THE DAILY COUGAR
T H E
O F F I C I A L
S T U D E N T
N E W S PA P E R
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T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
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Monday, October 14, 2013
Issue 28, Volume 79
H O U S T O N
S I N C E
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
ORGANIZATIONS
United Muslim Relief begins new chapter Hadiya Iqbal Staff writer
The newly-formed UH chapter of the United Muslim Relief gave students the opportunity to be involved in the transformative process of
serving others from start to finish in its first general student body meeting on Friday. “This organization is literally the definition of hope I have been looking for,” said psychology freshman and
UMR-UH webmaster Lara Hattab. UMR volunteers have fed thousands of homeless people on the streets of the United States while simultaneously coping with the greatest challenges of international relief.
“In the end, the goal is to help those who need help,” said prebusiness and broadcast journalism sophomore Mahnoor Samana, who heads public relations for UMR-UH. The vice president of Programs
and Emergencies and co-founder of UMR, Shafi Khan, spoke about the formation of the organization and how his experience in helping victims MUSLIM continues on page 3
RESEARCH
Undergraduate student findings put on display Rebecca Hennes Staff writer
More than 100 undergraduate research students presented their projects Thursday at UH’s ninth Undergraduate Research Day. Of the presenters, 63 had participated in last summer’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. “This event continues to grow in size and stature every year,” said Associate Dean of Undergraduate Research Stuart Long. “The growth of this event reflects the skills and talents of our student body and the demand for undergraduate research programs like SURF.”
Student presenters from 11 different colleges showcased their research, which ranged from Nietzsche’s concept of drives to trends in Houston’s air pollution to the urbanization of Southeast Asia. “The work presented here today is original, creative, ambitious and a point of pride for the entire University of Houston community,” Long said. One of the financial supporters of undergraduate research, Rathindra Bose, the vice chancellor for Research and Technology Transfer for the UH System and the vice president for Research RESEARCH continues on page 3
Students had the opportunity to showcase their research endeavors at Undergraduate Research Day, co-sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and The Honors College. | Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar
ORGANIZATIONS
UH community digs deep into Texas election Konstantina Angelides Staff writer
ROTC students take test dives The Houston Battalion Army ROTC underwent the Combat Water Survival Test on Friday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, preparing for real combat situations through drills. Fernando Castaldi/The Daily Cougar
Members of the Student Government Association and UH Democrats attended a volunteer training session Thursday for Texas Senator Wendy Davis’ upcoming campaign for governor in the 2014 election. The event was hosted by Battleground Texas, an organization committed to turning Texas into a “battleground” state, on Texas Southern University’s campus. “I hoped to solidify our relationship with the grassroots organization by promoting this event to all of my members and my fellow senators in student government,” said UH Democrats President and SGA Senator for
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Senator Catherine Tassin De Montaigu. “It is my job as a student leader to set a good example for my peers and play an active role in the community and performing my civic duty.” Adrienne Bell, the original field director of Battleground Texas, said this is one of the lowest-ranking states in voter turnout, and the organization aims to promote voter registration as well as attendance at the polls. “From this experience, I hope to spread [Davis’] message at our next meeting and get other students on campus more politically involved,” ELECTION continues on page 3