Issue 2, Volume 89

UNIVERSITY

Staff, student minimum wage increased after push from campus leaders

REGAN GRANT SGA ASSISTANT EDITOR @THEG8REGAN

The University has increased the student minimum wage from $8 to $10 and its staff minimum wage from $13 to $15.

The raise, which SGA President Benjamin Rizk said students should see in their November paycheck, came after a dual effort on behalf of the Student Government Association and the Staff Council. The Council, which has been pushing for the increase since last year, was joined by SGA after senators passed a resolution supporting the move in late August.

The Supporting Higher Wages for Lower Income Campus Staff resolution was passed as part of Students Unite’s campaign promise to raise the campus minimum wage. The party, which took majority control of the Senate after last year’s elections, declared its intent to increase the student worker minimum wage as early as February of 2023.

“The raise is not only going to help students take jobs on campus so that they can get more involved in the campus community, but it also gives them the ability to pay for their own college,” Rizk said.

Student minimum wage had not been increased since 2019 when former SGA President Allison Lawrence successfully raised the student minimum wage from $7.25 to $8. Since then, inflation has increased by almost 20%, according

CAMPUS

to the CPI inflation calculator.

English literature sophomore Sarah Shea is the assistant director of the Metropolitan Volunteer Program, a student-run community service organization. As a working student, she said that the raise would ease some of the burden imposed by tuition and related expenses.

“The raise will help lighten some of my economic stress,” Shea said. “Stuff like parking and tuition are some of my biggest expenses, so this should give me a bit more cushion.”

Shea said that while the raise is a welcome surprise, inflation, tuition costs and rising living expenses have dampened its impact in terms of actual buying power.

“I fully pay for my education myself, and while I do get a decent amount in scholarships, I still cough up one to two grand each semester,” Shea said. “So while it’s a nice surprise, I really don’t think it’s in line with Houston’s cost of living or inflation.”

Along with SGA, the Council has been pushing to raise the minimum wage for staff members to $15. This marks the third raise staff members have received over the past three years after an initial raise from $9 to $11 in August of 2021 and another to $13 in August of 2022.

Former Council President David Frankfort said UH has over 250 open staff positions with the majority being full-time positions.

“We’ve had a lot of staff leave the University for Rice, University of Texas and so on, because they pay more,” Frankfort said. “We are focused on getting staff more money, but also trying to fill all the positions because this is the first time in three and a half years we’re below 300 open positions.”

Rizk said that he and Frankfurt had discussed their organization’s support for one another prior to passing the resolution. This marked a first step toward forging a collaborative relationship between SGA and the Council, something Rizk said has been sorely lacking in recent years.

“Contact with the Staff Council has completely diminished over the last four years, and I’m trying to rebuild it,” Rizk said. “I wanted to show a token of gratitude towards staff counsel and let them know that SGA is here for them and we want to do anything we can to support them.”

The raise comes as an early victory for Rizk’s administration. During last year’s election campaign, support for working students was one of the key points that distinguished his party’s platform from the opposition.

Politics aside, students like Shea still feel the University

could be doing more to support its employees. As a member of one of the many organizations that assist in the planning and production of events like Glow Party and Cat’s Back, she feels that student workers are still critically undervalued assets.

“It says a lot that the University was so willing to underpay the very workers who keep many of these programs afloat and exemplary,” Shea said. “Student workers are like the backbone of UH’s campus life.”

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The Red Zone: Staying safe, aware during period of increased sexual assault

ATIRIKTA KUMAR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

COMMUNITY

@ATIRIKTAKUMAR

The first few weeks of school come with the highest risk of being sexually assaulted on campus. This time has been dubbed “The Red Zone” by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

“The Red Zone is generally identified as the period from the start of the fall semester until Thanksgiving break, when rates of college sexual assault rise, especially in September and October,” said Women and Gender Resource Center director Laura Zavala-Membreno.

More than 50% of sexual assault cases on college campuses occur in August through September, according to RAINN.

The phrase, “The Red Zone” originated from the 1989 book, “I Never Called It Rape” by Robin Warshaw. In the book, Warshaw wrote that freshmen women are in the “red zone of danger” during this time of the year, Zavala-Membreno said.

