Issue 10, Volume 87

@thedailycougar www.thedailycougar.com Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Est. 1934

Issue 10, Volume 87

Rich Culture

Organizations across campus are set to commemorate Black History Month, a celebration that will include events, seminars and more. | PG. 3

2 | Wednesday, February 2, 2022

NEWS

HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

CITY

Lucille’s chef partners with UH Dining for food insecurity project

Chef and owner of Houston restaurant Lucille’s Christopher Williams, served the UH community one of his signature southern dishes in a partnership with UH Dining. | Katrina Kuwaja/The Cougar

LISA EL-AMIN

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @LISAELAMIN17

In a partnership with UH Dining, chef and owner of the Houston restaurant Lucille’s Christopher Williams served a line of students and staff one of his signature southern dishes at Cougar Woods Dining Commons.

The partnership with UH Dining didn’t stop at a meal for the University community, but planned to prepare 500 meals for families in the Third Ward.

This initiative echoes Lucille’s 1913 project that strives to help give fresh healthy meals to impoverished communities in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way.

“The concept of the nonprofit 1913 started with the pandemic,” Williams said.

“We were looking to find ways to keep all of our staff employed full time, so with that commitment we started leaning to find ways to continue to work.”

Williams shared that the project began with feeding first responders working graveyard shifts then shifted the focus towards neighborhoods with food insecurity.

In the initial stages, around 127 meals were prepared a day by Williams himself.

Now that number grown to 2,500 daily.

Since then, Williams said that the nonprofit has expanded into a “vertically integrated ecosystem” influencing an opportunity for job creation.

“We’re hiring people directly from these neighborhoods that we cook for and giving them access to the culinary arts,” Williams

said. “One thing about Houston is if you can cook, you can work in this industry, you’ll have employment security for the rest of your life.”

The development incorporates farming tactics with community gardens located in Fifth Ward, Hiram Clarke and behind The Power Center.

In addition to creating availability for healthier food options, Williams emphasizes ethical waste management with scrapped foods.

“We take all of our waste and we send it back to a composting site that we have in Kendleton, Texas,” Williams said. “The vegetable scraps that we can use, we send to our Kitchen in Fifth Ward, where we developed a fermentation lab led by chef Khang Hoang and Dawn Burrell to where we take all of those scraps and we turn them into shelf stable items for people that need them.”

For the on-campus event’s menu, the culinary team and chef Williams prepared an Ethiopian-influenced dish with rice, okra and tomato stew and chicken berbere.

“I usually hate okra but in this, it was really good and easy to eat,” said biology freshman Anjali Sudheer. “It was different to have new food here besides the regular stuff at the dining hall so I really liked it.”

Some students, like electrical engineering senior Tarami Readus found the food to be nostalgic.

“Everything blended well and was seasoned nicely,” said Readus. “It brought me back home to the south.” news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 | 3 HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS

@THEDAILYCOUGAR

NEWS

NATION

Taking a look back at Black history, legacy

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

HAYA PANJWANI

NEWS EDITOR @HAYAPANJW

February marks Black History Month, an occasion to celebrate Black culture and the impact it has made on American society.

UH is embedded in rich Black history, which means many students at the University takes pride in having African American roots. That also means the University itself is hosting its own array of events to mark the next few weeks.

Black history UH has been an institution since 1927, but it’s first Black student wasn’t admitted until 1961.

That individual was a graduate student, and the school didn’t admit Black undergraduates until two years later, according to UH spokesperson Chris Stipes.

History and African American Studies professor Gerald Horne attributes the desegregation of the University to the institution’s desire to expand their athletic reach.

“As for UH, it was an apartheid campus from its inception circa 1927 and only began to change when the nation began to change in the 1960s,” Horne said. “Part of this desegregation had to do with sports and the desire of UH to compete on the gridiron, in track and field and on the basketball court which led to the recruitment of (people like) Warren McVea, Andre Ware, Elvin Hayes, Don Chaney and Carl Lewis.”

Eight years after admitting their first Black graduate student, the school made some more progress in attempting desegregation of the University.

