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.
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After a tumultuous 58th administration, Joshua Martin became the 59th UH Student Government Association president. As his one year term will wrap up in April, Martin and other SGA members are working to end their administration on a successful note.
During last year’s elections, Martin ran on his desire to increase transparency in the association, noting the historic recall election from the year before.
He also discussed his hopes to implement a point system to reward students for their involvement at the University and to increase campus safety.
After the events of the recall election from the year before, Martin and his administration have worked to increase transparency between not only the administration themselves, but also student government and the students.
“I know within the 58th administration before ours there was a lot of turmoil and a lot of bad taste between the student body administration and SGA as a whole,” Martin said. “So I think that in the 59th administration, we did everything we could to kind of refurbish our relationship with administration. And I think that we’ve done a great job by accomplishing that.”
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, SGA Speaker of the Senate Ariana Azizi reached out to Favor, a company which provides safe and easy access to birth control, other sexual wellness resources and skincare items.
Because of the partnership
with Favor, students are able to access discreet and a ordable birth control, and pick it up at the Wellness Center or Women and Gender Resource Center.
During Breast Cancer Awareness month, SGA partnered with Zeta Tau Alpha to raise money by charging $5 to give students a ride to class.
Voting
Martin has stressed the importance of voting, namely in the gubernatorial elections. To help spread voting awareness, numerous events were held during the year, including a forum which hosted some candidates on the ballot and a few mayoral candidates for this year’s upcoming election.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner held the Mayor’s Early Voting Challenge, in which Turner challenged UH, UH-Downtown and Texas Southern University to see which campus could hold the largest early voting turnout.
UH won this challenge with nearly 5,000 voters, also certifying over 100 students to be a volunteer deputy voter registrar.
Sponsoring “2,000 Votes 2022,” UH SGA worked with local universities and registered over 2,000 new voters.
“Another thing I’m really proud of is how active we were with registering students to vote,” Martin said. “I know that was one of the things that we really want to tackle.”
On Election Day, SGA held Election Day Mania, encouraging students to vote and supplying them with food, entertainment and organizations such as UH Democrats and Concerned Veterans TX. Over 6,000 students voted on campus.
At the beginning of the fall semester, SGA worked with G-Unity, a foundation established by rapper 50 Cent to bene t organizations working with underprivileged communities. Together they hosted a celebrity basketball game, donating all proceeds to the foundation.
To help the less fortunate over the holiday season, SGA raised over $1,000 of supplies to support the on-campus food pantry, Cougar Cupboard, and food insecurity in Houston Independent School District.
During his run for presidency, Martin suggested implementing a point system to reward students for their involvement with the University. He worked with athletic director Chris Pezman to create a point system for athletics, hoping engagement as UH is soon to join the Big 12.
Each time a student attends a game, they will earn points which can later be redeemed through the UH Athletics app.
“We’re really fortunate for the partnership that we’ve been able to build with athletics, and I think they can just get even stronger with UH going into the Big 12 next year,” Martin said.
To carry on their promise of helping sexual assault victims, the 59th administration worked with Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, former SGA senator Jack Jordan and former UH SGA president candidate Isaiah Martin to create the Full Support Partnership.
Free rape kits, legal support and a 24-hour sexual assault hotline are available due to this partnership.
e current administration also
became the rst to have a sexual assault clause added to syllabuses, including a link with resources UH provides.
“I have to say at the top of our accomplishments is improving resources for survivors of sexual assault on this campus as we intended to do when we were campaigning,” said SGA vice president Derek Layne. “I’m proud to be able to say that we have changed SGA for the better and restored the integrity of the organization.”
Looking back on his accomplishments, Martin has noted what he aims to do before his time in o ce ends.
e main action Martin is working towards is adding resources to the back of Cougar Cards, such as a help hotline.
“ ere’s only so much you can do in a year, so I’m really hopeful that’s something that we can hopefully try to get through before we’re done,” Martin said. “And if not, it’s something that I’m hoping could be continued to grow next administration.”
Martin and his administration are also working on passing the Safety First Agenda, a partnership between SGA and UHPolice Department to promote campus safety.
rough this partnership, active shooter drills, CPR training and other training resources. SGA will also soon be handing out strips to test drinks impacted by any outside substance.
“If I could sum our administration up in a really short phrase, I would say that we changed SGA and that we ipped student government back to the hands of the students,” Martin said. news@thedailycougar.com
This year, the 2023 Texas legislative session is happening between Jan. 10 and May 29. During this time, lawmakers write new laws and address a spending budget for various public policy issues.