This time period is delicate because of the changes a new school year brings. Students are more vulnerable during this time as they adapt to navigating an unfamiliar environment, meeting new people and experiencing new social situations, Zavala-Membreno said.

The timing of these incidents are not coincidental as there are many back-to-school parties and Greek Life events in the first couple of months after the start of a semester, according to Me Too.

“I’m really not surprised that this exists in the first place. Campuses are big, they’re scary, they’re dark at night,” said political science junior, Lila Hiett. “I don’t know the statistics, but I know that a lot of women have their own stories and we can share and relate in that.”

Among undergraduate students 26.4% of females, 6.8% of males, and 23.1% of transgender, genderqueer, gender nonconforming experience sexual assault, according to statistics from a RAINN report.

“Students may not have an established social support system, leaving them more isolated. New undergraduate students may also be unfamiliar with how or where to report sexual assault,” ZavalaMembreno said.

For students who have been impacted by sexual assault, UH has various resources available to them. The University offers immediate psychological support through Counseling and Psychological Services and can help connect students to the best ongoing therapy options either on or off campus.

Students can also report their assault through Equal Opportunity Services or the Women and Gender Resource Center, which provides confidential Sexual Misconduct Support Services.

“SMSS staff can meet with anyone impacted by sexual misconduct to provide support, discuss options, and offer campus and community resources,” ZavalaMembreno said.

Students can help shatter ‘The

Red Zone’ by raising awareness surrounding the issue, intervening when they see someone in distress, getting help from a person in authority and understanding what consent is, according to RAINN.

“If you suspect or even think or hear a rumor or anything of anyone you know, or anyone you don’t know, participating in any type of sexual assault, you need to report it immediately,” said Student Government Association President Benjamin Rizk. “You need to be willing, even if it’s someone you know, to throw them under the bus, that’s especially a big part that prevents sexual assault from being addressed because a lot of the assault that happens is from people that you do know.”

According to the 2022 Annual Security Report by the UH police department, there were 21 cases of rape reported in 2019, five cases reported in 2020 and 12 reported in 2021. While the data for the 2022-23 school year is not available yet, the daily crime log for the past 60 days reports one case of sexual assault

open for investigation.

“If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted you are not alone and help is available,” ZavalaMembreno said. “Get to a safe place and reach out to someone you trust. Get medical attention if you need it and reach out to any number of resources on or off campus to assist you with the next steps and moving forward.”

A strong support network often has a positive impact on a survivor’s path to recovery. If you know someone who has experienced sexual assault, it’s important to support them in however they choose to handle it, ZavalaMembreno said.

“Remind them that they are not alone, and you are here to listen and offer support. For more resources on supporting a survivor, reach out to SMSS or another campus resource like CAPS or UH Wellness for guidance,” ZavalaMembreno said.

news@thedailycougar.com

“If I fail at everything else, I want to be known as the president that raised the minimum wage to $10,” Rizk said. | Courtesy of Gabriel Garcia.

Students share frustrations with Sugar Land Shuttle

EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR IN CHIEF

John Lomax

MANAGING EDITOR

Cindy Rivas

Alfaro

WEB EDITOR

Frances Cavanaugh

NEWS EDITOR

Robert De La Garza

SPORTS EDITOR

Starns Leland

OPINION EDITOR

Malachi Key

PHOTO EDITOR Anh Le

CREATIVE

DIRECTOR Jose GonzalezCampelo

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Atirikta Kumar

Logan Linder Regan Grant Riley Moquin

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

ROBERT DE LA GARZA NEWS EDITOR @REALNEWSROBERT

At UH, very few people are lucky enough to escape the commute. Even many of those that live on campus have come to the unfortunate realization that, despite sleeping and eating a stone’s throw away from President Renu Khator’s office, they too must make a pilgrimage through Houston traffic to the far-away realm of UH’s Sugar Land campus.

But with a shuttle service that is reportedly less than adequate, students have been feeling the strain of the 20 mile journey. Record-breaking heat, overcrowding and a host of other issues have contributed to what some say is an increased strain on their well-being.

