Project Rise: Social-emotional program for immigrant families, children
CELENE BOURESLAN STAFF
WRITER
@CELENE_BOURESLAN
The Honors College teamed up with the Graduate College of Social Work to present their upcoming consumer service program, Project Rise.
Project Rise stands for Resilience, Identity, Support and Empowerment. It was founded by Honors students Brandon Than and Haley Romine.
“Rise is a social learning program that’s targeting the development of emotional awareness skills in children from immigrant families,” Than said.
The presentation featured panelists who
contributed to the development of the project.
Than was selected as a recipient of the 2025–26 Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, which provided funding for Project Rise, said attorney and senior lecturer in the Honors College Michelle Belco.
“The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston-Galveston’s goals of fostering healthier communities and empowering immigrants were a key factor in their incentive for creating the project,” Belco said.
ASFHG is a community service organization dedicated to providing resources and support to immigrant
communities in Houston and Galveston.
When Than and Romine were researching potential community partners, they met Executive Director of Casa Matao and UH alum Monica Holtkamp.
Holtkamp graduated from UH’s Graduate College of Social Work in 2013 and later joined ASFHG. During her time there, she explored what the concept of safety means for individuals experiencing displacement.
This led Holtkamp to establish Casa Mateo, a shelter for immigrant mothers and children who have experienced trauma.
“Migrant mothers wanted services that would help uplift their children,” Holtkamp said. “They wanted their children to go to school. They wanted their kids to get medical care, to be vaccinated — services that were not readily available to them in their countries.”
Holtkamp introduced the Honors students to the immigrant population she serves, and the three began daily meetings and site visits.
During these meetings, they met Graduate College of Social Work professor Jodi Berger Cardozo, who researches resilience-building in immigrant communities.
Honors College assistant professor Janet Lawler served as Than and Romine’s academic mentor, teaching them socialemotional learning techniques used to develop lesson plans aimed at improving communication skills among migrant children.
Than and Romine will now be bringing Cardozo and Lawler’s curriculum to Casa Mateo.
“The curriculum will be adopted into a three-month program,” Than said. “We are going to have engaging activities that will build resilience and communication skills.”
Before activities begin, mentors will conduct an emotional check-in, allowing students to express their emotions for the day.
The first activity will involve creating “appreciation stations,” where children move around the classroom and write compliments or letters of appreciation for their peers.
Next, students will be divided into groups and tasked with solving riddles and clues around the Casa Mateo building to uncover a secret treasure.
Finally, students will be given a ball of yarn and read a series of prompts. If a statement applies to them, they will toss the yarn to another person, creating a visual web of shared experiences.
“Our goals are to build trust and connection, and for children to practice empathy and kindness toward their peers,” Romine said.
After participating in the activities, students will have a five-minute journaling session to reflect on their experiences. The program is set to begin soon, sometime in 2026, said Than and Romine. news@thedailycougar.com
From New Orleans to UH, Stagni brings a student-first vision to the Student Centers
KAREN WEI
FEATURE STAFF WRITER
@KAREN_FEIWEI
Rob Stagni, who hails from New Orleans, will serve as the new Executive Director of the Student Centers.
“When I was selected for this position, I did a little dance in my living room and just knew that there was some great opportunity here to impact more students,” Stagni said. “I’m humbled. I’m excited. I’m already in awe of the team we have here.”
Although Stagni’s roots are in
Louisiana, he attended Texas A&M as an undergraduate, where he remembers encountering a “whole new way of living”.
“A&M was very important for me, being a young adult and being on my own for the first time growing up,” Stagni said. “College Station is a unique place, and that firsttime freedom for someone who’s 18 years old and goes off to college, it’s a learning experience, and hopefully it’s a positive learning experience. For me, it was pretty darn good.”
Although Stagni initially studied accounting, it wasn’t until he was pursuing a master’s in higher education and student affairs at Indiana University that he felt true clarity.
“Higher ed is one of those fields where people say they’re called to those things,” Stagni said. “My experience as an undergrad working in the student center at Texas A&M, knowing advisors, being involved in student organizations, that’s when I kind of found my calling there. Then eventually I realized, oh wait, this is a full-time adult job too.”
Stagni eventually earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education from the University of Arkansas and served as the Director of the Arkansas Union, where he focused on renovating the facilities to support a growing student population.
“We didn’t build a whole new wing or anything like that, but we took a lot of the existing space and realized, you know what? This really doesn’t serve students anymore,” Stagni said. “How do we change this, update this, make it look a little brighter, a little nicer, but also serve a better function for people?”
Regardless of the specific project in question, though, Stagni said his goal is the same: to make things feel open, bright, and welcoming for students.
“Third spaces are critical in building community, and if you have a community, then you are more likely to feel like you belong,” Stagni said. “This idea that we are all in this together. Even though we are 40-some-odd thousand students with unique goals, needs, wants and paths, there is this central thing, us all being here at the university, that brings us together.”
In his first two weeks in his new role, Stagni attended a conference with the Big 12 union directors and has been busy with the transition process.
“The team has thrown me right into the mix of things, which of course I appreciate,” Stagni said. “I still don’t even know all the things that I need to learn or make enough lists of those, but everyone’s been so welcoming, happy to explain things to me.”
As Executive Director, Stagni will draw on his experience to provide leadership and strategic direction for Student Center North and Student Center South.
“Stagni has a proven record of accomplishment of building collaborative teams, managing complex facilities, and creating inclusive, student-focused environments,” said assistant vice president for Student Affairs – Student Life Keith Kowalka. “His passion for student engagement and community building aligns perfectly with our division’s mission and the vital role the Student Centers play in the daily life of our campus.”
Ultimately, Stagni’s passion for education is centered on the idea of working “in the now, for the future”.
“All these interactions that we’re having with the students, these experiences we’re providing, the resources that we’re connecting them with, yes, hopefully it impacts them now,” Stagni said. “But really, hopefully they are learning things for the future. It’s a mindset that requires you to put a lot of effort in with folks right now and just know that down the line, if you’ve done the job right, then we’re supposed to be creating a better world here.”
news@thedailycougar.com
Houston Honors College hosts panelists speaking on healing in immigrant communities, Nov. 4, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
University of Houston Executive Director of the Student Centers Rob Stagni poses for a portrait, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar
Robbery leaves students uneasy despite return to normalcy
KAREN
WEI
STAFF WRITER
FEATURE
@KAREN_FEIWEI
Campus life has resumed its typical rapid pace following the weeks since the armed robbery at the TDECU branch in Student Center South.
While the robbery didn’t result in any injuries or damage, the shock and fear of potential violence remains.
“It’s crazy that someone would rob a bank in broad daylight,” said computer information systems senior Alek Anthony Espinosa. “We didn’t know about it until after it happened, so it’s crazy. Every day just keeps getting crazier and crazier.” Espinosa works at the Student Center South and said no one noticed the suspect, who still remains at large.
“We didn’t hear anything at all,” Espinosa said. “There was no one running out. It was just like a regular day, and then one of the workers came from TDECU and mentioned that a robbery just happened.”
Three days after the robbery, vice chancellor and vice president for student affairs Paul Kittle sent an email to
students about efforts to enhance campus safety, including plans to expand the UH Police Department presence by adding a central substation near the Welcome Center.
However, some students still remain concerned for their safety considering this isn’t the first crime on campus this year.
“Maybe they’re not doing enough because something like this can just happen,” said nutrition science sophomore Nicole Felecle. “I don’t know if we’re taking the right measures, securitywise. That shouldn’t happen in the middle of the day.”
Felecle said she relies on pepper spray and phone calls while walking at night and lowers her headphone’s volume to stay alert.
“You really just don’t know what can happen, especially because we’re in the middle of downtown and not in a very nice area,” Felecle said.
For computer science junior Daniel Hernandez, who transferred to UH from Lone Star Community College, hearing
about the robbery was a shock.
“It was pretty jarring to see that email come through,” Hernandez said. “I was in disbelief. I’ve never heard of anything like that in my small community college.”
UHPD launched an investigation with the FBI following the incident.
“When the incident occurred, certainly we were concerned and we took immediate action to assess,” said TDECU senior vice president of marketing and brand Laura Whitley. “We ceased operations, closed down the branch for the day, and we checked on the welfare of our employees. Thankfully, everybody was unharmed and there were no customers in the branch at the time.”
Espinosa has returned to work but he’s hesitant to let his guard down.
“People have been robbing scooters, and then people have been going missing lately,” Espinosa said. “Now this robbery, I don’t know. Sometimes I have a little bit of fear. What if someone just goes up to me while I’m working at the Student Center and harms me or something?”
Felecle said coming to the Student Center South now feels “off-putting,” but she believes students won’t stay silent about their concerns.
“Especially at our school, when students are very passionate about something, the students will talk about it,” Felecle said. “You see the protesting and people advocating for things.”
While some students felt uneasy, there were students who felt the incident didn’t change how they feel about the campus.
“It didn’t affect me,” said history freshman John Unal. “No one was hurt, so I wasn’t concerned or put off by it. But I’m pretty sure a lot of other students are.” news@thedailycougar.com
Women and Gender Resource Center transitioning to new ‘Parent and Family Office’ CAMPUS
WENDOLEE T. GARCIA MARTINEZ
NEWS EDITOR
@WENDOLEEGARCIAMTZ
The Women and Gender Resource Center will be consolidated as part of a major reorganization that brings its services under a new office, the ‘Cougar Parent and Family Engagement Office.’
The transition will merge existing programs supporting student parents and
family engagement while still preserving all services currently offered by the WGRC. According to the University, no services are being eliminated. Support, including Title IX confidential advocacy, sexual misconduct services and sexual violence prevention education, will now continue under the Dean of Students Office.
The new facility will be in charge of
University-wide family programming, such as Family Weekend, the Cougar Family Connect portal and resources for student parents, in alignment with state law.
“The goal is to bring greater visibility and coordination to services and improve access and outcomes for students facing additional challenges outside the classroom,” said a University spokesperson.
The office will operate out of the current WGRC location in Student Center South, room B12.
UH officials noted that the reorganization has been in development for approximately five years. UH aims to simplify support, improve outcomes for student parents and enhance its commitment to holistic student success.
The reorganization began well before the passage of recent state legislation and is not connected to Senate Bill 17 or any related compliance requirements, according to information reviewed by The Cougar
During the transition, the WGRC website has been temporarily redirected. The new website is expected to launch during Spring 2026.
news@thedailycougar.com
GREEK
LIFE
Pi Kappa Phi’s UH chapter is shut down following hazing allegations
GAURAANGI GUPTA
MANAGING EDITOR
@GAURAANGI GUPTA
The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at UH has officially been closed by its national headquarters as of Nov. 14. This decision came after an investigation of alleged violations of the fraternity’s risk management policy and standards of conduct and findings of hazing.
The reported conduct includes physical abuse, forced consumption and public humiliation. A non-UH student was hospitalized on Nov. 3 following alleged hazing activities and has since been released.
“The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” said the University through an official statement. “While only a small group of students are alleged to be involved, the University does not tolerate hazing in any form.”
The University was informed by the national headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi of the incident on Nov. 6 and UH began its own investigation immediately. At the same time, the fraternity was placed on interim suspension by its national governing body on Nov. 6 before its ultimate closure on Nov. 14.
All fraternities operate under charters issued by their national headquarters and only the national organization can revoke a chapter’s charter.
“We commend Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters for promptly investigating the allegations, placing the chapter on interim suspension, notifying the University and taking decisive action leading to closure of the chapter,” the University said.
The investigation includes the Student Code of Conduct into both the organization as well as the individuals involved, along with a criminal investigation by UHPD.
“Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges,” UH said.
As of now, the University is providing outreach and support to impacted students, including mental health and academic resources.
“UH is committed to cultivating a campus culture based on respect, dignity and accountability,” the University said. “UH is actively connecting with students affected by these incidents to ensure they have access to support services, including counseling, academic assistance and housing resources.”
To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigations and compliance with student privacy laws, UH declined to make any further comments.
news@thedailycougar.com
Women and Gender Resource Center awaits consolidation, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
| Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
Students react to TDECU robbery on campus, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
BASKETBALL
sports Blueprint for dominance: Sampson’s culture meets five-star freshmen class
ASHTON GRISSOM SENIOR STAFF WRITER
@ASHTONGRISSOM8
Houston men's basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson, has established a winning culture at the University of Houston by demanding excellence and nonstop effort from his players.
Sampson recorded his 800th career win in the Cougars' 75-57 victory in the season opener against Lehigh, cementing himself as one of the best coaches in college basketball history.
“If you win 800 games, three things: you have to be pretty good, you’ve got to have withstood a lot of potholes and adversity and then you have to have a great staff and players,” Sampson said. “No matter what had happened across those journeys, I am grateful for all of them. The good and the bad.”
The veteran coach joined a Houston team that was a mid-tier program in the American Athletic Conference back in 2014, aiming to return to the elite level they had previously achieved in the Phi Slama Jama era.
Since his first year as head coach, he has completely rebuilt the program in his own way and instilled a winning culture that is recognized throughout college basketball.
“I think what Kelvin has been able to do here is remarkable,” ESPN analyst Jay Williams said. “When I watch sustained excellence over his time period here, that needs to be appreciated.”
Why Houston still thrives
In a new era of college basketball where rules and regulations are consistently changing, Sampson’s ability to adapt is what keeps the Cougars competitive every season. Houston now enters another year where talent is at an all-time high in Division I basketball due to NIL and the transfer portal.
The Big 12 Conference is also loaded with solid teams, with Houston, Arizona, BYU, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Kansas all ranked in the AP Top-25 after the second week of college basketball.
The Cougars' path back to the NCAA Championship game will be challenging without four key contributors from last season: J’Wan Roberts, L.J. Cryer, Ja’Vier Francis and Mylik Wilson.
Adapting to the game
In response, Houston landed the No. 3 overall 2025 recruiting class, per 247 Sports, and completely reloaded its roster.
The last freshman phenom to play significant minutes under Sampson was former forward Jarace Walker, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA.
Walker was a 6-foot-8 forward who could shoot, and he was a rare case where a true freshman consistently started under Sampson.
With an influx of young talent, Sampson has been forced to adapt, and a class of talented freshmen is vital to the team’s success.
The recruits
Freshman center Chris Cenac Jr. was a five-star recruit coming out of Link Academy in Missouri, and he was the No. 1 center in the class.
The projected 2026 NBA Draft lottery pick is coming off his best game in the Cougars’ 73-72 victory over the No. 22 Auburn Tigers, where he finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.
“Cenac Jr. has a comp in Jarace Walker,” Sampson said.
That is a bold claim that shows Sampson’s confidence in the young center, considering Walker is one of the most talented players in Houston history.
However, with his talent and work ethic, nothing is impossible for Cenac Jr., who has high expectations for himself.
“I want Big 12 Freshman of the Year, National Player of the Year and some defensive accolades,” Cenac Jr. said. “I want to show NBA teams I buy into defense. Any accolade that’s out there, I’m coming for it.”
This season, he averages 10.8 points and nine rebounds a game, and he is one of the top freshman prospects in all of college basketball.
“[Houston] has one kid who is going to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft,” former NBA champion Andre Iguodala said on a livestream. “His name is Chris Cenac.”
Freshman guard Kingston Flemings was also a five-star recruit out of Brennan High School in San Antonio, Texas.
With Flemings getting minimal national recognition compared to similar prospects, he has made a name for himself early this season, and he was named the Big 12 Player of the Week.
On national television, Flemings led Houston past the Tigers with a 22-point performance and added seven assists and five rebounds to his final stat line.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein went as far as to say, “Kingston Flemings. Buy Stock Now,” on X after Flemings’ breakout performance.
Flemings is following in the footsteps of Houston’s great point guards, and he is emerging as one of the top scorers in the entire country.
Freshman guard Isiah Harwell was the final five-star recruit in Houston’s 2025 class, and he attended Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.
He is known for his shooting and was ranked as the No. 4 shooting guard in his class and No. 16 player nationally.
Still recovering from a nagging knee injury,
Harwell has emerged as the sixth man for the Cougars.
He is a scoring threat from behind the arc, and he played a season-high 21 minutes against Auburn on Sunday afternoon.
Freshman guard Bryce Jackson rounds out Houston’s 2025 recruiting class, and he was a top recruit before suffering a serious leg injury early in his career at Shadow Creek High School. The Houston native sat out a significant portion of his high school career due to injury recovery, and he is expected to redshirt this season.
Making a name for themselves
Houston’s freshmen have been a big reason for the Cougars’ success this season, and people are noticing.
“Maybe the Cougars’ freshmen are going to be ready for the big time a little earlier than we initially thought,” Rothstein wrote.
Overall, Sampson has established a new standard at the University of Houston, which has contributed to the program’s sustained success.
The Cougars’ coaching staff has once again built a team ready to compete in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, even with freshmen helping lead the charge. Houston’s recent dominance is no fluke, and Sampson’s blueprint for how to be competitive in Division I basketball has worked and shouldn’t be overlooked.
“I think success and dominance are two different things,” Williams said. “Think about what we were talking about in the SEC. We were talking about teams that finish 7-10 in the SEC that can make the tournament… but you can have a marginal year numberwise and it still be a successful year, but this is dominance. That is a different word than success.”
news@thedailycougar.com
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson recieves his 800 career win ball after beating Lehigh, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar
opinion
Power of persistence in protesting: Why staying committed matters
ALAN ZAMORA SENIOR STAFF WRITER
“Does this change anything?”
That question constantly repeats itself in the minds of people who both critique and participate in protests.
The expectations of protests are often laid out in plain bold text, yet these hopes are rarely accomplished. This does not mean protesting is a worthless pursuit. Instead, it should be perceived as a marathon, not a race.
For example, the successful Civil Rights Movement started in the 1950s, but the protest for civil rights has been in action for as long as African Americans have been subjugated.
The lack of immediate change should never discourage those who protest for a cause they feel strongly about. It should embolden them to pursue progress and put forth effort constantly, or they might never reach that goal.
Progress is gradual
Many people often scoff at the demands of protestors, critiquing the impracticality of their efforts or demands.
Most recently, the pro-Palestine protests across American universities have often been slighted by critics as protest that are more demonstrative than pragmatic. I digress on those opinions, as while their demands have often not been met, they have made great strides in moving public sentiment towards their cause. Sympathy
for Palestinians in the American populace has reached an all-time high.
In addition, the recent election of Zohran Mamdani shows that a part of the American electorate is more than happy to vote for politicians who are vocal critics of Israel’s actions.
The criticism that protests are often pointless is an argument meant to squash any form of criticism toward the cause. America is a democratic republic, and garnering support for your cause is precedent in enacting real change.
Protests that were once thought of as pointless, such as the fight for gay marriage, have become proof of a successful movement. Just 27% of people supported legalized gay marriage in the 90s, and in the brief two decades since, it has risen to a majority 69%.
In a society that can often laugh in the face of protests that do not have broad support, this brings hope to movements, however unpopular and however small.
A time of detachment
In a country where an endless number of protests occur every year, it’s easy for activism to fall on deaf ears. Every day demands and widespread indifference often drown out the voices calling for change.
The rise of the internet has been instrumental in spreading awareness. However, it also numbs the minds of people when it comes to events and protests.
This is a worrying fact, but it is not
the be-all and end-all in protesting as a successful endeavor. Disruptive and economical protests often yield results, regardless of the size of the population involved.
Economic boycotts are often the most powerful tool, with a low threshold for the number of people required to work. Corporations are risk-averse as they have obligations to shareholders and are tied to their brand perception.
The threat of revenue loss is a frightening prospect for companies, often rushing them into attempting to rectify the situation. Numerous examples of this have been observed, such as an overhaul of Sonic the Hedgehog’s design for a movie and Chick-fil-A divesting from many antiLBGTQ organizations.
Disruptive protesting tactics have many
doubters in their effectiveness, but it is undeniable that they create conversation and debate. These protests are meant to cause chaos, impacting both everyday people and those in power.
