Issue 20, Volume 84 by The Cougar

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Issue 20, Volume 84

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Mental health services on the rise HEALTH JASMINE DAVIS @JPAIGEDAVIS The Student Health Center Psychiatry Clinic is expected to hire a chief psychiatrist later this month, ending the University’s long stretch without a full-time campus-based physician at the clinic. The chief psychiatrist opening was published online on Dec. 17 after a months-long effort by students and Student Health Center staff, and the accompanying staff psychiatrist position opened up Jan. 18. “We are keenly aware that there is an ever increasing

demand for mental health services among college students, especially at a campus of this size within an urban setting,” said Dr. Vanessa Tilney, the executive director of the Student Health Center, in an email. “We have a large and diverse student population and with that comes a good proportion of them needing mental health support during a busy and stressful period in their lives.” Dr. Tilney said the decision to increase the number of campus-based staff psychiatrists at the Student Health Center came after

LIFE & ARTS

conversations with University stakeholders, members of the Student Government Association and health and wellness professionals. Overall, she said, the addition of the psychiatry positions was made possible through help from executive leadership within the University’s Business Services and Human Resources departments. While the initial hiring process will add a chief psychiatrist and staff psychiatrist to the clinic, Dr. Tilney said they have been given approval to hire a third

SPORTS

Stealing Britney’s Red and white thunder guardians People are dealing with stress by taking it out on their hair . | PG. 8

psychiatrist should there be future need. The addition of the chief and staff psychiatrists is expected to decrease wait times for students based on current usage of the clinic. Currently, Dr. Tilney said appointments fill up fast. For some students, that high demand for psychiatry appointments has proven detrimental. “When I finally got in, the psychiatrist literally told me that I should find a therapist outside of the psychiatry clinic because I couldn’t get in as often as needed,” said former

Men’s basketball’s strength around the rim has disrupted every opponent it has faced and is the key to success. | PG. 9

UH student Jennifer Gonzalez. “That’s one of the main reasons I left — I knew I couldn’t get the help I needed at UH.” Gonzalez said that while access to mental health services at UH played a major role in her difficulties at the University, she hopes the additional psychiatrists on the staff will be able to better help students in her position. “I think that this will help others be able to work on their mental health without having to sacrifice their education,”

MENTAL HEALTH

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OPINION

SGA election voting changes

In April, new election codes were passed, that include a new voting system. These changes help everyone involved. | PG. 11

2 | Wednesday, February 13, 2019

NEWS

GREG FAILS, EDITOR

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CAMPUS

UH hiring full-time psychiatrists

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

Jasmine Davis Cristobella Durrette COPY EDITING

Morgan Horst COVER

Fiona Legesse

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

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.

Additionally, the University is hiring a staff psychiatrist. The application for the position opened mid-January. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

MENTAL HEALTH

Continued from cover Gonzalez said. "Before, you basically had to choose one or the other, but this will most likely increase the amount of students who will be able to receive the help they need." SGA President Cameron Barrett, who worked with Dr. Tilney to advocate for funding for the positions, said the addition to the University's mental health offerings has been a long time coming. Barrett said SGA's participation began when Mariellee Aurelio, a second year pharmacy student, approached him in August concerning the availability of psychiatry services for students. At the time, the clinic wasn't able to accept any new patients. "Just before last fall semester started, I had found

out that both psychiatrists at the clinic were leaving, including the one I have been seeing since undergrad," Aurelio said. "I've found that SGA has always been very helpful in mobilizing and advocating for mental health services on campus." After hearing the news, Aurelio messaged Barrett her concerns about finding another psychiatrist right away to continue her treatment. In the meantime, she said the Psychiatry Clinic brought in temporary psychiatrists to fill the need. "I greatly appreciated this as I was able to get refills on medications that I needed to function," she said. "Still, continuity of care is important for a patient no matter if it is mental or physical health." As the clinic worked to permanently fill the vacated