“I cannot neglect the impact it has on my mental health,” said junior philosophy major Golnaz Shokrollahi. “ I come home crying due to how stressful it is to get to class on time using the bus, especially when I’m trying to balance my demanding coursework and having a healthy schedule.”

Overcrowding at the bus stops, according to Shokrollahi, has caused long wait times along with hazardous conditions for students trying to

secure a seat on the bus.

Lack of organization has also become an issue. With little in the way of established order, students often mob the doorways desperate to be one of the few to board, journalism senior Zahra Gokal said.

“There are a lot of people getting on the bus at once. They’re afraid of missing the bus, so they push to get through and people who get there last are the first to get on,” Gokal said. “Some people get hurt. Lines have been enforced at the Sugar Land campus, but not at main.”

Some students said they leave their homes nearly two hours in advance but even then a timely arrival is not guaranteed. Other students, like Shokrollahi, have completely abandoned the idea of taking classes early in the morning, she said.

Wait times can be as little as 15 minutes in the morning if all three buses are in rotation, but can be as long as 30-40 minutes, according to junior English major Imaan Faisal. However, in the evenings when only one bus is active, waits can be as long as an hour — forcing students to wait in Houston’s heat.

“It’s another problem trying to get back home since the crowd is much less organized, so some people who have been waiting

a long time might miss the bus several times,” Shokrollahi said. “This is a huge issue right now due to our weather conditions as it can lead to a heat stroke and will prove to be a struggle in the coming winter months.”

The volume at the Sugar Land Shuttle is growing each year, Gokal said. However, little increase has been made to the number of buses on the route, which has only added to their frustrations.

“The shuttle has been inconsistent at best and full-on dysfunctional at worst,” Faisal said. “It doesn’t adhere to a schedule like the Metro or other bus services, and the only way to know whether or not a bus is coming is through a tracker that regularly glitches, stops working, or provides inaccurate information as to the buses’ whereabouts.”

The growing demand has created something the University was not prepared for, Faisal said. UH Sugar Land has evolved into a transit hub, a place where a community of students goes to utilize public transportation. Students in the area rely on the shuttle to get to their classes.

“This is a rare demonstration of students’ needs turning a standard UH facility into something larger than itself,

and I think Parking and Transportation should latch onto this development as an opportunity to push sustainable transport and meet the needs of students who can’t drive for whatever reason,” Faisal said.

For some students, parking fees are not manageable or they don’t have reliable transportation to get to and from campus each day, Shokrollahi said. She claims Sugar Land has no public transit like Metro and the UH COAST program has many restrictions for students.

Students don’t want the issue to grow and force the University to restrict access to public transportation. However, they hope UH does its part to fix the ongoing issue.

“It’s the first two weeks of school, so it’s expected that things will be chaotic. But the shuttle has had its issues in the past, and increasingly more people are using it,” Gokal said. “Users had petitioned for a third bus on the line and we got it. The solution shouldn’t be removing access; rather, there should be more effort in providing better services to commuter students.”

news@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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The

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FOOTBALL

Cougars’ ugly win was beautiful in its own way

STARNS LELAND SPORTS EDITOR @STARNSLELAND

Head football coach Dana Holgorsen had just sat down for his postgame press conference after UH’s 17-14 seasonopening win against UTSA when Vice President of Athletics Chris Pezman walked into the room to greet the winning coach.

Pezman gave Holgorsen a quick handshake and, with a satisfied grin, uttered three words:

“Great f—— win.”

That was the sentiment from Holgorsen and the UH football program after the Cougars’ win over UTSA. It was a beautiful night despite its downright ugliness.

The game never seemed to get into a rhythm for either team. The Cougars’ offense in junior quarterback Donovan Smith’s debut was disjointed. If not for some foolish penalties from the Roadrunners that shortened a half-ending field goal and extended a touchdown drive in the third quarter, UH may not have scored in double digits.

It took 15 plays and over five minutes of game time for either team to complete a first down. UTSA’s Frank Harris’ bizarre run of three interceptions in three pass attempts should have proved catastrophic for the Roadrunners, but UH was only able to score a single touchdown off of them.

