Issue 11, Volume 88

State Rep. Jolanda Jones addresses UH theatre incident

LISA EL-AMIN NEWS EDITOR @LISAELAMIN17

State Rep. Jolanda Jones held a town hall meeting on Feb. 9 to address the incident involving UHPD and the two theatre students and urge solutions.

Jones held the town hall after a previous meeting had an unsuccessful outcome with students’ concerns still not heard, she said.

Jones invited individuals in positions to help make students feel safer, including the dean of the School of Theatre and Dance, who was not in attendance, Chancellor Renu Khator and Student Government President Joshua Martin. Khator and Martin were not in attendance either but sent their representatives.

“I became aware of the situation Tuesday in the evening, learned of a town hall that was to take place Wednesday morning,” Jones said. “What we learned at the town hall was that the students didn’t feel heard. They didn’t feel safe.”

Graduate student Domonique Champion, one of the two students who had a gun drawn on them, expressed his frustrations and trauma from the day of the incident. He shared that since then he is unsure if he would be able to practice his art the same way as he’s always done.

“What happened was on Nov. 4, and I’m only recently receiving correspondence

from the administration of University of Houston three months and three days afterward,” Champion said. “The fact that if this happened to me, and I came that close, it can happen to anyone on that campus. It breaks my heart that change is difficult for the simple fact that people don’t want to take responsibility.”

Champion said that he was a Student Government Association senator for many administrations at the University and saw changes and renovations to make the campus a better space. However, he said that he has felt abandoned by the University and the administration.

“We are out here (at Emancipation Park) where not just myself, but also other artists and this community can be heard because things need change,” Champion said. “ Because we already know the issues that we have as far as Black men, bodies of color and mental health. And the fact that I had to seek it on my own before someone actually

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helped me from the University is an issue.”

Champion’s anguish filled the room with emotions, and Jones was moved as well. She emphasized throughout the meeting that the power in her office will be used to make students at UH feel protected and that the University’s administration responds accordingly.

Theatre senior Brandon Sanders reached out to Jones after many attempts to bring this incident to the University’s administration and raised awareness on social media on how the school responded by handing neon vests out to Theatre students.

“I was looking at this vest and I thought about what message the University of Houston was sending to its students specifically us at the School of Theatre,” Sanders said. “In that moment I marched to administration and I demanded that they send out some sort of formal announcement. I just wanted to spread the

message of what happened to Domonique. I didn’t think it was right that they were trying to send us this message that we weren’t safe on our own campus and they have yet to find us a real solution.”

Jones said she met with Khator last week to discuss what actually happened and what solutions the University will make. Jones also said that she requested to see the UHPD’s footage from the night of the occurrence.

“Interestingly the body cam footage and the dashcam footage in the patrol car shows everything but the incident,” Jones said. “So there’s actually no evidence that I’ve seen today that shows a gun wasn’t pulled since the school’s official response when asked is that if a gun were pulled, they said no.”

Jones wanted this town hall meeting to be a platform for students and alumni to share their experiences at UH and many expressed how this situation has impacted their view of the University.

“I want to emphasize the fact that there is no space in the School of Theatre and Dance,” acting alumna Sophia Mobbs said. “I was there for four years and there were times when our scheduled classes had to be held outside because they needed the space to build sets.”

Mobbs shared a statement from Fine Arts Forward, on actionable items that they think can be done to make this situation better one being an apology from the decisionmakers involved in concluding for theatre students to wear neon vests.

“A lot of this was really emotional for me because we’re supposed to protect our young people,” Jones said. “So I need to debrief, go back and look at the notes and make sure we stay engaged with the University to make sure they follow up and follow through.”

news@thedailycougar.com

African American Studies chair talks program changes

LISA EL-AMIN NEWS EDITOR @LISAELAMIN17

The College Board released its revised Advanced Placement African American studies course after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis critiqued and rejected the subject’s content and said it “significantly lacks educational value.”

AAS department Chair Tara Green outlined the revisions and the effects that it has on the course itself.

“A concern among scholars in the field is that the revision reflects the misconceived notion that the AP curriculum was lacking in quality,” Green said. “When, in fact, it had been developed by scholars in the field who teach at well-known and wellrespected universities across the nation.”

Green stated that various changes were made, but the most alarming is the elimination of Black queer studies from the final frameworks. She noted that this change makes the curriculum “less inclusive and less diverse.”