staff psychiatrist positions, however, Aurelio said it encountered funding issues. Namely, the University was offering below-average compensation for the positions. Part of the cause for the pay discrepancy, Barrett said, was a University policy capping the salary for most employees at $175,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average psychiatrist in Texas makes more than $209,000 each year — nearly $35,000 above UH's cap. Barrett said it was a combined effort with Dr. Tilney and the executive leadership of Human Resources that made securing the extra funding necessary — by bypassing the usual salary cap — to offer a competitive salary to psychiatrists at the clinic. "It is with recent turnover of psychiatrists in 2018 that we

expedited the attention to and development of such positions within the Student Health Center," Dr. Tilney said. Aurelio said Dr. Tilney was kind in explaining the circumstances making it difficult to hire more psychiatrists when she initially voiced her concerns, and said she appreciated Dr. Tilney's efforts to keep the Psychiatry Clinic operating steadily regardless of funding. "Spilling out your darkest thoughts, sharing your worst moments — that takes trust," Aurelio said. "Furthermore, physicians have different approaches to medication therapy, as I've found with my new psychiatrist. With a more stable staffing, that familiarity and that continuity of care will persist." News@thedailycougar.com

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NEWS GREG FAILS, EDITOR

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CAMPUS

Mold forces the sudden relocation of more than a dozen classes Many professors and students say their courses were nearly canceled without notice

GREG FAILS

FEATURES EDITOR @ GREGFAILS

The abrupt closing of an engineering auditorium last week due to mold, which had bloomed across large portions of the ceiling and other parts of the room, caused commotion among students and professors whose classes were suddenly moved. Adding to the confusion and chaos was a rumor — somewhat bolstered by a sign hung on the auditorium’s doors before the building was locked — that the mold was a deadly “black mold.” The mold types were common, however, and not at levels that were dangerous, according to a spokesperson from the University. “No students were ever in danger,” said UH Media Relations Director Chris Stipes. “We do regular inspections for mold, and that’s how we caught this.” The mold bloom, which stretched horizontally across most of the ceiling in one section of the Cullen College of Engineering Auditorium 2 and sprouted across several corners of the building, was caused by a broken fan in the auditorium’s bathroom, Stipes said. Sixteen classes being taught in the auditorium had to be abruptly moved because of the mold. This nearly caused some classes to be cancelled without notice, such as an Anthropology 2302 class taught by Elizabeth Farfán-Santos, who informed her students of the situation via

Before the auditorium was locked someone hung a sign warning of "black mold" being present in the building, but a University of Houston spokesperson said no black mold was found in tests of the mold. | Billion Tekleab/The Cougar

email minutes after finding out that her class could potentially be cancelled, she said. Farfán-Santos could not be reached by The Cougar despite multiple attempts, though the students in her anthropology class said she was frustrated with the University's response to the situation and encouraged them to speak out about the issue. “I’m extremely disappointed at how they handled this,” said public relations junior Marbles Sanchez. “There wasn’t any communication with the students, and not only that, we missed important instruction time.” Aside from causing disruptions to the class’s

structure and lesson plans, the incident raised concerns for students in the class who attend UH with the help of financial aid and grants such as Pell Grants, which are given out by the federal government. “We need a full course load to maintain the grants,” said Brandon Talbert, a broadcast journalism junior in FarfánSantos’s course who attends UH with the help of Pell Grants. By Thursday, all 16 courses that were being held in the auditorium had been relocated, according to a University spokesperson. Farfán-Santos’s anthropology course was moved to the College of Graduate Studies while the room

undergoes a cleaning process, which is expected to take two weeks. Despite the change of venue, mold concerns are still at the forefront of several students’ minds. While Farfán-Santos was unable to be reached for comment about the mold incident or the relocation, some of her students said they appreciated how she spoke up about the sudden moving of their class. The remediation process for the auditorium is expected to last two weeks while crews work to scrub away various mold blooms, according to a spokesperson from the University. University