UTSA still had a chance after closing the gap to within three with five minutes, but a razor-close measurement after a third-down run from Smith with 1:45 to go gave UH the game-clinching first down.

While UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor furiously protested the ruling, Holgorsen triumphantly held a first-down signal at midfield.

Simply put, the game was a mess, and the team itself might have more questions than answers, but it was about more than that. Thirty-seven thousand fans showed up at TDECU to watch the Cougars in their first game as a Big 12 team, by far the most in Holgorsen’s tenure. It was

exactly what the program hoped for.

“This place was awesome today,” Holgorsen said in his first postgame statement. “It’s been a vision of our athletic department. Can’t thank the fans enough, the student section enough, they turned out, and they made a difference.”

Both of UH’s touchdowns were scored in the south endzone, right in front of a packed and erupting student section. The atmosphere was as good as it has been since the Tom Herman era in 2016, and the players felt it.

“Coming out of the tunnel you really feel the energy,” Smith said. “The fans stayed in it the whole game and just kept us going.”

In his first game as a Cougar, Smith had an up-and-down but solid performance, going 22-34 for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked three times

and made some ill-advised throws that ultimately fell as incompletions. Holgorsen, however, was most impressed with his quarterback’s ability to stay evenkeeled through an uneven game.

“The thing about Donovan is just how poised he is. Nothing bothers him,” Holgorsen said. “Got a long way to go. But I was very pleased with just his overall demeanor and how he takes control of the huddle.”

While the offense struggled to stay consistent for much of the game, a group of unexpected heroes stepped up to ensure the win and keep things from tilting in UTSA’s favor.

When senior defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo was carted off with an ankle injury, UTSA quickly took advantage of his absence, marching 80 yards down the field to tie the game at seven apiece. It seemed like Nwankwo’s injury would be the turning point of the game, and the Cougars would be unable to stop the Roadrunners’ run game.

However, redshirt freshman Anthony Holmes Jr., junior Hakeem Ajijolaiya and sophomore Amipeleasi Langi Jr. — the latter of which had just four career snaps under his belt entering the game — all did enough in the interior to slow down the UTSA run game.

Sophomore receiver Samuel Brown’s experience at TDECU Stadium had so far been a tough one. In his first-ever appearance at TDECU was marred by a sideline scuffle with fellow receiver Joseph Manjack IV in a loss to Kansas. In his most recent home game, Brown was shown on camera slapping a Tulsa player following another loss.

Against UTSA, Brown showed out. Hauling in six catches for a game-high 106 yards, Brown was the most reliable

offensive player for the Cougars. After the game, Holgorsen praised Brown for his growth over the offseason.

“I was very proud of him,” Holgorsen said. “I’m very proud of how he’s overcome things and he went out there and helped his team win.”

Senior cornerback Malik Fleming was undoubtedly the best player on the field. A transfer from East Carolina, Fleming came to UH looking to follow the footsteps of other undersized cornersslash-returners like Marcus Jones. In his debut, he did just that.

On his first and only punt return, Fleming found a seam and ran the ball back 48 yards, setting up the first points of the game on a Smith touchdown pass to Manjack, his first completion at UH. In the second half, Fleming picked off not one, but two consecutive passes, the latter of which set up what ended up being the game-sealing touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Matthew Golden.

After the game, teammates did not seem surprised by Fleming’s dynamic play.

“He’s electric,” Brown said. “From punt return to defense, he’s a playmaker. You can’t say too much about it.”

All those pieces; the atmosphere, the overlooked players stepping up and the win itself made Saturday night a perfect first step for the UH football program in its Big 12 journey.

