Transitions 2008 by UH Center for Student Media

TransiTions Summer 2008

A mAgAzine

for new students

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houston

M.D. Anderson Library

pg. 24 Volume 18

The UEI accepts most vision Insurance Plans

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elcome

to The UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Best s Wishes for Succes

RENU KHATOR, PRESIDENT

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

DEAR STUDENT, Thank you for choosing the University of Houston and for joining our international Cougar family. The University of Houston has a long and proud tradition in academics, research, and service to the many communities and constituents we serve in Houston and beyond. We offer a variety of programs and opportunities to help you achieve your academic and personal goals. College life is confusing and challenging, at best. It is also fun and rewarding. This magazine, Transitions, will help you get around our campus and introduce you to many of our services and activities. I hope you find it useful in your transition to the University of Houston. Good Luck and Go Coogs,

Renu Khator, President University of Houston

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PHOTO BY MAURICIO LAZO

what’s inside More than just good books 24

Throw up your Coog signs

Students rely on the M.D. Anderson Library’s collection of more than two million volumes as a definitive source of knowledge for University projects. The library offers additional resources for student endeavors with all-night study areas, workshops, thousands of electronic texts and more.

Something for everyone Students feast their eyes and ears on symphonies, plays and other artistic delights on campus.

Get with the program 60

A greater vision 8

Can’t make heads or tails of the campus map? Check out our easyto-read UH student guide.

Learn the best ways to stay in shape at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

Word on the street 54

From great local bands to cheap movie nights, Houston has many options for the weekend.

Lost in translation? 10

The UH Welcome Center aims to keep transfer students from falling through the cracks.

Sweet spot 68

Ramen doesn’t have to be the only staple in your diet.

Transitions editor gives some tips for survival to new students at the University.

contents photos | alan garcia, mauricio lazo

TransiTions

Summer 2008 | Volume 18

Editor in chief

Ruth Rodriguez

Copy chief

Managing editor

Sarah Krusleski

Copy editors

Signe Cluiss, Mike Damante, Chris Webb

Photographers

Alan Garcia, Mauricio Lazo, Austin Miller, Pathik Shah

Kobena Arthur, Mike Damante, Audrey DeBord, Jonathan Cumby, Scott Gonzales, Jordan Ingram, Amenah Khalil, Sarah Krusleski, Shayla LaMotte, Zaneta Loh, Joshua Malone, Kristina Michel, Michael Molitoris, Melanese Philbert, Jennifer Rodriguez, Ronnie Turner

Looking for the perfect on-campus refuge? Check out some of UH’s best-kept secrets.

Parting words

Bon appétit

Writers

Campus activities and amenities create a home away from home for first-time Cougar residents.

Intimidated by the big move to UH? Students talk about finding themselves in religious, progressive and Greek campus organizations.

Student service professionals safeguard the health and grade-point averages of Cougars.

The UH Police Department urges students to call in emergencies, from bats to burglars.

All the comforts of home

The Office of International Studies guides students around the world by providing financial aid.

Here for you 65

Quote to note

Big kid’s playground 60

Head Coach Kevin Sumlin plans on making changes and taking risks to bring the football team to the nationals.

Better safe than sorry

Read all about how the University made strides from its junior college roots to become the institution it is today.

Globetrotters X marks the spot

You aren’t a Cougar until you’ve sung the Fight Song and heard the story of Shasta, the first live UH mascot.

Advertising

Caitlin Cuppernull

Alex Achivida II, Faith Akioyamen, Santhosh Arunuri, Robert Doing, Eduardo Gracia, Victoria Gbenoba, Sue Im

Production

Luis Chacón Mariah Davis Lana Flores Stan Le Jorge Robles

Cover photo

Alan Garcia

Cover design

Stan Le

Contact us Department of Student Publications 151C Communication Building University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015 (713) 743-5350 About the magazine Transitions in published by the Department of Student Publications at the University of Houston. The magazine is intended for incoming freshmen and transfer students. No portion of the magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the director of the Department of Student Publications.

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Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Journalism (Broadcast or Print Media) Media Production Media Studies Public Relations

¥ Communication Sciences and Disorders ¥ Economics ¥ English Creative Writing Linguistics Literary Studies Secondary Teacher CertiÞcation-English Arts

¥ Hispanic Studies

Spanish Secondary Teacher certiÞcation

¥ History

Secondary Teacher certiÞcation

Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Journalism Media Production Media Studies Public Relations

¥ Communication Sciences and Disorders ¥ Economics ¥ English ¥ Hispanic Studies Spanish Spanish for Business Professionals

¥ History

Latin American Studies American Cultures

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humble roots

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A history of overcoming odds has molded the University into a school with limitless vision by RONNIE TURNER

When the Houston Junior College opened its doors for the first time on June 7, 1927, there was little evidence to suggest the tiny institute would grow to become one of Texas’ major universities. The school’s inaugural body had only 230 students and eight faculty members. The Houston Junior College didn’t even have its own building, holding classes at a local church and night classes at San Jacinto High School (now the Houston Community College-Central at 1300 Holman St.). President Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer had a plan to transform this patchwork operation into a four-year institute of higher learning that would serve Houstonians who couldn’t get accepted into the prestigious Rice University or attend schools outside the city. Oberholtzer stuck with his plan and made it work. Thanks in large part to Oberholtzer’s vision, the aptly named University of Houston would eventually serve its initial purpose and so many others. UH got its foundation when the Houston Independent School District Board of Education granted a charter for the Houston Junior College on May 7, 1927. Oberholtzer, then the superintendent of HISD, was appointed as the college’s first president. Oberholtzer The school’s pushed for the college inagural body to become a four-year university and the had only 230 HISD Board of Educastudents and tion unanimously apeight faculty proved a measure Sept. members. The 11, 1933 that made Houston Junior this a reality. The new institute was named College didn’t the University of Houseven have its ton and was granted a own building, charter in 1934. Still, the new holding day university had no land classes at a lo- or buildings of its own, cal church and continuing to hold day classes at local night classes at San Jacinto churches and night classes at San Jacinto High School. High School. That all changed in 1936 when the heirs of the J.J. Settegast estate and real estate developer Ben Taub gave UH roughly 108 acres of swamp land in southeast Houston. However, they handed over the deeds with the stipulation that construction must be-

The annual Frontier Fiesta gives students a night out in an Old West town, complete with beard-growing contests and cabaret. | photo courtesy of the houstonian

gin on the land by January 1, 1938, or UH would lose the property. Oberholtzer and Vice President Walter W. Kemmerer immediately went in search of a wealthy philanthropist who could become UH’s first major benefactor and they found the perfect fit in oilman Hugh Roy Cullen. A San Antonio native, Cullen was the epitome of a philanthropist. By the time of his death of 1957, he had given away an estimated 90 percent of his wealth. Cullen made an initial gift of $260,000 to UH, which was used for the creation of the school’s liberal arts building, named the Roy G. Cullen Memorial, in honor of Hugh Roy Cullen’s late son. The elder Cullen also helped organize UH’s first major fundraising campaign and would remain one of the school’s biggest benefactors. The new campus opened in 1939 and remained under jurisdiction of the HISD Board of Education until it was privatized with a board of regents in 1945. Oberholtzer retired from his post in 1949 but not before overseeing the creation of the architecture school (1945), pharmacy school (1946) and law school (1947). UH continued to receive donations from the Cullen family, the Cullen Foundation, the M.D. Anderson Foundation and the Ford Foundation, but still needed more assistance for its growing campus. On Nov. 30, 1959, the Board of Regents voted to seek funding from the state. UH initiated a campaign to join the state’s system of higher education and receive the financial assistance that came with membership. The campaign was a success and UH was admitted into the Texas State University System

in 1961. The move was made effective in 1963. From there, the University took off. Phillip Guthrie Hoffman, president from 1961-1977, was the mastermind behind much of this growth. His expansion plan resulted in 25 new buildings. He also helped establish the University of Houston System, which includes four universities, two teaching centers, a public broadcast educational television station (KUHTTV) and a distance-learning program. During this same period, the school’s athletics program made strides. The football team, under the direction of Bill Yeoman, had 17 winning seasons and made 11 bowl appearances from 1962 to 1986. Guy V. Lewis coached the men’s basketball team from 1956 to 86 and led it to 14 NCAA Tournament berths, five Final Four appearances and two national runner-up finishes. Dave Williams led the Cougars’ golf team to an unprecedented 16 NCAA championships during his tenure from 1952 to 1987. Today, UH is Houston’s largest university and is still growing. It boasts an enrollment of more than 35,000 students and the campus sits on approximately 560 acres of land. U.S. News and Report named UH the nation’s second-most ethnically diverse university in 2006. With new President Renu Khator on board, the school is continuing its campaign to become Texas’s next flagship university, joining the ranks of the University of Texas and Texas A&M. To some, this goal might seem impossible. But as Oberholtzer and others have demonstrated over the last 81 years, no task is too large for UH to handle. u Transitions | 9

Center helps ease

Transfer students can check on application, speak to advisors to help make move easier by JORDAN INGRAM

Every year about 6,000 students transfer to the University. These students make up half of all incoming students. Most seem to think the transition to UH will be easy, but they soon find out it can be more confusing than they anticipated. Diane Aguirre, a political science junior who transferred from Lee College in Baytown, remembers when she transferred to UH. “The bureaucratic aspect of transferring was exhausting. They kept shuffling me around between offices and 10 | Transitions

it was pretty frustrating. Maybe things are different now that they have the Welcome Center.” Aguirre said. Concerns such as these are what prompted UH to create the Welcome Center, which holds the Transfer Center, Room 100. Here a student can speak with advisers, then check on his or her credit evaluation and check application status. But students shouldn’t expect advisors to do everything for them. “So often students expect the advisers to have all the answers and to be able to do everything for them,” said transfer advisor Tiffney Humbert. “Here at the Transfer Center we are basically generalists, we can only point them in the right directions. Then the students need to take the initiative and get acquainted with their department, advisors and the UH community.” The most common worry for trans-

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fers, however, is the credit evaluation. “Credit concerns cause the most problems for transfer students,” Humbert said. Dru Watkins, a philosophy senior agreed that credits cause the most headaches. “I transferred from San Jacinto College. It went smoothly minus the 12 hours of sophomore-level classes that didn’t transfer for some reason.” Although the process may take time, advisors can solve most of students’ issues with transferring credits. To help ease transfer students into student life at the University, UH is making orientation mandatory starting in the fall of 2010. “A lot of transfers just didn’t know what to do next,” Humbert said. “They would fill out the forms but would come to UH not knowing much about the campus or their de-

partment. Many students had trouble finding their advisors as well. “With the orientation mandatory, the students are already on campus, they can find their advisors, have their questions answered and take care everything that day. Whereas without the mandatory orientation, it might have taken them weeks to get everything done and all their problems solved,” Humbert said. UH also offers several programs and scholarships for transfer students. The Transfer Excellence Scholarship is for undergraduate students who intend to pursue their first baccalaureate degree at UH. The scholarship is for $1000 and is given to more than 600 transfer students a year. Advisors encourage students to check within their department to see if they offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. Members of Phi Theta Kappa, the

making the grade University academia is no longer a game of pass and fail as state and university policies keep students’ GPAs out of harm’s way by

JENNIFER RODRIGUEZ

Some safety nets are available to college students in their freshman and sophomore years at the University, but it is important for students to become familiar with all that UH has to offer in terms of academic assistance.

on to UH

international junior college honor society, can also apply for PTK scholarships and membership to the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association. “Last year we had 71 applicants to PTK and 61 were approved,” Humbert said. Students who are PTK members are also eligible for enrollment in the UH Honors College. After speaking with transfer students and advisors, the best advice for transfer students is to research UH and their prospective departments as early as possible, Humbert said. “It is great to know (grade-point average) requirements in your department, who your advisor is and more about the financial aid process. The more information you have about UH the easier your transition will be,” Humbert said. u

Six W grade limit Beginning in fall of 2007, a new policy of the Academic Affairs department limited all UH undergraduate students to six Ws or withdrawal grades. Essentially, the W allows students to withdraw from a course, whether they’re passing or failing, giving them a second chance to try a course again without receiving a failing grade. Students who withdraw from a course after the twelfth day of the semester must apply for a W grade. While a W grade does not calculate into students’ grade-point average, course hours with the W grade do count toward the Texas Enrollment Cap. Ws can be used at any time in one’s undergraduate career, however, students need to be aware that limitations stem from the use of the W grade: 1) students must submit their request in writing to the Registrar’s Office and 2) the deadline in which to file your request is the last day to drop a course. After using all six of the W grades, students must complete all courses or receive MARK YOUR a failing grade. Ws received from medical or administrative withdrawals do not DATEBOOK count toward the limit. Students accept the W grade for many reasons. Students may accept a W over a Aug. 25 potential blemish on their transcript. First day of classes “Do not drop a course unless you have reached a critical stage,” said chemistry junior Monsurat Akinyele.“I realized that my chances of making a C were slim, so I Aug. 30 had to drop.” Last day to add Other times, students withdraw if extenuating circumstances take priority over a class (online by school for that semester. 11:59 p.m.) “I dropped a course because this guy was following me around campus,” said alumna Yania Lopez. Sept. 8 Students request a W grade by submitting a drop form with the instructor’s signaLast day to drop a ture to the Registrar’s Office in the Welcome Center. Students obtain drop forms from course or withdraw the Registration and Academic Records Office in the Welcome Center. The deadline to drop a course is four weeks prior to the last class day of the fall or spring semester. without receiving a Some students must obtain additional permission to drop a course. Business grade majors request permission to drop courses from the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs in the Bauer College of Business, while student athletes must make Last day to drop an appointment with the Assistant Director of Athletics. a course without Texas Enrollment Cap The Texas enrollment cap applies to Texas resident undergraduate students. In fall 1999, UH students were informed that an additional charge of $100 per semester hour over the Texas resident rate could incur after they reached their established enrollment cap. Students should be aware that courses attempted and dropped may count toward their overall enrollment cap. There is room for error factored into each student’s degree plan. If a student was enrolled after the fall of 2006, then the enrollment cap will allow an excess of 30 hours to one’s minimum degree hours. It is vital you become well versed in what the University offers in terms of salvaging your GPA. Although distractions may arise throughout your collegiate career and you may begin to question if this will really affect you in the long run, be sure to consult an academic advisor. After all, academic performance is important no matter how you manage to find a way around it. u

hours counting toward the Enrollment Cap for Texas Residents Nov. 4 Last day to drop a course or withdraw with a “W” (must be by 5 p.m.) Dec. 6 Last day of classes

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Define your

college experience!

On behalf of the 45th administration of the Student Government Association at the University of Houston, we would like to welcome you to this exceptional institution. Since 1927, students have benefited from the excellent education provided by our distinguished faculty and gained professional insight from their active and spirited involvement on campus. As our campus continues to flourish, consider how you will leave your paw print on the cougar nation! If you are interested in expanding your college horizons and enhancing your knowledge environment, the UH Student Government Association is the ideal organization for you. The SGA works diligently to serve the concerns and demands of the students. Campus improvement and student satisfaction are two major priorities for the SGA. The SGA operates with three branches similar to those of the U.S. government: executive, legislative, and judicial. More specifically, through SGA you are afforded the opportunity to represent your college and improve your academic experience individually. Through involvement in the SGA or by serving on multiple university committees, you will be provided with countless ways to embrace student life and be proactive on campus. Only one unanswered question about your college experience remains:

How will you make a difference?

Samuel Dike President

Jonas Chin

Vice President

Alexander Obregon Speaker of the Senate

Kayley Sanders

Director of Public Relations

Amanda Wong

Director of Finance

Aleah Al-Sad

Director of External Affairs

Don’t miss your opportunity to be active on campus. Visit our website (UH.edu/sga) to inquire how to enhance your professional sphere by applying for our internship program or serving on the following university panels: Visit us at our office at 51 University Center Rm. 57 or give us a call at 713-743-5220 UÊ Activities Funding Board UÊ A.D. Bruce Religion Center Policy Board UÊ Athletic Advisory Board UÊ Bookstore Advisory Committee UÊ Campus Facilities Planning Committee UÊ Center for Students with Disabilities Advisory Board UÊ Child Care Center Advisory Board UÊ Emergency Planning Committee

UÊ Food Services Advisory Committee UÊ Undergraduate Council UÊ Graduate and Professional Studies Council UÊ Health Center Advisory Board UÊ International Students Advisory Council UÊ Library Committee UÊ Organizations Board UÊ Recreation Advisory Committee UÊ Safety and Security Advisory

Board UÊ Sexual Harassment Board UÊ Scholarships and Financial Aid Advisory Committee UÊ Student Fee Advisory Committee UÊ Student Publications Committee UÊ Student Traffic Court UÊ Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Board UÊ Teaching Excellence Awards Committee

UÊ Title IX Grievance Committee UÊ Transportation and Parking Advisory Board UÊ Undergraduate Admissions Review Committee UÊ University Commission on Women UÊ University Hearing Board UÊ University of Houston Art Acquisition Committee UÊ Web Advisory Committee TransiTions | 13

14 | Transitions

5 N I VE R S I T Y o f ( O U S T O N

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AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES MAKE LEARNING AN EXPERIENCE IN ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY! The mission of the African American Studies Program at the University of Houston is to develop, promote and enhance the knowledge of information of the discipline as well as the collective consciousness of African descended people. AAS focuses upon the cultural and historical heritage of Africans on the Continent, in the Americas and throughout the great Diaspora.

Summer 2008 Session I 10204-AAS 2320 Intro to African American Studies 10am - 12pm MTWTh ATH2 2001 WIGGINS Required 27093-AAS 4330 Black Liberation Theology 12pm - 2pm MTWTh AH 205 WALKER Social Science

Session II 10202-AAS 2320 Intro to African American Studies 10am -12pm MTWTh 628-AH ANDERSON Required

Session IV 10208-AAS 3340 Africans American Sociolinguistics By Arrangement 628-AH CONYERS HFAC 10210-AAS 4300 African Philosophy By Arrangement 628-AH EASTERLING Social Science

Graduate Studies 10214-AAS 6300 African Studies Theory and Method By Arrangement 628-AH Conyers Grad Cert

Fall 2008 10506-AAS 2320 Intro to African American Studies 4-7pm M 202-AH EASTERLING Required 10508-AAS 2320 Intro to African American Studies 2:30-4pm TTH 7-AH CRAWFORD Required 10508-AAS 2320 Intro to African American Studies TBA TBA SYLVERS Required 10514-AAS 3348 Africans Americans and the Law 10am-11:30am TTh TBA WIGGINS Social Science 10510-AAS 2322 Intro to African Religion and Philosophy 4-7pm T TBA BONGMA Social Science 35268-AAS 3394 Special Topics in AAS: West African Dance 6-9pm W TBA HENDERSON HFAC 10516-AAS 3356 Africana Thought and Philosophy 2:30-4pm PGH-200 BLUE Social Science 35269-AAS 4330 Black Church in America 5:30-7pm TTh TBA WALKER Social Science 10512-AAS 3310 African American experience Through Theatre 12-1pm MWF TBA ANDERSON HFAC 35267-AAS 3330 AAS Oral History and Field Research 11:30am-1pm TTh 628-AH CONYERS HFAC AAS 4373 Black Leaders of the 20th Century 11:30am-1pm MW TBA EASTERLING SSCI 35336-AAS 3394 Special Topics in AAS: African American Communications & Identities 11am-12pm MWF TBA RAYNOR HFAC

Graduate Studies 10520-AAS 6308 African Religion and Biography 10-11:30am TTh 628-AH CONYERS Grad Cert

University of Houston African American Studies 628 Agnes Arnold Hall Houston, TX 77204-3047 (713) 743-2811

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SARAh KRUSlESKI

oving away from home intimidates many freshmen. However, students can count on many programs to help them achieve social, academic and personal success at the University of Houston.

The Moody Towers

Home of the First Year Residential Experience Program, the Moody Towers house more than 1,100 residents in both of its 18-floor buildings. The floors are single-gender and share community bathrooms. Double-rooms cost $1,834 per semester, with single rooms running for $2,288 per semester. In the link between the two towers, residents can be found sprawled out on the couches in the Commons, dining in the Horizons Cafeteria, or in the C3 convenience store and laundry facilities.

18 | TransiTions

photo by alan garcia

Cougar Place

A cost-effective alternative to on-campus housing at $2,202 a semester, Cougar Place offers furnished private rooms for upper-level students and summer residents, with the option of paying extra for a private stove and fridge. The Cougar Place complex embodies 10 residential buildings and two office buildings that contain laundry facilities, lounge and a communal a stove. | photo by austin miller

FYRE creates a residential community for freshmen by placing them in the first nine floors of South Tower. Grouping first-year students together allows them to make new friends, swap notes for classes and bond over homesickness. Each floor participating in FYRE has additional staff on call to support new students with any problems that come up during their first year. Students who live in on-campus apartments such as Cullen Oaks, Cambridge Oaks, Bayou Oaks and Cougar Place, enjoy the independence of apartment life with the convenient proximity and price of on-campus

residence options. Residential Life and Housing oversees on-campus living and focuses on providing a safe place for students to study. RLH assigns a resident assistant to every floor of each residence hall to support and lead on-campus students, while desk assistants help students with general questions about mail and lost keys. The Residence Halls Association, a subdivision of RLH, gives residents the opportunity to organize programs to connect the communities of dif different residence halls. Such programs include the student-produced musical “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” barbecues celebrating football victories and a dating auction with canned goods. which has raised more than 150 pounds of food for the Houston Food Bank. Resident assistants design their own series of programs that benefit students’ social lives, academics, self-development, community involvement and health. Floor-specific programs such as third-floor Taub’s “Friday Night Movies” provided an easy avenue for students to get to know the familiar faces on their floor, while another resident assistant coordinated weekly cooking trips to the Law Residence Hall basement’s stove. When residents complained that they needed motivation to work out, one resident assistant organized weekly 6 a.m. group outings to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. While incoming students cannot become resident assistants, on-campus living presents many leadership opportunities at new residents’ doorsteps. As officers on Floor Councils, on-campus students help their resident assistant organize activities and events that connect floor residents. “Floor Council helped me see how things worked on campus and gave me a chance to help RHA, which I was president of for a while,” said Mica Kenfield, linguistics senior. Any problems encountered by residents can usually be remedied by making a call to UH’s Technology Support, by speaking to a resident assistant or by filing an online “Fix-it” request at the RLH Web site, http://housing.uh.edu. New Cougars can anticipate an active campus life between the freshmen levels of the Moody Towers and the Quadrangle courtyard. u

CAMBRIDGE OAKS

BAYOU OAKS

The most affordable apartment on campus with rates starting at $377 a month, Cambridge Oaks allows residents to furnish their own rooms and have full-service kitchens with water, cable television and Internet access. The complex offers a pool, laundry facilities, barbeque pits, and a clubhouse with a big-screen television.| photo by alan garcia

Famous for its Greek residents, Bayou Oaks offers traditional apartments starting at $549 per month as well as townhouse living for University fraternities and sororities. Bayou Oaks residents enjoy convenient access of the community fitness center, game room and courtyard. | photo by mauricio lazo

CUllEN OAKS

QUADRANGlE

Cullen Oaks offers beautiful apartmentlife for on-campus residents. With spacious rooms starting at $541 a month, Cullen Oaks residents have apartmentstyle living with a furnished private bedroom, a private living space, Internet access, cable television and a fully-equipped kitchen. Cullen Oaks residents enjoy access to all-night laundry facilities, vending machines, study areas, fitness centers and a community television lounge. | photo by alan garcia

Composed of five residence halls —Oberholtzer, Settegast, Taub, Bates and Law Hall —the Quadrangle houses Terry Scholars and honors students. Double rooms run at $2,031 per semester and single rooms cost $2,689 per semester. Go to Oberholtzer Hall to check your mail, buy a snack at the C3 convenience store and ask a question at the Area Coordinator’s office. | photo by mauricio lazo

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U N I V E R S I T Y

H O U S T O N

UCS

Start thinking about your Career! University Career Services is your source for: • Help Choosing Your Major • College Work-Study Jobs • Career Counseling • Vocational Assessments • Job Postings • Internship Programs • Résumé Critiques • Career Fairs and Workshops

UNIVERSITY

CAREER SERVICES

University Career Services • 106 Student Service Center 1 Houston, TX 77204-3040 • 713.743.5100 • 713.743.5111 (fax) ucs@uh.edu

www.career.uh.edu The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. 6097 | PMG | SF | RS

&"3/ 61 50 8)*-& 45*-- */ 4$)00If you qualify, the Navy’s Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program provides you with a monthly stipend, year-round, during your last two years of college (up to 36 months for technical majors). After you graduate, you will attend Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, receive your commission as a Naval Officer, and proceed to professional training dependent on your chosen career. Officer professions include aviation, personnel management, business, navigation, operational planning, communications, administration, engineering, intelligence, inventory control and retail sales.

