Cooglife Involvement 2023 by UH Center for Student Media

Issue 59 // January 2023 Involvement Issue

COOGLIFE // January 2023

January 2023 4

Getting to Know UH's Men's Basketball

UH Themed Instagram Accounts

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12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23

How to Use Get Involved

A Safe Haven: Joining Coog Radio

Nothing About Us Without Us: A Club With a Cause A Little Bit About Bauer The Squirrel Society

An Introduction to Bike Life A Little Bit About CSI

Ways to Make Friends at UH...Without GetInvolved!

EDITORIAL

WRITERS

Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez cooglife@thedailycougar.com

Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez Atirikta Kumar Jennifer Phan Brittney Dzu Rachel E. Coleman Tajj White Sakeenah Raji Maria Godinez

COVER Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez

Creating Community at the Campus Recreation Center

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SOCIALS cooglife @cooglife@cooglife

137 nations. With such a unique assortment of different people, it’s only natural that there would be over 400 registered organizations for students to choose from.

Greetings, bienvenidos. Hey, you. Yes, YOU. Welcome to UH, new kid! And welcome back to the rest of you returning Coogs.

Getting involved in a student organization can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t made friends with whom to try new things. One of the easiest ways to make friends is by joining an org with like-minded people. But how does one go about doing something like this? This edition of Cooglife is here to help.

As of 2022, the University of Houston is the second most diverse research university in the nation, boasting students from

There really is something for everyone. You could join an org that would benefit your future career, providing opportunities for networking, internships and experience. If you’re craving fun, you could join something relevant to your hobbies. If you can fathom it, there’s a good chance UH has it.

The point of college is to come in and get your degree. However, it would be a real shame if that was all you left with. During my undergrad, the org I joined introduced me to the best friends you could dream of, the people I hope to have in my wedding party one day. Additionally, the hands-on experience related to my major guided me to my first two internships, and the connections I made helped me land jobs in my field. Looking back, I can’t remember half of what I learned in class. But I can remember all of what I learned on the job, alongside my friends.

This magazine is by no means the end-all for student orgs, we don’t have enough pages (or manpower) to make that happen. But it does offer you a small taste of what this campus has to offer. Inside, you’ll find a story about a club dedicated to making theater more inclusive, a rundown of Bauer’s gems, a crash course on ‘bike life’- and much more. Leaf through the magazine, maybe you’ll find an org you like, or perhaps you’ll be inspired to go look for one. Attend the tabling events at the start of the semester, even if it’s initially just for the freebies. Who knows, you might end up falling in love and joining something new.

Thanks for reading! Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez

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Getting to Know UH Men's Basketball By Jennifer Phan @chubbyturtles

stablished in 1945, the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team has come a long way. They have recently been ranked as #1 in the Associated Press and #2 in the country. Needless to say, the men’s basketball team has a track record of success. The team boasts an incredible 108-53 regular season conference record going into the 2022-2023 season and has finished at least third since the 2014-2015 season. With games attracting hundreds and thousands of the most spirited students, alums and even public figures, it is no wonder they are known as UH’s Powerhouse.

Photo courtesy of UH Men’s Basketball college basketball players in America. The University is a member of the American Athletic Conference and has made 6 appearances in the NCAA D1 Final Four.

Tournament MVPs from the University include Ron Brewer, Mike Schultz, Rob Williams, Alvin Robertson, Micheal Young, Akeem Olajuwon, Todd Day, Dexter Cambridge, Lance Hughes, Chris Roberts, Kelvin Lewis, Gary Clark, Jarron Cumberland, Quinton Grimes, and Fabian White Jr. All of these players have been drafted into the NBA and are either current or former NBA players.

Tickets to watch the game can be Kelvin Sampson-coached Cougars found at https://uh.evenue.net have become some of the best under Houston Cougars Athletics.

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UH Students get in for free and children two and under do NOT require a ticket for admission.

You can find a calendar of events online, but in case you can't, the boys will be playing on campus at the Fertita Center on these dates: January 28 ....... Vs. Cincinatti February 8 .............. Vs. Tulsa February 19 ...... Vs. Memphis February 22 ......... Vs. Tulane March 2 ..... Vs. Wichita State After these games, as the team advances keep up with sports coverage on The Cougar's Sports section twitter @ thecougarsports. Don't forget to wear red to games and as always, GO COOGS!

