Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The allocation of funds to 33 campus units, which keep the lights on and resources available, relies on money from students’ pockets. However, not all units are funded equally.

This allocation of funds is determined by the Student Fees Advisory Committee. 

SFAC is composed of five elected students, four administrators appointed by the president and one non-voting mentor.

As the advising committee, SFAC does not make the final decision, but their recommendations are the influence and guideline for each fiscal year’s budget.

This organization roots its values in being a voice for the student body, ensuring transparency and effective use of student fees.

With growing student demands for more transparency, here’s a breakdown of how SFAC operates:

Understanding student fees

When students pay tuition, they are not just paying for classes. Multiple mandatory fees can add up to $800 per semester. SFAC oversees $260 of this amount, known as the Students Services Fee.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the Student Service Fee is increasing to $280. With the projected enrollment of 44,517 students, this increase will generate an additional $890,340 for the committee.

Of the $20 increase amount, $3.50 will be going to the Student Health Center, while the remaining $16.50 will support the remainder of the units funded by the fee.

“For those concerned about the fee increase, it’s important to keep in mind that the demand for financial support often exceeds available resources,” SFAC said. 

Organizations funded by SFAC can request money, either a permanent addition to their budget or as a one-time allocation. 

Each year, these funds fluctuate and SFAC bases their readjustment or reauthorization of budgets on what benefits the student body.

Every unit allocation and fund is publicly available in the Students Service Fee Rate schedule.

With the review of President Renu Khator and Vice-President for Student Affairs Paul Kittle, the schedule has been approved. 

Major budget allocations

According to the schedule, the top-funded organizations include Athletics, Dean of Students, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health center and the Vice President for Student Affairs Office. 

These units have costly operational needs and provide important resources. 

For example, CAPS requested eight one-time budget requests and ended up with a one-time budget of $168,010 for the 2026 fiscal year.

The schedule outlining budgets for the 33 units is detailed and complex, but students are encouraged to review how funds are allocated.

Student concerns and history

In recent weeks, students have raised concerns about how campus organizations are funded.

“I want to see more funds allocated and us as students being part of that process of where those funds are being allocated,” said public policy major Joshua Sambrano. “I know that there’s a lot of trouble that ended up happening with SFAC. I know that there was quite a bit of money placed everywhere else, other than public safety here.”

With documents like the Students Service Fee Rate Schedule, students can better understand how and where their money is distributed.

Last year, President Renu Khator has initially rejected the recommendations made by the 2023-2024 SFAC for the first time in 16 years.

The report, finalized before the beginning of the semester, recommended divesting $1.5 million from UH Athletics’ base budget. The committee proposed reallocating the funds — with around two-thirds remaining in the department’s budget pending future committee approval — into other student programs and services, along with an external review of the Athletics department.

Students have rallied behind the committee and protest sponsored by multiple student organizations was held at the 2024 Board of Regents meeting.

Despite student complaints, UH Chairman Tilman Fertitta made it clear that Athletics will receive its funding no matter what. He created a four person committee that resolved the tabled issue regarding the budget proposal made by the student committee.

The recommendations relocated a few student organizations to the University Center Fee, bolstering changes to Counseling and Psychological Services and additional compensation for current employees in CAPS, to help job retention rates in the department. UH Athletics continued to maintain its budget at $1.5 million.

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“Where do your student fees go? Inside SFAC’s role” was originally posted on The Cougar

On Feb. 20, the Student Government Association led a protest for campus safety following a recent rise of crimes on campus. 

Students marched from the Welcome Center bus stop and to the UHPD station, demanding changes from the UHPD to improve campus life. 

“I think it’s a dark time for us right now,” said supply chain management sophomore Elanna Benton. “I feel like the energy is kind of low but we are still trying to help everyone out.” 

The protest caught the attention of not only students on campus but also local news stations KHOU11 and FOX 26 Houston, which covered the event. 

“It shows that we’re resilient and we’re not just going to give up until we get what we want, which is more security,” said political science senior Sydney Thomas.

The SGA and many students believe UHPD is failing to provide transparency and accountability to the University. 

“We’re still trying to pick up our own lives and we have to tell far older people to do theirs properly, especially a security entity like UHPD,” said digital media sophomore Christopher Hooper.

The protest also focused on UHPD Chief Caesar Moore and what attendees called his unacceptable recent actions.

“We’re still trying to show our faces and show that we care about what happened,” Benton said. “We want a change. There’s a lot of women here today and I think that shows we’re scared for ourselves and our heart definitely goes out to that girl.” 

To show solidarity and respect during the march, protesters paused at the Welcome Center garage for a 15-minute silent tribute to the female victim, reflecting on the duration of the attack. 

The protest outlined six main demands: holding UHPD Chief Caesar Moore accountable, conducting routine checks on all security cameras during breaks, increasing funding for campus safety, improving campus lighting and emergency call tower technology, enhancing escort services and investing in Third Ward’s safety and community.

“The things we have been hearing from Moore are unacceptable,” said Sen. Terrell Wallace. “Him saying he’s tired, he’s recharging. We are all tired.”

The protest drew approximately 40 attendees, many carrying signs that read “No Moore Silence” and “Where is Moore.” 

Chants directed at the UHPD called for fixes to cameras and lighting and questioned the reliability of the department. 

“I believe it’s that matter of perception, of seeing action and an outcry of accountability for you to do your job properly,” Hooper said. “You need to see students in action as a collective asking you to do your job.”

Meeting with Moore

In a recent meeting between UHPD, SGA President Deigo Arriaga, Vice President Austin Craig and Chief of Staff Daniela Gonzalez, the group discussed progress and future plans.

As the students explained their plans to distribute pepper spray and personal alarms on campus, they were met with questions about funding and legality.

Gonzalez said it felt like UHPD was trying to stop their efforts. Soon after, she was removed from the meeting despite being invited. 

“He just said, ‘I know who you are Daniela, but you’re not supposed to be here,’” Gonzalez said. “It’s a closed door meeting and I expect the same respect that I give back.”

Craig described the meeting from their perspective, noting that Moore criticized his use of the word “improved” instead of “increased” when discussing safety. Moore then lectured the group about respect, saying he did not feel respected by them.

Moore also claimed UHPD ranks in the top 5% of all police departments and requested that students bring any safety concerns or ideas directly to him, Craig said.

“He gave us a lecture about respect and how we were disrespecting him. If that doesn’t tell you something, I don’t know what will,” Craig said. “To understand that, if you want to listen to students, you should have started on the right foot, and yesterday he continued to lecture us about respect.”

SGA plans 

Last semester SGA recieved $63,235 from the Harris County District Attorney’s office to relaunch the sexual assault initiative.

Of that, $24,000 was allocated for pepper spray and personal alarms for students. Approximately 1,300 items are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

The organization has also started creating a committee regarding campus safety to include student voices in administration decisions.  

“We are going to put constant pressure on the administration to make sure that safety is a priority,” Craig said. 

Arriaga has been invited to a task force for safety and security, Craig said.

“I think the administration should be happy that students are taking the initiative to bring those items to campus and protect each other,” Gonzalez said.

Another student forum is planned to address concerns and discuss how SGA can help.

Reallocation of funds

A key point of the protest was to draw attention to the allocation of funds across campus departments and organizations.

Speaker of the Senate Tav Cockwell noted that the new athletic director earns $90,000 annually, with a $50,000 increase every single year and a $50,000 bonus with every championship win.He also questioned the investment in future construction projects, such as a new plaza on campus.

“How many of you think it’s odd that we are paying tuition, we’re paying dollars into this institution, and we can’t even get adequate protection?” Cockwell said. 

Students feel the administration has failed to allocate sufficient funds for campus safety. 

“I want to see more funds allocated and us students being part of that process of allocation,” said public policy sophomore Joshua Sambrano. “I know that there’s a lot of trouble that ended up happening with SFAC. I know that there was quite a bit of money placed everywhere else, other than public safety here.”

Sambrano said this is a recurring issue, with funding repeatedly denied to the student body.

He added that while public relations statements and addresses from UH President Renu Khator have increased police presence temporarily, they have not led to lasting results.

“We built the RAD center, we updated our football stadium, but our garages still don’t look good,” Benton said. “The security is not good for them. But every year, their prices increase for them and it doesn’t make any sense.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“No “Moore” silence: SGA protests for increased safety, accountability” was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

As spring semester kicks off, students are beginning to prepare for their first exams.

Throughout their academic careers, note taking and memorizing content have been the basic studying techniques taught in school. However, each student has a unique mind, and these elementary techniques won’t work for everybody. 