Qualifications 6i aZVhi &- nZVgh d[ V\Z JcîZY HiViZh 8îôZc E]nh^XVaan fjVa^ÄZY VXXdgY^c\ id CVkn Standards :cgdaaZY ^c Vc VXXgZYîZY [djg nZVg XdaaZ\Z or university with at least 30 semester hours completed or 45 quarter hours Bjhi ]VkZ V XjbjaVi^kZ <E6 d[ Vi aZVhi 2.7 on a 4.0 scale 20 | TransiTions

Benefits 6 bdci]an hVaVgn je to $3600 ;jaa bZY^XVa VcY dental coverage Cd jc^[dgbh dg Yg^aah

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Transitions | 21

22 | Transitions

HOUSTON COUGAR FOOTBALL 2008 HOME SCHEDULE

*** All times are subject to change ***

THE 2008 COUGAR REDVOLUTION

Students can also purchase up to 4 guest football tickets for $10 each.

HAVE YOU JOINED?

TransiTions | 23

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A world of help awaits students at useful asset, M.D. Anderson Library

RIS

estled in the heart of campus sits M.D. Anderson Library — an expanse boasting more than 2 million physical volumes in its 527,000 square feet of recently renovated building space. Add to that a few hundred databases, nearly 25,000 e-journals, more than 150,000 e-books and thousands of study spaces and students will find themselves with many of the core ingredients needed for academic success at the University. The library is equipped with several dozen discipline-specialized librarians to help students wade through resources to find the exact materials they need. UH librarians also assist many students who return to academia after an absence sometimes feel lost in a today’s evolving and technology-laden library atmosphere. “Returning students will find that libraries have changed,” said Adrian Ho, collections

coordinator. “What the library has to offer is much more than just academic resources and services. We are the hub of the University where users can find spaces designed for different purposes. Gone are the days when the library was viewed as a warehouse of books. We are now a multifaceted location where users gather to explore possibilities for their interests. This is how the library thrives and stays relevant in the face of the evolution.” As big as the building and its collections are, the staff is willing to guide and assist students so they can feel comfortable navigating the library and its resources. “The whole point of having the library here on campus is having people be good researchers,” Robin Howard, science and mathematics librarian, said. “That’s what we want to help people become.” The library frequently hosts student-geared workshops covering topics ranging from library survival to advanced research in specific disciplines to help students become good researchers. Today’s librarians also teach research sessions that can broadly begin with tutorials on internet searches and evaluating information to navigating several online databases and finding information for specific assignments or classes. There are resources to help students who live off campus or those who may have busy work schedules get the most out of their UH academic experience. It all starts with the library’s main Web page, http:// info.lib.uh.edu/, where students can use a chat module to ask questions of on-duty librarians during regular business hours. Remote users can not only comb the library’s collection catalog from home, but they also can tap the library’s research databases and often receive PDF copies of articles and documents. “Having remote services available is of major importance for out students,” Howard said. “We have a lot of commuter students and students with full-time day jobs, and it’s great that they can take advantage of the University’s resources without having to stress about their non-school lives inconveniencing their studies. And for all of our students, remote access means that they can do their studying on their schedule, so they can be more flexible in the way they balance their lives.” u

Transitions | 25

fun facts compiled by

Night owls can find refuge at M.D. Anderson Library’s 24-hour lounge, which provides students with vending machines, telephones and restrooms. | photo by alan garcia

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GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

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u M.D. Anderson is only one of several libraries at UH. Branch facilities include libraries for architecture and art, music, optometry, pharmacy and law.

The library has 220 computer terminals for student use.

u Students may check out laptop computers and DVD players for use in the library and scientific calculators to use outside of the library. u Plan on studying a foreign language at UH? An extensive DVD collection includes several hard-to-find and foreign titles, and the library’s daily and weekly newspaper stacks include local and global periodicals to help students with language learning. u

Topping the list of most frequently circulated items at M.D. Anderson are laptops, DVD movies and books from the leisure reading collection.

u Students delving into more refined research and areas of Houston-specific study will find an array of items in the library’s special collections stacks. Some of the collection’s standout items include handwritten letters from Mark Twain, George Washington and Stephen F. Austin, as well as documents signed by Sam Houston and corrected typescripts of “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry. The library hosts revolving exhibits of goods from the special collections department. u

Night-owl students can take advantage of the library’s 24-hour lounge long after the library closes its doors. There, they’ll find vending machines, restrooms, study areas and Wi-Fi Internet access.

a u g

When finals rolls around, the library is open ‘round-the-clock on most days.

u Students can take part in special events such as Poetry & Prose program, the Halloween Great Pumpkin Contest, student art exhibits and others.

lan

M.D. Anderson Library houses more than 2 million physical volumes for bookworms to get lost in. | photo by alan garcia

26 | Transitions

Joshua Malone

Of the many student protests held at UH, perhaps the most unlikely was The Cola Wars of 1994. Upset about the exclusive sale of Pepsi, Cougars gathered more than 850 signatures to successfully return Coca-Cola products to campus. u The 1970s brought an uncomfortably large presence of nudity to the UH campus. A varsity streaking team was proposed, and swiftly denied, in 1974, along with more than 15 cases of flashing reported in the 1978-79 academic year.

courtesy of 1994 houstonian

u The University used to employ a live cougar, Shasta, to raise school spirit during athletic events before retiring the tradition in 1989. The name “Shasta” was decided by a contest and is a contraction of the phrase “She has to.” u The University has several famous alums in its prestigious history, including Dan Rather, Dennis and Randy Quaid, Star Jones, Jim Nantz, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. u With a storied history in several athletic events, more than 50 Olympic athletes have attended the University, earning 19 gold medals and 33 total medals. u The A.D. Bruce Religion Center was named and partly founded by Andrew Davis Bruce, third president of the University and its first chancellor. Bruce served as a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army for 37 years, and is a veteran of WWII. u In 1979, the University’s Catholic Center helped create what the Guinness Book of World Records recognized as the world’s largest fish sandwich. Created to promote International Hunger Week, the sandwich measured more than 48 yards long. The University’s Hofheinz Pavilion has played host to several high-profile concerts throughout the years, such as Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince and The Smiths, and George Harrison and Linda Ronstadt delivered sellout performances at Cullen Performance Hall in 1975.

The Honors College is located on the second floor of M.D. Anderson Library. | photo by alan garcia

u In November 2007, a massive beehive was removed from behind a wall at the Cullen College of Engineering. Believed to house 80,000 to 100,000 bees, the colony was relocated to protect shrinking populations.

courtesy of 1975 houstonian

TransiTions | 27

SHOW YOUR COUGAR 1 I.D. TO GET $5 FOR ANY REGULAR FOOTLONG. EXCLUDING DOUBLE MEAT THAT’S SOMETHIN’ TO HOLLA ABOUT

OFFER GOOD ONLY AT BATES LAW CENTER MEAL PLANS ACCEPTED 713-743-5873 Ends

December 31st

28 | TransiTions

#BHCZ 4U )PVTUPO 59 JO .JEUPXO

(3&&, .0/%": • $1 draft domestic including Shiner

8&%/&4%": • $1 drafts and wells with DJ '3*%": 4"563%": • Karaoke

Cougar Byte

A Campus Computer Store by HiEd, Inc.

• Academic discounts on hardware, software & accessories • On campus, expert support services • Online store with free shipping to campus store • Trade-In system to sell your old electronics for store credit • Knowledgable staff to answer all of your technology questions

WII SPORTS • DRESS CODE ENFORCED

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Phone 713.748.7201 www.cougarbyte.com Open Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

Washington Mutual

Secured Credit Card Establish your Credit and Savings at the same time!

Perfect way for students to build Credit • • • •

Free ATM’s Free on-line banking WaMu debit Mastercard WaMu Free Checking Account Free gift for students who bring in paper or mention this ad!

Washington Mutual 713.663.5151, option 3 3003 S. Loop W. Houston TX 77054 TransiTions | 29

IT’S ABOUT GIVING BACK-AND GETTING AHEAD

Just envision the significance of what you’ll do. Attending to the brave Sailors, Marines and service-members who defend our freedom. As well as their families. Helping patients in need-at home and abroad. As a proud member of the Navy Medical community, you’ll anchor one of the only outreach corps capable of responding to this greater call. With the privilege of being a Naval Officer comes a reputation of ability and integrity. Compassion and confidence. Leadership and innovation. Use such strengths to promote medical progress. To serve the greater good- and your own career. Dbsffs!Pqqpsuvojujft!bwbjmbcmf!gps Qiztjdjbot Efoujtut Ovstft!)CTO*! Qpejbusjtut Pqupnfusjtut Qibsnbdjtut Dmjojdbm!Qtzdipmphjtut Bfsptqbdf!Fyqfsjnfoubm! Qtzdipmphjtut Sftfbsdi!Qtzdipmphjtut Bfsptqbdf Qiztjpmphjtut Foupnpmphjtut Joevtusjbm!Izhjfof!Pgßdfst Tpdjbm!Xpslfst Njdspcjpmphjtut Nfejdbm!Ufdiopmphjtut Bvejpmphjtut Pddvqbujpobm!Uifsbqz Qiztjdjbo!Bttjtubou Qiztjdbm!Uifsbqz

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For more information on how to become part of the best medical team on earth contact:

LT Martin Fajardo Navy Recruiting District Houston 9990 Richmond, Suite 200 713-953-5959 ext 271, 274, 275 Fax-713-953-7620 Martin.fajardo@navy.mil 30 | TransiTions

BVS `WUVb ^ZOQS Ob bVS `WUVb bW[S In a rapidly changing global marketplace, students need every advantage. At the University of Houston Bauer College, momentum is driving unprecedented success. Experience what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to be in the right place at the right time. www.bauer.uh.edu

â&#x2013; BusinessWeek ranked Bauer one of the top 40 public undergraduate business colleges. Only 97 business schools of 1,700 public and private business schools made the list. â&#x2013; The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine ranked the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship as the No. 2 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the U.S. â&#x2013; Bauerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Program for Excellence in Selling has the deepest curriculum, largest enrollment and highest corporate support of any university program in selling and sales management. â&#x2013; Bauerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s undergraduate finance program in Global Energy Management was recently featured in BusinessWeek. â&#x2013; Bauer won first place in the nation and third place in the world in a 2008 stock analysis competition sponsored by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, beating Rutgers University, and other top-tier schools (including Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and those from Texas). â&#x2013; Academic Analytics ranked Bauerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finance department No. 8 for faculty productivity and its marketing department No. 9. The top 10 rankings put Bauer alongside Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, Kellogg at Northwestern and Smeal at Pennsylvania State University. â&#x2013; Bauer offers a Program for Professional Accounting (PPA) that is highly recognized by corporate recruiters. Students can earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting, have an internship, and be ready for the CPA in five years. The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Transitions | 31

WELCOME BACK! Cougar 1Card comes with an optional powerful MasterCard debit card feature, which is accepted worldwide. To take advantage of the new

The

Cougar 1Card beneﬁts, you will need to activate your Cougar 1Card and select the debit/check card capabilities at www.CougarOne.com.

The new card beneﬁts include:

ATM Locations

E. Cullen Building, MD Anderson Library - IT C -site, College of Technology, College of Engineering (located in the vending area of each building). No ATM fees for Cougar 1 Card Cardholders.

Receive Money Faster

You can receive money quickly and securely from family, friends, and employers almost instantaneously. You determine how to receive your refund electronically to your Higher One Account or any bank of your choice, or to receive a check in the mail at the address on file with UH.

A Web based tool designed to answer all of your questions from “How do I activate my card?” to “How do I reset my password and pin?” and “Where’s My Card?” www.cougarone.com/easyhelp

24-Hour Online Banking

You will receive the tools to do all your banking online anytime with no monthly fees! Plus participation in the OneRewards Program for Free! For more information regarding Cougar 1Card services, please visit www.CougarOne.com or dial 1-877-OneCougar Your Cougar 1Card will continue to serve as an ID whether or not you activate your OneAccount 32 | TransiTions

TransiTions | 33

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Campus Recreation Fitness Zone & Indoor Track

Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton Courts & Fields

52-Foot Climbing Wall

Combat Room, Child Care Facility, Locker Room & Showers

Racquetball Courts, Multi-Purpose Rooms

& Much More... Natatorium, Outdoor Leisure Pool, Whirlpool & Sauna

• Aquatics/Safety:

Swim Lessons, SCUBA & Trips, Master Swim, Century Club, & First Aid/Safety

• Outdoor Adventure:

Outings, Gear Shop, Educational Workshops, L.I.F.T & Resource Guide

PROGRAMS: • Faculty & Staff:

Annual Golf Tournament , Cougar Distance Challenge & Family Nights

• Fitness:

Group Exercise, Personal Training, Fitness Assessments, Women’s Self Defense, & Martial Arts

• Sport Clubs:

Collegiate Non-Varsity Competition & Leadership

• Intramural Sport:

League, Singles & Doubles Competition & Tournaments

• Youth:

Martial Arts, Swim Lessons, Summer Camp & Family Nights

The Department of Campus Recreation reports to the Division of Student Affairs through the Division of Student Development.

