Issue 12, Volume 84

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Issue 12, Volume 84

Cougars on path to win the West Following the win over South Florida, Houston has a firm grasp on its AAC division. | PG. 9

NEWS Tuberculosis on campus

A health investigator came to educate students on the infection following a UH individual’s diagnosis. | PG. 2

LIFE & ARTS Tips for Tinder

Everyone is familiar with dating apps, but these tips may help better your chances of a match. | PG. 8

OPINION Social media unites our generation The prevalence of online communication is a positive influence on students. | PG. 14

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2 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

NEWS

SARAH WHITELEY, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

CAMPUS

Health investigator educates students on TB

Public Health Investigator Manager of Houston Patrick Ndibe educated students about the likelihood of contracting TB. | Corbin Ayres/The Cougar

OWEN ZINKWEG

STAFF WRITER @OWEN_ZINK

The threat of tuberculosis infection at the University of Houston was discovered after an individual involved in the Fine Arts Building received a diagnosis.

As of Tuesday night, the amount of people exposed has not yet been determined, Public Health

Investigator Manager of Houston Patrick Ndibe said.

On Oct. 23, the Student Health Center sent out an email to those who were in direct contact with the individual for an extended period of time, and those who need testing received a separate email. Individuals at the greatest risk of infection still await testing due to the exact numbers not

being known yet.

“I’m immunocompromised,” art freshman Jailyne Ochoa said. “I just got a bone marrow transplant, cancer treatment, so I’m at risk for stuff like that and I’m treating fungal pneumonia on top of that.”

Ndibe came to UH Monday to brief members of the community on TB and explain the causes, effects and general symptoms associated with the infection.

“When you say TB, the anxiety of the people in the room goes up,” Ndibe said. “But after they receive the education, they are okay.”

Ndibe leads a contact investigation whenever tuberculosis is diagnosed within the city of Houston. Whether it be at a high school, university or a work environment, he works to find who may be infected and raises awareness about the infection and potential consequences.

“We are here to educate people about TB and to answer questions,” Ndibe said. “No one needs to die of TB in the United States.”

After receiving confirmation of the TB diagnosis, health investigators dispatched to UH began testing at-risk individuals at the on-campus student medical service center and are currently still in the process, Ndibe said.

“I didn’t read it in depth, but I read it again today and I kind of freaked out,” graphic design freshman Caroline Schulz said. “I feel like they could’ve had a faster reaction time.”

If a student received the email, but has not checked their email or has not been aware, the student will still be notified. Public health officials are working closely with school authorities to inform all students at risk who failed to show up for testing. These students could be contacted by email again, phone or in person but they will be notified, Ndibe said.

People seem to think TB is close to being eradicated and become very concerned when they hear about it, Ndibe said. Tuberculosis is rare. Last year, there were only 186 cases of tuberculosis among the 2.3 million people who reside in Houston.

Specific conditions must be met for TB to spread to other people, making the overall risk of contraction very small. The most common way to become infected is though prolonged close contact

with diseased individuals in a closed space, Ndibe said.

TB is transmitted by breathing in the air exhaled by diseased individuals, and thus outdoor contact has a low chance of producing an infection. Contact with skin and bodily fluids also will not transmit the disease.

“To be considered a contact, you would have spent six hours with that individual,” Ndibe said.

“TB is not easily transmittable.

There are a lot of myths.”

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection, not a virus, and can be treated. Most bacteria are treatable, and there are medicines that can cure tuberculosis, Ndibe said.

“I see (my doctor) on Friday, and I’m going to talk to him about the email,” Ochoa said.

Ndibe emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between a TB infection and the TB disease. When in contact with an individual with TB, it is possible to be infected, but people will not exhibit symptoms at this stage. A TB infection is not contagious, and the earlier TB is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Symptoms of TB include coughing, loss of appetite, weight loss, chills and most notably, coughing blood, Ndibe said.

These do not necessarily mean an individual has the disease, but those who contract the disease may exhibit these symptoms, he said. Any of the symptoms must seem excessive or seem to arise without cause.

“If you see someone cough, they probably don’t have TB,” Ndibe said. “But if they are coughing a lot, with blood, or if they are losing weight for no reason, then they may have it.”

Confidentiality is an important aspect of contact investigations.

At-risk individuals received separate notification of the situation, and the individual diagnosed with TB has worked with the investigation to identify others who may be at risk.

Ndibe said it is critical that the infected UH individual remain anonymous for the sake of their privacy.

“Let’s say you and I are talking.

You find out I have TB, then maybe you won’t want to talk with me anymore,” Ndibe said. “There is a lot of stigma about it.” 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.

COPYRIGHT 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

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ABOUT CSM 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.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 3

SARAH WHITELEY, EDITOR

10-11569 Cougar News October 1_print.pdf

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NEWS

SARAH WHITELEY, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

CAMPUS

Q&A: What do advisers do for students, anyway?

SARAH WHITELEY

FEATURES EDITOR

@SARAHKATEWHIT

Advisers from colleges all over campus recognize UH students hold many misconceptions about the function of advising appointments.

On average, UH advisers see 40 students per week. Priority enrollment for Spring 2019 begins Nov. 2, and students are now rushing to set up an appointment with their respective advisers.

The Cougar had a chance to sit down with advisers from across the University, including: Kenneth Garcia from the Cullen College of Engineering; Greg Spillers from the Biomedical Engineering department of the Cullen College of Engineering; Kaitlyn Dempsey from the College of Education; Colleen Davies from business advising in the Honors College; Fallon

Jones from the Engineering Technology department of the College of Technology; Amanda Brown from the Information and Logistics Technology department of the College of Technology; and Michelle Nodskov from the Biology and Biochemistry department of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.

The Cougar: What do the students you advise struggle with the most?

Garcia: Each major has their own critical semester, and in chemical engineering it's known as the big three, and in petroleum engineering it's known as the big five. Those are classes, which are in the same semester, and they are the hardest variety of classes that they will take.

Davies: There’s this STAT 3331

class. It’s a quantitative course that requires a lot of Excel skills and requires that you touch the material every day, and that is an adjustment for a lot of people. Some people consider themselves naturally good at math, and it’s not a logic that comes naturally.

Whenever a student has to take this class, I spend a lot of time getting them familiar with what it’s going to take.

TC: What is the purpose of your job as an adviser?

Dr. Spillers: I see my job being more professional development and getting them not just to graduation but to what they want to do after graduation.

If they want to go to medical school, we're going to talk about the classes they need to get into medical school.

I also want to talk to them about the rest of their

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application, when they should be working on that application and when they should be taking the MCAT if they want to go to graduate school.

Nodskov: Part of my job is saying, 'Hey, I'm here for you, too.' I've had students who are upset with how specific classes are going, so I tell them about tutoring, or maybe just let them know I understand, 'I was a student like you.'

Sometimes you just need somebody to say, 'You know what? It's gonna be okay. You can go home and eat some chocolate and finish your homework. That's okay, too.'

TC: What should students be prepared to answer at their advising appointments?

Davies: One, what’s the ultimate goal? I’m a business advisor, so they are working towards some kind of business degree, but what does that mean? Can you picture a company that you’d like to work for? Can you picture an industry that you are interested in?

If your dream goal is to be a buyer for Macy’s, let’s work backwards and figure out what are different things you can do to be successful in finding what that goal is.

TC: What do you think increases the likelihood of a student succeeding?

Davies: The students who are most successful are utilizing networking opportunities, not just using the classes to decide if they like the major. I think what gets difficult for some students is when they finally get into their major coursework and find that they don’t really like it.

If you can take those opportunities to expose yourself to stuff, it will help confirm what you like and don’t like.

TC: If you could have students ask you one question that you would answer and never be asked again, what would it be?

Dempsey: I would probably tell them that whenever they search for our CUIN and LED education courses, they're all hidden. So, don't freak out whenever you don't see them

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because they are specific to our students, and we don't want students outside of the major trying to take the courses that are required for the students farther along in our program.

If they need one of those courses, they just need to reach out to an adviser and we will help them out.

Jones: How do you see an adviser? What are your advising hours? How do I look for courses I am trying to enroll in?

A lot of this can be found online.

TC: Do you think tools like Rate My Professor are useful for students? Are there any disadvantages?

Nodskov: I think that some students use Rate My Professor as law, and they'll be like, 'I want to take this class with this specific professor.' And they'll wait. If the class opens up and fills and they can't get into it, they'll wait till the next semester to take it, even though there's four other sections taught by others professors.

And I've seen students kind of get into trouble that way.

TC: If you could say one thing to your students to help them better understand the purpose of advising, what would it be?

Jones: We are paid to come out and help you, but we won't know if you don't tell us. We have a wealth of information that every student can benefit from, but we don't know what you need unless you tell us.

Brown: Come once a semester, even if you come for 10 to 15 minutes. We can talk about classes and make sure you are on track. That's the best way we can get you in and out without any hassle.

Davies: We’re experts within our field. We stay up to date with the policies of the college, the policies of our individual majors. Things are always changing on a college campus.

