Issue 25, Volume 85

PRINT WEEKLY. DIGITAL DAILY.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Issue 25, Volume 85

@TheDailyCougar www.thedailycougar.com

Is it worth it?

UH is allowing students to take a pass/fail option for their courses, but how will graduate and professional schools look at it? | PG. 3

SPORTS

How has the baseball team dealt with social distancing? TikTok, among other things. | PG. 7

OPINION

It’s time for the U.S. to make internet access a utility, especially since classes are online right now. | PG. 8

Est. 1934

2 | Wednesday, April 8, 2020

NEWS

AUTUMN RENDALL, EDITOR

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

GRADUATION

Postponed commencement disappoints first-generation students, families

JANET MIRANDA

STAFF WRITER @TWITTERHANDLE

As the University’s commencement ceremonies are postponed for Spring 2020 graduates due to the coronavirus pandemic, first-generation students and their families are disillusioned that they won’t get the celebration they envisioned.

While some first-generation students said they see the ceremony as merely a formality, others said they, and their families, have been looking forward to the commencement ceremony for years.

“I’m upset at the fact that I won’t be able to walk across the stage in May, especially since my mom passed away from cancer on Christmas Day (last year),” said history senior Cody Bunker. “She was my biggest inspiration to get

Daily Cougar Classifieds BULLETIN BOARD Head Lifeguards/Managers Apply online at https://aquaticadvisors.net/lifeguard Aquatic Advisors, Inc. is looking for Head Guards to manage neighborhood swimming facilities. Ranging from 25 meter pools to Water Park style pools. We have positions available in the following areas: Humble, Spring, Memorial. and Sugar Land/ Required: - Must be 18 years or older - Must have previous experience lifeguarding - Must have reliable transportation Responsibilities: - Open and Closing facility - Managing facility staff - Provide a safe environment for all patrons - Provide a high level of customer service Apply online at https://aquaticadvisors.net/lifeguard

To advertise go to thedailycougar.com

my degree.”

Bunker said both of his parents were looking forward to seeing him walk across the stage and is one of many first-generation families grappling with this new reality. Some students said they understand postponing graduation helps flatten the curve of new COVID-19 cases, yet they’re mourning the important moment that they had imagined for years.

“My dad is torn that I’m not able to walk across the stage in May,” Bunker said. “He’s still mourning the loss of my mom, and he’s been super excited for me to graduate and walk across that stage. The coronavirus is affecting everything, throwing a wrench into all of our future plans and our daily lives.”

Though some first-generation graduates and their families look at the commencement ceremony as a momentous occasion, other first-gen graduates see commencement as merely a

Despite changes the coronavirus has forced on commencement, first-generation student advocacy programs like the Challenger Program still look for ways to celebrate first-generation students’ graduation. | Jiselle Santos/The Cougar

symbolic event and are more focused on wrapping up their degree, like computer science senior Sihaa Pannu.

Pannu had to break the news to her family that she would have to graduate a semester late due to the ongoing situation. Fortunately, her family was supportive and understanding when considering the circumstances, Pannu said.

“Graduation is more like a ceremony to me,” Pannu said. “I am more concerned with getting the classes that I need and finishing on time.”

The Challenger Program, a first-generation student advocacy organization run by UH, had to cancel their graduation banquet

for the first time in 30 years.

“I held out as long as I could because I know how important this event is for the students,” said Student Success Advocate for the Challenger Program Monica Floyd.

Taking courses remotely for the rest of the semester has added other challenges for first-generation students. Many graduating students in the Challenger Program have to deal with the increased stress of a more loud, unstable or chaotic environment at home, Floyd said.

“For (students) to find quiet space to study and not be interrupted has been the main issue,” Floyd said. “It’s been a

challenge adjusting to a home environment and not having a place to separate home life from school life.”

Despite the changes the coronavirus has brought to commencement and classes for students, the Challenger Program is still looking for a way to celebrate first-generation students’ graduation.

“For a lot of students, graduation is the ultimate price of what they’ve been working towards,” Floyd said. “It’s not just an accomplishment for them — it’s an accomplishment the whole family feels.” news@thedailycougar.com

CENSUS

Hobby School interns continue pushing 2020 Census education despite quarantine AUTUMN RENDALL

NEWS EDITOR @AUTUMNRENDALL

For over 200 years, the U.S. Census Bureau has surveyed the nation to count every living person, but this year’s plans have been rattled due to the coronavirus pandemic forcing social distancing.

For some students in the Civic Houston Internship Program, the new coronavirus has almost entirely changed their job to educate others at UH and around Houston about the census’ importance.

However, they’re still motivated to inform others about the census however they can.

“I do think it’s one of my passions to make sure everyone does complete the census because it is very important that everyone’s counted,” said Civic Houston Internship

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for people to be counted in the census has been extended to mid-August. | Jiselle Santos/The Cougar

Program recipient and public health and political science junior Maya Ali. “The census is big for representation,

Congress and redistricting. It’s how underserved communities receive a lot of resources, and it’s very important for

the overall well-being of a community.”

The program is under the Hobby School of Public Affairs, and it gives UH students the opportunity to have government internships. For some internships, there is a volunteer hour requirement for census education.

Through the program, Ali is an intern with the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement and helps address issues that impact Houston such as affordable housing, education, health care and civil and human rights.

Ali finished half of her volunteer hours before the coronavirus pandemic began affecting her internship and academics. Her duties have

CENSUS

Continues on page 4

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 | 3 AUTUMN RENDALL, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

ACADEMICS

Interim pass/fail grade policy raises graduate school admissions concerns CRISTOBELLA DURRETTE

STAFF WRITER @CRIST0BELLA

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to create change in education programs around the world, UH is among the numerous colleges around the nation that have implemented optional pass/ fail grading policies.

UH is allowing students to opt into its pass/fail grading system for most Spring 2020 sessions and the summer 2020 mini session.

While the choice of a Satisfactory/No Credit Reported COVID-19 (S/ NCR) designation on a course-by-course basis may provide struggling students with short-term relief, it is unclear how having this on a transcript will be perceived by graduate and professional school admission committees in the coming years.

“Admissions committees will have to carefully consider the entire transcript and make adjustments for the fact that the Spring 2020 semester will provide information on academic progress in a different way due to the …

COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Sarah Larsen.

Interim Undergraduate Grade Policy The Interim Undergraduate Grade Policy announced March 25 lets students balance the demands of their academic course load with the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The policy was designed specifically to provide you with the flexibility to choose a course-by-course no-risk alternative grading option to meet your needs and goals,” said Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Paula Myrick Short in a news release.

The policy will allow students to choose between a letter grade or a Satisfactory/ No Credit Reported (S/NCR) grading scheme for each course they’re enrolled in.

The deadline for students to make this decision is set for May 18 at 5 p.m., 12 days after the end of finals for the regular session.

i

The Cougar

thedailycougar.com

ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters and online everyday at thedailycougar. com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents.

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

ISSUE STAFF CLOSING EDITORS

Michael Slaten Katrina Martinez COPY EDITING

Mason Vasquez COVER

Jiselle Santos

i

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

ABOUT CSM The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, CoogTV and Coog Radio.

The selection of the S/NCR grading scheme for a course won’t impact a student’s GPA. While courses that receive an S are counted as passing with credit, courses that receive an NCR will not be considered for credit and will not be counted as a withdrawal.

Future admissions concerns The opportunity to pick and choose the course for which they will receive a letter grade allows students to control the semester’s impact on their GPA. Some undergraduate students are anxious about how the adapted letter scheme will be perceived by admissions committees in graduate and professional schools.

