The First Roar 2020

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The Cougar

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

You will define this University for the next four years. No virus will stop that.

JHAIR ROMERO

EDITOR IN CHIEF @JUSTJHAIR

Traditionally, the editor in chief of The Cougar would be greeting and congratulating you as you begin your first year at our University.

I would normally offer you advice and other guidance on navigating the large campus JHAIR community ROMERO EDITOR IN CHIEF you just became a part of and the excitement that

comes with it.

But the reality is that this year is far from normal, and along with the classes and other adjustments that come with beginning your college journey, you are being tasked with an unprecedented challenge — making our new normal work, even if it’s just for this year.

For some of you, that will mean hunkering down and getting your education in the same place you have been since the coronavirus pandemic began — at home.

If you find yourself in this situation, the beginning of your college journey will be as far from traditional as one could

think possible.

Others, like myself, some of my colleagues at The Cougar and many other returning and new students, will be on campus as we search for at least some semblance of normalcy.

But no matter how — or where — you experience your first year at this University, you must remember that you still belong and that you are UH’s future.

Just because you may not be on campus, you’re not any less part of the UH community.

I offer you this advice: don’t let this virus disrupt your life more than it already has. Still join the organizations that

you’ve had your eye on, even if your participation is virtual only. Socialize and make those college friends you’ve always dreamt of, even if it’s in a group chat instead of in one of the Student Centers.

And however you decide to enjoy this new chapter of your life, do it responsibly and with the health and well-being of your community in mind.

Every college class has that collective event for which it will be remembered.

For the class of 2024, it is how you navigate this crisis and, ultimately, overcome it.

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, and Wednesdays during the summer and online at thedailycougar.com. The Daily 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

Jhair Romero Mason Vasquez COPY EDITING

Zai Davis

COVER

Juana Garcia

editor@thedailycougar.com

Meet The Cougar Staff

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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.

Jhair Romero, Editor in Chief

Jiselle Santos, Managing Editor

Jhair is a journalism major by day but a dog whisperer by night. He loves cats, but he’s convinced they’re inherently evil.

Jiselle is a music enthusiast that is most likely to run into a celebrity. She’ll tell you to order oat milk with your drink if you see her at a coffee shop.

Mason Vasquez, Web Editor

Web editor and member of the Spirit of Houston and CoogRadio. Likes coffee, jazz, rock, and literature.

Zai Davis, Copy Chief

Zai is the girl you’ll find in her dorm watching “Charmed” with an iced coffee at 11 p.m. with a paper due at midnight.

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

Donna is a journalism sophomore who loves astrology and tarot. She is convinced the majority of her bloodstream is made up of coffee and La Croix.

Sydney Rose, News Editor

Sydney is a pop culture fanatic who talks fast and has bad knees. Sometimes her hair is blonde and sometimes it’s brunette, depending on the day.

Andy Yanez, Sports Editor

Gina Medina, Opinion Editor

Andy is a journalism major who has covered UH athletics and the XFL, among other things. Don’t ask why he knows, but he can run from TDECU Stadium to The Cougar’s office in 10 minutes.

Gina Medina is a journalism and Spanish major who is tired of hearing that her name rhymes. If you see her zoning off, she is most likely making a mental list of all the places she wants to travel to.

Follow us on Twitter

@thedailycougar THE FIRST ROAR (ISSN 1) Issue Date: July 27, 2020 Published Annually The Cougar Center for Student Media 4465 University Dr. Room N221 Houston, TX 77204 ISSUE NO. 01 Free of Charge

Juana Garcia, Creative Director

As The Cougar’s graphic design queen, Juana works in the office while listening to horror podcasts or the same 10 artists. She wonders why she can’t find the time to make more art, even though she is an art major.

Christopher Charleston, Photo Editor

Christopher is an English major who listens to Jimi Hendrix while taking photos.

He calls his camera Foxey Lady.

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NEWS

DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

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@THEDAILYCOUGAR

ACADEMICS

All University classes, finals transitioning online after Thanksgiving break

Although President Renu Khator confirmed some UH classes will be held in person, she did not provide details on what percentage of classes will be partly or fully online. | Christopher Charleston/The Cougar

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All UH classes, regardless of original format, and final exams will transition to being fully online after Thanksgiving break, President Renu Khator said in a statement on June 2.

In her announcement, Khator said the plan is consistent with other state and national research universities. The decision to host in-person classes came two weeks after the University of Texas released its similar reopening plan.

“Under the Provost’s direction, the Instructional Task Force is looking at all options to ensure that faculty have safe options and that students also have options to receive both an on-campus and online experience,” Khator said in the statement.

Classes will be held in three different formats: HyFlex, asynchronous and synchronous.

She has previously said all “large” classes, which she defined as 50 students or more, will be delivered in some capacity online.

In an effort to maintain social distancing standards, on-campus classes will have a reorganized seating structure.

All classroom seating will keep a 6-foot distance between students, and an 8-foot distance between professors and students.

Additionally, the provost’s office will host virtual sessions for University faculty members to enhance their future online and hybrid classes.

The statement included steps that the University plans on taking to stay safe while classes move back on-campus.

These steps are identifying and

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our Cougar family. Since health guidelines and available technologies continue to change weekly, committing to any one plan is a futile exercise at this point.”

Renu Khator, President monitoring the coronavirus on campus, appointing a COVID Response Coordinator, making efforts to protect community members identified as “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined vulnerable” and hosting webinars and town hall meetings to spread information and answer any pressing questions.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our Cougar family,” Khator said.

“Since health guidelines and available technologies continue to change weekly, committing to any one plan is a futile exercise at this point. However, here are the steps being taken to ensure your safety.”

Khator’s statement confirmed her previous unofficial plans of reopening made at the Board of Regents meeting.

At the May 21 meeting, she said the classes of over 50 people would most likely not be held on campus. news@thedailycougar.com

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The Cougar DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

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CORONAVIRUS

UH biology professor working on COVID-19 vaccine RAVEN WUEBKER

STAFF WRITER @RAVENWUEBKER

With coronavirus cases rising, UH biology and biochemistry professor Shaun Zhang is continuing his research with hopes of creating a COVID-19 vaccine.

After vaccine testing preparation began in early February, Zhang’s lab is currently in its second round of experiments. While testing has shown positive results, Zhang’s team still believes additional research needs to be conducted.

“We have already completed the first round of preclinical animal testing and the results were quite encouraging,” Zhang said.

“I think there is no doubt that more research is needed for any vaccine development.”

Zhang’s lab could begin moving to clinical trials of the vaccine within the next six months to a year, depending on the results of the second round of testing work, according to Zhang. Meanwhile, it is unknown how many rounds of testing should be done.

“Even through the progress we’ve made in vaccine development, the vaccine won’t become available for at least a year, maybe longer,” Zhang said.

This is not an ideal vaccine at this time, Zhang said. However, Zhang believes it could prove to be useful, and continuous

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

market research is essential to improve the vaccine design.

Zhang is currently trying to join forces with the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to use its biosafety level four labs. Because COVID-19 is classified as a class three pathogen, it can be handled only

in labs over biosafety level three.

UH cannot handle any live viruses on campus at this time.

“One of the difficulties is that this is a new virus and there are a lot of unknown key components,” Zhang said. “We still know very little about the behavior of the virus.”

When Zhang saw the coronavirus break out in his hometown of Wuhan, China, earlier this year, he knew it was time to get to work on finding ways to stop the spread, he said.

“When (the coronavirus) first came out, I paid a lot of attention to it for the reason that I’m a virologist, and also the reports came from the place I was born and worked for many years,” Zhang said.

Moving forward, Zhang recommends airing on the side of caution and says everyone can get infected if not properly protected. Protection includes face masks, social distancing and personal hygiene.

“I don’t believe the virus will go away, I think it will stay with us for the time being so individual protection is important and I can not emphasize that enough, don’t take this lightly,” Zhang said.

Due to the urgency of a coronavirus vaccine, Zhang has not been able to prioritize his other research.

“My main research interest is on developing a virus killing agent,” Zhang said. “For the moment COVID-19 has overwhelmed anything else and has impacted a lot of research not directly related to (COVID-19), which is very unfortunate.” news@thedailycougar.com

A.D. BRUCE RELIGION CENTER The focal point for on-campus religious and spiritual activities

For more information, visit uh.edu/adbruce

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Here at the CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, student success is our top priority. Our robust first-year experience which FOCUSES ON PROBLEM SOLVING, has been lauded by national engineering accreditors as a model for other engineering schools to follow. Students receive a well-rounded, TIER ONE EDUCATION

FOCUSED ON INDUSTRY-RELEVANT, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, and are graduating in greater numbers than ever before.

Cougar engineers are strong, resilient and ready to tackle the road ahead.

Come see why we have been @UHEngineering

. www.egr.uh.edu

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NEWS

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ACADEMICS

Honors College to offer courses on coronavirus, Black Lives Matter

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Jhair Romero

MANAGING EDITOR

Jiselle Santos WEB EDITOR

Mason Vasquez NEWS EDITORS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Juana Garcia PHOTO EDITOR

Christopher Charleston COPY CHIEF

Zai Davis

Donna Keeya Sydney Rose SPORTS EDITOR

Andy Yanez

OPINION EDITOR

Gina Medina

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

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

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

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

OLIVIA TRAN

STAFF WRITER

In light of the current national turmoil, the Honors College will be offering two courses in Fall 2020 that relate to the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Writing About Plagues and Peoples, with course code HON 4397, will be taught by French history and Human Situation professor Robert Zaretsky.

This class is cross-linked with HIST 4395 and WCL 4396, meaning students can sign up for either the honors, anthropology or world cultures and literature course number based on which they would prefer to receive credit for.

The course will frame experiences with COVID-19 through novels as well as plays, according to the Honors College website.

Zaretsky said the works tell compelling stories about the past and prompt students to think about fundamental ethical and political questions that national leaders have been grappling with, especially these past few months.

“I hope (students) take away

a deeper and more complex appreciation of the ways in which our country has responded, or failed to respond, to our current crisis,” Zaretsky said.

The professor was inspired to teach this course as he volunteered to help overworked nursing home employees feed residents while simultaneously reading the works of authors from ancient to modern times.

These authors, including Thucydides, Michel de Montaigne and Susan Sontag, all addressed various plagues and diseases in their own lifetimes.

“They have helped me to make sense of my own experiences and I thought they might help students make sense of their experiences,” Zaretsky said.

Also offered this coming term is Theory from the Global South from 1780 to WWII or WCL 4354; this class is cross-linked with ANTH 3396.

Professor Marie Theresa Hernández Ramirez said she looks forward to leading students through analyses of various historical events as viewed from the eyes of scholars from the Global

South. As the World Cultures and Literature undergraduate director and an affiliated faculty member in the anthropology program, Hernández Ramirez believes that students who learn Western theory as a universal theory are often left with an incomplete understanding of the world.

“This course provides an opportunity for students to learn about the perspectives of scholars that might be speaking against the stories that we’ve always heard,” Hernández Ramirez said.

She said she hopes the class will be a vehicle to analyze the complicated forces behind George Floyd’s violent death and the many other problems and inequities existing in American society.

Hernández Ramirez wants students to leave the class with the ability to integrate ideas brought to light by the readings and discussions with their current understanding of world history, politics and social issues. The final will consist of a research paper on a topic related to the Global South.

The class, Hernández Ramirez said, will examine Atlantic slavery, the Haitian Revolution,

the Mexican-American War, King Leopold and the genocide in the Belgian Congo, the genocide of Indigenous people in Spain’s northern territories and the British Empire’s colonization and occupation of India.

At the core of the course is the book “Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History” written by Haitian anthropologist, historian and writer Michel-Rolph Trouillot.

Other planned readings include “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa” by Adam Hochschild and “Limpieza de Sangre, Religion and Gender in Colonial Mexico” by María Elena Martínez, among many others.

“What is most exciting to me is when the students and I start discussing these different events and how they have been previously interpreted,” Hernández Ramirez said. “Their response is not about what they learned; instead, (it’s) about what they could learn. For me this is very exciting; I enjoy it as much as I think the students do.” news@thedailycougar.com

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.

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NEWS

DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

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ACADEMICS

UH’s new Fall 2020 class formats explained DONNA KEEYA

Students will know if their online class is in a synchronous format based on if it has a certain date and time attributed to it. All synchronous classes will include a date and time and an online instructional mode.

NEWS EDITOR @DONNAKEEYA_

In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, UH will begin the fall semester with classes offered in three formats: HyFlex, synchronous online and asynchronous online.

With all three options being at least partially online, all of the different class formats incorporate some form of social distancing.

Having these three various formats will also allow the University flexibility to transition fully online at any time it is necessary to do so.

“Course delivery options in the fall will prioritize student choice, accommodate health and safety concerns and allow the University to make rapid adjustments should a COVID-19 resurgence require a return to full remote operations,” said Provost Paula Myrick Short in a statement.

Despite what format classes take place in, the University plans to prioritize students and their journey towards graduation.

“Even in these unprecedented times, student success remains our top priority and we will continue to support students’ timely progress toward graduation,” Short said.

Currently, the University is planning for all classes, no matter their original format, to transition 100 percent online after Thanksgiving break. Classes may transition online earlier if conditions worsen.

Asynchronous

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

HyFlex HyFlex classes will be the only format to contain any in-person component. A “safe” number of students in each HyFlex class will receive face-to-face instruction in a socially distant classroom.

Students who are not physically in the classroom can watch the class through a live stream and receive the same instruction as their peers in real-time. Additionally, HyFlex classes will be recorded and available to view after the class has ended.

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON!

While enrolling in HyFlex classes, the instruction mode will read “face to face.”

HyFlex classes will also include the specific date and time the class will take place during.

Synchronous Synchronous classes will be fully online, but simulate virtual classrooms. These classes will meet virtually at the designated dates and times and allow students to interact with each other and professors. These classes may be recorded for later viewing.

Asynchronous classes will be completely online and provide students with flexibility on when and where they complete their assignments.

With no dedicated class dates and times, students may access asynchronous class materials at any time.

Some professors teaching asynchronous classes can arrange virtual classroom meetings on a class by class basis.

All asynchronous classes will be categorized as online under the instruction format. Students will be able to differentiate asynchronous classes from synchronous by seeing “TBA” under the designated date and time slot.

The University strives to give students variety and safety with the multiple class format plan.

“The University of Houston is committed to providing students with safe and flexible options to continue their education,” Short said. news@thedailycougar.com

DINING

Cougar Woods will operate 24/7 in fall APPLY TO BE AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR!

How?

LOG INTO ACCESSUH. SELECT THE GETINVOLVED ICON. SEARCH "HOMECOMING BOARD" SCROLL DOWN TO FORMS AND SELECT "ASSISTANT DIRECTOR APPLICATION 2020."

COMPLETE THE FORM. SUBMIT!

Cougar Woods Dining Commons will replace Moody Towers Dining Commons as the 24/7 UH dining hall this upcoming fall. | Claudette Vega/The Cougar

DONNA KEEYA

NEWS EDITOR @DONNAKEEYA_

Cougar Woods Dining Commons will transition to 24/7 hours of operation as part of the Fall 2020 UH dining update, the University announced June 30.

The dining update released explains how dining options will proceed in the fall semester considering the coronavirus pandemic. As a part of this, both Cougar Woods Dining Commons and Moody Towers Dining Commons will close for 30 minutes daily.

Moody Towers Dining Commons, which previously operated 24/7, will now operate from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday

and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.

Dining will transition to cashless payments only, including credit, debit, Apple Pay, Android Pay and Cougar Cash. Guest passes no longer be available as a part of student meal plans.

Dining commons will no longer include self-serve stations, with all meals being served

by UH Dining associates. Customizable food options will be replaced with pre-made options.

Before the pandemic hit, Cougar Woods was set to expand its operations hours once The Quad is completed in August. news@thedailycougar.com

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NEWS

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CAMPUS

Incoming freshmen anticipate changes to campus life amid pandemic OLIVIA TRAN

STAFF WRITER

With the coronavirus pandemic cases climbing in Harris County, some incoming freshmen have lowered expectations for college extracurriculars to proceed as anticipated, though academic plans have mostly remained the same.

Some incoming freshmen feel hesitant to get involved on-campus with health concerns related to the coronavirus present.

“I really wanted to be more engaged in on-campus activities and events, but I’m not sure if that’s even safe to do anymore,” said business freshman Mateo Dehoyos Gonzales. “But the organization I really wanted to join, Camp Kesem at UH, is still going to be active as far as I know, so everything’s not too bad.”

Accounting freshman Nahom Teka also said his extracurricular plans had to shift once the pandemic struck. He still looks forward to playing basketball but hopes he will be able to explore the campus more after conditions improve.

For Teka, as with many others, looking over degree requirements and choosing classes hasn’t changed, with the exception of online orientation.

“I definitely would have liked to have an in-person orientation, just to meet some of the people I’ve been talking to on social media and stuff,” said psychology freshman Julianna Smith.

She added that online orientation seemed well-organized, especially when factoring in the limited time that the University had to create the online program.

For Smith, the most disappointing changes have to do with the campus environment. She is holding back on getting involved in choir in order to reduce the risk of catching or passing on the coronavirus.

She also is disheartened in having to miss out on a traditional college experience during her freshman year because Fall 2020 final exams will be held online.

“I was kind of excited for the dreaded ‘finals week’ experience,” Smith said, adding that she had been looking forward to “staying up late, library constantly full of

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

people, studying, everyone hopped up on caffeine and sleep deprivation.”

Because of these online finals, marketing freshman Brianna Walker says she wishes classes could start a couple of weeks earlier so that students wouldn’t have to worry about studying after their Thanksgiving break. However, she said that it’s not too big of a deal.

Her plans to go through sorority recruitment and join a business-related student organization haven’t changed.

While the others worry about the nature of online final exams, Dehoyos Gonzales is also thinking ahead to his housing. Since he doesn’t plan to stay on campus for the remainder of the semester following

Thanksgiving break, he wonders if there will be any adjustments in housing costs.

Despite their concerns, some members of the incoming freshmen class maintain enthusiastic and look forward to what they will still be able to do when they arrive on campus.

“I definitely want to meet as many people as I can, and I still hope to do that in whatever settings are available next academic year,” Smith said. “If that means social distancing, wearing masks and bringing hand sanitizer everywhere, I’m completely OK with jumping through those hoops to keep everyone as safe as possible.” news@thedailycougar.com

COOGS LIVE ON CAMPUS. HERE’S WHY: CONVENIENCE

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

When you live on campus, you can hit the snooze button a few more times because you’re only minutes from classes, dining, and major campus events.

Amenities include: Bike storage Free laundry Key-card access 24-Hour fitness center

Computer lab Social lounges Philo TV streaming Free Wi-Fi

COMMUNITY As a member of one of our residence halls, you become a part of a community of Coogs who want you to be successful.

We offer on-site tutoring services, job and internship opportunities, interactions with live-in faculty, and a network of staff and other residents to keep you on track to graduation.

Apply today at uh.edu/liveoncampus

Follow us @UHHOUSING

Every resident is a member of the Residence Hall Association and selected representatives address current issues, review policies, and sponsor programs throughout the year. You can also be involved in Hall Council or the National Residence Hall Honorary to advocate for your fellow Coogs.

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COLLEGE LEGE B BUDGET UD DG G PLANNER COVERING COSTS WIT WITH TH A PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN

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5 QUESTIONS ABOUT COSIGNERS

COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE 10 Things to Know About Student Loans WHEN TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE:

Early Decision vs. Regular Admission

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CORONAVIRUS

Cougar writer navigates UH’s contact tracing course CRISTOBELLA DURRETTE

the air. It was interesting to see how these microscopic particles actually travel.

STAFF WRITER @CRIST0BELLA

I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a germaphobe, I’m just acutely aware of potentially harmful particles that could be lurking on everyday surfaces.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, I was baptizing myself in hand sanitizer at least once a day and washing my hands after touching high-contact areas, such as doorknobs or shopping carts.

My concerns pre-coronavirus didn’t center on getting sick, but rather on falling behind in my work and my studies as a result of illness.

Once COVID-19 reached the U.S. and cases began soaring in Texas, the fear surrounding exposure and infection piqued my anxiety and frequently derailed my daily routines.

Instead of allowing this worry to consume me, I began working to mitigate it by informing myself about the virus and how it can be traced.

I signed up for the course Population Health During a Pandemic: Contact Tracing and Beyond at the end of June. Created by the University, the course covers a variety of topics relating to the coronavirus and to contact tracing.

The course consists of a twoweek, self-paced study that consists of 14 topics and a number of short,

Variety of information The course goes beyond explaining the science behind the coronavirus and what it takes to be a contact tracer.

The material covers the ways in which COVID-19 impacts specific aspects of peoples’ health, such as those related to mental health and pregnancy, as well as exploring the responsibilities and legal ramifications of a contact tracer position.

Specifically, the explanation of the ways in which contact tracing can be useful in monitoring viral spread and contributes to public health efforts stood out.

Ample time

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

five to six question quizzes at the end of each topic section.

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion for free until July 31. After this date, it will cost participants $49 to receive a certificate of program completion.

In addition to the generally applicable course that I have completed, the University also offers a course on contact tracing specifically for UH students, faculty and staff.

Taking part in the contact tracing course helped to mitigate

my anxiety surrounding the ongoing pandemic by allowing me to learn more about the coronavirus and the work of contact tracers.

I recommend that students interested in learning more about the coronavirus and potentially putting that knowledge to use within their communities should take a look into this course.

Here are three aspects of the course that I enjoyed and found helpful in my own experience working through the modules:

Media variety The course doesn’t require participants to slog through a dense textbook in order to root out the important information.

Rather, the modules include a variety of media including videos, readings and links to websites where participants can access additional data.

The external web example that stuck with me is the New York Times data visualization of how coronavirus particles travel in

The course is estimated to take just over 22 hours to complete both weeks.

Despite completing it in less than half of that time, it was a relief to have the flexibility to work at my own pace.

The quizzes, which are timed at half an hour each, provide ample time to complete the five or six questions. And if you don’t earn a passing score the first time, it’s no problem. You can retake the quizzes as many times as you want. news@thedailycougar.com

HOUSING

Residence halls to remain open throughout term CRISTOBELLA DURRETTE

STAFF WRITER @CRIST0BELLA

The UH residence halls, including The Quad, will remain open throughout the academic term.

Facilities will continue operations following the transition to online classes after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Student Housing and Residential Life plans to implement a variety of COVID-19 prevention procedures to modify move-in and residential life.

“Residents and Student Housing and Residential Life staff must review and follow CDC recommendations for living in shared spaces, which includes maintaining social distancing,” said UH spokesperson Shawn Lindsey.

To maintain social distancing, students will be required to reserve a move-in day and time between Aug. 17-22 using a sign-up system that will become available on the MyHousing portal beginning July 20.

In addition to staggered move-in times, the number of carts and resident guests will be limited, according to the Fall 2020 move-in guide.

Throughout the year, SHRL projects to make changes in space usage, interaction with staff and resident expectations related to personal cleaning and disinfecting, according to their website. This will include increased sanitation and signage.

Community bathrooms and “high-touch spaces” will be sanitized multiple times daily

during weekdays and at least once on weekends. Signs will be posted throughout residence halls as reminders for social distancing and other health guidelines.

SHRL has not released a definitive plan regarding the mitigation of viral spread in shared rooms or bathroom areas, such as those available in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II and the Moody Towers.

For some students, the continued threat of COVID-19 has raised concerns surrounding on-campus living. Computer science sophomore Shannon Lombardo, who lives out of state, initially planned to live on campus this fall but later decided against it.

“Originally, I was going to (live on campus) because I really want to experience campus life, but

Residence halls will remain open after classes go online following Thanksgiving break. | Christopher Charleston/The Cougar

considering (COVID-19), I feel like everything on campus is going to be dead,” said Lombardo. “I’m not too worried about myself getting (COVID-19), but I’m a lot more worried about getting it and giving it to my high-risk family members.”

The ongoing rejection of social distancing measures and mask wearing in other public spaces, such as grocery stores, also generates worry. Hotel and restaurant management senior Joel Vaughan does not plan to live on campus this fall and said that he

would be concerned if he was.

“Seeing how people completely ignore safety protocols in local grocery stores and other local areas, I could imagine college kids would do the same,” said Vaughan. “But they should definitely enforce the wearing of masks.”

All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask on campus, as per the mandatory face covering policy instituted by President Renu Khator on June 24. news@thedailycougar.com

12 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

The Cougar

LIFE AND ARTS NEWS

DONNA KEEYA EDITORS & SYDNEY ROSE,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/LIFE-ARTS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

FOOD

Roundtable: Rating UH’s most popular coffee spots DONNA KEEYA SYDNEY ROSE SHIVANI PARMAR @DONNAKEEYA_ @SYDNEYROSE1029 @JOURNALISMBYSHI

Coffee serves as a fuel for many UH students, so with so many different coffee stops on campus, The Cougar wants to offer their thoughts on where to go and what to drink.

With each place that serves coffee on campus, the things to look at are menu items, general vibes and atmosphere. So, considering each of these attributes, the following is a rating of the coffee one can get at UH.

The Nook Cafe Donna Keeya: The best way to describe The Nook is if Half Price Books was a coffee shop. I think it’s definitely the cutest coffee shop to sit down at and study with friends. They have a bottomless mug option of unlimited drip coffee that I would highly recommend. It’s not my favorite coffee to drink, but definitely my favorite environment. 4/5 stars.

Sydney Rose: The vibes are an unfinished building you would find in Austin, but The Nook is such a cute place to sit with other coffee lovers and play board games or hang out in a study group.

I’ve tried their teas and pastries that are all pretty good, but I usually stick with the bottomless mug if I know I’m going to stay there for a while. The best type of place to get coffee while making it a whole outing, especially after a long day of classes. 5/5 stars.

Shivani Parmar: The Nook is like every great college stereotype. From the wide range of vegan alternatives to live entertainment, there is something for everyone. Along with the classic orders, the coffee menu here has a unique twist compared to the other places you would find on campus, not to mention drinks like the Snickers latte. 5/5 stars.

Cougar Grounds DK: To get to the point, I think Cougar Grounds has my favorite coffee on campus. The coffee tastes high quality and they have a variety of dairy substitutes and syrups. The environment is cute too and it’s definitely conveniently located. My only real complaint is the limited hours of operation. 5/5 stars.

SR: When you have a busy day ahead of you, the best stop you could make is a quick trip to Cougar Grounds. My favorite iced coffee options are from here, and I like the different choices and menu items they have to offer. While I don’t usually sit down to drink my coffee there, it is still

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

a nice environment to stay and study in during the day, I just wished it was open more often and took Cougar Cash. 4/5 stars.

SP: This is a place that I would do my homework. It is the quietest coffee shop on campus, so I like to consider this the library’s Brown Wing of coffee shops. It is in close proximity to the dorms and the coffee is relatively inexpensive while also being exceptional. Besides the seating inside the shop, there is a plethora of tables extending from alfresco seating to inside the Hilton Hotel. 4/5 stars.

Shasta’s Cones & More DK: As far as Shasta’s coffee is concerned, I think it’s very misunderstood.

While it’s menu isn’t as extensive as some of its competitors, you can definitely get a good drip coffee here. I feel if my dad were to come to campus, he would get his coffee here. Affordable. Simple. Not crowded. It also has the strongest cold brew I’ve ever had. 3/5 stars.

SR: Shasta’s is almost like a hidden gem because many people forget that they serve coffee along with their ice cream. Honestly, it is pretty cheap, they take Cougar Cash and they make a mean iced mocha, so I respect it. Not the kind of place you really sit around at and I personally would avoid the cold brew at all costs. 4/5 stars.

SP: I would stick to buying ice cream when you come here, but if you are a fan of black coffee or you are in a rush, go for it. On a positive note, they do take Cougar cash and can be great to avoid the long lines at other campus coffee shops. 1/5 stars.

About Frontier Fiesta Established in 1939, Frontier Fiesta is a three day, Western themed festival hosted by the University of Houston. The festival is held on-campus, the week after Spring Break, and is programmed by the Frontier Fiesta Association.

Frontier Fiesta is free for everyone to attend and is open to all, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and the general Houston community.

Starbucks DK: The Starbucks franchise and I go back many years, and it was the first campus coffee shop I tried at my freshmen orientation. The employees are really nice and it’s probably the most convenient place to get coffee. I used Boost to order Starbucks at least twice a week. 4/5 stars.

SR: Honestly, I used to only get my coffee from Starbucks before I came to

campus, but now the only time I go there is to get refreshers, never coffee. I like that there are multiple Starbucks locations on campus if you’re ever in a pinch, but it’s definitely not my go-to for warm or iced coffee. Also, again, not really a sit-down and vibe kind of place on campus, unless you’re at the Melcher Hall location. 2/5 stars.

SP: Starbucks is my go-to place for coffee because it is conveniently located at the heart of campus inside the Student Center and it is easy to order because like most people, I know the menu like the back of my hand. It is considerably loud so I would not come here in hopes of getting work done but to hang out with friends or take a break from studying. The lines are notoriously long, but if you have time to wait, it is a great hangout spot between classes. 4/5 stars.

Moody Towers Dining Commons DK: Moody Towers Dining Commons is probably one of the most iconic UH locations, regardless of its food. As far as the coffee goes, that stuff was running through my blood thick freshmen year. They have a Starbucks machine, but honestly, I prefer the drip coffee. I associate the flavor with comfort at this point. My only complaint is the mugs are super small so I would down three cups in one sitting. 3/5 stars.

SR: As odd as it sounds, Moody coffee just hits different. I personally have to add a ton of that french vanilla creamer they have and sugar to the drip coffee, but it’s a good wake up if I don’t feel like buying coffee out of pocket that day or even just to drink after dinner. Very convenient and surprisingly good. 3/5 stars.

SP: When I lived in the dorms, I never used the Keurig in my room because the dining hall had a Starbucks coffee machine with so many different brews, I could get as many cups as I wanted and it was already included in the meal plan. The only downside is that you can not take it outside of the dining hall. 3/5 stars. arts@thedailycougar.com

Saturday, August 1, 2020 | 13

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THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/LIFE-ARTS

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LIFE ANDNEWS ARTS

CITY

Bus stops, light rail, COAST: Metro explained SYDNEY ROSE

NEWS EDITOR @SYDNEYROSE1029

On a campus within the downtown area, so close to various parks, restaurants and other venues, UH students may find themselves using public transit to get around.

With the Metropolitan Transit Authority system using both buses and the light rail, students have options on how to travel, but only a few know how the system works.

There are six different bus routes that offer local service to the UH campus: 04: Beechnut, 09: Gulfton/Holman, 25: Richmond, 29: Cullen/Hirsh, 54: Scott and 80: MLK/Lockwood.

Connections occur from the Eastwood Transit Center and Downtown Transit Center for the UH Shuttle, and offer park and ride stops to Houston suburb areas, which can be used by those commuting to campus.

One of the bus stops can be found by the Recreation and Wellness Center off of Calhoun Road.

When riding the Metro Rail, there are three possible lines that travel over the city of Houston: purple, red and green.

The purple line is what connects to the UH campus through the UH South/ University Oaks stop near Cougar Village II, as well as the TSU/UH Athletics District stop near TDECU Stadium.

The purple line runs all the way to Theater District before it turns around back in the direction of the Palm Center Transit Center stop.

If students are transferring from the purple line to the green line, they can get off at EaDo/Stadium stop, Convention District stop, Central Station stop or Theater district.

If students are transferring from either the green or purple line to the red line, they can get off at Central Station stop.

From there, they would walk over from either Fannin Street or San Jacinto Street, depending on which stop they were on, over to Main Street to board the red line.

In order to use any form of the Metro, someone will have to pay for a Metro card and put money on it, or pay out of pocket for a light rail ticket or at the bus stop. For UH students, Parking and Transportation offers options.

Students are eligible for a Q Fare card or a Day Pass. The Q Fare card offers a

The Metro Rail’s purple line services the University locally, with two stations near the UH campus; in front of TDECU stadium and near Cougar Village. | File Photo

50 percent discount on Metro fares for students and must have money added to the card. The Day Pass is for those who use the Metro more often and are willing to pay $1.50 a day for unlimited rides.

For eligible students, PTS offers the COAST program as well. Students and faculty who participate receive a Q-card

with $27.50 loaded on to it each month to cover any Metro service.

Navigating the Metro for any incoming students can be a task, but knowing what to do and where to go brings UH students at ease. arts@thedailycougar.com

14 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

The Cougar

WELCOME, NEW COUGARS! The start of every academic year at the University of Houston is memorable, but it’s fair to say this one is historic. Given the challenges we all face with COVID-19, to have so many of you joining us this fall is a testament to the importance you place on your education.

I congratulate you all. And I assure you that we share the same sense of commitment. Thousands of faculty and staff members have been working diligently to make our campus safe, our classrooms rewarding and our remote instruction productive.

Student success is our top priority as it’s ingrained into our culture. Every service we provide, every building we construct, every professor we bring and every dollar of financial aid and scholarships we distribute, has a common purpose – to ensure your success. The pandemic may have required us to take extraordinary measures to meet that goal, but the goal itself remains unchanged.

Can I guarantee there won’t be challenges? No. But I can guarantee that help will always be available – including the Office of the President. If you can’t solve a legitimate problem on your own, email me at president@uh.edu. Your issue will be addressed within three days. It may not always be the answer you want, but there will be a response.

I look forward to meeting many of you soon, either as part of the residence hall move-in or during the many visits – in person and online – that I will make to freshman classes once the semester gets underway. In the meantime, I’m delighted that you’re part of the UH family, and I invite you to join me in a rousing “Go, Coogs!”

With warm regards, Renu Khator

Saturday, August 1, 2020 | 15

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ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

@THECOUGARSPORTS

SPORTS NEWS

ATHLETICS

‘A huge lifeline’ How online video calls have kept the Cougars connected

ANDY YANEZ

SPORTS EDITOR @AYANEZ_5

When the Houston men’s basketball team defeated the Memphis Tigers in the regular season finale in early March, no one, from the managers all the way up to head coach Kelvin Sampson, thought it would be the final game of the 2019-20 season.

The Cougars were preparing for the American Athletic Conference postseason tournament and had bigger aspirations with the NCAA Tournament around the corner.

During the same period, the UH football team was over a week into their spring practices as the team was getting its first look of the roster for the 2020 season.

The swimming and diving team had a few athletes preparing to compete in the NCAA Championship meets and the track and field team was not too far away from its national competitions, while the softball and baseball players were just beginning to get into the meat of their respective seasons.

The coronavirus pandemic caught the world by surprise, and UH athletes were no different.

Soon after the athletic events were canceled, UH switched to remote learning for the rest of the spring term, and online meeting outlets, such as Zoom, Skype and FaceTime, became integral parts

ZOOM

Continues on page 19

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

08.24.2020 - 09.05.2020

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SPORTS NEWS

ANDY YANEZ, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

‘Electric environment’ at Fertitta Center a must see for UH students JAMES MUELLER

STAFF WRITER @ JDM2186

From a pregame light show on the court to hundreds of students sitting courtside, Fertitta Center has electrified the men’s basketball game day experience at UH. Hofheinz Pavilion had been the home to UH basketball since 1969, but attendance at the arena became increasingly low ever since the Phi Slama Jama era.

After the hiring of head coach Kelvin Sampson in 2014, the UH men’s basketball program began to rise again, which signified the time for Houston to get a new home to enhance its game days.

After nearly 50 years at Hofheinz Pavilion, UH basketball made Fertitta Center its new home in December 2018, and the change in atmosphere was evident with fans raving about the electricity in the building. “(I) got to go to the LSU game,” said Steven Hiller, a longtime UH basketball supporter. “It was the most intense basketball game I had ever been to and the crowd blew your eardrums off. After years of going to Coog hoops games, this

was what I always dreamed we would be.”

One unique aspect to game day at Fertitta Center is the pregame festivities. Prior to the Cougars taking the court, all the lights in the arena go out and the hardwood turns into a giant screen with team highlights and cool graphics projected onto it.

“The pregame show on the court is really impressive as it sets the tone for the start of the game and gets the fans into the experience,” said UH alumnus Johnny Fusilier.

There is also an interactive portion during Houston’s intro video and announcement of the starting lineup.

When the intro video begins, the lights again go out and fans are able to open an app that synchronizes their phone’s flashlight to the music which turns Fertitta Center into a giant light show.

“It creates a sense of unity and the flashlights get everyone hyped,” said junior supply chain management major Will Partridge.

Another important part of game day is the student section.

UH’s section is unique because it is courtside. Being so close to

the action makes the student experience unlike any other school and elevates the energy in the student section to another level.

“I love being in the student section because you are in the middle of all the action,” sophomore accounting major Cody Doyle said.

Jonathan Loredo, an incoming freshman, has been going to UH basketball games since he was 10 years old. He is looking forward to experiencing games from the student section next season.

“Seeing the amount of support the students give the team is incredible,” Loredo said. “I’m looking forward to getting the student experience and being right there with the players.”

With all the changes made, attending a UH basketball game has become a part of the bucket list item for all Cougars.

“The quality basketball, the electric environment and the school spirit make every seat in the Fertitta Center a great place to experience a basketball game,” Fusilier said. sports@thedailycougar.com

Guard Caleb Mills holds his follow through as fans in a packed Fertitta Center look on. The venue’s first game, a 65-61 Houston win over Oregon in December 2018, was a sellout. | Mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar

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SPORTS NEWS

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FOOTBALL

UH game day traditions inside and out of TDECU Stadium ARMANDO YANEZ

STAFF WRITER @ARMANDOYANEZ_16

College football game days are nothing short of a spectacle, and to think that it is nothing more than a game couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s a tradition.

When you catch a first glimpse of TDECU Stadium, not only do you see the home of the Houston football team, but the entire Cougar community as well.

Whether it be late Thursday nights or early Saturday mornings, students and alumni make their way to TDECU Stadium to support their beloved Cougars and display the utmost pride for the University.

The Cougar reached out to Coogston to ask several members and UH alumni about their game day experiences.

“Going to the game with friends and family, listening to the fight song on the way to the game and touching the cougar statue outside of TDECU Stadium are just a few of my favorite things,” Houston alumnus and Coogston member Peyton Hill said. “The first game is always the best because after (that), it feels like the season just flies by quickly … so we (try to) soak it in.”

Before even entering TDECU Stadium, it’s impossible to miss the atmosphere of the tailgates and activities that take place

ZOOM

Continued from page 15 for all students, especially for the studentathletes.

“Zoom has been a huge lifeline,” said assistant men’s basketball coach Kellen Sampson during the first Coaches Caravan, which was done through a Zoom conference call last week. “If I had known, I would have doubled down on some Zoom stock.”

Coaches from all the different sports at the University have used this technology to stay in touch with their athletes.

“Every one of our coaches has done a great job touching base with our kids every other day, (if not) daily,” athletic director Chris Pezman said during the first Coaches Caravan. “That was one of the first things we asked our coaches to do because you go from a very regimented life to all of a sudden you’re home and what do you do?”

While the entire situation has forced everyone to have to make adjustments, what tops the list is arguably the coaches themselves having to learn how to use video calls.

“I didn’t know what Zoom was a month go. Never heard of it,” the older Sampson told The Cougar in April. “Every day someone is telling me I have something to Zoom. Zoom this, Zoom that.”

The online meetings have been utilized in many different ways by the University.

The most important of them all has been to let the coaches check in on their students and make sure they’re OK along with their families and loved ones.

Other uses have been to keep up with

The UH football team running out of the locker room between two flamethrowers and surrounded by the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band and cheerleaders. Since moving to TDECU Stadium, the Cougars are 28-10 at home. | File Photo

outside the venue.

From the endless grills and tents to the loud music, all the way to the sea of scarlet red and white from everyone coming to support the team, there is nothing but Cougar pride and tradition when it comes to Houston football game days.

students’ academics, and even letting the strength and conditioning staff from the different programs show them some do-athome workouts.

Both the basketball and football teams have also held conference calls with guest speakers to keep players engaged and have a chance to learn from the minds of the best at their respective sport.

“This a great time to learn,” Kelvin Sampson said during the second Coaches Caravan on May 12. “This isn’t a vacation.

It’s time to work. Just because we aren’t in the office doesn’t mean you can’t do things to get better.”

Football head coach Dana Holgorsen has even used video technology to recruit players for the upcoming season.

“Recruiting is a whole other animal.”

Holgorsen said. “I think the studentathletes like it a little bit. The 18-year-olds are all about this FaceTime, Zooming thing. They are really good at it.”

While so far, the online meetings have not had to be about the specifics in football, the head coach is prepared to use Zoom to go into playbook virtually if needed.

“We have capabilities to do Zoom meetings strictly about football,” Holgorsen said.

The use of Zoom by the University is just a small window into the ever evolving world of technology.

While the future of games and athletic competitions remain unknown because of the pandemic, the teams at the University continue to be connected despite physically being separated. sports@thedailycougar.com

“The band playing the Houston songs as well as the fans at the game all wearing the same colors and showing pride for the school is a really great tradition,” Coogston member Brandon Gonzalez said.

Cougars of the past and present come together and enjoy the pregame festivities

and get to catch up and spend time with other fans.

“What stands out to me is being able to be with friends from when I was at the University,” UH alumnus and Coogston member Dan Bazan said. “I consider them family cause the games always seem like a reunion, seeing how everyone has grown since we were at the University.”

Just before the opening kickoff, all the students, alumni and fans head to the gates to take their seat and watch the Cougars run out of the tunnel and out onto the field.

From the traditional fight song and alma mater to the loud “Whose House, Coogs House” chant and upbeat “Womp Womp,” Houston has its unique, prideful chants and songs that never get old amongst its fans. “’Whose House, Coogs House’ would be my favorite,” Houston alumnus and Coogston member Ken Phipps Jr. said.

“Just how enthusiastic the chant is and how it brings everyone together in that spirit is what makes it special.”

Houston football games create memories that students and alumni carry with them for the rest of their lives as they indulge in the traditions, the pride and what it means to be a UH Cougar. sports@thedailycougar.com

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SPORTS NEWS

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Redshirts and freshmen: A look at Houston’s 2020-21 newbies

ANDY YANEZ

SPORTS EDITOR @AYANEZ_5

The 2019-20 season for the Cougars had plenty of growing pains, which showed through a few inconsistent performances and heartbreaking losses. But they also demonstrated flashes of dominance that were displayed through the control of the glass and occasional display of suffocating defense.

The Cougars, however, have moved on from the shortened season and have begun looking at the upcoming campaign. While the team will be without its leading rebounder in guard Nate Hinton due to his decision to stay in the NBA draft, the program is thrilled with the players that are coming in 2020.

“Really it’s five (new players that will be eligible to play) that we are really excited about ( for the 202021 season),” said Kellen Sampson during a virtual Coaches Caravan in May.

Tramon Mark When talking about the 2020-21 incoming class for Houston, the first person that is usually brought

up in the conversation is Dickinson High School star Tramon Mark.

“Mark is going to have a chance to be as good as any guard we’ve had,” Sampson said. “(He’s) a 6-6 do it all player.”

Coming off averaging 29.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game his senior year this past season, he enters the UH program with a lot of anticipation to see what he will do.

With a good amount of scouts and experts predicting him to develop into an NBA player, there will be extra eyes on him every time he steps foot on the court and performs.

Jamal Shead Another incoming freshman is guard Jamal Shead. from Manor High.

“He had an awesome career at (Manor),” Sampson said. “He was one win away from getting his team back to the state tournament.”

Shead first led his then-underdog squad to the state tournament in the 2018-19 season, and that team

NEWBIES

Continues on page 23

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Forward J’Wan Roberts with the Fertitta Center nets after Houston clinched a share of the American Athletic Conference regular season championship. Roberts redshirted in the 2019-20 season. | Mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar

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FOOTBALL

An early look at some of Houston’s incoming freshmen for 2020 ARMANDO YANEZ

Central Arkansas.

Headlined by senior nose guard Olivier Charles-Pierre and junior defensive tackle Jamykal Neal, Nwankwo adds depth to Houston's defensive line and will have the opportunity to grow into the Cougar’s rotation.

STAFF WRITER @ARMANDOYANEZ_16

College football programs send scouts all over the country to recruit the best talents coming out of high school to compete at the highest levels of Division I college football, and Houston is no exception.

The Cougars’ 2020 class is headlined by talent on both sides of the ball.

Here are a few of the incoming recruits for Houston:

Khiyon Wafer

Sofian Massoud Freshman quarterback Sofian Massoud played his senior season at Cypress Lakes High School in Katy where he threw for 2,818 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions, averaging 281.8 passing yards per game.

Massoud previously played for Cardinal Hayes High School in New York City before moving to Texas prior to his senior season.

The 6-foot-2-inch quarterback originally committed to Rutgers in March 2019 before decommitting and committing to Houston a few months later in July.

Massoud ranks as the 62nd best athlete on ESPN’s 2020 Top Athlete list.

He will most likely sit behind junior quarterback Clayton Tune, who threw for 1,533 yards and 11 touchdownin 2019, for the upcoming season.

NEWBIES

Continued from page 22 success is something that has really stood out to the UH coaching staff, proving that he’s a winner.

“Bringing in a guy like Jamal Shead, you’re improving your team,” head coach Kelvin Sampson said of him last November after he had announced his commitment. “He’ll help this program win. He’s a winner.”

Kiyron Powell Kiyron Powell is the final of the true freshmen players that will join Houston this upcoming season.

The lengthy center joins a veteran frontcourt that is filled with upperclassmen like Fabian White Jr., Brison Gresham and Justin Gorham.

“We were fortunate to beat out a lot of Big Ten schools for him,” Kellen Sampson said. “He’s a long, athletic, shot-blocking, rebounding son of a gun and we’re excited (to have him).”

Outside of his length, Powell is also comfortable shooting the jumper, and Houston is also excited to see what type of player he can become once he fills out his body.

“I think he’s a kid that will develop here,” the older Sampson said of Powell back in November. “As Kiyron gets bigger and stronger, he has wide shoulders, a great frame and he has a chance to be really good.”

J’Wan Roberts As for the incoming redshirts, J’Wan Roberts and Cameron Tyson, the Cougars are looking forward to seeing their impact on the roster after sitting out a year, but still practicing and learning with the team.

The coaching staff expects Roberts to make

Head coach Dana Holgorsen during spring workouts in February before the coronavirus shutdown. He will look to improve from his inaugural 4-8 season with Houston. | Lino Sandil/The Cougar

Chidozie Nwankwo Incoming defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo played for Foster High School in Richmond where he ranked as the 65th best defensive tackle according to ESPN’s 2020

plays for the frontcourt with his athleticism. “(Roberts) is just kind of a Swiss Army Knife of swords in our frontcourt,” Kellen Sampson said.

Even though Roberts has yet to step foot on the court for the Cougars, he has already set some expectations from the coaching staff after they got an entire season to see him up close.

“I think J’Wan is one of those kids that will find a way to make me play him,” Kelvin Sampson told The Cougar in April. “And I like players like that because they usually have the right attitude and the right work ethic and that’s the way I would describe J’Wan.”

Cameron Tyson Tyson will also be eligible to play for the Cougars after having to sit out in the 2019-20 season because of the NCAA transfer rules, but he will also have a chance to help the team from the get-go.

“One of the areas that I don’t think we did as well as we had in previous years was shooting the perimeter shot and that’s an immediate shot in the arm with Cam Tyson,” Kellen Sampson said.

With Idaho in 2018-19, he averaged 13.5 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line.

All five of these players have been committed to Houston for a while, which, for Houston’s coaching staff, is a positive sign for how their game will progress for the Cougars.

“They’ve been locked in and invested in our program for a long time,” Kellen Sampson said.

“I think that’ll help their transition and allow them to be really good Cougars when their moment comes. sports@thedailycougar.com

Top Defensive Tackles’ list.

The 5-foot-11-inch defensive tackle, who also is known for his success on the wrestling mat, chose Houston over Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College and

Wide receiver Khiyon Wafer played for Independence High School in Frisco and started 13 games in his senior season. In those games, he accumulated 65 catches for 1,277 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-2-inch wide receiver chose Houston over UConn, Illinois, McNeese State and New Mexico State.

Much like Nwankwo, Wafer adds depth to an already deep wide receiver corps for Houston, where time and practice with notable receivers in seniors Keith Corbin and Marquez Stevenson should allow him to grow and potentially play a big role for the Cougars beyond 2020.

If 2020 kicks off in September, the incoming recruits will look to grow and familiarize themselves with UH’s culture.

The Cougars’ roster remains similar to last season’s as a significant number of starters on both sides of the ball will return. sports@thedailycougar.com

UH STUDENT ORGS

24 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

University of Houston SPE Student Chapter

Psi Chi Honor Society & Psychology Club

www.uhpsych.org Join us @uhpsichi

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WITH CAMPUS RECREATION WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERY COOG Indoor Track

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The Cougar

OPINION NEWS

GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

DRESS CODE

Wearing pajamas to class is a symbol of our transition into adulthood SAIRA HAQUE

STAFF COLUMNIST @SWEETSASSYSAIRA

In American universities it is common to see students occasionally wearing pajamas to class, but when it comes to their international counterparts, pajamas aren’t worn in classrooms or even considered as attire for public gatherings.

The trend of wearing pajamas to school goes back to elementary with “Wear Your PJs to Class” day. This is something most of us enjoyed then and even continued to wear them during the most stressful days of grade school.

But as young American students slowly start entering the professional world, should they stop wearing their cozy pajamas to class and shed a symbol of their youth?

I don’t think students should stop wearing pajamas to class; I’ve seen students wear their pajamas every once in a while, but they do tend to wear, with higher frequency, comfy clothes like sweats, a T-shirt slightly tucked in and a

PAJAMAS

Continues on page 31

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

Welcome freshmen - here’s to a wonderful year!

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 | 27

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OPINION NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

CLUBS

Houston Hobbyist Guild: A space where the diverse flourish AK ALMOUMEN

STAFF COLUMNIST

The University prides itself on being one of the most diverse colleges in the nation, yet it could do more to promote student-run organizations that embrace a wide variety of cultures. The funding, promotion and opportunities are low for students to share a sense of connection wholly focused on hobbies and art creation and appreciation.

It is not easy to find an engaging and safe space on campus where you can meet a diverse group of people who share an interest in nerd culture. Enter the Houston Hobbyist Guild, a campus organization dedicated to maintaining an often forgotten aspect of what makes games so appealing: diversity. While one might assume that a group dedicated to nerd culture would not be open to new ideas, that is not the case with HHG. HHG is an organization that embraces a variety of students from different races, gender and sexual orientations. This subculture is comprised of students who have a general love of board, card and video games.

During the week members of the organization can participate in board games, Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering all around the student center.

Within those niches is an explosion of

humanity that runs the gauntlet of true diversity, which mirrors UH's student body.

The guild’s mission statement reads “Our goal is to create a community for UH students, faculty and friends to share their hobbies with others or discover new ones.”

That sentiment is a belief to their core. The guild masters celebrate the fact that they attract people proud of their immigrant heritage and gender identity.

HGG’s diversity is even more apparent when you look past the colorful characters their members become while playing D&D. This diversity allows for ideas to spread through out the community.

I learned a lot listening to members about their culture, ideas and interests.

I have personally had conversations and got familiar with members’ stories about their hometowns in Mexico. I had the opportunity to engage with others about their appreciation for podcasting.

Some members even went into a complex discussion about understanding cartoons Jiselle Santos/The Cougar through the lens of gender fluidity, while others lamented about the absurdity of it is to watch these people communicate in different aspects of Japanese media as an a language that is so foreign to a mediocre exploration of the validity of a person’s student such as myself. identity.

From what I have seen, sharing space on Harvest Even listening to the guild members campus with these colorful characters is Harvest Hill Hill talk about mathematicsApartments and probability is one of the most beautiful sights to witness Apartments captivating. I can not deny how impressive at UH. HHG’s dedication to cultivating

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

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

GAMES ROOM The Games Room offers bowling, billiards, table tennis & other amusement games! It’s available for individual or group usage for open play & by reservation.

SHASTA’S CONES & MORE Stop by Shasta’s Cones & More, a student-run ice cream shop featuring a number of ice cream flavors, candy & beverages.

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

Saturday, August 1, 2020 | 29

The Cougar GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

OPINION NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

FRIENDSHIPS

Don’t let your high school brain get in the way of making college friends ANNA BAKER

STAFF COLUMNIST @ANNA2POINT0

When you first go off to college, there are a lot of expectations, one of which is to find a group of friends. You expect to click with your roommate immediately or someone from orientation and then immediately delve into an amazing friendship.

Sometimes that happens, and it’s great!

But sometimes it doesn’t and it can feel like everyone has found their people but you. It can be lonely when your social life doesn’t live up to your expectations as you start college and that’s OK. We can’t help but have expectations, but we need to remember not to be too let down when they are not fully met.

When I first came to UH, I knew nobody. Like many people, I had a good group of friends in high school and my expectations were that I was going to find another group. After a month or two, I hadn’t found a group. I had a friend here and there, but I saw so many groups walking and eating together on campus that I couldn’t help but feel left out of something.

Despite some friends I made, I was

lonely. I didn’t have a group and I felt deprived because of it. It seemed everyone had found people but me. To be honest, I still don’t necessarily have a single group of friends, and that’s OK. I had to realize that the other separate friendships I had were just as valuable as a typical friend group.

We go into college with expectations we had in high school. But college isn’t high school. It’s different in so many ways. Many of us had the same friend group for years in grade school, so having to make friends in college is strange.

We haven’t had to make friends completely out of strangers since kindergarten. So it can be difficult for some people to immediately click with others.

Even if you go to college with friends from high school and remain friends, people find other friends and the friendship dynamic changes. We might hope that all our post high school friendships will be just like high school, but they won’t and that’s OK. College is all about change.

So you may be going into college with these cinematic expectations of clicking with a group of people immediately

When starting a new chapter of life, it is normal to have expectations and sadly they might not be met, but it’s important to cherish what one has. Friendships in college are different from high school, and that is OK. | Christopher Charleston/The Cougar

or becoming best friends with your roommate. Who knows? That all could happen. But it might not, and that’s all right. If you find yourself at the end of your first semester not having found your people yet, you’re not alone.

It’s OK to be sad about it too of course.

But it’s important to realize that our high school expectations of college often don’t live up, and when we realize that, we have

to start looking at what we have and how we can work with it and make it better.

College is confusing, exciting and full of possibilities. Don’t let what was in your high school brain get you down too much!

Anna Baker is an English sophomore who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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30 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

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BECOMING

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

TIPS

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

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

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE WORKSHOPS COT DEGREE??

August 28

ADVISING ASSETS

September 18

ACADEMIC APTITUDE & RESOURCES October 16 Kevin Nguyen, first-year experience undergraduate academic advisor for the College of Technology. Voted “Best Academic Advisor” at UH in 2019.

Contact us at 713.743.5200, asc@uh.edu, uh.edu/technology

CAREer SKILLS & PREPARATIONS

November 13

FALLowing YOUR MAJOR

December 4 Check uh.edu/technology for details about locations and schedule.

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INGENUITY APPLIED.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 | 31

The Cougar GINA MEDINA, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

OPINION NEWS

ADVICE

Dear class of 2024: an open letter to incoming college freshmen GINA MEDINA

OPINION EDITOR @ITSGINA_M

Dear Class of 2024, I will make it short and sweet, much like your time at college.

You might think that four years is a long time and after I graduated high school, I felt the same way, but when I tell you that time will fly by, I mean it. You will be walking across that stage before you know it, so make the most out of the time you have at UH. As I begin my last year of college and look back on my time at UH, I dwell on the fact that I didn’t have the college experience I always wanted. I am graduating early and although from the beginning I kind of knew that a shorter academic journey was a possibility, I never really took the time to enjoy my college years.

Learn from my mistakes and enjoy your time as a college student. As cheesy as it may sound, push yourself to get out of your comfort zone and grow as much as you can. This is the best time to make mistakes so don’t be scared to try new things.

UH is an enormous campus and it can be easy to feel lost and alone, but a great thing about having a massive student body is that you are bound to find people who share your interests. The odds are literally

PAJAMAS

Continued from page 26 jean jacket.

The university attire is all about comfort. Something that is easy move around in is preferred since students often have busy schedules packed with back to back activities like classes, study sessions on or off-campus and meetings/events for clubs and organizations.

There has been debates on whether wearing pajamas affect students in their ability to learn. My answer is no, because a piece of clothing doesn’t affect one’s ability to learn. Students are all about feeling comfortable, especially with having a long day of classes and studying ahead.

Wearing pajamas doesn’t negatively affect our academic success. From what I’ve seen, students who do wear pajamas do just as well in school as the rest of their peers who don’t wear pajamas to class.

The idea of wearing pajamas to class symbolizes youth while college

Fall 2020 will be an unusual semester for the incoming freshmen class, however, college is still a great time to build relationships and grow. | Christopher Charleston/The Cougar

in your favor, you just have to play the game and put yourself out there.

This pandemic has taken us all by surprise; I never would have thought that my last year of college would look like this

students are entering adulthood by being on a college campus and gaining independence. College students are young and want to joke around, and sometimes not care about what they’re wearing from time to time.

It shouldn’t be that big of a deal when students decide to wear pajamas to class because it is harmless and doesn’t necessarily bother anyone from what I’ve seen. It is a conservation starter amongst peers and can spark friendships.

Since it is a college campus, people are often in their world and don’t care about who wears what and when, unless there is a job fair or a presentation.

So as we enter adulthood and the professional world, don’t be hesitant about wearing your pajamas to class as it is a symbol of the crossroads between childhood and adulthood.

Saira Haque is an anthropology junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

and I am sure you didn’t envision your first year of college like this either, but here we are.

You never know what life will throw at you, so chase after you want and work

towards your goals with everything you have. Yes, you should definitely be working hard for your future, but you are also young and deserve to enjoy these few years.

The best advice I could give you is to talk to the people in your classes. It’s going to be different than what you are used to since most of us won’t be physically on campus, but this generation is tech-savvy, and GroupMe and Zoom will help you make friends.

Although it can be scary to approach someone and start a conversation, you never know where it could lead; you could be meeting your future best friend, spouse, co-worker or make a career advancing connection.

I can almost guarantee that the other person is just as scared as you to start this new chapter of their lives, so just be friendly and kind.

It is also completely OK to not find your group your first semester, or even year, but don’t let it discourage you from trying; the next person you meet might just be the right one.

Go after your dreams. Go the extra mile. Go out of your comfort zone. And go Cougars!

Gina Medina is a journalism senior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

The Council for Cultural Activities is a university The Councilorganization for Cultural Activities is a university sponsored that promotes cultural The Council for Cultural Activities is a university sponsored organization that promotes cultural of awareness, diversity, and inclusion at the University sponsored organization that promotes cultural awareness, andcultural inclusion the University of Houston bydiversity, supporting andatdiversity-related awareness, diversity, and inclusion at the University of Houston student by supporting culturaland andevents diversity-related registered organizations on campus.

Houston by supporting cultural and diversity-related registered student organizations and events on campus.

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32 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

Become a Life Member today!

Life Membership will be $100 off from Aug. 1–23.

Visit HoustonAlumni.com/LifeMember for more information.

Students: Payments as low as $10.42 per month with the discount!

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