Issue 22, Volume 81

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Issue 22, Volume 81

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

THE

DEBATE TAKEOVER Republican Presidential Debate

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2 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to our debate takeover GLISSETTE SANTANA

EDITOR IN CHIEF @GLISSETTETWEETS

You know how athletics has its H-Town Takeover? Well, the Cougar has decided to do a takeover of its own. But instead of talking about sports, we're going to focus on two events happening this week that will definitely affect students — the upcoming Student Government Association presidential debate on Wednesday and the Republican debate on Thursday.

Inside this issue, you'll see everything from candidate breakdowns to a map of where not to park on campus.

You'll even find in-depth feaGLISSETTE SANTANA tures on each of EDITOR IN CHIEF the three SGA presidential candidates.

We're going to have a whole new set of eyes picking up this issue. To those people, welcome to the University of Houston. This is a great school with students of various backgrounds and interests. Lots of

i

The Cougar

thedailycougar.com

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.

COPYRIGHT No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ISSUE STAFF COPY EDITING

Emily Burleson CLOSING EDITORS

SGA presidential candidates Shane Smith, Edwin Mascorro and John Fields. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

Sean Alder Mónica Rojas Glissette Santana

ABOUT THE COVER

people say we're diverse, but I think that word is overused. I'd call us special — we are Cougars after all.

We tried to cover all aspects of each debate, but this print issue can only hold so much. Additional coverage for each debate, including hour-by-hour updates, can be found at thedailycougar.com/ debate.

I'm ending this letter with a plea.

Any journalism professionals on campus this week, could you please stop by the Center for Student Media in the Student Center North and spread some of your journalistic wisdom? We have a legion of talented students who would forever cherish the moment.

I know you're busy trying to cover

the GOP debate — don't worry, this week is a doozy for us at CSM, too — but we'd really appreciate a minute of your time. And hey, Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer, we would welcome you both with open arms. Think about it.

Thursday, March 3 5:30 p.m.

University of Houston Student Center South Heights Room 224

— Cover by Courtney Williams

i

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

ABOUT CSM

Not going to be on campus for the SGA debate?

Graduate Programs Information Session

The SGA and GOP debate have taken over the UH campus.

The Cougar will be hosting the debate Wednesday at 7 p.m.

CoogTV will be live streaming the debate on coogtv.com. Click on SGA Debate 2016 to view the stream.

Coog Radio will also be live streaming the debate at coogradio.com

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

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Follow The Cougar's Twitter @thedailycougar for up-todate coverage on the SGA debate and candidate quotes.

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4 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

Fields prizes experience, service for his term LEEN BASHARAT

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @ LEEENCUISINE

Student Government Association presidential candidate John Fields' campaign and term focuses on reviving SGA's motto "Service Above Self," while aiming to entice student advocacy.

"I think over the last two years (service above self) been lost," Fields said. "One thing I want to work toward is making that the motto of my administration every single day: service for students, service for the community comes over ourselves and over any personal gain we have. I want SGA to be synonymous with service."

Fields feels his experience and established professional connections with UH administration sets himself apart from his competitors.

He joined SGA his freshman year, winning all the votes for a senate seat in the College of Business. This past year, Fields served as Speaker of the Senate for the fall semester overseeing

several committees. It was in this executive branch position that Fields gained perspective of the intricacies that happen behind the scenes.

"You have to have good standing relationship with a lot of the key players at the University if you want to get the things you want completed," Fields said.

The focus for his term targets three things, the first being improving and embracing the University's affordability.

"When we were founded, one of the things they wanted is for this school to be 'a working man's college,' they didn't want it to be another 'rich man's school'," Fields said. "I want to keep that mindset as we grow as an institution."

Fields' second target is to avoid tuition raises and a reduction of student fees. Fields supported and advocated a reduction in student fees from the Student Fees Advisory Committee.

"I want to make sure they keep in mind the affordability factor,"

Fields said. "I really want to be conscious about that and want to make sure the University is conscious about (affordability), because it's an investment of time and money. I want to make sure you're getting the most of your college experience for the dollar."

His third target is improving academic advising experience for all students. He has heard several complaints regarding poor academic adviser to student ratio, causing some students to take a class they did not need and delaying their graduation.

If elected, he wants to leave office knowing students and faculty can respect SGA's opinion so the next president can come in and continue the success.

"I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to be of service to students," Fields said.

"At the end of the day, we're here for students, and we want to make sure everyone knows and feel they have a voice in SGA."

Fields wants to focus on reviving the Student Government Association's motto "Service Above Self" if elected president. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 5

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

Mascorro advocates for stronger traditions, student engagement REBECCA HENNES

NEWS EDITOR

@BECCAGHENNES

Mascorro's main goal is to have students from all backgrounds be more involved in on-campus events and programming. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

PREVIEW

What to know about the SGA presidential debate SONIA ZUNIGA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Students can expect candidates to touch on what makes them the ideal choice to fill the role of SGA president in the 2016 Student Government Association presidential debate.

The debate will be held in the Student Center South Theater Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Presidential candidates John Fields, Edwin Mascorro and Shane Smith will discuss issues that affect students directly, such as tuition raises, student fees, parking, meal plans and student involvement.

Students are able to participate by going to Twitter and using the hashtag #UHDebate to ask the candidates anything during the debate.

Voting will be open from March 1-3.

Polling locations will be located in the M.D. Anderson Library and the Student Center, but students have the choice to log into their AccessUH and vote through the Get Involved app.

“Through the Get Involved platform, it will give us more flexibility of how we present the ballot and ensure that every voter is a registered student,” current SGA

President Shaun Theriot-Smith said.

If elected, Mascorro aims to expand Greek life on campus and continue his support for veterans.

"I know some of these student organizations ( feel) discouraged," Mascorro said. "There are too many restrictions, and we need to make sure that’s not happening.”

Smith hopes his experience will allow him to contribute straight-forward plans to fix parking and meal plans for residential students.

"There's nothing I can do by myself, that’s why you need a strong team," Smith said. "(We have) the understanding of the problems; we have realistic ways to solve them and plan to carry them forward."

Fields, who served as Speaker of the Senate for the fall semester, aims to embrace University affordability and improve student advising for all students.

“I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to be of service to students,” Fields said to The Cougar. “At the end of the day, we’re here for students, and we want to make sure everyone knows and feel they have a voice in SGA.”

Chemistry sophomore and Student Government Association presidential candidate Edwin Mascorro’s campaign is focused on increasing engagement among the students.

As a result, he decided to name his party the Hype Party.

“The intention of the name was to grab your attention so that we can start talking business,” Mascorro said. “My vice president and I believe SGA has a crucial role of engaging the students.

That’s what the goal is.”

More literally, the Hype Party is symbolic of Mascorro and his running partner, Omar Coronado.

“We are excited about doing all of the events that the University provides,” Mascorro said.

“We love this school, and we are excited about having the opportunity to serve the student body.”

Mascorro said as president he

would work to make sure student organizations on campus receive the funds and support they need to recruit students and increase their involvement on campus.

Mascorro said many student organizations feel restricted, and he wants to help loosen the red tape that keeps them from increasing in size and reach. “(If) you support the student organizations, you will see a stronger student body,” Mascorro said. “I know some of these student organizations ( feel) discouraged. There are too many restrictions, and we need to make sure that’s not happening.”

Mascorro said when he decided to run for president, he knew the only thing he really wanted was to be the voice of the students.

“I want somebody who actually engages with the students (and) goes to activities with the students to be that number one person,” Mascorro said. “As

the only Greek-life candidate, the only veteran (and) the only minority, I embody everything that the University of Houston represents.”

While other candidates may focus on specific issues, Mascorro focuses on fulfilling his platform goal of solidifying a strong and engaged student body. While Mascorro is hopeful he will win, he said he is optimistic that UH will continue to grow and that the student body becomes more engaged as a result regardless of the winner.

“It’s one thing to say ‘I’m a Houston Cougar, and I am proud of our football team'," he said. I hope whoever is the next SGA president can engage the student body in different ways and make them proud to wear red. The day I don’t see a Longhorn shirt on a Cougar Red Friday — if we can get to that level, I will be happy.” news@thedailycougar.com

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6 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

Smith values concrete plans to improve student lives SONIA ZUNIGA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Economics junior and Student Government Association presidential candidate Shane Smith has been a part of just about every organization that UH has to offer.

Now, Smith's campaign plans to use that first-hand experience to make the day-to-day lives of students easier by improving meal plans, Wi-Fi and parking, as his party name Project Red: Better Food. Better Wi-Fi. Better Parking. indicates.

"I have a lot of different perspectives which the University is made of, and I think I’ve been able to learn what it takes to get stuff done," Smith said.

Smith serves as the chair of the Food Service Advisory Committee, the vice chair of the Student Fees Advisory Committee, the president of the undergraduate Mock Trial program and a senior residential adviser at Calhoun Lofts.

Smith believes that the experiences and connections he's made while serving different News organiza10595-Cougar Feb 24 Auto

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tions will help him improve the conditions his campaign is focused on.

"It’s a matter of having influence (and) if you have good ideas (and) a good relationship with students and the administration to carry those ideas," Smith said.

One of Smith’s top goals is to give students access to better Wi-Fi around campus.

His other initiative involves finding cheaper meal plan alternatives to residential students. One of the most popular meal plans, the Cougar Choice 160, is widely used.

When Smith served for the Food and Dining Services committee, he looked at the data for meal plans and found that Cougar 160 sold more than 2,700 units, but students where leaving 45 percent of their meals unused.

Smith has brought up the issue with the subcommittee, as well as Aramark, the Auxiliary Services Department, the Food Service Contract and Dining Services, and they have developed new plans for next year.

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"It is a step in the right direction, not a big step, but it's progress," Smith said.

Smith has plans to improve parking, including an ERP-only pass that costs $20.

"I believe enough students would buy that pass and save money because the next cheapest price would be $100," he said.

Smith wants to add a tracking system to make it easy to know if there are any spots available.

Smith said that one of the biggest differences between him and the other candidates is his diverse team consisting of 14 RA's, five different departments, Greek affiliation members, IT experts, among others.

"You’d be hard pressed to find an area of student or academic life that someone in our group doesn’t cover," Smith said.

Smith said he has an agenda full of ideas ready to run with alongside his team if elected president. "(I want to) make students’ lives easier," Smith said. "That’s the goal." news@thedailycougar.com

2:10 PM

Progress necessities micro-finance; emergency response board of directors.

Cross-agencn. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 7

thedailycougar.com/debate

DEBATE TAKEOVER

CANDIDATE BREAKDOWN

The strengths, weaknesses of the SGA presidential candidates ANTHONY TORRES

OPINION EDITOR @IBEANTRYAN

It's campaign season here at UH, and this year we have three solid candidates for Student Government Association president.

Here's a breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses.

JOHN FIELDS PowerHouse

Fields mentions it in his slogan "Experience, Dedication, Service," and the fact is he has had the most experience with SGA out of all the candidates. He's outlined issues like grade replacement and improving academic advising, which are major issues other candidates haven't discussed.

He focuses on a broad range of issues and solutions that actually will impact students and takes a realistic stance on the fact that parking issues aren't something that can be fixed quickly. His biggest fault may actually be one of his best qualities: his positive attitude. He might have trouble on occasion with using his executive position to strong-arm the Senate.

Mascorro has one main focus: increasing student engagement. He wants to work toward increasing funding for student organizations to increase student involvement, therefore creating a better student atmosphere. He is a veteran, a minority and a member of Greek life, so he represents a good demographic that isn't represented in the other candidates, but student involvement isn't necessarily an "issue" per say.

School spirit has been getting better over EDWIN MASCORRO the years, so I think the students are more Hype Party concerned about UH trying to increase tuition fees and trying to fix parking than the desire to be apart of an organization.

SHANE SMITH Project Red: Better Food. Better Wi-Fi. Better Parking.

Smith focuses his campaign on three main issues: food, internet and parking. In his op-ed, he outlines his plans specifically for parking and how to make it more efficient.

He plans to propose digital "space available" signs for the parking lots, something that would probably cost a lot of money.

He said the way to pay for it is by selling advertisements in the form of billboards and painted pavement ads. This sounds a bit idealistic, especially since SGA has essentially no power over the parking situation. He is a member of the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee, so he should understand the limitations of SGA.

The candidates will battle it out in a debate Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the SC Theater. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

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8 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Glissette Santana

COOGLIFE EDITOR

Karis Johnson PHOTO EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Justin Tijerina

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Anthony Torres

Mónica Rojas Sean Alder

OPINION EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITORS

NEWS EDITOR

Rebecca Hennes CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Emily Burleson

Leen Basharat Efren Diosdado Brittaney Penney Trey Strange Sonia Zuniga

SPORTS EDITOR

Bryce Dodds

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.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

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THE REPUBLICAN

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 9

BUNCH

KNOW THE ISSUES THE ISSUES PG. 11

ROADS TO AVOID PG. 16

STAFF EDITORIAL PG. 13

10 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

VOLUNTEERS

IN FOCUS

48 students selected as volunteers by CNN BRYCE DODDS

SPORTS EDITOR @BRYCEJDODDSTC

While the GOP debate will bring a number of presidential candidates — and national recognition — to the University, it is also offering a rare opportunity for students to work side-by-side with one of the largest news organizations in the country.

CNN offered UH students a chance to apply to work as volunteers during its stay on campus.

Students were notified by email Thur., Feb. 18 of the possibility, and Student Government Association Chief of Staff Adrian Castillo said they saw hundreds of applicants in a short amount of time.

“I believe the final number was 554 students that applied,” Castillo said. “We sent the email out on Thursday around two o’clock, and it closed Friday at 5 p.m., so that’s 550-something people in a matter of 27 hours.”

While SGA was tasked with interviewing and vetting the applicants in a short window of time, it maintained a student-heavy focus when planning the interviewing process.

“Recognizing that we are students first, interviews were

Student volunteers were given jobs all around campus from being production to being stand ins for the presidential candidates. | Glissette Santana/The Cougar

done on a walk-in basis, allowing students the opportunity to be interviewed at their convenience,” Student Government Association

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Director of Public Relations Christian Ohuabunwa said.

While it focused on catering to students, SGA also wanted to ensure that the applicants it referred to CNN were the best.

“We had a set of four questions so we could gauge their involvement on campus, leadership experience and to get to know why these students are wanting to (get involved with) the debate,” Castillo said. “A lot of how we selected the candidates were their leadership on campus or even off campus, and then what they were hoping to get from this debate as far as professional growth.”

The high level of interest from students created problems all their own for the executive staff of SGA. “The total count was 239 students and the interviews started as soon as the email went out and the applications went live,” Castillo said. “The interviews were mainly on Friday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Of those 239 interviewees, SGA recommended 121 candidates to CNN, for an available 75 spots.

In the end, CNN selected 48 candidates from the pool that was

once 554 students strong.

One of those students selected, public relations senior Rupal Mehta, was offered a chance to volunteer and saw it as a pay-off she had long been working toward.

"I was pretty proud because all my hard work and experience from the past years had finally paid off.," Mehta said.

Mehta was accepted to work both in her field of PR, as well as doing general runner duties, and

important to me and I’m hoping that maybe volunteering here would help me network and build connections,” Mehta said. “Getting experience with such a big media outlet would be really good exposure and experience for me.”

While there’s been contention among students about hosting the debate, saying that it doesn’t necessarily help students while hindering them, Mehta said she doesn’t see it that way.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Mehta said. “It’s a couple days out of the semester that it’s going to be a little harder for students to figure their way Rupal Mehta, public relations senior around campus, but I think the exposure we get outweighs the said she thinks her prior experinegatives.” ence helped pushed her forward.

Mehta said she sees this not only “I’ve been interning in PR since as a chance for UH to be promimy sophomore year, so I’ve had nently displayed, but to display the over two years of experience in the caliber of students at the university. industry," Mehta said. "I guess they “I hope to represent it in the saw that and thought I’d be a good most professional and best way candidate.” possible just by working my Mehta said she sees this as hardest,” Mehta said. “Showing an opportunity for professional them how hard working and how growth working with an organizaawesome our students are at the tion like CNN. University.”

“I’m graduating in May, so findnews@thedailycougar.com ing a post-grad position is really

“It's a couple of days out of the semester that it's going to be a little harder for students to figure their way around campus, but I think the exposure we get outweighs the negatives."

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 11

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

CANDIDATE BREAKDOWN

Where do all the Republicans stand on the issues?

The five candidates are going to battle it out on stage Thursday, so our opinion editor graded them on their points of contention.

BEN CARSON Retired Neurosurgeon

TED CRUZ U.S. Senator

Immigration: “I would secure the borders — north, south, east and west.”

What the hell are you talking about?

Immigration: Does not want amnesty or any type of pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Climate change: Thinks oil is a “Godgiven resource” and the economic benefits outweigh the environmental costs.

Climate change: Believes that scientists “cook the books” with false data and climate change is a scam to impose restrictions on American jobs.

Healthcare: Not only wants to repeal Obamacare, but wants to privatize Medicare and Medicaid.

JOHN KASICH Governor of Ohio

Immigration: Understands that there are undocumented people who are law-abiding citizensm and wants a pathway for them to stay in the U.S.

MARCO RUBIO U.S. Senator

DONALD TRUMP Real estate mogul

Immigration: Pessimistic about any type of immigration reform. Cares more about border security.

Immigration: Wants to deport illegal immigrants and their children, estimated to cost around $114 billion. He also wants to build a wall and make the Mexican government pay for it.

Climate change: Believes in climate change and is open to emission cuts, but doesn’t want to do much else.

Climate change: Thinks addressing climate change would “destroy our economy” and denies it is caused by human activity.

Healthcare: His 2013 filibuster of the Affordable Care Act led to a government shutdown and cost American taxpayers $24 billion.

Healthcare: Wants to repeal Obamacare, but expanded Medicaid in Ohio while governor, something only a few Republicans did.

Healthcare: Believes in expanding mental health facilities, but also wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a market-based system.

Abortion: Tried to criminalize abortion and wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. OK with companies denying birth control.

Abortion: Opposes abortion except in cases like rape, incest or the mother’s life is at risk.

Jobs: Thinks the minimum wage should “probably” be raised, but thinks it will increase unemployment.

Jobs: Wants to impose a flat tax and abolish the IRS to help job growth. Also opposes raising the minimum wage.

Jobs: Helped create jobs during Reagan administration as a congressman and created jobs as governor of Ohio.

Abortion: Wants to overturn Roe v.

Wade, but is vague about what specifically he wants to do to stop abortions from happening.

Student debt: Believes people need to work their way through college.

Student debt: Voted against a bill that would have allowed student loan borrowers to refinance their loans at a lower rate.

Student debt: Passed legislation as governor of Ohio capping college tuition and expanded funding for higher education.

Abortion: Wants to overturn Roe v.

Wade, and has equated women doing what they want with unborn babies to slave owners and their slaves.

Jobs: Voted against a bill allowing equal pay for women and is against raising the minimum wage.

Student debt: Only Republican candidate who has introduced legislation to tackle student debt.

Climate change: Went on record saying he does not believe in climate change at all.

Healthcare: Wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with “something terrific."

Abortion: Used to be pro-choice, is now against abortion except in cases of rape, incest or risk of the mother.

Jobs: Vehemently talks about bringing jobs back from overseas even though Trump Ties are made in China.

Student debt: Says it’s wrong for the federal government to profit off of student loan debt, but has no specific plan to fix it.

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VERSITY community global microagression faith religion transgender social international expression opression privilege ability ss access opportunity tolerance acceptance heterosexuality workshop gender race language colorism multiracial socioeconomic lesbian gay hnicity dream ally DIVERSITY community global microagression faith nsgender belief social international expression opression identity class access opportunity tolerance acceptance heterosexuality DREAMZONE ALLY TRAINING* Thursday, February 25th Noon-1:30pm - Student Center South-Bayou City (Room 219) Wednesday, March 2nd Noon-1:30pm - Student Center South-Space City (Room 214) *This workshop will provide participants with relevant knowledge, skills and resources that will helpthem to better understand and support the needs of the UH undocumented student population.

DIVERSITY WORKSHOP: POWER AND PRIVILEGE* Wednesday, March 9th Noon-1:30pm - Student Center South-Bayou City (Room 219) *This workshop will explore dynamics of power and privilege, its effect on others and society, and ways we can change our behavior in becoming better allies to elevate barriers.

All workshops are open to UH students, faculty, and staff.

Participants must register online e i for each workshop.

Limited seating available.

For more information please contact 713-743-6047 or visit www.uh.edu/cdi

facebook.com/UHCDI twitter.com/UH_CDI instagram.com/UHCDI

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Workers started setting up for the Republican debate hosted by CNN and Telemundo on Sunday. | Justin Cross/The Cougar

GUEST COLUMN

Having GOP debate on campus is a bad choice Aside from the logistical nightmare that the Republican National Committee presidential debate will bring to parking Thursday — for which students and employees pay — there is the ethical question of whether the debate is a wise decision for such a diverse campus.

This is particularly significant given the inflammatory remarks made by the leading candidates against many minority groups who are largely represented on campus.

Those supporting the RNC debate at UH say it is a sign that the University is embracing the fluidity of free speech rights.

That to invite such candidates who have demonstrated public stances, which have also been assaulted by the mainstream press as racist, bigoted, misogynistic and Islamophobic, is to demonstrate a tolerance for the uglier forms of free speech.

This helps inculcate students a deeper understanding of true freedom, and to tolerate such intolerance somehow elevates us and adds meaningfully to the collegiate learning experience.

I respectfully disagree.

It’s important to remember that with any rights, we all too frequently forget, come duties.

In ethics this is known as the correlativity of rights and duties: two sides of the same coin. But “duties” get very little play in the popular imagination.

The mere possession of a right is not enough in a free and democratic society. One must also demonstrate his mature appreciation for that right, ethically and morally, and not abuse it in the name of liberty. Using

one’s free speech rights in order to incite rioting or mob rule, for example, is not guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. Yet this is exactly what Donald Trump has done to a scandalous degree at more than one of his campaign rallies, causing some citizens to physically attack others simply for disagreeing with the candidates’ position.

Consider, for example, last October’s Trump rally in Miami, where a student protester was savagely set upon and dragged to the ground by his collar and then kicked as Trump looked on and his supporters cheered.

Then, at Trump’s November campaign rally in Birmingham, when a Black Lives Matter protester and local student was physically assaulted, which Trump not only encouraged during the event, but later justified, telling a reporter, “Maybe (he) should have been roughed up. It was disgusting what he was doing.”

What is to be gained by exposing UH students to a discourse on a public stage involving practitioners of language which divides and inflames citizens to mob rule and baser instincts rather than unify them? What elevated lesson could UH students possibly extract from watching such a display of incivility which has typically characterized the RNC debates and rallies thus far?

A positive image worthy of an institution as co-ed and ethnically diverse as UH with its Tier One aspirations? I think not.

Alex Colvin is a history senior and president of Gun Free UH.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 13

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

STAFF EDITORIAL

Sorry, Cougars, but you're not on the guest list Congratulations, students, faculty and staff. You've received an invitation to the coolest party in the U.S., and it's happening this week. Fresh paint and and newly-planted flowers are all ready for the guests of honor to arrive.

One of these guests could be our president in less than a year, and he's on our campus.

Except — you may have seen the invitation, but you’re not on the guest list. The party may be in your house, the guests may be parking in your spot, the invitation sent straight to your inbox, but you can’t really go in.

Last week, it was announced that UH would be raffling off the coveted and extremely limited tickets to the Republican debate.

Many students took to social media to question if there was any way to get access to such an important event involving the University we're so proud of.

Alumni, too, wondered if they had been included in the University's planning.

But does this event really help 10595-Cougar News Feb 24 Brand the students?

Enjoy the fountain while you can. It won't be here after the debate leaves town. | Glissette Santana/The Cougar

Students will have to scavenge for parking because the University is closing multiple lots, and they may find getting around campus more difficult due to the absence of the campus loop shuttle. They'll miss classes because of cancellations or the sheer inability to make it on time.

Blocked-off sections of campus Ad Half Page-final.pdf 1 2/23/16 present another obstacle, forcing

students to adjust their routes to class.

The entire University will come to a screeching halt for this prestigious event, and the only way we can get in is pure luck?

The University only has 25 tickets to give out. Out of 42,000 students, not including faculty and staff members who applied 2:12 PM for the raffle, chances are you're

not going.

After this week, University activities will revert back to normal. The fountains will be drained — again — and the fences will be put back up. We get one week in the national spotlight, which is great, but again, how does this help students?

"The more recognition, the more prestige your university

has, it will certainly have a direct impact on your degree," said Keith Kowalka, assistant vice president for student affairs.

"If you're moving to Alabama or Wyoming or wherever and people have heard of the University of Houston as opposed to universities that you haven't heard of... I think there is a recognition."

But that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen.

This is not even technically a presidential debate; it's a Republican debate. A debate meant only to determine the nominee of one party. Lynn University is a Tier Two college that hosted a presidential debate in 2012, and who's ever heard of Lynn University?

Still, this debate gives more status to UH, and we thank CNN and the RNC for choosing us. But the students here get little more than the ability to tell their kids, "hey, Donald Trump came and debated at my school once."

They won't say they got to see him.

— The Cougar Editorial Board

14 || Wednesday, February 24, 2016 14 Wednesday, February 24, 2016

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 15

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

CAMPUS

Volunteers stand front and center for GOP debate GABE LABOUNTY

STAFF WRITER

From the 554 potential volunteers that applied to take part in the Republican national debate Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Moore's Opera House, five lucky students were selected to serve as stand-ins for the real presidential candidates while CNN sets up lights and sound before the nationally televised debate.

The stand-ins started Tuesday and will work one ten-hour shift Wednesday. CNN went through hundreds of applicants to find students that physically represented the candidates the most.

"It's for rehearsal, so we are shooting and looking at real bodies and real positions," Technical Manager for CNN Special Events Steve Dolce said.

"Even though they're not the candidates, it's the closest representation that we came to. If you don't have a body there, you don't know what you're shooting at."

The debate has given several students across the University the opportunity to be a vital part of a presidential debate. Students who are engaged in campus politics such as Student Government Association are greatly impacted by their national counterparts setting up shop in their backyard.

SGA senator and chemical engineering senior Clint Kirchhoff was selected to be one of the stand-ins for the debate.

“It has been a wonderful opportunity to help catalyze change at this University," Kirchhoff said about his time working for SGA. "I was excited when I heard about the debate in general, it reflects well on our university. It gives us the opportunity to display the wonderful progress this University has been making on the national stage for a number of days. Having national media is good for name recognition.”

Kirchhoff hopes by participating as a stand in, he will absorb

more information about the way national politics work.

“I really look forward to learning more about the debate process, primaries and all sorts of political processes that surround this debate," Kirchhoff said. "It is an unusual trait for an engineer, but I guess that’s why I’m the engineering senator for SGA.” Petroleum engineering senior Analicia Caylor is also a stand-in volunteer.

Caylor said she believes the debate is essential to promoting the University's success as a TierOne institution.

"I want to volunteer because I understand that having this Republican debate is a part of history,” Caylor said. “This is an excellent opportunity for us and I believe that I can represent our University well. This is our chance to show all of the attendees and news media what UH is made of."

Stand ins got backstage access to the debate. | Justin Cross/The Cougar

news@thedailycougar.com

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16 | Wednesday, February 24, 2016

DEBATE TAKEOVER

thedailycougar.com/debate

Parking closures expected starting Wednesday night 16G

Parking lot 15G will be closed from Wednesday, Feb. 24 until Sunday, Feb. 28. Parkers who normally park in the lot should instead use their gate cards to park in lot 15H during this time.

15H

16D

Elgin

St.

16C

d

16B . cl

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15G

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15A

CHECK OUT UH.EDU/ DEBATE FOR MORE INFO. — Map courtesy of Jessica Mize

Parking lot 15A will be closed from Sunday, Feb. 21 until Sunday, Feb. 28.

Parkers who normally park in the lot should instead use their gate cards to park in lot 15H during this time.

Cu ll

en

SEVEN PARKING LOTS WILL BE CLOSED AROUND THE MOORE'S OPERA HOUSE STARTING WEDNESDAY AT 10 P.M.

Parking lots 16B, 16C, 16D and 16G will be unavailable on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 a.m.

Cullen will be closed from Elgin to Holman on Wednesday Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. through Friday at 3 a.m.

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