Creating Community at the Campus Recreation Center: Finding gains , and friends at the gym By Britney Dzu @britnxyy_

n the corner of University Drive and MLK Boulevard, the university’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) serves as a community center for students and employees. Equipped with a 53-foot climbing wall, multiple courts for different sports and a 24,000-square-foot fitness zone, the CRWC allows people to come to participate in their activity of choice. Thousands of people stop by the rec on a daily basis. There can be hundreds of people in the building at any time. Among those patrons are regulars who come on a weekly basis to practice their sport, exercise or socialize with friends.

Toluwalase Adedipe plays basketball at least once a week on the courts here. He can be found joining in on a pick-up game with strangers. Being a regular on the rec’s courts, seeing the same

Photo by Britney Dzu

faces, quickly turns strangers into acquaintances. Although not his best friends, he says, there is a mutual understanding and a sort of friendship that forms. “Playing on a team with someone you’ve never met before you have no choice but to like get to know them while you play,” Tolu said “You guys have common respect for each other because of the game.”

Mohamed Mohamed is a regular at the climbing wall. Whenever he’s not working, he climbs about three times a week there. When asked about his experience at the climbing wall, he says that it is a place where he can socialize with other climbers often. He’s even made friendships that go beyond the wall. “It feels like home with all the regulars around,” Mohamed said.

Saloni Mistry is a self-described gym rat. Working out six times a week at the Rec, she knows pretty much every regular on the fitness floor. She describes the community there as supportive.

“We all hype each other up and genuinely want each other to succeed both in fitness and life,” Saloni said. Being a regular and getting to meet other people with similar interests, Saloni has made friends through working out at the Rec. “Coming to the [Rec] definitely makes my day 100 [times] better. [The Rec] is more than a community, it’s a family!”

Community is created by the people we meet. Strangers turned into friends in a comforting space that feels like home, the Rec is that place for many.

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Scan to visit website!

By Atirikta Kumar @atiriktawrites

hen the pandemic began in 2020, Zoom and Teams meetings became the norm for work, class and socialization. Although we are slowly returning to in-person events, connecting with peers is still difficult. The sterile, professional online atmosphere makes it difficult to connect with peers. However, there has been a rise in unofficial Instagram pages that have been popping up since the start of the pandemic. Fandom accounts like @uhharries or @uhswifties and UH-specific accounts such as @uhconfessions and @uhmissedconnections, are just a few examples of pages that started off on Instagram but have led to ca sense of belonging among students.

Photo by Atirikta Kumar

To say Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are popular would be an understatement. Their fans are among the coogs on campus, and theywere quick to follow @ uhharries and @uhswifties when the accounts were first started in 2021. “I have seen firsthand how something as simple as sharing the love for the same artist can spark conversations that lead to friendships on campus,” said biology sophomore Noura AbuShami, who started @uhharries last year.

In addition to the Instagram pages, these fandoms also have GroupMe’s where members interact frequently. Although these aren’t official clubs, they have held get-togethers for members to meet and hang out.

“I started this account as a freshman, not knowing many people on campus yet and have gotten to meet a diverse selection of different students and organization leaders,” said Abu-Shami.

While the start and end of a semester can feel like a whirlwind, the middle comes with exams, assignments and stress. @uhaffirmations provides hilarious yet positive statements that are intended to help students at UH. “UH affirmations provides a sense of community,” said geology junior Bailey Hodakevic. “Most of their posts will pop up in my feed because everyone reposts and likes them.” COOGLIFE // January 2023

How to use

GET INVOLVED: A Complete Guide By Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez @cynthia_zelaya_

oining a club in college can

seem like a big, scary ordeal. You don’t know anyone, some of the activities you’re interested in are intimidating and you don’t even know where your first class is. On top of that, people keep trying to get you to sign up for their orgs using something called “Get Involved.” What even is that? What’s a PeopleSoft? I have a Microsoft356 email? Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

What is it?

Get Involved is the portal you will use to register for student orgs all throughout your college career. You can access it by scrolling down on the access. uh homepage, get familiar with this page. You’ll use it to enroll in classes, pay tuition, access assignments and (eventually) apply for graduation. Scroll until you reach the Get Involved icon. After you’ve clicked on the Get Involved Icon, you’ll need to sign in… again. In order to sign in, you need to 8

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use your Microsoft 365 email account. Don’t worry, you already have one. It should be your CougernetID@cougarnet. uh.edu. Next, you’re going to use your Cougarnet password, the same one you use to log in at the library. Directly underneath are tabs for getting involved, attending events, and tracking your applications.

I have to apply to clubs?

Yes, you have to apply to any club or organization you want to join. If you scroll further down, you’ll see the page also features upcoming events, popular organizations, and news.

If you clicked on Get Involved with no idea on what you want to get involved with, the best place to start is the “Find Organizations” tab. All of the registered organizations will be listed in alphabetical order. It can be overwhelming.

If this is the case, you can scroll through the tabs under ‘Search Categories” on the upper lefthand corner.

Then what?

Once you find something you like, click the ‘Join” tab in the upper right-hand corner. Some will just accept you as is. Others will have an application process. Soon, your pending applications will switch to accepted, and you’ll be well on your way to a more fulfilling college experience.

College is made up of a lot of things, and can get pretty hectic, but remember that doing things like joining clubs can make your time here more memorable and fun.

For more information about GetInvolved go to: https://www.uh.edu/ getinvolved/

A Safe Haven Joining Coog Radio and how it can help By Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez @cynthia_zelaya_

ou can’t get a job in media without real industry experience. You can’t get real industry experience without an internship. And in this day and age, you can’t even get an internship without prior experience. What’s next? 20 years of experience to get a summer job flipping burgers at 16? At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised…

Growing up, some of the most popular dream jobs were in the media. Writer, actor, director, musician. A mixture of maturity and reality steers most people clear of such dreams by the time it comes to applying to college. But not everyone.

Photo by Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez

Studying media at UH At UH, those interested in pursuing a career in media have a plethora of options to choose from. The Valenti School of Communication, Moore’s School of Music and the School of Theater and Dance all offer students the training they need to pursue a career in media. Naturally, UH boasts multiple clubs and organizations relating to your major. All of these colleges have their own associate clubs and programs to help students gain experience and connections. On top of that, many independent student orgs serve a similar purpose.

One such org is Coog Radio, located within the Center for Student Media, which also houses the likes of Coog TV, the Cougar and yours truly, Cooglife.

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Enter Coog Radio UH doesn’t have a radio degree, the closest you can get is media production. However, those wanting a career in radio are not the only ones who benefit from the station. People interested in business, journalism, engineering, marketing and more all find something of value. Two such people are Kaylee Paz and Victor Javier Vazquez.

Kaylee

Kaylee Paz is a Graduate Student of Mass Communication. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas and uprooted her whole life in Austin to study at UH. At UT, she’d been a part of multiple orgs with a focus on writing. She knew her future lay in reporting. So upon something to UH, she immediately applied to write for the Cougar and Coog Radio. Coog Radio got back to her in a jiffy.

a radio show, podcasting, mixing or anything in between.

“I think what helps that friendly vibe is the fact that like we're all here for one purpose; we all love music.,” explained Paz “So it's easy for us to talk. We might like different music, but that's the thing you exchange what music you like. It's just like a great community that likes to grow. Basically, like grow as a person and grow your music taste.”

Coog Radio can benefit any media

major looking to get some bylines to their name, build a reel using podcasts or a radio show, learn how to operate sound equipment, play music or network with local artists. However, Paz believes that Coog Radio has something to offer all students regardless of their degree plan. "It's very inclusive here. Here at Coog Radio, the people I've met are very different. Some people do computer science, engineering, communication."

“Coog Radio was the first one who accepted me, and I'm still with them to this day,” said Paz. Once I'm a part of an organization that accepts me and I accept them, I'm gonna stay with them.”

Today, Paz serves as the Web Director, the editor-in-chief of the radio station’s online publication who also doubles in marketing and press relations in addition to her daily tasks. Regardless of your level of experience, Coog Radio’s friendly members will help newcomers succeed in whatever they hope to accomplish, be it writing, hosting 10 COOGLIFE // January 2023

Photo by Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez

When asked about what majors would benefit the most from Coog Radio, Paz’s list was long. Journalism and media production were obvious answers. But business, accounting, engineering, computer science, marketing and public relations majors would directly benefit too. Any major can turn Coog Radio content into an asset to their resume by utilizing press credentials to cover things in their field or creating a podcast on relevant topics.

about joining Coog Radio, he encourages them to relax and come as you are.

“Be open to all different ideas. Don't be scared to voice out what you feel is close to your heart as far as music genre and music. Take it, I feel, you're entitled to your own opinion, and this is like a safe haven for you.”

Coog Radio streams online every day, and has their own website dedicated to everything music including live music shows they review and occasionally put on. To find out what they're up to head to: https://coogradio.com/

Victor

One such non-communication major is Victor Javier Vazquez. Vazquez is studying computer information systems. He didn’t have too many friends as a freshman. This changed after attending his first Coog Radio general meeting. He made friends who taught him how to work turntables and encouraged him to get into DJing. Additionally, he hosts his own radio show. “My radio show is called The Industry,” said Vasquez “It encapsulates certain genres of rap music. So like old school and new school. I talk about different news that's going on in the hiphop and rap industry. Then I put in some songs that I just like to listen to that fit that criteria.” His guests aren’t limited to artists, as he also invites podcasters, designers and music fans to give their take on the industry.

When asked about any advice he would give to someone curious

Photo by Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez COOGLIFE // January 2023

By Rachel E. Coleman @rachel_elizacole

he University of Houston has over 500 resgistered student organizations, but none of them stuck out to me quite like “Nothing About Us Without Us” (US). US is an organization

devoted to disability inclusion on campus and recipient of the 2021 best new organization award by the University of Houston.

The Mission

Nothing About Us Without Us is open to all majors and interests, but has most recently been focusing on arts related events and Fall 2023-2024 causes. Last spring, they hosted their first ever “Ableism is a Drag” show, hosted by disabled drag queens from across the FEATURES state in honor STEPS TO CAMPUS of Autism DOWNTOWN VIEWS GATED COMMUNITY Acceptance/ V IS FULLY FURNISHED ITE IT O UR WEBS Awareness PARKING GARAGE PET FRIENDLY month. The PRIVATE BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS show was FREE WIFI 24/7 FITNESS CENTER not only an GAMEROOM PACKAGE LOCKERS amazing opportunity for WWW.HAVENATELGIN.COM | IG: HAVENATELGIN performers,

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but for students as well, allowing them to see themselves lifted up and respectfully represented. This is a type of representation rarely afforded to those with disabilities. Nothing About Us Without Us also started an initiative for sensory friendly performances within the School of Theatre and Dance here at UH. Since 2021, most main stage productions put up by the SoTD have had a sensory friendly performance hosted by US. Sensory friendly performances are shows that subdue technical elements to help prevent overstimulation, present content warnings, provide tools and space for neurodivergent patrons to stim and if any other accessibility aids are requested by audience members US members will make that happen. These shows have changed the way theater can be enjoyed, and opened opportunities for a whole new audience. Theater should not be something only enjoyed by the able-bodied and neurotypical, and Nothing About Us Without Us is making that change for UH students.

Nothing About Us Without Us also started an initiative for sensory friendly performances within the School of Theatre and Dance here at UH. Since 2021, most main stage productions put up by the SoTD have had a sensory friendly performance hosted by US. Sensory friendly performances are shows that subdue technical elements to help prevent overstimulation, present content warnings, provide tools and space for neurodivergent patrons to stim and if any other accessibility aids are requested by audience members US members will make that happen.

and opened opportunities for a new audience. Theater should be accessible and US is making that change for UH students.

How to get Involved

US was founded with the goal to include. Inclusion of people with disabilities, chronic illness, and neurodivergent individuals should never be an afterthought, and Nothing About Us Without Us is making that happen. You can keep up with US on GetInvolved or instagram, @nothingaboutuswithoutus.

These shows have changed the way theater is enjoyed

Photo by Helayna Barber COOGLIFE // January 2023

UH’s Business School and a central part of campus By Britney Dzu @britnxyy_

H’s C.T. Bauer College of Business is a school with a mission; “Offer leading-edge, student-centered education that is accessible and affordable, founded on research and grounded in the real world.” With seven areas of focus for your bachelor’s of business administration, Bauer is highly ranked for its academic programs. Additionally, Bauer students are provided with opportunities to get involved in student organizations.

Three notable programs offered at Bauer are the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, Bauer’s Program for Excellence in Selling and the Bauer Business Honors Program. Here is a quick rundown of of the programs they can offer you as a business student. They can only help if you seek them out, but with some work you can use these organizations to your advantage to enchance your time here at UH. 14 COOGLIFE // January 2023

Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Ranked the number one undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the nation for the fourth consecutive year according to the Princeton Review, the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship (WCE) is one of Bauer’s best programs. Within Wolff, students can pursue their BBA in entrepreneurship, a program that only accepts 30-40 students each year. Or, they could earn certificates in corporate, social or technology entrepreneurship. Additionally, WCE provides programs that help students’ start-ups and small businesses by providing resources or networking opportunities. One shining example is Wolffest. Wolffest is one of the most popular events on campus every spring where students from the WCE operate food stands in

teams. They apply their business education, learning from this experience for their capstone project while similtaneously raising money for scholarships and other various WCE programs.

Program for Excellence in Selling

Bauer’s Program for Excellence in Selling (PES) is another program aimed at providing opportunities for students to expand their business education. Also known as the Stephan Stagner Sales Excellence Institute, students are handson in their live sales training to reach a quota to earn their minor in sales. As a result, 98% of PES students find jobs upon graduation.

PES provides $250k in scholarships thanks to their 30plus corporate partners.

Students learn and apply leadership, management, technology, communication, career development and customer experience skills in this program.

Bauer Business Honors Programv

The Bauer Business Honors Program is an exclusive program for business students that provides them with an education that combines liberal arts with business. With activities that encourage community, such as socials like game nights or cram sessions, Bauer Honors also requires all freshman students to participate in their mentorship program. In addition to community programs and events, Bauer Honors provides career professional networking events exclusive to its students. With personalized academic services, undergraduate research opportunities and academic and professional development workshops, Bauer Honors is a program that provides students ample opportunity to get more out of their Bauer education.

just a few, popular student orgs include Management Information Systems Student Organization (MISSO), Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA), and Asian Business Student Association (ABSA), where each org provides networking opportunities, community service opportunities and events to further develop students’ professional skills. If entrepreneurship, sales or the honors program isn’t your thing, every semester Bauer hosts a career fair exclusive for its students where dozens of companies come and recruit or promote internships and full-time jobs. This spring 2023 career fair will be on Febuary 17 at the Hilton on campus from noon to 4 pm. The event is open to all Bauer students and companies will be looking for all business majors. It’s safe

to say there is no shortage of opportunities at Bauer.

Bauer is highly rated for its programs that allow students to strive for success. This is only the surface of what Bauer has to offer. There are many more ways for students to get involved at Bauer, there is something for everyone and opportunities everywhere.

Bauer has a variety of programs that can appeal to a many walks of life, to find out more about what events are happening this week and the rest of this semester find them at https://www.bauer.uh.edu/ news/

Bauer student organizations and more

Bauer’s various student organizations are another great way to get involved and find opportunities. Whether students are looking for a major-focused organization to join or an organization where students share a similar cultural background, Bauer’s 23 undergraduate student orgs have something for everyone. To name

Photo by Britney Dzu COOGLIFE // January 2023

The Squirrel Society How an organization formed to protect and celebrate our smaller furry friends around campus

Photo Courtesy of The Squirrel Society

issing a bus at a commuter school like UH is not a first (or last) time occurrence. In 2020, when then-freshman public policy senior Sameer Abdulmajeed missed his bus, it led to the start of the infamous Squirrel Society.

In the beginning

lovers to talk and gather, they also have formal meetings. In the last couple of semesters, they’ve held events such as squirrel feeding groups, squirrel-themed movie nights, a thanksgiving party, a squirrel arts and crafts social and a winter ornament

Writer: Atirikta Kumar @atiriktawrites

decoration event.

The Org

“This organization has given squirrel lovers a place to gather and have fun appreciating the squirrels together,” Abdulmajeed

“One day, I missed my bus. So I was just hanging out near the library, waiting, when I saw multiple people feeding squirrels,” he said. “So, I went up to them and joked about starting a squirrel club. They thought it was a good idea, so I ended up making GroupMe called ‘UH Squirrel Club.’”

Within the first few days, the unofficial club GroupMe gained hundreds of members. Now having over 550 members, it’s a registered organization. While its a place for squirrel

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Photo Courtesy of The Squirrel Society

All events are paid for by the officer board themselves, the board considered having fees, but decided against it. Modeling this organization to be a place where the squirrel loves on campus and gets to talk and interact was more important than focusing on money. “College is stressful, so I think that clubs like ours really help students to have a bit of fun in between exams and assignments,” said recent graduate Justine Samaroo.

The Naysayers

While the organization is a place for squirrel lovers, some people have argued against the club, saying that it’s making them dependent on humans for food. Samaroo, who served as the club’s vice president, disagrees.