maintenance alone would handle removal of small mold blooms, but blooms of over 25 square feet require extra procedures as dictated by the state. While the mold’s spread was imposing, all mold types present were common and posed no danger to anyone inside the room, according to the University. Air quality tests reportedly showed the presence of mold in the air inside the auditorium did not exceed that of the air outside, Stipes said. The University has a mold control policy that includes regular checks and cleaning of buildings, Stipes said. The school isn’t going to be making any changes or enhancements to their procedures in response to the auditorium incident. “We live in Houston, there’s a lot of humidity and mold pops up from time to time,” Stipes said. “Is anything additional being done? No, because we’re constantly checking for things like this.” While the mold bloom was ultimately harmless and the University said no other school buildings are facing issues with mold, the incident has brought issues of building disrepair to the front of the minds of students whose classes were moved. “The sports facilities are state of the art and would never have mold, but these classrooms that we pay thousands of dollars to sit in are disgusting, unsafe and (in) poor condition,” Sanchez said. News@thedailycougar.com

FACULTY

Psychology professor inspires students with spirituality A.K. ALMOUMEN

STAFF WRITER @ AKALMOUMEN

The notion of whether or not the spirit can heal the mind is at the core of what psychology lecturer Herb Agan has been preaching for more than 20 years at UH. His mission has been to connect with his students by injecting a sense of wonder into their academic experience by interpreting religion and spirituality in the same realm as

myth and legends to create a road map to self-actualization. “I love his approach to psychology,” said Beverly McPhail, former director of the Women’s Resource Center at UH and adjunct faculty at the Graduate School of Social Work. “His approach changes students’ lives. It’s not just another course taken for a grade. He introduces new ways of seeing the world.” As a freshman in business school in 1964, Agan and his Methodist youth group took a

“When I left there I thought, 'I know I’m part of the problem, I want to be part of the answer.'” Herb Agan, UH Psychology Professor trip to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. give a speech in Lincoln, Nebraska. “I was very impressed with him,” Agan said. “When I left there I thought, 'I know I’m part of the problem, I want to be part of the

answer.'” He used this as a motivation in his path toward psychology and social work, which led him to work in church camps. Most notably, he worked at the H.E. Butt Foundation Camp in West

Texas, where he was introduced to diverging thoughts on religion. “I got with some people who were into transformation and healing,” Agan said. “They are meant to be taken metaphorically and not so literally because if you do, you end up with a lot of stupid ideas that can be very destructive.” To Agan, this does not mean he is not a fundamentalist

HERB AGAN

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GREG FAILS, EDITOR

HERB AGAN

Continued from page 4 but that there is more than a transactional trait to spirituality. He believes it is a method to a better union. “Professor Agan is interested in women’s issues and incorporates them into his teaching,” McPhail said. “He reminds me of an old feminist saying that a man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality.” This union is even extended to psychology. When interviewed at the Jung Institute, where he teaches classes in addition to his lectures and practice, he criticized modern psychology. “If it cannot be digitized, we’re not interested,” Agan said. “There is more to a human being than can be measured in a test tube.” Agan shared an excerpt from a New York Times opinion column by Tom Perrin, an associate professor of English at Huntingdon College. In the excerpt, titled “One Way To Make College Meaningful,” Perrin said that when private colleges have

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introduced vocational programs in the sense of a search for a “calling,” graduation rates have risen. This is Agan's goal: to impart unto his students a calling for knowledge and learning that does not exclude other views, even religious ones. “This is the realm of spirituality,” Agan said. “I never thought religion and science were against each other.” Many of Agan’s former students believe he transformed their own perspectives in many aspects of their lives. “One thing that stuck with me is a quote that he said after we talked about family development: we are not condemned to our early childhood experiences,” said psychology freshman Daniela Burciaga Ramírez. “This got engraved in the back of my mind since I’m always making allusions to all the things that went wrong in my childhood, but after this I’ve learned to stop thinking about them and focus more on the now and the future.” News@thedailycougar.com

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Professor Herb Agan has been teaching at the University of Houston for over 20 years. | A.K. ALMoumen/The Cougar

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LIFE & ARTS EMILY HUBBARD, EDITOR

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COPING

Bald and broken: Student's coping mechanisms LAURA CONTASTI

WEB EDITOR

@LAUCONTASTI

Do you really want bangs, or do you just want to feel in control? The answer, I have found, is both. Or rather, I want the bangs because they make me feel in control. Cutting my own hair to the sound of One Direction’s saddest songs is an experience I never knew I needed. The first time I dyed my hair was when I graduated high school. I scheduled the appointment before I graduated, and when I walked in two weeks after crossing the stage, I dyed my hair a seafoam green. My friend group had disintegrated, and I felt lost. I was out on my own for the first time and college was a decision I hadn’t made yet. But altering my hair was something that made me feel safe — it helped me embrace the change with something tangible: my appearance. Coloring my hair didn’t solve my problems, but the simple act of doing something that let me be in control of my appearance was comfort enough. It made the rest of the choices I had to make seem

Does this look familiar? Have you gone through a traumatic breakup or stressful situation lately? Cutting ones hair is just one of the many outlets people turn to for their much needed emotional release. | Photo by Laura Contasti/The Cougar

attainable. So, what is it about body modifications that make us feel in control? From body piercings and tattoos to hair cutting and coloring, body modifications are there for us when our lives feel like they’re spiraling out of control. A traumatic breakup or a life changing interview gone bad are powerful enough to send us in a downward spiral, which is how you end up searching for do-it-yourself

hair cut tutorials on YouTube at 2 a.m. In a Google survey of 32 students, 96.9 percent said they had modified their body as a coping mechanism. From those, 13 had dyed their hair — some even had a combination. Hair coloring and hair cutting seem to be the most popular among students. Hair has been linked to our concept of self-image, and changing hair can be seen as a way to “exert a sense of authority following a

relationship breakdown.” Hair cutting and coloring have seem to become the norm after breakups, especially for women. While some male celebrities have made drastic changes to their hair styles, it remains that femininity and hair are intimately tied. Hair is one of the many ways with which we present ourselves, it’s how people perceive us and it can impact how we feel about ourselves immensely. Long hair in particular is

seen as a sign of femininity, causing them to be linked. This can explain why some women have taken to chopping their locks after a difficult or upsetting breakup. It’s even become an Instagram trend. Hundreds of women post before and after pictures of their hair transformations under the #breakuphair hashtag, though variations of the hashtag do exist. Not all hair transformations are due to breakups, however. Twelve years ago, the iconic Britney Spears shaved her head in the final leg of her downward spiral. Spears, who was “rebelling against...the people who handled and molded her,” used her hair as a form of expression. By shaving her head, she rejected society’s views of her and liberated herself from the suffocation she felt. Body modifications, can sometimes provide a temporary solution to a deeper rooted problem, but unfortunately, it isn’t going to solve all of your problems But if Britney can get through it, so can you. arts@thedailycougar.com

ART

Houston's art scene: Show us what you're made of BINISH AZHAR

STAFF WRITER

Whether you’ve been here your whole life or moved into town recently, if you’re into any medium of creativity you might have noticed Houston's lack of payoff in the art scene. Often times if you come across genuine creativity, it’s packing its bags for New York or California — or any other major city that's willing to invest in its work. The unfortunate fact remains that Houston does not invest in its artists, and its artists don't invest in each other either. It's a cyclical mindset that furthers unhealthy competition and creates an unproductive space for artists of all genres to be inspired or to inspire. What should we do with a city so full of potential? Mobilize. So, why don't we? No one predicted the massive force Houston would become, with a growing population that soon will mark us as the third largest city in the United States. Besides few exceptions like the Project Row Houses and the nonprofit Menil Collection — spaces created specifically to stimulate a potential focus on creativity —

Tons of local Houston artists remain undiscovered and unappreciated, but how do we combat this problem? We must make Houston a place where artists flourish and reach their highest potential. | Photo by Emily Hubbard/The Cougar

the general rule in Houston is that we are energy funded and energy driven. More spaces for creativity and interaction among each other are a must in the process of utilizing Houston's creative communities. Many of us meet others via Instagram or Twitter, but “unless you actually shake hands with another person, you don't really know them," says digital media junior Nemo Takleab. "A growing population doesn't necessarily

mean a growing art scene, and a growing social media following doesn’t necessarily mean a growing network." However, many continue to find themselves complacent among a group of people who don't put others on. The competition is high, but the stakes are low, with so little payoff — most people cling on to any semblance of recognition they can get. We aren't greedy, we’re just deprived. Houston's lack of artistic

innovation is a result of many different things, little to no funding being just one of the few. Without creative spaces or investment, many Houston artists might feel they're just fending for themselves. As artists, we must hold each other accountable as well. Lack of funding isn't the only reason we have such a divided community. I spoke to various students at the University of Houston, some who make music, some

who make art, some who are only just getting their feet wet. Many don't necessarily feel as if they are a part of any scene at all, but rather consider themselves to be spectators of a “cliquey” and “aimless” conglomerate of internet personas that glorify an art scene that doesn't really exist to the extent its portrayed. Mobilizing is hard. It becomes even harder in a fractured community that seems unwilling to grow together. We see examples of cooperation within production and clothing collectives such as InHouse Interactives, Time Zone Global, GreaterGoode Lab, and even films like Connor Cleveland’s unreleased ‘Be Someone’, a documentary about artists in Houston. These are creators who want to move mountains in impossible places, and they're willing to work together to get it done. Perhaps we should be inspired. They're not our competitors, they're our peers. Keeping that in mind may be what propels Houston's art scene into something worth talking about. arts@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | 9

ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Cougars elevated by elite rebounding, defense ANDRES CHIO

SPORTS EDITOR @CHIOANDRES

Men's basketball is in the midst of what could become a hallmark season for the program. The Cougars are 22-1 and have one of the best defenses in the country. The hustle, toughness and grit that Houston has displayed is something head coach Kelvin Sampson has tried to instill in all his players since day one. “We put so much emphasis on defense with rebounding and having a defined way we’re going to win the game," Sampson said. "When (the players) walk out of that locker room and onto the court, they have a clear idea on how we’re going to win. Our guys Whether they are a guard, forward or center, everyone is expected to be able to crash the boards and make a rebound. The Cougars are in the top 50 for offensive rebounds and the top 15 in defensive rebounds. | Ahmed Gul/The Cougar understand what our culture is. People think it’s just a word, but it’s not, it’s our DNA." coaches and senior leadership. players and keep them on their we prepare, and it’s what we The players push themselves Senior Galen Robinson Jr. said defensive assignments. demand out of our kids on a in practice10-11760 and areCougar constantly earlier this 1season that11:00 he tries "The way we play is who we daily basis," Sampson said. News February_print.pdf 2/1/19 AM improving with the help of the his best to help guide the other are, it’s how we practice, how Houston is in the top 50

teams with an average of over 12 offensive rebounds per game, which has helped immensely in close games. The Cougars' rebounding on the defensive side is even more potent. The Cougars are in the top 15 in defensive rebounds with 29 per game. All that combined has put the Cougars at No. 11 in rebounding margin and the best margin of the teams in the American Athletic Conference. "We pride ourselves on defense and rebounding, so when we get stops it elevates our entire team," said junior guard Armoni Brooks. After the defense gets a stop, the offense can then go to work. The Cougars' offense has averaged 75.6 points per game while holding opponents to just 60.8 a game. While no single shooter has

REBOUNDING AND DEFENSE

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10 | Wednesday, February 13, 2019

SPORTS ANDRES CHIO, EDITOR

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SOFTBALL

Catcher looking to improve offense after whirlwind junior year ANDRES CHIO

SPORTS EDITOR @CHIOANDRES

In 2018, the UH softball team returned to regionals. The team has spent the last few years rebuilding under head coach Kristin Vesely. The team's pitchers were given a lot of credit for the team's success and their combined ERA of 1.92 was one of the best of any pitching rotation in the conference. But Vesely said that there was one player not getting enough credit or attention from media and pundits, senior catcher Brooke Vannoy. When a coach had to leave the team for almost two months, it was Vannoy who stepped up, took on an unfamiliar role and helped the team rise to the upper echelon of the American Athletic Conference.

Learning

Senior catcher Brooke Vannoy has been the starter for most of her career and was just one of six Cougars to play in all 59 games last season | Ahmed Gul/The Cougar

For seven weeks of the fourth month season, the team was without pitching coach Megan Gibson-Loftin, who went on maternity leave. Her leave of absence was known ahead of time and the team was able to rally together to come up with a solution. Then, Vannoy took over a lot of the Gibon-Loftin's field duties when it came to calling pitches. Vannoy was in charge of reading pitches and thinking on the fly to keep the pitchers in their comfort zones and picking the right pitch for the right time. ""She's very smart with learning different parts of the

game, always asking questions and soaking in everything she can," Gibson-Loftin said. "Just zoning in and taking control of the bullpen and taking care of our pitchers." Though it was challenging, it was a huge learning experience. Vesely even said that Vannoy should be able to put two months of coaching experience on her resume. Vannoy was responsible for reading scouting reports, putting together pitching patterns that would help her team beat opposing hitters and other duties.

REBOUNDING AND DEFENSE

Continued from page 9

had insane shooting numbers night in and night out, almost any player can step up and go into the double digits when the team needs them. 10 different players have had double digit scoring

"That was honestly, probably my favorite part of last year," Vannoy said. "I felt really involved and it was fun putting patterns together. But, I learned a lot from (Gibson-Loftin) before she left, so it wasn't too hard to get used to."

Getting back into it The team is still getting used to training and Vesely said the team is not quite in full game shape yet, but it is all starting to come together. This weekend at the Houston Invitational, the Cougars were finally able to return to action

after the long offseason, but Vannoy was greeted by an unfamiliar feeling. "It was odd actually, because I was actually pretty nervous, which is a weird feeling because this is my fourth year and I didn't really think I would be nervous," Vannoy said. The senior started her career as a freshman with a .267 batting averaged, but that average has gone down over her last three seasons, a trend she is focused on reversing. "Last year, I struggled a bit more offensively and not defensively. I think I've got the

worship DIRECTORY

defensive part pretty sound so I'm focusing on being calm in the box and putting the barrel on the ball," Vannoy said. The fact that it is her final season wearing the red and white for UH is not lost on Vannoy, who thought that her nervousness could be tied into that. "I'm also taking advantage of my last year cause i'm never going to be able to go on the field again. So just having fun with it and being relaxed. Seems to be working out alright," Vannoy said. sports@thedailycougar.com

performances and three have 1-for-3 and 33 percent accuracy, had 20-plus points games. which looks bad without Even when the shots are not context. CATHOLIC MASS ON CAMPUS going in, Sampson said if the "If you make the first one, SUNDAYS: 10:45 AM - Religion Center shots are good choices, then he everyone says you’re a good 6:00 PM - Catholic Center WEEKDAYS: is OK with it. offensive team, if you miss the Tuesday—Friday 12:00 Noon CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER Just because a shot does not second,WORSHIP you’re a bad offensive SUNDAY SERVICE Confession: Before or After Masses Office # (713) 748-2529 go in does not mean that it was team, but if you get the third First Service: 7:15 am not the right idea to take the one andService: put it in,9:00 you’re Second am a Third Service: 11:00 amteam," shot. really good rebounding Fourth Service: 1:00 pm "That’s not something I’m Sampson said. School: have 9:00had am flashes concerned about because we are Sunday The Cougars WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY so good at offensive rebounding. of the first two, but the third is A lot of possessions we get two what defined 12has noon & 7:00 them. pm or three shots," Sampson said. There are seven games left in Sunday Bible Class A team can miss a shot, get a the regular season and just three rebound, miss another chance home games remaining. and snag the rebound before Houston has two games finally making the basket on the on the road this week before third try. coming back home to play IFwas YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN WORSHIP , nine blocks in its win against Cincinnati. UC head coach Mick In those situations, it against USF Feb. 23. No.D 9 IRECTORY Houston had ONTACT A SALES REPRESENTATIVE AT 713-743-5356 C Cronin said that was the key difference in the games. | Ahmed Gul/The Cougar still a scoring possession, even sports@thedailycougar.com though the stat line reads

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | 11

JORDEN SMITH, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION

OPINION@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5304

SGA ELECTION

The new SGA voting system changes the process for the better EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

SPORTS EDITOR

Jasmine Davis

Andres Chio

MANAGING EDITOR

LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Cristobella Durrette

Emily Hubbard PHOTO EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Corbin Ayres

CAMPUS EDITOR

Jorden Smith

Fiona Legesse Alyssa Letts

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JORDEN SMITH

OPINION EDITOR

s you know at this point, the Student Government Association election is fast approaching. Starting Thursday Feb. 21, students will be able to vote on who will represent them in the 56th SGA Administration. If you’re wondering why you should care, we answered that question last week. Here’s a simple rundown: SGA helps students and affects student fees, and you want someone to represent you well. In April 2018, SGA passed a new election code that made a few changes to the way the election occurs. This year, voting will begin Thursday at midnight and run through Wednesday Feb. 27 until 11:59 p.m. Physical campaigning will also be prohibited Sunday, so if you’re on campus that day, you’re in luck. This year, voting will look a little different than it has in the past. Previously, the election has employed the first past the post voting system. The changes being made to the process will make voting simpler and faster. It’s a good and necessary change to the system for a more fair and streamlined election process, and a lot of reasons help you, the voter.

A ranked process Rank choice voting is a lot better than the first past the post system that’s been employed in previous elections. In a first past the post system, whoever receives the most votes in a single-seat election wins. In an election where multiple seats are up for grabs, the candidates with the most votes win. For example, if there are three seats up for grabs, the top three candidates who receive the most votes win. It’s a pretty simple system, but it also contains a lot of inherent flaws in an election this small. Rank choice voting is a slightly different system that can seem more confusing because it’s not entirely straightforward since there are rounds and your other choices matter just as much as your first choice. It’s not too difficult of a process from the

SGA VOTING

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The process relies on voters knowing and understanding all the candidates running in the election. Rank choice voting allows for voters to have a larger impact on the election if their first choice vote gets eliminated. Voters in the SGA election will have a choice between Allison Lawrence, Claude Johnson and Moiz Syed. | Fiona Legesse/The Cougar

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12 | Wednesday, February 13, 2019

OPINION JORDEN SMITH, EDITOR

SGA VOTING

Continued from previous page perspective of a voter, though. All the voter has to do is rank their choices in order of preference. It’s that simple and possibly makes voting a little more interesting. In an election with one seat up for grabs, like the SGA presidential race, the first candidate to get more than 50 percent of the vote wins. In elections with multiple seats up for grabs, the candidates that pass the threshold win. Threshold is pretty simple. All you have to do is divide 100 percent by the number of candidates. For example, if there are four candidates, the threshold is 25 percent. If there are three candidates, the threshold is roughly 33 percent. Let’s use a one-seat election as an example. If after the initial results come in no candidate has received 50 percent of the vote, then the candidate with the smallest percentage of votes is eliminated. This is where ranking comes in.

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 13, 2019

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If someone ranked the eliminated candidate as their top choice, then their vote is given to the candidate who is their second choice. This continues until one candidate receives 50 percent of the vote. The process is similar for multiple-seat races. The only difference occurs when one candidate meets the threshold before all the seats have been filled. That candidate’s voter’s second-choice votes are then taken into account. The process continues until all seats are filled.

No runoffs Runoff elections are the worst. They’re the worst for those campaigning and for anyone who has to walk through Butler Plaza or anywhere else campaigning is happening. In the times I have helped with an SGA election, if there was a runoff, people would always ask, “Didn’t I vote in this already?” And they’re right, they already voted in the SGA election, but now there’s another vote and even fewer people are inclined to participate. In last year’s

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Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 13, 2019

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PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

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“Relatively Speaking” by Zhouqin Burnikel