There is still a lot of work to do between now and the next two weeks, when Houston plays intra-city rival Rice on the road and hosts TCU for the team’s first Big 12 game. But for now, the Cougars can enter these next few days knowing that they are building something.

sports@thedailycougar.com

Senior defensive back Malik Fleming was pivotal to the Cougars’ win in his UH debut. A transfer from East Caroliina, Fleming returned his first punt 48 yards deep inside UTSA territory, setting up Houston’s first touchdown. In the third quarter, Fleming interceoted two straght passes, the latter of which set up the Cougars’ second and final touchdown. | Anh Le/The Cougar

Transfer quarterback Donovan Smith threw for both of UH’s touchdown in the team season-opening win over UTSA in his Cougar debut. | Anh Le/the Cougar

Tank Dell’s time at UH set him up for NFL success

“Having him as a big brother and just watching his steps just helped me be more successful on the field,” Golden said. “They’re most definitely getting the dog out of Tank Dell. A dude that’s gonna come in and work day in and day out.”

Dell credits the the ideals he learned throughout his long journey to the NFL that will guide him through the next level.

“Just staying humble, staying confident,” Dell said. “And always being ready when your number is called.”

The third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has a unique personality that makes him a special teammate as well. The Texans’ culture will only benefit from having Dell on the team.

“He has a certain type of swag and charisma about him that people gravitate towards him,” Shorts said. “I think they’re just getting a good human being.”

New Chapter with the Texans

Dell has already made a mark in his short time with the Texans. He impressed during training camp and was the star of the first preseason game against the Patriots, snagging an incredible tip-drill touchdown during a five-catch, 65-yard performance.

MAANAV GUPTA STAFF WRITER @MGSPORTSTALK

The route to the NFL is hard for everyone who tries. But for former University of Houston star Nathaniel ‘Tank’ Dell, it took a long and winding route full of determination to get himself to where he feels he belongs.

As a senior from Mainland High School, the offers that Dell got just did not work.

Overlooked because of his smaller stature — standing at five feet, 10 inches and weighing under 170 lbs. — Dell decided to go to Alabama A&M for a season, where he had 12 catches for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 204-yard performance against Alabama State. The next year, Dell took a chance by enrolling at Kansas Junior College to prove himself further.

Joining the Pirates in Independence is where Dell made waves, gathering 52 receptions for 766 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Dell then signed with Houston as a midyear junior transfer in 2020 and the rest is history.

In 2021, Dell became a star. As one of the focal points of the offense, he had his first 1000-yard season with 90 catches and 12 touchdowns.

The next year, Dell broke out as one of the top receivers in college football, leading the NCAA in receiving with 1398 yards and 17 touchdowns on 109 catches.

These special two seasons earned Dell an invitation to the NFL Combine and was eventually picked 69th overall by the Houston Texans, the first UH player ever to be drafted by the team.

“It was a blessing being at the University of Houston,” Dell said. “It taught me a lot. I came there and connected well. I just love the city of Houston, so everything played a part in me just being there.”

Dell gave lots of credit to everyone who

had been there along the way in his journey.

“The coaching staff, my teammates there, my brothers — they were fantastic,” Dell said. “They did a fantastic job in bringing me in in 2020 and getting me where I am today.”

Head coach Dana Holgorsen had nothing but great words to say about his former star wide receiver. Holgorsen was at Texans’ training camp where he saw Dell in action with his new team.

“It’s a good vibe out there right now,” Holgorsen said. “They’re asking me about Tank, and I’m like he’s as good as advertised and he’s a better kid. He practiced every single day, he was the same guy every single day.”

One of the changes at the NFL level is new coaches and being able to work with them. Dell was someone that the Houston Cougars coaching staff greatly enjoyed working with.

Wide Receivers Coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. was close to Dell during his time in the third ward.

“Tank’s super coachable. He always takes the message, not the tone. He always writes his goals down in meetings, he’s very attentive in the meetings. He’s gonna be very successful,” Shorts said. “He’s just got to continue to learn the game, learn a new offense and he’ll be able to adapt and adjust.”

Impact on the program

Dell has been admired around the program for making an impact with his fellow teammates, specifically sophomore wide receiver Matthew Golden. As a true freshman last year, Golden had a productive campaign, establishing himself as Dell’s heir apparent, and Dell was right there to help him along.

Shorts was not able to catch Dell’s first preseason game, but it still was a special moment for him.

“Coming off the field, everybody was talking about his catch and my phone was blowing up. Hell of a catch,” Shorts said. “I texted him. I said, ‘Dang, you really popped off with a bang.’”