“In 1969, UH became the first state university in Texas to establish an African American Studies program,” Stipes said. “We are (also) proud to say that the first Black woman to lead a major American University was Marguerite Ross Barnett, UH’s eighth president.”

Other prominent Black women at the University include Lynn Eusan, who was crowned as UH’s first African American homecoming queen in November 1968, during a time when the University had a predominantly white student population, according to Stipes.

“Eusan used her platform as UH’s first African American homecoming queen to unite people of all colors, and her actions were instrumental in creating policies and programs which still exist today, including the UH African American Studies program, which was co-founded by Eusan,” Stipes said.

sense of community at the University.

The Black Student Union is one such organization, and their vice president, Alexis Davis Thomas is proud to celebrate her culture this month.

“Black culture is in everything; the music, the people, the flavor that black people have, it’s just something you can’t necessarily get, it’s a natural thing,” Thomas said. “It’s something that you’re born with, and you take it and make it your own. That’s what I’ve always appreciated about my people in our culture.”

She says BSU has given her a platform to speak her mind, which helps her develop better public speaking skills and stand her ground, especially as a Black woman.

“It’s just like the idea that people think that women who speak up are known as aggressive or people won’t be able to respect you, because you’re talking so much like, I don’t care about none of it,” she said. “At the end, the day, I was giving a voice for a reason, and I feel like Black women are starting to use their voice and understand their power more and more every day.”

Black culture today

Events

The University prides itself now as “one of the most racially diverse (universities) in the country,” according to Stipes.

Organizations such as the African Student Union, African Pharmacy Student Association and a number of Greek life organizations have been able to show their Black pride and culture while building a

The union is using this month to host their very own “BSU Week,” where they will host a week of events celebrating and teaching Black culture at the University.

“We’ll basically be doing something every day,” Thomas said. “We have some seminars, we have some public speaking going on.

Just different stuff that we’re trying to do in

February. It’s such a big one for us, so I’m excited.”

BSU will be posting the events they plan on having on their social media. Other events students can plan to attend are hosted by the University. Some lectures, movies and performances will be held to mark the month, including events related to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. As for learning about Black culture on your own time, Horne recommends educating yourself on issues affecting the Black community.

“Today, there is a demagogic campaign against ‘Critical Race Theory,’ which at root is designed to obscure, distort or ignore knotty issues e.g. slavery and Jim Crow (official U.S. racism),” Horne said.

“This campaign is hampering mightily the attempt to educate our youth.”

Thomas also adds that this month is a good reminder for people to acknowledge the respect Black people deserve for the legacy they have left on the country.

“Just understand that there’s this level of respect, that you kind of have respect and appreciation because I feel like there are so many trends that are happening right now.

You know, a lot of people kind of forget that we started them,” Thomas said. “So I would say, join in on the celebration, with an open mind and an open understanding that this is just, it’s bigger than one month. It’s bigger than, maybe a few days out of the year.” news@thedailycougar.com

4 | Wednesday, February 2, 2022

SPORTS NEWS

JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

FOOTBALL

After breakout season at UH, Jake Herslow sets eyes on NFL JAMES MUELLER

SPORTS EDITOR @JDM2186

In Jake Herslow’s eyes, limitations don’t exist.

Herslow had been told countless times that he didn’t have what it takes to play football at the next level, but the 6-foot wide receiver’s belief in himself has never wavered.

In fact, he actually prefers having to prove himself rather than simply having things handed to him.

“I’d rather have it that way,” Herslow said.

Work ethic While Herslow might not physically stand out among a crowd of athletes, he has been letting his play speak for himself since his time at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Bill Stachelski, Herslow’s high school coach, knew there was something special about Herslow when he saw the work ethic he exhibited from the moment he arrived at Cox. “(Herslow) never lacked any confidence,” Stachelski said. “He was always just jumping up to the front of the line. He always wanted to be the first and he wanted to do every drill, master every drill.”