With insights from scientific research and advice from fellow students, finding different methods will promote a more successful semester. Here are different study methods to help you ace your exams:

The Feynman technique

Richard Feynman proposed a method where the student teaches themselves or another person the content. This helps to actively engage with the material while also improving comprehension. 

Students can start out by finding a comfortable area to speak aloud, like their bedroom or a private room in the library. From there, choose a topic in the material to teach and explain. It doesn’t have to be a deep dive into the content, but a simple overview.

As students improve on the topic, they can get more in-depth in their teaching. 

Active recall

From self-generated questions to practice tests, practicing active recall is proven to positively increase the outcomes of test scores, compared to students who don’t. This allows students to help retain information by seeing firsthand their knowledge of the material. By actively doing problems repeatedly, this can also boost student’s confidence, reducing test anxiety. 

Another method of self-testing is using flashcards. Grab a handful of index cards and write all of the important facts, phrases or equations onto each card with their answer on the back. Students can go through each one until they are all memorized. 

“Every person has a different way they learn best,” said public health junior Samantha Pham, “You know, it could be making flash cards, recording lectures or writing stuff down repeatedly.”

For students who are always on the run, this technique allows them to study anywhere. This technique can also be incorporated into a study group by creating a competitive game out of it.

Pomodoro technique

This method focuses on time management. If you’re feeling burnt out, it can be hard to focus on the material. The Pomodoro technique helps students focus by breaking sessions into 25 minute intervals with a five minute break in-between.

This does not mean you should go on your phone and lose track of time on Instagram during those five minutes. In those five minutes, students should take a short walk or listen to music to give their brain a true break.

There are multiple timers online that specialize in the Pomodoro technique. 

Online help

The rise of education online has taken the 2020s by storm. With more access to help online, there are more resources available to help students study. Even though ChatGBT and Quizlet have been deemed as “cheating resources,” they can be used as an effective studying tool. 

“First go to Quizlet and see if there are any previous notes from other students that will be so beneficial and time saving,” said supply chain management senior Shahad Alghamdi, “And then ChatGBT. It’s really my best friend.”

Students can copy and paste long readings or presentations into the AI generated website and ask for a summary, notes or even a study sheet.

Don’t be afraid to take advantage of the endless resources on the internet. 

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“New semester, new study habits: Tips for tackling exams” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Students for Justice in Palestine HTX has become the voice of freedom for Palestinians on campus. Despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the organization continues to fight for justice and promote their cause.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the ceasefire was announced on Jan. 15 by former President Joe Biden and officially began on Jan.19. However, members of SJP stressed that the ceasefire does not mean the war has ended and they will continue to advocate for justice.

Protests

To continue their cause, SJP has future plans to host protests and start a book club to raise more awareness.

“Our advocacy will continue to focus on addressing the root causes of violence, namely, Israel’s settler colonialism, occupation and apartheid policies,” SJP said in the statement. “We reject any narrative that frames the ceasefire as a solution, when the underlying conditions of systemic oppression remain intact.”

Previously, SJP has held multiple protests including sit-ins at the Student Center South, confrontation of UH officials at multiple Board of Regents meetings and calls for boycotting brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks on campus. Another sit-in protest is scheduled for Feb. 19 at the Hilton UH Hotel during the BOR meeting.

“Students should not attend class on Feb. 19, in order to show the University that the students have leverage and power,” a SJP student representative said. “They should be attending the BOR meeting sit-in instead.”

SJP has continually fought for the University to divest from arms manufacturing and Israeli companies that are directly responsible for thousands of deaths.

Members of SJP believe attendance at their events strengthens their ability to advocate for justice. These events are held to not only to bring attention to SJP’s cause, but also educate other students.

Book club

SJP launched a book club on Jan. 30, focused on education surrounding Palestinian narratives. The first book they read was The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon, a work said to focus on decolonization, oppression and colonialism.

The goal of this book club is to challenge the normalization of colonialism in Western society and explore the current conditions of Palestinians and their path toward future liberation.

According to SJP, they discuss what it is like to live in resisting oppressors and explore life through Palestinian eyes or the eyes of anybody who has been oppressed. 

Misconceptions

As the ceasefire dominates headlines across major news outlets, it inevitably gives rise to misconceptions.

Against these misconceptions, members of SJP stressed that Palestine liberation cannot be viewed from both sides, as the Israeli perspective aims to erase the Palestinian people.

“From a moral standpoint, this is unacceptable and the focus should solely be on the Palestinian perspective,” a SJP student representative said.

The student representative also emphasized the ongoing humanitarian concerns, despite the ceasefire.

“Less people are dying now and they will be getting, God willing, the aid that they need. But a cease-fire is only a temporary solution,” a SJP student representative said. “It is better than the conditions that we were under during the genocide, a genocide that is till ongoing, but it was more severe during the last 15 months.”

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“SJP plans protests, book club after ceasefire” was originally posted on The Cougar

Gerald Sastra/ The Cougar

Whether it’s a returning student or an incoming freshman, starting any college chapter can be exciting but also confusing and tense. 

But with the right approach and a few practical tips, students can set themselves up for a successful and stress-free semester ahead.

Motivation 

Before starting any new period, creating a productive mindset will make all the difference. There are three main points to creating a more impactful and motivational mindset: reflecting, visualizing and staying eager. 

Reflect back on the past semesters and see what worked and what didn’t. This will allow students to be conscious of past mistakes and improve on them. 

Visualize goals to achieve in the upcoming semester and mark them down as a reminder. This can be used to aim for a better grade point average or simply work on improving mental health. 

Finally, stay eager and excited for this semester. A new semester means a different beginning, along with endless opportunities.

Academic preparation

Students have a tendency to skim past the syllabus, but by reading it and planning ahead on due dates will save a lot of stress and time. 

It will also help find any special grading rules or important resources professors provide. Students can also save stress by planning a study schedule. This will enable them to block off time strictly for studying and balance extracurriculars more efficiently. 

At UH, students can also utilize the various resources for all academic issues, ranging from tutoring to career counseling. 

Personal organization

Being overwhelmed during this transition can cause a mess. Simply cleaning and re-organizing study areas or the bedroom will reduce feelings of stress. 

Create a budget for the upcoming semester. This will allow a plan for upcoming expenses like books, tuition or groceries.  

It will also enable students to be conscious of how much they should and shouldn’t be spending, creating economic awareness.

Health and wellness

Balancing the academic and health values in a student’s life can create a more successful year. Prioritizing sleep by getting at least eight hours a day will lead to more focus and energy, according to an article by Harvard Summer School.

Working out at a gym is a great choice, but for some people, it is not an option because of various issues like finances and time commitments.

However, even walking for 30 minutes shows great results in mind flow, creativity and reducing anxiety, according to a study.

College is known for being one of the most stressful and exhausting times in a student’s life. But, it is important to make mental health a key tool in order to ensure a successful semester. 

Luckily, the University has various resources to help aid the mental health journey. The Counseling and Psychological Services provides services, from 24/7 mental health chat to a wide range of services. 

Stay social 

College can take up a student’s entire time and energy, which doesn’t leave much room to relax and even less of a social life. 

However, enjoying the college environment and the people it brings with it is essential. College is hard to survive alone, therefore it is important to find people who have similar tastes and mindsets. 

Staying social will enable students to find friends and build meaningful relationships, creating connections that might be helpful down the road. 

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“Prep like a pro with these back to school tips” was originally posted on The Cougar

Len-Duenas/The Cougar

Finding a balance between self-care and studying for finals can be difficult. With finals starting this week, it is important to make health a priority while maintaining stable grades.  

Here are some tips to avoid burning out during finals:

Mental health

Overworking the mind can compromise grades. Without taking occasional breaks, the possibility of completely losing energy is possible. Doing a face mask to even a five minute walk can help provide enough time to reset the mind.

Feelings of being overwhelmed and isolated are prevalent in this season. Finding time to socialize will support the idea of community and help students feel less alone. 

Detach the idea that validation comes from grades. Academics does not define a student’s self-worth. Find pride in everyday achievements and celebrate small wins.  

Studying techniques

If students are feeling burnt out, changing studying routines might be helpful. Stress can make things chaotic, so organizing thoughts can optimize efficiency. 

Make clear goals and a study schedule before the test arrives. Another way to switch up your studying routine is to add in more active techniques.

Instead of going over notes, students can test themselves or try to teach the topic. This can also help boost confidence.

Finding a less distracting environment, like a quiet coffee shop or library, will allow students to focus better. Studying in places like a bedroom or social spaces can feel like a trap and lead to wasted time.

Physical health

Committing to all-nighters is a common experience during finals. However, getting adequate sleep promotes energy and overall well being. 

Not getting sleep will damage the ability to focus and retain information. Sleeping for at least six to eight hours allows the brain a necessary reset.

With constantly working during this season, it might become a habit to forget to eat. Pack quick snacks like granola bars or apples that can fit in a bag. 

Students need to remember to stay hydrated and take it easy on the caffeine intake. Energy drinks and coffee are easy ways to get energy; however, too much can lead to energy crashes. 

Resources on campus

If students are feeling burned out, there are resources on campus to help as well. 

The Women and Gender Resource Center have an open common area with pillows and blankets, located in the Student Center South. This can be a quiet studying environment or somewhere just to relax. 

If a student is feeling overwhelmed, the Counseling and Psychological Services are available on campus as well. Seeking mental health advice or simply talking to someone can aid this stressful time. 

The University has multiple tutoring services available which includes Learning Advancements for Undergraduate Cougars of Houston, Knack Tutoring, Center for Academic Support and Assessment and the UH writing center.  

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Tips to avoid burnout during finals week” was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

The lack of conversation about safe sex has halted the awareness of using contraceptives. 56% of unintended pregnancies in the United States result from not using contraceptives, according to statistics.

Safe sex goes beyond the social stigma of a form of entertainment or abstinence. The mental and physical health of each person is the starting point in each practice. 

The available services at UH are not only ready to provide these contraceptives, but even to educate and supply health support. 

Services available at UH

Over the past year, almost half of the visits received to the Women and Gender Resource Center were for condoms, menstrual and other safe sex products. 

Last academic year, students visited the WGRC over 2,600 times to obtain resources, said director of WGRC Laura Zavala-Membreno. 

In 2024 so far, the Student Health Center and Campus Pharmacy provided 50 different types of contraceptives in pills, injections or even vaginal ring form. They also conducted more than 15,000 sexually transmitted infections tests in 2023, according to SHC.

“If you are here in Texas and don’t know what to do, you’re like ‘Okay, I have an issue or unwanted pregnancy,’ and legally, we cannot advise on anything,” said assistant director of nursing at SHC Stephany Arnett. “Our hands are tied right now, so we’re trying to reach students before anything like that happens.”

SHC is partnering with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to provide free testing and treatment for students without insurance. There will be free STI testing on the first week of Dec. 2024 for World AIDS Day.

New resources the SHC will provide include long acting reversible contraceptives, intrauterine devices and other implants. This project is currently work in progress and is estimated to release early next year. 

Vending machines will also be available on campus stocked with general hygiene supplies, over the counter medications, STI testing kits, emergency contraception and possibly even menstrual cups. These will potentially be available on campus by Jan. 2025. 

“I was a single mom commuting back and forth from Sugar Land to Galveston and didn’t have a job because it was a nursing school,” Arnett said. “I would like more free services because I know the costs of such services are really high and a burden on students. I was there and we’ve all been there.” 

Free condoms are available at the SHC during regular business hours or from the Condoms for Coogs Dispenser in the lobby anytime during the Health 2 Building hours.

UH Wellness Center also provides services for safe sex by providing education to help students make informed choices about sexual health, relationships, consent and abstinence. 

Free internal, external condoms and copies of “Coog’s Guide to Safer Sex” can be found there. 

There is an aspect to this exercise that goes beyond physical, emotional and mental effects that are key to creating a safe environment. 

“Encouraging open, empowering conversations around relationships and safe sex supports greater control over personal choices,” said interim director of UH Wellness Suzy Harrington. “We emphasize the mental health benefits of partner discussions and informed choices.” 

If feelings of discomfort or anxiety arise, students have every right to back out. 

Pushbacks

With living in Texas and the outcome of this past election, students have felt some pushback when it comes to normalizing the conversation of safe sex. 

“Especially after the election result, I think it might be a little hard to fully advocate for anything related to sex, reproduction and reproduction rights,” said biology sophomore Ana Martin Russi. “It might get harder in the coming years, but I’m hoping that everyone still stands for what they believe in.”

Some unknown factors may include if an individual is above 150 lbs and may have to take two plan B’s, and if they’re over 190 lbs, Plan B may not work at all.

A myth students found is how people who are pregnant or get STDs are not necessarily always promiscuous. Some are in long-term relationships, victims of assault or experiencing other special circumstances.

“The largest misconception we encounter is the ‘it doesn’t affect me,’ mentality,” said biology junior and founder of Cougars for Choice Aihanuwa Ale-Opinion. “Students of all genders, sexualities, ages and relationship statuses have a stake in protecting the reproductive health of themselves and others.” 

Continuing the conversation 

Students at UH have already made an impact by making their voices heard. Cougars for Choice, a coalition of student organizations advocating for increased reproductive resources on campus, have started a petition with over 1200 signatures. 

The core demands of this petition includes UH to provide generic plan B to students at a more affordable price, free condoms in University bathrooms and wanting a sliding scale insurance plan at the University health center.

“We wrote the petition after organizing roundtable discussions with students about their reproductive health needs and listened to their concerns,” Ale-Opinion said.

These resources are here for the betterment of the students. Dismissing a person’s health or overall well being can lead to greater consequences. Students can contact the Student Health Center at (713) 743-5151 or visit their location at Health 2 4849 Rd.

Students can also contact the WGRC at (832) 842-9472 or visit them at 4465 University Dr Rm B12 and the UH Wellness center can be at (713) 743-5430 or 4500 University Dr.

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“Students at UH promoting safe sex, affordable women’s reproductive heath care products” was originally posted on The Cougar

SGA President Diego Arriaga, VP Austin Craig and Chief of Staff Daniela Gonzalez along with Harris County DA Kim Ogg relaunching the sexual assault initiative on Oct. 29, 2024. | Anna Monroe/The Cougar

On Oct. 29, The Student Government Association and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office relaunched a project to aid and prevent sexual assault on campus.

SGA received $63,235 from the DA office. Because of this investment, students will not have to pay during the process of submitting a report. Funds will also go to sexual assault awareness events, self-defense items, CAPS and Equal opportunity services.

According to the 2024 Annual Security Report, reports of sex offenses on campus increased 18.75% last year compared to 2022. Dating violence increased 21.74% and stalking went up 30.77% according to SGA. 

The plan for this project is to reduce reports of sexual assault and create an environment where students can report cases securely. The DA office will work with the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services and Title IX office.

Prevention, comfort and self-defense items will be provided as well as educational speaking events throughout the semester.

“The crime (of sexual assault) robs people of their dignity and innocence and sometimes their physical well-being,” said Harris County DA Kim Ogg. “So I have known in my career that obtaining justice for crime victims is just as big a part of the system as protecting individuals’ rights. We need to do both.” 

When it comes to reporting cases, the Title IX office will take reports, online or in person, and the reports will go through the Dean of Students office. These cases have always been protected by Title IX and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which provides a higher sense of protection and security.

Reporting parties can choose how they want to communicate with the individuals on their case, whether through text, call or even letters if preferred. Students have the choice to file and stop the process at any time.

Support services like proper forensic interviews and Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners will be provided. The nurses are trained sexual assault responders who know how to handle these stressful situations.   

“We’re prosecuting thousands of cases each year, and how many sexual assaults occur in Harris County? We don’t know because we don’t have good reporting,” Ogg said. “We have hopeless victims. Many times, people feel like it’s not worth calling the police because nothing’s going to happen or they’re going to be embarrassed or brutalized by our system.”

The $63,235 given by the DA office came from criminal forfeiture funds, which are taken from drug dealers, human traffickers and even illegal racing.

Traditionally, these funds would go to police departments. The administration’s concept was to deliver back to the community from the ‘bad guys’ and relieve sexual assault victims from the financial burden of submitting and processing a report. 

“The goal is to help offset those charges,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Paul Kittle. “All of the internal processes have no charges to students.”

The SGA and the DA office find it critical that student safety is prioritized in higher education. Students can contact the Title IX office through titleix@uh.edu and visit their office at 4367 Cougar Village Drive, Bldg 526. Students can also call the Student Affairs office at (713) 743-5390 or email them at uhdsa@uh.edu.

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“Harris County DA gifts SGA $63,235 to relaunch sexual assault initiative” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Two weeks ago, the Student Government Association discussed possible rising prices for parking and dining services. 

The Transportation Advisory Committee and the Food Services Advisory Committee mentioned this feasible possibility in a special reports part of the meeting.

TPAC has worked this year for the progress of more parking permits, less parking citations and lowered number for the waitlist, partially thanks to the lower prices for East and Gateway garage. 

They have decided to freeze the pricing for the next two years, however for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, there will be an increase.

Tier three parking zones B and C will have a nine percent increase and tier four parking zones A, D, E, F, G and H will have a three percent increase in prices.

“This is because one day we want to combine tier two and tier three with each other, since those are the most used due to the student centered locations,” said Chief of Staff Daniela Gonzales.

FSAC presented the meal plan updates for the next fiscal year and how they are affected by the continuous food inflation. 

To keep up with other markets and to supply their staff fairly, FSAC has had to stay in competition with the 6.3% minimum wage increase and the 3.6% labor/production increase. 

On average, the increase across the board will be a 3.3% increase in meal plans.

“So comparing ourselves to our other institutions in our area, we’re able to see that we’re on trend with some of these institutions for our unlimited meal plan, the average is 1.6%,which is pretty similar to other campuses around us,” said FSAC Chair Omar Castellan.

Work is being done to find another restaurant for campus to fill in the vacant spot. Castellan said they hope to find something by next fall.

New additions

The Student Fees Advisory Committee welcomed a new member, Sen. Dulce Maria Otero.

Otero is a junior of the Hobby School of Public Affairs and claimed to have a unique student perspective that could aid SFAC. 

Otero’s frameworks were focused on the The Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center and Career Service Center, wanting to improve funding that best cater the success of the student body. 

With a handle on multiple academic and professional involvements, the importance of the SFAC has weighed heavier than Otero’s senate seat.

“I have considered resigning from my Senate seat if this is demanding,” Otero said. “I am not quite sure, but I do know that SFAC is a priority.”

SFAC is a group created to recommend fund allocations for student fees. They make decisions that affect where millions of dollars of UH funds go. Departments like Athletics, Counseling and Psychological Services, SGA and much more are funded units through SFAC. 

Throughout this past semester, deciding on new members has been crucial after having to restart the applications due to alleged negligence in the interviews. 

Impeachment update 

The Internal Affairs Committee has not come out with a report over the past meeting, where the recommendation of impeachment of President Diego Arriaga and Vice President Austin Craig was made.

The committee has not had the opportunity to meet effectively. The importance of preventing confusion and providing a clear statement has been their priority.

“We want to make sure that everything we have gathered is available to all of you to review and to understand,” said Sen. Jason Jacobs.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Campus dining and parking fees to rise after 2025, SGA discusses changes” was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

Sharing a living space can lead to great adventures and create long-lasting friendships; however, it can also be difficult living with others, due to stress and responsibilities that can create conflict. 

Conflict is bound to spark with being stuck in one area with someone 24/7, so preventing it is key to maintain peace at home and create a positive living situation.

Here are some tips to avoid conflict with your roommate:

Open communication

When first living with anyone, people need to communicate their dislikes, preferences and scheduling to their roommates so they can understand each other’s situations.

Open conversation also promotes creating a comfortable environment. Whether that be moving in with a best friend or a stranger, getting to know someone when living together is crucial.

These conversations will make it easier to confront or avoid a problem when there is trust between two people. Checking in regularly is also efficient for having open conversations. 

Set boundaries 

Living in a space together means shared rent, chores and a wall, but that does not mean people have to share everything. 

Setting boundaries with a roommate will give them a clear understanding of limits and expectations.

Define what personal space means to each other and how to go about using the shared spaces. Create an agreement on how the bathroom, kitchen and living room will be cleaned and maintained. 

This also comes with recognizing emotional boundaries.

Roommates will go through the best and worst days with each other, including seeing each other’s stress and sadness. Knowing how the other person handles their stress is key to avoiding escalated situations. 

Respect differences

Living with someone else can be a shock and can unbalance schedules or customs. 

Introducing respect into the living area can bring neutrality and understanding. 

This can also help sort out flexibility and compromise within problems.

Respecting differences can create win-win outcomes in situations that benefit both parties. 

Differences can also be fun. Being invited to see into another person’s life can open new experiences that would have never been open otherwise. 

This can range from being shown new foods to learning how to ride a motorcycle. 

Be flexible about living styles

Recognize living styles and how they might differ. Things like tidiness levels, quit hours and social needs are examples of routines that are different with every person.

Adjusting a person’s expectations to accommodate both schedules will prevent tension.

By allowing a person’s time to be appreciated will create peaceful understanding. 

Be aware and start conversations that include finding a middle ground on what is most important to the other person.

news@thedailycougar.com 

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“How to practice conflict free co-living” was originally posted on The Cougar