The 23-year-old receiver had many positive remarks about his new team and seems to fitting in perfectly.

“My new teammates are great, all the coaching staff, Coach DeMeco (Ryans), my receiver coach, everybody’s just great,” Dell said. “It’s like a family there, we’re trying to build a family. We focus on winning, that’s the number one goal.”

Dell has already formed a strong relationship with his new quarterback, C.J. Stroud, a fellow rookie and second overall pick in the 2023 draft from Ohio State. It had a nickname: the ‘713 connection,’ as Stroud wears No. 7 and Dell No. 13. However, Dell recently changed his jersey to No. 3

“We connected at the combine off the field just walking around and I saw him. We chopped it up for a little bit,” Dell said. “ The connection has just been there and after that. Me and C.J. became very tight so that’s my guy.”

Dell’s strength as a wideout has always been very clear. His ability to find soft spots in the defense despite his small stature is what made him one of the best receivers in the nation, and it is what he will rely on at the next level.

“His route running ability and just him knowing how to get open, press coverage or whatever, just finding that open window on the defense,” Golden said. “Overall, I feel like Tank is going to play a big role for the Texans.”

sports@thedailycougar.com

Dell showed up at the Cougars’s season opener against UTSA along with fellow rookie C.J. Stroud, a quarterback that he has quickly built a rapport with on and off the field. | Anh Le/The Cougar

Tank Dell’s resilience and work ethic is what made him a star at UH. In April, Dell was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He was the first ever UH player to be drafted by the intra-city team. Now, as a Houston Texan, those experiences will propel him even further. | Sean Thomas/The Cougar

Closure of LGBTQ center major loss for students, staff

MALACHI KEY OPINION EDITOR @MALACHISKEY

The most recent Texas Legislative session ended with a variety of notable decisions, but SB17 in particular left quite a few students emotionally devastated. With the bill officially passed, Texas’ LGBTQ students and the allies who supported them have been left without much-needed support.

The bill, which banned state funding for programs that prioritized diverse student populations, resulted in the closure of both the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the LGBTQ Resource Center.

While the closing of the CDI offices has impacted students as well, the removal of the resource center has left students particularly distraught, sparking protests and scrambles to try to find an alternative.

“The resource center for me and others wasn’t just a building that provides resources,” said pre-ASLI senior Kaitie Tolman. “It was a central hub for the community. People thought of it as their chosen family.”

Tolman, who serves as president of the student LGBTQ organization GLOBAL, said that many students felt as if they had lost one of the only support options they had in a state that’s hostile to LGBTQ youth.

The resource center served as a source of life for many, and in at least one case, it served as a place to grieve a loss.

OPINION

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The

After the sudden passing of LGBTQ student leader Corey Sanders, Tollman recalled how staff jumped in to help arrange his memorial service.

“The resource center was a second home to Corey, so we asked them if we could host his memorial there,” said Tollman. “Within 30 minutes, staff responded, ‘We’ll do you one better, why don’t we help coordinate it?’”

Tollman noted that the process of reserving a space could have taken two weeks minimum for a student organization, but the presence of dedicated staff meant that it was covered in less than a day.

While various organizations, including

UH Canterbury and Rice’s Queer Resource Center, have offered their support, nothing can fully replace what was lost.

With the passage of this bill, a multiyear legacy of supporting and mentoring students has ended. Multiple students, like 2017 graduate Marrisa Ramos, had their entire student experience deeply impacted by the center.

“I left Abilene Christian University when I came out as queer,” said Ramos. “I didn’t have any friends or support system, but the resource center was there. Without them, I would not have found the power to be who I am.”

Ramos said she gained valuable experience during her time at UH, and her

advocacy training significantly shaped her professional life. She now serves as a commissioner for the Deaf community in Louisiana.

The resource center’s positive impact went beyond just LGBTQ students, however. 2021 graduate Allison Lawrence served as SGA president, a role she said was heavily influenced by her time working with the center.

“I was a SAGA ambassador at the resource center my first year of college,” said Lawrence. “My identity and the community I found in the resource center helped me learn more about myself and discover my path in life.”

While much of her work was with the LGBTQ community, she used her experience to advocate for other marginalized groups. Eventually, Lawrence ended up lobbying at the U.S. Capitol in support of the Dream Act.

In a university that loves to emphasize student leadership and diversity, this decision will crush student leaders whose impact could have echoed far beyond just the LGBTQ community.

As the year goes on, UH will continue to host events talking about “Cougar Pride.” The center’s replacement will be established and the administration will do their best to forget.

But at the end of the day, “Cougar Pride” is no longer about being yourself, no matter what the fancy signs might say.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Our leaders are failing us when it to students’ mental health

MALACHI KEY

OPINION EDITOR

@MALACHISKEY

Mental health matters a lot, especially in college. In many ways, keeping up with your mental health can be just as important as physical health if not more.

But as the call for better mental health support has grown, state and university leaders have failed to answer.

In the wake of the tragic student deaths on campus last spring, campus activists rallied to ask the University to do something, anything. In a recent announcement, President and Chancellor Renu Khator responded with what was meant to be a step in the right direction.

The update largely focused on the findings of Khator’s appointed “Mental Health Taskforces”. The recommended changes were striking, including a renovation that left Agnes Arnold Hall surrounded by barred windows and tall metal fences.

While some studies have shown that preventing direct access to potential suicide options can decrease attempts, the same studies frequently recommended something the University lacks: a comprehensive mental health support system.

The fencing was installed as part of a multi-stage renovation effort that the University recently accelerated. While Agnes Arnold definitely could use the updates, is surrounding an aging building

with prison fencing the best answer to a national mental health crisis?

One of the primary concerns raised by student protestors was the lack of funding for the Counseling and Psychological Services program (CAPS), the University’s student counseling services. CAPS has been consistently understaffed, with a counselorto-student ratio (one per 2,122 students) far lower than recommended by professionals.

To add on, while Khator’s task force included an ongoing goal of increasing CAPS outreach potential from 4% of the student body to 8%), the recommendations fall short of seriously addressing the problem.

The report recommends the “increasing of CAPS staffing strength through internships, community networks, and flexible qualifications,”but does not seek to significantly increase the number of fulltime CAPS staff.

Increasing the visible presence of CAPS staff by embedding them in specific colleges or allocating space in the student center is an admirable goal. However, if the core issue of CAPS understaffing is not met, students are likely to continue suffering the same problems they have for years.

To put it simply, trying to meet the needs of a large student body without hiring more counselors is a recipe for disaster. Students have frequently reported suffering from long wait times and feeling “underserved”

by CAPS staff, something that a few extra interns are unlikely to solve. While it can be easy to exclusively blame the University for an arguably clumsy response, the reality is not as simple as it may seem. UH is struggling with finding funding for mental health, but so is nearly every public university in Texas.

Mental health programs are largely funded through student fees, meaning that increasing staff would require taking funds from other student programs or increasing tuition.

Alternatively, the University could attempt to find corporate sponsors to help fund mental health programs. Other options include petitioning the

Texas Legislature to provide state funds specifically for counseling services.

Unfortunately, mental health rarely attracts the same kind of money that football programs do. Without a countrywide shift towards seeing mental health as real, important and worth investing in, students are likely to continue falling through the cracks.

No matter what, your mental health matters and so do you. Spreading awareness and making use of campus resources like Cougars in Recovery might not be the best option long term, but something is better than nothing.

Cougar

A security guard keeps watch as students attend classes at Agnes Arnold Hall | Anh Le/The Cougar

Tales from the Student Center Market: a brief chat with Richard

the University just as much as Shasta herself.

The Cougar staff took the chance to sit with Richard, ask him about his life story, what keeps him going on hard days and if he had any sage advice for incoming freshmen.

I’ve heard you’re quite the world traveler.

Well, not everyone knows this, but I was a pastor before I got this job. I graduated seminary in 1991 and moved to Taiwan when a friend invited me to work with them there as an English teacher. I got the chance to teach everything from grad school to junior high.

MALACHI KEY

OPINION EDITOR

@MALACHISKEY

If you were to ask a random student who impacted them the most during their time at the University of Houston, you would likely get a variety of answers. Some might recall a professor who mentored them or a particularly inspirational student leader. But it might come as a surprise

to hear how many students would fondly recall an encounter with one particular store employee. Come rain or shine, you could always count on being greeted with a cheery “Hi boss! What can I do for you?” the moment you stepped inside.

Richard Stidham has worked at the Student Center Market for over half a decade, and to many his boundless spirit represents

And that’s where you met your wife, correct?

Yep! She’s from the Philippines and came there on a whim just like me. We ended up on a worship team together, actually. I played bass and she would accompany me on piano.

How did you end up in Houston?

Well, we moved around for a

i The Cougar thedailycougar.com

while. We worked at churches around the U.S. before settling back in Baytown. We actually got jobs at UH when our daughter started going here.

Wow, you’re around people 24/7 then.

What can I say, I’m a people person! I get to meet people from all over the world here. Who would’ve thought some old fat bald guy who works in a candy store could have an impact on people’s lives? That’s so cool! That’s a good way to look at things. Do you have any advice you want to leave students with?

One test score does not a semester make. If you can focus on your overall success and not get hung up on one failure, you can come back from anything!

Wise words as always. Thank you so much for your time!

Thank you! The pleasure was all mine.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

ABOUT THE COUGAR

The Cougar is published biweekly on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters, on Wednesdays during the summer and online daily at thedailycougar.com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. Copies of The Cougar are free.

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No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ISSUE STAFF

CLOSING EDITORS

John Lomax

Cindy Rivas Alfaro

COVER

i Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

ABOUT CSM

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

Go with the flow, it won’t let you down. Don’t worry about the foundation, everything will work out in time. Don’t be afraid to leave a few things to chance, and let go of the things that have meaning to you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

-- Keep it simple, but don’t under explain. Stick to what makes you happy and be prepared to defend your choices. Don’t be a leader, but also don’t be a follower. Independence will be key to maintaining your happy and healthy life choices.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

-- A nefarious individual will soon present you with an opportunity you will find difficult to refuse. Do not trust them. It is of the utmost importance that you remain aware of the people in your life that are there to improve it and those that are there to harm you. Do not be fooled by the charming allure of strangers.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

-- Use your brawn and raw strength to achieve the goals you seek this month. Feats of strength, training, and weathered stoicism will open up new opportunities should you see it through. Consider picking up a new exercise regimen or martial art to further your mental and physical gains this month.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

-- Talk all you want, it will be of great benefit to you this month. Let your feelings and emotions be known regardless of how trivial the issue may seem.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

-- Don’t sweat the deadlines and other responsibilities this month. Look for opportunities that will help you express yourself, indulge in your creativity and explore the inner you. Live lavishly and don’t be afraid to indulge in the things you love.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Say yes to anyone who needs your help or requires your expertise. This

month is going to be big for you, and will define a large part of who you come to be. Ensure you are elevating those in your circle and doing everything you can to serve your community.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)

-- Defend your home, finances and family with a passion. Consider all your options and think through situations carefully. Expect to face a potentially life-altering decision this month, but do not worry or be afraid.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

-- Hard decisions will have to be made this month. Sacrifice is a part of life, so be prepared to face whatever comes your way with the same grim determination that has gotten you this far. Remember, hard times make hard people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

-- You’d better watch your mouth. Executing poorly on tasks and social situations will cost you greatly this month. Be sure to take all aspects of an issue into consideration before making any decisions that could potentially backfire.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

-- You are loved, do not forget that as you go about your business. In the coming days, an opportunity will present itself to you and it will be on you to make the most of it. Attend to details and personal issues early this month.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

-- Your sage advice and wise counsel will be greatly appreciated by friends and family this month. Stay focused, alert and impartial as something will soon arise that will require your sober judgment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

-- Don’t be afraid to cut off those in your life who are weighing you down or negatively impacting your happiness. You are a social butterfly, and it is time to spread your wings. Leave those behind who seek to harm, but don’t forget to elevate those who have been good to you.

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.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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Richard hard at work in his natural habitat. | Anh Le/The Cougar