The First Roar 2019

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Monday, July 29, 2019

THE FIRST ROAR

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NEWS

IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

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The Cougar

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters 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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The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, CoogTV and Coog Radio.

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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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THE FIRST ROAR (ISSN 1) Issue Date: July 29, 2019 Published Annually The Cougar Center for Student Media 4465 University Dr. Room N221 Houston, TX 77204 ISSUE NO. 01 Free of Charge

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WELCOME TO UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LIBRARIES! MD Anderson Library Architecture, Design & Art Library Music Library Health Sciences Library LIBRARIES.UH.EDU

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NEWS

IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

NEWS

Greek garden aims to bring equity for cultural fraternities, sororities

The Greek Unity Garden is meant to represent cultural fraternities and sororities on campus.

Without any plantlife, the garden is more of an art installation. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

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MCKENZIE MISIASZEK

NEWS EDITOR @MISIASZEKUH

The Greek Unity Garden will be unveiled on August 29th after months of construction and over a year of planning.

The goal of the monument is to bring awareness and have a physical representation of culturally based fraternities and sororities.

Therefore, the plaques on the stone monument will only represent chapters of historically black, Latino, Asian and other ethnic minorities centered fraternities and sororities.

“In a campus that is wonderfully so fast moving I think it is a great way for students to stop and recognize there is a Greek community on campus,” said Director of the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life Jason Bergeron. “I think its a way to celebrate what we don’t always perceive as diversity and equity within Greek communities.”

The project will specifically highlight cultural fraternities and sororities, because the inter-fraternity council and panhellenic council groups already have a physical structure on campus, Bayou Oaks, Bergeron said.

“They’ve been wonderfully celebratory about it because they already have a space that they exist in and that is a physical representation of their presence on campus, which is Bayou Oaks,” Bergeron said. “So it’s really about creating equity and representation on campus.”

Students in Greek life are excited for the new representation the structure will bring to those not involved with fraternities and sororities on campus.

“I think it is kind of a cool concept to have a platform people will be physically able to walk by and see,” said Ed Gonzales, Alpha Sigma Phi member and a Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life ambassador. “Especially because the American narrative of Greek life overall is negative.”

Gonzales knows what many people think

of Greek life. Often portrayed in the media as white boys who do nothing more than party, drink and sometimes haze new members.

He hopes that the monument will help show people that there is much more to joining a fraternity or sorority than than the public’s’ preconceived notions.

“Greek life is a lot of things, in a good light, that no one really talks about,” Gonzales said.

“Mostly meaning we do a lot of philanthropy. A lot of people don’t know we have philanthropy we’re required to do by our national boards, and if we don’t do them we can get in trouble.”

The structure itself is not actually a garden as people think about gardens. There are no flowers or vegetables. Instead, the “garden” is three intertwining stone circles that will have plaques that represent the chapters and their missions.

The concept for the monument was not done solely by the administrators. Students whose organizations were going to be represented also got a say.

“We came to them with the idea, with the concept made and they really worked through the design with us,” Bergeron said.

The garden has been in the works for a while and its opening had been delayed.

“It has been a longer project than anticipated only because we want to make sure, as it represents an important experience for people, we want to makes sure we get it right,” Bergeron said. “So there’s some design elements we’ve continued to work with just to make sure we’re as comfortable with it as we can be.”

Bergeron hopes that the garden may even increase membership in Greek life, allowing those who may not have previously thought joining was in their stars see Greek life as an inclusive entity.

“Sometimes knowing that there’s representation can help students to think about fraternity and sorority membership as a function of their overall campus experience,” Bergeron said. news@thedailycougar.com

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 5

The Honors College

Welcome

New Cougars,

As you make your plans for the next four years and beyond, you have many options of courses, majors, and minors. The Honors College at the University of Houston aims to be a resource to UH students of all disciplines, and as you explore your new campus home, we hope you’ll stop by for a visit—M.D. Anderson Library, second floor, up the spiral staircase.

A vibrant hub of engaging coursework, rich student life, and co-curricular programming, our Honors College has been rated among the top 10 honors programs in the nation.

Students of all majors benefit from personalized advising, small, discussion-based classes, a writing-intensive curriculum, and engaged faculty focused on teaching and mentorship. We invite you to participate in our learning community.

Throughout the year, the beautiful Honors Commons hosts a variety of events, lectures, readings, and activities that are free and open to the campus community.

Students interested in exploring the broader context of their chosen major can round out their degree plans with an interdisciplinary honors minor, such as Medicine & Society, Energy & Sustainability, Politics & Ethics, Leadership Studies, or Creative Work.

The Honors College also offers an expanding slate of co-curricular opportunities designed to enhance every major and prepare students for real-world challenges. We encourage and support service learning, study away and abroad, and undergraduate research. For example, UH students in any course of study are encouraged to participate in funded, faculty-mentored research and to learn about applying to nationallycompetitive fellowships such as the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, Truman, Phi Kappa Phi and many others. Study abroad with Honors faculty, compete with the UH speech and debate team at tournaments across the country, participate in simulations with Model United Nations and Model Arab League, and build your online resume with the ePortfolio course.

Our full menu of offerings has something for everyone. Find out more about these and other opportunities online. Have a great semester, and Go Coogs!

Bill Monroe Dean, The Honors College

on i t a c u d E H U My

Core Classes jor Classes in M a s Honors M inorEngagement/ Community ning Service Lear d Learning Abroa Researc h Undergraduate

www.thehonorscollege.com/askme

6 | Monday, July 29, 2019

NEWS

IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

NEWS

Quick and easy primer on the Houston mayoral elections race revolve around City Hall’s finances, Houston’s preparedness for another storm like Harvey, and the pay parity conflict between City Hall and the firefighter’s union.

While the field is currently wstill open (candidates have until August 19th to file to get on the ballot) some of the candidates have already started campaigning.

The Players in the Mayoral Race Sylvester Turner, current Houston mayor, former lawyer and UH alumnus, seeks a second term among a field of candidates already campaigning ahead of November | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons via user Sikander

IAN EVERETT

FEATURES EDITOR @IANEVERETT8

Houston’s city level elections will take place on Nov. 5 this year, and already there are a slew of mayoral candidates who have entered the race.

Incumbent Mayor Sylvester

Turner has many challengers and some are pouring in big money to unseat him, including current Houston City Councilman Dwight Boykins, former city Councilwoman Sue Lovell, former Mayor of Kemah and Turner’s perpetual rival Bill King, and famous trial lawyer Tony Buzbee. The issues of the current

Sylvester Turner (incumbent) Current Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is a UH alumnus seeking a second term as a nonpartisan candidate.

Turner served as the Democratic representative for Texas House District 139 from 1989 to 2016.

His platform includes expanding METRO and Houston’s business relationships Turner’s administration saw Houston through Hurricane Harvey, and his coordination of the city’s

AUG. 15 - SEPT. 1

response earned him praise.

Turner has faced criticism for his stance on the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association’s push for pay parity.

Turner was publicly opposed to Prop B, a bill which pushed for pay parity between firefighters and police officers, but despite his opposition, the bill passed, and in response Turner announced layoffs and demotions in the fire department, trying to keep costs down.

However, Prop B was recently ruled unconstitutional, preventing both the planned lay offs and firefighter raises.

Dwight Boykins City District D’s representative Dwight Boykins runs as another nonpartisan candidate, platforming on “courage and compassion,” and promising to be an ally to the firefighters in the wake of the pay parity crisis.

Boykins is running on a

Full schedule of events available at www.uh.edu/wow

platform of streamlining the city budget, fast-tracking Harvey’s recovery, healthcare reform for city employees, and improving contracting opportunities for small businesses.

Boykins recently faced criticism over his address to students at a “youth advocacy summit” where he allegedly advised the students to “keep their legs closed.” Boykins released a statement on Facebook that said his only aim was to lay “a positive path forward for our youth.”

Bill King King, who ran in the Houston mayoral election against Turner in 2015, losing out in the runoff. While generally leaning to the right, King is running as a nonpartisan candidate as well on a platform of “cleaning up City Hall.”

King plans to address Houston’s flooding problem by putting funds

GET INVOLVED meet. connect. discover.