They change rules all the time.

Your advisor is there to assist you in figuring out how it applies to you and to make sure you have a stress-free college experience. news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 5

SARAH WHITELEY, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

NEWS 713-743-5314

ORGANIZATIONS

Program pushes professors to replace pricey textbooks OWEN ZINKWEG

STAFF WRITER @OWEN_ZINK

Textbooks are expensive. The average student can spend an upwards of $100 per class just to get their hands on the required books.

Last week, the MD Anderson Library held Open Access Week in order to bring awareness to textbook alternatives and more affordable options.

“Open Access Week includes events that thousands of different organizations, academic libraries, publishers and other nonprofit organizations across the world participate in that promote Open Access,” said Library Digital Scholarship Coordinator Taylor Davis-Van Atta.

Open Access Week celebrated and promoted open access, which is defined by the Alternative Textbook Incentive Program as “free, immediate, online availability of research articles coupled with the rights to use these articles fully in the digital environment.”

The more professors switch to these free or cheap learning resources, the less UH students will spend on textbooks.

The Alternative Textbook Incentive Program has the potential to save students hundreds of dollars by giving professors incentive to switch to Open Access or affordable resources.

The Alternative Textbook Incentive Program started earlier this year and is sponsored by the Student Government Association.

An event hosted that week, the Alternative Textbook Incentive Program Reception, was an opportunity for UH faculty to learn more about Open Educational Resources.

Open Educational Resources, or OER’s, are resources that are public

domain or under a copyright license, which means professors could freely use and re-purpose them for their courses.

“The goal is to get more and more faculty to be using open educational resources and affordable textbook options for students so that their education can be more accessible,” said Open Educational Resources Coordinator Ariana Santiago.

Santiago and her program work with faculty around the University to promote many different alternatives to textbooks in order to save students money.

Santiago also wants professors to start using course reserves, textbooks students can get from the library or any other alternative textbook option.

“The most important thing about OERs,” Santiago said, “is that they are free to students."

"OERs also allow for the customization of classes and course material, giving professors a greater range of freedom on how they instruct their courses. Most importantly, OERs allow students to quickly and cheaply gain access to course materials.”

Other cheap textbook alternatives are Course Reserves.

These reserves use a system where faculty can put texts at the library on hold, allowing their students to rent the course materials at no cost to them.

“It’s really great for small classes,” Davis-Van Atta said.

These alternatives provide many benefits and incentives to professors.

Since everyone in a class can access them, it can improve learning outcomes and allows classes to adapt.

“Faculty appreciate the opportunity to try something new,” Santiago said. “I see people pulling from multiple sources and open

Open Access Week at the MD Anderson Library brought awareness to free and affordable alternatives to expensive textbooks. | FIle Photo/The Cougar

textbooks.”

Along with benefits for professors in the classroom, the Alternative Textbook Incentive Program offers rewards to professors who cut costs for their students.

Professor’s who cut the most costs received awards between $500 and $2500 for their efforts toward saving students money.

The savings students receive can add up through alternative options. Davis-Van Atta said OERs could start to help save students money soon and well into the future.

“If we can replace core texts in big required courses in these first few years, those savings add up pretty quickly,” Davis-Van Atta said.

“These savings will multiply as the years go on.”

Many professors at UH strive toward winning the program’s award, and some still try to save their students money even without trying to win the award.

Professors received incentives if they participated in the program and contributed to reducing the cost of textbooks. | Billion Tekleab/The Cougar

“In my case, I wrote my own curriculum,” said Annette Fuller, a communications adjunct whose class uses handouts and an

optional textbook. “I was happy to not make my students pay.” news@thedailycougar.com

2018 STUDENT FEES

ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTATION SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 2018 8:45 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

Committee Business Band/Spirit Squad Blaffer Gallery Break Intercollegiate Athletics

11:00 a.m.

Speech & Debate

11:30 a.m.

Public Comment

11:45 a.m.

Break

1:00 p.m.

Business Services

1:30 p.m.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Office

2:00 p.m.

Process Wrap-Up: Dr. Richard Walker, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

2:30 p.m.

Adjournment

SFAC is charged with recommending funding allocations for Student Service Fees, making recommendations on behalf of all students.

All presentations are open to the public, and a daily time is set aside for public comment. If you require disability accommodations, please call the Dean of Students office at 832-842-6183 to make arrangements.

For more information, visit uh.edu/sfac.

6 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

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Trick-ortreating!

Pumpkin Weight Guessing Contest for a chance to win $100 Amazon gift card!

