UH pharmacology professor Samina Salim labeled bullying as a potentially major public health concern. | Courtesy of Samina Salim

The word “bully” is often used casually by some but for others the word weighs heavy. Ask a family member or a friend of a bullying victim, who was pushed to the edge and compelled to do the drastic. 

Bullies are an assortment of people and countries; some are openly aggressive while others camouflage it well. Whether it is countries or people — men, women, or children — the underlying feature seems to be an unfulfilled ego and perhaps deeply personal insecurities. 

What is truly shocking, however,  is the extent to which this behavior is condoned by society under the belief that bullies go away if ignored. In fact, bullies do not go away, nor do they give up or stop if ignored. They move from one victim to another, creating new ways to satisfy their insecurities while forging new rationales to justify their twisted ambitions. 

Countries that practice bullying justify their aggression under the banner of national security and global interests. Employers and bosses justify their aggression in the name of productivity and accountability, often exercising their bullying tricks as a soft skill or a tool to get the job done or to use it for their own career advancement or to pursue their discriminative agenda. Kids engage in bullying seeking popularity. Bullying within social networks is a status clash; within families, it is patriarchy or power play. 

Regardless of the intent, bullies are found everywhere. They are in our homes, at school, at work, in government and in our social circles. Some are aggressive, others are passive. There is a good chance that all of us have encountered a few bullies in our lives. I have had my share.

I believe bullies are a product of their insecurities and a victim of their own manipulations. Consumed by their own negativity they are limited in their impact, but my encounters have changed my perspective drastically and I have begun to think about bullying as a disorder — a serious pathophysiology which needs the attention of neuroscientists, psychologists and neurobehaviorists. 

Looking into the literature, several important studies caught my attention. One study specifically struck a chord, Saunders et al. The study succinctly laid out the destructive aspects of bullying by stating that, “the inducement of harm is an essential and necessary component in all definitions of bullying.” Considering “harm” is core to the act of bullying, we ought to take this more seriously and consider taking into account the criminal intent of bullies as hypothesized in the Saunders study.

It is imperative we expose bullies from all sorts of insulation, disguises and camouflages often used to exercise bullying.  Perhaps this would limit the harm inflicted by the bullies on their victims. This is critical considering the adverse outcomes of bullying that have been reported in the literature. Several studies have explicitly described the negative psychological impact of bullying which includes depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, prolonged stress disorder, alcohol abuse and suicide.

Importantly, in a study conducted by Lutgen-Sandvik, the authors reported that at the highest level, bullying can be equated to a “third-degree burn” resulting in “deep scarring and permanent damage.” This is shocking to read but fully understandable. The psychological damage among burn victims and the slow healing involved is well-known. 

What is even more concerning is that the negative consequences of bullying are not limited to the direct bullying targets but also adversely impact the witnesses of bullying impacting their mental health as well. 

More needs to happen from the policy side as well as from the social and academic spaces to stop bullying, which, if not checked, will become a major public health concern.

Samina Salim is a pharmacology professor and can be reached at ssalim2@uh.edu.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Faculty letter: Bullies a public health concern” was originally posted on The Cougar

Now, newly elected President Benjamin Rizk is laying out his plans to build a solid foundation for many administrations to come. | Anh Le/The Cougar

In a contentious race, the 60th Student Government Association election saw Students Unite defeat incumbent party For the Students by a landslide.

Now, newly elected President Benjamin Rizk is laying out his plans to build a solid foundation for many administrations to come. The first step, he said, is drafting a planning document he called an executive agenda. 

“We are the first admin in a while to put together an executive agenda,” Rizk said. “I think it is really important to have an agenda because it allows for us to divide and tally everyone up on the team to attack a specific issue, which will allow us to tackle more issues more efficiently.”

Inspired by former Presidents Cedrick Bandoh and Charles Haston, Rizk hopes to follow in their footsteps by setting concrete goals for his administration and organizing it in a way that it can achieve them. 