From breaking his collarbone after going airborne, stretching out in full extension as he dove for a ball while running a dig route in practice to never missing a lift, Herslow went all out in all he did in high school and was always looking to get just one more rep in.

“When it was raining out, (Herslow) would be the guy that

Jake Herslow hauls in a 26-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the Birmingham Bowl to lift UH over Auburn. | Steven Paultanis/The Cougar

comes up to you and say, ‘Let’s still go out, coach. We can get some reps in,’” Stachelski said.

“He wanted to always just be on the field.”

Betting on himself All the time Herslow spent out on the practice field and in the weight room earned him a starting spot on his high school team in all three phases of the game: a receiver on offense, cornerback on defense and various roles on special teams.

While Herslow was one of the better players at Cox, he wasn’t drawing any attention from colleges until one day he ended up on Old Dominion’s radar.

UH center Kody Russey lifts Jake Herslow into the air after what ended up being the game-winning touchdown in the Birmingham Bowl to lift the Cougars over Auburn and cap off a 12-win season. | Steven Paultanis/The Cougar

Herslow spent three years with the Monarchs from 2016 to 2019 before transferring to UH. Kermit Buggs, who was Old Dominion’s assistant defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the time, went to a Cox football game to scout a receiver on the opposing team. Little did Buggs know, Herslow would be the one that would catch his eye.

“I get to the game and I’m recruiting another individual, but Jake ends up locking him down on an interception return,” Buggs said. “I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And then I watched him catch maybe two or three passes and break up a couple more passes, and he was just one of the toughest people on the field.”

In a similar fashion to how he was discovered by Buggs, Herslow burst onto the scene out of nowhere and became a key piece of a 12-win UH team in 2021.

By betting on himself and making the long trek by car from Virginia to Houston, Herslow never doubted that he could fill the hole that the Cougars had at receiver even when Holgorsen thought he was crazy.

But through his relentless work ethic, hours of developing rapport with UH quarterback Clayton Tune and his pure love for the game of football, Holgorsen had no choice but to find a way to get Herslow on the field.

And it paid off big time as

the walk-on receiver ended up catching the 26-yard touchdown reception that sealed UH’s Birmingham Bowl victory over Auburn.

“It’s just amazing that I had the opportunity to make that play, to be in position to make that play and win the game,” Herslow said. “It’s pretty surreal honestly.”

Future in football Herslow plans to spend the next few months in Houston spending his time on the field and in the weight room. He’ll be working on his diet as well so he can be in the best shape possible for UH’s pro day, which will take place sometime in late March or early April.

Herslow is confident that the work he’s put in will pay off and that come August he will reach a goal he set when he was a young child — playing in the NFL. “I just love the game,” Herslow said. “I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. All I’ve ever wanted to do is play professional football.”

While Herslow will not be the biggest name on any NFL team’s draft boards, he and his former coaches believe that his versatility will help him stand out and give him a shot to make a pro roster for the 2022 season.

Buggs thinks that Herslow’s value on special teams is what will help him make an NFL roster. From there, Herslow will be able to showcase the skills he brings as a receiver and the

many ways he can be used as a weapon on offense.

“The biggest key for Jake is that he is one of those people that will go in on special teams and do everything he possibly can,” Buggs said. “And that’s what people are looking for on an NFL roster.”

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen would agree, as he praised the impact Herslow had on special teams all season after UH’s Birmingham Bowl victory over Auburn.

“He was one of the best special teams players I ever coached,” Holgorsen said. “He didn’t get the accolades on it because that’s what returners get, but he did all the stuff that you do to make those returns happen.”

High expectations Herslow not only just wants to be on an NFL roster but has his eyes set on becoming the next Cooper Kupp.

Kupp made history this season by winning the NFL’s triple-crown after leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. And Herslow believes his skill set is similar to the Los Angeles Rams star receiver.

“I’ve studied hours of (Kupp’s) film. I try to emulate my game around his. He’s just someone I look up to,” Herslow said.“I really

HERSLOW

Continues on page 5

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 | 5 JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS

@THECOUGARSPORTS

SPORTS NEWS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Inside UH women’s basketball’s up and down 2021-22 season ARMANDO YANEZ

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @ARMANDOYANEZ_16

Heading into the new season, the Houston women’s basketball team wanted to pick up on where they left off from its 2020-21 campaign.

Eight games into the season and falling to a 3-5 overall record with conference play on the horizon, the team’s start to the year was far from what head coach Ronald Hughey had in mind.

“At the beginning we were talking about unfinished business,” Hughey said. “After everything from last year and saying ‘you know what, we are going to pick it up from last year,’ but every year is a new year.

That is what they failed to realize.

By ‘unfinished business’, you have to pick things up from this year.”

Home victories over Jacksonville State and Louisiana after the following week brought the Cougars back to .500 on the season, but they weren’t finished there.

The Cougars won four more games and found themselves at 9-5 overall with a 2-0 record in conference play, riding on new momentum and meeting a fresh chance to make a run in the regular season.

Throughout the six game winning-streak, there was a lot of behind the scenes work being done on and off the court.

“It was really on our kids because they came together and said ‘let’s have a meeting,’” Hughey said.

“We sat and talked things out, and everybody just let it all hang out, just being vulnerable. I started with myself and I can coach us better,

HERSLOW

Continued from page 4 genuinely think that level, be that type of player for a team.”

One of Herslow’s biggest strength’s as a receiver is his ability to find green grass when his quarterback is scrambling, which is something Kupp excels at.

Herslow credits his ability to provide an outlet when his quarterback is in trouble to the hours and hours of film he studies from the perspective that he is playing quarterback.

“I learn the offense like a quarterback,” Herslow said.

“I’m involved with those guys a lot so I feel like I’m a very quarterback-friendly player. By learning in terms of what they’re thinking and knowing what is going through their mind on the plays and reads and everything helped me get on the field because I can play any position

prepare us better, plan better and put us in better positions to be successful. We just went around the room and everybody had a chance to get things off their chest and I think that brought us to a place where we could really begin to trust each other more, and it shows on the court.”

Sophomore guard Laila Blair has been one of many standout players for the Cougars this season, and her leadership is credited to her presence both on and off the court.

As important as it is to attain success on the court for the team, the Cougars’ unique approach to basketball and the season ahead of them keeps things in perspective.

“We don’t make basketball bigger than what it is. We have fun with it at the end of the day,” Blair said.

“We laugh, tell jokes and spend time with each other outside of what we already have going on.

Making our relationships bigger than just a sport has helped us lean on each other and dig ourselves out of that hole. I think mainly it’s just us building that chemistry and having fun with it.”

Missing the NCAA Tournament after losing in the second round of the conference tournament last season has set one of many goals for the Cougars this season.

“Being one of the (First) Four Out last year was a real sting to them,” Hughey said. “They are really fighting for that NCAA Tournament berth this year.”

The six game winning streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a last minute loss against UCF, followed by a tough

and be a plug-in player forever.”

Another one of Kupp’s strengths that Herslow also exhibits is blocking.

While Kupp gets recognized for the eye-popping receiving numbers, the NFL star’s ability to spring blocks from the receiver position might be even more impressive and plays a large part in why the Rams offense has been able to light up the scoreboard.

In the same way, Herslow has been praised by Holgorsen and Buggs for his blocking ability more than any other aspect of his game.

But perhaps the most important thing Herslow and Kupp have in common is their pure love for football.

Everyone who has ever played with or coached Kupp has said they have never been around a guy with as much passion for the game as Kupp displays.

And those who have spent time

Ron Hughey and the UH women’s basketball’s 2021-22 season has been full of long win-streaks, long-losing streaks and everything inbetween as the Cougars are still trying to find conistency.. | Sean Thomas/The Cougar

loss to Temple that has now led to a six-game losing streak.

Despite the losses, Blair acknowledged that it is part of the process, both in basketball and beyond.