October 31

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Student Center Plaza

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 7

SARAH WHITELEY, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

NEWS 713-743-5314

ADMINISTRATION

SFAC Recap: Who wants student fees?

SARAH WHITELEY

FEATURES EDITOR @SARAHKATEWHIT

More than 30 on-campus organizations responsible for student services and events receive funding each year from a pool of money collected from student fees, and the Student Fees Advisory Committee determines the amount each group gets.

SFAC has approximately 23,000,000 base dollars for Fiscal Year 2020 and approximately $2,000,000 for one-time allocation requests for Fiscal Year 19 and Fiscal Year 20, said Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. William Munson.

Every semester, students see a mandatory student service fee on their tuition statement.

This fee starts at $260 and varies depending on their credit hours, if their classes are on or off campus, and residency.

The Student Fees Advisory Committee consists of seven students, two faculty and one non-voting adviser. Together, the committee determines each fall where to distribute the money collected through student fees. Fee-funded units include departments from Counseling and Psychological Services and the Spirit of Houston marching band, to Homecoming and Frontier Fiesta.

The Frontier Fiesta Association placed five one-time requests for Fiscal Year 2019. They requested $125,730.18 for operation expenses, $65,655.20 for safety, security and insurance, $65,116.07 for productions, audio and video, $40,293.39 for the parking lot rental and $41,300 for Fiesta City attractions. They also placed a request for these five one-time requests for Fiscal Year 2020.

The Spirit of Houston placed a one-time request of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2020 in order to cover travel expenses. The Spirit Squads — the University of Houston Cheerleading team and the Cougar Dolls — placed a one-time request of $50,000 for FY20 for training, performances, uniforms and other improvements.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion made a onetime request of $31,800 for Fiscal Year 2020 to revamp the Campus MLK Celebration.

These funds would go toward marketing and paying the speaker.

The Council for Cultural Activities made a one-time request of $38,386.55 for Fiscal Year 2019 for the Cultural Taste of Houston, a program which showcases all the cultures represented at the University. They placed another one time request of $38,386.55 for Fiscal Year 2020 for the same event.

Veteran Services placed a one-time request of $5,300 for Fiscal Year 2019 for the UH Veteran Ally Green Zone Faculty and Staff Training Program. They placed another one-time request of $5,300 for FY20 for the same program.

Veteran Services also made a request of $31,270 for Fiscal Year 2020 for Veteran Services' core programming.

The Homecoming Board placed four one-time requests for Fiscal Year 2019 — $10,600 in order to market Homecoming events over the summer, $14,628 for the Tailgate, $8,480 for Cougar sculptures and $14, 579.24 for Bed Races.

For Fiscal Year 2020, the Homecoming Board placed three one-time requests of $14,628 for the Tailgate, $8,480 for Cougar sculptures and $14,579.24 for Bed Races.

The Blaffer Art Museum placed a one-time request of $3,500 for Fiscal Year 2019 to hold First Friday Tours, a series of free tours for students, with eight total events from September to April. The tours include snacks, conversation, artmaking in their lounge and ping-pong.

University Career Services placed a one-time request of $37,100 for Fiscal Year 2020. This would go toward Symplicity, which powers Cougar Pathway and allows students to apply for jobs, and VMock, which allows students to upload their resume and have it reviewed for free. news@thedailycougar.com

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8 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

LIFE & ARTS EMILY HUBBARD, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

ARTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5302

ONLINE DATING

Swipe or no swiping? Tips for Tinder success

Ymariam Bez Staff Writer

Anyone who has used the app probably has a Tinder horror story — here’s how to get the most from your swipes and avoid those more awkward encounters.

Swipe right to like, left to pass and up to Super Like. It’s a match if both parties like each other’s profiles, and they can then use the app to message back and forth.

When making a Tinder, you start with your personal info such as your name, school, sexual preference, age range and radius of your potential matches. Once that’s set up, you move onto uploading pictures and making a bio.

Bios should be unique and explain who you are and what you like to do.

Maybe ask a question in your bio to generate a

response from potential matches to start a conversation.

A bio is basically your first impression. They should be unique and explain who you are and what you like to do — maybe ask a question that can start conversations with potential matches.

One way to stand out is by putting something interesting in your bio.

Matches should get a general idea of your personality and interests.

Photos are also another way to stand out and get more matches. Creativity and animal pictures are usually key to make sure you get that right swipe.

Another interesting aspect is that you can link your Spotify as well, so you are able to share your tastes and maybe even find a concert buddy.

Every element from your bio to pictures is important to generating as many accurate matches as possible.