When there is a disruption from the status quo, it significantly impacts people who benefit from it the most. When there is a disruptive protest, it can harm business profits, such as road blockage and sit-ins, therefore making it a topic of precedent. Fighting for a cause is built upon.
Just because you might fall short of your expectations does not mean your endeavor should end. A successful protest is an everlasting and continuous movement towards progress, forever inching towards an objective.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
‘You can’t want a village but not be a villager’: American culture creates lonely people
UMNIYAH
AL-AZZAWI STAFF WRITER
The other day, I was chatting with a mutual friend who did not grow up in the United States and only lives here during school semesters. They shared their experience of how lonely college has been in America and how this country lacks the community they have back home in the Middle East.
It has occurred to me before how different every student’s college experience is. Still, it wasn’t until this conversation that I realized the impact of coming from an international country has on your experience.
American independent culture causes loneliness
The U.S. glorifies independence and doing everything on one’s own. The goal for the average American is to be successful, whether that includes a community or not.
From a young age, Americans are taught that, at 18, it is time to be fully independent. Whether that means moving away for college or moving out, it is normalized to be on your own.
In contrast, in countries like the Middle East, most people live with their parents until they get married and start their own families.
Something that explains this well is called
Lily Hyunh/The Cougar
the ‘culture dimension theory’. According to this theory, it expands on two opposite points that each society sees as a norm. Individualism means people are independent and mainly care for themselves and their close family. In contrast, collectivism means people belong to close groups that protect and support each other in exchange for the safety of loyalty. Based on this idea, one would see America as a country that practices individualism and the Middle East as a region that practices collectivism. The cultural differences all lead back to a lack of community, also known as a lack of
selflessness.
Lack of social interaction
New York is known as the “city that never sleeps,” but what about the countries that actually never sleep?
Most restaurants, cafes and stores open and close at times that cater to the 9-5 job. On average, these places close around 8 to 9 p.m., if not earlier. Whereas countries in the Middle East, everyone is out and about until after midnight. The streets are filled with people laughing, talking and enjoying each other’s company.
Put that in perspective of young
college students living in America, and it becomes apparent that there are not many opportunities for us to build communities like there are in the Middle East.
Houston loneliness
UH is known as a commuter school. That being said, most students typically go straight home after their classes. If one isn’t rushing or involved with campus life, little to no socialization is happening.
Those who grew up in Houston have family and friends already made outside of college. However, coming from a different state or even country, all you can rely on for community is other students.
When that said, "community’"consists of individuals who don’t care to linger on campus or interact with others, it becomes much harder to form connections.
Many students express that they feel lonely attending a commuter school. The lack of social interactions and community can lead to depression as feelings of isolation arise.
The idea that you have to make it on your own is toxic. You can’t expect to have a community if you never put in the effort to have one.
As the viral saying goes, “You can’t want a village but not be a villager.”
opinion@thedailycougar.com
Safiyya Lambert/The Cougar
life and arts
More than a bar: Coogs find food, friends, fate at The Den
GAURAANGI GUPTA MANAGING EDITOR
@GAURAANGIGUPTA
The Den has long been a favorite hangout spot for many UH students, both current and alumni. However, what many visitors don’t realize is that this beloved bar is nearly 18 years old, making it as old as many of the students who stop by.
The beginning
Initially, the bar was not open to visitors under 21. It was the current owner and manager of The Den, Ben Pannell, who opened it up for everyone.
“This decision to me added more to the campus atmosphere, because, you know, most of the students here aren’t even 21,” Pannell said. “You want to give them an opportunity to come in and have the college experience.”
Pannell isn’t the original owner of the bar and took over in 2016.
“This opportunity kind of fell on my lap, and I thought it would be great. I saw a lot of potential,” he said. “When I saw UH, I thought the school was definitely up and coming and going to be something big, which it has. It’s been amazing to watch it transform.”
Transformation to today’s Den, Pannell’s recommendations
Pannell has been transforming The Den to improve the college life experience for each student.
Be it the atmosphere or the menu, Pannell always wanted The Den to be more than just a bar spot.
CAMPUS
Pannell recommends trying out the 0-4-4 Sandwich at least once at The Den, as it’s their most famous item on the menu. .