“Even though it is heartbreaking to have those types of games like UCF, it’s definitely needed,” Blair said. “You have to be thankful that it is still the beginning of the season and the way I look at it, losses are only lessons. It is only going to help us continue to move forward and

around Herslow say the same thing about him.

“Jake is one of the best football players I’ve been around,” Holgorsen said. “He is one of the most complete football players that just loves the game more than anybody that I’ve been around.”

While Herslow has a lot of work to reach the same status as Kupp, and it might even appear like an unrealistic expectation to those on the outside, he has been proving his doubters wrong throughout his whole life and is confident he can become a name every NFL fan knows by the time his career is over.

Playing in the NFL isn’t a question in Herslow’s mind, it’s something he says, with full confidence in his voice, that will happen.

“I will play at the next level,” he said. sports@thedailycougar.com

build off that loss so we can push forward because I know that we can spark up a streak again.”

Falling back under .500 on the season with a 9-11 overall record while 2-6 in conference play, the Cougars will need to spark another run to get back in the hunt and contend for conference regular season title as well as a high seed in the conference tournament.

A lot of basketball has yet to be played, but Hughey knows that the climb up the mountain will require

more than what UH can control.

“I think with those things, you need to have some luck,” Hughey said. “Injuries, COVID, taking care of their mental health, academics, all of it. I think if we have some luck on the other end of those things, I think we can be there right in the (conference) championship game.

I definitely think we can be one of two or three (AAC teams) to get in the NCAA Tournament.” sports@thedailycougar.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL

AP Poll ranking: 6 Coaches Poll ranking: 9 NET ranking: 2 Conference standings: 1 Overall record: 18-2 Conference record: 7-0 Current streak: W10

Upcoming schedule Wednesday vs. Tulane (7 p.m.)

Sunday at Cincinnati (5 p.m.)

Feb. 9 at SMU (6 p.m.)

Feb. 12 vs. Memphis (2:30 p.m.)

Team statistics Points per game: 76.9 Opp. points per game: 56.2 Field goal percentage: .465 3-point percentage: .354 Free throw percentage: .67 Rebounds per game: 39.7 Assists per game: 15.7 Turnovers per game: 10.8 Steals per game: 8.8 Blocks per game: 5.3 Average attendance: 6,998

Leaders Scoring 1. Kyler Edwards (276, 14.5 ppg) 2. Josh Carlton (238, 11.9 ppg) 3. Fabian White Jr. (220, 11 ppg) 4. Marcus Sasser (212, 17.7 ppg) Rebounds 1. Josh Carlton (127, 6.4 rpg) 2. Kyler Edwards (113, 5.9 rpg) 3. J’Wan Roberts (111, 5.6 rpg) 4. Fabian White Jr. (110, 5.5 rpg) Assists 1. Jamal Shead (102, 5.1 apg) 2. Kyler Edwards (49, 2.6 apg) 3. Taze Moore (39, 2.2 apg) 4. Marcus Sasser (31, 2.6 apg) Steals 1. Jamal Shead (37, 1.9 spg) 2. Marcus Sasser (26, 2.2 spg) 3. Taze Moore (26, 1.4 spg) 4. Fabian White Jr. (22, 1.1 spg) Follow us on Twitter for more updates

@TheCougarSports

6 | Wednesday, February 2, 2022

OPINION NEWS

ANNA BAKER, EDITOR

THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION

STATE

IDs should be free, accessible for everyone

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i

The Cougar

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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 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

Donna Keeya Sydney Rose Jhair Romero COVER

Gerald Sastra

i

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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.

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CINDY RIVAS ALFARO

STAFF COLUMNIST @CINDYGISELLES

State-issued identification cards are used in many aspects of society such as voting, finding housing, employment and more.

Because IDs are so important to have to participate in these things, they should be free of charge and accessible to get.

By making IDs cost money to acquire, marginalized people struggle to participate in society and improve their situations.

A lot of people are left out just because they can not afford identification. For example, the strict voting laws in Texas reduce voter turnout by two to three percent which translates to about 10,000 or more votes in a state.