Tinder is an online app, so it’s much more impersonal than approaching a stranger outside. Instead, you’re behind a screen. Some may find this more comforting than having to deal with the anxiety of in-person immediate contact.

But with the ease and reduced pressure of online dating comes the need for safety precautions.

Many people, but sadly not all, consider the dangers associated with talking to strangers online. When matching with someone and starting a conversation, it’s important to avoid

giving out too much personal information, such as a phone number, address or even where you work.

With technology, you never know who you’re talking to, so it is always better to err on the side of caution.

On the other hand, some think it’s perfectly safe and can help people improve their social skills.

According to Psychology Today, “Tinder comes in handy when wanting to improve flirting and social skills. They feel like the application provides a safer environment for initiating the first contact, as these interactions usually happen online.”

Whether it’s Tinder or any other dating site, users should be themselves. In other words, don’t be a catfish.

Include funny or memorable bios with pictures that best showcase you and why they should swipe right. Just make sure to proceed with caution, and remember that not everyone is who they seem.

Tinder is a fun and a creative way to meet someone new, and with more than 40 percent of Americans using online dating sites and apps, you’ll be sure to find someone.

“Tinder is a successful route if it’s in your comfort zone. I have a friend who met her boyfriend through tinder and they’ve been dating for three years,” said broadcast journalism junior Kayla Vittori. arts@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 9

ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

SPORTS

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

FOOTBALL

Houston could lock up West in next couple of weeks ANDRES CHIO

SPORTS EDITOR @CHIOANDRES

No. 17 Houston is in complete control of its fate in the American Athletic Conference after its win over South Florida.

The Cougars are close to securing the West Division and could lock a place in the conference championship in the next two weeks.

If Houston beats SMU and South Florida defeats Tulane, the Homecoming game versus Temple would be Houston's chance to win the West.

It's not all smooth sailing, however, as the team is struggling with multiple injuries to top players. Senior defensive back Garrett Davis, who broke his foot against Texas Tech, and sophomore sack leader Isaiah Chambers, who injured his knee against Tulsa, are out for the season.

That has not stopped the defense from improving since the Tech game, but is has slowed progress. Since then, Houston's pass defense has improved and it has prevented more and more big plays each game.

Junior defensive tackle Ed Oliver was out against USF due to a knee injury, and he may be out again this weekend. The run defense had one of its worse performances of the season but kept USF to 36 points, which is about its average per game.

The defense was able to come up with a pair of turnovers in the second half to stop USF from catching up, and the offense sealed the game with its usual scoring.

“It doesn’t matter the odds, whether there’s an All-American player in or not. I’m just proud of them," said head coach Major Applewhite after the game.

The offense will be missing its second-leading receiver in junior

Courtney Lark, who injured his leg against USF. Applewhite said the injury was not as severe as he first thought, but Lark is questionable for the SMU game.

The injuries have forced players like redshirt freshman Jeremy Singleton to step up and he did by making his first collegiate touchdown reception against USF. “The message is to always be ready when my number is called.

Anything can happen throughout the game," Singleton said. "Coach Briles and coach Applewhite, they always keep my head straight and I’m always ready for my opportunities.”

Singleton and company will need to continue their strong performances against SMU and Temple, which has the No. 4 pass defense in the nation.

Houston plays SMU on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Dallas. sports@thedailycougar.com

Junior Aymiel Fleming started against USF in place of junior Ed Oliver, who was out with a knee injury. Fleming had six tackles. | Corbin Ayres/The Cougar

UHRecreation uh.edu/recreation

STRENGTHENING THE PRIDE

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Cougar Combine 11/9 at 3:00 pm 11/9 3:00 - 7:00 pm NFL Madden 11/26 at 3:00 pm 11/26 5:00 - 12:00 am NCAA Bowl Pick’em Bowl Season TBD Register on myrec.uh.edu, for a full listings, visit: uh.edu/recreation

AQUATICS

HIRING LIFEGUARDS For those interested in Becoming a lifeguard, visit: uh.edu/recreation

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To register go online and fill out a Private Swim Lesson Inquiry form, email to rrodgers@central.uh.edu.

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10 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

SPORTS ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball looks to build off last season’s success TRENTON WHITING

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @TRENTONWHITING

With fall comes the return of football, cooler weather and iconic holidays, but most importantly, it denotes the approach of another important season: basketball.

The UH women's basketball team has been patiently waiting for the season to start. Last year was good for the Cougars, and there are a lot of things going right for UH this upcoming season.

Last season, UH had its best season in years.

It won 20 games, made the National Invitational Tournament and lost only three times at home. Junior guards Angela Harris and Jasmyne Harris had great years and established themselves as stars in the conference.

Also, the NIT appearance was the team’s first postseason appearance since the 201011 season. The Cougars are bringing back most of the role players that helped the team reach 20 wins. Junior forward Dorian Branch, senior forward Octavia Barnes and senior guard Serithia Hawkins are all returning to the team for this season.

Head coach Ronald Hughey obtained some long-term job

security in the offseason. UH rewarded him for the team’s performance with a contract extension until 2022.

UH is being considered as one of the top teams in the conference. The American Athletic Conference Coaches Poll picked the Cougars to finish third in the conference behind UConn and USF. Perhaps the most anticipated storyline for the new year is the completion of the new basketball stadium, the Fertitta Center.

Both the men’s and women’s teams played all their home games in Texas Southern University’s stadium last season.

The women’s first game on UH's campus in more than a year is against in-state rival Texas A&M on Dec. 6.

Though the team has many refined tools on its side, there remains room for improvement.

The Cougars ended the season on a five-game losing streak including the postseason.

UH lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats in both matchups, and it went a mediocre 9-7 against its fellow AAC teams.

The team will need to increase its level of performance against conference opponents if it is going to reach the next level.

UH will need to step up its

Junior guard Jasmyne Harris was the Cougars' top scorer in 2017-18 and scored in the double-digits in 22 consecutive games. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

Last year, UH won 20 games but finished the season on a five-game losing streak. This year, the team's core has returned and will be looking to repeat the success from the beginning of the season. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

game for its out-of-conference schedule as well.

Last season, the Cougars went 11-5 against teams outside of the AAC. This year’s schedule may make repeating that success difficult. Of the 13 non-conference opponents on the schedule, seven teams won 20 or more games last season.

Texas A&M and Florida Gulf

Coast University are the biggest opponents, as those teams each won 26 games last year.

With so many players returning, it is reasonable to think UH will be able to recreate at least some of the success it had last year. But, it will need to find better production outside of Jasmyne and Angela Harris.

They averaged 19.6 and 14.9

Senior Serithia Hawkins was the Cougars' best blocker and rebounder last season and also averaged over 10 points per game. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

points, respectively. Hawkins was the only other player to average double-digit points.

The Harris’ were UH’s backbone last year.

They were the offensive and defensive leaders on the court. Angela Harris was one of the best defenders in the conference, and she finished the season with 93 steals. Jasmyne Harris was second on the team for steals and third on the team for total blocks.

Both players were charged with leading the offense as well.

Jasmyne and Angela threw out 115 and 114 assists, respectively.

While the other individual players will not need much improvement, the team’s performance as a whole will need to improve if the Cougars are going to be successful.

UH will be attempting to reach the postseason for the second time in a row.

If the Cougars can play well and build off the success they had last year, UH will solidify its place as one of the top teams in the conference. If the team does not play well, last year’s success will be considered a deviation from the norm.

With the season starting Nov. 6 against the University of California at Berkeley, UH has a chance to prove that its success is here to stay. sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 11

ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

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FOOTBALL

King shining after fighting for chance at quarterback ANDRES CHIO

SPORTS EDITOR @CHIOANDRES

Coming out of high school, junior D'Eriq King had one main goal on the football field: play quarterback at the college level.

This season, King has done just that and in the most electric way possible. He has 39 touchdowns in just eight games and is on track to break multiple single season records.

But playing quarterback in college was not a guarantee, and many schools wanted him to change positions. Former head coach Tom Herman and then-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite were some of the only ones to give him a chance.

“Coming out of high school, I had a lot of offers for different positions. I felt like (Applewhite and Herman) were genuine and would give me a chance to play quarterback,” King said.

Schools like Baylor, TCU, Michigan State, UCLA and more came knocking with scholarship offers, but most wanted King to move positions.

"He wanted the opportunity to play quarterback. How crazy does that sound now? People wouldn't give him a shot to play quarterback," Applewhite said.

After splitting time between receiver and quarterback in his first two seasons, this was the first offseason that allowed King to focus entirely on quarterback.

With all that time and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles' proven offensive system, King has thrived and is close to breaking the American Athletic Conference's single season touchdown record.

The 45 touchdown record was set last season by UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton, and King is on track to score about 63, which would tie the NCAA record set in 2006 by Hawaii quarterback Colton Brennan.

"He's got a tremendous feel for the position. He knows when to escape, when to let the ball go, when to hold it, sit there and squeeze the trigger in the pocket," Applewhite said.

With King under center, Houston's offense leads the nation in yards per game and is No. 2 in points per game.

King has 2,403 yards in the

Junior quarterback D'Eriq King has made a habit of proving doubters wrong, as the 5'11" Manvel native was thought to be too small to be a college quarterback. King is the only quarterback to be in the top 10 for rushing and passing touchdowns in all of FBS college football. | Corbin Ayres/The Cougar

air and 413 on the ground this season to go along with his touchdown count. He had a career-high 551 total yards against South Florida, and he is hitting his stride right into the final stretch of the season.

It is a long march, however, and no team is immune to an upset loss. Houston suffered one such loss in 2015 when the undefeated team lost to UConn to mar its record. Houston finished 12-1 that season with a win in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Florida State.

"We’ve got a long way to go, we’ve still got to finish, we’ve still got to go out on the practice field tomorrow and get after it," Applewhite said.

"I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else other than number four."

King said he has never forgotten that other teams would not give him a chance and that it effects his play every day.

“I go to practice, I go to games, with a chip on my shoulder," King said. "I just go out there and try to prove everybody wrong about what they said I couldn't do. All I want to do is show them."

When asked whether or not he has done that, King said, "I feel like I'm doing alright right now." sports@thedailycougar.com

12 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 13

ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

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Cougars head north to face conference rival No. 17 Houston is heading to Dallas this weekend to face 3-5 SMU. ESPN gave the 7-1 Cougars an 80 percent chance to win the matchup, and the team outmatches the Mustangs in most statistics categories. Houston leads the all-time series with 21 wins, while SMU has 11 wins and just one game has ended in a tie. The two teams go back to the old days of the Southwest Conference and had their first game against each other in 1975. The two teams have played each other across the Southwest Conference, Conference USA and now the American Athletic Conference. Houston has won eight of the last 10 games and 12 of the last 15. SMU last won in 2016, when Houston was ranked No. 11. SMU has not won twice in three seasons since it won the 1985 and 1986 meetings. Full preview and coverage will be out Friday. | Fiona Legesse/The Cougar

FOOTBALL

By the numbers: Football's record-breaking season so far ANDRES CHIO

SPORTS EDITOR @CHIOANDRES

The No. 17 Cougars have been setting records across the board this season with its explosive offense.

Houston has scored 40 or more points in all eight games this season. That broke the school record of seven set in

2011 from the Cougars' games against Georgia State, UTEP, ECU, Marshall, Rice, UAB and Tulane when the team averaged 61 points per game.

The team as a whole has 49.8 points per game, which is No. 2 in the nation, and 571 yards per game, No. 1 in the nation.

This season is the first time in program history that the team

has scored 40 or more points in each of its first eight games. It is also the only school to do this in the 2018 season.

The Cougars have had 32 total scoring drives take fewer than two minutes this season. Last season, Houston had just 18 scoring drives that took fewer than two minutes in its 12 games.

Junior quarterback D'Eriq

King leads the nation in points responsible for per game with 236. King had five passing and two rushing touchdowns against South Florida and has 28 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns this season.

King is just six touchdowns from breaking the single season touchdown record in the American Athletic Conference,

which is 45, that was set by UCF senior quarterback McKenzie Milton last season.

Sophomore receiver Marquez Stevenson is tied for first in the AAC in touchdown receptions with eight.

Houston's next game is against SMU on Nov. 3 in Dallas. sports@thedailycougar.com

14 | Wednesday, October 31, 2018

OPINION WAFA KAZMI, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5304

TECHNOLOGY

Social media is a positive means of connectivity LARAIB HASHMI ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

E

ach morning you wake up and check your phone before the start of the day. A long day is ahead with a million things to do, and it seems impossible to face without your phone. Technology, especially social media, has become a constant in our daily lives.

Among college students, the use of social media has drastically increased.

Digital communication has become something normal.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram can be found on almost every college student's phone.

Online social networking provides awareness for world events. It makes it easier to connect to people and interact on a business or social level.

Social media is a medium for mass communication and a powerful tool for getting a message across. Students use social media to engage with one another and plan events.

“I keep up with events with organizations and clubs helps me stay motivated with fitness videos and daily food posts like this big bowl of veggies is equivalent to the amount of calories in this little bit of junk food. It's fun," said biology senior Aimen Abbasi.

Some use social media as an escape from their daily lives.

“I think social media is a great way to connect with people, especially old friends, both locally and internationally without the hassle of maintaining a conversation," said political science and middle eastern studies senior Zahabiya Yahya.