After experiencing a difficult switch to online classes, electrical engineering senior Trey Barker plans to take advantage of the S/ NCR grading scheme option this semester but thinks it may raise questions in future graduate school applications.

“Given the situation and explanation, I think almost

Jiselle Santos/The Cougar

“Since each graduate program has an admissions committee, there will undoubtedly be different approaches to evaluate the experiences of students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Sarah Larsen, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School every school would be fine with it,” Barker, who plans to pursue a master’s in electrical engineering, said.

As higher education is upended by the spread of the novel coronavirus, universities are emphasizing the holistic evaluation process and that the Spring 2020 semester will be viewed in light of a student’s academic record as a whole.

Some colleges, including Northeastern University, have issued statements emphasizing the holistic nature of the graduate and professional school admissions processes to assuage concerns.

For UH, the appearance of a

pass/fail option on a student’s transcript will be viewed and evaluated differently based on the discipline.

“Since each graduate program has an admissions committee, there will undoubtedly be different approaches to evaluate the experiences of students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Larsen said.

“It may be that different components of the graduate application, such as letters of recommendation and personal statements, will best reflect the challenges that students faced this semester.” news@thedailycougar.com

Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, inter-cultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment.

While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.

CENTER FOR STUDENT MEDIA

(713) 743-5350 csm@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csm N221 Student Center University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015 ADVERTISING

(713) 743-5340 advertising@thedailycougar.com thedailycougar.com/advertising DESIGN TEAM Ruchi Bhakta

4 | Wednesday, April 8, 2020

NEWS

AUTUMN RENDALL, EDITOR

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

HEALTH CARE

‘We need to help each other’: UHCO optometrist sews masks to support health professionals DONNA KEEYA

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @DONNAKEEYA_

When an optometrist takes the Optometric Oath, they pledge to do the utmost to serve their community, country and humankind. A clinical assistant professor at the College of Optometry is now sewing masks for frontline responders and medical personnel as her contribution.

Dr. Moriah Chandler as an optometrist typically assists people with their vision, but now during the coronavirus pandemic, she is helping by sewing masks for health care workers and first responders who lack personal protective equipment.

“Since we were switching over to remote education and waiting to see how things were going to go, I figured that I had the time to do something,” Chandler said.

While Chandler’s homemade masks are not medical-grade on their own, they can fit over medical-grade masks to prolong them. Chandler’s masks also include a pocket to place additional filters inside.

Balancing sewing masks with work, taking care of her children and other responsibilities, Chandler does not have a strict schedule on making masks.

CENSUS

Continued from page 2

switched to getting information to the public via technology or social media.

She sends tweets about the impact of the census, creates fliers for use across the Hobby School’s social media and makes newsletters about the census.

The switch to a primarily virtual approach for census education has some drawbacks, Ali said. Because some Americans might not have access to the Internet or aren’t up to date with social media, it may be difficult to get helpful information to them.

“It’s definitely a privilege to have access to Wi-Fi, a working laptop and things like that, so if you want to reach every single American it’s going to take more than just doing things online,” Ali said. “But given our circumstances, it’s kind of all that we can think of right now.”

Anthropology senior Kayla

College of Optometry clinical assistant professor Dr. Moriah Chandler sews masks with her daughter to send to health care professionals and first responders. | Courtesy of Dr. Moriah Chandler

However, Chandler said she sees sewing masks as more than a casual hobby because of the global need for them right now.

“Usually, I’ll try and sew a little bit before dinner, but the majority of time I spend sewing is after the kids go to sleep and

on the weekends,” Chandler said.

“I’ve typically been staying up until 1 a.m. sewing masks.”

As of Sunday, Chandler has made 65 masks to be donated to various health care providers and first responders across the country, including a women’s

Vazquez has an internship through the Civic Houston Internship Program with state Rep. Jon Rosenthal. She also works with Mi Familia Vota, a national civic engagement organization that promotes social and economic justice through citizenship workshops, voter registration and voter participation.