“SGA can have a huge impact on campus if things are done right. If a president raises the bar high, we can accomplish great things,” Rizk said.

While Rizk has set the bar high for SGA, he has also set the bar high for himself. Rizk prides himself on his ability to follow through on the things he sets his mind to. 

“I make sure not to promise things or push things that I don’t think are going to happen because being transparent is very important to me,” Rizk said. “Changing things is an uphill battle, but I believe it is necessary. I want my administration to be the pillar for changing the tide.”

With that in mind, here are some of the goals Rizk has set out for his administration to accomplish this year. 

Increasing campus wages

Support for working students was a key talking point in Rizk’s election campaign. To do this, Rizk said he’s starting by working toward a new campus minimum wage of $10 an hour. 

“Considering that staff counselors are also striving to raise their minimum raises to $15, it is a ripe time to raise campus minimum wage as well,” Rizk said.

The current minimum wage for student employees is $8.25 an hour, well below that of many other entry level positions which typically hire around the $10 an hour range. 

Safety

Safety was another pillar in Students Unite’s election campaign. To fulfill this promise, Rizk said he’s exploring the possibility of bringing Cougar Pack back to campus. Cougar Pack is a service that will provide transportation to students who feel unsafe crossing campus at night. 

While the University already offers rides through its Cougar Ride program, the Cougar Pack will operate using golf carts which will allow students to be transported directly to their destination as opposed to the closest street. 

Culture

Another key priority for Rizk is campus culture. He said that while UH may be considered tier-one in areas like research, the experience on campus has failed to keep pace with the University’s academic and research achievements. 

A major point of concern for Rizk is the University’s recent decision to cut Cub Camp, which was a three-day orientation where new students could learn about UH’s history and traditions. 

“Some programs at UH have been cut, like Cub Camp, and as I have gotten into office I have realized that this is a problem, as it has caused campus culture to decline,” Rizk said. “I plan to do as much as I can to increase campus culture and presence.”

Sustainability

Though safety and culture are key priorities for Rizk, he also wants to explore reducing the campus’ environmental impact. The first step, he said, is reducing the amount of plastic waste produced by the University. 

“I want to initiate a partnership with Precious Plastics, which is a network of campus chapters who promote education about the various types of plastics,” Rizk said. “The organization separates plastics into various groups and processes the plastics that do not release toxins to become new products.”

Beyond waste, Rizk said he wants to explore the idea of weening the University off of fossil fuels by working with the administration to install solar panels around campus.

Time will tell

Politicians, whether they be SGA, local, state or federal, are well-known for promising more than they can deliver. While Rizk seems to have a strong understanding of SGA’s limitations and the feasibility of some of his goals, it has yet to be seen whether his administration will be able to accomplish them.

news@thedailycougar.com

One day you’re a dumb kid having fun, next you’re an adult with a car note, bills and people are asking you about someone named Roth who has something to do with the IRA. | Anh Le/The Cougar

I, many years ago, was like you. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, 18-year-old me couldn’t wait to embark on the first leg of my adult life. That was back in 2014 and, as time would go on to show, I was wholly unprepared for the college experience. One academic suspension and a three-year stint in the army later, I returned to finish my degree. 

Nine years might seem like a long time, but it goes by way faster than you’d think. One day you’re a dumb kid having fun, next you’re an adult with a car note, bills and people are asking you about someone named Roth who has something to do with the IRA. 

What you are about to embark on is an adventure; a journey that will test the limits of your ability to grow. It will not be easy, the path is fraught with danger, but determination and a genuine belief in yourself are the guiding lights that will see you through the challenges ahead. 

In the near decade I’ve spent working to become who I am today, one phrase has stood out above all others: “Just keep swimming.” A brutal fact about life is that it’s sink-or-swim. Friends, family, your network — they can help you float, but they can’t make you swim. 

Swimming is more than just keeping your head above water. In order to swim, you need a destination. I don’t mean some pithy, general goal like “I want to graduate.” I mean something real, something big. Something that has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the world long after you’re gone. 

Sure, we all want to graduate, but ask yourself why. What are you going to do with your degree? If your answer is “make money,” then I’m sorry, but you’re just treading water. 

I’m not saying we all have to be paupers, either. There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to make money. If you let that be your sole motivating factor when considering your future, however, then I will have no sympathy for you when you open your eyes at 40 and realize your life lacks meaning. 

UH may not be the most prestigious or well-known university in the world, but it’s more than most people get. With that in mind, consider your future not in terms of personal gain but in what you can offer the world. It’s easy to think that you’re just another drop in the bucket, but you have more potential than you know. 

As an aspiring journalist, I believe that everyone has a story. Right now, what you’re doing is writing the first few chapters of that story. The choices you make and the people you surround yourself with will decide the direction you swim in and ultimately, the final chapter of your story. 

editor@thedailycougar.com

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

As a bookworm, summer is the perfect time for me to catch up on my miles-long summer reading list and there is no better way to beat the Texas heat than to pick up a good book and stay home.

Here is a list of books that would be perfect for your summer reading list. 

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider 

This story begins with a tragedy as protagonist Ezra Faulkner, varsity tennis captain and golden boy of Eastwood High, shatters his leg in an accident. The injury leads the would-be homecoming king down a path of self-discovery as he navigates the complexities of a senior year turned wildly different from what he’d expected. 

Throughout the story, Ezra finds his way and rebuilds old friendships, all while falling for the new girl — Cassidy. 

This is a witty, honest and realistic young adult novel that will take you on an adventure filled with moments of self-realization, joy, sadness, romance and grief. The focus on young adulthood makes this novel a no-brainer for any incoming freshman’s summer reading list. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell her story and she chooses an unknown magazine reporter, Monique Grant for the job. No one is more confused than Monique herself, nevertheless, she uses the opportunity to jump-start her career after some personal setbacks. 

The novel retells Evelyn’s journey from when she came to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, tales of friendship, love, betrayal, her seven husbands and forbidden love. 

Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction that beautifully portrays diversity. Reid reels you in with old Hollywood and a beautifully written story that spans decades. 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Navigating life as a teenager is no easy task and Starr Carter, the novel’s protagonist, is no stranger to that fact. An exercise in duality, Carter’s life exists in two dimensions: Her home life in a poor neighborhood, and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. 

The delicate balance shatters when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

The book, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, is a powerful, honest and gripping young adult novel that shows the realities of the justice system through a young girl’s struggle for justice. 

Thomas creates a world with nuanced characters with complex relationships and situations.

The Inheritance Games Trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Out of the blue, Avery Grambs inherits billionaire Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune. The mystery? Avery has no idea why she is in the will or who Tobias Hawthorne is.

To receive her inheritance, Avery moves to the secret-filled Hawthorne House. The home is littered with puzzles, riddles and codes at every turn. Avery must also contend with Tobias’ grandsons, who see Avery as a malicious swindler. 

Heir apparent, Grayson Hawthorne, is convinced that Avery is a con woman and is determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as his grandfather’s last puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of secrets, wealth and betrayal, Avery has to play the game to survive.

The Inheritance Games is a young adult mystery trilogy. Each page teases a new twist and leaves readers dying to know what comes next. 

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Summer reading list: Four books to help you stay cool” was originally posted on The Cougar

Exiting editor in chief Donna Keeya. | Anh Le/The Cougar

After serving as the editor in chief for the past two years, it’s hard to believe this is my last print edition leading The Cougar. I joined The Cougar the summer before my freshman year and have loved working in a variety of positions throughout the past four years.

It’s been an honor to lead this publication for two years and I am extremely grateful for all our staff’s hard work that is the soul of our organization. As a 100 percent student-run publication, none of this would be possible without our editorial board, staff writers, photographers and graphic designers. I feel so lucky to have had the privilege of working with such talented individuals. 

Our team has been able to increase digital viewership as well as preserving the tradition of print. Creating the physical paper has been one of my favorite parts of the role, and I’ve especially enjoyed adding more character to the product through the additions of horoscopes and our advice column. 

When I initially wrote my letter as I transitioned into the editor in chief position, I identified my two goals as keeping the UH community informed about relevant campus news as well as creating a safe learning environment for students to start their careers in journalism. These are still values that I find incredibly important, and I have the utmost confidence in John Lomax, the incoming editor in chief, as he continues the legacy of The Cougar.

I can’t imagine what college would be like without The Cougar, and I will cherish the experience for many years to come. I’ve met some of my closest friends at this paper, and I can’t wait to see their careers flourish in the industry. Thanks y’all for reading. It’s been real.

– Donna Keeya, outgoing editor in chief

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Incoming editor in chief John Lomax. | Anh Le/The Cougar

It’s difficult to describe the emotions I’m feeling right now. On the one hand, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as The Cougar’s leader over the next year. On the other, I have suddenly become acutely aware of the size 10 and a half New Balances on my feet.

Put simply, the shoes I’m stepping into are enormous. The departing members of this year’s editorial board have steered the organization through some of the most challenging times in recent history, particularly for journalists. 

Reporters across the country are struggling to uphold their commitment to the public amid division, disaster and increasing disdain toward the profession. Yet here, in a city not known for its journalists, at a school that cares more about teaching students how to spin the truth than tell it, The Cougar’s staff has endured. 

 Their legacy serves as a testament to the timeless nature of journalism. The truth, ultimately, endures. 

I cannot promise to be everything my predecessors were, but I can promise to do everything in my ability to ensure this organization pursues the truth, no matter how well hidden it may be. While the University may struggle to keep campus lit, The Cougar will happily assist by shining a light on any dark corners it finds. 

I look forward to serving the student body over the next year, and I look forward to the bright futures that I’m sure are in store for those we are saying farewell to. You will be dearly missed.

— John Lomax, incoming editor in chief

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“Letter from the Editor: The Cougar enters a new era with incoming editor in chief” was originally posted on The Cougar

SGA President Joshua Martin, right, and his party were routed in last week’s election by Benjamin Rizk and Students Unite. Martin is now contesting the election. | Anh Le/The Cougar

Student Government Association President Joshua Martin, citing voting “errors,” is contesting his loss to opponent Benjamin Rizk in front of the organization’s high court on Monday night in yet another SGA election controversy.

The contest, which was called in favor of Rizk by the SGA’s election office over the weekend, faced technical issues that initially kept some freshmen and transfer students from voting. But, voting was extended on Get Involved and everyone who wanted to vote was given the chance to, according to SGA Election Commissioner Tochi Okoli.

“By the end of the election, even up until 15 minutes before voting closed, when students would send their information through (an online form used to solve the technical issues), every single person on that form had been remedied,” Okoli said.  “An email was sent to everybody saying you are now eligible to vote. Everybody who wanted to vote in the election was able to vote.”

Martin, who quietly overhauled SGA’s election rules last year, submitted a formal inquiry to the SGA Supreme Court on Sunday and said he believes the voting issues “potentially could have swayed” the election. Okoli assured that is not the case.

“We actually have evidence to support the fact that it did not sway the outcome of the election whatsoever,” the election commissioner said. “Just by majority alone and also by seeing at the end of each day which party was winning, it was clear from the start which party would ultimately be successful.”

In a statement, Martin said he and his party, which was routed, “will immediately concede the election to respect the conclusion of the democratic process” if their case is unsuccessful. 

Rizk, a political science sophomore, denounced Martin’s efforts to contest the race and criticized the sweeping changes the incumbent made to election rules.

“The election code was not only revised in order to make it more difficult for lower-income students to run but also easier for incumbents to win,” Rizk said. “On top of that, it created many discrepancies in regards to properly enforcing the code, which slowed down the judicial process in administering election code violations.”

Among the changes were a jarring increase in campaign spending caps, changes to term limits and an end to ranked-choice voting.

This is not the first time the SGA has been engulfed by a controversial election. In 2021, Arsalan Darbin won the presidency by default after the spiritual predecessor of Martin’s party was disqualified by the SGA Supreme Court. 

The entire organization was later upended after Darbin faced — and lost — a University-wide referendum that should have ousted him, but the organization’s justice department overturned it.

Despite the controversy, this year’s elections experienced record turnout in comparison to the past three years, according to Okoli, and Rizk’s Students Unite party won by a wide margin.

“Especially because of the political climate that we’re in right now, in terms of the nation not even just at UH, it’s becoming increasingly popular to question the democratic process,” Okoli said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Joshua Martin contests SGA election loss, drawing criticism” was originally posted on The Cougar

An unidentified student was found dead outside of Agnes Arnold early Wednesday morning, according to UHPD Capt. Bret Collier.

There is no indication of foul play, according to police.

“It looks to be exactly what we think it is,” Collier said. 

The medical examiner’s office arrived to handle additional examinations. 

The University released a statement directing students to resources at the Counseling and Psychological Services.

All classes in Agnes Arnold have been canceled today.

“During difficult times, we ask members of the UH community to support each other,” Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel Maxwell said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH student found dead at Agnes Arnold Hall, police say” was originally posted on The Cougar

Junior guard Tramon Mark led the way for the Cougars with 19 points in the squad’s AAC home-opening win against UCF. | Anh Le/The Cougar

The UH men’s basketball team built on its Wednesday win over Tulsa with a hard-fought American Athletic Conference victory on Saturday, dropping UCF 71-65 in a New Year’s Eve matchup.

The matchup started out neck-and-neck in the game’s opening minutes, with both sides exchanging buckets early. 

The Golden Knights took a 12-9 lead over the Cougars before UH found its footing. UH’s momentum came off a flagrant 1 foul committed by UCF that sent junior guard  to the free throw line. Mark made two free throws, following it up with a three-pointer immediately after to give UH a 16-12 lead. 

Houston kept its lead for the remainder of the half, powered by Mark’s consistent production and a series of runs that put the Cougars up by as many as 13 points. 

Down the stretch of the opening half, though, the Golden Knights were able to apply some pressure on the Cougars both offensively and defensively, cutting the UH lead down slightly – to 8 points at the half.

Mark was the leading force behind UH’s offensive effort in the first half, scoring 17 points on an incredible 6 for 7 shooting clip. Senior guard Marcus Sasser followed behind Mark in scoring, logging 12 points on a less-efficient 5 for 12 shooting clip.

UCF opened the second half with a 3-pointer that cut Houston’s lead down to five points, following it with another bucket that made the matchup 39-36 and a dunk that made the deficit just one point within the first two minutes of the second half. 

UCF continued to outplay the Cougars, their play including a 6-0 run that left UH trailing 46-42.

Through some gritty, defensive play, the Cougars managed to retake the lead from the Golden Knights with less than 10 minutes left in the game.

The two squads began to go back-and-forth, exchanging the lead as both sides began to regain their offensive rhythm. 

UH won out at first, thanks to an outstanding series of plays from redshirt junior forward J’Wan Roberts, who scored eight straight points to put UH up 60-54. UCF responded with force though, once again forcing the Cougar offense to a standstill and pulling back to within one point. 

With two minutes remaining, UH led 62-61. Two opportunities at the free throw line yielded three points and pulled UH back ahead by four with under one minute left. 

Despite a final-seconds attempt to foul their way back into the game, the Golden Knights were unable to overcome the Cougar lead. UH won by a margin of 71-65.

Junior guard Tramon Mark and senior guard Marcus Sasser led the Cougars, scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively. J’Wan Roberts also had an impressive contribution, scoring 12 points and pulling down 5 rebounds, four of which were on the offensive end.

The victory moves the No. 3 Cougars to 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play and 14-1 overall. Houston’s next outing will be the Jan. 5 matchup against SMU at Fertitta Center.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“No. 3 UH holds off UCF in AAC home opener” was originally posted on The Cougar

UH senior guard Marcus Sasser records his second 20-point game of the season as the Cougars capture win number four on the season. | Sean Thomas/The Cougar

Stellar defense led the way once again for No. 3 UH as the Cougars finished out the Cougar Classic Wednesday night with a convincing 83-48 win over Texas Southern.

Neither team could get much going offensively in the first seven minutes, but a 3-pointer from junior guard Jamal Shead and then a nifty layup plus the foul from senior guard Marcus Sasser gave UH a 14-7 with under 12 minutes to go in the first half.

Quality play on both sides of the ball from freshman forward Jarace Walker helped the Cougars engineer a 16-7 run with Walker scoring four straight buckets including a three and a dunk to go with a steal and a block in the span. UH went up 36-18 with just over three minutes left in the first half.

UH entered the locker room with a dominant 43-20 lead as Sasser and Walker would lead all scorers with 15 and 13 points respectively, the second game in a row that Sasser combined with a teammate to outscore the opposing team in the second half.

The Cougars’ free throw shooting came up big in the first half going 10-11 as a team including 7-8 from Sasser.

Walker and junior forward J’Wan Roberts showed their chemistry at the beginning of the second half, finding each other for consecutive baskets early on as the Cougars led 53-28 with 15 minutes remaining.

After a 3-pointer from freshman guard Terrance Arceneaux off of another dish from Walker and then later a breakaway dunk from sophomore guard Ramon Walker Jr to make the score 77-39 would finish off Texas Southern and allow the Cougars to move to 4-0.

Sasser and Walker finished as the game’s leading scorers as Sasser would end with 20 points while Walker added 19 points on 9-11 shooting.

Both members of the Cougars’ starting backcourt would finish with six assists, with Sasser’s total being a season-high.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH blows past TSU behind Sasser’s 20 point night” was originally posted on The Cougar

UH junior guard Tramon Mark posted a career high 23 points in the Cougars dominating win over Oral Robert’s. | Sean Thomas/The Cougar

It was another display of total dominance for the UH men’s basketball squad Monday night as the third-ranked Cougars dismantled Oral Roberts in a 83-45 win in the first leg of the Cougar Classic.

It was a sloppy start to the game as UH committed four fouls in the first five minutes, but jumped out to a 13-6 lead nonetheless with the help of two baskets each from junior forward J’Wan Roberts and junior guard Tramon Mark.

The Cougars’ suffocating defense allowed them to extend the lead to 29-8 midway through the first half, ultimately holding Oral Roberts without a field goal for nearly nine minutes. 

Mark and senior guard Marcus Sasser led the way on offense during the span to drive a 28-4 run and later a 40-16 lead with just over five minutes left in the half.

A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Sasser gave UH a 51-24 lead heading into the locker room as he and Mark combined for 34 points in the first half.

The Cougars owned the glass in the first half, outrebounding Oral Roberts 28-12 in the first 20 minutes.

Sasser and Mark picked up right where they left off in the second half, combining for the team’s first eight points as UH entered the final 14 minutes with a 59-34 lead.

Freshman guard Terrance Arceneaux would then score the Cougars’ next eight points on his own over the next seven minutes, reaching double-digit points for the first time in his career finishing with 14.

The Cougars would cruise the rest of the way securing the win and improving to 3-0 on the season. 

Mark finished the game with a career-high 23 points on 8-12 shooting, while Sasser contributed 19 points of his own.

UH held Oral Roberts to just 14/62 from the field and won the rebounding margin 52-30.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Mark’s career night powers UH past Oral Roberts” was originally posted on The Cougar