The framework also excluded intersectionality, Black feminist literary thought and the origin of the Black Lives Matter movement.

DeSantis’ administration rejected the College Board’s course asserting that it violates Florida state law on how race is taught within their public schools.

“Who would say that an important part of black history is queer theory, that is somebody pushing an agenda on our kids,” DeSantis said in a CNN report. “When you look to see they have stuff about intersectionality, abolishing prisons, that’s a political agenda.”

AAS has grown over the years, including at UH where it houses one of the oldest departments in the country, according to Green.

Students can now pursue doctorates in AAS, Africana Studies and African Studies. There are thousands of scholars across the world who study Black people and their cultures, Green said.

“As for the AP course, it has no effect

on that growth, but it may entice other people to learn more about what we do,” Green said. “They should know that African American Studies scholars in higher education have been hired because we are knowledgeable in our fields. If people want to know more about our work, talk to us, take our courses, read our publications.”

While the College Board and DeSantis’ administration have received backlash for its watered-down curriculum, the changes in the curriculum have no impact on how the University’s AAS department will continue teaching.

“As we know, college is a place of discovery and we will continue to offer educational experiences where students can and will discover new knowledge,” Green said. “I applaud students who are taking the courses at the high school level and those who are taking AAS courses at UH. We welcome you in AAS.”

JOHN LOMAX & LISA EL-AMIN, EDITORS

State Rep. Jolanda Jones speaks at a town hall meeting. | Lisa El-Amin/The Cougar

Managing social life as a grad student

MALACHI KEY SENIOR STAFF WRITER @MALACHISKEY

So you’ve finally made it to grad school. Congrats! Months of stressing over which program is right for you, GRE scores, and whether you really want to do school for another several years are all behind you. Time to celebrate with all of your closest friends, right?

Except, for many graduate students, things aren’t that simple. Maybe your pals from undergrad all moved away or are too busy with the “real world” to hang out. Perhaps you moved states or even countries for this program.

Whatever the reason, feelings of loneliness are common as you head into this stage of life. A 2018 survey found that Generation Z was more likely to feel lonely than previous generations, and another study found that nearly half of Americans lost touch with friends during the pandemic.

As the pressures of classes and concerns about the future hang heavy, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do this alone. But how do you find community in grad school when it seems everyone is too busy or already has enough friends?

Start on campus

While your undergraduate days may be behind you, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make friends on campus. UH has hundreds of student organizations on campus, and while many of these are geared toward undergraduates, quite a few have active graduate students as members.

If you prefer to socialize mainly with other graduate students, consider joining the Graduate and Professional Student Association. They host several social events throughout the semester aimed at helping students network and make new friends in the process!

Find something that matters

It can be challenging to feel like what you’re doing matters amid long and often frustrating research projects. Finding something to volunteer for that’s close to your heart is a great way to feel more

APPLICATIONS

fulfilled and meet like-minded people.

From volunteering with refugee populations to helping care for stray animals, Houston has no shortage of opportunities to make a difference. Sites such as VolunteerHouston can help you find communities that are just as passionate about fighting for what’s important to you.

Try something new

While grad school can be very timeconsuming, you’re still (likely) a young adult in one of the country’s largest and most diverse cities. Step outside your comfort zone to try something exciting, and you might just be surprised by what you find!

Consider trying out Dungeons and Dragons at Bar Haven or one of Houston’s multiple trivia nights hosted at various bars around the city. Pick up bachata at Latin Dance Factory, or consider attending culture-specific events like Gulf Coast Comics’ “Comics for the Culture”.

Find religion (or don’t)

During stressful times, finding a spiritual home might be a step towards feeling supported by a larger community. UH hosts multiple religious meetings in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, or you could join larger religious groups like the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.

Not super spiritual? Houston hosts multiple social groups for nonreligious folks, including Oasis, which hosts weekly gatherings to discuss philosophy, live music and enjoy the “human experience.” Spiritual health matters, too, so don’t neglect it!

Remember, grad school is a marathon, not a sprint. Your studies matter, but taking them on alone will lead to burnout. So consider taking a chance on new connections. You might be surprised by what (or who) you find!

news@thedailycougar.com

Applying to graduate school: The basics

LOGAN LINDER ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @LOGANL_WRITES

Now that you’ve decided to go to graduate school, it’s time for one of the most important steps: applying.

Hopefully you’ve already decided which program to apply to but if not, there are over 150 options at UH.

The application process is different depending on if you’re going the typical graduate school route, or if you’re going into a professional program like law or pharmacy.

Documents

Before beginning the application process,

have all the necessary documents on hand to make your overall experience easier.

For starters, you need your official transcript. You will also need your test scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and any additional materials according to the specific program.

While you only need your transcript to start the process, your future self will thank you if you gather all the papers ahead of time.

The application

Once you’ve submitted all required documents, it’s time to finally submit the

application. A separate account must be created for ApplyWeb, the portal used to submit your application.

The application doesn’t need to be completed in one sitting, and as long as an account has been created, you can save and edit your application as many times as you want until you submit it.

The application fee is $50 but can be waived under some circumstances. These circumstances are specific to each program, so be sure to check with the program you’re applying to in order to see if the fee can be waived.

news@thedailycougar.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Donna Keeya

MANAGING EDITOR

Jhair Romero

WEB EDITOR

Denise Miller

NEWS EDITORS

John Lomax

Lisa El-Amin

SPORTS EDITOR James Mueller

OPINION EDITOR

Cindy Rivas Alfaro

STAFF EDITORIAL

PHOTO EDITOR Anh Le

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jose GonzalezCampelo

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Armando Yanez

Logan Linder Starns Leland

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) 7435384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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Beyond the hype: Is graduate school worth it?

JHAIR A. ROMERO MANAGING EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR

No matter where you are in your undergraduate career, whether it’s your senior year or just your first semester of college, the idea of someday going to graduate school will eventually cross your mind.

Although the possibility of continuing your higher education and pursuing a graduate degree may seem daunting, coming to a decision doesn’t have to be.

If you have graduate school on the brain but aren’t completely sure about what to do, be sure to consider these factors as you make up your mind.

Career goals

The first thing you should think about when considering graduate school is whether or not it is even compatible with whatever your career aspirations are.

A good way to gauge this is by applying to internships or fellowships that will give you professional experience in whatever it is you might pursue in graduate school.

When making an investment as large as a graduate degree, you should be sure that you’re not getting yourself stuck in a

career that isn’t right for you.

Another excellent way to see if graduate school is right for you is by asking a professor or industry professional for advice. Throughout your undergraduate career, you’re bound to come across plenty of professors, some of whom likely teach graduate-level courses in their fields.

What better way to learn more about a career than by getting advice from those who teach it for a living?

If you do decide that a graduate degree is what’s best for your career, picking the right school is key for this next chapter of your educational journey.

School

For those who decide to go back to school, the institution where you choose to pursue your next degree can make or break your graduate school experience.

Location, tuition costs and the quality of the program you’re interested in should all be considered when looking for the right school.

The city or state your prospective schools are located in can play a huge part in what you get out of a graduate program.

A great example is UH’s part-time

master’s of business administration program, which allows students to balance work and school as they work towards their degree.

The best part? The program, ranked in the top 50 in the country by the U.S. & World News Report, is in a diverse city with the second-highest economic output in the South that happens to house nearly 20 Fortune 500 companies.

Of course, the financial impact of extending your college career for a graduate degree can vary from institution to institution.

Depending on what school you choose, a master’s degree can run you anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000, according to educationdata.org.

So, if you soon start the process of finding the right graduate school for you, be money-conscious when weighing your options.

Financials

When it comes to education, especially graduate school, nothing is cheap, and students often end up racking up large amounts of debt to pay for tuition and other college expenses.

On average, someone who completes

their master’s degree will end up with just over $72,000 in debt, according to educationdata.org.

Looking at a number that large and the word “debt” in the same sentence can be unnerving, but you must remember that higher education pays.

Having a master’s or professional or doctoral degree can make you thousands of dollars more a year than someone with just a bachelor’s degree, a 2020 study by Northeastern University found.

That same study found that those with master’s or doctoral degrees are less likely to be unemployed, which can be reassuring for a young graduate entering the workforce.

If you choose to go to graduate school, know that you are going to spend a lot of money regardless of where you go.

Yes, you should be conscious of the resources you spend in pursuit of the education and career you want, but what’s important is whether or not you believe the trade-off is worth it.

No matter what you choose to do, being informed and doing your research is the first step in making the right decision.

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

Diversity, inclusion is important in graduate school programs

CINDY RIVAS ALFARO

OPINION EDITOR

@CINDYGISELLES

Graduate programs are known to be the next step to enhancing your education which is why they should be focused on upholding the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion.

A lot has changed over the past few years regarding admission numbers, especially the amount of students of color earning graduate degrees.

In 1995, 75 percent of white students made up the population of graduate students in the U.S. while the rest were a mixed population of Black, Asian, Hispanic and Native American students.

In 2015, data shifted to where only 56 percent of white students made up the population of graduate students while the rest were students of color and international students. Still, the shifts in the individual populations of people of color differ and have a long way to go.

For example, Black students increased from 6.9 percent to 13.5 percent, Asian students actually decreased from 7.3 percent to 6.3 percent, Hispanic students increased from 4.9 percent to 9.2 percent and Native American students decreased from 0.6 percent to 0.4 percent.

Of course, these numbers continue to change over time, decreasing and increasing as new students enroll each year. The common theme is how more students of color are applying and enrolling in higher education over the past 20 years.

On the other hand, numbers can only say so much about graduate school and the experience students of color go through. Navigating through a whitedominated field of academics can open up a plethora of microaggressions, imposter syndrome, tokenization and marginalization.

In general, graduate students are three

times more likely to experience mental health issues than the average American. For students of color, this could be worsened through systematic and social barriers that isolate them from the graduate school experience.

Historically, students of color, more specifically black students, were excluded from receiving the same education as their white counterparts. Even today, hate crimes continue to occur on college campuses that are racially motivated against people of color.

Because of this, graduate schools should garner an inclusive environment with resources and funds dedicated to support students of color as they continue on with their education.

Since students of color are less likely to take advantage of mental health resources on campus, universities should aim to close that gap by reaching out to students and ensuring that counselors represent the students they are trying to help.

On the academic side, the implementation of graduate programs meant to highlight the contributions of people of color and marginalized communities are essential in becoming inclusive.

UH has its own African American Studies graduate certificate as well as a graduate certificate in Women’s Studies. Although these are just graduate certificates, they offer an advanced academic venture into the history of marginalized communities that can be pushed into full-fledged graduate programs if the University aims for it.

Graduate programs are a space for students to grow and increase their scope of the world. It is only logical that those spaces include a diverse group of students and their pressing thoughts to create it.

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

SCHOOL

It’s never too late to further your education, go to grad school

CINDY RIVAS ALFARO OPINION EDITOR @CINDYGISELLES

If you’re wondering if you missed the chance to go to graduate school, it’s never too late to further your education. Learning is a never-ending journey and if graduate school can help enhance that journey, there is no strict rule as to when you can or should start.

To put things in perspective, the average age of a graduate student is 33 years old with 22 percent being over 40 years old. A lot of graduate students are further along in life when they decide they want to come back to school.

There might be some concerns or worries of getting back into the habit of learning, reading, completing assignments or other academic duties that graduate school entails but more often than not, the life experiences gathered outside of school can easily transfer over.

In fact, there are a lot of benefits that come with deciding to go to graduate school a little later down the line.

For one, if you have an

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Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

established career, a graduate degree might help with gaining a salary increase or a further development in your employment.

A graduate degree showcases many things like an eagerness to learn, a drive to improve and willingness to take initiative.

Education has always been a

tool for social mobility and that does not change the older one gets.

If you don’t have a job or are fumbling with a career choice, a graduate degree is still a safe choice as it provides a space for networking to take place. College campuses are filled with a variety of resources to take

advantage of like career services, research opportunities and an environment to grow with fellow students.

A little more of a personal perk of going back to school is the return of all the student discounts that are now at your disposal.

Spotify’s $5 a month deal beats

a lot of subscription services by a mile as it also includes Hulu and SHOWTIME on the side. Students can even add Disney Plus for an extra $2 a month if they really want to.

Discounted prices to stores, museums and zoos are also something to look forward to from your returning status as a student.

Although it might be a little daunting to return to school if you are juggling a family life, work life and social life as an adult, a graduate degree offers a breath of fresh air and a new opportunity to grow.

Some are also probably returning to get their graduate degree because they are finally at a place in life where they can handle the responsibility that comes with it.

Wherever you are in life, graduate schools are designed to welcome non-traditional students and meet them where they are. All there is to do is send in that application and reclaim the status of a student with open arms.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Graduate degrees in the liberal arts are important

SARAH ELISE SHEA STAFF COLUMNIST @SARAHELISE.S

Getting into college is a big step and a life changing decision for many individuals, but what comes after may be even more impactful.

For many students in STEM, graduate school is the obvious path as it can lead to medical school, optometry and other forms of higher education.

However, when liberal arts students mention attending graduate school, people can often be caught making remarks about how it is ‘unnecessary’ for future careers in the humanities.

Yet, for many liberal arts and humanities undergraduate students, graduate school is a practical and impactful part of their growth and career.

“Even the people with no interest in majoring in the humanities benefit from the people getting graduate degrees in those fields,” said Ph.D. English student Karen Lagana. “The latter enhances everyone’s understanding. Their knowledge seeps into the culture and helps improve education in the humanities at all levels, including

high school.”

“It’s benefitted me because I’ve been part of a community with like-minded colleagues and mentors,” Lagana said. “This elevates my own understanding.”

The arts are often extremely competitive, and while experience can help those flourish, unpaid internships or low paying jobs are just not feasible for most.

Having a graduate degree can make candidates not only gain experience while earning an education, but appear more impressive and hirable.

In fact, the number of grad students has more than tripled since the 1970s, no doubt due to the increasing demand for higher education in jobs.

Because about one in three Americans are college graduates with a bachelor’s degree, this has caused a devaluation of undergraduate education.

While STEM degrees remain largely important, employers find that many candidates with liberal art degrees have some much wanted qualities.

Employers rank skills like communication and critical thinking higher than technical

aptitudes, and these wanted skills are often hallmarks of liberal arts training.

Moreover, many liberal arts programs focus on research, analysis and writing, making these students exceptional candidates for a wide variety of jobs.

“The humanities often offer opportunities for interdisciplinary studies, enabling students

to develop a well-rounded perspective and a broad range of knowledge that is applicable to multiple fields,” said junior sociology major Joshua Glover.

“Pursuing graduate studies in the humanities is not only beneficial for those interested in academic or research careers, but also for those seeking careers in various fields such as law, education, nonprofit

organizations and more,” Glover said. “A deep understanding of the humanities and the ability to think critically are in high demand.”

Overall, while it can be easy to discredit the importance of graduate degrees for the liberal arts, it needs to be understood that these degree programs have true and worthy benefits.

CINDY RIVAS ALFARO, JOHN LOMAX AND LISA EL-AMIN, GRAD

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

MEN’S BASKETBALL

All the work is paying off for UH’s Jarace Walker

JAMES MUELLER SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186

In Kelvin Sampson’s experience, freshmen tend to shy away from asking the coaches a question out of fear of having to admit they do not know something.

But not Jarace Walker.

“Jarace cares,” Sampson said. “His care factor is very high because he asks great questions.”

It doesn’t matter the situation. Whether it’s a one-on-one film session or in front of the entire team during a practice, if Walker has a question, he is going to ask it.

“He’s got no problem clearing his throat, (even) in a group of upperclassmen asking pertinent questions,” said UH assistant coach Kellen Sampson. “That only enhances his ability to elevate and keep going and keep getting better and better and better.”

Playing for a head coach with a Hall of Fame-type resume, Walker said it would be foolish not to try to soak up every ounce of knowledge that he can.

“When it comes to coach Sampson, I know he’s been around the game for so long. He has so much wisdom, so much knowledge,” Walker said. “For me or just anybody, not to soak it in and ask questions and just try to get as much as I can from him as possible doesn’t make sense.”

BASEBALL

Walker is a true student of the game. His desire to learn fuels every thing he does.

“Jarace is probably the most coachable freshman I’ve ever had,” the older Sampson said. “Jarace, he just takes it and goes on down the road. I’ve been really impressed with his character.”

Learning to work

Since arriving at UH, part of

Walker’s learning process has been developing a winning work ethic. Walker credits UH veteran guard Marcus Sasser showing him exactly what this looks likes. While practices under Sampson are hard enough, Sasser showed Walker that the work doesn’t stop there. What a player does on his own time outside of practice is just as important.

After seeing all the extra time

Sasser puts in the gym outside of practice, Walker began to emulate his teammate.

“As months went by and time went on, he just matured as a basketball player, as a man,” Sasser said. “He realized that the preparation is just as important as the game.”

While the talent is there, Walker has learned is not enough on its own. Living in the gym, combined

with his natural talent and athleticism, is what will allow him to elevate his game.

“It’s before practice, after practice, late night before the game,” Walker said. “Really whenever I can get in the gym and work on my game. I know that’s ultimately going to take me to the next level, just that consistency staying in the gym.”

Confidence is key

There’s a reason why Walker is a projected NBA lottery pick. He possesses everything scouts look for in a player: a 6-foot-8-inch frame, elite athleticism, natural shot blocking and an effective 3-point shot.

Yet, it’s Walker’s self-confidence that stands out most to Kellen Sampson, his position coach. While the younger Sampson says Walker has looked like a freshman in many ways throughout the course of the season, confidence is one thing he has not lacked.

“One of the things with Jarace is he’s got such a remarkably healthy self-esteem in himself,” the coach said. “Not in an egotistical, braggadocious, cocky kind of way, but he just knows who he is as a person. (He’s) really secure, no insecurities really as a person.” sports@thedailycougar.com

New season an opportunity for Cougars to take next step

STARNS LELAND

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

@STARNSLELAND

Looking to win its sixth American Conference Championship and play in its first NCAA Regional tournament since 2018 before heading to the Big 12 Conference, the UH baseball team is oozing confidence ahead of its 2023 season debut.

“We might be predicted second (in the conference), but I think it’s our conference to lose this year,” said senior shortstop Ian McMilllan, one of seven returning starters for the Cougars.

The Cougars went 37-24 overall and 13-11 in-conference in 2022, going all the way to the conference championship game, losing 6-1 to first-place East Carolina. Hoping to build on that result is a team that head coach Todd Whitting said is likely the most well-equipped team he has ever had.

“We’ve got a lot of depth,” Whitting said. “This is probably the deepest team that I’ve ever had.”

Joining a team that finished second in the country in fielding percentage is a new-look pitching staff looking to ease some of the pressure off of what was also the second-best hitting team in The American.

According to Whitting, it’s the new blood in the bullpen that he

says has the depth to make things easier for the starters, while also replacing the production from departed standout closer Ben Sears.

“I feel like we’ve got six legitimate relievers, where in a typical year you have two that you can kind of rely on,” Whitting said. “It takes a lot of pressure off those starters knowing

that if they get us to the fourth, fifth, sixth inning they can just flip it over to the bullpen.”

McMillan, senior third baseman Zach Arnold and star junior catcher Anthony Tulimero were all selected to the AAC preseason allconference team in December. And when it comes to the team’s leading hitter from 2022 in Tulimero, McMillan says that ‘Tuli’ is looking steady as ever early on.

“Tuli’s just Tuli,” McMillan said. “He’s always going to hit, he’s always going to be a good leader, (and) he’s always going to catch.”

Meanwhile, Arnold, who committed just one error in 56 games, is just happy to be back to full-health after struggling with a broken finger and leg towards the end of last year.

“Dealing with those (injuries) was tough last year but you power through it,” Arnold said. “This year I’m feeling great. I’m very grateful to be feeling this way and not having to deal with those same things last year.”

With the return of players like Arnold and Tulimero, as well as the addition of several veteran transfers, Whitting believes this year’s team has a level of maturity it hasn’t had in recent years.

“You can never be overexperienced,” Whitting said. “Since Covid, there have been a lot of teams that were older than us, but now we have the 22, 23-year-olds in our lineup.”

Last year’s 37 victories was an 18-win improvement from the Cougars’ 2021 campaign. But even with that increase and the expected production from the returning players as well as the pitching staff, Whitting, entering his 13 the season UH’s coach, maintains that the team is only focused on this year and not last year’s success.

“We preach in this program, ‘The past is a mystery, the future is a mystery,’” Whitting said. “(The players) care about this year’s team and what we’re doing right now.”

In 24 games played, UH’s Jarace Walker is averaging 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. | Anh Le/The Cougar

Big things are expected from catcher Anthony Tulimero, who was named to the Preseason All-Conference team, in 2023. | James Mueller/The Cougar

Love is like a drug that is difficult to overcome

KATHERINE GRAVES STAFF COLUMNIST @KATESPHERE

Are you falling for someone?

Are you already in love? Or are you like the many who are completely single and couldn’t be happier?

Whichever category you might fall into, love is more than just a feeling, but a multitude of responses inside the brain and body that pulls you in and can be hard to let go.

Love is something many have dreamt about as children and even continue to as adults. This need to be loved and to love is quite perplexing.

Yet, what is so special about love and why can it be so allconsuming?

As surprising or unsurprising to some as it might seem, romantic love can produce an array of responses in the body and can be fueled by chemicals in the body.

This makes sense as it seems like a full-body experience when even attempting to go on a first date with both head and heart in mind.

Depending just how far along the stage of romance or the

GIFTS

relationship can also determine the different levels of hormones released in the and in turn can affect how excited or comfortable one might feel in the relationship.

With love there can be these fluctuating feelings of excitement, nervousness, confusion, frustration and so much more. Yet it is likely not specific to one person or another, but to many people.

This is likely because the pursuit of love or need for love is a part of nature.

Chemicals in the brain like dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol and others are important because they can contribute to feelings of pleasure, attachment, bonding and stress.

Some of the chemicals can also contribute to the not so fun side effects like poor appetite, ruminating thoughts and nervousness.

With this in mind, the idea of being in love doesn’t necessarily sound all that enticing.

It seems more likely one would be exhausted before reaping any benefits.

Fortunately for some, it appears the initial anxiety and discomfort in a new relationship doesn’t necessarily last. However, if one finds themselves unsuccessful in finding love or being successful at love, don’t worry. Hope is not lost.

While some might believe others are lucky or unlucky at love, maybe it’s something they’re doing which is affecting their outcome.

Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher was featured on Ted Radio Hour back in 2019 where she shared her thoughts and findings on love.

Fisher stated how she believed romantic love and attachment were biological drives instead of feelings. With this, people can have a choice in who they fall in love with if they’re able to overcome that drive.

As a result, instead of succumbing to the drives one can learn to adapt that drive to their needs before falling for the wrong person or before their ability to make decisions about the

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

relationship falters.

With this in mind and based upon Fisher’s perspective, choose your lover based on connection, attraction and personal needs instead of placing a heavier emphasis solely on wants.

Love can be hard to find and equally hard to let go. With all the internal factors affecting love, it’s no surprise people find themselves in heartbreak for reasons like time, energy, love spent and even missing the enjoyable emotions mixed in.

It’s easy to want to return to those enjoyable feelings which in

part makes love so addictive.

Love is complicated not just to experience, but also to explain. It is a culmination of feelings, emotions and needs.

However, when one chooses to pursue or be in love, understanding the varying emotions can all be a part of the process.

Finding a way to enjoy the experience and implications of love versus questioning just how good one might be in love might make the process a little easier.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Showing your love doesn’t mean overspending

JJ CACERES

STAFF COLUMNIST

@JJ_IS_BLESSED

The general message and intent behind Valentine’s Day has always been a positive one: to celebrate the love that couples share for one another.

While this may have been the original objective, current interpretations have taken the concept of Valentine’s Day and commercialized it to a point where there now exists a societal expectation to spend a great deal of money on gifts, restaurant outings and even trips.

Although there are some couples that spend their Valentine’s Day without purchasing such material items, there are many more that feel the need to adhere to expectation and show love to their partner by splurging on Valentine’s Day as it is commercialized on TV.

This showcasing of love, however, is just one of the many ways that couples can express love.

It actually may be more likely that by appealing to a more personable and intimate celebration, couples will enjoy Valentine’s Day more.

Valentine’s Day spending hit an all-time high during the pandemic and dropped significantly in 2021,

according to data.

But in 2022 spending began to increase yet again, though such effects could be attributed to the rapid surge in marriages, lockdowns and other financial strains during and after the pandemic.

Regardless, it seems that the trend of spending on Valentine’s

Day varies across generations. Boomers and Generation Xers tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day less than Millennials and Generation Z. Even when research respondents claimed they had no plans to celebrate the holiday, they still spent a good amount of money on their significant other to adhere to the expectation of gifting

something to their loved ones on the day of love.

This is not to say that couples or people should completely avoid spending money on Valentine’s Day for the special people in their lives.

It simply depends on who people celebrate this special holiday with. For this reason,

however, more creative, personable gifts should be given more.

