With college around the corner for incoming freshmen, it’s good to think about how much you’ll grow in one year as a Cougar. College is just one step of the process in your life. | Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

College might be the biggest change incoming freshmen have had in their lives. There’s so much to worry about and many unknowns ahead. 

But take it easy. College is just one step in the process for anyone.

Some students will have it all figured out. They know what classes they are taking and what career they want. Others, and I speculate most, have no clue what they’re doing. 

There’s value to both. With the former, you can more easily plan your next steps, and with the latter, you can be fickle and change your mind if something new sparks your interest. 

I came into college with my eyes firmly set on graduation. My first semester I said all the time, “I can’t wait to graduate.”

Once my close friend settled into college, he figured he wanted to take five, six years to graduate. That couldn’t be further from what I, or any academic adviser, would want. Neither of our approaches are wrong. You have to determine what works for you.

Ask around if someone is certain they know what they want to do after college. It’s a lot to ask a young adult to seemingly plan out their life now.

You and I aren’t planning out our whole lives now, we’re just planning our time in college. What we do after can easily change, and that’s OK.

Ups and downs in college won’t be permanent. School work will get tough, jobs will get tough, your relationships with friends may even get tough. How much of that will matter in a year, 10 years?

Not much, if at all. 

Take solace in that what you do now, while important, isn’t going to ruin your life if things go south. You’ll have ample time and extra chances to stay on the path you want for yourself.

At the end of your first year in college, think back of everything you’ve learned. You came in not understanding calculus, and now you can take the derivative of anything. Or, you struggled. You came up short and didn’t pass a history course in the fall. Now when you’re taking it in the spring, you’ve learned a lot of the course already and know where you erred. 

It may not appear this way, but nothing that will happen in your first year of college will ruin any long-term plans you have.

That freshman you were when college began will seem dumb to you in a year. That’s because of all the accomplishments and mistakes you made in a year. You grew.

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Letter from the Editor: College is one small step in the process” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

A woman was assaulted Wednesday afternoon along the exterior of the UH Law Center, according to a UH Security Alert.

The incident happened at approximately 4 p.m. when a man touched a UH visitor “in a sexual manner,” according to the alert.

“An unknown male touched her buttocks with an open hand,” the alert said. “After confronting the suspect, the visitor left the area uninjured.”

When UHPD checked the Law Center for the suspect they did not see him on campus anymore

The suspect is described as a middle-aged  black male  with short gray and black hair and a bald spot, according to the alert. The man is about 5’5” to 5’8”, 170lbs to 190lbs, with a medium build and a protruding stomach. He was wearing a white tank top with unknown colored shorts.

The suspect had no weapon or vehicle.

UHPD is urging anyone with any information to contact them at 713-743-3333.

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“Woman assaulted near UH Law Center” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

A man who killed a UH student in an 2016 drunken driving incident was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison, according to court records.

Marshall Schoen was driving drunk on April 14, 2016 when he hit and killed construction management sophomore Mark Tartaglio, who was walking his girlfriend home from a sorority party.

In the accident, Tartaglio’s girlfriend was also hurt, but survived.

Schoen was also a UH student at the time and was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

State District Judge Josh Hill gave the sentence in a Harris County court. Schoen does have the possibility of parole.

A GoFundMe page raised $20,000 to cover the pair’s medical expenses.

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Parking has drastically increased prices for the upcoming school year, to many students’ frustration. | File Photo/The Cougar

Parking permit rates for the 2019-2020 academic year are up, and students residing on campus are facing higher parking costs than ever.

The new prices now have commuters and residents paying different rates on some of the permit options. While prices have gone up for both groups, residents will now have to pay more for zone and garage parking on campus.

“Parking patterns indicate that a majority of residents park their vehicles without moving them for an extended period of time and, quite often, the spaces that are being taken up are prime, proximal spaces,” said Neil Hart, executive director of UH Auxiliary Services. “This has been a point of contention for our commuter customers, which represent 90 percent of our on-campus parking permits — they basically do not have access to these spaces.”

The price of a garage permit increased to $965 for residents and $670 for commuters, from this year’s flat rate of $570. Zone parking permits have increased to $610 for residents and $405 for commuters, from this year’s flat rate of $370.

“Prices had to go up because to build garages four and five — Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) had to take out loans in order to afford them,” said Elliot Kauffman, a student member of the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee. “Neither tuition nor the University put money into PTS because as an auxiliary service, that is against state law.”

Kauffman said the situation is tricky because of campus expansion, specifically when new buildings are built on existing surface lots.

“When buildings are built on surface lots, PTS has to replace those missing parking spots,” Kauffman said. “Since garage spots cost more, parking permit prices have to rise to reflect that.”

While the 2019-2020 academic year will bring significant increases to permit prices, there is not much concern that these increases will discourage students from living on campus.

“There are so many benefits to living on campus, including the close proximity to classes and amenities,” Hart said. “However, as our on-campus residential community continues to grow, we have to find viable alternatives to parking on campus.”

PTS often oversells parking lots as a means to ensure each space is getting maximum usage. For every 10 spots available in a surface lot, they may sell 14 passes, figuring not all 14 cars will be parked all day. In theory, this allows everyone to find a spot.

“Rates were determined by using the 1.4 oversell factor that we use for commuter parkers,” Hart said. “Basically, if a resident is parked all day in a lot, we have to decrease our oversell and therefore have to sell less spaces.”

The rate increase was approved last year by a TPAC vote, which reviews rate structures every two years.

“I think people need to understand that their concerns and frustrations are valid, however, the rate increase was voted on last year,” said Andrew Bahlmann, the Student Government Association appointee to TPAC. “Though I was on the committee at the time and I own that, at the end of the day I have to look at what is in the best interest of the department to continue providing these services.”

Student reactions to the price hike have been mixed, but generally they are not very positive.

“A lot of students are financially struggling. The prices are ridiculous, we don’t need another thing to stress about, especially those of us who don’t have parents paying for school,” said biology senior Dalia Aldin. “Where are we supposed (to) go get the money from?”

Mechanical engineering freshman Noah Ashworth said he believes it is unfair for on-campus residents to have to pay more for parking than commuters.

“Residents have just as much of a need for a vehicle as commuters, yet we are supposed to pay even more,” Ashworth said. “If I can’t afford the extra money, I’m forced to live stranded on campus, which not only makes it tough for me to get groceries and all but also puts stress on my family because they would have to drive all the way here just for me to be able to go home.”

Mathematics junior Tara Bentley, who also lives on campus, echoed his concerns about the steep increase for residents.

“I understand that as a resident my car is parked at UH more often, but how does that justify a 65 percent price increase? I could buy round-trip tickets to anywhere in America for the price of a lot space or round-trip tickets to Australia for the price of a garage space,” Bentley said.

PTS has outlined other options for students uninterested or unable to pay for on-campus parking, including access to remote lots, for which the permit price will be the same for commuters and residents, or carpooling to campus.

“The (Coogs On Alternative and Sustainable Transportation) program, which incentivizes students to not bring a vehicle on campus, and our remote parking campus are two of the options,” Hart said. “COAST minimizes the number of vehicles traveling to campus and ultimately reducing the carbon footprint and improving air quality.”

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“On-campus residents to pay parking upcharge next year” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

The Day of Remembrance is an annual event held at the Bruce A.D. Religion Center commemorating University of Houston alumni, students, faculty and staff who have passed away during the year. | File Photo/The Cougar

Tissues sat at both ends of every pew in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center. As light shone onto those in attendance, organ music began the annual Day of Remembrance honoring University alumni, faculty, staff and students who died in 2018, in addition to the Religion Center’s director, who died Monday.

The Day of Remembrance is held in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center on the first Tuesday of every March to honor members of the UH community who died in the previous year.

“As we gather together today, try to remember a fun memory of someone you’ve lost and a smile may come on your face. Smiles are welcome here,” said the President of the Campus Ministries Association Shannon Rutherford. “You might also remember that person and be pulled into the depths of sorrow. Tears are also welcome here.”

More than 500 individuals, many of whom being alumni, were listed in the event’s program, but just one was mentioned by name: Religion Center Director Bruce Twenhafel, who had worked at the University for 20 years.

“He’s been in this building managing it since 2010,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs – Student Life, Keith Kowalka. “He is an amazing spirit he really transformed the (Campus Ministries Association). CMA was always here, but they didn’t have somebody here that knew their world, being a spiritual person and a faith leader.”

Twenhafel may be remembered throughout campus for his years-long crusade to repair the Center’s roof, which had leaked and not been updated since the ‘60s prior to this summer’s renovations, but he will be remembered by his coworkers and friends for his lively personality and upbeat attitude.

“He was joyful. He always had jokes,” Rutherford said. “He was quick witted — but professional — and loved people well, and that was seen a lot towards the end of his life, just the people who came out and loved on him and cared for him in his last days because of how much he loved other people and how much he made them feel welcomed and part of his family here.”

Twenhafel served as director for two years and had been manager since 2010. He was formerly the associate director of Campus Activities, according to his Linkedin profile.

“Today, the UH community showed how interconnected and well supported we all are, despite the director of the Religion Center, Bruce Twenhafel, passing away the day before,” said Student Government Association President Cameron Barrett. “The ceremony was just as respectful and well-organized as if Bruce was there himself.”

During the ceremony, speakers took to the stand to read poems and light memorial candles in honor of the Cougars who had passed.

Four candles were lit to represent students, faculty members, staff and alumni, respectively. Barrett lit the first candle, followed by Faculty Senate President Raul Ramos, Staff Council President Emily Merrell and UH Alumni Association President Brent Chinn.

“It was one of the greatest honors of my presidency, and one of the most somber moments, to participate in the UH Day of Remembrance,” Barrett said after the memorial.

The Religion Center’s bell tolled 27 times at the end of the ceremony in honor of the year the University was founded, 1927. Before attendees were let out to congregate in the lobby for snacks, the University’s Alma Mater was played on the organ. Though, no one sang.

The Center, though religious, is non-denominational; it is open for anyone’s use, no matter their religion, or lack thereof. Students may come to the Center to work on homework on the couches upstairs, attend one of the many events held each day, or, of course, to pray.

The annual UH Day of Remembrance will be held again next year to honor those who passed in 2019, no doubt including a prepared eulogy and time for Twenhafel, who helped modernize the A.D. Bruce Religion Center physically and spiritually.

“He was a great partner from the University supporting these folks who aren’t part of the University officially but are people of interest which, I think, one of his greatest accomplishments,” Kowalka said. “He was just an amazing guy, the remarks are him, quick witted, just a very caring soul, and funny.”

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“Religion Center director among those mourned at Day of Remembrance” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

In 2003, Houston-based U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee advocated for the United States to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/ user: johntex~commonswiki

Juneteenth — commemorating the end of slavery in Texas and the United States on June 19, 1865 — is recognized as an official holiday in 45 states, including Texas. But of the state’s three flagship university systems, none officially recognize the celebration.

Since transferring to UH, construction management junior Bethany Jackson-Price has led the charge to land the historic holiday, which she believes represents a more inclusive celebration of freedom, a spot on the University’s academic calendar.

“As a minority, when I celebrate ‘Independence Day,’ it’s not my independence I’m celebrating — it’s always a bittersweet celebration,” Jackson-Price said. “Juneteenth is the true Independence Day for all Americans.”

The Student Government Association Senate is expected to vote on the ‘Freedom Day’ Acknowledgement, which Jackson-Price co-authored with SGA President Cameron Barrett, on Feb. 6. If passed, the resolution will represent a show of SGA support in recognizing Juneteenth as an officially observed University holiday.

“July 4th is not an accurate Freedom Day because many minorities, most inclusive to African Americans, were not free that day,” according to the current draft of the resolution.

Jackson-Price said her goal isn’t to dispute the importance of Independence Day, but to instead recognize that it wasn’t until Juneteenth that all Americans were able to benefit from that freedom.

More than two years passed, after Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation declared the slaves free, before most slaves in the rebelling states were released.

According to the Dallas Morning News, a Union Army general arrived in Galveston on June 18, 1865, to announce victory over the Confederacy. Freedmen officially learned of their emancipation the next day.

In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, but Jackson-Price said she didn’t learn of the holiday until she took an interest in black history in college.

Despite Juneteenth’s status as a state holiday, she was surprised to find it wasn’t mentioned in any of her history textbooks. Given its ties to the Houston-Galveston area, in addition to UH’s proximity to one of Houston’s historically black communities, Jackson-Price and Barrett believe the University is in a unique position to recognize the day’s significance.

“(UH) is basically the spirit of the Houston area,” Jackson-Price said. “It would teach others that definitely don’t know about it — there’s a lot of people that don’t know about the holiday — and I’m thinking if the college can get more involved, it’s all about educating others.”

Beyond recognition on the calendar, she hopes UH will take the opportunity to further teach the community about Juneteenth and its place in Texas history. Ideally, she would like to see it commemorated with different activities and on-campus presentations.

Though Barrett expects the “Freedom Day” Acknowledgement to pass in the SGA Senate without issue, there will remain more to be done before UH students see the holiday on the academic calendar.

Executive Director of Media Relations Mike Rosen said Jackson-Price will then be able to present the idea to an academic calendar committee, which is comprised by faculty and staff appointed by the Provost’s Office. The decision will then rest with the University Provost.

If the University decides against recognizing Freedom Day on the academic calendar, however, Barrett said it wouldn’t be a reflection of UH’s values but instead on the process needed to grant recognition.

“That’s just one of those moments when you’ve got to be disappointed in the University’s policy-making process,” he said.

But since Jackson-Price is asking solely for recognition of the holiday, as opposed to a day off from classes, Barrett said he is pretty confident it won’t be an issue.

“If this college does accept and celebrate this day, and we as a campus body are able to celebrate this ‘Freedom Day’ as we celebrate other holidays here, that would be monumental,” Jackson-Price said. “I truly believe this would set the example for other colleges and schools in this state.”

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“Student works to recognize Juneteenth on UH’s official calendar” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Editor’s Note: This article contains graphic depictions of sexual assault. Read at your own discretion.

After a short-lived Twitter account accused former and current UH students — most being members of historically Black fraternities — of abuse against women, the University’s Eta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha canceled a planned party in favor of hosting “It Starts With Us,” a seminar on sexual awareness, Friday.

The tweets, which levied accusations against five members of each different historically Black fraternity chartered at UH and one against a former UH student, sparked passionate responses from the Black community.

“The Twitter account, not directly causing it, but showed that this is probably the perfect time — that maybe we need to do something now, while the conversation is alive and well,” said Jeramaine Netherly, the adviser to Alpha Phi Alpha, of which he was president during his time as a UH student.

Netherly said he hopes the event can begin a dialogue within the community.

“It kind of shed a lot of light to members in our chapter,” said Vice President and Director of Education of the chapter Christopher Porter, a mechanical engineering technology junior.

The chapter had been planning to host a similar event later in the semester, but the Twitter accusations added a level of urgency, Porter said. Netherly agreed that the incident provided a good opportunity to host the conversation.

In preparation for the event, the fraternity reached out to the Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Equal Opportunity Services and the Women and Gender Resource Center to help aid the discussion.

As students and alumni entered the room, Alpha Phi Alpha members handed out raffle tickets and “It Starts With Us” bracelets that featured the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline Number inside.

The event opened with a welcome from the chapter’s president, Marlon Black, which was followed by formal statements from representatives of the other fraternities. Each chapter emphasized its stance against sexual violence in their community.

The official Twitter for the Eta Mu chapter posted a Google Form asking UH students to share their experiences and questions about sexual misconduct before the event. The chapter received more than 150 responses.

Black read the statistics gathered through the form about on-campus misconduct, in addition to a number of survivor-submitted accounts of sexual assault, following the event’s opening remarks.

Forty percent of respondents to the form said they had been sexually assaulted. Of those individuals, 31.1 percent said they didn’t report it.

“I was blackout drunk in bed with a friend of mine,” reads one anonymous submission. “When I opened my eyes, she was riding me without a condom. This was the first time I never used a condom in sex. I felt like I shouldn’t think anything of it because I’m a guy.”

Richard Igbinoba, a former president and current member of Alpha Phi Alpha, read the final submission aloud, detailing an anonymous woman’s four encounters with sexual assault.

“To this day, I’ve never said this number out loud. I never quite understood the shame that accompanies rape,” the submission reads. “I was a (psychology) major, for god’s sake. I knew, textbook-wise, why shame and fear and all those emotions flood the mind and body of a victim.”

“But for some reason, I couldn’t understand how anyone could feel responsible and ashamed of someone else’s actions toward them. How could you blame yourself for something someone did to you?”

Following the reading, representatives from the partnering UH departments helped guide the audience in a discussion using prepared questions and those submitted through the form.

When the floor opened to questions from the audience after presentations from each of the resource centers, some audience members, pleading with the male students in the room, asked what it was going to take for the community to believe women when they come forward with their stories.

“We do believe you, but we’re just students and we don’t know what you want,” said marketing and management senior Ashton Connely, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, one of the fraternities mentioned in the tweets.

Connely later clarified that he hopes these conversations will empower victims to continue to speak up about their experiences, and hopes that people will be quicker to hold each other accountable for their actions.

Assistant Director for Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Anneliese Bustillo echoed this call to action while mediating the audience discussion.

“When we let little things happen, we let big things happen,” she said.

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“Twitter accusations spark dialogue within Black community” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar