Issue 08, Volume 81

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Issue 08, Volume 81

Suffers and the Spirit One of Houston's most successful acts is set to join forces with the Spirit of Houston, bringing some soul to the big band. | PG. 6

SPORTS

OPINION

He's going the distance

The crime alerts just keep coming

Junior Brian Barraza leads the Cougars' group of distance runners and after two successful seasons, he looks to finally take the gold at nationals. | PG. 11

Students are dealing with an increased safety concern as emails continue to fill their inboxes and the effectiveness of resources is in question. | PG. 8

2 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

CRIME

2014 CLERY report shows decrease in crime REBECCA HENNES

NEWS EDITOR

@BECCAGHENNES

Upon the release of the 2014 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report, also known as the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act," the Cougar spoke with Lt. Bret Collier, University of Houston Police Department Chief of Staff to discuss the report's findings on campus crime and safety.

The Cougar: What was the most

significant finding from this year's CLERY report?

Lt. Bret Collier: All of the statistics are significant in that they provide our community with valuable information, but the most dramatic change from previous year’s reports would be the decrease in burglaries in residential areas.

This can be largely attributed to a push to get residents to secure their doors when they are away and it’s clear that students are being increasingly responsible in this area.

TC: What has UHPD done to

combat the burglaries in residential areas?

BC: Over the course of the last

couple years we've added security to every residential area and prioritized these areas for police patrol; but I can't stress enough how many crimes on campus are opportunistic. Just having residents locking their doors, both to the suites and their bedrooms, is the most effective way of preventing burglaries.

TC: Was this report better than

previous years?

BC: Almost all of the reportable

crime types were lower in 2014 than in the previous two years of data. Reports of sex offenses increased slightly, but we know this is a largely under-reported category nationwide. With a variety of reporting methods and increased awareness efforts, we hope that more people continue to feel comfortable coming forward to report these types of crimes.

Campus crime: know the numbers The UH 2014 CLERY report found that reported burglaries decreased to 18 in 2014 from 39 in 2013, motor vehicle theft decreased to 19 from 25 and robberies to seven from 17.

7

19

Motor vehicle thefts

Robberies

TC: Were there any trends that

you noticed?

BC: The university has a smaller

i

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, and twice during the summer and online everyday at thedailycougar.com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents.

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ISSUE STAFF COPY EDITING

Taelor Marquetti-Gadison CLOSING EDITORS

18

Burglaries

data set of crimes to use when looking for trends, so just two or three more crimes in a particular category can give the appearance of a significant change. For a bigger picture, we not only look at crimes that occur on campus, but citywide and even nationwide crime to anticipate what we might expect to see locally.

TC: Overall, how do you think

UHPD has done their job to protect students based on these results?

BC: Our officers remain aggres-

sive in addressing crime and safety concerns, but we are only one part of the solution. Lower crime on campus is as much the result of increased community awareness and responsibility as it is amplified police patrols and security posts. The biggest factor in preventing crime is reducing opportunity. We have increased our crime prevention efforts and made the reduction of opportunities for crime our top priority.

TC: Why should students know

Sean Alder Mónica Rojas Glissette Santana

ABOUT THE COVER The Spirit of Houston is performing with The Suffers, a local band on the rise, on Nov. 14.

— Photo by Justin Tijerina

i

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

ABOUT CSM The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, Student Video Network and COOG Radio.

Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, inter-cultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment. While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.

CENTER FOR STUDENT MEDIA

(713) 743-5350 csm@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csm N221 University Center University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015

about the CLERY report?

BC: The Annual Security & Fire

Safety Report is not only a good way to get an impression of the type of crimes that can occur on campus, but also to get an overview of crime prevention and investigative measures taken by the police department — as well as University policies important to the safety and security of our community. news@thedailycougar.com

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(713) 743-5340 advertising@thedailycougar.com thedailycougar.com/advertising ADVERTISING REPS Summer Davis Jose Salazar DESIGN TEAM Josue Diaz Jennifer Garcia Alex Tomic Courtney Williams

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | 3

In honor of October being Careers in Student Affairs Month, we want you to...

SAY YES TO

SUCCESS What is Student Affairs? What do Student Affairs professionals do? We’re glad you asked!

MEET TERENCE Terence is originally from Atlanta, GA, and works as a residence life coordinator at Cougar Place. Also known as “Mister T” on campus, he aspires to cultivate and motivate students to achieve, and provide the most conducive environment and support for students to learn and be successful. He encourages students to pursue their life ambitions. Terence empowers students toward success. He changes lives for a living. As a future career, he plans to be the chancellor of a university.

Learn more about Terence and many of our staff by participating in the “SA for a Day” shadow program! Go “behind the suits” with staff and graduate students from across the division to get a taste of who they are, what they do, and how you can create your path to success.

Visit uh.edu/dsaes/csam for more details!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @UH_DSAES and use #UHSuccess to find out about events where we’ll be giving out prizes throughout the month.