Personalized gifts are often more affordable and are a more genuine gesture for couples and other significant others to show love.

According to a survey of 2000 Americans, 62 percent of respondents preferred to be gifted personalized gifts over store-bought, generic gifts for the holidays. Breaking out of the expectation for a Valentine’s gift may just be something a romantic partner or significant other needs on Valentine’s Day.

Oftentimes, many couples feel that there is an expectation to spend money on gifts and other exuberant gestures as a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

While that may be the case at times, the best way to celebrate this cherished holiday is to simply show love to significant others in a way that is familiar, expected and personable.

Through this, you can show how special your significant other is to you and highlight the unique aspects of your relationship.

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Dear Denise 12: Valentine’s Day breakups, dog allergies

DENISE MILLER WEB EDITOR @PAPERBAMBI

In The Cougar’s weekly anonymous advice column, I talk about Valentine’s Day dilemmas. To submit your questions for future issues, click the Dear Denise button on our home page.

My partner wants to go on an expensive trip for Valentine’s Day, but I’m looking for a way out of the relationship. What’s the best way to end it?

Oh, brother. Anon, you should have ended this relationship before the conversation surrounding vacations even came up. This information is coming to you the day after Valentine’s Day, but I hope you told your partner the truth and ended the relationship. The best way to end any relationship is like waxing! Just do it straightforwardly because if you take too long it hurts more.

I’m in a casual relationship with three individuals who are unaware of each other. They each want to do something different on Valentine’s Day, so how do I decide which one to go with?

You are the villain. Why are you dating three people at the same time? Let’s do better. For

Valentine’s, you need to pick yourself and be alone. Hope this helps!

I bought my girlfriend a puppy for Valentine’s Day, but it turns out she’s allergic. What should I do with the dog? I can’t keep it at home because I am allergic.

This actually made me giggle out loud. Unfortunately, you need to return that dog to whoever you got it from. I don’t understand your thought process behind the gift. If someone is allergic to dogs, that usually comes up in conversation and the fact that you are also allergic and didn’t know your girlfriend is allergic

is strange. I am interested in my best friend’s significant other. How do I break them up before Valentine’s Day?

I wish I could respond with that facepalm emoji because that’s all I have to say.!.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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Reach out to the person who brings out the best in you. Having the right people in your corner will be crucial to success. Consider what you want to accomplish and how to execute your plans. Joint ventures will help you pick up the pace and achieve the most. Emotions will run high this year, especially concerning shared expenses and moneymaking.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -A budget-friendly plan will ease stress and help you meet your demands. Don’t let what others decide to do influence or cost you. You’ll find the perfect spot to start a new project.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Consider the long-term effects before making a move. Educate yourself, talk to experts and keep your emotions out of your final decision. Be sure to update

documents that need it.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

-- Look at what’s possible and plan your strategy. Learn from the past, and don’t count on others to live up to their promises. Rely on your intelligence, skills and ability to go the distance.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Pick up the slack and do your best. No need to get worked up over something you cannot change. Focus on what’s tangible. Put everything in order and prepare to initiate plans.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

-- Put yourself on the line and show everyone what you can do. Concentrate on what’s meaningful to you. Prepare for your success instead of helping everyone else reach their goals.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

-- Don’t overthink matters;

you will achieve your objective without interruption. Simplicity is the key to getting where you want to go with the least amount of interference.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

-- Treat people with fragile egos carefully. Be on your best behavior and offer compliments. Pay it forward, and you will reap the rewards. The quality of your input will be crucial.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Put your differences with others aside. Choose peace over chaos and strive to bring out the best in others. Don’t hide your thoughts and feelings. Speak up and find out where you stand.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

-- Attending a conference or spending quality time with someone who shares your interests will broaden your awareness and help you

recognize how to make a difference.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Follow the most exciting path. Having a way to hone your skills and pursue a career you enjoy will increase your awareness of what’s possible. Discipline and hard work will pay off.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Don’t expect things to run smoothly. Emotional confusion will surface. Look for a unique way to solve problems. Exercise or start a fun project to ease stress.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

-- Take a leadership position and ask questions. You’ll find a way to use your energy, discipline and speed. Put time aside for pleasure. Don’t be afraid to make use of someone’s ideas or skills.

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, intercultural 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.

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