CAMPUS

Overhaul of aging electrical infrastructure in the works IAN EVERETT

FEATURES EDITOR @IANEVERETT8

The University of Houston has begun an “energy master plan” to overhaul its aging power equipment servicing campus buildings, according to officials from facilities.

When last month’s outages disrupted campus operations multiple times Jim McShan, UH senior vice president and senior vice chancellor, sent out an email to all students and faculty apologizing for the power failures. At the end of that email he mentioned the energy master plan, which was being implemented to prevent such failures in the future.

“The University has already begun the process of initiating an energy master plan to address older equipment, ensure sustainability of service, accommodate our vast growth, and to identify future energy and cost savings,” McShan said in his email.

David Oliver, associate vice chancellor/associate vice president of facilities, said the plan includes an infrastructure assessment that will identify components of UH’s power system that need replacement, and work, which will be performed in phases based on age and condition of the components.

“The energy master plan entails performing an assessment of the existing infrastructure and making recommendations to achieve the capacity and reliability levels required to meet future campus growth,” said.

The University began the formal Energy Master plan process in 2018, Oliver said.

Outages and Research “The infrastructure currently in place is robust and has served well over the years,” Oliver said.

“However, we also recognize that aging components could cause problems with the performance.”

Sudden failures are particularly harmful to sensitive research equipment. UH researchers expressed frustration for the constant outages and said the University has had issues keeping the power on consistently.

“Many research instruments cannot be shut off abruptly without a long recovery period after power is restored, and for some instruments, there is permanent damage,” said David Hoffman, department chair and professor of chemistry, in a previous story by The Cougar.

McShan acknowledged the damage the outages might have done in his campus wide email, urging researchers to send

MAYORAL PRIMER

Continued from page 6 toward draining infrastructure and implementing “common sense” regulations.

King also wants to expand the police department and waste departments, reform City Hall’s budgeting and make the Office of Inspector General independent from the mayor.

King has largely been critical of Turner’s administration, accusing the mayor of engaging in “pay to play” tactics and criticizing Turner’s handling of Prop B.

Courtesy of Bill King’s campaign

Tony Buzbee UH alumnus and a wealthy attor-

UH’s aging infrastructure will be replaced by the Energy Master Plan in the next years | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

documentation to his office for compensation.

Savings Oliver said that Facilities is always searching for opportunities to save energy for the University, which would help reduce UH’s carbon footprint and resiliency to power failures.

“The University recently completed the Cougar Substation upgrades, which added two primary power circuits to the

ney Tony Buzbee is running also as a nonpartisan candidate and is funding his own campaign. He has promised to donate his mayoral salary to a random voterevery year.

Buzbee’s platform is primarily built upon fighting “corruption” in City Hall and “following the will of the voters” on Prop B, but also addresses the rising crime by wanting HPD to adapt to a Comparable Statistics style of policing — where police place an emphasis on analyzing crime data.

According to Buzbee’s campaign website, Compstat policing is built on four principles: accurate and timely information, rapid deploy-

electrical system,” Oliver said.

“This is not only increasing the capacity of the electrical grid, it is strategically procuring energy directly from the open market, which have resulted in cost savings.”

UH’s energy usage in kilowatt hours has mostly increased since 2013, from 22,970,865 kWh in September 2013 to 28,429,189 kWh in September 2018, according to data obtained from an open records request.

ment of coordinated forces, legal but effective tactics, and relentless assessment and follow up.

Buzbee is famous for defending former Governor Rick Perry when Perry was indicted for two felony accounts alleging abuse of power.

He has also criticized Turner for pay-to-play issues, bringing manure to a press conference to compare it to a $6.7 million awarded to his former law firm.

Buzbee ran as a Democrat for a Texas House seat in 2002, but he has donated to both Democrats and Republicans throughout his life. news@thedailycougar.com

However, the rate per kWh has decreased in that same time period, from $0.074 per kWh in September 2013 to $0.053 in September 2018, meaning UH spent around $200,000 less on electricity comparing 2013 to 2018.

The current target date for the energy master plan’s completion is September 2020, next year.

“The scope of work is in development at this time,” Oliver said. news@thedailycougar.com

Courtesy of Tony Buzbee’s campaign

8 | Monday, July 29, 2019

BECOMING

UNDENIABLY EXCEPTIONAL. Prepare for your journey and get ready to change the world! Navigate your way successfully through your first year in the College of Technology.

TIPS

TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK, MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME, AND TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME.

• Attend first-year experience workshops offered by the College • Meet with your first-year experience advisor about your degree plan • Get to know your professors • Join student organizations to build leadership skills • Talk to our career specialists about internships and your future

UPCOMING EVENTS FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE WORKSHOPS

August 23, September 6, October 25, November 15, December 6

Professional Development Week August 26 – August 30

Kevin Nguyen, first-year experience undergraduate academic advisor for the College of Technology. Voted “Best Academic Advisor” at UH in 2019.

For more information, College of Technology Advising, 713.743.5200, asc@uh.edu, uh.edu/technology

Career Fair

September 10

TechBlast Resource Fair September 11

Check uh.edu/technology for details about locations and schedule.

FOLLOW THE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

INGENUITY APPLIED.

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 9

NEWS IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

CAMPUS

Great campus spots for casual or intense studying

The Student Center North lobby is a moderately quiet place with plenty of tables for groups and couches for more relaxed studying. The building also hosts several student organizations, like the Student Government Association, the Student Program Board, and the Center for Student Media. Noise: Low to Moderate. Comfort: Moderate. | Ian Everett/The Cougar

IAN EVERETT

FEATURES EDITOR @IANEVERETT8

The Student Center South has a study area, fast food, a convenience store, and even a Starbucks. However, it’s also loud and crowded, which might make it hard to focus. Noise: High. Comfort: Moderate to High. | Ian Everett/The Cougar

A few different upperclassmen spoke to The Cougar about the places they enjoyed studying at throughout their college careers, so they could pass on some of that experience to freshmen.

Whether you are just taking casual notes for a class, or need to have an intense study session for a final, these are some good places to study on your own.

“I study in the math department building on the sixth floor, because the teachers are nearby and they can help you,” said math senior Maria Ludert.

Another popular place to study is the library. There’s plenty of space, and groups or individuals can check out their own private rooms.

Psychology junior Paolo Gomez said he prefers to study in the language commons at Agnes Arnold, because there’s so few people there.

The M.D. Anderson Library’s 24 Hour Lounge is fairly quiet, depending on the time. The lounge also has computers, vending machines, and ports for charging laptops. Noise: Low to Moderate. Comfort: High. | Ian Everett/The Cougar

The Library’s upper floors have a wide variety of rooms, such as the group study rooms, the individual study carrels for intense focus, and the computer lab. The open study cubicles are also meant for quiet study, and silent sections for focus. Noise: Low. Comfort: Moderate to High. | Ian Everett/The Cougar

news@thedailycougar.com

The Fountain is another outside location we’re giving the benefit of a nice day.

This is a fairly high-traffic area, but when it isn’t drained the Fountain can be very peaceful. It’s not uncommon to see students napping, relaxing, or studying together here. Noise: Moderate. Comfort: High. | File Photo/The Cougar

To be fair, we’re rating the Architecture Pond as if it were a beautiful day outside. In the mid to late fall, studying outside isn’t out of the question, and the pond located by Architecture building has a gentle fountain that provides some white noise while studying. You might even see a turtlle while studying. Another benefit is that not too many people detour through here, meaning the area is quieter than other outdoor locations.

Noise: Low to Moderate. Comfort: Moderate. | Ian Everett/The Cougar

10 | Monday, July 29, 2019

NEWS

IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

ADMINISTRATION

Funding increases will go toward new Law Center, College of Medicine MCKENZIE MISIASZEK

NEWS EDITOR @MISIASZEKUH

The Texas Legislature on May 26 approved more than $100 million in new funding for the University of Houston System.

The funding will go towards many projects UH currently has underway and has began discussing, including a new Law Center building and more funding for the new College of Medicine. The University’s base budget increased by $16 million from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2020.

“The state’s share of funding the UH System’s operating budget has decreased over the last three decades from 53 percent in 1988 to 25 percent in 2018,” said Mike Rosen, executive director of media relations. “Beyond formula funding, UH receives funding for a variety of programs and occasionally requests funding for emergency items such as to cover losses from Hurricane Harvey not covered by insurance or FEMA.”

States for a long time have been cutting education funding.

The University of Houston, along with every other publicly funded Texas university, appeals to the legislature for funding every time they are in session – every two years.

The funding each college receives is supposed to last for the next two years. If they do not use it all before then, the leftover amount will disappear.

Not all money the University uses is from the state. Some 43 percent is from student support, tuition and fees, 15 percent is from contracts and grants, and other support, including philanthropy and licensing, makes up 17 percent of school funding.

UH needed to decide how much money and where they will use it by the August before the legislative session, which started January 8 and ended May 27. The

FUNDING INCREASES

Continues on page 11

UH received a $16 million per year increase in funds along with a one time grant of more than $100 million over the next two years. The University plans to use some of the money to build a brand new Law Center. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

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CAMPUS

Years in the making, UH offers grade exclusion IAN EVERETT

FEATURES EDITOR @IANEVERETT8

UH on May 15 opened the application process for the new grade exclusion policy adopted last fall, which allows students going forward to replace bad grades once they’ve retaken a class.

The opening of the grade exclusion application signals the end of years of advocacy by students for the chance to eliminate past coursework hurting GPAs. Freshmen who entered the University last fall are the sole group right now that can take advantage of the policy. Those who entered the University before then will not be able to.

“This policy is one of many resources offered by UH to address student academic concerns,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Paula Myrick Short. “The University values student success and continues to develop programs and initiatives that promote student success and are beneficial for both students and faculty,” A student may exclude a grade from their GPA if they received the grade from their first 12 months at UH and if they retook the course within 12 months of earning the initial grade, according to the policy.

The grade can’t be higher than a D+, must be 3000-level or below, and the exclusion does not change past decisions regarding financial aid, scholarships, or sanctions as a result of the initial grade.

From bill to policy Students from years past had advocated for the policy, and SGA made multiple attempts to have the University create one. The most recent attempt started with Clint Kirchhoff, former SGA senator and proponent of a strong grade replacement policy at UH. “I served in SGA for 3 years and the single question raised most often by my fellow engineering students, my constituents, was some variant of this: ‘What can we do to make our grade policies fairer?’ ” Kirchhoff said.

FUNDING INCREASES

tions that will cover the first class’ tuition.

University will receive half of the money they were granted from the state on September 1 of this year and the other half a year from then.

General funding

Continued from page 10

Law Center

Sophomore Chaela Hurtado (Left) and Senior Sami Rehman put in the hours at the library to keep up with their classes | Katrina Martinez/The Cougar

Kirchhoff became an SGA senator in 2013 and pressed for the policy until he graduated in 2016, due to seeing many of his peers struggle in coursework.

“My very last meeting with the Faculty Senate was about 2 weeks before (I graduated),” Kirchhoff said. “That meeting was my last pitch to them, and in the fall, they voted in favor of the proposal.”

The bill, Kirchhoff said, did not directly influence policy right away but needed to be worked through with administrators and other bodies on campus.

Kirchhoff pointed to fellow former senators David Gravtol and Paul O’Brien as instrumental in passing and refining the policy as acceptable to professors and administration.

O’Brien, former senator, said that Kirchhoff was respected by many in the Faculty Senate, the next barrier to the bill.

“When you’re talking SGA, the average senator is somewhere between the age of 19-21, and you’re trying to tell a bunch of Ph.D.s how the University should be run,” O’Brien said. “Convincing them to do anything was a very difficult task, but Kirchhoff was well-liked by a lot of the professors.”

Their three-man team worked to slowly sway the opinions of the Faculty Senate, turning the likes of Simon Bott, former UH chemistry professor, in their favor by framing the bill as a way for freshmen to correct mistakes due to immaturity,

O’Brien said.

One of the changes to the bill that O’Brien initially disagreed with but ultimately saw as reasonable was the lack of retroactive grade replacement, meaning that students enrolled at UH from before the policy’s enactment would not be able to use the policy.

“You don’t want to think there will be students that abuse the system, and I didn’t when I fought for the bill, but there would be,” O’Brien said, citing fears from advising that students would simply re-declare their majors to be counted as a freshman all over again to take advantage of the policy.

The bill eventually passed, O’Brien, Gravtol, and Kirchhoff all moved on from SGA, and now UH has adopted the policy.

“With much consideration given to the specifics of the policy and how it would be implemented, the policy went through several iterations to make sure it would best support the success of our students,” Short said regarding the bill’s development.

SGA President Allison Lawrence said a long wait time for SGA bills becoming reality is not unusual.

“There’s a very bureaucratic process for initiatives to go through,” Lawrence said. “They have to get approved by multiple departments, and it can take years sometimes.” news@thedailycougar.com

The Hobby School of Public Affairs and the UH Law Center are getting the most money out of the allocated funding. Some $45 million will go towards building a new Law Center, located right across from the old one.

“They’re in dire need of a new building given its constant leaking and flooding and such,” said Jason Smith, vice president for governmental relations. “We knew if we had an opportunity to ask for funds for a new building that would be a priority of ours.”

The Law Center will not be built in the next two years. Instead, the money allocated will be committed to the beginning stages of designing, planning and starting the process.

“They haven’t done a full design, but we do know the legislature appropriated money for two years, and we need to spend it before September 1, 2021,” Smith said. “We’re going to be moving as fast as we can to get this thing designed and built.”

College of Medicine

The College of Medicine is hoping to enroll its first students in Fall 2020 and is getting the finishing national accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

The $20 million the University received towards the college this session will not be the last. The University plans to ask for an additional $20 million over the next four legislative sessions, according to a news release.

The funding the college received this time will help with start up-costs the college has.

The College of Medicine has already racked up several million dollars through donations by companies like Humana and H-E-B, along with anonymous contribu-

The University receives general funding based on semester credit hours. The more students that enroll in classes means additional money, not just from students to the University, but from the state to the University.

This go-around, the state granted UH $18 million in general revenue increases for the uptake in enrollment within the UH System.

Harvey recovery

Harvey hit the University hard. It flooded roads, displaced students in Bayou Oaks, took the Satellite out o f commission for months, and flooded the basements of some buildings on campus. Overall 60 percent of the buildings throughout the UH System suffered damage, according to the news release.

The University was granted some money from the federal government to help with recovery efforts, but they did not cover everything. When they went to the legislature to request funds for the next two years UH decided to ask for money to finish recovery efforts from Harvey.

“We basically went to the legislature and said this is the money that is outstanding that we don’t know if we’re going to get from the federal government,” Smith said.

“Whether it be FEMA or other agencies from insurance, and this is basically all the money that we are still owed.”

The main campus of the University needs no more repairs from Harvey, and the more than $26 million that the UH System will receive from the legislature will help restore lost revenues sustained from students not returning, in addition to fees, services and wages incurred that were not reimbursable by insurance, according to the news release.

news@thedailycougar.com

12 | Monday, July 29, 2019

NEWS

IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5314

ADMINISTRATION

Cougar Promise, Gator Pledge provide funds for low-income students MCKENZIE MISIASZEK

NEWS EDITOR @MISIASZEKUH ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 10, 2019

The University of Houston’s main campus and UH Downtown both feature programs that provide lowincome students with free tuition.

Starting in fall 2019, the cap for eligibility for these programs will be raised from $45,000 to $50,000.

Both programs have been around since the early 2010s, according to Media Relations at UH and UHD. “Both the Gator Pledge and Cougar Promise have many similarities and in many respects are parallel programs,” said UHD Assistant Vice President Enrollment Management and Registrar Daniel Villanueva by email. “They both offer financial aid packages to students with a family adjusted gross income (AGI) of $50,000 or less.”

Cougar Promise and Gator Pledge are funded by Pell Grants, the amount of which is determined through a student’s submission of

UH main campus offers free tuition to students with family income below $50,000 annually. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA may not cover a student’s entire tuition cost; the Cougar Promise and Gator Pledge Programs provide additional funding to fill the gap between cost and financial feasibility, according to the Cougar

Promise website.

“The funding for Cougar Promise is primarily made up of Federal Pell and TEXAS Grants,” Jans said. “No loans or student-employment are part of Cougar Promise,” said UH Executive Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid Briget Jans.

Pell Grant eligibility is determined through the submission of a FAFSA. Students must demonstrate financial need in their FAFSA in order to be eligible for the Pell Grant.

Financial need is determined by the U.S. Department of Education, providing information that is

plugged into an equation that estimates the cost of attending the university the student attends in comparison with their family’s income.

Students must also meet the requirements that Cougar Promise and Gator Pledge list to be considered for a Pell Grant, according to College Board.

“Amounts that are not covered

by Pell Grants will be subsidized by a combination of TEXAS Grants and other funding sources with institutional funds added as needed,” Villanueva said.

There is no limit on the number of students who can participate in the Cougar Promise and Gator Pledge programs.

“Since 2014-15, there have been more than 1,900 students who have been covered by Cougar Promise,” Jans said.

Students applying for assistance from these programs must be incoming freshmen. Those who are chosen to receive funding from Cougar Promise or Gator Pledge have to be full-time students and

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Monday, July 29, 2019 | 13

must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for the four-year duration of the program.

While UH requires students to submit their FAFSA by the January 15th priority deadline to be eligible for Cougar Promise, UHD asks that students submit theirs by May 1 to gain admission to Gator Pledge.

“The Gator Pledge program will assist all students who are eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants and submit all financial aid forms with supporting documentation by May 1 or until funds are depleted,” Villanueva said.

Although UH and UHD are both part of the UH System, UHD operates as its own entity. This absence of affiliation means that each university offers different financial aid programs.

“We believe that making a high quality university education available and affordable to everyone in the Houston metropolitan region is an essential feature of our work,” Villanueva said. “The Gator Pledge is how we can put that commitment into action.”

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CAMPUS

UH students in the 1960s were targeted by the FBI Government agents influenced opinion of left-leaning organizations on campus and in potential workplaces groups said.

The documents detail about four years of surveillance and infiltration of certain groups on campus, mainly SDS, and the actions the FBI did and did not take to try and disrupt and disband the groups.

The FBI discussed sending a fake letter to The Cougar condemning strikes in California, planting people inside the groups, watching campus bulletin boards and preventing anyone they believed were involved with the “new left” from getting jobs.

Workplace Interference In the documents there are three pages dedicated to a teaching student who was headed to Los Angeles to obtain a teaching position. The woman was targeted by the FBI because she had shown up to class wearing a “mini-mini skirt” and

The FBI used incidents like this 1969 scuffle at the University of Houston between Students for a Democratic Society and police as propaganda against the organization’s members at workplaces. | File Photo/The Cougar

MCKENZIE MISIASZEK, IAN EVERETT

NEWS EDITOR, FEATURES EDITOR @MISIASZEKUH @IANEVERETT8

You’re at a party for a certain University of Houston club wearing a mini-skirt. You’re talking to a boy who hands you a joint. You have a good night at the party, and you go home with him. The next morning you wake up and go on with your life.

In 2019, that’s considered a normal, if not relaxed, weekend.

But, in 1968, the FBI would have considered you a subversive

actor, according to declassified documents Houston Chronicle reporter Robert Downen highlighted in a Twitter thread.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, at the height of the Vietnam War, young men began to burn their draft cards and join clubs to show their opposition to the war effort.

One of these clubs, Students for a Democratic Society, or SDS, was a small, uninfluential club on campus. Even so, they became a target of the FBI.

The New Left “It is felt that the New Left in

the Houston Division which is a

“It is felt that the New Left in the Houston Division, which is a comparatively small group at this time, offers excellent potential for counterintelligence activity.”

FBI Counterintelligence Document comparatively small group at this time offers excellent potential for counterintelligence activity,” the FBI’s counterintelligence document about the UH’s leftist

was considered a “radical.”

“She was reprimanded and informed that mini-mini skirts would not be allowed,” the document said. “She thereafter

appeared in dresses well below the knee, which were as outlandish as the minimini skirts. She obviously was showing her rebellion against the authorities.”

She was also allegedly involved with SDS, smoked marijuana, and was “promiscuous,” according to the FBI. This led to a letter being sent to the Los Angeles Board of Education detailing why they should not hire her.

“As you can see this girl certainly is not the proper person to be in charge of and teaching youngsters in yours or any other school system,” the letter said.

“It is suggested you might want to thoroughly check this person before offering her a teaching position.”

Another plan the FBI had was to send a letter to The Cougar that would decry strikes by California grape pickers and cause “considerable consternation” for the SDS said a COINTELPRO document, an FBI counterintelligence program.

In the letter, the FBI planned to lie, saying that the SDS was using a fundraiser that was supposed to help California grape workers, for the benefit of their own pockets.

“It is apparent that the efforts by the Houston SDS on behalf of the grape strikers is merely to obtain money to fill the treasury

FBI INFLUENCE

Continues on page 15

14 | Monday, July 29, 2019

STUDENT CENTERS CONFERENCE & RESERVATION SERVICES The Student Centers is a multipurpose building where students can relax in-between classes, grab food & participate in various events throughout the year. Our Conference & Reservations team is eager to help you or your organization reserve meeting & event spaces. With 3 facilities & 19 event spaces, you’ll be sure to find a place where you belong.

CREATIONSTATION Student Centers’ graphic design & print shop, CreationStation, offers a wide range of services including design, printing, lamination & passport photos.

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Follow us @uhstudentcenter to stay up-to-date with the latest news & events happening throughout the year!

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 15

NEWS IAN EVERETT, EDITOR

FBI INFLUENCE

Continued from page 13 of the local SDS group and not for the benefit of the grape strikers in California,” the proposed letter said.

‘Extremism’ among youth The FBI stated that they were aware of the New Left that engaged in smoking marijuana and were holding “pot parties,” and planned to hand over information about these gatherings to HPD. The FBI sought to prevent SDS members from getting jobs at various companies in the Houston area, notably industrial plants, describing the SDS’ plans as “infiltration and disruption.”

John Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI, wrote in an article titled A Study in Marxist Revolutionary Violence: Students for a Democratic Society, 19621969, that this work-in program was meant to get SDS members in contact with workers.

In the article, Hoover characterized the SDS members as extremist, “all the more dangerous because (this extremism) emanates from

young people.”

Hoover expressed a highly negative opinion of the SDS, among other organizations he labeled as extremist, condemning such factions as the Old and New Left, the Minutemen, the Black Panther Party, and the Ku Klux Klan.

“A scant two years ago, few Americans had heard of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS),” Hoover wrote.

“Today these initials are the trademarks of a movement whose members have developed into embittered, vociferous revolutionaries who have ignited many campus insurrections.”

This negative opinion was shared in the COINTELPRO, documents about the Houston New Left and SDS, which referred to members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as “leeches that never work and do very little of anything other than sit around.”

The focus on the group was more than being concerned that young people were smoking pot and wearing mini skirts.

The FBI was also on the lookout for any way they could obtain private documents of new

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left members to search.

When two students were arrested on their way to a large demonstration in Austin, and charged with possession of illegal weapons, the FBI used the opportunity to get access to the students’ car and documents, such as their Social Security number and pay slips.

The FBI also placed an informant in the Young Socialists of America Houston group, who planned to get YSA leaders drunk at a party and “obtain pertinent information to the investigation of YSA and its members.”

While 1968 is a long time past, and attitudes have changed to the degree that many of the targeted students’ activities are considered normal instead of subversive and destructive, the counterintelligence initiatives against the SDS by the FBI still cast a shadow.

“I was able to track down a few of the SDS members via phone while researching this story,” Downen said at the end of the Twitter thread. “To this day, they’re still afraid of talking about it.” news@thedailycougar.com

713-743-5314

The Students for a Democratic Society had a history of vocal opposition to government and military influence on campus. This photo from 1969 potrays one violent outbreak between police and SDS members on campus. | File Photo/The Cougar

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16 | Monday, July 29, 2019

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18 | Monday, July 29, 2019

SPORTS JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

FOOTBALL

Dana Holgorsen's lengthy history with Houston

Dana Holgorsen is back in Houston 10 years after he was offensive coordinator for the Cougars from 2008-09, when his air-aid, pass-heavy offense excelled nationally. | Corbin Ayres/The Cougar

JHAIR ROMERO

SPORTS EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR

Dana Holgorsen is well into his first offseason as the new head of Houston football, but the former West Virginia head coach is no stranger to UH, the program or the city.

Back before Holgorsen’s Big East Conference Championship and historic 70-33 BCS win over Clemson with the Mountaineers in 2011 and 2012, respectively, the native of Davenport, Iowa was a small-town assistant coach at Valdosta State from 1993-95.

It would not be until 2000-07, when Holgorsen worked his way up to wide receiver coach and offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, that his annual offseason fling with Houston would begin.

Like many large programs in Texas, and even the country, recruiting trips frequently brought him to the state’s largest city that he now calls home once again.

Holgorsen would eventually take over as offensive coordinator at UH in 2008. His offense in Houston put up numbers like no other.

During his two-year tenure with the Cougars, Holgorsen’s air-raid offense averaged 563.1 total yards,

with 417.65 of them through the air. UH, a school known for its basketball glory days in the 1980s, was on the map again, this time with the football program flourishing in the national spotlight.

But just as quickly as Holgorsen’s offensive reign in Houston started, it came crashing down after Oklahoma State nabbed him from the Cougars for the same position in 2010.

“I always felt like this was a place I’d like to come back to,” Holgorsen told Sports Illustrated shortly after his hiring was announced in January.

And, boy, did he come back.

Just three days after the ouster of former head coach Major Applewhite following a 70-14 loss to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl and a 15-11 two-season record, Holgorsen bought out of his contract with WVU and signed a five-year, $20 million deal with UH, making him the highestpaid coach in the Group of 5 conferences by over $1 million.

UH System Board of Regents Chairman Tilman Fertitta, an avid supporter both as a fan and financier of Houston Athletics, is completely fine with that.

“The way that his contract

goes, we're stuck with him and he's stuck with us,” Fertitta said.

“Hopefully he's here for the next 20 years and we build a statue of him out there. Someone better have a whole bunch of money if they want him to leave in the next couple of years."

as a close second in the American West in preseason media polls, has joined fellow AAC teams such as UCF and Memphis in distinguishing the conference from other Group of 5 leagues, an opinion that Holgorsen firmly takes as fact.

“It’s a scary one now. There’s no difference in the majority here and in the Power 5 leagues. We’ve always considered ourselves a Power 6 and have a chance to put a team in the (College Football Playoff) or New Year’s Six like UH did a few years ago.”

Dana Holgorsen, Head Football Coach While Holgorsen laments having to leave Morgantown for Houston, he believes UH’s unrealized ability made its head coaching position a no-brainer. “(I'm) really proud of what we did at WVU, where we won a lot of games,” Holgorsen said during American Athletic Conference Media Days. “But the potential here at UH is what outweighed everything else when I took the job.”

The program, which was picked

“It’s a scary one now,” Holgorsen told KPRC regarding the AAC. “There’s no difference in the majority here and in the Power 5 leagues. We’ve always considered ourselves a Power 6 and have a chance to put a team in the (College Football Playoff) or New Year’s Six like UH did a few years ago.”

Along with a new conference, the former Iowa Wesleyan wide receiver had the luck of inheriting what he believes to be an aspiring

core of team leaders, the likes of which include senior quarterback D’Eriq King.

“I think we have the makings of a good leadership class,” Holgorsen said during spring practices. “We’ve got guys that have played a lot, so that gives you hope. They just need to keep progressing.”

Although Holgorsen has a good set of cards in his hand ahead of his first season in Houston, the new leader of UH football has obstacles in his path.

For one, a portion of Houston’s schedule is brutal. The Cougars will face its first four opponents of the season, including Oklahoma on Sept. 1, in just an 18-day span.

But his remedy to the problem is clear: “Learn to deal with it.”

Holgorsen, much like Fertitta, has also been clear on another issue — he is not leaving.

“This is not a stepping stone,” Holgorsen said. “I’ve been there and done all that. I am interested in making this place great.”

Those words are like music to Fertitta’s ears.

“Dana is going to be here a long time,” Fertitta told SI. “Dana is going to win.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 19

JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

SOCIAL

Best follows around campus for Houston athletics fans Dana Holgorsen @HolgorsenDana

Social media is key for incoming UH ahletics fans. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

JHAIR ROMERO

SPORTS EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR

With the soccer team’s Aug. 11 kickoff against Houston Baptist just a few weeks away, Houston’s athletic year is right around the corner.

That means football, soccer, basketball and the rest of UH athletics will soon be in full swing

Houston has 15 different athletic programs on campus and keeping up with all of them can be overwhelming for somebody who is new to university life and the world of college sports.

From head coaches to mascots, here are the best social media accounts to follow to keep up with UH athletics and have a few laughs on the way:

One of the most popular accounts on campus, football head coach Dana Holgorsen boasts over 117,000 followers on his Twitter page. Holgorsen, who is set to go into his first year as the head of the program after seven years at West Virginia, regularly posts updates on the team and pictures of coaches hanging out with players.

At the beginning of July, Holgorsen posted a photo of defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen bonding with the linebackers at a backyard pool.

Holgorsen also has a knack for posting unintentionally odd photos of himself such as one of him donning a cowboy hat while riding a horse at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Renu Khator - @UHPres Even though UH president Renu Khator’s Twitter is not 100

percent dedicated to athletics, she has become quite a sports fan in recent years given the success some of the programs have had.

It is not unusual to see her posting pictures and scores from the big sporting events she attends around campus or her dog Ruby, a stray that was found at the University who she adopted, decked out in UH gear ahead of games.

Shasta & Sasha @UHMascots If you are a fan of laughs and sports, Shasta & Sasha is the account to follow.

It’s clear Shasta & Sasha know how to run a Twitter account.

One of its more popular posts poked fun at incoming freshman and their school spirit and garnered over 40,000 views.

Shasta & Shasta is constantly pumping out memes about sports and UH in general.

And the best part? They are actually funny, and Shasta and

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The Cougar Sports @TheCougarSports Last but not least, be sure to follow The Cougar’s sports account on Twitter and Facebook and check us out on our website, thedailycougar. com. This may seem like a shameless plug, but The Cougar’s sports section prides itself in offering top-tier coverage of the University’s sports teams.

The Cougar uploads to social media and our website daily and releases a print edition that can be found all over campus every Wednesday during the academic year.

We cover most athletics events around campus and even some off campus, including the men’s basketball team’s run to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2019 NCAA Tournament and the football team’s bowl games. sports@thedailycougar.com

20 | Monday, July 29, 2019

Dear New Cougars What a pleasure it is for me to welcome you to the University of Houston.

Congratulations are in order. We had a record number of freshmen applications this year, so gaining admission is an accomplishment in itself.

There are more than 5,000 of you joining our Cougar family for the fall semester, and each of you brings his or her individual dreams to our campus. But it’s a big university – 47,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff – and we can handle big dreams. In fact, we encourage them. But make no mistake. Those dreams require effort, direction and drive to become a reality.

To help make that happen, we have worked hard to establish a culture of student success at UH, one in which the University makes that our top priority. Every service we provide, every building we construct, every professor we hire, and every dollar of financial aid and scholarships we award, has a common purpose: to ensure your success.

There are numerous resources available at UH – academic advisers, UHin4 facilitators, residence hall assistants, librarians, security personnel and a multitude of concerned professors and administrators – but, remember, they are of value only when you use them.

Can I guarantee that you won’t encounter any problems? No. But I can guarantee that there is always help available – and that goes all the way up to the Office of the President. If you find yourself unable to solve a legitimate problem on your own, email me at president@uh.edu. Your issue will be addressed within three days. It may not always be the answer you want, but there will be an answer.

I look forward to meeting many of you face-to-face soon, either as part of residence hall move-in, or our various welcoming activities or during the many personal visits I make to freshmen classes once the semester begins. In the meantime, I’m happy you’re here, and I invite you to join me in a rousing, “Go, Coogs!”

With warm regards, Renu Khator President, University of Houston

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 21

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SOCCER

UH announces internal review following account of ‘punishment workout’ February 2018: Soccer players are accused of stealing food designated for the football team and receive a “punishment workout” from coaches that led to a player being hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, for nearly five days.

Feb. 1, 2019: Head coach Diego Bocanegra tells KPRC that former strength coach Mike Bowens was let go from the team.

January 2019: Multiple members of the team are diagnosed with rhabdo after another tough workout.

