourage more students to stay in school.” Martin’s second objective focuses on the response to sexual assault in providing free rape kits to victims of sexual assault. “With our sexual assault platform, that basically ensures that every victim of sexual assault not only understands the next steps, but we also want to ensure that rape kits are provided free on campus to all victims,” Martin said. His third goal is improving campus safety through collaboration with UHPD. “It’s really about just fostering that relationship with UHPD to understand exactly the concerns our students have and exactly where they feel unsafe and try to make sure that they’re present in areas that students feel affected,” Martin said.

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, inter-cultural competence, goal-setting and 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. Center for Student Media

(713) 743-5350 csm@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csm N221 Student Center University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015 Advertising

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One of Isaiah Martin’s objectives as SGA president would be to provide free rape kits to victims of sexual assault.

In addition to having a desire to effect change within the University community, Martin also wants to change the SGA organization itself. “The main thing that I also want to go through is just bringing in a new era of SGA, a new era in which students look at SGA as an organization

that stands for them, as an organization that is there for them and isn’t just an organization that has drama,” Martin said. “We want to change that stigma and bring a new era and just advocate for what’s best for the students.” news@thedailycougar.com

Design Team Ruchi Bhakta

4 | Wednesday, February 19, 2020

SportS SportS

BaSEBall

JHAIr rOmerO, EDITOR

tHedAIlYCOuGAr.COm/SPOrtS

@tHeCOuGArSPOrtS

‘he’s going to be a baller’

The Cougars’ opening weekend wasn’t perfect, but they found a rising star in Ryan Hernandez

Ryan Hernandez’s Houston debut during the Cougars’ opening weekend against Youngstown State saw the junior first baseman, a JUCO product who spent 2019 with San Jacinto College, earn five hits, including two home runs. | Jhair Romero/The Cougar

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ugar

second base. “He’s going to be a guy that we look to get jobs done and do his thing.” Hernandez, albeit not alone, must fill the gaps left by two of the best hitters the Cougars have had in recent memory — Joe Davis and Jared Triolo, who combined for 25 home runs in 2019 before departing for the MLB Draft. Much like Davis and Triolo, both now making their way through MLB farm systems in the New York-Penn League, Hernandez delivered when it mattered most against Youngstown State. In the Cougars’ first game against the Penguins, he went a perfect 3-for-3, scoring a run each time in Houston’s 7-3 season-opening win. “At the end of the day, leaders produce in big moments,” he said, “and I hope to produce in big moments from here on out.” The Cougars couldn’t always capitalize on nte Jo h

As proven by his No. 3 spot in the batting lineup, Houston first baseman Ryan Hernandez, straight out of JUCO, was expected to be a big contributor to a Cougars team that lost much of its production from 2019. But the 6-foot-4, 233-pound junior surprised many with

immediate impact for the Cougars, batting .385 and launching two homers in Houston’s opening weekend series against Youngstown State. His teammates, some amused by Hernandez’s big UH debut weekend, have already taken notice. “He’s going to be a baller,” said sophomore Brad Burckel, one of Hernandez’s infield teammates at

Deau

JHAIR ROmERO

SPOrtS edItOr @JuStJHAIr

Jiselle santos/The Cougar

Hernandez’s highlights, namely his home run in the Cougars’ second game against the Penguins that put UH within striking distance, but his presence at the plate has been appreciated. “It was good to have that in the lineup,” Burckel said, “We needed that all

weekend, and he was Mr. Clutch.” He has also been handy on defense, where Hernandez’s bulky frame, shortstop Kobe Hyland said, has given him confidence when making throws to his fellow infielder. “I feel very comfortable with him over at first base,” the junior said. “You know, big body, big target. You don’t have to worry about throwing away any balls.” Hernandez’s offense, Hyland added, hasn’t been too bad either. “His bat in the lineup,” he said, “it’s comforting knowing a guy like that can step up at any moment and contribute to the game.” Although Hernandez recently arrived at UH, spending 2019 at San Jacinto College where he slashed .295/.390/.409 with 36 RBIs, he already sees himself as a leader on the team. Much of the mentality he brings with him to UH, Hyland said, will trickle down and find its way to the rest of the Cougars. “That just goes to show that his confidence is there,” Hyland said. “It’s going to spread throughout the team.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | 5 JHAIr rOmerO, EDITOR

