Th he Coug gar
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 1
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026
@THEDAILYCOUGAR
WWW.THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
ISSUE 4, VOLUME 92
GAURAANGI GUPTA, Editor in chief | editor@thedailycougar.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Daily Cougar Day: The legacy continues GAURAANGI GUPTA
EDITOR IN CHIEF @GAURAANGIGUPTA
Happy Daily Cougar day to the UH community! About three years ago, I never knew Oct. 5 would become such an important day in my life. This year marks the 92nd anniversary of the publication. However, what a lot of readers don’t know is that The Cougar actually came into existence in 1928 with its first issue in April, when our University was Houston Junior College. This technically makes us more than 98 years old. Last week, I dove deeper into the history of the publication and I realized how big of a part The Cougar has been over the years at UH and in Houston. Looking through the photos I could sense how the editorial board, for every Editor-in-Chief, is more than a team. It’s their family they get super lucky with and get to spend some incredible time, creating priceless memories.
What started as a classroom project, quickly became an integral part of the University, resonating voices of everyone who associates with UH. The Cougar, being the oldest student organization on campus, is the bearer of witnessing UH’s unique story, every achievement, improvement and development. With each volume, The Cougar is a testament of the University’s legacy. We have covered everything ranging from campus, local, national and international news. It was truly a humbling experience to realize that Vol. 92 is now an integral part of something so important. However, I also realized something else. Over the past decade, a lot has changed: typewriters were replaced by laptops, telephones with smart phones and physical prints everyday with digital publishing. One thing that remained
constant was The Cougar’s commitment towards the UH community. It was you, our readers and our passion to keep making your voices heard that kept us going. The publication has endured fires, floods, pandemics and storms, but we have never missed a beat and kept the UH community informed. Rain or shine, The Cougar has always been there. As Editor in Chief, I truly feel honored that I share my name with a list of some incredible voices like former Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Jack Valenti and Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Adrees Latif, who were once a part of The Cougar as well. Not to mention, all the journalists who have worked for the Houston-area newspapers, television and radio stations over the many years relentlessly to keep the industry going.
Courtesy of The Cougar
The Cougar is more than just a newspaper. It’s a place for everyone who has a passion for storytelling and wants to seek the truth behind every reasoning and in between every line. It unites the community and
all student journalists together. While for some the newspaper acts like their reliable source of information, for others, like me, it becomes a family! editor@thedailycougar.com
DAILY COUGAR DAY
UH’s student newspaper reporting on 92 years of American, Houston history
Courtesy of The Cougar KAREN WEI
NEWS EDITOR @KAREN_FEIWEI
The Cougar published its first volume on April 6, 1928 as the official newspaper of the Houston Junior College, but was reborn with the
establishment of UH in 1934. The Cougar still continues pushing onwards, writing, documenting and photographing the beating heart of Houston: its namesake University. The Cougar conducted its first poll
of the student body as worries rose over what would eventually become World War II, asking if students supported FDR’s seeking a third term. On Dec. 19, 1941, The Cougar responded to the Pearl Harbor attacks and subsequent call to war with a “Defense Issue”. Even as wartime rationing stunted business growth and limited advertising revenue, The Cougar continued publishing and even released its first summer issue on June 19, 1942. With students and alumni being called into the armed forces, The Cougar launched a campaign to use funds from paying subscribers to send out the paper to 500 servicemen from UH. “Wars may come and go, but the Cougar goes on forever” read an editorial cartoon from the April 2, 1943 edition. Decades later, The Cougar
responded to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in its Nov. 27, 1963 edition, featuring a campus memorial service on its front page. The newspaper also took a strong stance against the Vietnam War: after four students were killed during a protest at Kent State University, The Cougar’s front page declared “1, 2, 3, 4, We don’t want your f-ing war”. The editorial board of The Cougar actively pushed for abortion rights, free contraceptives on campus and the Equal Rights Amendment. Beyond political commentary, The Cougar bore witness to national tragedy: on 9/11, the editorial board wrote that rather than “jump to conclusions and blame innocent people…this is a time to come together to mourn the nation’s losses.” Student reporters also brought insight and humanity to The Cougar’s
coverage when the space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas in February 2003. Since then, The Cougar has continued to publish with relentless attention to the forces shaping the world around students: elections from the national to local level, natural disasters, new laws, changes in the University and so much more. Now, as the publication confronts a national administration like none before, multiple ongoing international conflicts and cultural debates that never fail to spark controversy, trust that this far-fromexhaustive account of the paper’s history serves only as a starting point for what we hope to achieve in the future. We’re honored to have you with us. news@thedailycougar.com
2 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
editors’ opinions KAREN WEI
NEWS EDITOR @KAREN_FEIWEI
When most people think of journalism, they think of my kind of journalism: the news reporter interviewing people on the ground, asking hard questions and endeavoring to bring truth to power. And indeed, over the course of The Cougar’s history, student journalists here at UH have done exactly that. But to mark this year’s anniversary of The Daily Cougar Day, I want to highlight the incredible journalists who are my colleagues, whose work spans diverse beats and mediums, from opinion and sports writing to photography and social media. Journalism today is a richer field than it was nine decades ago -- here’s what they had to say. news@thedailycougar.com
Nina To/The Cougar
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 3
Recap
MICAH CLAY Sports Editor @thedailycougar
FOOTBALL
Houston topple UCF Knights 27-17, gets first conference win MICAH CLAY
SPORTS EDITOR @MCJOSH_BTW_PODCAST
The No. 20 Houston Cougars bested the University of Central Florida Knights 27-17 on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium. Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 239 passing yards. Additionally, Weigman is the first Cougar to run for three touchdowns since 2023. Head coach Willie Fritz said Weigman was sick in the game. “He is sick as a dog but he fought through it,” Fritz said. Senior tight end Patrick
Overmyer led the Cougars in receiving yards with 76. UCF started with senior quarterback Keyone Jenkins throwing a 49-yard pass to senior wide receiver Josh Derry. Jenkins threw another pass to Derry for a touchdown, giving UCF its first lead of the game, 7-0. On Houston’s first possession, it was forced to punt from UCF’s 40-yard line after an offensive pass interference call on senior wide receiver Amare Thomas. At the start of the second quarter, The Cougars were marked at the three-yard line on fourth down and went for it but Weigman’s pass was tipped. UCF was spotted on its own three-yard line, went three-and-out and punted back to the Cougars. Desperate to put points on the board, the Cougars faced another fourth down on the three-yard line. Weigman’s pass was too high for Sanford, forcing another turnover on downs. However, UCF stalled and punted the ball. Weigman completed a 17-yard pass to Thomas to position the Cougars at the 14-yard line. He completed another pass to Overmyer, but UCF stripped the ball, allowing UCF to recover it. This time, the Knights moved the ball downfield and threatened to score another
touchdown. Jenkins completed a 35-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Waden Charles. With two minutes left in the second quarter, the Knights faced a fourth down and opted to settle for three, making the score 10-0. Houston got the ball back and scrambled to get its first touchdown of the game. However, Houston faced a fourth down and punted it to the Knights. “We just didn’t execute as well as we needed to,” Fritz said. In the third quarter, a 37-yard run by junior running back Duke Watson positioned the Knights at the two-yard line. Jenkins then scrambled into the end zone to make the score 17-0. After the touchdown, Weigman scrambled for a 19-yard touchdown to narrow the score to 10 points. UCF tried to convert but senior linebacker Latreveon McCutchin tipped and picked off Jenkins, putting Houston at the twoyard line. At the one-yard line, Weigman sneaked into the end zone, making the score 17-14. At the start of the fourth quarter, Houston got the ball back after a UCF punt. At the one-yard line, Weigman
ran in for his third rushing touchdown of the game and gave the Cougars the lead, making the score 21-17. UCF gets the ball and Jenkins gets sacked by senior defensive lineman Khalil Laufau, making it third and 12. After a punt from UCF, Houston stalled and settled for a field goal, making the score 24-17. A failed fourth down conversion gave Houston the ball and settled for another field goal, making it 27-17. The Cougars then ran the clock out for their first conference win of the season. “I think (the defense) kept fighting and every day you got to do the very best,” Fritz said. Next week, Houston travels to Manhattan, Kansas, to face off against the Kansas State Wildcats on Oct. 10.
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4 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 FOOTBALL
Houston fans react to UCF game at TDECU Stadium MICAH CLAY
SPORTS EDITOR @MCJOSH_BTW_PODCAST
No. 22 Houston was able to beat UCF 27-17 after being down 17 points going into the second half. However, Houston was able to score 27 unanswered points to get its first conference win of the year and go 4-1 on the season.
Fans and their experience The helmets and jerseys were the talk of the fans. The Cougars wore helmets that had different designs of planets on them for the “Gridiron Galaxy” while wearing the blue uniforms. Many fans loved the helmet-andjersey combination. “They’re sick; I really like the blue,” said supply chain master’s student Juan Martinez. “The helmets are also pretty fun. It combines the colors of UH campus.” Even Houston players talked about the helmets and how good-looking they were. “Yeah, those are elite for sure,” said senior linebacker Latreveon McCutchin. “I was trying to sneak mine in but they had a bucket waiting for us.” Beyond the football game, fans also expressed happiness with the variety of food. “There is a lot of variety of foods and
activities to do,” Martinez said. “So far there were some potato wedges with some mayo. That was fantastic.” There were still some issues that were going on in TDECU Stadium. The heat got to a lot of students. “It’s really hot so we stay in the inner rings,” said mechanical engineering senior Amit Paul. Students like Martinez suggested a later kickoff and night games would make the game experince even better. Attendance remained an issue for Houston. The crowd had 25,593 in a stadium that could fill around 40,000. “I feel like more people could be here, but it’s pretty good,” said mechanical engineering senior Santiago Morales. At halftime, many Houston fans talked about the uncertainty of Houston coming back from 17-0. “We can come back but hopefully we win this game,” Martinez said. Paul attributed the Cougars’ struggles to the heat, while Morales noted improvements that could be made on the field. “They could do better on the offense,” said Morales. “The defense is playing
good.” After halftime, Houston was able to put up 27 points, with the three touchdowns coming from fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman and six points coming from junior kicker Jonathan Dimas. Overall, Built By Houston gave fans more reaction and interaction as the season went on, giving them a reason to stay after the Cougars fell behind by 17 points. The Cougars are now 4-1 and are headed to Kansas State. If Oct. 3 was any sign of excellence, the home crowd has a lot to
look forward to when Houston comes back on Oct. 17 to face Oklahoma State. sports@thedailycougar.com
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 5
news
KAREN WEI News Editor @thedailycougar
NATION
Iranian students prohibited from taking LSAT in new sanctions by Trump administration CELENE BOURESLAN AND BOWEN ZAUNBRECHER
NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR, NEWS WRITER @CELENE_BOURESLAN, @BOWENNEVERWORKS
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s latest sanctions on Iran suspended a regulation that, for years, has authorized professional certification and university entrance exams for Iranian nationals. The Law School Admission Council emailed many Iranian-American students on Sept. 9, saying it was prohibited from providing all services, including the Law School Admission Test to Iranian citizens or residents. LSAC’s prohibition poses a risk to many aspiring Iranian lawyers because all children born to an Iranian father, regardless of the birthplace, automatically receive Iranian citizenship by descent. “I don’t understand why the government is discouraging Iranian-Americans from pursuing law, when we’ve lived here our whole lives,” said a recent Iranian alumnus who requested to remain anonymous. This alumnus was not affected by the suspension; they did not identify themself as Iranian when their application on LSAC asked for their ethnicity. They claim that many of their friends who identified themselves as Iranian did have their accounts flagged.
Iranian-American students can work with LSAC to reverse the suspension of their accounts by providing proof of American citizenship, but students without American citizenship may not be able to do so. Other Iranian students expressed concerns that their career plans could be delayed due to these suspensions. “I want to apply to a Juris Doctor or Medical Doctor program, but to apply for these programs I need to meet their admission requirements, which includes taking the LSAT,” said pre-nursing junior Donya Oufi. The Trump administration said in a press release that the sanctions against Iran are intended to end what it refers to as the Iranian threat. But even non-Iranian students worry that these sanctions will set a dangerous precedent that allows the government to control the rights of certain communities. “I believe that sanctions being used by the government to deny Iranians their right to take the LSAT is a blatant act of racism by the Trump administration and goes against the Constitution,” said political science freshman Sanjeev Ganesh. “In no way am I implying that Iranians will be placed in internment camps, but historically, our government has alienated communities based on their country of origin, like Japanese Americans during World War II.”
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
Some political science professors share Ganesh’s sentiment, and even say that prohibiting certain citizens from educational services is in violation of the Constitution. “Assuming that this report is accurate, this is not lawful,” said John B. Neibel Professor of Law David Crump. “It might be lawful if it were a law about immigration but not against Iranian-Americans, who presumably are citizens. This would violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.” The National Iranian American Council has challenged LSAC’s decision to comply with the anctions.
These sanctions will now be halting the career plans of both people of Iranian ethnicity and Iranian citizenship, the alumnus said. “I have some cousins and relatives in Iran who are extremely smart and would probably have better opportunities by coming to America,” the alumnus said. “But unfortunately, these people are unable to do so because something as simple as education is being taken away from them. Even I, who have lived here my whole life, am in fear of whether or not I could pursue my dreams and education after this.” news@thedailycougar.com
CAMPUS
Beto O’Rourke combines voter registration efforts with first-ever Hot Ones challenge PATRICK SAMMON AND ZAHRA GOKAL
SENIOR STAFF WRITER, NEWS WRITER @PSAMMON33, @ZAHRAPRESERVED
“But if it’s like, ‘come watch this dude eat hot wings’, that brings in a different group that may not be as politically involved.” This will be the only time O’Rourke does a Hot Ones challenge, as he hopes to keep it from becoming a gimmick. Powered by People aims to keep students engaged in the upcoming midterm election rather than another
turnout among young voters across all Texas campuses. “In the last presidential election, 47.7% of us actually voted in our generation and who knows what could have happened if more of us would have voted,” said political science junior and president of NextGenUH Olivia Rodriguez. “If we can make as many efforts as possible to get as many people registered, we can increase the
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke visited campus on Sept. 30 with his organization Powered by People to speak with students about voter registration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. In the evening, O’Rourke participated in a Hot Ones-style challenge in partnership with NextGenUH. For their tabling event, Powered by People set up a pop-up tent alongside NextGen UH and the James Talarico Campaign. Powered by People’s volunteers handed out ice cream to those who checked their registration status. Additionally, the Talarico Campaign gave candy and campaign merchandise to those who attended and checked out the booth. “We try to offer students here an opportunity to be involved, volunteer, register folks to vote and assist them in making sure that they can actually exercise their right to determine the outcome of these elections,” O’Rourke said. “So hopefully we’re doing something Former United States Representative Beto O’Rourke participates in the Next Gen Hot Ones event at the that’s productive and provides community, University of Houston on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Houston. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar too.” O’Rourke has made his visits an annual Hot Ones contest. likelihood that more people will vote.” event at UH and other campuses across “Early voting starts on October 19, runs Rodriguez hopes the younger mindset Texas with Powered By People. However, to the 30, Election Day is November 3 and toward politics will change as a result of the this was O’Rourke’s first time doing a Hot the deadline to register to vote is the fifth, so day’s events. Ones challenge. we really want to catch people before that “I believe we can make a change as this “If your events are to come and listen Monday deadline,” said executive director of new generation,” Rodriguez said. “We can to somebody lecture you, there’s a certain Powered By People Aimee Prudhomme. try to develop democracy into a more group that wants to do that,” O’Rourke said. The goal is to increase interest and positive environment where people don’t
have to be informed about everything, but at the same time they can still be involved.” While it is important for a new generation to become involved, O’Rourke’s goal is to avoid alienating previous voters. “I think part of what we suffer from in this country is we’ve kind of categorized and divided people based on these easy descriptions or their past voting history,” O’Rourke said. To O’Rourke, it is imperative to give those who may not seem up to the challenge or are grouped into a certain demographic the chance to be seen and heard. “In losing that opportunity, we’ve also lost a chance to persuade them or to engage with them,” O’Rourke said. “You really must try to treat everyone with respect and dignity and there’s no better way to show respect than to meet people where they are.” Alongside initial interactions with people interested in getting involved, Powered By People plans to maintain a relationship with voters through a buddy system. The main idea is to be a friend to the students on each campus, so that their voice never dwindles, according to O’Rourke. “You’re not only making sure folks are registered, you’re making sure that folks are informed, you’re making sure the voters can maybe get involved further than just going out and voting,” said political science senior and Talarico Campaign volunteer Jonathan Alvarenga. news@thedailycougar.com
6 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 NATION
‘Incredibly stupid and petty’: Student journalists discuss White House media ban ZAHRA GOKAL
NEWS WRITER @ZAHRAPRESERVED
Student journalists are growing increasingly concerned about the precedent set by the White House’s recent media ban. Last month, the White House banned CNN, Politico and MS NOW reporters from its press pool, citing inaccurate and negative reporting. Since then, the media outlets have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, calling his actions a direct attack on the First Amendment. Although a judge has lifted the ban, the White House continues to push back. College journalists are following the story amid the tension. According to a recent blog post by the Student Press Law Center, incidents such as these reveal a climate where officials are encouraged to treat scrutiny as misconduct and access as a favor. The SPLC also highlights the Sherrill v. Knight (1977) case in relation to this First Amendment battle. It emphasizes the claim that although the White House is not constitutionally obligated to allow every journalist into its doors, it must not deny access on unclear grounds. “We’re in a position where we’re a part of the community that we’re covering and speaking to,” said journalism junior
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
David Uribe. “It just makes it harder to do that when you can’t fully express without the fear of what backlash can happen because of that.” Some students, such as Dylan Hembrough from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, are all too familiar with being pressured. After the student newspaper published articles the university disapproved of, the university began recording several interviews with the student newspaper. “Moves such as these threaten freedom of speech and freedom of the press, allowing the SIUE administration to shape a story in real time and potentially
frighten employees into self-censoring,” Hembrough stated in a blog post. Uribe said he’s worried that journalists might start to self-censor, adding on to an existing lack of trust in media. “I think this situation is just making journalists more cautious in everything they do, not only what they’re reporting, but where they’re reporting it from, like their sources,” Uribe said. “I feel like it will make independent reporters more important, rather than big stations covering things.” Journalism junior Gilberto Manzanares calls the ban incredibly stupid and petty. “I don’t believe this ban will
necessarily affect how universities treat student journalists directly, but it’s definitely inconsiderate and discouraging for students in this field,” Manzanares said. “It’s not only preventing journalists from reporting on these topics but also affecting how we receive information as the general public.” Students also believe that the White House’s actions are authoritarian and journalists should have the right to interview the president and others in positions of power. “Journalists should be back in the White House fairly soon, because access to the White House is not a privilege, it’s a right,” said political science senior Jeffrey Hernandez Jr. Hernandez believes that people should seek out news independently, especially as major media outlets grow more polarized. “If anything, this should just show future students how important journalism is,” Hernandez said. “Journalists are really on the front lines of every conflict, whether it’s with a camera or with a pen. They’re an extremely important part of the political process, and without them, nothing really works.” news@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 7 CAMPUS
From space to UH: Artemis II crew speaks at Fertitta Center CELENE BOURESLAN
NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @CELENE_BOURESLAN
UH hosted the Artemis II crew and staff after they broke the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth during their space mission: 252,756 miles. The event was held on Sept. 30 at the Fertitta Center. Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche presented astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen and staff with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Honor Award medals. The National Aeronautic Association and its international partner Fédération Aéronautique Internationale also presented two records to the astronauts: one for the highest altitude above the surface of the Earth, which was set two years ago, as well as another for distance from Earth, a feat that had not been broken for 58 years. “The pride, excitement and resilient support from the city of Houston reminded us just how deeply this mission resonated with our community and how proud we are to call Space City home,” Wyche said. “The golden age of space exploration is here, and America is back in the business of sending astronauts to the Moon and bringing them home safely,” NASA’s goal for this mission was to initiate its long-term return to the Moon and to set a precedent for future missions to Mars. The crew was selected in April 2023. They spent three years training for the mission in the Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida, but despite extensive preparation for the April 1 launch day, the crew said they were still shocked by the scale of their launch. “We practiced this day a number of times, but on the real day, it is very different,” Wiseman said. “Specifically, when you get up to the rocket and it’s no longer
Artemis II mission specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman put their hands together to celebrate the successful Artemis II mission during a public celebration honoring the crew on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at the Fertitta Center. | Payton Gaskill/The Cougar
unfueled, now it’s venting and it just has a completely different presence.” One of the highlights of the astronauts’ mission was witnessing the solar eclipse, Glover said. “Something that dawned on me right after we got back was that if we launched 48 hours later, we wouldn’t have seen that eclipse,” Glover said. “But it would have happened anyway, and that really has stuck with me. We got to see this gift in this one little slice.” The mission ended with a successful, safe splashdown in Houston, where the crew’s capsule was brought down to the Pacific Ocean by parachutes. The astronauts described how this experience changed their own personal trajectory in life. Viewing Earth from a farther distance reinforces that humans have the power to protect and change our planet, Koch said. “When we looked back at it [Earth], it was this incredible, beautiful, glorious lifeboat,” Koch said. “You could cover it up with your thumb, that’s how far away it was, but it was ours and the global scale is actually not that big. This is our planet. It can be whatever kind of world we want it to be.”
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman receives a medal during a public celebration honoring the Artemis II crew on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at the Fertitta Center. | Payton Gaskill/The Cougar
news@thedailycougar.com
NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, gestures during an Artemis II crew event on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 at the Fertitta Center in Houston. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, mission specialist for the Artemis II mission, takes the stage during an Artemis II crew event on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 at the Fertitta Center in Houston. (Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)
8 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
sports
MICAH CLAY Sports Editor @thedailycougar
SOCCER
Delilah Burns invited to U-20 Dominican Republic camp CODY STRICKLER
SPORTS WRITER @CODY_S_2020
University of Houston freshman goalkeeper Delilah Burns has been invited to attend the Dominican Republic U-20 national team’s ID camp later this month in Atlanta, Georgia. The camp will take place from Oct. 8-11. Burns’ hometown is roughly two and a half hours from where the camp will be located. “Its going to be super nice,” Burns said. “My mom is going to be able to come and I’m going to be able to see my family.” Burns mentioned that since she was regrouped because of her age, her mom got the invitation before she did. “I was regrouped and they cycle age groups,” Burns said. “I got called back through their US scout, but my mom got the information before I did.” She has been invited by the Dominican Republic five previous times, Burns feels honored to be asked to come back. “It means a lot to represent the country,” Burns said. “But it also means more to play with the same teammates and to be called up over and over again is a huge honor.” Burns played with the U15 team in the CONCACAF, where she was a part of the runner up team and played with the U17 team and qualified for the World Cup. Next summer is the next women’s World Cup and Burns mentioned that trying to get back on the team for the big event is huge, but Burns has a way to stay calm and collected under pressure. “There is a lot of pressure, it is huge to honor and play for the Dominican Republic,” Burns said. “I take it one step and one day at a time.” This will be Burns’ first camp for the team that is not in the Dominican Republic. The main difference is that she thinks with it being in the United States, it will bring a different
Houston Goalkeeper Delilah Burns poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 in Houston | Oscar Herrera / The Cougar
atmosphere than the camps she has attended in the past. “It might be a little different, I’m not going to see most of the local girls,” Burns said. “I’m expecting it to be more competitive not only because they like to go domestic first then international, but since it will be majorly international the pool is smaller.” With Burns being a freshman she thinks that being invited early in her college career is important because of this being in a different
age group. “I just aged out of U17 and U20 is a step-up,” Burns said. “There are a lot of years between 17 and 20, but the pool is way bigger.” Burns’ path to Houston moved quickly after she committed in June, which included reclassifying shortly afterward. “I committed in June, decided to reclassify the next week and I came in on July 4,” Burns said. “So it was a big turnaround in three weeks.”
She played high school in Florida so coming to Houston came with a difference, but also something that reminds her of home. “How big everything is in Texas,” Burns said. “Houston is a lot like Tampa with diversity and I really like that aspect.” In the 2024-25 season playing for Robinson High School in Florida, Burns accrued an 80% save rate in 924 minutes of playing time. As the camp approaches, those stats that she gained that year give her a boost of confidence. “The save percentages and those stats from high school really does benefit and that does boost my confidence,” Burns said. “Being able to look back on what I have done to know that I can do more.” The Cougars are in the beginning of their Big 12 conference slate and with the camp occurring, it helps Burns move forward in the rest of her freshman campaign. “I think it is a good reminder why I do love soccer,” Burns said. “Just seeing those faces relive the accomplishments with the same girls, that’s going to be a great way to not only push myself, but to sit back in my seat and look around.” As the Houston Cougars are on a threegame conference winning streak and being a freshman, Burns has pressure but says she lives in the moment for the game that she loves. “Yes there is pressure, but one thing that I love about soccer is that whenever I’m doing it in the moment I don’t think about everything going on,” she said. “I only look at the pressure after or before and I try to live in the moment while I’m doing it. sports@thedailycougar.com
Houston Goalkeeper Delilah Burns poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 in Houston. | Oscar Hererra / The Cougar
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 9
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HOCKEY
Houston on ice: Get to know the Houston hockey team DANIEL CONTRERAS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @DANTHESPORTMANS
Houston has always been a city with a diverse range of sports. From Soccer to Football, there are multiple clubs and athletic departments that many people follow throughout the course of their respective seasons. The Houston hockey team is an
example of one of these teams but has faced unfortunate circumstances since their distance to campus and game times conflict with other clubs and departments. However, the hockey team has begun to build their reputation online through their social media presence, posting clips of them playing their games and interviews with players and coaches. “We’re in Houston so not many people know what hockey is in the first place,” said sophomore forward Grant Sturdevant. “I think just in general, us posting about it and getting on the timeline of people who scroll on TikTok, it’s helping us.”
Introductions
Houston Reacts to scoring a goal against DBU on Wednesday, Oct. 02, 2026 in Sugar Land. | Gillian Wisniewski / The Cougar
Starting off with coaching, the team is led by Head Coach Chris Bilec, who is the second head coach in club history. He has seen immense playing time throughout his years at Army West Point and devoted his life to coaching after serving his time. “Hockey’s been so good to me that I’m just giving back to the community,” Bilec said. “That’s how Hockey can impact their lives too.” With him came the three captains for the season with sophomore forward DJ Hoffman, sophomore defenseman Austin Droit and Sturdevant leading the charge for the 2026-27 season. All three players have previous experience playing Hockey with different teams and schools, but have all joined together in Houston for this season.
Houston defensemen Trey Barker (23) skates in the first period against DBU on Wednesday, Oct. 02, 2026 in Sugar Land. | Oscar Herrera / The Cougar
“I’m definitely honored that I was selected to be an alternate captain for the team and I take it with a lot of pride,” Droit said. “There’s first game jitters but once you get in after your first or second shift you finally settle in.” Hoffman, Droit and Sturdevant have grown with Hockey in their own ways and have had some amazing experiences playing and enjoying the game. “My dad got me into the sport and from there it’s been my passion for the rest of my life,” Hoffman said. “Me and him would skate here at Sugar Land and public skate occasionally. I remember there was a time where I saw some kid jump on the ice with
full gear and my eyes just lit up.”
What’s next? The Houston hockey team is starting to grow traction and the team hopes to see more people come out to their games. “Where else are you going to watch hockey in Houston?” Sturdevant said. “If you see our TikToks, Instagram reels, anything like that, that’s us trying to get you to come out to a game.” Hockey will begin their next series on Oct. 9 at home against East Texas Baptist University, at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center. sports@thedailycougar.com
10 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
housing
Karen Wei News Editor @thedailycougar
UH student housing should be worth what students pay Remarks from the student body
Hailey Nguyen/ The Cougar
ARIAH BARNES
WEB ASSISTANT EDITOR @ARIAH.SHALAE
With each new semester, students decide whether a university is the right place for them to continue their education. This process is not taken lightly, as students consider many factors, including academics, alumni success, activities and housing quality. They must decide whether the experience will be worth the thousands of dollars they will spend. Take UH, for example. The average cost across Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place and The Quads is roughly $4,745. Not including the additional meal
plan cost required for students who live in these dorms. Pursuing higher education comes with a cost, but should students not expect their university housing to provide a quality living environment in return? Students have raised these concerns across campus this year, as well as years prior, questioning whether their quality of living is a priority to university administration. For students already balancing academics, work and other responsibilities, housing problems just add another unnecessary stress.
To better understand these housing issues from a student perspective, I turned first to Mikayla Thompson, a freshman living at CV II and experiencing the campus for the very first time. Rather than being about maintenance, many of Thompson’s issues centered on uncomfortable and unfair situations involving people. After paying thousands of dollars for housing and a meal plan, Thompson feels the experience could be better, especially when sharing a living space with strangers and dealing with students from other schools gaining access to the building. Thompson does acknowledge the fortune of her condition in comparison to horror stories she has heard from students at other schools. She said she is “appreciative of the livable conditions in CV2.” However, this optimistic outlook dwindled when speaking with upperclassmen. A second-year resident at Cougar Place who chose to remain anonymous had a different perspective on her first-year experience. “For what we had, especially freshman year, it should not have (cost) that much,” she said. In the past few weeks, she noticed delays in FixIt responding, air conditioning issues across multiple floors and key cards
randomly failing to work. Even student staff, who get certain housing perks, have seen the unfairness of the situation. Despite experiencing their own issues with A/C units and broken doors, one RA said, “It is more inconvenient for my residents,” when asked about their experience.
What now? When students are facing housing issues not only at UH but across the nation, what can be done? Many of these concerns fall out of students’ hands. University administration, advisory boards and the Board of Regents have the ability to address these problems and ensure the quality of living reflects what students are paying for. Students are doing all they can by making their voices heard and their struggles known, refusing to settle for less than they feel they deserve. At the end of the day, students are paying for more than just a room; they’re paying for a place that should support them as they prepare for their futures. As one UH resident, who asked to remain anonymous, simply said, “We are supposed to be getting what we paid for.” opinion@thedailycougar.com
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 11 HOUSING
Winter is coming: How students can prepare for the cold RAHAF AHMAD
ice scraper and jumper cables handy can also be helpful when navigating the aftermath of a Houston freeze. If permitted under your dorm’s housing and safety rules, a small space heater may also help keep your room warm during colder temperatures. Before purchasing or using one, check your residence hall’s policies to make sure heaters are allowed and follow any safety requirements. Stores like Dollar Tree and Five Below can be helpful for finding inexpensive flashlights, batteries, charging cables and other basic emergency supplies.
WEB ASSISTANT EDITOR @RAHAFLUAAYYY
When living on campus, Houston’s warm weather can make it easy to forget that colder temperatures are right around the corner. Winter is coming sooner than you may think, so it’s important for students to know how to stay prepared. Whether you are staying on campus for winter break or leaving, it is inevitable that you will experience the freezes Houston has to offer. When it comes to preparing your living space for winter, one of the main concerns for students living on campus is affordability. But staying safe and warm doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Here are some tips on what may help you ease into winter while staying on a budget.
Comfort
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
Medicine During winter, the first priority is taking care of yourself. College campuses can be a breeding ground for germs, so making sure you are stocked up on basic medicine and other health essentials can help you prepare for cold and flu season. Cold and flu medicine, Vitamin C, Advil, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, cough drops, tissues and a thermometer are a few health essentials you may need. Unfortunately, medicine can get expensive. When shopping for over the counter medicine, consider purchasing the store brand version rather than the name brand. Checking the active ingredients can help you find a more affordable option with the same active ingredient as its name-brand counterpart. For students living on campus, Kroger at 4000 Polk St. is located near UH, making it one of
the closest options for picking up medicine and other winter essentials. UH also has a Campus Pharmacy offering over-the-counter medications.
Food and water Keeping bottled water, shelf-stable snacks, instant meals and other foods that don’t require much preparation can come in handy if severe weather makes it difficult to leave your dorm. Stocking up before temperatures drop can also help you avoid having to make a last-minute trip to the store. For students looking to stock their dorms before a freeze, there are several grocery stores surrounding campus. ALDI at 3618 Old Spanish Trail is a nearby option for students shopping on a budget, while H-E-B at 6055 South Fwy. offers another nearby location for
groceries, water and other essentials. If you are looking to stock up on food without adding to your grocery bill, you can take a look at the Cougar Cupboard, UH’s free on-campus food pantry. The pantry provides currently enrolled students with access to groceries and other essentials at no cost, which can be especially helpful when navigating under a tight budget.
Emergency supplies A flashlight, portable charger or power bank, along with extra charging cables and batteries can be helpful in case of a power outage due to freezing temperatures. Before a freeze, students should also make sure their phones and portable chargers are fully charged. If you have a car on campus, keeping an
Ensuring you have extra layers, blankets and thick socks can help immensely when dealing with freezing temperatures. Shopping can be expensive, but there are plenty of discount and thrift stores surrounding the UH area where you can find winter essentials without breaking the bank. Marshalls and HomeGoods at 1450 W. Gray St. and T.J. Maxx at 1554 W. Gray Ave. offer another option for students looking for blankets, warm clothing and other winter items at discounted prices. Since the stores are located next to each other, students can also compare their options without making multiple trips across Houston. Winter in Houston may not last long, but freezing temperatures can still catch you off guard. Preparing ahead of time can make all the difference, especially for students living on campus and away from home. By shopping smart, keeping a few essentials on hand and paying attention to upcoming weather, you can stay safe and comfortable regardless of the conditions.. news@thedailycougar.com
HOUSING
Three clever ways to find affordable furniture alternatives CELENE BOURESLAN
NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @CELENE_BOURESLAN
Many college students have so many expenses that they struggle to find affordable furniture and decorations for their dorms or houses. But, by using various online hacks to find cheaper furniture options, students can turn their houses into homes.
Dupe.com Many furniture retailers use white labeling, where multiple companies use the same manufacturers, but larger companies charge higher prices for their products. This means that less upscale companies tend to charge less for their furniture. A student who shops for their furniture online may find a piece that they like, but for a higher price than their desired budget. One way to find cheaper alternatives is to use Dupe.com. This AI-powered website will then display a list of more affordable furniture that still resembles the appearance, aesthetic and material of the original piece.
Google image search Another tip for finding affordable furniture alternatives is by taking a screenshot of the desired furniture and uploading it to Google Lens. If a student encounters a decor piece that they like but is too costly, they can screenshot that piece, go to google. com, press the camera icon on the search browser and upload the photo. Once this is done, Google will present various websites that have pieces with a similar material and design, but with some costing less than others.
Facebook Marketplace Independent online retailers often sell furniture at lower prices and are more open to discussing and negotiating furniture prices, but students must be comfortable with taking the first step in reaching out to them. Students can use Facebook Marketplace to their advantage by actively engaging with the website and its furniture to enhance sale opportunities. First, one must search for keywords that represent their furniture preferences. For example, if a student prefers decor with warm colors or wood
Isabel Bustos/The Cougar
material, they can type words like ‘cozy’ or ‘wood decor’ into the search bar. If a student finds a piece they like, they can message the retailer to ask questions about shipping dates or if the price can be negotiated. Regardless of the response that student receives, the app’s algorithm will now better understand the
student’s furniture preferences. This is important because next time the student returns to the app, it will display furniture recommendations that align with the student’s interests and that have great deals. news@thedailycougar.com
12 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
HOUSING
April’s Angle: Embracing the transition from dorm living to apartment living APRIL BADMUS
SENIOR STAFF WRITER @ITZ_APRULLL
Hi! Welcome to another issue of April’s Angle. I’m April, a political science and psychology junior. In this column, I share my thoughts and experiences on everything from fashion and beauty to college life and beyond. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to reach out! I’m here to help. There is a very specific kind of false confidence that comes with signing your first apartment lease. You start imagining your life almost immediately and picturing everything there is to buy, from the couch to the bowls to the pillows. It is incredibly easy to get overwhelmed with the pending purchases and the realization that you are starting from scratch. While dorm living can be one of the best college experiences, it doesn’t exactly prepare you for apartment living. One minute your biggest domestic concern is whether your shared bathroom will be occupied when you need it and the next you’re in an apartment wondering why your electricity bill is so high and how you ran out of groceries so fast. Three months ago, when I moved into my first apartment, this was a milestone that I was beyond excited for. I planned and outlined every detail prior to signing my lease to ensure my move in process would be as smooth as possible since I would be doing it alone. This in my opinion, is the best thing
Lily Huynh?The Cougar
to do before making this transition. As a type A girl, planning is how I function, but it is also how I stay prepared and anticipate potential issues. My favorite passive way to plan is by making a Pinterest board; the first step to having your ideas come to life is by simply having ideas and Pinterest does an amazing job of putting all ideas in one place. Before moving into your new apartment, try to have your aesthetic picked out, colors you’d like to focus on and potential furniture designs. This will help you visualize your
new space and give you a head start. Waiting to purchase household items is the last thing you should do: moving into a new place is expensive. It is very easy to underestimate the amount of items that you need to purchase. Making little purchases over the course of a few months saved me from spending a lump sum when I moved in. Some important things to have prior to your move in date are kitchen items like scissors, cutlery and bowls; imagine spending all day moving in and ordering food just to discover you have no spoons and have
to eat with your hands. Don’t neglect your bedding: a brand new set can be expensive, so keep that in mind. As someone that prioritizes sleep health over everything, I made sure to order my bed frame and mattress to be delivered to my apartment before I even moved in. Check with your leasing office to make sure this is allowed and take advantage of that resource! Upon moving in make sure you check your new space! This is something that should be done in a dorm but can’t be missed in an apartment. Security deposits are very real and it is your duty to ensure that you’re not being charged for an error a past tenant made. A full walkthrough of the space is a must: take note of anything that needs to be repaired and communicate to your leasing office. Apartment living is an incredible experience. You will probably make mistakes, forget things at the grocery store and build furniture incorrectly, but the experience is one you should cherish and be grateful for because it is the beginning of building a life for yourself. Adulthood comes at you fast. One day you’ll look around your apartment and realize you’re no longer pretending to be an adult – you’re actually doing it. news@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 13 HOUSING
Roommate roulette: The highs, the lows and everything in between GIA MEJIA
NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @GIA.MEJIA
For students at the University, living on-campus marks the start of a new adventure. Your dormitory is unknown land and a random roommate becomes a story to tell.
expect twins to separate when they get to college so they can branch out and have their own experiences, but for us, living together has made college a lot easier.” Odedeji notes that while others may see a downside of sharing a space with a twin, it has its perks of knowing
Chicken soup of comfort Many freshmen entering living spaces have to learn more than what time to go to sleep. They discover more about their health and who can help. For political science junior Olivia Rodriguez, who was living in Moody Towers her first year, having one roommate was more than enough. “We cleaned all the time, but for some reason, I found myself becoming sick very often,” Rodriguez said. When Rodriguez got sick near the end of September, her roommate stepped in, taking all the necessary measures to make sure Rodriguez recovered well. “She made it her number one mission to make sure I felt better,” Rodriguez said. “She would bring me medicine, vitamin C packets and most importantly, chicken noodle soup.” Though they no longer live together, Rodriguez’s roommate’s care did not go unnoticed. The experience left a positive mark on Rodriguez’s college journey, with chicken noodle soup serving as a reminder of kindness and care. “Her efforts never failed to make me feel better, both physically and emotionally,” Rodriguez said. “She never got tired of helping me get over my sickness and never failed to bring me some delicious chicken noodle soup. Every time I eat or see some chicken noodle soup, I think of her and the comfortable environment she made sure I had.”
The twin dynamic While most students brace themselves for the random housing lottery, some bypass the uncertainty entirely. For psychology sophomore Grace Odedeji, living with her twin was an added bonus. Odedeji said that her roommate was one of the better parts of her day-to-day life on campus. “Whenever people find out we’re twins, one of the first things they ask is if we dorm together, and they’re usually surprised when we say yes,” Odedeji said. “People
Now living in Cougar Place, Zhou emphasizes the benefit of living on campus. She continues to live on campus rather than commuting because of the connection with her peers. “I felt living on campus made me feel more in touch with the campus itself in my freshman year especially,” Zhou said. “It is relatively easy to feel separate from the University, since it is a commuter campus, but I feel a lot more spirit and connection with peers in my housing experience.” Being in walking distance from her living space to campus makes every day life easier and uncomplicated. “I feel like being able to live on campus makes things so much easier since I do not have to coordinate the logistics of walking, traffic, buffer, or parking when planning to do an event on campus,” Zhou said.
Once, she even found unfamiliar hair on her own bathroom floor. “Someone’s hair products became grime that was attached to the shower floor,” Espejo said. “I was taking a shower after a long shift, which had maybe been cleaned once in the whole semester. I did not dare step onto any surface barefoot.” The tension hit an unsettling turn when one evening, Espejo stepped out of the shower and heard a commotion outside. Upon opening the door, she encountered an unfamiliar face: a friend of her
exactly who you are living with. “I didn’t have to worry about getting a random roommate or learning how to live with someone I had never met before,” Odedeji said. “Of course we still get annoyed with each other sometimes, but it has made my college experience better.”
On-campus bubble The housing lottery can also bring unexpected good luck. Random assignments can yield reliable friends. Psychology sophomore Annie Zhou lived in Cougar Village One, sharing a room with a friend, but she also had two random suite mates. “My suite mates were very considerate of each other and myself, sometimes we would study or go eat together outside of the dorm,” Zhou said. “Several times, my suite mates have woken me up for an exam when I have overslept, so I must say I appreciate them.”
Messes, magic Students with packed schedules rarely see their bed or their roommates. For sophomore psychology Valentina Espejo, balancing her work schedule often meant leaving her room at seven a.m and returning near midnight. “Usually, my roommate would not be there, but it would be three in the morning and I’d hear people inside my dorm,” Espejo said. “Other times, I would come back and see clothes and dirty laundry all over the floor. I could brush it off because I barely saw her so I could not care less.” But the thought of a stranger in her room without her knowledge spooked Espejo.
suitemates. “I open the door to a girl who projectile pukes onto the floor, getting a little of it onto my feet. She was far past drunk,” Espejo said. Despite the chaos, Espejo experienced the unexpected joys of community living. Despite rarely seeing her suitemates, the shared space underwent a festive transformation during the holiday season. “I never got the chance to bond with my suitemates, but magical things still happened,” Espejo said. “They took it upon themselves to decorate the space. I saw our ceiling covered in Christmas lights and a small tree. It might have been grimy, but my freshman dorm experience had a little bit of it all.” news@thedailycougar.com Graphics by: Arneia Delos Reyes, Lily Huynh, Kayla Tran
14 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
opinion
NASHLY RAMIREZ Opinion Editor @thedailycougar
PRESS
Protecting democracy starts with protecting the press security concerns. Trump, however, did not identify specific falsehoods in the announcement to substantiate those accusations. As for negativity, it doesn’t matter whether the information is unfavorable; what matters is that Americans know what’s going on with their government. Journalists’ role isn’t to tell Americans what to think, but to provide information that allows the public to reach its own conclusions. There’s this misconception that news outlets are trying to sabotage the government and sway political thoughts, but that’s not true. They are reporting on these matters to hold the government accountable.
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
KELSEY WILLIAMSON
WEB EDITOR @KELSEY_WILLIAMSON_
A functioning democracy depends on a public that knows what its government is doing. The U.S. Constitution protects several fundamental rights, including freedom of the press, which allows journalists to report on those in power and keep Americans informed. Restricting news organizations because of unfavorable coverage threatens that role and, ultimately, the public’s ability to stay informed. News coverage isn’t always going to be positive. If a news story makes you angry
or uncomfortable, that doesn’t necessarily mean the journalist failed at their job. The news isn’t supposed to be fun and games; part of its role is to hold the government accountable and expose potential wrongdoing.
Bad press isn’t a crime That role has recently come into question after President Donald Trump barred certain news organizations from the White House. CNN, MS NOW and Politico were all part of that group. Trump accused the outlets of spreading lies and publishing negative coverage, while his administration has also cited national
A dangerous precedent The press must be protected. The United States prides itself on being a free country, and journalists’ ability to report without government retaliation is vital to maintaining that freedom. CNN, Politico and MS NOW have since filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for their actions. Their access to the White House has been temporarily reinstated while the legal battle proceeds. Although this is the case, Trump’s actions are still a direct threat to all media outlets. Other news organizations also
supported the outlets’ challenge through an amicus brief. If access can be restricted because an administration dislikes an outlet’s coverage, the concern extends far beyond these three organizations. Journalism is essential to a functioning democracy. It shouldn’t be taken for granted or threatened. Only 13 percent of the world is granted a free press. This freedom allows citizens to take in different viewpoints and learn about all the nuances this country has to offer. Throughout U.S. history, journalists have uncovered information that governments and public officials might otherwise have preferred to keep from public view. If governments can decide which journalists deserve access based on whether they approve of their coverage, who gets to hold those governments accountable? Journalism is critical to a functioning democracy because reporters give Americans the information needed to hold those in power accountable. A government should not get to decide which journalists deserve access based on whether it likes their coverage. If freedom of the press means anything, we must protect the press. opinion@thedailycougar.com
YOUTH CULTURE
What happened to tween culture and growing up? HARLEM GILBERT
STAFF WRITER @ HARLEMRENAISSSANCE
The transition from childhood to adolescence has become increasingly abrupt. The disappearance of tween culture, a space created for those between childhood and adolescence, typically ages nine to 12, has become increasingly noticeable. Tweens of the past had a section of pop culture meant just for them, giving them space to outgrow PBS Kids without having to dive straight into something like “Breaking Bad.” Unfortunately, today’s tweens no longer have the same space. They face a choice between being a kid for too long and growing up too fast. But what happened to tween culture, and why does losing a space specifically made for this age group matter?
What made up tween culture? Tween culture was unique in that its themes were liminal, just like the age group it represents. The group’s initial recognition as a distinct demographic was largely driven by marketing, as industries began to recognize tweens as a separate consumer group. Media targeted at tweens took realistic
issues they might face and turned them into plotlines without watering them down completely. Popular shows like “Degrassi,” “That’s So Raven” and “Lizzie McGuire” featured relatable characters learning life lessons and growing into themselves, much like tweens do in real life. Tween fashion drew heavily from the clothes worn in these television shows. Stores like Hot Topic, Claire’s and Justice also became associated with tween fashion. Music aimed at this age group was often pop-oriented and featured little to no profanity. R&B-leaning groups like OMG Girlz and Mindless Behavior also appealed to tween audiences. Online games and platforms like Club Penguin, GirlsGoGames and, later, Minecraft and Roblox were also prevalent in tween culture.
What caused the decline? Several factors contributed to the decline of tween culture, including the rise of streaming and social media. Television was once at the forefront of tween culture, but streaming has shifted toward more mature themes, leaving fewer shows specifically targeted toward tweens. Creating content that balances mature themes with age-appropriate storytelling can be difficult, causing production
Saul Sanchez/The Cougar
companies to shy away from the liminality of tweenhood. Social media hasn’t helped either. Children are gaining access to it at younger ages, potentially exposing them to lifestyle and beauty content intended for older audiences. When tween culture was at its peak, a 13-year-old imitating Lizzie McGuire wasn’t much of a concern because Lizzie herself was 13. Imitating 26-year-old Alix Earle is different, giving tweens an adult lifestyle to imitate rather than someone their age to relate to.
Why does it matter? Young people deserve spaces made specifically for them, especially during childhood. Without spaces designed for tweens, they can feel pressured to move directly from children’s media to content created for teenagers and adults. Tweens deserve the chance to grow into themselves at their own pace without feeling pressured to grow up too quickly. Bringing back tween culture could give them something increasingly difficult to find online: permission to simply be their age. opinion@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 15
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LIVE. LEARN. THRIVE. LUXURY STUDENT LIVING MUSIC
Separating art from the artist: Music is always political RION LOMAX
STAFF WRITER @RION.CHARLOTTE08
Olivia Rodrigo’s charity single release “Serena Joy,” and Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour following political statements onstage beg the question: Is it possible to appreciate an artist’s work while disregarding its implications and the artist’s views? In a nation where “cancel culture” has become the norm, drawing the line between the artist and the art becomes a gray area. Throughout history, music has been a crucial part of pop culture and social movements. Musicians can use their art to spread ideas through a language that reaches audiences around the world: music.
Using their platform Macklemore was set to perform at eight of Ed Sheeran’s remaining U.S. shows but was dropped from the tour after several venues threatened to cancel their shows if he remained in the lineup. This occurred following the rapper’s “Free Palestine” statements and his performance of the protest song “Hind’s Hall” regarding the war in Gaza. According to Rolling Stone, Macklemore said that part of the reason he wanted to do this tour was to speak up about this
issue on a larger scale. Macklemore said Sheeran “couldn’t get past his publicfacing, ‘I don’t take sides.’” Following backlash from other artists and social media users, Sheeran addressed the issue, saying that he could no longer separate his musical career from his political views. When it comes to war and devastation, refusing to “pick a side” perpetuates the issue by failing to bring it to light. Artists with large platforms should use their voices to bring attention to important causes rather than completely disconnecting their politics from their public personas.
The art of political expression Artists often use their work as a form of protest and free speech. Olivia Rodrigo’s latest single “Serena Joy” gave her an outlet to express her political views. Inspired by Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Serena Joy” focuses on complicity in systems that restrict others’ freedoms, echoing Rodrigo’s lyric, “If they do it to them, they’ll do it to you.” Her popularity gives the song a wide reach, bringing attention to political concerns affecting women in the U.S. Music has long reflected the political state of the world. Artists have addressed issues ranging from the civil rights movement to apartheid, including Artists
Hailey Nguyen/The Cougar
United Against Apartheid’s 1985 song “Sun City.” The 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair similarly became associated with peace and opposition to the Vietnam War.
When music meets politics Politics and music have always been connected. Artists can harness their skills and platforms to spread political awareness on a larger scale. Of course, listeners do not have to agree with every political stance an artist takes to enjoy their music. However, when artists intentionally use their songs and platforms to express those beliefs, completely separating the two becomes difficult. Their politics become
part of the message they choose to put into the world, whether audiences agree with it or not. The idea of “separating the art from the artist,” or disregarding an artist’s views in favor of their other, nonpolitical works, can draw attention away from the political issues artists intentionally address through their work. Ignoring these forms of political expression risks overlooking the issues artists are trying to bring into public conversation. Music is political. opinion@thedailycougar.com
16 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 GREEK LIFE
Cornell seven: Sexual assault victims deserve justice repercussions for their actions. This further reinforces the idea that they can do as they wish with little consequence.
Women deserve better
Lily Huynh/The Cougar
RION LOMAX
STAFF WRITER @RION.CHARLOTTE08
Last month, a former Cornell University student filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging that she was drugged and raped by seven members of the Chi Pi fraternity over a period of several hours in October of 2024. Following the assault, the unnamed ‘Jane Doe’ withdrew from Cornell; two of the involved men were expelled and the other five were suspended and allegedly offered the opportunity to mitigate punishment by writing essays.
Sexual assault on college campuses Though this incident has been covered extensively by the media, it’s essential to
remember that rape and sexual assault of college students, especially female students, have been glossed over for decades as a typical feature of “Greek life.” One in 5 women and one in 16 men experience some form of sexual assault in college. Research has found that men belonging to fraternities show a 62% higher likelihood of sexual aggression during their first two years after joining. The commonality of sexual violence on college campuses has led to it being decriminalized. These cases are taken lightly in the hope of protecting the futures of perpetrators who “made a mistake.” Despite the existence of campus sexual assault task forces, rapists who happen to be college students often avoid legal
Women are told their entire lives how they can avoid being sexually assaulted: how to defend themselves, who to surround themselves with and what to wear. This places the burden of sexual violence on them for not taking measures to prevent it. Meanwhile, this responsibility is seldom placed on the perpetrator and victims suffer the emotional and physical brunt of it. One of the men in the Cornell case allegedly sent a message in the fraternity’s group chat, suggesting that a woman was available for sex, advertising “free p*ssy”. Another member replied later that night asking, “Shop still open?” When these men looked at Jane Doe, they did not see a human being; they saw an object for their own pleasure and amusement. Taking something that does not belong to you does not make it “free.” As a female college student, I am afraid for myself. I am afraid for my friends. I am afraid for every woman out there who has ever been or sadly will ever be sexually assaulted — and there will be more. Interacting with Greek life no longer feels like a release from everyday stress and pressure, but a constant reminder of the risk of sexual violence and the
dangers we could face while simply trying to enjoy the college experience. Every interaction, every passerby that strikes up a conversation feels like it could take a turn for the worse at any moment.
Jane Doe’s bravery leaves an impact As this story gains attention on social media, it is important to remember that the case was only reopened two years later. The bravery and perseverance of Jane Doe and student journalists at The Cornell Daily Sun helped expose how sexual assault victims can be neglected by their universities. Countless college students have suffered sexual violence without having their stories told or receiving justice. Universities need to do more to prevent these acts and hold Greek organizations accountable. There is no point in a task force that protects the futures of the guilty while disregarding those of the innocent. As The Cornell Daily Sun said, “To Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar: We know who you are and we refuse to let you benefit from this university’s concealment.” opinion@thedailycougar.com
FOOTBALL
The biggest problem with UH football isn’t the fans KELSEY WILLIAMSON
WEB EDITOR @KELSEY_WILLIAMSON_
It is a rare occasion when we get to see TDECU Stadium completely packed. Turnout at UH football games isn’t exactly known for being the best. It looks especially bad when compared with larger Texas schools, such as Texas A&M and UT. However, comparing UH to other schools isn’t necessarily fair. There are many factors contributing to low attendance at football games. Between inconvenient game times, expensive parking, construction and an experience that can feel like more trouble than it’s worth, UH is asking fans to overcome a lot just to get inside the stadium.
The fan experience isn’t working UH administrators, athletic officials, coaches and players have recently pushed for more fans at games, with Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez promising greater emphasis on the fan experience. But where’s the emphasis? As someone who attended most games last year and both this year, I haven’t noticed much change. The student sections are pretty full; it’s the rest of the stadium that appears empty. UH is a commuter school, making
it inconvenient for students to return on weekends, especially once free student tickets sell out. Morning games don’t help either. The fan experience can start at 8 a.m. on a Saturday, meaning hours in the Texas heat. Later games tend to draw bigger crowds, giving fans time to tailgate and enjoy cooler conditions. If students find games inconvenient, imagine what the Houston community thinks. Lower-level tickets can get pricey, while TDECU Stadium’s steep upperlevel seating makes cheaper seats less appealing.
Getting there is half the battle The journey to get to the stadium is rough as well. Houston traffic is exhausting, and ongoing construction at UH makes campus even more difficult to navigate. Fans have to deal with the commute to campus only to arrive to dirt, detours and gated-off construction sites. Another problem for both students and other attendees is the parking situation. Although prices have decreased since last year, parking fees can still make attending a game unnecessarily expensive. Even students who pay for a semester parking permit still have to go through the hassle of finding a new lot and proving they have a pass when parking for a game.
Isabel Bustos/The Cougar
UH also closes down some of the parking lots, making it even more difficult to find an open spot. Low attendance doesn’t necessarily mean people don’t support UH or its football team. The problem is that attending a game comes with enough inconveniences to make staying home an easier choice. If UH wants a packed stadium, attending a game needs to feel exciting rather than exhausting. UH still struggles to attract the same level of support from the broader Houston community. When UH is compared with SEC programs or other Big 12 schools with packed stadiums, the difference is difficult
to ignore. Those games seem so exciting and the energy looks contagious. UH could have that as well, but going to the football games doesn’t feel like it’s worth it. If UH wants to improve turnout, administrators need to address the factors they can control that make attending games unnecessarily difficult. We have the potential to pack the stadium, and it’s happened before. Instead of simply asking fans to show up, UH needs to give the rest of Houston a reason to believe showing up is worth the hassle. opinion@thedailycougar.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 17
life and arts
Karen Wei News Editor @thedailycougar
UH unveils Statue of Four Lies time capsule after 16 years PATRICK SAMMON
SENIOR STAFF WRITER @PRSAMMON33
UH, along with artist Jack Massing, unveiled the time capsule at the Statue of Four Lies during a two-day event on Sept. 25 and 26. The event marked the 16th anniversary of the Statue of Four Lies’ installation by the Art Guys and with it, the reveal of a long-awaited time capsule sealed in the wall behind the statue. “We are revealing what the Art Guys left us in this capsule here that was installed in 2010,” said UH President Renu Khator. “I wasn’t too happy that I didn’t know what was in the capsule, but today I feel like it is so exciting that we get to reveal it and see what is inside.” The unveiling was hosted by UH and put together by the Public Art University of Houston System, with live music, free food for guests, a petting zoo and two inflatable slides named after the Houston art team, the Art Guys. The Art Guys, made up of the late Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing, both of whom are alumni and former educators at UH, were commissioned to create the statue. “It was conceived in 2009 and installed in 2010,” Massing said. “Today, we’re
Jack Massing, one of the 2 creators of the Statue of the Four Lies, opens up the time capsule and shows the time capsule instructions to the crowd at the Statue of Four Lies Time Capsule Reveal on September 26, 2026 at Houston, Texas. | Mikele Rodriguez/The Cougar
honoring the 100 years anniversary of the University of Houston, which is next year.” The statue’s lies are not to harm the viewer, but to open up different interpretations, according to Massing. “We like to use wit and humor to animate our work and then open it up for more questions,” Massing said. “Questions make people think, answers typically do not. They give you a final resolution when you get an answer.”
The statue has gained a reputation for students accessorizing it, much like a bronze statue or bronze painted man in the city inviting tourists. “That’s what was intended,” Massing said. “We took it off the pedestal and put it on the ground so that the students here could interact with us, and we can continue to perform for however long these are here.” Fittingly, the ceremony and time capsule
reveal contained plenty of wit and humor. Within the time capsule was a suitcase containing two pairs of underwear, one with the Tasmanian devil from “Looney Tunes”, the other a Krispy Kreme-themed pair of underwear. Also inside were some old socks and a combination of numbers with an unknown meaning as of now. While the crowd laughed at the reveal of the suitcase, they became shocked to find that there is, in fact, another time capsule inside of the time capsule, which will be revealed April 1, 2083. Although the Statue of Four Lies does lie about its original date’s significance and it even bends the truth on its full reveal, UH still sees this as the kick-off for centennial celebrations to come. “What better way to start your centennial than to come here,” Khator said. “We know we are going to have a birthday party in March, we know we are going to have our finale sometime in October and we know that there will be at least a dozen curated events to mark the centennial.” For now, the mystique of the statue remains. With a whole new mystery to the reveal set for 2083, the statue stands in Lynn Eusan Park, waiting for its next show. news@thedailycougar.com
18 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026
The Cougar: A glimpse through the decades
i The Cougar
thedailycougar.com
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF
Gauraangi Gupta MANAGING EDITOR
Anjali Martinez NEWS EDITOR
Karen Wei
SPORTS EDITOR
Micah Clay
OPINION EDITOR
Nashly Ramirez SENIOR STAFF WRITERS
April Badmus Maria Krylova Nanaki Matharu Patrick Sammon
PHOTO EDITOR
Gillian Wisniewski CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lily Huynh WEB EDITOR
Kelsey Williamson ASSISTANT EDITORS
Rahaf Ahmad Celene Boureslan Isabel Bustos Daniel Contreras Oscar Herrera Gia Mejia Yocelin Real Nina To David Soto Umniyah Alazzawi
ISSUE STAFF CLOSING EDITORS
Gauraangi Gupta Anjali Martinez
COVER
Lily Huynh Matthew Guzman Nina To
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 19
Structures of Feeling: Artist AJ Ogden finds beauty in Houston highways FATIMA KA
NEWS WRITER @FATE.006
Art senior AJ Ogden is exhibiting mixed-media artwork about Houston’s highways, particularly I-45, at the Third Space Gallery to explore how these massive structures shape the city and its residents. For most Houston residents and UH students, Interstate 45 is simply a background to the daily commute: a stretch of concrete to travel through on the way to somewhere else. For Ogden, it is something worth stopping to explore. Ogden uses a combination of painting, photography, drawing and printmaking. Through her work, she examines the physical structures surrounding the city and asks viewers to reconsider the role these structures play in shaping communities and environments around them. Ogden’s exhibition alternates between black-and-white photography, handmade prints and other works created from reclaimed materials. The arrangement of the gallery is intentional: one side features silver gelatin photographs, while the other contains colorful, vibrant handmade work. Ogden described the black-and-white photographs as a kind of research phase, with the ideas becoming more elaborate as visitors move through the exhibit. “I think the introduction of color can come as an intimidation thing for a lot of artists,” Ogden said. “So, sometimes when you’re trying to figure out a concept, you start with values and then you kind of elaborate once
you have those figured out.” One side of the exhibits features primarily silver gelatin photographs produced in the University’s darkroom. Silver Gelatin is a black-and-white photographic printing process that uses silver suspended in gelatin to create a light-reactive image. The use of photography is especially significant to Ogden, who has painted for years but rejects the idea that painting and photography exist in opposition to each other. “I’ve been painting for a long time, and I think a lot of painters define painting in opposition to photography,” Ogden said. “But I think painting benefits so much from photography. The relationship between the camera and painting as a discipline, it’s a lot longer and deeper than people give it credit for. ” Ogden also uses reclaimed materials to create prints depicting Houston’s highways. Some of the works are made from discarded packaging, including soda boxes and material from Kolache Factory. The choice of materials is tied to the subject itself. Highways are massive, permanent structures, but the experience of traveling along them can feel temporary and disposable, Ogden said. The prints use intaglio techniques, in which an image is carved into a surface and ink is applied to the recessed areas. By using discarded packaging as the printing surface, Ogden creates a contrast between the scale of highways and the disposable materials often littered around them. Ogden said the highways represent
“moments of your day that you’re not really paying attention to.” “When you’re on the highway, you’re trying to get past that part so that you can get to living,” Ogden said. Anthropology and archaeology have also influenced Ogden’s approach to the work. The title of her exhibit, Structures of Feeling, was coined by literary theorist Raymond Williams to describe the cultural complexities which artists take inspiration from. Anthropology, Ogden says, provides a way to examine how people experience and understand the world, while archaeology allows us to view material remains of a culture and assess their values. That perspective led Ogden to consider highways as a form of contemporary material culture. As an archaeology student, Ogden became accustomed to looking at the physical remains of past cultures and considering what those remains might reveal about the people who created them. Ogden found that the same approach is applicable to the highways that dominate modern Houston. “They are enormous objects that have a huge impact on the shape of our lives and where we can live, and they’re often under-discussed, even though they have that status,” Ogden said. “They have the ability to pave over neighborhoods and destroy them to make way for this.” Ogden said she finds it fascinating that despite the profound impact highways have on Houston residents, they are often treated as objects that should be ignored rather than
A student of the University of Houston inspects closely at the artworks within the “Structures of Feeling” art exhibition, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
examined. That recognition is at the center of Ogden’s work with Interstate 45. Instead of presenting the highway simply as an eyesore or a mundane piece of infrastructure, the exhibition asks viewers to consider its cultural significance and place in our daily lives “I think there is a perverse beauty in them,” Ogden said. “And, a beauty that comes with a forced familiarity.” news@thedailycougar.com
20 | Wednesday, October 7, 2026