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Editors note: Headline was changed from “executive leaders” to “senate leaders” after further review.

On Tuesday, the Student Government Association held a special meeting to account for the brief session last Wednesday.

For multiple meetings the Senate has deliberated on the censure of Sen. Jesus Nieto after he was removed from his committee roles by Speaker of the Senate Sebastian Ballesteros, who cited a bylaw allowing him to coordinate Senate committees.

Nieto has challenged this removal as an overreach of power, however, the resolution of his censure was read at the meeting.

Ballesteros, as well as Sen. Anahi Ortega emphasized that there was no bias or prejudice involved during the pursuit of the censorship. 

However, Nieto held up a sign that read “LIES” as a response.

Screenshot of Nieto’s Screen during the Tuesday night meeting.

Ortega, who co-authored the resolution to censure Nieto, led the first reading of the resolution. 

“Other SGA members confessed that their confrontations with Nieto were not productive and did not produce anything meaningful,” Ortega said. 

Nieto defended himself from Sen. Mohib Awan’s testimony which included the accusation that Nieto had interfered with the appointment process for executive cabinet positions.

In a moderated caucus, Nieto presented evidence against Awan and Ballesteros on how they influenced the selection of candidates by favoring those with a personal connection to them. 

Nieto provided screenshots showing favoritism towards Sen. Savannah Bivens to take the internal affairs chair even though she lost her election and was not a senator at that time. 

In another screenshot, Awan encouraged the divisive behavior that he accused Nieto of, specifically during the appointment of the current Director of Public Relations, Kristal Crockett-Rodgers.

This behavior led to Crockett-Rodgers leaving her first two SGA meetings in tears. 

Screenshot from Sen. Jesus Nieto

Awan and Ballesteros also participated in discordant behavior during executive appointments when they saw that they recognized none of the candidates.

Although Awan appreciated Nieto for being the most vocal senator and even referred to him as the “campaign dog,” he condemned Nieto’s persistent behavioral misconduct in the resolution. 

“This is why nobody likes you and nobody wants to work with you,” Awan said to Nieto in a private leadership conversation.

After the presentation, the Senate proposed individual censures for Awan and Ballesteros. However, actions on the censures were hesitant as Nieto questioned if they were even necessary since these censures would be taking away time from focusing on the needs of the student body.

Screenshot from Sen. Jesus Nieto

The other option in question would be to have the senators keep their leadership positions and require them to go through remedial training and professional development. The SGA board could also extend this training to the entire board.

On Wednesday evening, Ballesteros released a statement apologizing to the Senate for his actions and mentioned conducting an internal review of Awan’s actions.

As of now, the resolution of Nieto’s censure has been tabled indefinitely.

Additionally, the Senate fixed the attendance records that caused an early adjournment of the last meeting and Sen. Haley Salinas was removed from the Summer Senate as a result.

Invalid votes that were previously counted during appointment committees or the passing of legislation were removed from voting records, however, they did not impact the outcome of the legislation.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“SGA in a spiral of controversies: Senate leaders found guilty” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

On Wednesday, concerns of a possible Supreme Court case led to the early dismissal of the Student Government Association session, which had already been delayed.

Biology sophomore Aihanuwa Ale-Opinion addressed the Senate with a presentation evaluating the removal of Sen. Gerald Ramirez. 

According to the SGA Bylaws, any Senator that is absent from two Summer Senate meetings will be removed from Summer Senate. Therefore, removal of Ramirez is justified; however, there were two other senators who had also violated this bylaw but had yet to be removed. 

The bylaw considers absences, regardless of whether they are excused or not. If the two invalid senators voted on any legislation that passed during the meeting, it could be challenged in court. 

“They technically cannot be voting members of the Summer Senate, meaning that anything which is voted on today could potentially result in a Supreme Court case,” Ale-Opinion said. 

After this violation was presented, several senators including Sen. Jordan Jones, Sen. Grecia Ledezma and Sen. Jesus Nieto expressed frustration over lack of transparency and accountability from the Senate Chamber and Speaker of the Senate, Sebastian Ballesteros, as it is the speaker’s job to remove senators once they have exceeded the absence limit. 

“So my question to the speaker is why haven’t you removed the two senators that have exceeded that limit?” Jones said. “Why haven’t you gone over the bylaws and figured out that you cannot excuse absences during Summer Senate?”

Nieto continued to push the urgency of this violation, spotlighting an earlier suggestion by Ale-Opinion to table the voting and continue when all the senators hold valid votes. 

“This meeting is illegal and any votes or motions that are taken at this meeting will be illegal and will be prosecuted in the Supreme Court,” Nieto said. 

The meeting continued on for another hour until Nieto motioned for a recount of roll.

As the motion was passed, several senators including Nieto left the meeting so that the organization would fail to meet quorum and avoid invalid voting and prosecution in the Supreme Court. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Back-to-back controversy: Walk-out during SGA session leads to an early adjournment” was originally posted on The Cougar

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After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential Election on July 21, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential nominee.

