Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Conflict of interest disclosure: The Cougar is in large part funded by Student Service Fees. To view our 2025 budget requests and SFAC presentation, go to UH.edu/sfac/unit-requests/fy25/ and look under “The Cougar.” 

For the first time in a long time, the students representing us on the Student Fee Advisory Committee have rightfully decided to tighten the purse strings by recommending a modest reduction to Athletics’ massive budget. 

Largely made up of students appointed by the Student Government Association,  SFAC is tasked with advising President Renu Khator on how to spend a combined $20 million generated annually. Those funds are accumulated through the Student Service Fee — a $260 charge applied to every full-time students’ tuition, every semester.

The committee’s opinion was that Athletics, which for the past 20 years has taken the most of any organization or department from the student fee fund, failed the basic task of showing where their piece of the pie was going or what it was being used for. 

While the department’s share of the student fee fund is immense, compared to their total budget, it’s just a drop in the bucket. According to the Sports Business Journal, the department posted a staggering $73.8 million in operating expenses during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. 

Granted, that investment generated a $4.2 million surplus — there’s no denying the success there. But after a lackluster Big 12 debut that culminated in the long-awaited dismissal of the football team’s head coach — not to mention ongoing issues with infrastructure and support services — I think it’s high time someone started asking how things are run around here. 

I know there are a lot out there who probably believe Athletics deserves all the funding it can get. We did just join the Big 12, after all. Maybe the reason we didn’t do so well this year is because we didn’t give Athletics’ enough money (a narrative I’m sure they’d appreciate.)

But the money generated through the Student Service Fee is different, it’s sacred. Eloquently enshrined under the Texas Education Code as Educ. Code Section 54.5062, the allocation of these funds was always intended to be done under the guidance of the student body. 

But since at least 2004, the available evidence paints a picture of past committees who have consistently failed to demand anything substantial from their fund’s most demanding unit. 

Unsurprisingly, sticking a 20-year-old on an advisory committee alongside long-tenured professors and telling them to make sweeping recommendations on behalf of 40,000 students typically ends how you’d expect. They may ask a question or two, but rarely do they have the confidence to really grill someone two decades their elder. 

Hard to blame them either. Counseling and Psychological Services receives funding from SFAC — can you imagine really trying to evaluate the efficacy of a program so crucial? Could you imagine anyone under the age of 30 really being qualified to do so? 

Still, this money should not be a given. It should not be something departments simply receive each year in exchange for a dismissive presentation and a couple of checked boxes. In a rare gift from the state of Texas, the student body at UH has been granted this responsibility, and as adults it is not something we should shy away from. 

Sure, as a student I might not be the best person to ask when it comes to solving the evolving mental health crises of the modern world. But it doesn’t take a genius to tell when something just isn’t working. I don’t have to be Einstein to know that paying almost $15 million for the privilege to fire Dana Holgorsen is not some 4-D business move, it’s an L. 

The members of this year’s SFAC are providing the consequences for that L. The proposed deduction of $700,000 is really just a slap on the wrist considering the department’s usual serving of close to $4.5 million. Were it up to me, Athletics would get nothing until they worked off Holgorsen’s tab — would only take about three years.

Jokes aside, therein lies the function I believe SFAC was intended to perform. No, we are not financial experts, but we are a part of this community and deserve a say in how its run. At the very least, we deserve transparent and honest accounting of what our money is going to. 

SFAC chair Yusuf Kadi, a mechanical engineering sophomore, and Vice chair Anahi Ortega, a technology and leadership innovation senior, alongside the rest of 2023-2024 committee, have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of institutional pressure. Their work, if nothing else, will serve as a reminder that students’ concerns are not to be dismissed outright. 

True to its name, however, SFAC is only an advisory committee. In all likelihood, the president will present an alternate budget to the Board of Regents. The committee will have the opportunity to defend their version, but it’s a slim shot at victory when you’re facing off against a university president who is also the system chancellor.