713-743-PLAY 34 | TransiTions

www.uh.edu/recreation

TransiTions | 35

36 | TransiTions

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38 | TransiTions

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UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ARMY ROTC

What is Army ROTC? Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is a series of elective courses making up one of the best leadership programs in the country and can be part of your UH experience. The program combines topics in military science with practical leadership training to prepare men and women to become Army officers. During classes and field training you will quickly build the confidence and self-discipline necessary to succeed in your studies and help prepare you for success after graduation. You will learn how to motivate and lead others, manage complex tasks, and communicate ideas effectively; the same traits prospective employers will be looking for when you graduate. Upon graduation from UH and the Army ROTC program, you will be fully prepared to take charge as a leader. Army ROTC uses effective classroom and practical "hands-on" training to prepare our highly motivated cadets to receive their commission as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard.

What are the benefits of the ROTC? Participants in the ROTC program develop critical skills in management and leadership, which are valuable to any civilian or military career. Students gain confidence, self-discipline, and technical experience. New lieutenants will enter the workforce as a leader and supervise as many as 45 individuals, while being accountable for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of assets. If you decide to leave the military, civilian employers desire the leadership experience and technical knowledge that you have. Some of these skills and credentials include: • Effective leadership and management skills • Accomplished oral and written communications skills • Superior problem-solving skills • Meticulous organizational skills • Military life attracts and instills substantial value-added qualities: - Discipline, Commitment, Loyalty, Resourcefulness, Respect • Plus it instills the value of: - Teamwork, Diversity, A drug-free lifestyle Financial Benefits: There are a number of financial benefits that you can apply for and receive as an ROTC cadet, depending on your 40 | Transitions eligibility. Contact the Military Science

department to find out the eligibility requirements for each of these benefits and which ones may apply to you: • ROTC Scholarship - Full tuition and mandatory fees plus a $900/year book • CH 30 Montgomery GI Bill $900/month (full-time) • CH 1606 Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill$272/month (full-time) • Montgomery GI Bill Kicker - $350/month • Federal Tuition Assistance (USAR only) 100% tuition, up to $4500/year • State Tuition Reimbursement (ARNG only) 100% tuition, up to $4500/year • Drill Pay as E-5 (FY04) - $247/month • ROTC Stipend - Freshmen: $300/month Sophomore: $350/month Junior: $450/month Senior: $500/month

Will ROTC activities affect my class schedule? Since ROTC is a scheduled class in the UH curriculum, the ROTC should not affect your class schedule. Your grades are our top priority. The time commitment required for ROTC is minimal, consisting of one class (with lab) per semester. You will have enough time to balance your leadership training with your academic demands.

Do I get to wear a uniform? Army ROTC cadets are issued uniforms for wear on class and lab days ... the rest of the time you will look like the rest of the students on campus.

Do I have to participate in a physical fitness class? If you are a scholarship cadet you are required to participate in our Physical Training (PT) 3-times per week. If you are not on scholarship the PT is optional, but you can receive extra credit in the ROTC class by participating. We strongly encourage all of our non-scholarship cadets to participate since it helps develop healthy habits and helps prepare you to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test which is a requirement if you should decide to apply for a scholarship.

Do I have to go into the Army after college? There is no military service obligation for taking the freshman and sophomore Army ROTC class unless you apply for and accept a scholarship

(receiving money from the government for college is what triggers the military service requirement), so these classes are a great no-risk way of looking at the Army to see if it might be something for you to consider for a career ... or even a jump start to a civilian career after getting a few years of experience after college. If you decide to go through all 4-years of Army ROTC you will have a military service obligation and will begin that service as a leader in a very highly respected profession.

What happens when I finish college? When you graduate from college as an Army ROTC Cadet, you will be commissioned as a second Lieutenant. Your career as an Officer will be just beginning, and you'll find a variety of interesting and exciting career fields (13 to choose from) in the Army.

Sounds great, how do I get started? Enrolling in the Army ROTC class is as easy as signing up for any other college class. The course number and title for the fall semester freshman class is MLSC 110, Military Skills I. No worries if you are a transfer student, the freshman class is not a prerequisite for the sophomore class. You can sign up for MS 210, Contemporary Management Principles and be in a class with your peers.

What if I have more questions? That's easy! Just stop by the Military Science Building and talk to the Army ROTC Enrollment Officer, CPT Selvera. If you prefer you can give him a call at 713-743-3875 or send him an e-mail at rfselver@central.uh.edu. He will be glad to answer any questions that you have. Want more information? Visit www.uh.edu/rotc/

Find out more about Leadership, Scholarships and Officership at UH Army ROTC. Contact CPT Selvera at

(713) 743-3875 or

rfselver@central.uh.edu Visit us on the web at

www.uh.edu/rotc/

ARMY ROTC. START STRONG.

Transitions | 41

LIBRARIES

Your Main Library: M.D. Anderson Library Library Branches in other Buildings: Architecture & Art Music

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3 Legs, 4 Thighs, 3 Wings (chicken only)

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TransiTions | 45

46 | TransiTions

5 . ) 6 % 2 3 ) 4 9 of ( / 5 3 4 / . THE DEAN of STUDENTS OFFICE When you don’t know where to go for assistance, come to the Dean of Students Office. That’s the suggestion of the staff members who provide assistance to all students with university-related concerns through the Dean of Students. Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to students or make referrals to others on campus who can help. Promoting a campus environment that provides an opportunity for all students to learn and grow is an important function of the Office. This includes enforcing University policies and working with the University Hearing Board and the Student Traffic Court.

THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE STAFF ARE AVAILABLE

TO ASSIST STUDENTS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Fall & Spring Semester Office Hours 8 AM TO 8 PM, MONDAY-THURSDAY, 8 AM TO 5 PM FRIDAY

For more information CALL

743-5470 OR COME BY RM. 252 IN THE UNIVERSITY CENTER, HTTP://WWW.UH.EDU/DOS

$ % ! . of 3 4 5 $ % . 4 3 / & & ) # %

Same b ooks, better prices!

The best deal on textbooks! We buy and sell every day!

Bring a schedule and we will get the books for you! 4835 Calhoun Rd. Suite B. (Across from the Rec Center, next to the new Pizza Hut)

713-842-2544

$10 off a purchase of $100 or more

TransiTions | 47

Transitions2008-09FinalCmyk.pdf

5/30/08

3:16:13 PM

Edward Burtynsky Shipbreaking No. 50, Chittagong, Bangladesh, 2000

CONTEMPORARY ART IN THE HERE & NOW Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston, is the city’s premier venue for viewing emerging or underrepresented artists and themes in contemporary visual art. The museum offers many

opportunities for students, including free Brown Bag Gallery Tours, internships for course credit, and job opportunities. In addition, each semester the Blaffer Student Association hosts its Red Block Bash in the Fine Arts Building courtyard. To learn more, or to sign up for the museum’s e-newsletter, visit www.blaffergallery.org.

CMY

Florian Maier-Aichen Untitled (Long Beach), 2004

2008-2009 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE Damaged Romanticism: A Mirror of Modern Emotion September 13 – November 15, 2008

Celebutants, Friends, and Groupies: A Photographic Legacy from the Andy Warhol Foundation September 13 – October 18, 2008 Young Artist Apprenticeship Program Exhibition October 24 – November 15, 2008

Mary McCleary, Nazi Pets, 2004

2008 School of Art Annual Student Exhibition December 6 – December 20, 2008 Texas Oil: Landscape of an Industry Center for Land Use Interpretation January 17 – March 29, 2009 Brian Calvin, Sunny, 2007

Andy Warhol, Caroline, Princess of Monaco, 1983

Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston, is located in the Fine Arts Building on the University of Houston’s centralcampus, entrance #16 off Cullen Boulevard. The museum is free and open to the public Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm, closed Sundays, Mondays, and University holidays. The museum is ADA compliant. Information: 713.743.9530 or www.blaffergallery.org. 48 | Transitions

Electric Mud Guest-Curated by David Pagel January 17 – March 29, 2009 Leonardo Drew May 15 – August 1, 2009

Transitions | 49

M.D. Anderson Library — Print last-minute papers on the first-floor computer lab.

Grab a snack in Oberholtzer Hall’s convenience store or relax over dinner at the Oberholtzer cafeteria. The Bates, Law, Settegast and Taub halls in the Quadrangle house 800 students.

The Moody Towers residents enjoy the comforts of home with an all-night computer lab and big screen televisions.

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M.D. Anderson Library

University Center

Cullen College of Engineering

Melcher Hall

Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall

Agnes Arnold Hall

Agnes Arnold Auditoriums

Social Work Building

Science & Research 1

University Center Satellite

Ezekiel W. Cullen Building

Farish Hall

Roy G. Cullen Memorial

McElhinney Hall

Fleming Building

Heyne Building

Communication Building

Fine Arts Building

Moores School of Music Building

Architecture Building

The Quadrangle

Student Service Center

Welcome Center

The Moody Towers

Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management

Key

The Quadrangle to Moores School of Music: 8 min

The Moody Towers to Science and Research 1: 6 min

Welcome Center to Agnes Arnold Hall: 6 min

Welcome Center — Need a transcript? Have questions about your PeopleSoft financial statement? Welcome Center staff can answer the questions.

H Roy G. Cullen Memorial — Most freshmanlevel English courses are housed here.

Replace your lost Cougar 1Card and ask about ATM locations in Room 279.

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creative •writing

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architecture• •photography

painting•

•music

dance•

•sculpture

graphic by Stan Le

52 | TransiTionss

Students can explore a number of creative veins on campus — from painting to prose

by AUDREY DeBORD

rom the bronze Cougar sculpture in front of the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building to the colorful ceiling of the Moores Opera House lobby, art has an undeniable influence on campus. Many sculptures can be found on University grounds adding character and flair to the aesthetic of the campus. But these works are only the beginning of what UH has to offer. “Art is a vessel that carries meaning, but we don’t specify the meaning,” John Reed, Department of Art Chairman John Reed said. “It is all about ‘how’ and ‘why,’ but we leave the ‘what’ to you. Art is a strategy, not a team; it’s a way of making your question heard, but you formulate the question. … We want students to be able integrate their knowledge, discoveries and research into a meaningful, personal practice.” UH students as well as the Houston community can experience all forms of art at the Blaffer Gallery, Moores School of Music, the Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and through the Creative Writing program’s poetry and prose readings and literary journals. The Blaffer Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building, has hosted an array of eye-catching exhibitions, such as Chantal Akerman: Moving Through Time and Space (Jan. 19 through March 29). One of the current exhibitions is the 2008 Houston Area Exhibition. This annual display, focusing on the Houston art scene, has been an important part of the Blaffer Gallery’s program since 1974. The other, Charles “Teenie” Harris: Rhapsody in Black and White (May 10 through Aug. 2), features the photography of Charles “Teenie” Harris.

Though the Blaffer Gallery offers fine art, talent and creativity can also be found just about anywhere on campus. “You almost always see student’s artwork installed in various, often unexpected, places around the campus. Additionally, you see students out sketching or painting ‘en pleine aire,’ which adds a certain feel to the campus. And if one drives by ‘South Park’ (the Sculpture Building), one can almost always see some sort of scary or exciting fabrication going on there,” Reed said. Students can enjoy fabulous choral, jazz, orchestra or opera performances by a host of talented artists performing at Moores Opera House. Some performances are free while others charge $10 for student admission. Moores School of Music also hosts a number of annual events including the Texas Music Festival, the International Piano Festival and the Jazz Festival. “The arts provide you with answers; they provide you with a lot of very interesting insights and questions. I think that’s one of the reasons the theater is still extremely popular.” Sidney Berger, School of Theatre and Dance directing professor said. The Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre played host to dozens of both professional and student-produced plays and there are many more to come. Last year’s highlights were Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia and Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. The 2008-2009 season features the world premiere of Nathaniel Freeman’s Hurricane Katrina-inspired Bridges, the debut of Louis Sachar’s Holes, a stage adaptation of his children’s book of the same title, and the Houston opening of Edward Albee’s Peter and Jerry. “Very few cities have theatres that are as efficient, as

» ARTS continues on Page 75 TransiTions | 53

housto stor

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ory

H ouston by RUTh

City offers casual getaways for all hours and tastes

efore midterms come rolling around and you bury yourself under a pile of books, you should treat yourself to a night, or two, on the town. The music venues, coffee shops, bars, theatres and galleries hidden away in Houston’s nooks and crannies offer a never-ending slew of cheap, entertaining and ultimately worthwhile diversions for students to take their much-needed breaks to. If you ever feel the need to escape from corporate coffee houses, Antidote (729 Studewood) offers students a peaceful refuge to hammer out those pesky research papers. Tucked away in the Heights in an old, run-down strip center next to a convenient store, the coffee shop, open from 6:30 a.m. until midnight everyday, gives patrons an assortment of coffees, wines and 54 | TransiTions

RODRIGUEZ

story

pastries to choose from while they enjoy either the vintage couches in its incredibly cozy inside space or the extended patio seating area. And if it isn’t enough the shop has fairly fast, reliable wireless Internet access to boot. For those who don’t mind listening to a mix of music while they study, Agora (1712 Westheimer) serves up a wider atmosphere for its patrons. During the afternoon the Greek coffee shop caters to a pretty laid-back crowd of Internet goers, but as night falls the drone of the jukebox takes a turn from a tasteful selection of jazz to a more upbeat, contemporary Greek selection as the night owls start to flood in. Agora also boasts a wide selection of wine and imported beer, a balcony for smokers and large televisions, which are usually tuned to either the Independent Film Channel or soccer. Did I mention Wednesday night belly dancing?

on ry If you’re jonesing for a fun, lively show, Houston’s music scene offers a diverse slate of artists to choose from on virtually any given weekend. Houston-based bands such as the Wild Moccasins, News on the March, Young Mammals and The McKenzies, to name a few, serve as a perfect fit for shows at Houston’s smaller venues. The cramped and dimly-lit Avant Garden (411 Westheimer Rd.) The Backroom at the Mink (3718 Main St.) and Notsouh (314 Main St.) provide just the right atmosphere for bands to deliver energy-filled sets in a packed house. Every first Saturday of the month at Boondocks (1417 Westheimer Rd.) DJ Brett Koshkin serves up Dirty Honey, a night featuring an endless selection of great funk and soul hits — a perfect mix to cut a rug to. Whether you’re looking to unleash your inner bar hopper or you’re just in the mood for a drink and some friendly conversation, Houston’s plethora of bars has something for just about everyone. The Mink serves up drink specials Tuesday through Saturday. Tumbleweed Tuesdays offers patrons wine bottles starting at $10, $4 wells and $3 whisky wells and Lone Stars are only $2 every night. The dimly-lit bar, located in midtown, also houses The Backroom, which opens its doors to a slew of artists ranging from local and national bands to avant-garde jazz musicians and various DJs. Poison Girl (1641 Westheimer Rd.) hosts Poison Pen Reading Series every last Thursday of the month, offering an outlet for many local writers to share their work. The bar also houses six pinball machines, a back patio and a jukebox filled with local artists’ music. Landmark River Oaks Theatre (2009 West Gray) offers a haven to Houston’s movie lovers. The theater features a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show the second Saturday of every month. All shows include a live shadowcast performance by the Beautiful Creatures. Students running on a tighter budget can attend a movie at the The Angelika Film Center (510 Texas Aven.) on Mondays and take advantage of Cheap Date Night, picking up the cost of the movie ticket; a large popcorn and large fountain drink for only $6. From Main Street to the Montrose, the city is sprawling with many worthwhile attractions, so don’t hesitate to venture from campus and indulge in Houston’s active scene. u

Photos right from clockwise The MetroRail provides late-night trips through downtown Main Street. | photo by alan garcia

Houston-based artists the Wild Moccasins perform a set at Walter’s, 4215 Washington Aven. | photo by alan garcia

The Mink hosts theme nights and concerts for Midtown bar hoppers looking to unwind. | photo by maricio lazo

The Landmark River Oaks provides offbeat entertainment by hosting independent films and midnight movie showings every Saturday. Rocky Horror Picture Show performances are particularly wellloved by River Oaks cinema goers. | photo by austin miller

Antidote offers students a laidback retreat in the historic Heights neighborhood. | photo by maricio lazo

With more than 402 student organizations, Cougars find their niche minds on campus

Sierra Club

recreation. I’m trying to “I’m not just in some student organization dedicated to to an extent.” world the and s campu the affects make positive change that an Brendan Laws freshm gy sociolo Students Against Sweatshops member and

We’re pushing for Dynegy to scrap the coal plans and invest in better resources, renewable resources. Sierra Club Houston field organizer Emil y Stone

Nano Fiction has connected me with a group of local writers I don’t think I would have met before; it has changed my literary life.

Nano Fiction publisher and alumna Kirby Johnson

“GLOBAL has been a way for me to connect not only with GLBT students on campus but the campus as a whole. It has been a great environment to get to know people and form friendships.” GLOBAL Public Relations Officer and pre-law sophomore Christopher Busby “French Film Club gives me a chance to relax, talk about an interesting subject and expand my horizons. Plus once in a while I may understand the movie.” French Film Club member and physics senior Eric Stout 56 | Transitions

French Film Club

I love the BSM because no matter what your background or faith, you’re welcome here. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know many different cultures and just having a place where I could come together and do life with the most random people you’ll find anywhere. I miss it like crazy since I transferred schools.

Baptist Student Ministries and alumna Audrey Hanewinkel

intelligent “The Daily Cougar has introduced me to not only some of the most The hands-on and friendly people I have ever known, but to the University itself. The hours are late, experience you gain here is something only the newsroom can offer. but I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.” Daily Cougar Editor in Chief Caitlin Cuppernull

Air Force ROTC

Air Force ROTC Cadet John Thurman

Environmental Club at UH founding officer and psychology senior Lauren Baker

“Multicultural Greek Council has made me a professional; it has given me the ability to work well and understand other cultures, and has given me a huge appreciation for our world of diversity.” Multicultural Greek Council President

“SGA is a way to impact student life on campus through advocacy. If you’re interested in empowering your fellow students and impacting your campus, then SGA is the organization for you.” Student Government Association President Sam Dike

Students for Fair Trade

Being part of VSA really pushed me to be more involved with my own community. It opened a lot for me as far as getting to know people in the community like Co Vuy Lan, the first millionaire woman in Texas, and Chloe Dao, the Project Runway winner.

and hotel and restaurant management senior Rockie Ventura

Vietnamese Student Association President and marketing senior Mai Le

Graphic by Lana Flores. Quotes compiled by Kobena Arthur, Amenah Khalil, Sarah Krusleski, Shayla Lamotte, Joshua Malone, Kristina Michel.

Environmental Club @ UH

Air Force ROTC allows you to see the world and do cool stuff that the majority of people won’t be able to do and if you work hard, ROTC is one of the easiest ways to get a scholarship at UH.

When I first came to the UH, I found not very many people were concerned with issues like global warming or wilderness conservation. After a few semesters, I began to find people who shared my interest in the natural world and we decided there should be a way for students at UH to find others who share our concerns about the future of our planet.

58 | TransiTions

Students can scale a 53-foot rock wall, take a cycling trip with Outdoor Adventure or dive into the Natatorium at the Rec Center

by MIKE DAMANTE

If you’re looking for something to do between classes, look no further than the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The Rec Center touts a variety of activities and facilities, and students don’t have to pay outrageous gym membership costs. “As a student you pay the fee for the facility in your tuition, and all you need to get in is your Cougar1 Card and to be a full-time student,” said Melissa Shemenski, graduate assistant in marketing. “I had to pay extra for services and programs coming from my previous under-grad school, so I really appreciate the majority of programs here are either free or at a minimal cost.” The Rec Center features three basketball courts, five volleyball courts, courts for badminton and racquetball, a multi-activity court that can be used for indoor soccer and a rock wall for rock climbing enthusiasts. Some of the programs offered include martial arts, belly dancing, yoga and even boot camp. “We have a little bit of everything here, and we wanted to make that a priority when we built this building five years ago,” said Reginald Riley, interim director of the Department of Campus Recreation. “I’d love to put us up against other facilities. We have one of the largest climbing walls in the state, 4 1/2 lap indoor track, a 70-meter natatorium and 24,000 square feet of cardio/weightlifting equipment.” The 53-foot indoor climbing wall offers an authentic rock climbing experience and is one of the center’s most popular attractions. “This past February we had 250 new climbers that month alone,” said Ryan Rockett, political science senior and rock wall supervisor. In addition to the indoor climbing wall, there is the Houston Outdoor Adventure program, which offers cycling, kayaking, surfing and tubing. The outdoor leisure pool offers a pool area that could have easily been designed by the people who made the Playboy grotto, a sand volleyball and picnic area and a hot tub. “I just started coming here and it is very

relaxing,” said Ian Smith, broadcast journalism junior. “(The pool) is a nice place to go get away from all your school work.” Inside the Rec Center is the natatorium, which is used for diving, lap swimming and also features a dry sauna and classroom for swim instruction. “We are very fortunate to have this natatorium,” assistant swim coach Jarrod Marrs said. “(The facility) caters to our practices and it is awesome to have as a recruiting tool. Next year we have eight swimmers/divers coming to the team from outside Houston.” Dance, aerobics and yoga classes are also offered for UH staff, students and Rec Center members. Media production senior Adriel Dazey has been teaching yoga at the Rec Center for almost 3 years. “When I first started going to school here we didn’t have these facilities, and now we have these classes for personal enrichment. I think being fit is just as important as being educated,” Dazey said. While fitness is important, health is also stressed at the Rec Center. Cougar Peer Education teaches workshops on alcohol awareness, sex education and nutrition counseling. Students who live on and off campus often frequent the weight room and cardio area located on the second floor. “I do cardio here every other day,” education senior Ashley Gutowski said. Weight training is popular among student athletes and recreational athletes as well. For those who need motivation to get in shape or find a partner to monitor their fitness, the fitness zone has that taken care of. “We have reasonably priced personal trainers compared to the membership gyms,” said Randi Carodine, kinesiology senior and fitness zone employee. “I know a lot of students want to avoid that freshman 15.” For new students the Rec Center should be an integral part of their on-campus entertainment itinerary. Incoming freshman Chelsea Snyder is just one of many interested in what the Rec Center has to offer. “(The Rec Center) is really big and I’m thinking about getting a personal trainer,” Snyder said. u

The Recreation Center’s Fitness Area fills an entire floor with exercise equipment and an in-door track, available for use by all Cougars. | photo by austin miller

Amateurs and seasoned climbers scale the 53-foot tall Outdoor AdvenAdven ture Rock Wall for tournaments and exercise. | photo by austin miller

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Primed SCOT T GONZ AlES

for

SUCCESS Cougar fans have a lot to look forward to this school year. After seven different UH teams reached the postseason last year, the athletics programs are set to give fans another memorable season. Athletic events are the perfect escape after spending long days and nights in the classroom. Throw in free admission for students and the close proximity of all Cougar home games, and there is no reason not to get out and cheer on the home team. “I think that students are beginning to understand that there’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon or a Saturday evening,” said Dave Maggard, athletics director.

Not only is going to the games a great way to get involved with the University, but the energy the fans bring is a key part of the Cougars’ success — success that can bring the school onto a national stage. “The goal that I’ve had since I came here six years ago was to work to get this program back to a national level,” Maggard said.“We want (athletics) to be a real part of the university and get as much positive exposure as we can. “The goal is excellence.” The gridiron gang Gone are the days when UH football

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After an impressive postseason, the Cougars strive to continue their winning ways

making the postseason was out of the ordinary. After earning four bowl game appearances in the last five seasons, there appears to be seriousness in rebuilding the program and, along with it, tradition. Through their 62-year history, the Cougars have played in 18 bowl games, produced 10 conference championships, a Heisman Trophy winner and have had recent success in producing top NFL prospects, including Donnie Avery, the first wide receiver taken in the 2008 NFL draft, and Kevin Kolb, the third quarterback taken in the 2007 NFL draft. Another stride for success came with the December 14 hiring of head coach Kevin Sumlin after former head coach Art Briles accepted the same position with Baylor University. Sumlin, who most recently served as co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops, became the 11th head coach in Cougar history and the first black head coach to lead a Division I – Football Bowl Subdivision team in Texas. The new regime hopes to keep the excitement level up and bring the Cougars to the next level. “I think that everybody can look forward to a pretty exciting, aggressive style of football in all phases,” Sumlin said. “We’re going to take some chances. We’re not going to be crazy, but it won’t be boring.” The offensive-minded coach shouldn’t have too

4. much trouble molding his new team after taking control of Briles pass-friendly system. However, Sumlin’s plans include a much more aggressive style of football. “We’d like to be a very physical team,” Sumlin said. “Just because you throw the football doesn’t mean you’re not physical. We’d like to be a smart team and pride ourselves on playing smart and playing physical. If we can do those two things, I think we can win a few games.” Bringing national recognition to the team is definitely a goal for Sumlin, who already knows with whom the Cougars will have to compete. “There’s a lot of tradition here,” he said, “dating back to the Southwest Conference days when UH not only competed, but it won Southwest Conference championships playing against Texas, (Texas) A&M and Auburn. “The tradition is here. It’s not like it hasn’t been done at the highest level. I think that whenever you look at that, you’ve always got a chance to be successful.” Nothing soft about them Just one season after earning its first Conference USA championship, the 2008 Cougar softball team reached even greater heights by repeating

as conference champions and hosting its first ever Super Regional. With only eight seasons under their belt, the Cougars came within one win from reaching the College World Series. Under the guidance of head coach Kyla Holas, UH has become a dominant force in the program’s short existence. With a highly talented group of players, the Cougars held a national ranking for 15 of 16 weeks during the season and were awarded with numerous C-USA Player of the Week awards. Three Cougars were awarded with National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American awards in 2008 — another first for the program. Senior pitcher Angel Shamblin, junior outfielder Laurie Wagner and junior infielder Jessica Valis all took home the honor after completing career seasons. Shamblin was a consistent force all season, finishing 36-5 with a 0.94 ERA and 299 strikeouts. Wagner set a new single season record in home runs for the Cougars with 19, while hitting .401 with 57 RBIs, and Valis led the team

#19

LAURIE WAGNER

BLAKE KELSO

Outfielder

Shortstop

» ATHLETICS continues on Page 62

1. Sophomore shortstop Blake Kelso connects for one of his 58 hits during the 2008 baseball season. | photo by mauricio lazo 2. Redshirt sophomore running back Andre Kohn celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the Texas Bowl. | photo by gregory bohuslav 3. The Cougars softball team has much to look forward to after hosting its first Super Regional last season. | photo by mauricio lazo 4. With a new head coach and system in place, the Cougars football team will charge the field this season in hopes of earning another bowl game appearance. | photo by gregory bohuslav

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Home-field advantage Robertson Stadium Constructed in 1941, Robertson Stadium has been the home of Cougars football since September 21, 1946, when Houston lost 13-7 to University of Southern Louisiana. After a $6 million facelift in 1998, the playing surface was dedicated to its benefactor and renamed John O’Quinn Field. The Cougars are 31-25-1 at Robertson Stadium and look to continue their winning ways at home, playing six home games this season. Hofheinz Pavilion Hofheinz Pavilion has been home to the men’s basketball team since its opening in 1969. It also hosts the women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The 8,500-seat arena’s first event featured the men’s basketball team in an 89-72 win over University of Southern Louisiana. The pavilion is named after Houston legend Judge Roy Hofheinz, who, along with his wife Irene, contributed $1.5 million towards the building’s construction. Cougar Field The Cougar baseball team plays its home games at Cougar Field, located on the corner of Elgin Street and Cullen Boulevard. Home of the team since 1995, the stadium boasts a 3,500 seating capacity sursur rounding its natural grass surface and is highlighted by a newly installed 47-by-60 foot video scoreboard. Houston won the inaugural game at Cougar field, with a 10-2 win over Sam Houston State, and holds a 271-142 record at home. Cougar Softball Field Completed in 2002, Cougar Softball Field is home of the two-time Conference USA champion Cougar softball team. Located on the corner of Scott Street and Elgin Street, the facility can seat up to 1,200 fans and offers an excellent view of the Houston skyline. With a large contribucontribu tion from UH alumni John and Rebecca Moores, the $2.4 million stadium is among the University’s top sporting venues. Houston won its first game at the stadium 6-1 over Utah. Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium In the spring of 2003, UH opened the doors to one of the finest swimming and diving facilities in the country. Stretching 70 meters by 25 yards, the pool holds over 1.3 million gallons of water and ranges from four feet in depth up to 17 feet. At the diving end are two 1-meter and two 3-meter springboards and five platform diving boards from 1 meter to 10 meters. With such highly acclaimed facilities, the complex has been home to many conference, zone and divisional NCAA championship events. Tom Tellez Track Tom Tellez Track features a nine-lane, European oval-shaped track, designed to allow runners make faster turns, dual jumping lanes, throwing areas and high jump aprons. The track is named after former UH track and field coach Tom Tellez, who led his teams to 13 conference champichampi onships between 1977 and 1998. The facility is now the annual host of the Tom Tellez Invitational and the Houston invitational.

Athletics Continued from Page 61 »

with a .431 average, 20 stolen bases and 88 hits. Although Shamblin’s career at UH has come to an end, Wagner and Valis will return with a great core of athletes and make a strong run for their first World Series appearance. Youth Group After a sub-par season the previous year, the Cougars baseball team turned things around in 2008, winning the C-USA tournament and advancing to the College Station Regional. A strong, young core of players met with veteran leadership to give head coach Rayner Noble his eighth postseason berth. Through fourteen seasons as head coach, Noble has amassed 499 wins, 235 conference 62 | TransiTions

wins and a .617 conference winning percentpercent age, all of which are the most in the program’s history. Continuing to put quality players on the field year after year, he has produced a number of Major League prospects, including Houston Astros centerfielder Michael Bourn and PittsPitts burgh Pirates prospect Brad Lincoln. Turning out quality players is a major key to keepkeep ing the program amongst the best in the conference. “We’ve got to continue to recruit and sign quality ball players,” Noble said. “Our coaching staff is very good, but it’s the quality of your players and how you develop those quality players that helps you continue to maintain that championship status.” In 2008, the Cougars’ group of freshman turned out to be exceedingly valuable to the team’s sucsuccess. On the mound, Chase Dempsay recorded new records for freshmen in saves (11) and wins (8) in route to having one of the best seasons

out of the bullpen in Cougar history. Shortstop Blake Kelso was a fixture at the top of the lineup, batting .288 with three triples and 19 stolen bases. However, he showed his best work with his glove, making many tremendous plays in the field. Dempsay and Kelso were both named to the 2008 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team. If the new class of freshmen players can make a similar impact, there’s no doubt that the Cougars can continue to be a presence and earn another spot in the postseason. “We’re going to rely quite heavily on a few freshfresh men again next year just like we did this year,” Noble said. “If those guys can perform like our kids did this year, that’s going to help our future, no doubt. “Usually when you do big things at this level it’s with veterans. And if we can get some guys into their junior and senior year that started as freshmen, that’s only going to, hopefully, get us to (the College World Series).” u

Paint it by ZANETA lOh

The University carries a rich history of proud traditions and rituals that unite the diverse student body at football games and rallies. These traditions add a spirit of fun to games and events and should be held near and dear by all Cougars. The Cougar represents the University at sporting events and with student organizations. The Daily Cougar, the official University of Houston student newspaper since 1934, initially chose the cougar as its mascot for its grace, power and pride — and the University athletics teams followed suit. Twenty years later, Shasta joined the campus community after the fraternity Alpha Phi Omega raised money to house a cougar on campus. Students voted to name the mascot “Shasta,” a contraction of “She has to”: “She has to have a cage, she has to have a keeper.” From 1947 to 1989, five live cougars represented Shasta at oncampus football games. Today, Shasta is represented by students who wear cougar costumes and don Albino White and Scarlet at sporting events. A female cougar, Sasha, later joined the mascot canon. The Cougar hand sign is the most widespread campus tradition, even though it was originally a snub from Longhorns. While Shasta was traveling to the University of Texas for a football game, a digit on her paw was severed by a cage door. Longhorns mocked the wound by bending their thumb over the ring finger against their palm. To add insult to injury, Texas won the game that day 28-7. At the Southwest Conference in 1976, Cougars held up the sign as the University went on to defeat the Longhorns 30-0.

RED

The “Cougar paw” sign continues to represent the University today at football games and school events. Scarlet and Albino White are standard uniform at Cougar pride events. Students can show their pride by wearing red every Thursday before football games. Many fans also smear red paint across their faces and chests on game day, in addition to adorning temporary facial tattoos that can be purchased from the campus bookstore. Scarlet represents “courage and perseverance,” while Albino White embodies “the purity and perfections of a heart, mind and soul that is dedicated to serve faithfully.” The school colors were adopted at the same time as the school seal, which both originated from Sir Hugh, an ancestor of Sam Houston. During games Cougars fans of all singing abilities can be heard reciting the Fight Song and the Alma Mater. Casual fans may settle for the traditional chant “Eat ‘em up, Coogs!” with the traditional pumping of the Cougar paw. The UH football team is known for its high-scoring offense, and no tradition highlights that as well as Shasta and Sasha performing push ups after a touchdown. After each Cougar touchdown, mascots do one push up for each point won by the University. Fans of all campus sports should keep their keys on hand for a Cougar victory. During the last minute of a game that favors the University, all Cougars jingle their keys to tell the opposing team to go home in defeat. These traditions allow Cougars to share a bond, which will last long after the final points have been scored and Shasta has been put to bed. u

THE SEAL Adopted in 1938, the University seal draws from the coat of arms of Gen. Sam Houston, and depicts greyhounds to symbolize speed, martlets (which are like doves) to signify peace and a winged hourglass with the motto “In Tempore,” Latin for “In Time.”

THE ALMA MATER All hail to thee, Our Houston University. Our hearts fill with gladness When we think of thee. We’ll always adore thee Dear old varsity. And to thy memory cherished True we’ll ever be.

THE FIGHT SONG Cougars fight for dear old U of H For our Alma Mater cheer. Fight for Houston University For victory is near. When the going gets so rough and tough We never worry ‘cause we got the stuff. So fight, fight, fight for red and white And we will go to victory.

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At your

service

by Joshua Malone UH offers a wide variety of resources to assist new students with college life

or all the exciting prospects college life can offer incoming students, such as meeting new people or taking a variety of interesting classes, other aspects can be equally stressing. Your high school friends are attending different schools, the tests and research papers are endless and the thought of deciding your entire livelihood at 18 is simply overwhelming. Fortunately, UH offers a variety of serser vices to help students manage their academic, personal and social lives.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY FRESHMAN FAVORITES Here’s top

ranking majors

the

declared

by freshman in Fall 2007. Some majors are condensed into fields (for instance, biology) because many degree fields

are

very

specific.

The number in parenthesis is the number of students declaring the major.

1. 2. 3. 4.

When faced with choosing what career path to pursue for the next four years and beyond, it’s not uncommon for a student to change majors two, even three times, often leaving countless credit hours and thousands of dollars on the cutting room floor. With this in mind, Associate Vice President for Student Services David Small encourages students to visit University Career Services to find the appropriate career path. “The second most important thing to decide for a college student is the choice of major,” Small said. “The most important was the decision to go to college. Only 20 percent of college freshman end up doing what they thought they would when they entered the college. So when choosing a major, we have career counseling, vocational assessments, workshops and mentoring services. …It’s better to find yourself now than to find yourself in the wrong career later.” University Career Services also assists students in getting a foot in the door with networking, or building contacts now for a career later. “The research shows that most people find jobs through networking. It’s very important to pick up these skills and begin to cultivate your networks now,” Small said. “It’s always better to start earlier than later.”

Biology (352) Pre-Pharmacy (337) Pre-Business (304) Hotel and Restaurant Management (121) 5. Psychology (88) 6. Mechanical Engineering (73) 7. Architecture (62) 8. Political Science (49) 9. Music (46) 10. Chemical engineering (45) Tutors at Learning Support Services help students in many subject areas, including math and foreign languages. | photo by alan garcia 64 | TransiTions

BY THE NUMBERS 6

the minimum number of credit hours to be eligible for student health insurance plans from the University of Houston

$420

Students use the Career Services computer lab to take aptitude tests or research internships. | photo by alan garcia

HElp IS HERE

The Health Center offers annual flu shots and free disease screenscreen ings. | photo by alan garcia

the cost per semester of the basic plan for Student Health Insurance

Not surprisingly, one of the largest obstacles new students face during their adjustment to college are the courses themselves. While a high school student could previously get by with half-hearted studying and sloppy time management, these habits no longer fly with the higher expectations enforced by college professors. Fortunately, students who visit Learning Support Services are given tools that ensure effective learning strategies and peer tutoring for those especially difficult classes. “The biggest thing we stress is that we want students to learn efficiently,” LSS Director Patrick Daniel said. “(College) can be difficult because professors don’t always teach the same and learning can require different steps. … We teach students how to retain information and to make connections with what they are learning, so it is not just a random collection of facts.” And because it is always more helpful to gain a helping hand on that physics homework than to brave it alone, Daniel offered an overwhelming statistic that underlines the value of LSS. “Over 1,100 students visited us last year for tutoring alone, and of the students that visit us, over 80 percent go on to graduate.” Whether it’s an aforementioned service, the Technology Center to assist with the University’s online resources, the Ombudsperson Services to help keep work environments as pleasant as possible, or any of the countless others, the University offers several venues to help make the transition to being a Cougar as smooth as possible. On behalf of the entire University, consider us at your service.