“This is incorrect because people

have been feeding the campus squirrels for decades. There are so many people on campus who have never even heard of The Squirrel Society and still feed them regularly. People love the squirrels, so it’s inevitable that they will want to feed them.” said Samaroo.

The Main Goal

The main goal of the Squirrel Society has been to foster a squirrel-loving community and promote healthy ways to feed squirrels.

“Our goal is to spread awareness of the safest and healthiest way to feed squirrels, so I think we have had some impact on the squirrel’s health as well,” said Abdulmajeed.

What started out as a missed bus turned into an organization that has created a space for squirrel lovers on campus and fostered a community among peers at the

university.

“I would say as much as it’s a squirrel lovers club,” said HELPS program PhD student Chelsea Martinez. “It’s also a safe space for students to share concerns and thoughts, to just have a space to have a voice.” It's organizations like these that can lead to life long friendships outside of the usual four years people spend at the university. Although it isn't a class, it forms a vital part of the college experience. Try to find time even as a commuter to find in moments of fun, and join the squirrel society, or even just take a couple of minutes out of a busy schedule to sit and watch them. College squirrels are unlike squirrels anywhere else, especially at UH!

Photo Courtesy of The Squirrel Society COOGLIFE // January 2023

An Introduction to Bike Life Photos by Tajj White

By Tajj White @royal.tajj

ne unconventional way to inspire UH students to get involved is with the Houston bike crews.

What’s a bike crew?

Houston bike crews are organized groups outside of UH, but still a part of Houston. All you have to do is look under the surface to see what a positive impact this community has. From taking children off the streets to bringing families together, this camaraderie will have an impact on you. The bike life gives you an opportunity to create your own crew and ride anytime. I myself,

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being new to Houston, was lucky enough to meet a member of the Luminous Bike Crawlers (a local bike crew)outside of the Wingstop across UH. Isaiah saw me come in on my bike. Just before I left, he invited me to join him and some other crews for a ride. He explained to me how they would ride throughout the city of Houston for up to 20+ miles. I’m a fan of cardio so at that moment, I knew it would be an amazing experience.

Joining the scene

Two years ago, during the summer of 2020, Isaiah Trevino, A.K.A. trill713, was introduced to the idea of cruising down the

streets of Houston on bikes by his cousin and has been in love ever since. Trevino knew his calling ever since he was a kid, always wanting to ride bikes with his friends. His friends eventually gave up riding bikes as kids, but for Trevino it became a part of his life. “Bike life to me means to pick up a bike and just ride with the community/friends that we make throughout this journey of life,” Trevino said. Already welcoming UH to start their own crew, it’s definitely an experience UH students won’t want to miss.

“Anyone is welcome to start their own crew, it’s all about coming up with a crew name and sticking to a schedule when riding with the crew, making themselves known to others by joining side by side on a ride.”

There are so many benefits to the bike life. Bike riding inspires kids and adults to come out and ride, building community connections. Whether it’s during the day or night, everyone is in for a good time.

Trevino believes that part of the success of bike crews is in their effort to have positive vibes no matter what. Making sure the rides are successful; everyone riding safely and making sure everyone gets to the destination and back to the starting point is the most important part of bike riding. Although every ride is different, everyone usually has a good time. “Every ride is different," Trevino explained. “Sometimes the bike crews have birthday rides for the kids and do donation rides for the ones in need. During the Christmas season, they all get together and donate toys for children in need, with cancer and other disabilities”. With bike crews being family-oriented, they help families make memories and enjoy bonding time, even if they have to drag the kiddos out.

Where to start

There are several different crews and different types of rides throughout the day and night. Even the children enjoy a good bike ride. Just don’t forget to bring them back when the street lights come on. That is unless it’s a night ride, some nights they’re allowed to stick around and enjoy the luminous lights on the bikes and around the city. Otherwise, it would just be the adults having a good time. Regardless of background, anyone with a bike is welcome to ride with a bike crew. Just remember two things; stay safe and have fun. The bike life is an amazing experience for anyone to have, especially the students of UH.