This was the team’s second bout with rhabdo within the past two years, University spokesman Mike Rosen said.

June 11, 2019: Anonymous player on the team details to KPRC that the February 2018 workout left teammates “barely pushing themselves off the ground.

June 12, 2019: UH announces a joint internal review after the KPRC report.

June 13, 2019: Two players tell the Houston Chronicle that their anonymous teammate’s statements were inaccurate. Junior midfielder Mia Brascia described the workouts as “nothing more extreme than we had done before.”

June 20, 2019: UH System Board of Regents Chairman Tilman Fertitta said in a statement that he has “complete confidence” in the ongoing investigation.

While some have criticized head coach Diego Bocanegra, some players have come to his defense. | Jiselle Santos/ The Cougar

JHAIR ROMERO

SPORTS EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 13, 2019

The University launched on Wednesday an internal review of policies and processes, according to KPRC (Channel 2), after a member of the soccer team detailed a Feb. 2018 workout in the wake of a January incident that landed 12 players in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, a condition

that can lead to kidney failure.

The player, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation from the program and the University, according to KPRC, described the nearly hour-long “punishment workout” as leaving her feeling “tortured almost.”

“I was just so mad and confused because, of course, I was going to keep going ’cause I’m scared,” the player told KPRC. “But I’m looking at everyone else and people were

crying, barely pushing themselves off the ground.”

In a statement from UH, the school acknowledged the KPRC report as the first its heard of the situation and announced a joint review with two internal departments.

“The University’s knowledge of this information has triggered a joint review by UH System Audit and UH Compliance of our compliance with processes and

policies,” the statement read.

“Based on their respective findings, each investigative unit is directed to take swift action and make immediate recommendations to ensure the health and well-being of UH student-athletes.”

In an email uncovered by KPRC, head coach Diego Bocanegra admitted to relying on “physical punishment” for discipline throughout the program but has since discontinued the practice.

The Feb. 2018 punishment came about, the player said, after teammates were accused of stealing food designated for football players. She explained that the team had prepared for a short practice that day but were met with the punishment.

“Instead,” the player told KPRC, “we were punished for something that two people did that had nothing to do with everyone else.”

Bocanegra, along with other coaches on the team, the player added, should be removed from the program given the situation that transpired.

“I think I would completely take out all the coaches, put in brandnew ones, talk to the girls, see their concerns, see what they are looking for, what they want and try to, like, actually get to the bottom of what’s been happening,” the player said.

The player, who said that other members of the team were scared to speak out on the issue, was joined by parents of players in the concern.

“I don’t like the idea that a punishment was ordered,” an anonymous parent said to KPRC. However, junior midfielder Mia Brascia and senior midfielder Lauren Flowers believe their

anonymous teammate’s statements were inaccurate.

“It’s frustrating because we were there and then to see that person on the news say things that are not true about a coach we love is really hard,” Brascia said to the Houston Chronicle.

Flowers added that the anonymous player’s views were not reflective of the entire team.

“I’ve never felt fearful of my coaches,” Flowers said. “I’ve never felt like I didn’t have a voice or felt my opinion didn’t matter.”

The players stressed to the Houston Chronicle that a 2018 incident of a player taking food designated for the football team and the January 2019 incident that led to 12 players hospitalized with rhabdo are unrelated.

Brascia said the January workouts were “nothing more extreme than we had done before.”

According to the Houston Chronicle, UHPD launched its own investigation into the matter.

KPRC spoke to Rick Flores, an Austin-based hazing attorney, about potential criminality under current hazing laws.

“It can come from a coach, from a trainer. It can come from an administrator,” Flores said. “But it’s the person at which it’s directed that makes it a criminal statute of hazing.”

UH’s policy defines hazing as an action that “produces or is reasonably likely to produce bodily harm or danger, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, fright, humiliation or ridicule, or otherwise compromises the dignity of an individual.” sports@thedailycougar.com

22 | Monday, July 29, 2019

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Monday, July 29, 2019 | 23

JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

FACILITIES

Home advantage, improved facilities helps UH athletics succeed

Fans of all team sports across campus have shown out for Houston athletics programs in recent years., especially with the addition of new facilities like the renovated Fertitta Center. | File photo/The Cougar

BRAYLEY CROWE

STAFF WRITER @BRAYLEYCROWE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2019

Students, alumni and fans, totaling over 7,000, packed the virgin Fertitta Center on Dec. 1, 2018 to welcome a competitive basketball game for the first time since its renovation from Hofheinz Pavilion. Houston, then unranked, struck down the No. 18 Oregon Ducks 65-61.

The $60 million arena, which will be used by the basketball and volleyball teams, roared and shook in its inaugural game, spurring UH to its 23rd home win in a row at that time.

It would not be until March 2, 2019 that the Cougars would suffer their first loss in the refurbished arena 69-64 at the hands of UCF, ending the nation’s longest active win streak at 33 games.

Success at home, however, has not been a constant for just UH’s basketball team but across all sports.

“Home court advantage means you have all of your fans, and all your family is able to come so you’re more fired up,” said junior middle blocker Kendall Haywood of the volleyball team. “It helps us play better because we have our peers there, and we always want to show them how it is to play volleyball so they’ll be willing to come to more games.”

Across nine team sports, with three men’s and six women’s teams, the Cougars have won over 65 percent of all home matches dating back to August 2015. Among them is the men’s basketball team, which went 19-1 at home in 2018-2019 alone.

During the last four years, UH athletics has had six undefeated seasons. To pair with its sole home loss this season, the men’s basketball team won all 15 home games in 2017-2018’s campaign.

In football, the program recorded back-to-back undefeated home stands in 2015 and 2016, going 8-0 and 6-0, respectively.

The swimming and diving team

also notched repeat undefeated home spells in the last two seasons, going 3-0 in both.

To round it out, the women’s tennis program joined in with a 24-2 home stand in the same time frame.

The most successful teams at home are the football and men’s basketball teams, with each team having won nearly 90 percent of their respective home matches since fall 2015.

All but two UH teams, women’s basketball and volleyball, have had winning records at home in this time period.

“I think having different sports there and family there and knowing that we have people in the stands to cheer for us when we score and make a good play is very supportive,” said senior forward Desiree Bowen of the soccer team.

Along with the Fertitta Center, a focus on new and impressive venues to ensure the advantage of playing at home has been common at the University of

Houston.

TDECU Stadium, the home of Cougar football, opened its doors for the first time in August 2014 to replace the now-demolished Robertson Stadium. In its opening year alone, the $125 million project brought in over 15,000 season ticket holders and increased attendance by about 17 percent.

The Carl Lewis International Complex, home of the track and field and soccer teams, joined the trend as a $4 million facility that recently received a $1.5 million renovation in 2016.

With attendance at UH sporting events rising greatly, including an average of 31,617 in attendance at football games, long-term success should closely follow.

Time and time again, UH fans have come out to show support for the Cougars, and much of it is attributed to the facilities.

It is no secret that fans give an advantage to the home team, and it shows here in Houston.

sports@thedailycougar.com Whose house?

The University in recent years has invested millions of dollars into upgrading its athletics facilities.

• TDECU Stadium: Built in

2014, TDECU Stadium is among the newest college football stadiums in the nation. The stadium can hold over 40,000 fans. The total bill? $125 million.

• Fertitta Center: The former

Hofheinz Pavillion was renovated, renamed to the Fertitta Center and opened December 2018, thanks to billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s $60 million donation.

• Carl Lewis International

Complex: Utilized by the soccer and track and field teams, the $4 million Carl Lewis Complex was last renovated in 2016. It is named by former Cougar and Olympian Carl Lewis.

24 | Monday, July 29, 2019

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Monday, July 29, 2019 | 25

JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5303

TRADITIONS

Need-to-know University traditions and history for incoming students More UH traditions Cougar Paw: The Cougar Paw is the most recognizable symbol at the University. To throw it up, just connect your ring finger to your thumb on your right hand and hold it up high.

Rubbing the paw: Made famous by former quarterback and current Washington Redskin Case Keenum , rubbing the paw of the cougar statues in Cullen Family Plaza is said to bring good Tens of thousands of fans fill TDECU Stadium every gameday and partake in UH athletics tradition. | File photo/The Cougar

luck ahead of exams, finals or athletics events.

The Cougar Fight Song: Cougars fight for dear old U of H. For our Alma Mater cheer. Fight for Houston University. For victory is near.

When the going gets so rough and tough. We never worry cause we got the stuff. So fight, fight, fight for red and white. And we will go to victory.

Eat ‘Em Up!: Although the original lyrics read “Eat ‘em up! Eat ‘em up!

Rah! Rah! Rah!” the chant now goes “Eat ‘em up! Eat ‘em up! Go, Coogs, go!”

Shasta’s naming in the1940s is one of the many interesting pieces of Houston’s traditions and history. | File photo/The Cougar

JHAIR ROMERO

SPORTS EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR

There is no doubt that the University is rich in tradition.

From the alma mater to class rings, Houston’s long history has brought with it years of customs.

The same can be said for its athletics. After all, the Cougars’ football team, one of the school’s oldest programs, has been hurling touchdowns since 1946.

Here are some traditions and history to know ahead of your first year at UH:

Cage Rage One of the biggest events during Weeks of Welcome at the beginning of school, the annual Cage Rage preseason pep rally serves as the official kickoff for the football season and athletic year as a whole. Spectators at the occasion, held at TDECU Stadium,

can expect to see new head coach Dana Holgorsen, athletics director Chris Pezman and the football team riling up supporters.

Fans in attendance last year were treated to a performance by Spirit of Houston, UH’s marching band, a firework show and a large water balloon fight.

Although the exact date for Cage Rage is not set yet, it is an effective introduction to the world of Houston athletics for new students.

Womp Womp It is fourth-and-goal with 30 seconds on the clock. The Cougars are down by six in the biggest game of the year and are in timeout trying to figure out what play will win the game.

Then, the bass of Spirit of Houston and Cougar Brass’ tubas start booming throughout the stadium. It can only mean one

thing—Womp Womp is playing.

By far one of the most popular hype songs at the University, Womp Womp has become a staple at UH athletics events.

Start off by spelling out “C-O-U-G-A-R-S” to the rhythm of the horns, then follow up with a “who we talking’ ‘bout? We’re talking ‘bout the Cougars!” and you have it down.

Remember to use the official lines, however, as the administration is not too fond of the, erm, alternative lyrics.

Who’s He? What better way to greet the away team than to just ignore the fact that it exists?

To begin this pre-game tradition, pick up a copy of The Cougar at any one of our newsstands on campus on your way to the Fertitta Center for a basketball game. Read it while you

wait for the game to start because being informed about your new campus is key.

Visiting lineups are always announced first, so when you hear the unfamiliar names, open up your copy of the paper and start to read. Every time a visiting player’s name is announced, yell: “who’s he?”

Once Houston players’ names are called, fold the paper in half, rip it to pieces and throw it up like confetti.

Shasta Fun fact: The Cougar has played a large role throughout the history of UH athletics.

In 1927, the founding year of the University, former Washington State Cougars head football coach and professor John W. Bender arrived at a mascot-less school.

Having become fond of the cougar during his time at WSU, Bender suggested the name The Cougar

for Houston’s student newspaper, the first extracurricular activity on campus. From then on, cougars became associated with UH as the school mascot.

But the mascot remained nameless. Then, The Cougar swooped in yet again.

In conjunction with the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, The Cougar held a naming contest for the mascot in 1947.

Joe Randol, out of over 200 submissions, won the contest with these lines: “Shasta (She has to).

Shasta have a cage, Shasta have a keeper, Shasta have a winning ball club, Shasta have the best.”

Thus, Shasta the Cougar was born, and she has been overlooking the University’s athletics ever since.

For more on UH sports@thedailycougar.com athletics, be sure to follow

@TheCougarSports

26 | Monday, July 29, 2019

OPINION THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

MARYAM BALDAWI, EDITOR

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Monday, July 29, 2019 | 27

PARKING

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Michael Slaten

SPORTS EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Jhair Romero

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Trevor Nolley

NEWS EDITOR

Maryam Baldawi

Morgan Horst Jiselle Santos McKenzie Misiaszek

PHOTO EDITOR

Building garages has its growing pains

OPINION EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Kathryn Lenihan

FEATURES EDITOR

Ian Everett

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Mason Vasquez

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.

MARYAM BALDAWI

OPINION EDITOR

Walking through the food court in Student Center South, complaints of parking issues can be overheard among the chatter during breakfast time. On a typical day, after a long commute, a student at UH could spend a long time finding a parking spot.

Student parking is an issue that should be addressed more promptly and with more than one solution.

Parking spots are limited and expensive, which is why the University is building several new garages. However, the debts should not fall on the students.

Parking garage passes have had a substantial increase in price in the last year because, according to Parking and Transportation Services, they are increasing shuttle service and additional parking garages are being built.

Building costs should not fall on all students, but rather only those with garage permits. It may not be fancy for donors, but the University could also look to asking for private donations to help build the garages.

The increase for a general student permit alone will rise from $370 last year to $405

by Fall 2020. In addition to price increases, there are still not enough spots. There are more than 46,000 students at this University.

With a growing student body and need to build more garages, will they just keep increasing prices?

In addition to the pain of paying more for parking, other than garage parking, many lots require playing tag. University tag consists of following a person that looks like they are about to leave and asking them.

This adds stress to the large commuter student body and wastes time.

An option for students includes carpooling, which the University actually offers a discount incentive for using.

Carpooling with the COAST program offers permits to students who commute to campus with three or more other students at a lower price. It is open to full-time students who come to campus at least three days a week. Students with three people registered per car get half price off the permit.

Alternate transportation methods include using the METRO. Students can receive $27.50 each month for the METRO if they join COAST. These are valid solutions for tackling the price problem of parking on campus, but even if some people are able to coordinate with two other people to carpool, the price raise can fall on only the students with garage passes rather than all students with permits.

All-in-all, the persistent issue of parking prices is not going anywhere, especially with a growing student population. Not until a more affordable parking solution is made available.

Opinion Editor Maryam Baldawi is a biology junior and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

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28 | Monday, July 29, 2019

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e FREE You recegivular season e tickets togrames at UH! home Just show your UH ID at the gates for the following sports: Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball and Women's Basketball

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Go to UHCougars.com/students for information on how to claim your FREE tickets!!

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Friday, August 23 | 5 - 9 p.m. | TDECU Stadium Fan Festival, Pep Rally, Concert, Fireworks and UH20 - The Ultimate Soakdown

INTERNATIONAL

The importance of empowering global institutions to avoid corruption ABDULLAH DOWAIHY

GUEST COLUMNIST

The question of how to approach global institutions such as the UN, International Monetary Fund and World Bank is one that has divided the world, whether it is because of ideology or perceived failures and successes of these institutions.

Supporters of these global institutions say the UN, for example, has helped lift billions out of poverty and is a good forum for international cooperation to avoid major crisis or to help refugees. Critics, on the other hand, claim these institutions lack the power to protect the vulnerable, such as the inaction during the Rwandan genocide, or that financial institutions like the World Bank only represent the powerful Western countries to the detriment of poor non-Western people who need help the most.

There is truth to both sides of the argument. It is true that global institutions have been instrumental in preventing a third world war because diplomats now have a forum to negotiate solutions.

It is also true these institutions have failed throughout the decades to protect

civilians from genocides committed by monstrous dictators.

But there is a solution that will empower these global institutions so they can govern in an impartial and productive manner. There are three things to do in order to improve them: an international educational tour that will include speeches and debates about the benefits of having global institutions such as the UN, lobbying private wealthy celebrities as well as ordinary individuals to contribute more in funding and, lastly, these institutions should hold forums so people from around the world can vote on elections or referendums.

An international educational tour will aim to persuade the people of the world that organizations such as the UN are very important in the 21st century and going forward. This means UN officials, for example, will have to visit college campuses, libraries and other places in order to reach out to people and speak as well as listen so as to give the UN more legitimacy.

It is also important for global officials to engage in a debate with those who are

The United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund can implement simple, effective solutions to curtail corruption in their organizations. | Courtesy of UN

opposed to the existence of international organizations in order to locate any flaws within the international system so they can propose detailed reforms. The purpose of the debates is also to make people feel more comfortable about the globalized world and start viewing international organizations as a supportive and benevolent entity that understands the issues people are facing.

One of the reasons global institutions seem weak and ineffective is because they rely on funding from governments.

This allows authoritarian countries to pressure international organizations into muting their criticism or investigation of their own national policies. The source of funding should come from wealthy celebrities or just individual donors so the international organizations can serve the interests of the people.

There are already a large number of famous individuals who are very supportive of global causes, such as George Clooney and Angelina Jolie, which makes it easy for institutions such as the UN to shift from government money to people money.

Critics of international organizations assert that they only serve the powerful countries such as Russia or China, which is in some part true because the leaders of these institutions are always selected by powerful nations.

The UN secretary general, for example, is secretly selected by the members of the Security Council with the P5 countries having the veto power over the nominees.

Because of this, the people are not being represented on the world stage, which is why I propose that powerful countries, especially democratic ones, should contribute to democratizing these institutions.

The first step is to start organizing international forums hosted by any country where the people can come from all over the world to vote on candidates and referendums for these organizations, or if the people cannot attend, they can mail their ballot to the appropriate address.

The second step is to create regional offices that will count these ballots. There will be a large number of votes from around the world that must be counted, and dividing the counting task will make it easy to find the results.

The third step is to set up a voter registration system so the election commission can verify the identity of the voters and avoid irregularities.

The most important elements in any institution are transparency and accountability, and the elections of the leaders by global citizens will make it so these leaders are accountable to the people they are serving while also allowing voters to bring change in the system if they perceive corruption or negligence by any official.

Discussions about reforming global institutions are not new. In fact, it is what almost every UN ambassador from every country advocates for all the time.

This is the reason why many politicians, academics and activists are skeptical about changes in the international system.

But I am optimistic these institutions will be reformed in the future because the main organizations such as the UN, World Bank and the IMF are headquartered in the United States, a country that declared in its independence “that all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,” which are “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

This is in addition to the fact that America is a democratic superpower on the world stage that led the creation of these organizations after the defeat of fascism in WWII, which shaped and unified the international system we live in today. This should give skeptics hope that change can happen. This change can only happen, however, when the people participate in revitalizing these global institutions like they do in their own country’s domestic institutions.

Opinion guest writer Abdullah Dowaihy is a political science major and can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 29

OPINION MARYAM BALDAWI, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

713-743-5304

CAMPUS

Donate to clothing drives on campus in the fall MARYAM BALDAWI

OPINION EDITOR

As many students prepare to start the new school year, they clean out their closets and wardrobe. When they find things they do not need or want any longer, they should keep in mind those in need.

In Houston alone, there were over 27,000 people in need of some type of service for the homeless in 2013 and even more under minimal care and in need of basic supplies. Raising awareness to family members and friends can amass a big donation.

Santa Cops, an annual event in some schools and athletic organizations across the nation, provides clothing/toy drives during the weeks at the end of the first semester or beginning of the second semester. A person or group can “adopt” a child for a day, meaning they will get information on the child, such as their favorite color among other things, to buy them gifts from Walmart. These gifts

often contain a mix of clothes and toys.

This event, or others like it, should be replicated more in university campuses.

A similar program will be implemented at the University of Houston with the clothing drive. It will be held by the on-campus student organization National Society for Collegiate Scholars and will consist of two parts.

The first part consists of bake sales, and the second part will be a clothing drive.

All students should donate.

Donating and volunteering have shown to be stress-relievers. Also, although the main purpose of donating is to scatter good in life, there is a small incentive for donating at the clothing drive.

Jumbo stickers, which are most notably seen on water bottles and laptops, will be given for every three items donated. The donation week, which will be announced in the fall, will collect items ranging from gently-used shoes to shirts and jackets.

The organization will keep a Google Doc tally of all students who donated.

Students will drop off the donations

Clothing drives are going to be a biannual event next year, so students should try to donate their gently-used clothing. | Juana Garcia/The Cougar

collected at a table in the Student Center South.

The clothing drive will donate to local hospices and hospitals, but students can also donate to various drop-off locations in the greater Houston area. One donation drop-off location is the Houston Area Women’s Center, where you can either donate online or glance through their wish list and drop off a donation at their address.

Although there are numerous great

locations to donate supplies to, when NSCS members take a vote in their first meeting in the fall, one location that may be chosen to receive the donations from the drive is Soldiers’ Angels. Soldiers’ Angels is a nonprofit organization that helps veterans in need. It provided over $17 million in aid to veterans and their families in 2017 alone.

If you cannot donate, volunteering for such an event is another way to get involved. A link to sign up for volunteering times will be up on the Facebook page for NSCS. Let friends and family know about this clothing drive, as the organization will have a special gift for the student with the most clothes donated.

As you prepare to head to the University this fall, think of donating your gentlyused pieces as a great start to the school year.

Opinion Editor Maryam Baldawi is a biology junior and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

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30 | Monday, July 29, 2019

D I A L A I C N A N I F & S P I H S R A L O H C S F O E C I THE OFF N O T S U O H F O Y T I S R E V I N U E H T O T U O Y S E WELCOM WE KNOW THAT THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS CAN BE CONFUSING, SO WE’RE HERE TO HELP. Have you submitted your 2019-2020 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

If not, there’s still time! Visit fafsa.ed.gov to do it today.

Check your myUH self-service To-Do List for any outstanding items. If you’re missing something, use our upload document feature.

Make sure your email address is correct since that’s how we’ll keep you updated on your status.

Questions? Come see us in the Welcome Center or call us at (713) 743, 1010, option 5.

WE CAN’T

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S U P M A C N O U O Y E E WAIT TO S

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 31

OPINION MARYAM BALDAWI, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

713-743-5304

OPINION@THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM

TRAVEL

Why students should try to travel, study abroad more

Travelling is stressfull, from packing luggage to booking flights, but it makes your brain physically grow.| Jiselle Santos/The CougarOrganization

Traveling is stressful — from packing luggage, booking plane tickets and just being away from home. However, research has shown travelling can make your brain physically grow. | Jiselle Santos/The Cougar

MARYAM BALDAWI

OPINION EDITOR

Stepping onto the jet bridge with experience in one hand and curiosity in the other, get ready for change.

Realize that the travel will be challenging as you continuously decipher yourself and attempt to understand the different cultures.

Exploring different cultures or the same culture in a different place is worth every second, and all students should travel.

Advertising senior Alyssa Cook took classes and interned abroad in London in the spring semester.

“I gained a different perspective not only on the world but my studies I wouldn’t have normally received just taking classes at UH. But I think the biggest benefit was the confidence I gained in myself,” she said.

To fully experience the new location, as hard as it is, erase all expectations of the place. It is not about the change of scenery but rather how you respond to it. Both the physical and mental toll makes the brain more flexible to grow even in seemingly comfortable situations, such as riding the London Metro.

“Travel disrupts your routine and introduces novelty to your brain,” according to Psychology Today. This improves cognition and helps reactivate reward circuits. Also, traveling improves cognitive flexibility, which helps stimulate neuroplasticity.

These research results sound achievable on paper, but growing through travel does not work in a checklist approach. Taking into account plane boarding times, check points and everything else, it is daunting to tackle

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Would one really be able to grow and expand their point of view without carrying one’s history and current opinions? To best answer this, writer Patrick Rothfuss said, “A long stretch of road can teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet.” In other words, going on an adventure with your old and current self can better your future self.

At first, travel pushes you outside your comfort zone. Then, it teaches you more about yourself and forces you to face your weaknesses in a way that is difficult to encounter at home. Overall, traveling makes your brain grow physically by making more connections. This is why students should travel.

Opinion Editor Maryam Baldawi is a biology junior and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

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the liability of travel at a young age. And it is worth every minute.

Each new situation is a challenge and an opportunity to be creative. And, contrary to common belief that traveling is going to a far away place, travel can be a short trip, like a road trip to a nearby campsite.

Also, it is unproductive to your personal growth to travel on a long flight or take a road trip only to eat at the same fast food chain and sleep in the same style of room. You should have new experiences ranging from the food you eat to the way you eat to the way you sleep.

According to a 2013 study, more than 80 percent of Americans surveyed said they had significant drops in stress just after a day or two of traveling. Traveling also makes you a more tolerant and open-minded person.

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