A HEAlTHY CHOICE

Social bUTTerFly Ken Waldman, director of the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services seeks to make the transition to a new campus as painless as possible through an assortment of therapy, workshops and outreach programs to ensure students tackle college with the right frame of mind. “The biggest hurdle faced by new students is realizing that college is different than high school,” Waldman said. “Students face lots of stressors in college. Counseling can help with those stressors.” A rewarding college experience often doesn’t come without rewarding social life, and by offering group and couples’ counseling, the staff at CAPS understands that it’s not easy to study for an exam when a significant other or best friend begins having issues of their own. “Having interpersonal difficulties is a major obstacle to student success,” Waldman said.“Social skills are just as important as academic skills.”

Students short on time or money often avoid health clinics with a stubborn resolve, but the University Health Center is out to prove that receiving medical care can still be an affordable and convenient option for those in need. Complete with a pharmacy, x-ray machine, walk-in clinic and more, the board-certified staff encourages students to visit, even if their concerns seem more tedious than terminal. “Even if students think it’s something minor, it’s free to come in, talk to a nurse and see what we offer,” chief nurse Laura Moore said. The Health Center recognizes the importance of keeping their services as affordable as possible, especially as students juggle concerns about tuition and books. “We really do try to keep costs at an affordable rate for students,” Director Floyd Robinson said.“The health insurance costs are very reasonableand it’s not necessary to have insurance to visit the Health Center. We still treat you here.” The Health Center staff are especially cognizant of being as convenient and easily accessible for students, particularly for those living on campus. “First and foremost, we’re here for the students,” Moore said.“For those students who live in the residence halls, this is all they get. We know that, so anything to keep them happy and healthy, we’ll do.” The Health Center stays mindful of the distractions college life can bring and strives to create awareness of communicable diseases, birth control and substance abuse. But for those who had a little too much fun at those off-campus parties last weekend, the Health Center offers several free disease screenings as well as a useful (and completely anonymous) tool called Dr. Healthberry. “On our Web site, students can anonymously write in to Dr. Healthberry to ask those very embarrassing questions about a pain, cough and, more importantly, what to do about it,” Robinson said. For more information on the Health Center and its pricing, visit www.uh.edu/admin/hc. u

percentage of people who become infected with HPV at some point in their lives

how many times a year the Health Center offers free HIV screenings

the cost of allergy injections

$10

the cost of a student’s general check-up with insurance with copayment

$15

the cost of a student’s general check-up without insurance

$153

the cost of a Gardasil injection

The number of times a year you should see your doctor

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Financialaidis on yourside

What is the FAFSA and can I apply?

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All United States citizens, permanent residents with an Alien Registration Card (I-551) and conditional permanent residents with VISA type I-551C may apply for FAFSA funds.

How do I apply for the FAFSA?

Applications become available every December. Apply for your FAFSA pin number, complete the FAFSA application and review your Student Aid Report. Then, complete your file and verification with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. After submitting your FAFSA, check your status on PeopleSoft and accept your award.

Am I an independent?

The following conditions qualify students as independents: Over 24 years old by December 31st of the award year, graduate or professional student status, married, provides more than 50% of support to legal dependents, both parents deceased or ward of the court or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Finally, students must be determined to be independent by the financial aid administrator.

What types of aid does UH award?

UH awards grants, scholarships, Work Study programs and loans. Two important scholarships freshmen should know are the Graduation Pledge, which gives financial aid to students who steadily make progress on their degree plan, and the Cougar Promise, which helps low-income freshmen pay four years of tuition.

Does UH offer any emergency loans for students?

Students can use the Emergency Tuition Loan for tuition and mandatory fees, which must be paid in full after 90 days. A Short-Term Loan must be paid within 45 days and covers housing, tuition and mandatory fees. 66 | Transitions

Numerous programs offered to combat rising costs of college by

JENNIFER RODRIGUEZ

Now that you’ll call UH home it’s time to address the issue of paying for your education. UH offers numerous methods to ease the financial woes of attending college. Financial aid programs Scholarships are easily accessible to the student body, but you must be willing to do the footwork and determine what applies to your financial needs. Typically, university-funded scholarships are available, all one needs is to be admitted to the University and have a completed file within the admissions office. When one associates scholarships with financial need, it is important to note that aid is available to transfer students and incoming freshman alike. Numerous amounts of aid are made available to undergraduates. Unfortunately, many students do not take the time to review and research all that is offered throughout the campus. Grants are need-based awards presented to students and do not require repayment. The difference in scholarships and grants is that grants do not pay attention to one’s academic merit; rather they analyze the financial need of the individual. The major point to consider when contemplating the idea of a grant is that you will need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Aid. Thousands of students enter and reenter college every year, so it is important that you get a jump-start on process so that the government will consider you for funding. Make sure to meet any deadline that is mentioned to ensure that you have taken the proper steps to warrant a timely response. Loans and work-study The Federal Family Education Loan Program is a private sector within the student loan process. It enables funds for students to be accessible while receiving their degree. Although many loans are made public to students it is important to understand the bolded words when accepting a loan of any sort that is subsidized or unsubsidized. Federal Stafford Loans provide financial assistance that scholarships and grants may not meet. The item to consider with each of these loans is interest. The government pays for subsidized loan interest while you attend college, whereas unsubsidized loan interest begins incurring from the time you take out the loan. While weighing your options, you will need to sit and approximate exactly how

much financial need you have a hankering for and the amount of time that you anticipate you will be in school. The Federal Work-Study Program provides an opportunity for students who demonstrate financial need to work in order to pay for their educational cost. Regardless, you will be able to apply not only the money that you earn toward your future, but proficiency in the working world. Financial incentives Cougar Promise ensures, financial assistance to incoming, in-state freshman whose families have annual incomes of $30,000 or less. UH pledges to cover all cost of tuition that exceeds the amount awarded by financial aid throughout a span of four years. This is in an attempt to provide a means to higher education, to those who otherwise would not be nationally funded. The Jump program allows incoming freshman to get a head start and helps ensure an easy transition into undergraduate life. The program offers students the opportunity to take two courses during the Summer IV session, which lasts five weeks. The interesting incentive of this experience is that during this time students will essentially be paying two-for-one in terms of the amount of the courses. Graduation Pledge encourages first-time college students to graduate in four years. Rewards given are dependent on steady enrollment and good academic standing. In your first year, if you complete 30 hours you will be eligible to receive $500 toward your next year’s tuition, $1,000 after 60 hours in your second year and $1,500 in your third year while having completed 90 hours toward your degree. UH offers tuition rebates of $1,000 to undergraduate students who graduate meeting the requirements of eligibility. The rebate requires that an eligible student be a Texas resident, have exceeded no more than three semesters of the minimum allowed in his or her degree plan and that he or she must graduate within four years or five depending on the degree plan set within a major. B-On-Time Loan offers no-interest loans to Texas undergraduate students and does not require that they pay them back until graduation. To be eligible, a student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average upon graduation, complete his or her degree within four years to five depending on his or her degree plan and not exceed the maximum amount of courses allowed within his or her major. u

Get your daily doses of information by reading THE DAILY COUGAR The official student newspaper of the University of Houston since 1934

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TRAINING

Free Instructor-led and online eLearning computer training courses from Information Technology. IT provides FREE instructor-led, hands-on computer training for UH students, faculty, and staff. Classes are taught on computers in room 110L of the Social Work building, and include the following topics: ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛

Database and Reporting Applications: MS Access, Crystal Reports Email and Calendaring: MS Outlook Media: Podcasting Presentations: MS PowerPoint Project Management: MS Project

˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛

Spreadsheets: MS Excel Word Processing: MS Word, MS InfoPath Web Development: HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, Adobe Dreamweaver, XML Desktop Publishing/Graphics: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, MS Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign Operating Systems: MS Windows XP and Vista, Mac OS X, UNIX

Course descriptions and online registration are available at www.uh.edu/ittraining. For more information, call IT Training at 713.743.1411, or email ittraining@uh.edu. SkillPort eLearning IT also offers over 3000 free online SkillPort eLearning courses covering a wide range of business and technology topics, including Communications, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Project Management, and information technology for end-users and professionals. Courses are accessed at http://uh.skillport.com. Call 713-743-1411 for more information.

Visit the University of Houston information Technology Web site at www.uh.edu/infotech. TransiTions | 67

top leisure

sp UC Game Room

Lounge area on second floor University Center

photos by alan garcia Shastaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cones and More

Hill near UC Satellite

Robertson Stadium

Fountain near Ezekiel W. Cullen Building

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UP! UP

ORDERS

Meal options are aplenty at the University, which offers everything from fine dining to fast food by AMENAh KhAlIl

For students who have only minutes to spare between classes, UH offers a hefty slate of quick, inexpensive dining options to keep your taste buds satisfied on a student budget. You can start your day with a healthy omelet at the Moody Towers Resident Dining or Oberholtzer Hall, where the Real Food On Campus dining boasts of its “restaurant-style culinary options with a trendy, comfortable environment.” Other breakfast locations include the two on-campus Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Java City. Want to enjoy a delicious meal with your friends? Eric’s Restaurant, staffed by students of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, offers American bistro meals with inviting flavors such as South American and Italian. With so many delicious choices on the menu, such as grilled steak, pan-seared or grilled chicken breast and straw-fried sweet potatoes, you’ll need more than a few minutes to order your meal. You can choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches, chicken, beef, seafood or pasta entrees. Eric’s Restaurant is conveniently open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Another great dining location is Barron’s, where you can enjoy soups, salads and burgers for bargain prices. Enjoy the rich and creamy Barron’s smoked corn chowder, southwestern beef fajita wrap with sautéed bell peppers, marinated salmon filet served on a croissant, all af affordable on a student budget.

Want to grab a meal before class? If you choose to dine at the University Center, you can enjoy Subway sandwiches, ChickFil-A meals, Wendy’s, AFC Sushi, madeto-order Capeesh pizza and pasta, Java City, a C3 convenience store and the more relaxed atmosphere of Chili’s Too. If you’re taking late classes and are worried that you won’t find an open dining location, worry no more: Wendy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and other convenient hours on weekends. Perhaps you’d like to cool down with an ice-cream cone. Shasta’s Cones and More offers ice-cream flavors your taste buds will surely appreciate. You may also choose to eat at the University Center Satellite, a location vibrant with energy and, often music from a range of bands outside its doors. The UC Satellite houses Montague’s Deli, Grille Works (their fries are a must-have), Cranberry Farms, Chick-Fil-A, Kim Son, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Smoothie King, Starbucks and a C3 convenience store. Taco Bell is a favorite because of its affordable prices and speedy service. The quiet and comfortable study lounge is steps away from Starbucks coffee. The UC Satellite also has two widescreen televisions where you can relax during lunch, between classes or after a testing exam, or take a break to play pool on one of the many tables. Located behind the Welcome Center and across the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, Sonic and McAlister’s Deli offer sandwiches, salads, appetizers and desserts. u

Whether your looking for a full meal after a long day or a light soup to keep you awake during class, you can find it at one of the many dining locations at UH. | photo by austin miller

At the University Center you can enjoy Subway sandwhiches, Chick-Fil-A meals, Wendy’s, AFC Sushi and made-to-order Capeesh pizza and pasta. 69

University Health Center Hurt? Sick? All currently enrolled students can use our services whether you have UH Student Insurance or not!

All visits and inquiries are confidential

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Walk-in Clinic Physician visits for general

Psychiatric Clinic Evaluation, diagnosis,

diagnosis, treatment, minor emergencies, laboratory, X-ray and specialist referral. 713-743-5151 Nursing Care Allergy injections, cuts and abrasions, health information, blood pressure monitoring, immunizations. 713-743-5156 Dermatology Clinic Diagnosis and treatment of skin related conditions. No referral necessary. Appointment only. 713-743-5154 Men’s Clinic Diagnosis, treatment, counseling and referral for men’s health issues. Appointment only. 713-743-5155 Orthopedic Clinic Treatment of sports injuries and musculo-skeletal problems. Appointment only. 713-743-5142

medication management and treatment for psychiatric disorders. Appointment only. 713-743-5149 Women’s Clinic Diagnosis, treatment, counseling and referral for women’s health issues. Appointment only. 713-743-5156 Attendant Care Services Care and lifestyle assistance program for needs of disabled students living on campus. 713-748-8603 Pharmacy Prescription and over the counter items at very low cost. 713-743-5125 UH Student Health Insurance Deadline to add or drop insurance is the 20th class day of each fall and spring semester. 713-743-5137

For hours and more information, http://www.uh.edu/admin/hc :cigVcXZ + dc L]ZZaZg 7aY\ *'* dc 8Vbejh BVe

GET YOUR REFUNDS FASTER! WWW.COUGARONE.COM TransiTions | 71

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A view from the Eiffel Tower or a stroll through the Taj Mahal expands student horizons and adds new depth to academic study

or those brave souls who wish to venture out of their comfort zones and delve into a new experience abroad during their first years at UH, numerous programs await aspiring travelers to get them that much closer to their destination. Whether you have your hopes set on visiting the ancient “I was able to go on wild adventures in port and study while at sea,” Nguyen ruins of Mexico, traversing the cobblestone paths of Rome said. “My most memorable experience was in Montezuma, Costa Rica where we or spending a semester at sea, UH’s Office of International slept alongside the beach on hammocks and wandered off to hidden waterfalls Studies Programs offers assistance with everything from where we jumped off 50-foot cliffs.” the application process to providing students with a list of For political science senior Abdallah Kamal, who attended a faculty-led politics travel tips to keep handy. and literature program in Italy this summer, his only regret was that he learned For OISP director Parul Fernandes studying abroad is about UH’s Study Abroad program so late in his academic career. an invaluable experience every student should indulge in. Kamal feels his trip was vastly enhanced by educated faculty members like “This is an academic program that helps the critical- former Honors College Dean and UH Interim President of Academic Affairs and thinking process and really builds the personality of the Interim Provost Ted Estess. person,” Fernandes said. “That experience becomes a “Countless details and historic locations would have gone unnoticed had it jewel in your crown. The glory of it all lies in that per- not been for Dean Estess,” Kamal said.“From the vivid descriptions of the murals sonal experience.” in the Vatican to the dramatic back stories of each religious figure depicted; the As far academic opportunities, students can study a amount they knew was both humbling and inspiring.” second language during their time abroad, learn the ropes Faculty-led programs range from language classes in China, France and of foreign business markets or even take a closer look Spain to business courses in India and an anthropology proat the history of other cultures. gram in Belize. Germand and Biology senior Mary Guir- “My most memorable With OISP’s exchange program students can guis said living with her German roomgo abroad and have their host institution’s tuition experience was ... where mates only enhanced her semester in waved. Students would be required to pay the Leipzig last summer, giving her incost of regular UH tuition and fees during we slept alongside the sight into some aspects of German their studies abroad. beach on hammocks and living she wouldn’t have received Fortunately for freshmen, OISP’s rewandered off to hidden otherwise. quirements for studying abroad have shifted “I could not wait to finally go to in their favor. Undergraduates must have at waterfalls where we jumped Germany and explore it for myself least 12 hours of credit at UH and maintain off 50-foot cliffs.” and see what it’s like after having a grade point average of 2.5. By reducing the learned about it for so long,” Guirnumber of credit hours required for underJOSEPH NGYUEN guis said. “I was able to explore the graduates to study abroad, OISP has made it Hotel and restaurant country, the culture, and the people bepossible for freshmen and sophomores to take management senior hind the books and facts. I was not observadvantage of the program as early as their second ing it like a tourist but I was actually living in semester at UH, enabling students to study abroad more it.” than once during their academic careers. Last summer hotel and restaurant management senior “I think every student should study abroad because the experience comJoseph Nguyen traveled to eight different countries in Cen- pletely changes the perspective of the student and enables them to grow academitral and South America with the Semester at Sea program. cally and emotionally,” Fernandes said. During the 65-day trip Nguyen traveled with more than OISP, located in Ezekiel W. Cullen Building, Room 501, helps ease the financial 700 people from different parts of the world through Chile, costs of studying abroad by serving as an outlet for eligible students to receive a Acapulco, Guatemala, Ecuador and Nicaragua. number of scholarship opportunities. The two scholarships offered by OISP are the International Education Fee Scholarship and the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. For a complete list of scholarships and deadlines, visit www.uh.edu/academics/institu. Students can also stop by the OISP office to use the resource room and browse through materials or call (713) 743-9167 to set up an appointment. u

Transitions | 73

UH Police Department security officer Kathy Velez watches live surveillance footage in a virtual patrol room. More than 240 security cameras cover campus parking lots, buildings and high-pedestrian traffic areas. | photo by alan garcia

Under surveillance

UHPD encourages students to team up with the department and help ensure safety on campus Jonathan Cumby

With a little personal responsibility and the help of the UH Police Department, students’ safety is under lock and key. Whether it’s by calling in a tip, attending a defense class or just keeping a closer eye on your belongings, the UH police say there are many ways for new students to take a more active approach to their own campus safety. Campus officers are here not only to serve and protect, but also to listen to the concerns of the University’s students, faculty and staff. “Don’t hesitate to call. We’re here,” UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis said.“We ask the students to be our extra eyes and ears. If you see or hear or wonder about something, give us a call and let us go check it out.” UH police are specially trained for a variety of situations, including weather and traffic emergencies as well as situations involving an active shooter, Davis said. The department has someone on dispatch 24 hours a day, year round. Blue call boxes located across campus are direct links to the department. Officers

can also be reached at (713) 743-3333 or through 911. UHPD handles nearly 40,000 police-related calls each year, Davis said, and they don’t mind the work. “You may think you’re bothering us, but you’re really not,” Davis said.“Even if it’s something weird, like bats flying around (Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall) at 3 a.m. We’re not going to come get the bats, but we’ll call someone who will. We’ll call animal control, the plumber or whoever needs to be contacted to fix the problem. Any concern you have any time of the day or night, we are a conduit of information.” Davis urges students to be attentive and prepared. The first step is setting up your Public Information and Emergency Response system contact information via PeopleSoft or the PIER Web site, www.uh.edu/ emergency. “Give us a contact that you’ll actually respond to. We all have a UH e-mail address, but if you don’t use it, set your primary e-mail to something you check often,” Davis said. Emergency messages can also be sent via cell phone as well as through text messaging. When students come to campus, it is now upon them to be the first line of defense, Davis said. Being aware of what is going on around you is imperative

to both your personal safety and the safety of the UH community. “When you’re on campus, it’s not like living at home. Don’t leave your stuff lying around if you want to take a break. Odds are high that your stuff will be gone when you get back,” Davis said. Keeping valuables out of sight, especially in parked vehicles, is the best way to prevent theft. Much of the crimes that occur on campus are random crimes of opportunity, Davis said. The student’s job is to take responsibility and put the odds in their favor, especially when it comes to personal property. Textbooks are some of the most valuable tools of the college trade and the outrageous prices attached to them further remind us of their importance. Davis recommends students distinguish their books from others in order to prove ownership if necessary. “You can’t just say you highlighted ‘certain stuff’,” Davis said.“Everybody highlights. Pick a number you like and plant your name or your cat’s name or something on that page. This way if someone takes it, you can prove it’s yours.” Parking lot safety is also important, especially at

» CAMPUS SAFETY continues on Page 75

Malcolm Davis UH police chief

Don’t hesitate to call. We’re here. We ask the students to be our eyes and ears. If you see or hear or wonder about something, give us a call and we’ll check it out.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

New Cougars should keep magazine handy This year’s issue of Transitions is filled with what I thought would be most helpful and appealing to new students at the University of Houston. With everything from the historical roots of the University to the endless amount of resources housed at M.D. Anderson Library and an article on how to keep your grade-point average from utter ruin, we hope it’s enough

to get you though your first semesters at UH. To encourage you to take part in the incredibly active UH community, we offered a collage of quotes from members of various student organizations on how getting involved has enhanced their UH experience. We’ve filled you in on the top leisure spots around campus for those muchdeserved study breaks and gave our advice on how to take advantage of UH’s many student services. We’ve even included our version of a campus map to guide you through your first few days of

classes. Hope you enjoy. I’d like to thank my staff for taking time out of their summer vacation to help this magazine come together. Working with all of the writers, photographers, copy editors and designers who made these once blank pages come to life was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Ruth Rodriguez Transitions editor in chief

Campus safety Continued from Page 74 »

night. Davis recommends walking to and from night sessions with people in your class or study group. Parking close to lights and as close your building as possible are simple steps to ensure safety in the dark. “Ladies, look under your cars and tilt your driver’s seats forward when you leave them,” Davis said. “If you walk by and the seat’s not where it was, keep walking and call us.” Always open to suggestions, the department hosts the annual “Walk in the Dark” every fall in conjunction with the Student Government Association. The walk provides students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to make recommendations on how to better protect the University. The Rape Aggression Defense program, which began in 2004 under the direction of Lt. Derrick McClinton, offers free self-defense classes to female students, teaching them tactics employed in the event of an attack. For information on class times and enrollment, contact McClinton at dmcclinton@central.uh.edu. The University is a place for education and enrichment, and along with the help of the public safety officials, we can make it both safe and enjoyable for the entire community. u

UH students perform in volunteer-effort play. | file photo

Arts

Continued from Page 53 »

beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing as our theater is. I would say that it’s probably the loveliest theatre in the city. It’s a well-kept secret,” Berger said.

In addition to its 24-hour dispatch service, the UH Police Department provides a security escort service to students, faculty and staff who need transportation across campus. | photo by alan garcia

UH’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture should not be overlooked as far as art is concerned. After all, the building itself boasts an attractive design. The college has held a number of workshops led by professional freelance designers Anna Klara Langer, a graduate of Lund University in Sweden, and John Jack Zellner, former senior lecturer at University of Wisconsin-Stout. Student work has also been displayed outside the building and around campus. “Art has always been about exploring possibilities, pushing beyond boundaries and questioning the status quo. While art is often associated with a medium, such as painting or photography, today’s artists are generally more concerned with the ‘strategy’ they employ to open a public forum, and they use whatever medium is appropriate to do so,” Reed said. Campus poetry and prose readings, a collaborative effort between University of Houston Libraries and the Creative Writing Program,

offer students another venue to explore the arts. All readings, held in The Honors College, are free and open to the public. UH’s literary journals are Gulf Coast, Glass Mountain and NANO Fiction. Graduate students run Gulf Coast and it accepts submissions from UH students and other talented writers across the country. It also hosts a reading series at Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet St. Glass Mountain and NANO Fiction are both run by undergraduate students. Glass Mountain publishes both poetry and fiction while NANO Fiction, UH’s non-profit student literary journal, specializes in contemporary fiction. Both occasionally host readings and launch parties for new issues for students to attend, free of charge. Whether you love the arts or are merely curious about exploring them UH showcases a never-ending realm of creative resources for you to dip into. So indulge, it’s all yours. u TransiTions | 75

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SUPPORT CENTER

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Available Services: R R R R R R

Set up CougarNet accounts and reset passwords Set up Mail.uh.edu email accounts and reset passwords Provide information on how to access and manage WebCT accounts Install antivirus and network connection software Provide wireless networking Provide access to SkillPort eLearning

Online support: IT provides a number of ways for customers to reach support staff with technology-related questions, concerns, and issues. %MAIL Send your general IT questions to support@uh.edu !SK3HASTA Web-based tool provides 24x7 information about UH. www.uh.edu/askshasta /NLINE (ELP &ORM Request IT support using the online support case creation form. www.uh.edu/infotech/help #LASSROOM %QUIPMENT Ask questions about equipment or make reservations. mdist@uh.edu 3ECURITY Report illegal or questionable incidents. security@uh.edu 5( 7EBSITE Ask questions, or make comments or suggestions about the UH Web site. www.uh.edu !BUSE Report incidents that may involve abuse of university computer systems. abuse@uh.edu # 3ITE Information about Central Site Technology Commons. c-sitemgr@uh.edu 6ISIT THE 5NIVERSITY OF (OUSTON )NFORMATION 4ECHNOLOGY 7EB SITE AT WWW UH EDU INFOTECH FOR CURRENT NEWS CONTINUED SUPPORT AND A COMPLETE LIST OF AVAILABLE SERVICES 76 | TransiTions

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