Our generation is under constant scrutiny because of our immersion in technology. But social media isn't a mindless vortex. Many people use it to collaborate on assignments and study together. It also connects, unites and educates our generation, allowing us to grow as a society. | Fiona Legesse/The Cougar

"Platforms such as Snapchat allow quick conversations that are to the point and don't entail any extra talk or effort."

Social media plays an important role in our lives. It’s changed the dynamics of a college student experience. A group of students sit together with their phones out, sharing information with one another. For class assignments, communication,

networking and personal use, social media has become a median.

For our generation, social media uses patterns that have positively impacted students. It provides us with the gratification of a simpler life — learning new things and keeping us in the know.

“The use of social media is vital to my everyday life in the

sense that it keeps me up to date with politics as well as current events that take place in my community," said English senior Franciso Martinez. "News apps, Instagram. I think it's important because in today's day everyone needs it so that they can be informed at their convenience."

Living in the digital age provides its benefits. We get to

worship DIRECTORY

CAMPUS

send messages to someone miles away and see what's going on in the lives of our friends and family.

We build a platform to grow professionally.

Social media for our generation is not entirely bad.

Assistant Opinion Editor Laraib Hashmi is a journalism senior and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

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University size is not the dominant factor in success MARYAM BALDWANI OPINION COLUMNIST

T

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First Service: 7:15 am Studies show that creating an next four years.

High-ranked here is no doubt that Second Service: 9:00 am Third Service: 11:00 amhave secret appropriate support system universities do not different universities Service: 1:00 pm of friends is crucial to success textbooks nor witchcraft have specific strengths Fourth School: 9:00 am and health. The support system for inventions.

Rather, their and weaknesses, being slightly Sunday is appropriate in that it is admissions process is selective influenced by the city the WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY the type of environment you to build a community of university resides in or is close 12 noon & 7:00 pm need. Moreover, another study visionaries with a proven work to. But goals should not be SundayaBible Class shows 50 percent increase ethic. The biggest difference in halted based on events outside in the likelihood of survival attending a densely-populated of your control, such as the from illnesses for participants university is the challenge of university you were accepted with stronger relationships, creating this atmosphere for into. evidence of the effect of friends yourself.

The university you attend on health, and well-being.

Building a small community relies heavily on the students IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN WORSHIP DIRECTORY Another endeavor is in taking REPRESENTATIVE AT 713-743-5356 CONTACT A SALES of friends is important in and faculty that you will an interdisciplinary approach obtaining this atmosphere. share your home with for the

to a desired field of study. Even though a variety of majors and minors are offered, only some majors allow students the freedom to choose a minor, and many majors have a minor built into the prescribed course load.

Chemist Willard Libby, who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radiocarbon dating, applied his findings in chemistry to the discipline

CAMPUS SIZE

Continues on next page

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 15

WAFA KAZMI, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION

OPINION@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

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EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Jasmine Davis MANAGING EDITOR

Cristobella Durrette

SPORTS EDITOR

Andres Chio

LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Emily Hubbard PHOTO EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Corbin Ayres

CAMPUS EDITOR

Wafa Kazmi

Fiona Legesse

Michael Slaten FEATURES EDITOR

Sarah Whiteley CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Morgan Horst

OPINION EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Trenton Whiting, McKenzie Misiaszek, Billion Tekleab, Laraib Hashmi

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 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.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp

While there are pros and cons to all university sizes, the atmosphere you create for yourself is ultimately the most important factor in determining your success as a student. Your ability to adapt to your surroundings — and progress regardless of your class size — is key. | Corbin Ayres/The Cougar

CAMPUS SIZE

Continued from previous page of archaeology. Like Libby, students need the chance to build their own perspective with well-rounded learning.

An interdisciplinary approach allows students to be creative. Some people believe schools are stifling creativity, and we must break down the barriers that have stood in front of us for some time. This can be approached by merging two fields, such as psychology and architecture, to influence the world in new ways.

Adding a new sector of one field into another, such as the psychology of building design into a sector of architecture, is another interdisciplinary approach. There are limitless ways to mix and match, and this constructs a student body with greater potential to imprint their mark on their chosen field.

Another difference in attending a large university is the large amount of events and organizations present to unite many different backgrounds, as is the case here at the University of Houston.

Diversity, both acquired and inherent, propels innovation through the sharing of ideas.

Therefore, an advantage of attending a large university is having a diverse cultural hub to exchange ideas and perspectives with, leading to innovative approaches and work dynamics in a chosen

field of study.

Higher education is for intellectual and personal growth so you can reach and

surpass long-term goals, and the university you attend is a factor, not the dominant force.

Opinion columnist Maryam Baldwani is a biology sophomore and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

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