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Friday, February 27, 2009
The Daily Cougar
OPINION EDITOR Shaista Mohammed
E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com
COMING MONDAY: Women helping women. ONLINE POLL: Always time for what you put first ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/opinion
THE DAILY COUGAR
EDITORIAL CARTOON
EDITORIAL BOARD Zaneta Loh, editor in chief Signe Cluiss, managing editor James Rincon, News editor Matt Miller, Sports editor Sarah Tucker, Life & Arts editor Shaista Mohammed, Opinion editor Sarah Krusleski, Features editor
STAFF EDITORIAL
NYU protestors allowed to return, but no party is victor
N BISSAN RAFE THE DAILY COUGAR
Obama’s plan still lacking details Martin Luther, the father of Protestantism, once said, “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” With these words in mind, I settled down to listen to President Obama’s first speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. Only 44 percent of Americans anticipated President Obama’s speech to be “good,” according to CNN Opinion Research Corporation survey conducted on the eve of the occasion. However, in another CNN ORC poll taken just minutes after Tuesday night’s speech, nearly 85 percent of viewers felt “more optimistic about the direction of the country.” The question remains, though: did our new president say enough? In his speech, which focused around the $787 billion stimulus bill he recently signed-off on, Obama touched on many topics, including health care reform and a modernization of our educational system. “This budget creates new teachers,v new incentives for teacher performance, pathways for
advancement and rewards for success,” Obama’s goal for a more transparent he said. government, saying that he was “ready “We’ll invest in innovative programs to assist him to that end.” that are already helping schools meet Even California Gov. Arnold high standards and close achievement Schwarzenegger was on board. gaps. And “President Obama is we will right to seize our global It is still too early to determine expand our economic emergency whether Obama’s words will make as a time to lay a more commitment to charter solid foundation for our the necessary changes to our schools.” nation’s growth,”he said. country he touted so highly on Many It is still too early claimed the campaign trail. For the time to determine whether a lack of words will make being, the American public has no Obama’s firm details the necessary changes to option but to wait and see what our country he touted so hindered the nearly hourhighly on the campaign tomorrow brings. long oration. trail. For the time being, “I agree the American public has with the president that we need to no option but to wait and see what address education and energy, housing tomorrow brings. and health care, but right now the In the words of Rep. Roy Blunt, American public is hungry for details,” R-Mo., “more important than anything Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said. President Obama says tonight is what “Unfortunately tonight we didn’t get the budget he unveils will look like.” those answers.” Jason Bess is a communication junior and The majority of reactions, though, may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. were favorable — even from the right. com. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) lauded
Women overcome obstacles at UH Myra Conley, UH alumnus and assistant dean of students, has seen change up close at UH. Conley arrived on the campus as a student in the ’70s, not long after the reign of Lynn Eusan, UH’s first AfricanAmerican homecoming queen. African-American women have transitioned from being students, to faculty, and even holding the highest office of university president. “Historically, higher education has been dominated by white males”, Conley said. “Although our population of African-American faculty is small, it has improved from when I was a student here.” Conley said when she was a student, most of the African- American faculty were in the African-American Studies Department, but now UH is more
diverse. Although the ’70s and ’80s was a time when many African-American women experienced racism and limitations, Conley said for her, that was not the case. “I’ve always had opportunities to move up, I never really experienced a glass ceiling,” she said. A glass ceiling is the unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in businesses dominated by white men. Marguerite Ross Barnett was the first African-American female president of UH who served from 1990 to 1992. Her life was cut short when she lost a battle to cancer at age 49. As UH faculty, Conley had the opportunity to work under the leadership of Barnett.
“I was excited.” Conley said. “I feel her presidency here was timely and she was well qualified for the position.” Conley said that she is proud of the progress that African-American women have made and are continuing to make at UH and all around the world. “UH is a great place to be because there is so much diversity and the differences of people are acknowledged, embraced, and celebrated here,” she said. “They are buckling down, overcoming obstacles, stepping out of their environments and making things happen for themselves.”
Kimberly Jones is a communication senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.
ew York University offered deals Wednesday to the 18 students suspended for involvement in last week’s Take Back NYU! protest. In accordance with the deals, the students’ suspensions will end today, according to Washington Square News. Students who accept the deals — and all are expected to — will face a disciplinary review and other long term consequences, including the future denial of some campus leadership opportunities. NYU’s motives and NYU’s song reactions are transparent. hasn’t Officials are caving in to changed its pressure from within their own university and from attacks on tune. The their credibility from across the nation. lyrics are More than 170 faculty clear: more members presented the compliance, administration with a petition Tuesday, calling for the less suspensions to be revoked. progress. “If there is disciplinary action, it should follow — not precede — fair hearings, in which both sides are represented and the faculty consulted. … We view the Kimmel occupation as symptomatic of a deeper malady afflicting NYU: a lack of educational community. In such a community, students would not find it necessary to take over buildings to make their voices heard and their ideas respected,” the petition stated. While it is just for the students to be reinstated, the denial of future leadership opportunities is hypocritical on NYU’s part. It is unacceptable for an institution of higherlearning to reject potential leaders who have proven fortitude and conviction to make room for others who may fear the challenge of dissent. NYU’s song hasn’t changed its tune. The lyrics are clear: more compliance, less progress.
E D I TO R I A L P O L I C Y STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Daily Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 151, Communication Building; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements published in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole. GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be kept to less than 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies to material already printed in the Cougar, but rather should present independent points of view. Rebuttals should be sent as letters. Deliver submissions to Room 151, Communication Building; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.
Issue credits ■ ■
Copy editing Trae Browne, Newton Liu Production Halima Salami