The outcome isn’t what’s important here, though. What matters is that students exercised their rights and applied a critical eye to a department that deserved it. 

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Letter from the Editor: Good choice, SFAC” was originally posted on The Cougar

While you probably will never see me wearing red, I assure you my blood runs scarlet. | Anh Le/The Cougar

The spring semester is once again upon us, Cougars. Time to pull ourselves from the stupor of winter break and savor the last few weeks of pleasant weather before the city reverts to its usual oppressive climate. 

Temperatures aside, with a new year and new semester also comes an opportunity to reflect. A chance to think about who we are, where we’re going and a host of other anxiety-inducing topics usually only confronted on those sleepless nights spent staring at the ceiling fan. 

One topic I find myself returning to on such nights is the nature of our school and the people that comprise our community. At a university the size of a small city it seems almost unrealistic to think that there’s a culture that we all share in common. 

And yet, as I enter my final semester here, I can’t help but feel that there is something at our core that unites us. Something that makes us Cougars — aside from attending UH, of course.

In her State of the University address, President Renu Khator pulled a quote from legendary UH football coach Bill Yeoman that I think epitomized the common bond we all share.

“It’s not easy being a Cougar; but it is worth it … today and every day.”

This rings true even outside of our less-than-stellar performance on the football field this year. Navigating a sea of people scattered across a sprawling campus that now includes a colony in far-flung Sugar Land is not something I think anyone would describe as easy.

I’ll be the first to admit this University has issues. Those who’ve met me know I’m not one to shy from criticizing our alma mater. But for all my pessimism, I can’t help but get defensive when some Aggie or Longhorn deridingly refers to us as “just a commuter school.”

Yes, we may not have the helicopter-advising found at private schools, nor the traditional college environments of UT or A&M. But what we do have is the blunt honesty of an apathetic bunch of college students that just can’t be bothered with the performative activism in orange nor the military roleplay in maroon. 

And that honesty is, I believe, worth it. 

You don’t come to UH if you’re in the habit of having things handed to you. Including myself, I have encountered enough  “non-traditional” students to the point where I’m starting to believe the only true tradition at UH is being non-traditional. 

First-generation students, older students, students from marginalized communities, international students, veterans — this campus houses a million different flavors of students who took the back route to get here. 

Ultimately, that is what I believe is at the core of being a Cougar. Not being a commuter, not wearing red on fridays, but living honestly through adversity. Easy is going to a college where your friend group, social life and support network are handed to you at orientation. UH is having to put yourself out there, it’s talking to people in your classes, it’s going to the Den after a rough day. 

There’s an undeniable human component to this university that mirrors the city around it. Like Houston, we’re diverse yet hardly aware of it; resilient while somehow still uncertain; proud of who we are without knowing who we really are — a confusing mess of passions and desires that are the hallmark of a student body that defines our school’s culture and not the other way around.  

Other universities require students inherit a portion of an already-established culture. They ask that you make room in your personality for an ill-defined, centuries-old legacy that often revolves around nothing more than “yay football.” UH, for better or worse, makes no such request. 

Instead, at UH you are asked what you have to offer the campus. You are asked to take a portion of yourself and add it to the greater Cougar mosaic. In our apathy flourishes true, unapologetic individualism that forms the foundation of a campus culture more authentic than any other in Texas. 

So as you’re gearing up to kick off this semester, think about what it really means to be a Cougar. Think about what it is you can offer the UH community. Think about the impact you can have on our campus. 

Chances are, it’s bigger than you think.

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Letter from the Editor: What it means to be a Cougar” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Editor’s Note: Sarah Khan is the director of the Council for Cultural Activities. 

In the wake of changes on campus following the introduction of SB 17, students are expressing a range of  feelings.

Some believe these changes are impacting their college experience negatively, while others see it as an opportunity to empower and enhance diversity. In adapting to a post-DEI campus, it’s crucial for us to focus on the bright side and on how we can make our next steps count.