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By Sakeenah Raji @ sakeenahr

ave you ever wondered how you could know about all the cool organizations and events on campus? Well, the Cougar Involvement Ambassadors (CIA) know all of that even before the events happen or just as the organization is registering! These amazing people work at the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), which is located in the quieter, less popular, but equally important student center; Student Center North, Room 103. The Center for Student Involvement has amazing staff that work with every registered student organization (RSOs) on campus. They use the Cougar Involvement Ambassadors to create an inclusive, accessible environment with involvement opportunities that impact student success. Positions in this org are open to all UH students. And is a great way to get more involved in 20 COOGLIFE // January 2023

getting fellow coogs involved on campus. CSI adminsters an array of services which include (but are not limited to) providing

services for RSOs, connecting students with opportunities to get involved on campus through one-on-one involvement consultations

tailored to your interests and immensely supporting many UH sponsored organizations on campus. If you are part of an organization, CSI provides currently 106 carrel spaces to use as a home office to work out of, instead of fighting for space around campus. These spaces are reserved for your organization to brainstorm, meet up and create! Basically, if you want to get involved and better know what UH has to offer, CSI is the place to go!

They hold many events around campus, such as Frontier Fiesta and Homecoming. They also do Weeks of Welcome events in the beginning of the semester, so keep an eye out

for that schedule this upcoming August. Another example of what CSI organizes around campus is InfraRED. InfraRED is a late-night programming series that has free activities, food and prizes with an exclusive t-shirt available to those in attendance. The CIA (Cougar Involvement Ambassadors) also hold involvement blasts, catered for student organizations such as CCA, ASU, MSA and many others. These blasts help students to know about different organizations through tabling events. It has themes based on some months of the year such as black history in february, so each

organization represented is specific to that month! From InfraRED to helping coordinate the Winter Wonderland held by the Student Program Board, CSI participates in various amazing traditions Coogs have grown to love. I would recommend working in the CIA as a student. Not only is it great for your resume, but it also teaches strong leadership and marketing skills. As well as brings you amazing connections with other organizations and colleagues alike. Oh, and you get paid! In a nutshell, GET INVOLVED today!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

COOGLIFE // January 2023

Ways to Make friends at UH… Without GetInvolved

By Maria Godinez @gjmaria

Photo by Antonino Visalli

you have a trusted community that you can rely on in times of worry and stress, and it offers you a support system to rely on without having to face hard times alone.

It’s important to make friends and find a community as a college student because you could find lifelong friends that can help you grow - not just academically but also physically and mentally. It can help relieve stress, as

Going to the rec is one way to make friends. You can get a good workout in, while also actively seeking out help from your peers. It can be intimidating at first, but the gym can be a place of community and involvement. Plus, everybody is there to be better. The price of the rec is included in your tuition so

hese pages are for commuters who can’t fully commit to an organization due to their busy schedule and for those who are new to campus and don’t know where to find a community for their new journey as a Coog. It's possible to find community at UH, even if you don't go the traditional route with formal orgs.

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Join the gym!

your're already paying for it might as well take advantage of it!

Make a study group

As nerdy as it sounds, making a study group will not only benefit your academics but help you get to know your classmates better. Many of your classmates are completing the same degree as you and you may be seeing them countless times throughout the semesters, so might as well start building those connections with those you see on a daily basis. It will make it easier when class gets hard to have that group.

…

Start therapy Part of the tuition we pay is for services such as counseling. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offered to every Coog and the first visit is free! CAPS offers mental health services such as individual and group counseling. They also offer support groups for people going through specific things in their life, They offer clinical training and a 24/7 crisis line at 713-7435454 that can be called at any time. Although therapy isn’t popular, it can help you connect to a group of people facing similar struggles as yourself. It can also help you understand yourself and others by being vulnerable and talking about the dark things that have affected your mental well-being. 4. Get out of your comfort zone

It's easier said than done. Getting outside of your comfort zone can help expose yourself to environments and people with which you are not typically used to interacting. Don’t limit yourself to the activities you want to do, but keep an open mind to the routines you have set for yourself and the people you usually socialize with.

Find a mentor

Feeling like you belong in a community is important as young adults, but so is being held accountable and guided in a rigorous and stressful college setting. Finding a mentor can help guide you in your academics, as well as your experiences in college. Ways to find mentors vary. You can start by asking about offices you identify with, such as the office of the Center for Student Empowerment.

You can ask if there are any mentorship programs that you can be a part of.

Ask for help

Last but not least, asking for help on a day-to-day basis can help lead you to your next experience and better network around campus. This is your journey, and you decide the course of your path. In conclusion, there are many ways you can go about making new friends. As you continue to grow as a student and as a person, consider challenging yourself by getting outside your comfort zone and committing to making meaningful connections. You choose your own college experience, make sure to make memories and enjoy the times with others before it is too late!

COOGLIFE // January 2023

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