Most of the people who are affected by these laws are minorities, who tend to lack photo IDs more than white people according to a research memo by Project Vote. This is likely due to a large wealth gap between white people and minorities as reported in a Federal Reserve survey.

When it comes to checking the authenticity of IDs in general, minority voters are questioned more than white voters according to the ACLU. Voter ID laws already have issues of racism, so the costs put on IDs make it even worse.

To add on, the process of getting an ID is tedious as well.

Applicants have to make sure they have the proper documents like their birth certificate, appointments and travel resources available in order to get one as shown on the Texas Dept. of Public Safety website.

Low-income families may be unable to afford the costs of such a process and can’t receive IDs. If you don’t have the right documents such as a birth certificate, new copies cost money to get.

Additionally, there’s often a Catch 22 to trying to find the right documents to get an ID. To get a birth certificate in Texas you need an ID, but to get an ID you need a birth certificate.

As for people without a physical address, they are unable to get identifications which

leave them out of very important elections. Without a physical address and identification, it is also difficult to find an employer who will overlook those shortcomings and give them a job that will provide them the income to move forward in their life.

This makes it difficult for homeless people to get out of their situation. They don’t have an address, or maybe even the money or documents to get an ID. An organization that recognizes this issue is The Homeless I.D. Project. The project aims to provide homeless people with required documents to help them get identification that opens up the doors to things like housing, jobs, voting rights and more.

4,664 documents were issued to individuals which calculated a total cost of $233,200, according to their 2020 report.

To make it simpler, that is $50 per document spent that these individuals did not have.

It’s great that there are organizations out there helping

people get what they need, but there needs to be a structural change.

A lot of the issues with people not having access to voting, job searching and housing could be improved if IDs were free and a right to all. Homeless people, poor people and others who struggle to get IDs still deserve to have access to these things.

There is no reason why an individual is to be denied the right to vote, have a job, own a house or even open a bank account because they did not have the money to possess an ID. With this logic, these people will never get out of the cycle and continue to have their progress halted over something that should be free in the first place.

No one should ever be kept from the resources they need to advance in their lives just because of a money or paperwork issue. In order to become a society that helps people out of their bad situations, IDs should be completely free and accessible to all who need them. opinion@thedailycougar.com

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Wednesday, February 2, 2022 | 7 HAYA PANJWANI EDITORS & AMINAH TANNIR,

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LIFE ANDNEWS ARTS

ADVICE

Ask Ashley: On frogs (again), money, more ASHLEY GWANANJI

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @ASHXLES

In The Cougar’s weekly anonymous advice column, I talk about frogs, money to buy something and books to keep an eye out for. To submit your questions for future issues, click the “Ask Ashley” button on our home page.

Ashley, my frog died after following your advice last time. I don’t know how I’ll ever get over the loss of my dear Reginald. Can you buy me a new frog?

Hey, anon! While the death of your frog is very sad, I can’t let you ruin my digital footprint with alleged frog murder. It would be horrible to have that part of my legacy on this campus.

I did make it known to you that I don’t have the slightest clue about taking care of frogs.

I even did my due diligence and suggested going to PetSmart for extra help.

As for coping after the death of, um, Reginald, I find going to a luxurious restaurant helps.

Have you heard of Gen Korean BBQ House? If not, hear me out: all you can eat buffet, drinks and a 20 percent tip. Will you smell like barbeque after eating? Yes, but at least you will feel better. To make it an even more fun experience, take a couple of friends with you

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or maybe invite me, it’s all up to you.

Hey there, frogman again.

I forgot to plug my Venmo for the new frog you owe me. My Venmo is @ ripreginald$123. Reginald II will run you about a cool $876 before taxes as he is a very rare froggo. Not very pushin’ P of you bro.

You again? What kind of frog is $876? I’m not going to lie, but I am questioning your choices.

How? Well for starters, out of all names to give to a frog, you picked Reginald. Who names their frog Reginald? Your frog is expensive, so give it an expensive name. You can name it Material Girl, Dubai or Birkin. And while I won’t pay for a frog I’m not responsible for, I will leave you with this advice: just find another frog outside.

It is free, and while it won’t look the same, it still functions as a frog. I hope this helps anon.

Losing a pet is sad, but I’m hoping you find some peace.

Also, I can’t believe I have to do this, but for future people seeking animal advice: The Cougar takes no liability for anything that happens with your pet. “Ask Ashley” is for entertainment purposes and not written by a professional. Please take most of what I say with a grain of salt, sand, sugar or whatever fits your boat.

Ashley, may you recommend something to read (books, articles, whatever)? I am looking for anything genre-wise or lengthwise.

Whoa, finally, a question that is not unhinged. Howdy, anon, and

thanks for your question.

I’m a book lover, but I haven’t been leisurely reading for some time. I recently got back into it, so forgive me if my list of suggestions is limited. For starters, I am a romantic at heart, so I read a lot of contemporary romance books.

I like the dissociative aspect of it, where I feel like I’m in the character’s world.

Some of my favorite romance books are anything written by Meg Cabot, “The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes,” “The Kiss Quotient” and “The Hating Game.” I also am really into fantasy fiction.

However, I haven’t read too much of it recently, so I can’t really suggest anything new. Younger me liked fantasy literature series such as “The Raven Cycle,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” and “The Shadowhunter Chronicles.”

Outside of books, I can’t really say I read many articles that help stimulate your brain cells.

As a pop culture and fashion enthusiast, I mostly read the latest celebrity drama on TMZ and upcoming fashion trends through Teen Vogue and Vogue. With the latest season of “The Bachelor” and “Euphoria” on right now, I’m also reading think pieces on Twitter.

I hope you found something interesting to read from my suggestions. I don’t think you did, but I still hope it helps. arts@thedailycougar.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Donna Keeya

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Ashley Gwananji Lisa El-Amin

WEB EDITOR

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Sydney Rose

Jhair Romero NEWS EDITORS

Aminah Tannir Haya Panjwani SPORTS EDITOR

Sean Thomas Armando Yanez ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Gerald Sastra

James Mueller OPINION EDITOR

Anna Baker

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Juana Garcia

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

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

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

GUEST COMMENTARY

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Take a leadership position. Distance yourself from people who keep changing their minds.

Clarity, structure and discipline will carry you to the finish line. Don't let go of your dreams.

PISCES (Feb.20-March 20) -- Expansion will tempt you.

Consider what's involved and act accordingly.

You can use unorthodox methods if you intend to oversee things every step of the way. Take control and see things through.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Knowing what you want is half the battle.

Seek out people you know you can rely on for positive input and solid facts.

Don't disregard the past.

You must learn from your mistakes.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Step into the spotlight.

Regardless of how nervous you are or what jealous bystanders have to say, you are ready to perform. Pick yourself up and do what you do best.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You'll face opposition if you are too open about what you plan to do next. Focus on how best to proceed. Pay attention to detail, follow through with confidence and cross that finish line.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Pick up the pieces, put them together and make headway.

Look at the possibilities and use your persuasiveness to encourage others to see things your way.

Be positive yet realistic.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -Don't feel that you must jump if someone tells you to or asks for something. Take your time and decide what's best for you.

Pay more attention to your finances, and don't take on unnecessary expenses.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) -- A last-minute change will play in your favor. Don't hesitate to jump at a chance to do something new and exciting, network or socialize with someone informative and well-connected.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Don't make a fuss or get in the way. Concentrate on something you want to accomplish and designate your time to self-improvement, learning, and fixing or completing whatever you've left unfinished.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Do something that brings you joy. Spend more time at home clearing space for something you want to pursue or incorporate into your daily routine. Invite someone to help you in your efforts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Dangle what you have in front of someone trying to beat you at your own game. Take charge and don't let anyone get the better of you. Be wary of someone with what could be a personal vendetta.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You've got your finger on the pulse, and there is no need to slow down.

Embrace change. Being bold and in charge will force others to value what you have to offer and respect your shrewdness.

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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The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp

8 | Wednesday, February 2, 2022