Many students are already doing just that. Clubs, organizations and grassroots movements are flourishing —  providing platforms for expression, support and advocacy. While SB 17 did deprive many communities of much-needed resources, it also led to an inspiring grassroots movement to fill the void left in its wake. 

These organizations have taken steps to ensure ongoing programming and a welcoming environment. Despite the acknowledged absence of certain resources, students from diverse backgrounds are coming together to not only recognize but celebrate diversity on campus.

“Even with recent regulatory changes, SPB remains dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment through our events and embracing diverse perspectives. “ said Samantha Sadeghi, president of the Student Program Board. “Our events thrive when the community actively participates.”

On campus, student leaders continue to champion cultural diversity — evident in recent events like the Diwali event hosted by the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, or the Autumn Harvest Festival hosted by the Japanese Language and Culture Community. 

With students focusing more on their personal efforts on campus to resist these changes, it is as if we are weaving a tight knit community — creating new spaces within existing ones where we can share and learn each other’s stories.

We’re not leaving anyone behind or attempting to shift focus from major distressing changes, but rather throwing out safety nets so every student knows they have got a place to land if things get tough.

“Ever since the LGTBQ Resource Center has been shut down, I hang out in the carrel spaces. I meet new students in their cubicles from different cultures, and they have always invited me to attend their events, or join their community.” said Matthew Nguyen, a Mathematics Senior. “The sense of community I was able to find makes my heart happy.”

Our campus is undoubtedly experiencing change, but it’s the adaptability and resilience of the student body that stands out. As we navigate these shifts, students collectively showcase the strength found in unity and the celebration of diversity.

From art exhibitions that celebrate cultural diversity to community service projects that address local needs, these initiatives showcase the incredible impact students have, and their willingness to take those steps.

They not only fill the void left by institutional changes but also serve as powerful reminders of the proactive spirit that defines the student body.

Sarah Khan is the director of the Council for Cultural Activities and can be reached at ccadir@central.uh.edu. 

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“Op-ed: Diversity lives on despite legislative changes” was originally posted on The Cougar

According to a post made on the organization’s Instagram, the UH Asian Business Student Association has suspended an unspecified number of members and is currently investigating an officer following allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. 

Released Wednesday, the statement came just days after a user on the UH subreddit claimed members engaged in everything from sexual assault to casual racism. Though not explicitly identified as the source of the allegations, the wording of the ABSA’s release mirrors the claims made on Reddit. 

“We understand the severity of the current situation as we empathize with and will always support victims affected by sexual assault and abuse,” the statement read. “Our main priority going forward is taking action for the victims and to prevent this from happening in the future.”

In addition to suspending current members, the ABSA has also blacklisted several alumni who “neglected to consider their harmful behavior.” The exact nature of the suspensions and the identities of the individuals targeted remains uncertain as of now. 

The statement, signed by the organization’s top officers, encouraged any affected students to utilize the ABSA’s internal report system, provided through a Google Form. Further, the organization claimed to be actively conducting an investigation of one of its own officers. 

“Regarding the situation with one of our officers, in full transparency, this is an investigation we have been keeping a close watch on,” the statement read. “There are multiple conflicting testimonies that did not allow us to produce a solid result. During the time of that incident, both parties were contacted and asked if keeping a close eye with zero tolerance was okay with them.” 

In response to The Cougar’s request for comment, ABSA President Ethan Teo said the organization plans to release another update next week. It remains unclear whether or not the University has taken action against the ABSA.

“Please understand that we are in solidarity with the victims impacted negatively by those affiliated with ABSA,” Teo said. “We are actively working hard to support our members who have been affected and aim to further prevent these experiences in the future.” 

news@thedailycougar.com 

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“UH ABSA suspends members following allegations of harassment, racism” was originally posted on The Cougar

In this week’s Ask The Cougar, Editor-in-Chief John Lomax and Managing Editor Cindy Rivas Alfaro tackle questions about coming to college, graduation and how to prepare for the workforce.