He also recommended trying out the Cherry Limeade, the bar’s signature drink.
Safety measures
However, apart from providing food and drink options, Pannell’s main focus is to provide a safe space for students to experience college life.
“Everybody in here, I kind of picture them being my son or daughter. I want them to be safe and to have fun responsibly,” Pannell said. “In a lot of cases, we’re the first bar experience for students. I want that first experience to be something that they remember and also give them a safe place.”
Alumni connection, fate stories
Often, visitors can see alumni coming back to The Den every now and then.
When alumni come back, they have good memories. They feel nostalgic and like coming back over and over again, Pannell said.
Pannell’s goal of making The Den feel more than a bar probably worked because he even mentioned a few incidents where people met at the bar and ended up getting married.
“I’ve been to three weddings of people that met here at The Den,” he said. “There’s another one that comes to my mind, where the guy came in here and he met his wife. He was a student and she was a bartender here.”
The couple is now married with two kids. He talked about more incidents that led to people finding their fate because of The Den.
“I’m sure there are more such incidents where people met at The Den and are now together,” Pannell said.
The force behind The Den
Regular visitors know all the servers working at The Den and can agree that each person behind the bar always has a smile on.
Most servers have been with the bar for a really long time.
“That’s one thing I’m the most proud of, that my employees seem to stay a really long time,” Pannell said. “But I firmly believe in treating everybody the same and treating everybody the way I’d want to be treated. The results are, they stay a long time.”
Being in their positions as a server and bartender before, Pannell understands that their job isn’t easy and requires a lot of skills.
New additions
While Pannell has no recent plans to expand The Den, the plans for introducing
more items on the menu are underway.
Pannell wants to introduce more budgetfriendly eating options for students.
“I hate how expensive things have gotten and that I’ve had to raise prices on a lot of stuff,” he said. “So I’m designing a new menu and coming up with a budget menu, where we can focus on college students who are on a budget.”
While the bar won’t get rid of the staple items, they are planning to introduce concepts like happy hour or a late-night budget menu, which would provide good food items for less.
The Den launches The Daily Cougar With new additions coming to the menu, The Den and The Cougar have collaborated to release a limited edition cocktail called “The Daily Cougar” that will be available starting Nov. 17 and throughout spring 2026. news@thedailycougar.com
Alternative grad photo spots while iconic spots are under construction
GAURAANGI GUPTA
MANAGING EDITOR
@GAURAANGIGUPTA
UH’s $43 million Centennial project has started to redesign key areas of campus in light of the University’s 100th anniversary. However, the ongoing beautification leaves soon-to-be graduates worried about their graduation pictures, as iconic spots like the Cullen Fountains are now under construction.
Fortunately for Coogs, the campus has a lot to offer. While some iconic spots are
temporarily unavailable, many are still open.
The UH mural at the Welcome Center
The interlocking UH mural is one of the best spots for Coogs to get their pictures.
The bright red tiles serve as a great backup for close-up shots and act as a subtle nod to the official UH colors.
RAD Center
All Coogs absolutely adore the Cougar statues. Originally, the statues were housed behind the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building and
were a must for any graduate photoshoot.
Because of recent construction, they have now been moved in front of the Retail, Auxiliary and Dining Center. The good news is that Coogs can still get their pictures with the statue.
MD Anderson Library
The campus has another fountain in front of the library that can serve as a temporary substitute.
While it’s not as big as the Cullen Fountains, it still provides a beautiful background with the green lawn area.
TDECU Stadium
The campus stadium has so many memories attached to it.
Therefore, students should add the stadium to the list of photo shoot spots. Students can take pictures with the two statues present outside, in front of the stadium and even inside on the stands or the field.
A.D. Bruce Religion Center
In recent years, another location that has become a Coog favorite is the chapel in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.
The white pillars and wall on either side
of the corridor give the perfect, dreamy background for graduates’ last hurrah. Be creative
A college journey is no short of bitter-sweet memories. Think about your most favourite moments on campus and get some photos over there. It doesn’t have to be iconic for everyone. As long as it’s important and means something to you, it’s capture-worthy. news@thedailycougar.com
The owner of The Den, Ben Pannell, poses for a photo, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Gauraangi Gupta/The Cougar
Graduate Regan Grant poses for a photo, Sunday, Apr. 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Gauraangi Gupta/The Cougar
Kaytee Compton poses for graduation photo at the TDECU Stadium, Friday, April 12, 2024 in Houston, Texas. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar
April’s Angle: Preparing for winter break
APRIL BADMUS
STAFF WRITER
SENIOR
@ITZ_APRULLL
Hi! Welcome to another issue of April’s Angle! I’m April, a second-year political science and psychology double major. I share my thoughts on everything from fashion and beauty to college life and beyond. If you have any questions or need advice on any topic, I’m here to help! As the semester comes to an end, it’s normal to feel rushed,
tired and maybe even a little over it. Finals loom, motivation dips and you may be wondering, “How did the semester go by so fast?”
Prepare for winters
Whether you’re ahead of schedule or hanging on by a thread, now is the perfect time to slow down, assess where you stand and make intentional decisions about how you want to finish, and what comes next. Start by taking stock of your
classes. Look over your syllabi, list your remaining assignments and be honest with yourself about what still needs to get done.
This final stretch will feel a lot more manageable if you create a plan and stick to it. Schedule your study time, protect your sleep (yes, even if that means skipping a night out) and don’t hesitate to ask professors questions. Finishing strong doesn’t mean perfection, it means staying organized, steady
and realistic.
Are winter minis worth it?
Winter mini-mesters can be a smart way to lighten your spring workload, catch up on a requirement or concentrate on just one class at a time. If you thrive in fast-paced, immersive environments, a winter mini might be a great fit.
But they aren’t for everyone. For some students, winter break is the only real downtime they have all year.
If you’re already burned out, squeezing in a compressed course may do more harm than good. There’s nothing wrong with choosing rest. Sometimes that’s the smartest academic decision you can make.
So how do you decide? For me, I met with my advisor to plan out my spring schedule and weigh my options. I looked honestly at how this semester went, 18 hours was doable, but a lot.
By taking a 3-hour winter mini to fulfill my Class Block requirement, I’ll be able to take 15 hours in the spring instead, which feels much more manageable. That plan works for me, but everyone’s needs are different news@thedailycougar.com
EDITORIAL
Claim what’s rightfully yours, and move forward with grace, dignity and determination. Leave no box unchecked, and your life will be productive. A passionate approach to life, love and your future will help you gain confidence and inspire you to push forward with enthusiasm. This year is one of review, revelation and reconstruction.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Change begins with you. Socialize more with people who enjoy the same pastimes. Travel, companionship and embracing what motivates you will not be in vain.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- High energy is the best way forward. Don’t count on outside help or empty promises. Focus inward and take advantage
of an unusual opportunity that crosses your path.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- When opportunity knocks, open the door. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll discover a unique path that allows you to turn something you love doing into a profitable venture.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Think, and follow through. Knowing when to act will be the determining factor today. A unique plan, discipline and hard work are the keys to your best path forward.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Don’t let anger rule when accomplishment will hit the jackpot. Happiness begins with you, the choices you make and how you execute what you know and do best.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
-- Pay attention to financial
and health matters. Invest in yourself and your future. Keep your plans quiet until you have everything in place, and you’ll face less interference throughout the day.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Take the initiative to do everything by the book. Dealing with institutions, government agencies and authority figures will eliminate worry and uncertainty.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- A change in direction will catalyze a host of new beginnings. Interaction equals opportunities and insight into how to utilize your skills to refresh your image and lifestyle.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
-- It’s up to you to initiate what you want. Take the steps to create the scenario that encourages you to
move forward with pride and joy. A healthy lifestyle will help you look and feel your best.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -Be careful what you say and do. Participating in events may backfire if you are too vocal regarding your beliefs and opinions. Put your energy toward something meaningful.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
-- An adjustment to how you handle your work and your associates will prove enlightening and rewarding. Socializing, networking or reconnecting with someone from your past will deliver benefits.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -Look for opportunities, and you will discover something of interest. A change of location can help you use your attributes to gain confidence.
ISSUE STAFF
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.
ABOUT THE COUGAR
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