tHedAIlYCOuGAr.COm/SPOrtS

SportS

@tHeCOuGArSPOrtS

traCK aNd fiEld

Harvard-bound bennett brings ‘knowledge’ to team JAmEs muELLER

StAFF WrIter @Jdm2186

From the track to the textbooks, graduate sprinter Taylor Bennett ambitiously sets her sights on her goals and what she knows is possible to achieve. Bennett, who graduated early from Baylor with a bachelor’s degree in science and education, and transferred to UH in fall 2018 to pursue a master’s degree in human resource development, has seen success on the track. Her next endeavor will see her take on one of the most prestigious colleges in the world — Harvard Law School. “I believe that her scholastic achievements bring knowledge and inspiration to the team for those who would like to thrive in both athletics and academics,” said associate head coach Will Blackburn. The sprinter applied and got accepted into other wellknown law schools, including Georgetown, Yale, Cornell and USC. In the end, Bennett, a 2019 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team member, decided she would attend

Harvard starting Fall 2020. The sprinter hopes it will set her up to gain connections and get internships that will ultimately help her get her dream job in the White House. “My end all be all goal is by the time I’m 27, I want to be working in foreign exchange in the White House,” Bennett said. “I’ve got my bachelor’s degree early, will get my master’s degree early, so I’m going to get my law degree early.” Bennett’s long-term goal is to get an internship at the White House and work her way up. But for now, in her final year as a collegiate athlete, she has high hopes for herself and the team. “I would love to be an individual and team national champion since that’s what I’ve been striving for since I got into college,” Bennett said. “I think we have great potential to win the 4×100 and 4×400 as a team. I really want to give UH all I have left.” Bennett, who started sprinting for Baylor in 2016, will continue to compete in the 100meter, 200-meter, and the 4×100 and 4×400 relays this season for

the Cougars after sitting all of last year as a redshirt. Among her athletic achievements are the 2016 Big 12 Freshman of the Year award, gold with Team USA 4×100meter relay at IAAF World U20 Championships and multiple Big 12 indoor and outdoor championships. During her time with the Bears, Bennett was named an Indoor All-American in 2017 and an Outdoor All-American in 2018 in the 4×400 relay and was also selected to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll four times. Bennett, who wants to have a career in politics, does not know if she will continue her track career but does know her education will not stop when she finishes graduate school in May. She decided she wanted to go to law school after completing her master’s degree because of the opportunities that would open up from combining her master’s in human resource development with a law degree. “There’s a lot of opportunity in the HR program,” Bennett said.

Taylor Bennett, bound for Harvard Law School after UH, has garnered praise from her coaches for her athletic and academic achievement. | Courtesy of uH athletics

“Especially when you combine it with a ( Juris Doctor degree) there’s a lot of opportunities with HR in law.” Although Bennett recognizes the challenges and work that will come with attending Harvard Law, she also knows the future benefits that come from attending one of the most

respected law schools around. “I know the workload is going to be a lot,” Bennett said. “But I’m excited to learn and to see the networking. It’s Harvard, so there’s no telling who I’m going to get to meet and the connections I’ll have.” sports@thedailycougar.com

footBall

Unpacking Houston’s first day of spring practice JHAIR ROmERO

SPOrtS edItOr @JuStJHAIr

Dana Holgorsen said UH is “in a really good spot” heading into spring practice, his second at the reigns as Houston’s head coach. | Lino sandil/The Cougar

If you ask him, Dana Holgorsen will brush off former Houston quarterback D’Eriq King’s transfer to Miami and his coaching staff shake-ups as things that happen “to every football team across the country every single year.” Instead, the second-year head coach said his squad “is in a really good spot” heading into spring practices, which started Tuesday and spans until March 27. “Everyone knows what to do,” Holgorsen said. “Our morale is good … our depth is good, and I’m excited about this group right now.” Holgorsen lost nickels coach and special teams coordinator Blake Gideon to Ole Miss and former running backs and tight ends coach Justin Johnson

to Baylor, but, he said those departures won’t get in Houston’s way. “Just because you lose a couple coaches, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have stability,” Holgorsen said. “What I can say is our schemes are going to remain the same. What we’re doing … makes a lot of sense to these guys.” The Cougars, who finished a disappointing 4-8 in his first year, also have a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Shannon Dawson after Holgorsen demoted Marquel Blackwell from the positions to running backs coach. “It was clear to me (Dawson) was the most knowledgeable guy in the room, so the most knowledgeable guy in the room gets to coach the quarterbacks,” Holgorsen said. “That was an easy move.” Luckily for the Cougars, the

offseason’s events, including King’s transfer and Dawson’s promotion, benefits Houston’s quarterbacks. “It’s going to make them better,” Holgorsen said, emphasizing how junior Clayton Tune and sophomore Logan Holgorsen’s reps after King’s departure will help in the long run. On top of Tune and Logan Holgorsen, the former West Virginia coach also touched on junior Ike Ogbogu and freshman-to-be Soﬃan Massoud, quarterbacks who UH will rely on moving forward with practices. “I’m excited about both (Tune and Logan Holgorsen),” Holgorsen said, “Soﬃan and Ike as well and being able to have four good-quality arms that we can get through spring with.” sports@thedailycougar.com

6 | Wednesday, February 19, 2020

SportS SportS

JHAIr rOmerO, EDITOR

tHedAIlYCOuGAr.COm/SPOrtS

MEN’S BaSKEtBall

With season’s end nearing, Houston reflects on growth, progress AnDy yAnEz

Previewing No. 22. Houston vs. Tulsa AnDy yAnEz

ASSIStAnt SPOrtS edItOr @AYAneZ_5

The Cougars are nearing the finish line of the 2019-20 campaign and with only five regular-season games remaining, the team that began the year wide-eyed and overflowing with youth has matured after enduring the grind of a long schedule. Each player has their own perspective on the team’s growth, but a common thread that ties together their improvement revolves around the acceptance of the basketball program’s philosophy, which was not always the case. “We weren’t really listening to coach,” junior forward Fabian White Jr. said. “We were hearing him, but we weren’t listening, and we didn’t know how hard it is to win a game. We expected it to be easier … but (head coach Kelvin Sampson) lets us know every day how hard it is.” From White’s perspective, the team struggled to translate what the coaching staff wanted and instilled in practices to the games, and much of it was due to inexperience after the departures of Corey Davis Jr, Galen Robinson Jr. and Armoni Brooks. On top of that, the Cougars had two freshmen guards on the team getting significant minutes in redshirt Caleb Mills and Marcus Sasser, who also had to adjust to playing at a higher level along with learning Houston’s style and culture. “At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t consistent,” Sasser said. “I had bad nights, and then I’d come out with good nights.” A factor behind the streaky performances early in the year

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ASSIStAnt SPOrtS edItOr @AYAneZ_5

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Fertitta Center

Tune in: ESPNU, KPRC 950 AM

series vs. Golden Hurricane: Tulsa leads 11-9

What to look out for:

it a lot more. It’s just a part of the culture.” With the final stretch of the season coming up and the American Athletic Conference tournament on the horizon, and likely the NCAA tournament after that, many players have individual and team goals they hope to reach. “(I want to) get my teammates more involved, no turnovers, and winning out — be the solid point guard,” Sasser said. While the players have changed a lot throughout the year, an early goal the team set out before the season began has not, and Houston finds itself in a prime position to achieve it. “I’m really looking forward to seeing us make this last push to get to the conference championship,” sophomore forward Cedrick Alley Jr. said. “We would be the first (UH) team in history to make it back to back.”

The No. 22 Cougars return home to Fertitta Center to host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Wednesday night at Fertitta Center after splitting a pair of road games. Houston is coming off a tough 73-72 overtime loss to SMU while Tulsa is coming off a 56-48 win against USF. The Golden Hurricane defeated the Cougars 63-61 in the earlier meeting back on Jan. 11. In the game, freshman guard Caleb Mills, junior guard DeJon Jarreau and freshman guard Marcus Sasser scored 52 of Houston’s 61 points. On Jan. 13 following the loss, Kelvin Sampson announced he was shaking up the starting lineups, which included moving Sasser into a position he still holds heading into Wednesday’s rematch. A pair of junior guards in Brandon Rachal, who finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals, and Darien Jackson, who had 19 points and also stole the ball three times, led the way for the Golden Hurricane in the win. The Golden Hurricane have won eight of their last 10 games, which included going on a six-game win streak that was ignited by the victory over the Cougars. Before the win over the Bulls, the Golden Hurricane also defeated the ECU Pirates. Rachal leads Tulsa in four different categories with 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. The Golden Hurricane are 17-8, 9-3 against American Athletic Conference opponents entering the game.

sports@thedailycougar.com

Junior forward Fabian White Jr. admitted the Cougars “weren’t really listening” to head coach Kelvin Sampson at the beginning of the season but eventually began “trusting the system.” | Kathryn Lenihan/The Cougar

for Sasser was acclimating to the increased playing speed in the NCAA. At times, the games seemed to be going at 100 mph for the 6-foot-1-inch guard, which led to several turnovers from the Red Oak native.

Freshman guard Marcus Sasser (center) had a hard time, he said, adjusting to a faster pace in the NCAA. | mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar

As the season progressed, Sasser and the rest of Cougars began adjusting to the expectations of the coaches, adapted to the competition and began letting the game come naturally. “I think I adjusted to the speed,” Sasser said. “Now the game is coming much slower to me. The reads are coming much easier. I’m not turning the ball over as much or rushing my shot.” Sasser, in particular, has excelled as he has gotten deeper into the season. In Saturday’s game against the Mustangs, he set a career-high with 26 points and was crucial in forcing overtime and almost stealing the contest on the road. Sasser’s improvement is just one of many on the team and one reason behind the strides in comfort level. “It’s just trusting the system,” White said on the team’s difference from early in the season. “We are starting to trust

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | 7

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker September 11, 2018

ACROSS 1 Do this to jaywalk 6 Left the nest 10 Outtake reason 14 Some bones 15 Toy brick 16 Trot easily 17 Temporarily shelved 18 Dude who’s noble 19 Word of acceptance 20 Colorful breakfast choice 23 Iacocca or Remick 24 Fortuneteller 25 Show up 28 Speak indelicately 31 Hosiery thread 35 Vote of support 36 Delhi garment 37 Engine part 38 Colorful “delicious” planting? 41 Readies, as a pump 42 Contends 43 Common pope name 44 Author Asimov 45 Stuff on a pool table 46 Sean of films

9/11

47 Spot for a plant 49 Smoking deposit 51 Colorful anti-inflammatory 58 Rumbler on the highway 59 Property figure? 60 Soaring U.S. symbol 61 Middle East seaport 62 Phone keypad symbol 63 Tokyo resident 64 Mallet-struck instrument 65 Seeks directions 66 Gives for a time DOWN 1 Farm’s yield 2 Eastern blueblood 3 Norse god of poetry 4 Hammer go-with 5 Persistent attack 6 Little biting bug 7 Clear hurdles? 8 Way to get out 9 Novelist Tom or Thomas 10 Prosper 11 Enemy of Thor

12 ___ the crack of dawn 13 Turkish title 21 Sportscast finales 22 Some dig finds 25 Some more bones 26 Some court hearings 27 Communications industry 29 Web address pt. 30 It’s full of holes 32 Way past the sell-by date 33 Best Actress Sophia 34 A sour note start? 36 Coinage

37 Before Uncle Sam’s share 39 Accumulating 40 Home heating fuel 45 Tries to be seductive 46 “No pain, no gain,” for one 48 ___ apso (terrier) 50 Swipe 51 Perform over 52 Sign that bodes 53 Mountain part 54 Rabbit features 55 Opposed to, country-style 56 Decked out 57 Adding column 58 What jowls do

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

9/10

10-4 GOOD RUDDY By Timothy E. Parker

8 | Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Santiago gaughan, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION

@theDAILYCOUGAR

loans

First-generation students shoulder the burden of student loans

Editorial Board editor in chief

Michael Slaten managing editor

Katrina Martinez creative director

Jiselle Santos News editor

Autumn Rendall features editor

Vacant

Chief Copy Editor

Mason Vasquez

sports editor

Jhair Romero photo editor

Kathryn Lenihan opinion editor

Santiago Gaughan assistant editors

Juana Garcia Donna Keeya Sydney Rose Lino Sandil 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 average student loan debt among graduating students increased from $24,634 in 2009 to $29,900 in 2019. Combined with proliferating interest, this debt places intense financial stress on many first-generation students. | Juana Garcia/The Cougar

Bryana Torres-Martinez

Opinion Columnist

When my sister and I were growing up, our parents always told us they wanted us to go further than they did. They wanted us to become professionals and achieve what they believed was the American Dream. My parents migrated to the country in the midst of the Salvadoran Civil War and still managed to clothe and feed us. They gave us the best life they could offer. They ingrained ambition into us and made everything feel possible. First-generation students

often feel the pressure to exceed the success of their parents, many times without the financial literacy needed to fully understand how our debt could hinder our ability to establish the stability we seek for ourselves. The grand total of federal and private student loan debt exceeded the amount of auto loans in 2011, reached $1.5 trillion in 2018 and is expected to hit the $2 trillion mark by 2024 if these trends continue. This is unacceptable. While UH does give students various resources to help with academic success and mental health, there should be more available to students to help ensure they minimize their student loan debt. Informational seminars on behalf of the University could help teach financial literacy to the student population and allow them to make smart decisions. Education is seen as my token to wealth and stability. My parents believed I could be rich if I got my education and worked hard. A college degree has always been an expectation my parents

have had for me, they believed it would help me achieve all they’ve imagined for me. It made dreams of someday buying them a house feel attainable. Millennials are deemed less interested in owning homes when, according to Forbes, they’re actually unable to purchase houses due to various financial challenges, which include student debt. With crippling debt and proliferating interest, it begins to feel implausible to provide my parents with a home when it is out of reach not only for myself but for many in the same circumstances. In the 2017-18 academic year, the average debt per bachelor’s degree recipient was $29,000. With the weight of debt on their shoulders, students are often blocked from establishing themselves until long after they’ve walked the stage. For many first-generation students, this is the real cost of our education. It is a payment that binds us at our feet, leaving us unable to move forward and may delay our

goals for the rest of our lives. Most first-generation students feel the pressure to succeed. Even though there is the possibility my life might change because of the high price of college, I’m fortunate to have chosen a university equipped with various resources for firstgeneration students. Not only are there significant scholarships offered through UH, but organizations and resources through Counseling and Psychological Services that help deal with the pressure and stress we often feel. UH has provided a pivotal support system for firstgeneration students, as there is a large number of us here. But I may never really be able to foresee what my education will really cost me in the years to come. Much like our parents, we will be the pioneers in creating a better foundation for generations to come. Opinion writer Bryana TorresMartinez is a journalism freshman who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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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