How would you recommend building the foundation to a strong career while you are in college? What advice, if any, would you share from your experiences?

So this is a great question and one I’d wish I would have asked myself a whole lot earlier. The answer is actually pretty simple. It all comes down to getting as much relevant experience as possible for the career you’ve chosen before heading to the workforce

For me, that meant getting involved with The Cougar my first day on campus. For context, prior to coming to UH, I spent a little over three years in the military. By the time I was out, I was sure of two things. First, I didn’t want to do another push-up ever again in my life. Second, I was dead set on pursuing a career in journalism. 

Before I joined The Cougar, I was qualified to shoot a gun and perform manual labor — two things I’d be perfectly comfortable with never having to do again. Now, I have around 80 articles under my belt — a number I at least hope qualifies as a strong foundation toward working at a big-boy publication. 

But it’s about more than just another bullet point on your resume. It’s about finding out whether or not you truly have what it takes to work in the field you have in mind. Expectations are often a far cry from reality, and it’s better to learn an ugly truth earlier rather than later. 

That being said, since you’re asking this question I assume you have a good understanding of what it is you want to do. To bring this answer back home, you need to find and join whatever club is closest to your ideal career. Now, perhaps thankfully, for some majors there is no student media equivalent (I’m not sure I’d trust a bridge built by “student-engineers.”)

While it may not be as obvious, there’s almost certainly at least one organization on GetInvolved that can provide some relevant experience. Don’t stop there though, apply for as many internships, volunteer opportunities and fellowships as you can to help broaden your portfolio.

At the end of the day, put yourself in the shoes of a potential employer. Generally, they want to hire someone who they can put to work as quickly as possible. In most professions, the more training and effort it will require to make you capable of doing the job, the less inclined they will be to hire you. 

— JL

How would you recommend branching out and forming strong friendships after moving away from home and to college for the first time?

Personally, the way I got out of my comfort zone and met new people was by messaging people on Instagram. Granted, this was during the COVID era but the IRL equivalent would be attending socials on campus and any other events put on by student organizations. Branching out is always scary but I think the benefits you get out of it will always outweigh the “scaries.” 

As for forming strong friendships, I say find common ground and build off of each other. For example, if you both like Taylor Swift, go watch the Taylor Swift movie! If you both have to study for a test, pick a time to study at Cougar Grounds or The Nook and make it a constant thing.

 If you really enjoy hanging out with someone, there will always be something for you both to bond over. I met some of my closest friends in class, so make sure you are going farther than just the icebreakers! 

— CRA

I am the oldest out of my college friend group and out of the friends walking the stage with me, all of us are taking jobs in different cities. How would you recommend staying close while being so far away?

Congratulations on graduating and getting a job! I think your best bet would have to be a lot of virtual get-togethers. Discord is a really good app for keeping in touch with friends, especially with the options of streaming, group chats and voice chats. There are also games like Jackbox where you can play silly little games.

If you’re looking for stuff outside of simple gaming, I think having an iMessage or WhatsApp group chat for all of you would be really cool to send any updates throughout your day! When I graduated high school,  my trio of friends made sure to send a selfie a day to make sure we stayed connected. 

When it comes to planning in-person things, I think inviting everyone to your birthday party or any celebration regardless if you think they’ll come or not is a really good way to stay in touch. Even if they aren’t able to show up, the invitation still shows that you are thinking of them! If all of you feel down for it, picking a place in the middle of the map where you can meet and planning accordingly can also lead to good adventures. The biggest issue I think would be scheduling conflicts and of course, money,  but I think if you are all on the same page and care about each other, you have nothing to worry about! Again, congrats on making it through college, and I hope this was able to help! 