As Harris actively campaigns, here is what to know so far about what her policies entail.

U.S. Health Care

Similar to Biden, Harris supports the lowering of prescription drugs and expansion of the Affordable Care Act. 

In addition to being a messenger for abortion access, Harris has advocated for a single-payer healthcare system or “Medicare for All”. 

This proposal, first introduced in 2019, would extend Medicare coverage to all Americans and allow citizens to choose between public Medicare or a Medicare plan through private insurance over a 10-year transition period. 

This bill has been previously challenged by Biden in opposition of raised taxes for the middle class. 

“I would veto anything that delays providing the security and the certainty of health care being available now,” Biden said, referring to the 10-year transition period. 

Student Loans

On July 25, Harris attended the American Federation of Teachers 88th National Convention, held in Houston, where she emphasized efforts to reduce student loan debt.

“Our administration has forgiven student loan debt for nearly 5 million Americans– and twice as much for our public servants, including our teachers,” Harris said.  

According to the U.S. Department of Education, this loan cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration has been more than any previous administration.   

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program has been going through temporary changes since 2020, which allowed for almost $169 billion in student loan relief. 

The Limited PSLF waiver, introduced in October 2021 and ended nearly a year later, granted credit towards previously ineligible payments. 

Harris’ campaign would work towards permanent changes to the PSLF, making it more accessible and inclusive. 

Along with this, rebuilding the Saving on a Valuable Education plan would be a priority under the Administration.

Although SAVE was an effective income-driven repayment plan, it was recently challenged as an overreach of authority by the Biden Administration, leading to a temporary block of implementation. 

Foreign Policy

Harris has been unclear about her international relations policies, hindering the support of the democratic party. 

The most pressing matter regarding foreign policy is the war in Gaza. The Biden-Harris Administration voiced their commitment to protecting Israel while expressing their concern about the scale of suffering in Gaza.

After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on July 25, Harris remarked that a ceasefire agreement was in the works. 

“It is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination,” Harris said. 

Until Harris defines her foreign policy it is predicted she will not venture far from what the Biden Administration had supported. 

Their priorities included restoring trans-Atlantic relations, focusing on trade to benefit the middle class and supporting Ukraine’s war effort. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Health, education: key takeaways from Harris campaign” was originally posted on The Cougar

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

Last Wednesday, the Student Government Association found itself balancing its attention between important committee matters and the ongoing censure of Sen. Jesus Nieto.

On July 5, Sen. Nieto was notified of his removal as Committee Chair for Graduate & Professional Students as well as his removal from the Internal Affairs Committee. 

Nieto’s actions in question include publicly criticizing other SGA officials and the organization without evidence, interrupting discussion with irrelevant comments and further provoking inefficient conflict between SGA members. 

Speaker of the Senate Sebastian Ballesteros removed Nieto based under a clause in the SGA Bylaw that says that “the speaker will coordinate all Committees of the Senate.” According to Ballesteros, he interpreted this clause as permitting the ability to add and remove senators if necessary.

However, his decision was challenged by Nieto on the basis that the speaker’s actions are an overreach of power.

“If a branch has not been clearly provided a specific power in one of these documents, it does not have said power, regardless of context. No powers are implied and no entity, branch or actor in Student Government will grant a power to themselves or another that is not outlined in this Constitution,” Nieto said.

Since the clause does not explicitly state that the speaker has the power to remove an established senator, the validity of the censure was up for debate. 

Former Speaker of the Senate Sophia Wilson highlighted key issues for the senate to address.

“Whether or not his behavior was appropriate, it’s also whether or not the speaker has the authority to remove him from the committee,” Wilson said. 

Adjustment of Senate Committees is not a rarity in SGA and if necessary, anticipates the efficiency of the branch. 

As SGA does not have a current standing attorney general, economics senior Micah Erfan provided legal clarification on the matter.

“If we extend the interpretation we’ve been using, the speaker has the ability to add to committees and remove people from committees,” Erfan said. 

He then suggested passing a resolution to close the case. 

The resolution of censure will be put to a first read on July 31 and will be voted on during the following meeting. If approved, Nieto would remain a senator and a member of the Graduate & Professional Students Committee but would no longer serve as its chair.

The resolution includes a provision for Nieto to potentially regain his chair position and possibly be reinstated to the Internal Affairs Committee, provided he completes a Human Resources training as specified by the Internal Affairs Committee and SGA Advisor Keith Kowalka. 

Nieto’s court filings were placed on hold because the court has failed to achieve quorum twice in a row, preventing him from challenging the procedural aspects of his committee removals. 

As of last night, the SGA court is deliberating on the censure case, with results expected to be announced soon. Should the resolution pass, it would impose various penalties on Nieto, including removal from chair positions, committee roles or reduced speaking time at SGA meetings.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“SGA’s internal conflict deepens with debate over Sen. Nieto’s censure” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

According to research, studying in a cafe can provide students with a refreshing environment, encouraging productivity and motivation. 

Cafes have coffee, snacks and food to keep students fueled while studying. However, finding the perfect cafe to fit individual needs may require some trial and error but, here are a few spots in Houston that are worth checking out:

Agora

Open until 2:00 a.m., Agora has been praised for their warm environment fit for late night study sessions.

Agora provides affordable pastries and enough coffee to study throughout the night.

According to the Agora policy, once an order is placed the customer is given the wifi password and is free to roam the two story cafe for the perfect study spot.

It is recommended to keep a check of time before leaving for Agora as it tends to get crowded because of late working hours.

Tout Suite

For those looking for a lively study spot with a wide range of food options to choose from, Tout Suite is the perfect place. 

Translating to “right away,” it is a vibrant cafe with a colorful menu consisting of sweet and savory goods. 

In addition to their variety of coffee choices, Tout Suite has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. 

They also have a sister store, Sweet, located in CityCentre that specializes in cupcakes and macarons. 

Slowpokes

With five locations to choose from, Slowpokes showcases quality coffee sourced from sustainable and ethical practices. 

On top of quality coffee, Slowpokes offers local treats and a happy hour menu as well.

This cafe is a great choice for those who like to study in calm settings while enjoying a change of scenery. 

If unable to make it out to this cafe, their roasted coffee is available for purchase to enjoy at home. 

Brass Tacks

Brass Tacks is popular among students for their spacious study areas and cozy aesthetic. They have multiple study hubs which are great for study groups or meetings with outdoor and upstairs seating. 

Whether in need a quick snack or a full meal, Brass Tacks offers a diverse menu to keep customers satisfied during short study sessions or lengthy meetings. 

The cafe, though busy, has just enough ambient noise enabling it to not be too distracting so customers can still be productive in a stimulating atmosphere. 

Muse Tea

Muse Tea serves refreshing tea and smoothies with options to choose ice and sweetness levels along with milk substitutes.

Muse Tea has a matcha series that is recommended for all matcha lovers. 

This cafe has a chic and clean interior that is free from distractions for students to cram in those last minute study sessions. 

Ironworks

Ironworks is a multifaceted building that has history going back to the 1930s. The warehouse contains several small businesses to browse through during study breaks. 

There are venues that offer coffee and quick bites, providing energy to study and explore the warehouse.

Ironworks has spacious work areas near the lively market, inspiring creativity and ensuring a productive study session. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Best Houston cafes for study sessions” was originally posted on The Cougar

Len Duenas/The Cougar

UH is located in a major urban area and has its own police department to protect students and staff while providing a number of helpful services. However, it’s still important to take personal measures to ensure safety.

Here are some tips to help ensure a smooth transition from a summer of fun to a safe academic semester:

Protect valuables 

Make sure to always lock dorms and apartments when leaving, even if only absent for a short amount of time.

“My biggest tip for students when protecting valuables in a public setting is to always keep them within sight and reach,” crime prevention officer Felipe Gutierrez said. 

Never leave belongings unattended in public areas including study rooms and community kitchens. As a precaution, it’s a good idea to mark belongings with a student identification number for easier identification.  

Vehicle safety 

Car robberies and tire theft are common among campus parking lots. Parking garages are generally safer than parking lots.

“I try to avoid Zone E and F whenever I can,” public health junior Ivan Lopez said. “Lot C is better since it’s near the East Garage and it has better lighting”.  

If planning to leave personal items in the car it’s important to hide them under car seats or in the trunk to decrease the chances of a robbery.  

Along with car robberies, bicycle thefts are prevalent on campus. In addition to bicycle registration, the University of Houston Police Department recommends bikers use a quality U-shaped lock with a standard flat key model.  

Be mindful of surroundings 

Always try to walk on well-lit paths, with other students and avoid secluded areas.

If walking alone do not walk with earphones in as it will impede hearing. 

“The most common safety mistake students make when walking on campus is being distracted by their phones,” Gutierrez said. “This can make them less aware of their surroundings and more vulnerable to accidents.”

If needed, UHPD provides a security escort program that can be reached at 713-743-3333. 

Throughout campus there are red emergency call boxes with a blue light attached to the top of the pole. For easy operation in case of an emergency, the callboxes are directly linked to the UHPD dispatch center. 

UH Crime Log 

The Daily Crime log contains reports of when and where violations happened on campus. The reports include the type of crime committed along with whether it’s an open or closed case. 

This is a great source which helps students keep an update on what parts of UH facilities to avoid. To report a crime, contact the UHPD at 713-743-333 or visit their station.

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“Staying safe, maximizing campus safety at UH” was originally posted on The Cougar