4 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

NEWS CITY

Costello wants sustainability for city

First immigrant, Latino, openly gay, and youngest person to be a U.S. Inaugural Poet.

LEEN BASHARAT

(Read at President Obama’s second inauguration)

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @ LEEENCUISINE

October 12, 2015 6:00pm

Student Center South- Houston Room

For more information about this event please contact ttttt t t t or visit www.uh.edu/cdi

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

@thedailycougar

University of Houston graduate and engineer Steven Costello will be one of the candidates on the ballot this November for Houston mayor.

His campaign, “Move Houston Forward”, is fueled by STEVEN his drive to COSTELLO improve the chronic status the city of Houston faces in its infrastructure from its crumbling roads to cleanliness in construction.

"I have a MBA from the Clear Lake campus, and obviously I want to focus on the public safety of the campus and improving the quality of life, and there are some infrastructure issues related to the campus I’d like to implement," Costello said.

Through his firsthand experience, Costello advocates the idea of easing Houston’s traffic congestion by strengthening and improving Houstonian’s other transit options.

“City leaders build the purple line, the rail line and services for the (UH) students and the employees…we need to continue to work with reducing traffic in the city," Costello said. "I hope students are exploring these options and taking advantage of what we would call ‘masstran’ because I think it is the future of the city.”

Costello will address Houstonians concern with the city’s infrastructure in three ways: fix the roads, prioritize public safety and protect taxpayer’s money.

“Initially, I will focus on responding to the maintenance of the streets specifically the potholes and getting the ‘ReBuild Houston’

in order.” Costello said. “Then, I will focus on the financial options for the coming budget crisis.”

ReBuild Houston is a program that Costello partook in establishing during Mayor Annise Parker’s term. Costello feels that “the administration (during Parker’s term) hasn’t been commencing the ‘ReBuild Houston’ program and I want to continue to focus on that program.”

As potential mayor and using his engineering and councilman expertise, Costello would like to refine it to continue to provide “a more responsible and conservative way to fund road reconstruction and drainage improvements across our entire city” as Houston’s crumbling infrastructure continues to be an issue.

“Most of my opponents are lawyers.” Costello said. “You don’t call lawyers to fix potholes or rebuild streets, you call engineers.”

In addition, Costello would like to continue Parker’s ideals in regards to sustainability but take it a step further to improve Houstonian’s overall quality of life.

“I will continue to advance the initial work Mayor Parker has done in lowering the carbon footprint in the city obviously through more efficient buildings standards which is what we’ve been doing in modernizing our fleet for cleaner fuel.”

Costello said.

As mayor, Costello wishes to further Houston’s performance in every field and use its assets to the city’s advantage.

“I always tell (people) Houston is the greatest city in America but obviously we can do better. I think the city’s diversity is really an asset and as a council member and also as the next mayor I will continue to advocate for the best quality for the city.” news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | 5 713-743-5314

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news@thedailycougar.com

NEWS

Rebecca Hennes, Editor

ALUMNI

Three years later, search for Austin Tice continues Former The Daily Cougar writer still missing after abduction SONIA ZUNIGA

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Drivers from all over the city will see the billboard with the face of Houston reporter Austin Tice, calmly smiling down at the Northeast Loop 610 at McCarty Road. The message, “Over a 1,000 days in captivity for being a journalist,” will hover next to him.

The same message has loomed over his parents, Marc and Debra Tice, for over three years. But instead of defeat, they are more determined than ever to find their son.

“We’d done hundreds of interviews and articles, and yet we still have people, people that we’d know over the years, that come to us and say, ‘Oh my gosh, we just heard about Austin',” Marc said. “We want to keep spreading the word, spread awareness and amplify our voices.”

The price of freedom Austin Tice, former Marine and aspiring law student, disappeared on August 13, 2012, two days after his 31st birthday.

He was traveling from Daraya, Syria, to Beirut, Lebanon, while covering conflict overseas.

That following September, a YouTube video titled “Austin Tice still alive” was posted showing Austin, blindfolded, surrounded by armed captors.

Its original video has over 122,000 views and generated buzz over other news outlets with the help of Austin’s parents.

Nearly 270 newspapers and media organizations joined together to highlight the journalist's case on their websites, according to the Houston Chronicle, making the #FreeAustinTice campaign a national outcry.

“Such a collective mobilization of the American media to raise awareness about a missing American journalist is unheard of," said Reporters without Borders Director Delphine Halgand for their website. "This is a first

in U.S. media history."

The family’s goal is to gather signatures for the petition to send to the White House.

“In a world as complicated as we live in today, how do we get that information across, how do we do that without getting informed?” Marc said. “We get informed by the media.”

Austin, who visited the Middle East during his time as a U.S. Marine, expressed frustration when reading news about war and the rising conflict in Syria, who couldn’t confirm whether or not their information was accurate.

He decided to fill those voids by reporting on the area himself.

Austin, a former The Daily Cougar writer soon became a foreign freelancing journalist, covering beats for The Washington Post, CBS and NPR, among other respected news organizations.

Austin Tice traveled overseas covering beats that earned him three prestigious awards for his skill in reporting and his couragious character, according to his parents. | Courtesy of the Tice Family

almost no Americans today even know how to be. They live with greater passion and dream with greater ambition, because they are not afraid of death. Neither were the Pioneers, neither were our granddads, neither was Neil Armstrong and neither am I." Outcry from the public rose in aid of campaign after footage showing freelancing journalist like Jim Foley, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig being beheaded by rebel groups.

“Every person in this country fighting for their freedom wakes up every day and goes to sleep every night with the knowledge that deal could visit them at any moment...They're alive in a way that almost no American tiday even knows how to be."

Austin Tice, missing journalist In a Facebook post in July 25, 2012, Austin said that America lost its pioneering spirit.

"We became a fat, weak, complacent, coddled, unambitious and cowardly nation. . . . So that’s why I came here to Syria, and it’s why I like being here now, right now, right in the middle of a brutal and still uncertain civil war," he said.

"Every person in this country fighting for their freedom wakes up every day and goes to sleep every night with the knowledge that death could visit them at any moment. They accept that reality as the price of freedom. . . . They’re alive in a way that

Austin isn’t believed to be held by the ISIS rebel group.

Roughly 95 journalists have been killed in Syria since the start of the Syrian uprising in 1992, and at least 12 are currently imprisoned, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Just this April, the #FreeAustinTice campaign came to UH, holding an open dialogue to raise awareness about Austin’s journey. Cougars where given the opportunity to sign the petition to the White House and participate in the “Blindfold Challenge.”

“It’s a fantastic metaphor for

what happens when journalists are silenced or are taken captive,” Marc said. “It’s not them that are being blindfolded, it’s all of us.”

The campaign soon caught the President Barrack Obama's attention. Earlier this summer, the White House unveiled new policy in the executive order, allowing families of U.S. hostages to pay ransom as well as getting U.S. government to help families communicate with captors.

Marc said at times he felt frustrated at the lack of communication.

“You know if someone can pass along the word that Austin is okay, why they can’t just call us?" Marc said. "Why not put him on the phone, let him tell us he’s okay?”

He hopes this is new policy will be the steep stepping stone into getting Austin found. “(The process is) much more collaborative, more efficient… there’s accountability,” Marc said. “Over the last two or three months, we’ve had collaborate talks about what to do and getting agreements forward. It’s a start, it’s not perfect yet, but at least a structure exists. Now we can move forward.”

Billboard raises hope With the help of Clear Channel Outlook, the Tice family along with Reporters without Borders, unveiled one traditional billboard, which stands along Interstate 610, along three digital billboards.

The campaign was brought

to the Clear Channel’s attention by family friends Pam and Bill Wallace. Bill was Austin’s scout master when he was became an eagle scout in Troop 266.

Vice President of Public Affairs at Clear Channel Outlook Lee Vela said the idea is to keep people talking.

“It’s very sad when someone is missing for this long, especially a young man with such a bright future,” Vela said.

Clear Channel Outlook has worked with the National Missing & Exploited Children and other nonprofit organizations in spreading the message out to help find the lost.

“In this case, it’s a bit unique because the missing is a journalist, I don’t think we’d done one of these before,” Vela said.

These new billboards will create 1.6 million market impressions per week according to Vela.

As the image of Austin looms over the city he grew up in, the hope and determination still lives that one day the Tice’s will get their son back home, where his three prestigious awards hang in the wall, waiting for him.

“Sometimes we think… we shouldn’t have told Austin to go, we should have told him to get a desk job to keep him safe,” Marc said. “But the fact is, we do believe that if you’re called for something, you have to go after it. I still believe that.” news@thedailycougar.com

6 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

NEWS

713-743-5314

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

The Spirit Of Houston band will perform with The Suffers in November. The set will include a medley of Beyoncé songs along with other Houston bands' pieces.| Justin Tijerina /The Cougar

CAMPUS

Spirit Of Houston set to perform with local band The Suffers REBECCA HENNES

NEWS EDITOR @BECCAGHENNES

After seeing the Suffers, a local 10-piece band that borders between gulf coast soul, classic American soul and rock & roll, perform in March on the Late Show with David Letterman, the Spirit Of Houston Marching Band knew they found the perfect Houston artist for their “Celebrate Houston” themed half-time performance.

“We all were blown away by their performance and reached out to the band right away, and they were very excited to work on this collaborative opportunity with us,” assistant band director Jamey Kollar said.

In collaboration with the athletics department, the Spirit of Houston decided to coordinate and collaborate on game themes for overall fan experience.

“It (the collaboration) means a

SOLD

lot,” Shelby Grajeda, spokesperson for the Suffers said. “Both sides are leaving their normal comfort zones, so it means we will have to focus a lot more than usual on fully executing everything.”