— CRA

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Ask The Cougar: Long-distance friendships, career advice” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The UH Squirrel Society has been placed on interim suspension after two anonymous reports claimed the organization was engaging in ritualistic hazing.

The first claimed prospective members were asked to give a “blood oath/sacrament” as part of an initiation ceremony. The second described seeing an ominous gathering of hooded, candle-bearing students in the Student Center North. The University has since charged the Squirrel Society with five infractions of the student code of conduct, all of which relate to hazing. 

The incidents, however, both occurred on or around Halloween — a fact Squirrel King Sameer Abdulmajeed feels has been overlooked. 

“This was at our Halloween party last week, we called it ‘Squalloween’,” Abdulmajeed said in response to the first complaint. “We were in our costumes and put on a little performance where we ritually summoned the White-Tailed Squirrel.”

Abdulmajeed has been the Squirrel King, the organization’s title for their chief executive, since its founding in 2020. Known to many students by the name “Sameer the Red,” Abdulmajeed is often seen around campus promoting school pride while sporting a variety of UH-red costumes. This, the allegations imply, is the ringleader of a cult of ritual practitioners. 

The evidence cited in the first complaint is made up of two videos taken at the organization’s Squalloween event Oct. 25, each of which were provided to The Cougar. At no point in the video are any students asked to swear a blood oath and the only sacrifice offered was the “soul of a person who kicked one of the squirrels on campus,” which was represented by a small red light. 

“As far as I know, no one said anything about the sacrifice in order to join the organization,” Abdulmajeed said. “The only time I remember was we were kind of joking about sacrifice, but again, not to join the organization.”

The second complaint focused on an incident that occurred in the Student Organization Carrols in the Student Center North around 8 p.m. Oct. 31. This report alleged members of the Squirrel Society came into the carrols in full costume carrying candles and a red star symbol. Earlier that day, the complainant alleges to have overheard members planning another ritual.

Abdulmajeed’s explanation for this is simple: It was Halloween night. 

“This was on Halloween, so we were in our Halloween costumes. We were standing around in a circle talking to each other in our costumes,” Abdulmajeed said. “And what the report neglects to mention is that this ritual was to summon the eldritch horror ‘Squithulu.’”

For Abdulmajeed, the timing of the suspension amounts to far more than a simple ban on day-to-day operations. Formerly a contender for the Homecoming crown, losing the Squirrel Society effectively amounts to losing the race for Abdulmajeed.

In order to run for Homecoming Court, students must be nominated by a Registered Student Organization. The Squirrel Society’s suspension means Abdulmajeed has lost the organizational backing required to hold the position. 

“They didn’t look into it at all. They didn’t let me plead my case … they just straight up denied me without actually looking into anything,” he said. “I put a lot of my own money, effort and time into campaigning for this, so it feels really bad to have it taken away with nothing I can do about it.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Squirrel Society labeled shadow society; Allegations of cult practices leave Squirrel King stumped” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The UH Squirrel Society has been placed on interim suspension after two anonymous reports claimed the organization was engaging in ritualistic hazing.

The first claimed prospective members were asked to give a “blood oath/sacrament” as part of an initiation ceremony. The second described seeing an ominous gathering of hooded, candle-bearing students in the Student Center North. The University has since charged the Squirrel Society with five infractions of the student code of conduct, all of which relate to hazing. 

The incidents, however, both occurred on or around Halloween — a fact Squirrel King Sameer Abdulmajeed feels has been overlooked. 

“This was at our Halloween party last week, we called it ‘Squalloween’,” Abdulmajeed said in response to the first complaint. “We were in our costumes and put on a little performance where we ritually summoned the White-Tailed Squirrel.”

Abdulmajeed has been the Squirrel King, the organization’s title for their chief executive, since its founding in 2020. Known to many students by the name “Sameer the Red,” Abdulmajeed is often seen around campus promoting school pride while sporting a variety of UH-red costumes. This, the allegations imply, is the ringleader of a cult of ritual practitioners. 

The evidence cited in the first complaint is made up of two videos taken at the organization’s Squalloween event Oct. 25, each of which were provided to The Cougar. At no point in the video are any students asked to swear a blood oath and the only sacrifice offered was the “soul of a person who kicked one of the squirrels on campus,” which was represented by a small red light. 

“As far as I know, no one said anything about the sacrifice in order to join the organization,” Abdulmajeed said. “The only time I remember was we were kind of joking about sacrifice, but again, not to join the organization.”

The second complaint focused on an incident that occurred in the Student Organization Carrols in the Student Center North around 8 p.m. Oct. 31. This report alleged members of the Squirrel Society came into the carrols in full costume carrying candles and a red star symbol. Earlier that day, the complainant alleges to have overheard members planning another ritual.

Abdulmajeed’s explanation for this is simple: It was Halloween night. 

“This was on Halloween, so we were in our Halloween costumes. We were standing around in a circle talking to each other in our costumes,” Abdulmajeed said. “And what the report neglects to mention is that this ritual was to summon the eldritch horror ‘Squithulu.’”

For Abdulmajeed, the timing of the suspension amounts to far more than a simple ban on day-to-day operations. Formerly a contender for the Homecoming crown, losing the Squirrel Society effectively amounts to losing the race for Abdulmajeed.

In order to run for Homecoming Court, students must be nominated by a Registered Student Organization. The Squirrel Society’s suspension means Abdulmajeed has lost the organizational backing required to hold the position. 

“They didn’t look into it at all. They didn’t let me plead my case … they just straight up denied me without actually looking into anything,” he said. “I put a lot of my own money, effort and time into campaigning for this, so it feels really bad to have it taken away with nothing I can do about it.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Squirrel Society labeled shadow society; Allegations of cult practices leave Squirrel King stumped” was originally posted on The Cougar

In an email sent out Monday, UH President Renu Khator announced the retirement of the University’s vice president for medical affairs and founding dean for the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.

Dr. Stephen J. Spann was appointed to the position of planning dean in 2015 and was promoted to founding dean in 2018. According to the email, Dr. Spann was a key player in securing preliminary accreditation for UH’s nascent medical program in 2020. His retirement marks an end to more than four decades spent in academic medicine, eight of which was at UH.

“A family physician leader, educator and researcher, Dr. Spann has dedicated his career to improving health and health care around the world,” Khator’s email read. “We thank him for his service and passion for the mission of the College of Medicine.”

Khator also credited Dr. Spann with guiding the University through the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the opening of two clinics aimed at providing care to underserved communities. 

Though his retirement has been announced, Dr. Spann isn’t leaving quite yet. The email stated that he plans to remain with the University until a suitable replacement is found. In the meantime, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and UH Provost Diane Chase will form a national search committee to determine who will replace the school’s departing dean. 

“Please take a moment to thank Dr. Spann for his contributions to establishing the Fertitta Family College of Medicine and his service to UH,” Khator’s email read. “I speak for all faculty, staff and students when I wish him the best.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Breaking: Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine dean announces retirement” was originally posted on The Cougar

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

In response to the two students who lost their lives to suicide last year, the University has unveiled a revamped digital portal meant to assist students in managing their mental health.

Called CoogsCARE, the website consists of mental health resources for students and faculty. The site offers easy access to suicide prevention training, digital support chats and quick links to other auxiliary services. For those who need guidance in real time, the site also includes hotlines for both UH health professionals and the National Suicide and Crisis Lifelines. 

“CoogsCARE is a philosophical approach of how we want to support each other on this campus,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Chris Dawe. “In mental health, but also our well being in a larger sense as well.” 

Created in response to directives from UH’s Task Force for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide — a group formed last year to advise administrators on matters relating to mental health — CoogsCARE aims to be a one-stop shop for students’ psychological needs. 

“We got those recommendations in May, and we already have the JED strategic plan,” Dawe said. “Part of our work was to put all of those things together in one big plan.”

Other departments and services across UH have come together to offer their support through CoogsCARE. The A.D Bruce Religion Center is one of the supporting providers through the portal, and offers students spiritual counseling and mentorship. 

“The A.D Bruce Religion Center offers a place for both quiet meditation and spiritual growth,” said Cheyenne Peer, events and administrative coordinator for the A.D Bruce Religion Center. “While the A.D Bruce Religion Center is non-denominational, the staff and spiritual leaders are happy to connect the community with those that need guidance or someone to speak to.”

In addition to counseling services, CoogsCARE also offers a variety of programs meant to help students identify when their peers may be in crisis. You Can Help a Coog teaches students to recognize and respond to concerning behavior and how to refer others to the appropriate resources. 

For students, however, the issue of mental health on campus remains divisive. Some, like biomedical engineering sophomore Amen Khan, see CoogsCARE as too little, too late. 

“I think this CoogsCARE program came a little late,” Khan said. “It would have been helpful if we had something like this when the problems first started.”

While Khan said she remains optimistic, she criticized the University for what she saw as a delayed response to last year’s tragic events. 

“I feel like there was not enough done because it happened again, and it wasn’t addressed at first,” Khan said. “It did take UH a long time to respond to the fact that it happened, and I think that was harmful.”

Though the program has its skeptics, others see it as a step in the right direction. 

“I think that’s a very positive thing to do for students,” said Junior Engineering student Bruno Iniguez Arredondo. “I’m happy to hear about that.”

The program, while still somewhat divisive among students, is still evolving. Shawn Lindsay, associate vice president for media relations at UH, said CoogsCARE, and the University’s approach to mental health, is constantly improving. As the site continues to expand, staff will keep the community updated with a monthly newsletter. 

“The University of Houston is actively working to improve mental health and wellness on campus, emphasizing both individual self-care and a broader community care culture,” Lindsay said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“CoogsCARE: Digital platform aims to support students’ mental health needs” was originally posted on The Cougar

In his first appearance before a judge on Wednesday, the UH math lecturer arrested earlier this week received a bond of $500,000. 

He stands accused of five counts of possessing child pornography — with $100,000 added to his bail for each count. Under his bond conditions, Chang cannot access the internet or have contact with anyone under the age of 17. Chang is expected to appear before a judge Nov. 29 where he will be read his official charges. 

In Texas, possession of child pornography is considered a third-degree felony charge. However, it remains unclear whether each individual charge will result in separate convictions. If they do, Chang could face a punishment as serious as life in prison. 

The news of Chang’s arrest has come as a shock to the UH community. His RateMyProfessor score currently sits at a lofty 4.6, with 99% of previous students saying they would take him again.

Psychology sophomore Lillyan Arriaga said the charges shattered her opinion of Chang, who she once thought of as an excellent instructor. 

“This entire situation feels like something from a movie, or a crime show. But it’s not, it’s the reality of the world we live in with defenseless children paying the price,” Arriaga said. “I hope he never had the chance to physically harm a child or teen. And I hope he gets the mental help he clearly needs along with prosecution to the highest extent for his disturbing crimes.” 

Arriaga said she learned about Chang’s arrest after leaving her usual 11:30 a.m. class with the former mathematics lecturer. Initially, she said students assumed the arrest stemmed from parking tickets or other minor infractions. 

“I got a message in our class GroupMe that he had allegedly been arrested,” Arriaga said. “None of us really believed it at first. We all made a bunch of silly jokes about it being from a parking ticket violation or missing a court date for said ticket.” 

Initial optimistic assumptions were quashed when Arriaga’s classmates shared videos of ABC13’s coverage of Chang’s arrest and charges. 

It remains to be seen whether or not Chang will post the $500,000 bail before his arraignment hearing in late November. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH lecturer arrested for child pornography receives $500k bond” was originally posted on The Cougar