Political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus shared an overview of this year’s legislative session and broke down how lawmakers plan on budgeting this time around.
What is the legislative session?
Rottinghaus said the legislative session meets every two years and lasts 140 days, however during the first 30 days, they are not allowed to operate unless the governor permits a special session.
“The amount of time that you have to actually work is really short,” Rottinghaus said. “Strictly speaking the only thing they have to do is write a budget, but obviously a big state like Texas that has such a booming population, there’s a
lot for them to do.
The budget includes every recurring policy issue that the state funds such as transportation, public education and funds for Medicaid, which are things the state is required to provide constitutionally, Rottinghaus said.
What policies are being targeted in the 2023 session?
“The biggest things that have been mentioned have been more money for public education, especially teacher pay,” Rottinghaus said. “A lot of people in cities are asking for more money for infrastructure relief. There are a lot of advocates for water projects to help bring water to the state.”
depending on where you are politically, people say there’s too much or not enough spent on everything.”
For this session, there is around a $30 billion surplus that Texas legislators will have to decide what to spend the extra funds on, Rottinghaus said. He believes the state will use the extra money primarily for tax relief, but exactly how remains unknown.
Rottinghaus shared that because this year’s session follows an election, political tension will be lower, especially on controversial topics that Texas has seen in past sessions.
previous session to this year’s
With the di erent concerns being addressed, the funding requests for these policies also increase. e question is how much of an increase will there be.
Rottinghaus explained that differences in each category can be found in the fiscal size
up, which shows how much the state is spending on certain issues. Although the state is continuously spending money, there are limitations under the state fonstitution on what they
spend and the amount.
“They’ll have to decide what their priorities are and that dictates how much they are going to spend on things,” Rottinghaus said. “So
“So there are a lot of new people in Austin who are going to be facing these sorts of big questions for the first time,” Rottinghaus said. “So we’ll see fewer hot-button issues on the agenda like guns or abortion. That’s not to say that we won’t see some controversy, but I think generally we’re going to see a less intense political session than we’ve seen the last couple of years.”
news@thedailycougar.com
DATE: MARCH 25, 2023
AGES: 13-18
REGISTRATION OPENS 12/15/2022
AND CLOSES 3/10/2023
The Student Centers is a multipurpose building where students can relax in-between classes, grab food & participate in various events throughout the year. Our Conference & Reservations team is eager to help you or your organization reserve meeting & event spaces. With 3 facilities & 19 event spaces, you’ll be sure to find a place where you belong.
Student Centers’ graphic design & print shop, CreationStation, offers a wide range of services including design, printing, lamination & passport photos.
The Games Room offers bowling, billiards, table tennis & other amusement games! It’s available for individual or group usage for open play & by reservation.
Stop by Shasta’s Cones & More, a student-run ice cream shop featuring a number of ice cream flavors, candy & beverages.
Follow us @uhstudentcenter to stay up-to-date with the latest news & events happening throughout the year!
The Cougar thedailycougar.com
@JDM2186
Whenever Ryan Elvin sends a message to the Houston men’s basketball team’s group chat concerning food, one thing rushes through everyone’s mind — you better be fast.
All rules go out the window as a mad dash to Elvin’s room among his teammates ensues.
“We will be running to his room, ghting over the last stu ,” said UH point guard Jamal Shead.
UH star guard Marcus Sasser, who has now roomed with Elvin for two years, has experienced teammates ooding his room countless times.
“Everybody wants it,” Sasser said. “When he puts it in the group chat, it’s rst come, rst served cause it’s real good.”
Of course, being roommates with the chef comes with its advantages as Sasser typically gets rst dibs on whatever is
on the menu that day. Elvin’s spaghetti is one of Sasser’s favorites.
While the typical college student’s de nition of cooking is somewhere along the lines of heating up water to make ramen or microwaving some prepackaged meal, Elvin cooks from an expansive menu. His teammates say Elvin rarely cooks the same thing over and over again but rather is always trying out new recipes and taking his time with it.
While the process is arduous, the end product is music to the mouth.
“Ten for ten,” Shead said when asked to rate Elvin’s cooking. “Ryo can make anything you can think of. He’s like a real chef.”
Junior forward J’Wan Roberts has been a loyal diner at the Elvin kitchen ever since his rst bite of the 6-foot-1-inch walk-on guard’s food nearly two years ago.
“(Elvin) surprised me one
time too,” Roberts said. “He was just like ‘If anybody is hungry just come to the room. I’m cooking tonight.’ I (went and) got something to eat and I’ve been back ever since.”
When teriyaki chicken and rice is on the menu, Roberts is sure to be there as he is the No. 1 fan of whatever Elvin’s secret sauce is in the dish.
“I don’t know what type of sauce it is but that (stu ) is serious,” Roberts said.
Elvin credits his father Scott, who passed away in October of 2021, for his cooking skills. Continuing to use his talents in the kitchen to keep himself and his teammates well-fed is one of Elvin’s ways of carrying on his father’s legacy.
“( I) really (learned to cook
MEN’S BASKETBALL
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from) my dad,” Elvin said. “He’s a big cook. He just taught me how to make a lot of stu and (how) you can save it for the week.”
Whenever he’s got some time o from basketball and back at home, Elvin will cook up a few dishes for his family to enjoy. Whether it’s doing a craw sh boil to cooking steaks to anything in between, the possbilities of what Elvin will cook up are endless.
As long as Elvin is around, neither anyone in the UH program nor his family will go hungry. And Elvin knows that makes his dad proud looking down from above.
“If I have leftovers and stu , the guys know where to come,” Elvin said.
sports@thedailycougar.com
@JDM2186
For the second straight week and fourth week overall, UH is No. 1 in the AP Poll.
After a four-week hiatus from occupying the No. 1 spot, UH reclaimed the top spot in the AP Poll on Jan. 9 after decisive victories over SMU and Cincinnati.
UH followed up its pair of
victories with a win over USF to stay in the top spot of the latest AP poll, receiving 34 of 60 firstplace votes.
The Cougars previously held the No. 1 spot from Nov. 28 until the morning of Dec. 12, marking just the third time in program history that UH had occupied the top spot in the AP poll.
The Cougars also hold the top spot in USA Today Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
On top of all that, Houston is No. 1 in both the NCAA’s NET rankings and Ken Pomeroy ratings.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has UH has a No. 1 seed in his latest braketology report.
Houston has not lost since the Cougars suffered their only loss of the season to then-No. 8 Alabama.
sports@thedailycougar.com
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Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, intercultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment. ultimately, degree attainment. While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.
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With how eeting and noninclusive fashion trends are, people nd themselves wanting to wear the newest fashion trends only to be shamed when the out ts don’t look the same on them as the models that wear them.
e exclusion of plus-size bodies as well as other body types in fashion creates a lack of understanding of how clothes are meant to t a person and leaves some of the public unsatis ed with their body.
Instead, people should aim to wear clothes that t their body types and make them feel
con dent rather than forcing themselves into clothes that do not match their physique.
is is not to say that people should avoid fashion trends entirely or that plus-size bodies or other body types can not be fashionable. In fact, this is to broaden a person’s understanding of fashion and what it means to wear clothes that make you feel con dent.
e most common body types people tend to learn about are the fruit and object metaphors. Some people are pear-shaped, others are apple-shaped and some strive to be the hourglass shape that plagues popular culture.
However, this kind of metaphor creates the notion that there is
an ‘ideal’ body type that people should strive for, hence, narrowing a person’s closet and lowering their self-esteem.
Fashion is a subjective art which is why there shouldn’t be a right or wrong when declaring something fashionable.
A system of body types re-emerged in 2022 when the Kibbe body system introduced the idea of fashion through yin and yang: soft features versus hard features.
Rather than focusing on things like weight or measurements, it focuses on how you balance the sharpness and softness of your features which are depicted through ve categories. A sharp jaw or the angular lines of your
body would be counted as yang while a rounder face and a soft silhouette would be counted as yin.
Even so, with any system that categorizes people into boxes, there is an issue with the Kibbe system. A question arises frequently within fashion: Is it really fashion or just clothes for skinny people?
e subjectiveness of the Kibbe system creates tension. Something considered soft on one person might not translate to the other. is has to do with the idea that people do not view fat people as soft, delicate or beautiful. Fatphobia is the main reason plussize individuals face shame and ridicule for wearing clothes that
highlight their body shape. Fashion is subjective and it makes no sense to paint one body type as superior to the other. If anything, di erent body types should be admired as it extends the de nition of what is fashionable and beautiful.
When it comes to choosing clothes to wear, people should be able to explore what ts their bodies best and nd what’s the most comfortable for them without ridicule from others. Whether it’s through the Kibbe system or other mediums used to explore fashion and beauty, there is no limit to what a person can and cannot wear.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
DENISE MILLER WEB EDITOR @PAPERBAMBI
In The Cougar’s bi-weekly anonymous advice column, I talk about resolutions and my alleged cool but mysterious personality. To submit your questions for future issues, click the Dear Denise button on our home page.
Do you have any new year’s resolutions?
Yes! Thank you for asking, Anon. This year is graduation, so all my resolutions revolve primarily around receiving my degree.
If y’all didn’t know, I am from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so a big goal of mine is to live in Houston after graduation. I’m trying to do little things each day to ensure my goal can come true.
I’ve been reaching out to friends and stalking some realtors’ Instagram accounts to get some apartment inspiration.
If you have any tips for searching for housing in Houston, please let me know!
What do I do after I graduate if I don’t want to work a 9-to-5?
You are just like me. Working a 9-to-5 sounds so unappealing, yet everyone just goes with it.
Some corporate jobs are starting to make the hybrid schedule the new normal, but that is de nitely a slow and niche concept. If you can’t nd the job you
want with exible hours and have the luxury to do this, here is my advice: Don’t take o ers you don’t want. ere are so many jobs in the world, and you only have one life to live. Don’t spend
time doing something you don’t enjoy just because everyone else does.
Depending on your industry, you may be able to negotiate your work schedule, but in my experience, most jobs want you to work in the o ce. To avoid this, you may have to step outside your comfort zone and create a routine that works best for you.
If all else fails, attempt to become an in uencer!
How do I become cool and mysterious but so awesome and local like you?
is question is going to give me a big head. Why would you ask this? I already su er from severe main-character syndrome! I think I’m awesome and cool and a local, but I don’t think I’m that mysterious. It’s so easy to nd me, and I talk way too much to be one of those public-butprivate people.
ank you for the compliment! It’s going to help me throughout my week.
arts@thedailycougar.com
If you help without asking for something in return, the rewards will surpass your expectations. A change of heart will occur if you appreciate the little things in life that put a smile on your face.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your creative drive will push you above and beyond your dreams, but before you sprint toward the nish line, consider the logistics behind your plans. Recognize your skills and where best to apply them before you accept a challenge. Avoid emotional spending.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An unexpected change will limit your achievement. Look for an alternative route, and reach out to those who owe you a favor. Keeping up will require skill, precision and a unique way of approaching your goal.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ve got your mojo in high gear and are on the road to victory. Concentrate on what’s important to you to avoid taking on too much and failing. Call in experts to handle what you can’t do yourself. Learn from experience.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t make a faux pas because you are underprepared and overly con dent. Pay attention to detail, and strive to put your imprint on whatever you pursue. You may not like change, but it’s necessary to come out on top.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Rewards are apparent. Plan to do things you enjoy. Attend a function that allows you to mix business with pleasure or to expand your circle of friends. You’ll make an impression on someone important if you follow through with your promises.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t mix emotions with responsibilities. It’s best to clear your calendar before you take on a new project. An unusual conversation will o er insight that reconstructs how you think and proceed. Validate what you
hear before passing it along.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Show o what you have to o er. Don’t limit what you can do because you are scared or intimidated by someone unpredictable. Consider what and who moves you, then head in that direction. Today it’s necessary to give up something in order to grow.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Expect to face opposition at home and when dealing with partners. Refuse to let your emotions jump in and take over. Giving someone the upper hand will make your journey di cult. Be direct, make your intentions clear and proceed. Protect your health.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Question your motives before you make a move. Your heart must be in the right place to get results. An improvement at home will give you the space you need to take on a new project that can raise your income.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Observe, listen and be reasonable. Overreacting will put you in a precarious position. Keep life simple, make positive changes at home and set up a plan to help you save for something important. Take better care of your health and loved ones.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a moment to collect your thoughts and consider how best to respond to what’s happening around you. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. Be secretive regarding your plans until you have everything in place. Walk away from toxic relationships.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let your creativity lead the way. Presenting who you are and what you can do will attract attention. An opportunity to travel and meet with someone who recognizes your talents and values your input will change how you work and play.
- Eugenia Last8 Revivalists, for short?
35 ’80s auto that opened up
37 Intel chip
38 Onetime Microsoft encyclopedia
39 ___ Nui (Easter Island)
duo half
13 Norse works
41 Quitter’s declaration
42 Dirtbags
43 “Laugh-In” comedy duo half
45 A lot, to Alejandra
47 Radio/early TV comedy duo half
49 ___ Vanilli
50 Backup strategy
53 Shed like a snake
33 “Every Kiss
Begins With ___” (jewelry slogan)
54 Caesar’s words to Brutus
57 That ship
59 Madam’s counterpart
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