The halftime performance is set for the Nov. 14 home game against Memphis. SOH staff are working with the Suffers in order to have them perform at least one of their songs with the entire marching band, but many details are still not set in stone.

“The centerpiece of the halftime show will include The Suffers performing with the Spirit of Houston,” Kollar said. “There are other possible performance opportunities in the works during the game — but again — that's all in the works.”

Directors have a vision to showcase the past, present and future of Houston music for the “Celebrate Houston” theme.

“Including us in what the feel to be "the future" is more amazing than anything we could have ever hoped for,” Grajeda said.

Junior drum major Michael Gonzales said the show will also feature a medley of Beyoncé songs that play homage to the city of Houston. The Suffers are expected to play an additional concert at the end of the game that Gonzales said is worth waiting for.

"This (show) is going to be awesome because the Suffers are a really good up and coming rock band and it's just really, really new age music and think its going to be a lot of fun for people of all ages to come and see," Gonzales said.

The Suffers will join the SOH for a handful of rehearsals leading up to the event starting later this month. The Suffers said they are excited to be able to work with the SOH and canot wait for the performance.

The Suffers will perform with the Spirit of Houston | Courtesy of Daniel Jackson.

“We have quite a few former marching band students in the band, and performing a song that we have written with a full on marching band is something most groups only dream about,” Grajeda said. “It is a huge honor for us to participate in this event, and we can't wait to see everyone there.”

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The band is unable to release any word on what songs they may perform with the SOH, but left with advice for the show.

“It's going to be high-energy," Grajeda said, "so take precaution and wear your dancing shoes." news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | 7

713-743-5304

thedailycougar.com/opinion

OPINION

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Glissette Santana

SPORTS EDITOR

Bryce Dodds

MANAGING EDITOR

Mónica Rojas

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sean Alder

NEWS EDITOR

Rebecca Hennes CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Taelor Marquetti-Gadison COMMUNITY MANAGER

Jasmine Morris

COOGLIFE EDITOR

Karis Johnson PHOTO EDITOR

Justin Tijerina OPINION EDITOR

Anthony Torres ASSISTANT EDITORS

Leen Basharat Efren Diosdado Sarah Kim Brittaney Penney Sonia Zuniga

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The 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 Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The 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 N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

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 limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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Students yelled profanities and held up signs in an attempt to silence or disrupt Jesse Morrel (above). | Anthony Torres/The Cougar

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

Evangelicals deserve freedom of speech ANTHONY TORRES

OPINION EDITOR

B

igotry and censorship have many parallels.

Last week, a man, who refers to himself as "Saint Jesse," graced the scene of Butler Plaza to perform his preferred method of "confrontational" Gospel preaching.

A large crowd gathered in protest, many holding signs saying "It's OK to be gay!" among other, more explicit signs.

Jesse Morrel, the preacher in question, has been traveling for 10 years, preaching at campuses all over the country shouting phrases like "your neighborhood homo ANTHONY TORRES is like your OPINION neighborhood EDITOR crack head," or "I think abortionists should be executed."

Many tried to interrupt him speaking, starting chants like "Bullshit! Bullshit!"

"One of the reasons I came to this school is for the diversity, and how we accept people the way they are," said hotel and restaurant freshman Emily Dadeo-Winick. "(It's) unacceptable that somebody

is telling me that what I'm doing is a sin, and that expressing my sexuality is a sin," Dadeo-Winick said.

It's hateful, it's offensive, and most of it isn't based on any kind of empirical fact.

But the one fact that is prevalent: Morrel is allowed to say these things.

The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees Morrel's right to free speech, regardless of its baseness. He may insult you, he may enrage you, but his rhetoric is protected.

A student stood in front of Morrel at one point yelling "Shut up! Shut up!" and afterwards proceeded to go on a tirade about why he was wrong.

Saying that he should not be allowed to do this, or yelling over him so no one can hear, is simply good old-fashioned censorship.

Trying to stop someone from speaking because they have a belief that contradicts yours does not show that you are brave. It reveals your level of sensitivity when it comes to ideas that you might not agree with.

This is dangerous. Colleges have evolved to the point where anything not considered politically correct is shunned and demonized. Somethings should be demonized, yes, but shunning opposing views just because you

Jesse Morrel said he has a "Christ-like hatred" for sinners. He thinks both abortionists and pedophiles should be executed. | Anthony Torres/The Cougar

disagree with them is the definition of bigotry.

People are quick to label evangelicals as bigots, and many of them are. But many never stop to consider that attempting to silence those who would insult us is just as bigoted.

There are over 300 million people living in the U.S. and each one of them carry different opinions and perspectives. In a democracy such as ours, this is

how we learn to compromise to include everyone's beliefs and concerns for a better society.

My advice: If you see a preacher yelling at you to repent, either engage in a dialogue with them, or simply walk away.

Don't ever feed the trolls.

Opinion editor Anthony Torres is a political science junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com

8 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

OPINION

(713) 743-5304

thedailycougar.com/opinion

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

CRIME

Campus crime prevention needs more attention JENNAH GONZALES

Texas Southern University, which reported 209 ,and the University of Texas which had 168.

Our safety needs to be become a top priority. We discuss ways to avoid putting ourselves in danger, like riding with an officer at night to your car, but even then it sometimes takes a car 15-30 minutes to arrive.

Whether it’s more guards or security cameras, something has to be done.

Another issue we face are some emergency alert buttons on campus being out of commission. What are we supposed to do when we are put in a situation that requires us to call for help, but the nearest emergency button is broken?

As students, we should all be concerned with each others' safety, and I would hope that the police and University are doing everything in their power to make us feel safe.

OPINION COLUMNIST

C

onstant email updates have caused me to feel unsafe at this school.

Feeling safe at school should never be an issue, but on campus we face many challenges regarding crime. Students are left feeling uneasy and in danger, especially at night and sometimes during the day if you’re by JENNAH yourself.

GONZALES My mother OPINION told me of yet COLUMNIST another crime alert she heard on the news about a robbery that took place on campus.

A student, at their car, was approached by three men, with one possibly carrying a weapon. After the student fled, they returned to a car to find a broken window and missing valuables.

For most students, this would come as surprise, but at our school,

UH is the top college in Texas with the most crimes reported. | Esteban Portillo/The Cougar

this is nothing short of ordinary.

Finance sophomore Cinnie Lin doesn't feel safe on campus, but she knows to stay aware of her surroundings. She believes we need

to invest in things that would truly have an effect on crime.

“I would want the school to invest more in the (Third Ward) and to make our surrounding

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better," Lin said. "I think that would improve safety a lot."

Between 2010 and 2012, UH had 267 reported crimes, more than any college in Texas, including

Opinion columnist Jennah Gonzales is a broadcast journalism junior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | 9

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OPINION

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

STATE

Texas education standards changing for the good PHYLICIA SNEED

OPINION COLUMNIST

T

here are few laws disliked as much as the “No Child Left Behind” act made law by former President George W. Bush in 2002.

This law enslaved millions of teachers to become robots in their lesson plan prepaPHYLICIA ration. There SNEED was always OPINION a constant COLUMNIST struggle to ask whether or not they were giving students the tools they needed for a test rather than a future.

Millennials grew up knowing that they must pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness if they wanted to eventually wear a cap and gown. Deprived of innovation and exploration in middle and high school, the gener-

ation of today has been starved for so long under the strict accountability that this act enforced.

Until recently, there has been little hope for a brighter future.

However, because of the determination from Texas, it has gained the approval for an extra year of self-governing their education system from a localized perspective.

"This renewal is in the public interest," said Ann Whalen, a senior adviser to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Texas will be able to continue implementing its plans to promote innovative, locally tailored strategies, to improve educational outcome for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity and improve the quality of instruction."

While some may roll their eyes in response to this proposal, the big win comes from the state leaving it up to individual districts on whether they adopt this form.

“The reprieve from the No Child Left Behind act is a welcome deep breath from those struggling to fit into the demanding skinny

No Child Left Behind was signed into law by former President George W. Bush | Brittaney Penney/The Cougar

jeans of adequate yearly progress," English senior Rosie Garza said.

“Because the state of Texas raised the rigor in order to increase government mandated 'achievement levels,' students' scores reflect that our children aren’t making progress. In truth, our children just aren’t being tested correctly."

For the 2016-2017 school year, Texas will be proposing a new standardized structure, the Texas

Teacher Evaluation and Support System, which is related to NCLB requirements, but tweaked in order to accommodate individual districts in the state.

Federal officials will deem Texas “high risk status” until this method gives concrete results of progress in school districts, and if there is a failure in accountability, it could revoke the waiver in the future.

Many states are worried that

CARTOON

the NCLB rewrite could come to a possible halt with the resignation of John Boehner, a house speaker proactive in the shaping of a new version of NCLB. According to U.S. News, “House and Senate are conferencing to reconcile the NCLB re-authorization bills passed in each chamber.

It's unclear whether a new speaker will continue to prioritize the legislation, especially given how difficult it was to shepherd a Republican-backed version through the House.”

But Texas isn’t relying on the government anymore in shaping the needs of the education system.

Texas is taking a proactive role in trying to strain away from the robotics of the NCLB implemented program.

The prospective new system shows promise to build innovation for its future successors and redefine education standards.

Opinion columnist Phylicia Sneed is an English senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

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10 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

OPINION

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Anthony Torres, EDITOR

THE OCTOGENARIAN

Using drones is a better alternative to waging war KEN LEVIN

OPINION COLUMNIST

I

am against war. I also recognize that we, as a nation, have enemies, and it sometimes takes lethal action to stop the danger from those enemies.

There are many who oppose the American drone program because of civilian deaths. In the short history of air warfare, which causes civilian death, the United States was a latecomer into the saturation-bombing aspect of warKEN fare. But, as in LEVIN many things, OPINION COLUMNIST we perfected it and caught up.

Today a single aircraft can deliver the payload that took a fleet of bombers to deliver in World War II, so air strikes can be deadly.

War is wrong. Throughout history, innocent civilians or non-combatants have died and suffered in war. It is sad, but true.

You may not have noticed but, for the first time in the lifetime of most of my fellow students, we are not getting weekly

SAVING LIVES. NO MILITARY NEEDED. | Graphic by Courtney Williams

reports of the names of American Service Members killed in action in foreign countries.

But, we are still at war.

There are nation-backed groups and organizations around the world who want to kill you as an American, a Christian, a Jew, a Sunni, a Shiite, because you are a non-subservient female or maybe even because you have blue eyes.

So, if we have to fight those groups, why do I like the drone?

Well, it’s personal. In 1952, I was sitting in a U.S. Air Force Trailer late at night on a mountain in Germany called Schwarzenborne. I was involved in communicating with the crew of an RB26, a World War II, old B26 converted two-engine bomber with a three man crew.

According to the control information I was following, that airplane and crew was 6,000 feet over Czechoslovakia some 16 miles behind the iron curtain

taking pictures of Soviet military activity.

Suddenly, we had a mayday call from the plane. He was in trouble. We had no idea what the problem was, but we gave the plane an immediate vector, or change of direction, toward Rheine Mein Air Base in Germany and turned him over to their control.

We were out of the picture and had our own work to do. I have always been curious as to the

fate of the three man American crew of that airplane. I have always assumed that they made it into the U.S. Air Base. But if they hadn’t, then three American families would have been visited by men in blue uniforms to inform them that their government was sorry, but their loved ones wouldn’t be coming home.

The great thing about a drone mission is, if the mission goes wrong, and the drone goes down over enemy territory, the three man crew on an aircraft carrier or in Nevada packs up their gear and goes about their normal existence, even home to their family.

Human beings die in war.

Innocent people suffer. If a terrorist blows himself up and kills unsuspecting humans along with him, it is horrible. If a drone kills that terrorist and his cohorts before he gets to act but winds up killing innocent civilians along with him, it is horrible.

There is a choice. Is there a preference?

Opinion columnist Ken Levin is a political science senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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There's value in a student newspaper On one of my first days in Keith Houk's Media and Society class, he said something that stood out to me.

"If you ever want to take over a country, the first thing you have to do is take over the media."

Media is a powerful thing whether you're planning world domination or GLISSETTE simply want to SANTANA do some good @GLISSETTETWEETS in your own backyard.

I'm writing this on a Sunday, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of print production. I've been interrupted five times since I started writing this, and that's probably just the start of it.

Media, and the need for it, never stops.

The Cougar has, historically, been here since UH's beginning.

We were the first student organization UH ever had and continue

to strive to be the best we can be each and every day.

Our editorial independence makes us different from others.

We have advisers who are here to do just that — advise.

They can't control anything we publish.

Our First Amendment right as journalists is always in tact, and for that we are forever grateful.

We've never had to deal with rebellion from administration like so many other universities around the country.

There's a value to student journalism.

Not only does it allow for journalists-to-be to train for the workforce, but enables them to have a safe place to make mistakes, learn about all aspects of media and becoming deeper embedded in the university and education that they are getting.

Our job is to be the voice of the students.

Other media publications cover UH, sure, but they aren't a direct outlet to students.

Student voices need to be heard and that's what The Cougar is here to do.

We're going to show UH's bad side, too. We aren't afraid to do that because that's exactly what's going on at the University. Life isn't perfect and neither is UH. We have a job to do each and every day. I'm not saying we're perfect, but we fight through a lot to try and get the most accurate, timely news out to you as soon as possible.

In honor of National Newspaper Week, I'm glad to say that there is a student newspaper at the University of Houston campus, and that there's no signs of that reign ending any time soon.

No other organization does what we do, and I'm proud to be at the helm of such a dedicated and passionate group of people willing lay it all out on the line in the name of journalism.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | 11

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SPORTS

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Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

TRACK AND FIELD

Despite early success, junior sees this season as crucial PETER SCAMARDO

STAFF WRITER

Junior Brian Barraza is without a doubt the best distance runner UH has right now — possibly one of their best ever.

Barraza has set numerous school records in both cross country and track and field. He is now on a quest to add further accolades to his name.

Most recently, Barraza was victorious at the Texas A&M Invitation 8K cross country meet, an event that team manager Drevan Anderson-Kaapa feels will greatly prepare him for the road ahead.

“That’s pretty much a preview of our region,” Anderson-Kaapa said. “He took first place there taking down some tough competition. He ran smart, he’s very fit and it’s only up from here.”

Barraza is coming off one of the best seasons a runner could have both in cross country and track and field.

Barraza became the first UH cross country runner to qualify

Junior Brian Barraza is looking to build on an already-successful tenure at UH in his third season. | Courtesy of Stephen Pinchback

for Nationals since 2011. He set the school record for the Indoor 3000 meter run and the Outdoor 5000 meter run, finished second in both events at the American Athletic Conference championships and earned all-conference honors in the process.

Barraza is looking to take the next step in his junior campaign with this experience under his

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belt.

“I did a lot of studying on the history of the runners at this university and being up there with them is a great feeling," Barraza said.

Barraza and his coaches said that last season was a lot more about getting to Nationals than necessarily accomplishing something.

But now Barraza and his coaches have implemented the necessary changes so that he can be one of the guys that the competition keeps an eye on.

“With how fast he’s been running and the way his training's been going, he’s definitely looking at a top spot at Nationals,” Anderson-Kaapa said. “He’s got experience, he’s got the fitness and he’s definitely talented."

One thing to know about Barraza is that he is the quintessential team player.

His personal goals — while important — have done nothing to weaken his responsibility as a team leader.

“When he finishes his race, he runs back to catch up with the rest of his teammates,” Anderson-Kaapa said. “He encourages them. He’s just a positive guy."

The coaches said they feel that Barraza will make a strong run in everything he competes in.

They understand that the competition is going to be tough, but

Pleasure Zone

they are confident that Barraza is prepared to take them on.

Barraza is continuing to compete in the Indoor 3000 meter and the Outdoor 5000 meter, but his coaches are also planning to bring him up to the 10K runs.

No one should be surprised if Barraza ends up winning multiple championships on the Cougars' quest to defend their AAC titles.

“I see him going for an individual conference championship title and of course helping the team win conference,” Anderson-Kaapa said. “If he qualifies for regionals and can get himself into a good spot, then he has a very good shot at qualifying for Nationals.”

“Every year you strive to do better than you did the year before,” Barraza said. “On the National scale, I want to get there and be an impact there (and get) the UH name out.” sports@thedailycougar.com

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12 | Wednesday, October 7, 2015

SPORTS ROUND TABLE

How long can UH hold on to its perfect record?

In this week's round table, The Cougar sports staff discusses the Cougars first AAC win of the season

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The Cougars had a dominating game on the ground against the Golden Hurricane, racking up 365 rushing yards on the day. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

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4/23/15 2:35 PM

MICHAEL CALDERON Staff writer

What are your general thoughts about the game?

The Cougars got their first conference win and did it with relative ease on the road against a good offense.

UH's running game was on fire against Tulsa and allowed them to stay in control from the get-go. The Cougars bested the Golden Hurricane in all phases of the game and were clearly the better team Saturday.

BRYCE DODDS Sports editor

How will the Cougars fare against Southern Methodist University on Thursday?

I think the Cougars will fare well against the Mustangs. SMU has been one of the weaker teams in the AAC for the past few seasons, so I think Houston will be able to handle them just fine. If UH can maintain this level of play over the next three weeks, they have a very good chance to have a 7-0 record heading into a rematch with Vanderbilt University on Halloween.

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How do you rate the offenses play in Saturdays game?

The offense was basically the Greg Ward, Jr. show. Ward found his stride early in running the ball for big gains, but he neglected his receiver weapons throughout. As all five touchdowns were scored on the ground, go-to receiver DeMarcus Ayers wasn’t much of a threat to the Tulsa defense.

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SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

Senior running back Kenneth Farrow had a break-out game on Saturday against Tulsa, rushing for 159 yards and his first two scores of the season. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

FOOTBALL

Good, bad and ugly: Powerful run game helps Cougars coast to win MICHAEL CALDERON

STAFF WRITER @MWC0052

The Cougars came up big in their first taste of action against fellow American Athletic Conference competition this season with a dominating performance over the University of Tulsa to improve to 4-0 on the season. With the 38-24 win, its again time to examine the good, the bad and the ugly of the game.

The good: dominant running game UH’s rushing attack was simply fantastic against the Tulsa defense Saturday afternoon, with the team finishing with 365 yards, five touchdowns and 13 first downs gained on the ground.

Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. set a new UH record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a game after rushing for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

Ward ripped through the Golden Hurricane defense at 9.1 yards per carry in route to eclipsing Lionel Wilson’s previous record of 158 yards against TCU in 1982.

Senior running back Kenneth Farrow broke out of his slump against Tulsa, rushing for a career high 159 yards and two scores – his first TDs of the year.

After nearly doubling his season average with his 8.4 yards

per carry on the afternoon and finally looking like the Farrow of 2014, it just might be safe to say that he is on the right track.

The bad: passing game regression Despite the success for Ward on the ground Saturday, his performance as a passer was a step in the wrong direction for the junior quarterback.

He missed several open receivers, couldn’t make some throws he typically makes and, for the first time in six games, didn’t complete a TD pass.

After completing 22 of 38 passes, Ward’s 57.9 completion percentage against Tulsa was his lowest since taking over as the full-time starter in the Memphis game last year.

His 118.2 passer rating marks the lowest of the 2015 season and the second lowest of his career.

While the dominant rushing performance overshadowed the faults in the passing game, the poor third and fourth down conversion rate, 46 percent, can be attributed to the passing game either failing to convert directly or leaving a longer down-and-distance for the run game.

The...better?

Honestly there was not a lot of ugly for the Cougars in this game.

Sure, the passing game struggled at times and senior kicker

Kyle Bullard had two missed field goals on the afternoon, prompting a possible kicking competition, but the defense’s performance deserves more mention here.

The “Third Ward Defense” for the Cougars continues to improve every week and their shutdown of a potent Golden Hurricane team was a thing of beauty, amassing five sacks, seven tackles for loss, nine pass breakups and forcing two turnovers against a top-10 offense.

Tulsa came into the game averaging 41 points, 216 rushing yards, 390 passing yards and 607 total yards per game, but was held to season lows in all four categories against UH, finishing with 24 points, 130 rushing yards, 326 passing yards and 456 total yards.

UH’s front seven held Tulsa’s lead running back Zach Langer to just 62 yards and a 3.3 per carry average, while senior cornerback William Jackson III blanketed their top target, Keyarris Garrett, who hauled in seven catches for just 85 yards and a season low 12.1 yards per reception.

The Cougars best defensive performance was turned in by junior linebacker Steven Taylor, who finished with three sacks, four tackles for a loss and 16 total tackles, all career highs.

Facing a short week, with the Southern Methodist University

Mustangs (1-4) coming to town for a Thursday night showdown, the Cougars have positioned themselves well to make a run at

starting 5-0 for the second time in three years. sports@thedailycougar.com

14| Wednesday, | Wednesday,October 14 October7,7,2015 2015

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SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

FOOTBALL

Despite uncertainty at position, sophomore is ready to play SHARDANNA JONES

STAFF WRITER @SHAYGOTIT

In the Cougars' season-opener against the Tennessee Golden Eagles, Cougar fans received a pleasant surprise after sophomore quarterback-turned-wide receiver Kyle Postma made his wide receiver debut, grabbing four catches for 82 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown in the win.

Postma, who joined the team as a walk-on in 2013, used a redshirt season and transferred to Trinity Valley Community College to play quarterback, where he led the team to a 12-0 season.

After returning to Houston, Postma was named to thirdstring quarterback at the end of training camp, but quickly moved to wide receiver due to the lack of depth at the position.

After playing just three games, Postma will transition back to quarterback, serving as the backup to Greg Ward, Jr., after senior Adam Schulz sustained a torn ACL in his right knee, taking him out for the remainder of the season.

The Cougar caught up with Postma to find out how he is handling the transitions and uncertainty surrounding his season so far.

The Cougar: How did you feel initially about making the transition to wide receiver?

Kyle Postma: I was just told that I was going to play receiver. I want to do anything I can to help the team win.

TC: How different was that for you?

KP: It wasn’t too hard. I knew all of the routes and everything, so that wasn’t an issue. It was just more of all the running aspect. That was different — all the cutting when running — and trying to break off of cornerbacks and safeties and things like that.

TC: Had you ever imagined not playing quarterback in college?

KP: I played a little bit of receiver in high school. I honestly was going to come here my freshman year and play receiver, and then they moved me to quarterback when I got here. After being here, I thought I would never play receiver. The opportunity came, and I just went with it.

TC: Do you feel uncomfortable at the receiver position?

KP: It’s not that I’m uncomfortable

Sophomore quarterback Kyle Postma has already changed position a few times this season, starting at receiver due to lack of depth, but now is moving back to quarterback due to the injury to back-up senior Adam Schulz. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

at it, it’s just that it’s new to me, so I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be at it. With practice and everything I started to get a little bit better, but I definitely feel more comfortable playing quarterback.

TC: Is it bittersweet to be back at your original position but receiving less playing time?

KP: Not really, I just know that I have to be a backup. I have to do this for the team, and I will do anything for the team. If being a backup is what’s best for the team, then that’s what I’m going to do.

TC: Do you feel like your future role here is unknown?

KP: I know they’re going to put me wherever they need help, and that’s fine with me. I plan to do whatever I can, whatever is needed, now and in the future.

TC: What appeals to you about each position?

KP: I like both of them. Having the ball, doing what I have the ability to do and making plays. That’s what appeals to me.

TC: What, if anything, has head coach Tom Herman said to you about your future here at UH? KP: We really haven’t discussed it. When I saw Adam get hurt, I had a feeling I’d be going back to quarterback. Coach just pretty much tells me that whenever that I have to step up, I need to do so, and that’s why I try to do.

TC: How do you feel about the progress you’ve made since arriving here? Where do you believe you’ve had improvement?

KP: I definitely have a different perspective of receiver, because

I had no idea it was like that honestly. I think I’m getting a lot better. I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here, being under coach Applewhite and coach Herman.

They’ve taught me a lot. Coming out of high school, I didn’t know

much about football, I was just kind of out there playing. Now, I know how to read defenses a little bit better and be able to react better to what happens. sports@thedailycougar.com

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