For getting information about the census out there, Vazquez helped host booths at local health fairs, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rodeo Run and more.

After concerns about the coronavirus began to escalate, Vazquez’s duty to inform others about the census switched to sending informational census texts to the contacts her and her team collected at the health fairs and rodeo run.

Though Vazquez said the negative side to operating virtually is they aren’t reaching as many new people, she’s grateful they can focus on

providing attention and information to those who need it.

The census affects representation in Congress and state and local government, funding for various federal projects and if the census overlooks people living in a community its residents will face economic and political disadvantages, according to the American Library Association.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for people to be counted in the census has been extended to mid-August.

“I really hope that there’s more awareness ( for the census) and more reach out to the community in different ways, which can be hard especially during these times,” Vazquez said. “I’m glad that the time got extended to fill out the census, which will help a lot.” news@thedailycougar.com

health clinic in Pearland, a pediatric clinic in New York, an EMS station in Fredericksburg and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

The next batch of masks will go to optometrists in California,

Chandler said.

Through her mask making, Chandler has been able to encourage some of her coworkers and students at the College of Optometry to join her.

Chandler created instructions on how she sews masks.

“Since I’ve started this, a couple of my UHCO students, faculty and staff have been inspired to start making and donating masks as well,” Chandler said. “Some of my friends from college and previous students and coworkers have also started making masks.”

When it comes to what individuals can do in light of the new coronavirus, Chandler said things are changing so quickly, and people should wear masks or a bandanna around their mouths when going out in public settings.

“Follow the CDC’s guidelines: wash your hands often, don’t go out unless it’s necessary and practice social distancing,” Chandler said. “Since this is all new and uncertain, check in on your friends and family remotely (to) see how they’re doing. If you’re going to a store, see if you can pick up anything for a neighbor or a friend to save them a trip. We need to help each other.” news@thedailycougar.com

Confirmed COVID-19 cases As of April 7

386,800 CASES IN THE U.S.

1,809

CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY

22

DEATHS IN HARRIS COUNTY Source: The Houston Chronicle and The Associated Press

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 | 5 JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

SOFTBALL

Cougars shifting focus despite season cancellation JAMES MUELLER

STAFF WRITER @JDM2186

An 11-game winning streak, a no-hitter, launching 38 homeruns, which was fifth-most in the nation, were just a few of the many highlights to Houston’s strong start in the 2020 softball season before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the season to an abrupt end.

Although the 2020 campaign was cut short, head coach Kristin Vesely was impressed with what she saw in her team, especially the culture and chemistry that was built.

“The most impressive thing to me was the culture,” Vesely said.

“They were actually learning to be unselfish and to be happy for each other, which is very difficult to do in team sports. I thought the ‘it’ factor we had this year was chemistry.”

Though the season was barely beginning to build up steam, the team’s poise showed promise of a lot of success.

“There were a couple of times when stuff started to get shaky on the field in the middle of a game and you really got to see them pull together and overcome it,” Vesely said. “It is really impressive what they’re able to do with their leadership and general love for each other.”

Sophomore catcher Kati Ray Brown echoed Vesely’s comments

about the team’s chemistry and love for one another, praising her coach for the culture she built around the program.

“Coach Vesely really talks about team chemistry and that she wants to create an environment where everybody is super close,” Brown said. “This year we had a couple of transfers come in and our freshman come in and everybody clicked really well on and off the field.”

According to Brown, the team’s bond was strong off the field, which translated to the trust in each other in between the lines.

“I think our relationship off the field really helped with our relationship on the field,” Brown said. “Everybody just gets along really well, and I’d have to give that credit to Vesely for putting that chemistry together.”

Brown, who was having a breakout season, batting .333 with a team-high nine home runs, attributed her success at the plate to the support of her teammates, which is a direct result of the strong chemistry the team built this season.

“I was able to put up pretty big numbers because I had the support of my team,” Brown said.

“Going up to bat or going to the field, I just wanted to perform very well for them.”

Although the team is currently not able to physically be together due to the coronavirus, they are

Head coach Kristin Vesely was impressed by the Cougars before the coronavirus pandemic stopped competition, saying, “They were actually learning to be unselfish and to be happy for each other, which is very difficult to do in team sports.” | Courtesy of UH athletics

still staying connected through technology.

“We talk to each other constantly still even though we’re not living together or on the field together,” Brown said.

Coach Vesely and her staff have emphasized the importance of academics and mental health over this period. They have set up weekly video conferences with a learning specialist to assist the athletes with any academic help they need, and the coaching staff also encourages the team to stay physically active to maintain positive mental health.

“Our No. 1 focus over this quarantine is academics and being a student now that the athlete part has taken a back burner,” Vesely said.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the Cougars are

You C A N have it all!

School. Sun. Summer.

line. er class in-person or on m m su e bl ra fe ns tra a Take ansfer LoneStar.edu/SummerTr

choosing to look at the positives from this year and plan to carry over the momentum into 2021.

“What we’re probably going to do next year is just treat the 2020 season as a preseason,” Vesely said. “We had a chance to get tested. We had a chance to see what we did well and we’re going to carry that over into 2021. We’ve already learned of any mistake that we made [during this season] so that we can be that much better in 2021.”

Vesely also emphasized how important 2020 was for their players, especially their younger pitchers, as they were able to gain experience without losing a year of eligibility which should give them a tremendous advantage in 2021.

“They all threw a significant amount, so they have at least a

quarter of a year to a third of a year under their belt,” Vesely said. ” Offensively, we’ll have almost a full year, come next season, to make sure that everybody understands the philosophy and to get that much better at our skill and our craft.”

Ultimately, having the season cut short has made the Cougars even more hungry and driven to be successful in 2021.

“We have so much chemistry and momentum built this year that we’re already talking about moving that to next year,” Brown said. “Having this time off really just lights a fire underneath us and makes us want to do even better next year and just bring that momentum and be an even stronger team next year.” sports@thedailycougar.com

6 | Wednesday, April 8, 2020

SPORTS SPORTS

JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

FOOTBALL

Coronavirus cancellations could leave Houston with hard financial decisions ANDY YANEZ

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @AYANEZ_5

Head coach Dana Holgorsen (left) and athletic director Chris Pezman admire the field at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium ahead of Houston’s season opener against Oklahoma in September 2019. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

Athletic director Chris Pezman told SportsTalk 790 AM on Tuesday afternoon that the University finds itself in a tough situation due to the NCAA’s decision to grant spring sport seniors an extra year of eligibility following the cancelation of spring and summer competitions.

“We are trying to figure out what we can afford to be really honest with you,” Pezman said. “We are concerned with our revenue streams. We took a pretty good hit with our NCAA distribution going down because the tournament wasn’t played.”

According to Pezman, the NCAA is not making it mandatory for schools to give seniors who choose to return next season a scholarship, and the University itself is in the

process of trying to figure how much they can afford to give.

On 790 AM, Pezman said that Houston forecasted that it will cost them $500,000 if every spring sport senior returns, which is not likely as some athletes may choose to graduate and move on to another phase in their lives or even pursue a professional career.

“Right now projecting what I have to spend versus the revenues that may not be there is pretty significant,” Pezman said. “We’re going to end up having to make some hard decisions sooner than later.”

A big factor in making those hard decisions will be the football season, which is the athletic department’s biggest source of revenue followed by basketball, which has already impacted the school, and that is not counting next season if the coronavirus

pandemic extends into the fall.

“The departments exist on the revenue that is generated by football and basketball,” Pezman said. “…looking at the fall and trying to forecast what our major revenue opportunities are with football and basketball … could affect our ability to provide for opportunities.”

Depending on the money available, the University may need to choose which seniors returning seniors get scholarships.

Because of that, Pezman believes the football season will be played even if it means kicking off in the spring, which is something that has been thrown around as a possibility.

“The financial repercussions of not playing a football season are so significant there is going to be a way to do it and play it… responsibly,” Pezman said. sports@thedailycougar.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Where UH sits in way-too-early 2020-21 rankings ANDY YANEZ

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @AYANEZ_5

The Cougars’ 2019-20 season came to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, and while there was no March Madness or even a postseason conference tournament this year, leaving a disappointing void to everyone who is invested in college basketball, the attention has already begun to shift to 2020-21.

Houston was No. 22 in the final AP poll of 2019-20, finishing the regular season with a 23-8 record, which was good for a share of the AAC championship along with both Tulsa and Cincinnati, but the team could potentially look different despite losing only one senior.

With sophomore guard Nate Hinton declaring for the NBA Draft, the Cougars could potentially lose the plethora of depth they have at the guard position with sophomore guard Quentin Grimes and junior DeJon Jarreau’s futures also in question.

Various different media outlets, however, have already released way-too-early preseason predictions for 2020-21. Here is where the Cougars are ranked:

CBS Sports The Cougars are No. 8 in CBS Sports’ too early predictions, which is the highest on the board out of all the predictions so far.

Gary Parrish cites the return of Houston’s top six scorers from 2019-20 as the biggest reason for the high stock.

If either Jarreau or Grimes leaves Houston in pursuit of a professional career, however, Parrish sees the ceiling of the team falling a bit.

ESPN The Cougars are No. 16 in ESPN’s preseason predictions.

Jeff Borzello highlights the potential decisions from Grimes and Jarreau as question marks for Houston but argues that if both return, the Cougars will have the most talented quartet along with sophomore guard Nate Hinton and redshirt freshman guard Caleb Mills.

Houston’s biggest additions, according to ESPN, will be Tramon Mark, who was named the Guy V. Lewis Greater Houston Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year on March 31, and sophomore guard Cameron Tyson, who sat out his 2019-20 season after transferring from Idaho after his freshman year.

Forward Fabian White Jr., who averaged 9.3 points and 5.5 points per game in 2019-20, will be the leading veteran in the frontcourt for Houston in his senior season. | Mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar

NBC Sports The Cougars are No. 19 in NBC Sports’ predictions.

Houston was given this rank because of the potential depth at guard it has returning in 2020 with Grimes, Hinton, Mills and freshman guard Marcus Sasser.

The Cougars should be favored

to win the AAC, according to NBC Sports.

USA Today The Cougars finished No. 23 in USA Today’s Coaches’ poll at the end of the 2019-20 season.

In its predictions for 2020-21, USA Today has Houston sitting at

the No. 21.

The biggest factor for the ranking is the potential return of the team’s top six scorers as well as the young Cougars having a year of experience under their belt. sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 | 7 JHAIR ROMERO, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

BASEBALL

‘Bored out of our minds’ Inside Houston’s battle to beat quarantine restlessness and make light of the coronavirus pandemic

JHAIR ROMERO

SPORTS EDITOR @JUSTJHAIR

Despite their best efforts, boredom set in quick for senior pitcher Lael Lockhart Jr. and his teammates.

“We’ve gone through all the Netflix shows you could watch,” Lockhart said, “and it got to the point where I was bored of Xbox and bored of just staring at the walls.”

Forced into precautionary self-quarantine after a Houston staffer had shown symptoms related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the players needed an outlet.

That’s when restlessness, creativity and a sprinkle of good old college student ingenuity came into play.

“We’re a few college kids,” Lockhart said. “We got some Solo cups upstairs I’m sure, and we’ve got some ping pong balls hanging around.”

What ensued of the quarantine boredom, a myriad of inventive trick shot challenges and Twitter jabs between Lockhart and other Houston players, was social media gold.

And above that, it showed how creative the Cougars are willing to get to cope with the unprecedented situation forced onto many by the coronavirus pandemic and all the challenges that come with it.

‘Bored beyond belief’ It was clear from the beginning that Lockhart was the ringleader.

He discovered TikTok shortly after the remainder of the 2020 season was canceled, joining millions in the U.S. who are downloading the increasinglypopular video sharing social media app as much of the nation shut down due to coronavirus fears.

“It all kind of started from

being bored beyond belief,” Lockhart said.

It began with simple trick shots.

Lockhart sits at the top of the staircase, tosses a ping pong ball and it bounce, bounce, bounces until it lands in the bright-red cup at the bottom of the flight.

But for his roommates — juniors Kyle Lovelace and Clay Aguilar — it was too easy of a challenge.

“Make it to where it’s hard,” one of them said.

So Lockhart, out of pure boredom, obliged.

As the days in quarantine went by, the trick shots became more difficult, evolving into ricochets and behind-the-back throws.

Then, to spice it up, the 6-foot-3 lefty got his teammates involved.

‘Back and forth’ Lockhart’s videos caught the eyes of some of his teammates, especially junior pitcher Jared Pettitte.

He wanted in.

“I posted the first two or three days and Jared finally texted me, ‘Hey, man. Tag me in this next one, and make it a challenge,’” Lockhart said. “I put #quarantinechallenge and tagged Pettitte and next thing you know he makes the shot and we go back and forth.”

Pettitte, who attributes the challenges to being “bored out of our minds,” has appreciated the fan response to him and Lockhart’s videos.

“We got a lot of the fans that are on Twitter and TikTok, so they stay connected with us and we try to stay connected with them,” Pettitte said. “It’s a good way to keep things light and keep your mind off of everything that’s going on right now.”

Despite Pettitte’s lighthearted intentions, Lockhart has gone

Senior pitcher Lael Lockhart Jr., shown pitching in 2019, has tried to find ways to beat quarantine boredom and other challenges that come with the coronavirus pandemic. He and some of his fellow Cougars teamed up to make trick shot social media videos as a way to pass the time. | File photo

to great lengths to one-up his fellow pitcher.

One installment of the challenge that saw him flip cups from each staircase step until he reached the top took Lockhart eight hours in one day to complete.

“I was like, ‘Screw it!’” he said. “‘Might as well.’”

Some teammates, like to more vocal junior infielder Andrew Papantonis, don’t see the appeal in making TikTok videos.

“If you make Tik Toks I’m going to judge you it’s just that simple,” jokingly read one of his tweets.

Lockhart launched another comedic jab, quoting the tweet with one of his videos attached.

Although he disapproves of the social media craze, Papantonis has appreciated the ways his teammates have made light of the situation.

“I think it’s kind of silly,” he said. “But on the other hand, Lael and Jared both had a nice little back and forth going with the ping pong balls.

“I give props to Jared and Lael for finding fun and intuitive ways to pass the time.”

Keeping busy Although it may seem like it,

social media hasn’t completely dominated the Cougars’ lives.

Lockhart, who has since gone home to Friendswood about 16 miles south of UH, has used the time to continue working out and keeping in shape in his home gym, as well as getting back into grilling.

“I’ve been hanging out by the pool, running and doing all this stuff I wouldn’t typically do this time of the year,” he said. “It’s kind of a weird situation.”

Even Papantonis, who’s recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury, has found ways to keep busy as the pandemic keeps millions of Americans at home.

Along with his regular trips to physical therapy to rehab his shoulder, the infielder has been working at a local liquor store in his native New Jersey.

“It’s not going to go out of business,” Papantonis said, “especially in a time like this.”

Still a team TikTok and Twitter haven’t been the only bonding platforms for Houston as players try their best to maintain camaraderie in the era of social distancing.

The Cougars have followed UH athletics trends despite

being separated and have made use of frequent Zoom meetings for study halls, FaceTime calls and video game hangouts.

“It was nice to see everyone again,” Pettitte said after the Cougars’ online meeting last week, especially after the “unfortunate” ending to Houston’s season.

The future was bleak for a while for many seniors, like Lockhart, whose college careers — and last shots at proving themselves to MLB scouts — were seemingly cut short.

But, Papantonis said, the atmosphere around the team has lightened since the NCAA approved a measure authorizing extended eligibility for springsport athletes who lost a season due to the outbreak.

“We’ve just tried to control what we can control,” Pettitte said of the Cougars’ handling of the situation, “even with so many of the negative things going on.”

So for now, while isolated yet still somehow together, silly trick shots and video chats will do.

Even if it’s just to cope for a few hours a day. sports@thedailycougar.com

8 | Wednesday, April 8, 2020

OPINION

SANTIAGO GAUGHAN, EDITOR

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

INTERNET

These times highlight importance of internet service becoming a utility

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Michael Slaten MANAGING EDITOR

Katrina Martinez CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jiselle Santos NEWS EDITOR

Autumn Rendall FEATURES EDITOR

Vacant

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Mason Vasquez

SPORTS EDITOR

Jhair Romero PHOTO EDITOR

Kathryn Lenihan OPINION EDITOR

Santiago Gaughan ASSISTANT EDITORS

Juana Garcia Donna Keeya Sydney Rose Lino Sandil Andy Yanez

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SANTIAGO GAUGHAN

OPINION EDITOR

About 21 million people lack broadband internet access in the U.S., according to the 2019 FCC broadband development report.

However, that number from the federal government is misleading as a 2018 Microsoft survey shows the numbers are around 163 million who don’t have actual broadband speeds.

This is about 163 million people too many. The internet is a basic service and everybody should have access to it.

The internet is vital for accessing information, according to a 2016 United Nations report. This is

evident in the shift to remote classes and work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Given the coronavirus outbreak, it is understandable for schools to shift to online coursework.

This is better than keeping students on campus.

UH has a web page with information to help students with weak internet connections.

The 2020 Summer sessions will also be held with no on-campus instruction, which is astounding.

What is not astounding is the lack of highspeed internet access in communities around the nation.

There is no question, students more than ever need high-quality internet.

The internet is not a luxury, rather it is a utility. Strangely, internet access is still not universal even though schools have transitioned to having a greater online presence.

In the current situation, those without the internet are at a significant disadvantage as the coursework is harder to access.

In other communities, school districts have developed solutions to combat the problem.

These range from setting up Wi-Fi hot spots to having faculty members deliver schoolwork door-to-door.

While it is good for people to continue to have an education, this should not come with the extra hassle these teachers go through.

It is exploitative for companies to withhold vital resources from people who can not afford it or are in locations too inconvenient for them to build a reliable infrastructure.

Governments around the world should seek to develop universal internet access. The current way we view internet access only harms people in poor or rural communities where the internet is too expensive or unavailable.

Rural areas are more dependent on satellite internet, which is slow with the average speeds between 10-30 megabits per second.

To be considered broadband, it must exceed 25 megabits per second, but even that has serious latency issues and

Jiselle Santos/The Cougar

won’t work well for large families. Not to mention it’s vulnerable in bad weather and expensive, costing roughly double the price of fiber optic cable that some communities aren’t able to get.

People in these communities should not have to depend on inferior internet service.

The internet also provides a space for people to peacefully assemble and express themselves. Limiting this opportunity to only those who can afford it is unjust and it needs to change as soon as possible.

With something as important as education changing to an online format, it is time to rethink how we see the internet.

The internet is a space where everybody should be able to learn and assemble regardless of location or wealth.

Opinion editor Santiago Gaughan is a education sophomore. You can reach him by emailing opinion@ thedailycougar.com

The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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

The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp