President Biden announced today his plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some Americans.

To be eligible for forgiveness, a person must have an individual income less than $125,000 or a household income below $250,000 a year in order to receive $10,000 in student loan cancellation. Those same individuals who received a pell grant can get up to $20,000 in forgiveness. 

“I believe my plan is responsible and fair,” Biden said in a statement to the public. “It focuses the benefit on middle class and working families. It helps both current and future borrowers and will fix the badly broken system.”

The Public Service Forgiveness Program provides eligible Americans working in public service full cancellation on all of their student loans.

The Biden administration also said student loan payments freeze will extend until one final time until the end of 2022. 

In the coming weeks, the Department of Education will provide an application for individuals to apply for student loan forgiveness. For nearly 8 million Americans, they may receive automatic relief because their income data is already available to the U.S. Department of Education.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Student loans to be forgiven for millions of borrowers, Biden says” was originally posted on The Cougar

Dozens of firefighters were called to the University Lofts on Monday night after a student allegedly started a fire inside the building that damaged four floors and displaced those living inside. | Donna Keeya/The Cougar

A student was charged with felony arson after intentionally starting a fire and damaging four floors of the University Lofts on Monday night, according to court documents.

Kevin Ekofo, 26, started the fire by lighting a flammable liquid, the documents said, before trying to ignite another blaze outside the Cougar Village I convenience store. The Lofts fire was put out by the building’s suppression system, UH police Capt. Bret Collier said, but not before the damage caused the entire building to be evacuated and those living inside to be displaced.

Ekofo started the fire “because he wanted to and because he could,” prosecutors wrote in a bail motion filed Tuesday morning.

He was booked into Harris County Jail early Tuesday morning and his bond was set at $100,000.

Although damage to the building was limited, according to University spokesperson Chris Stipes, it was enough for UH to offer temporary housing for Lofts residents at Moody Towers or Bayou Oaks. Photos from inside the building show flooded hallways and water pouring from the ceiling in the lobby.

UH is trying to get students back in the Lofts as soon as possible, said student affairs chief Don Yackley, and many can do so already. Residents in parts of the building’s east wing on the second through fourth floors are still barred from their living spaces.

During the chaotic evacuation, Lofts residents were allowed back into their rooms for five-minute intervals with a security escort to retrieve essential items such as medication and identification. This process started with first-floor residents and made its way up the building.

Students with service animals in their rooms were not permitted back into the building earlier than their five-minute allotted time frame.

This is a developing story. This story will be updated as information continues to be released.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH student charged with arson after setting Lofts on fire, court docs show” was originally posted on The Cougar

After winning the presidency during his freshman year, Joshua Martin is the youngest SGA president in UH history. | James Schillinger/The Cougar

For some students, their first year at college sets the tone for their entire university experience. This can be overwhelming, as navigating the social and academic complexities of college life is a task easier said than done.

We sat down with Joshua Martin, current president of the Student Government Association, to see how he balanced the responsibilities of running for student body president with the academic and social demands of being a first year student.

Q: So let’s start with you telling us a little bit about your background. How would you describe your high school experience? 

Martin: I would say I had a fairly unusual high school career. I actually ended up attending three separate high schools. I started out at Clear Lake High School, from there I transferred to a private school, Lutheran South Academy. Finally, I transferred to Clear Brook High School, which was a little awkward since they were the rivals of my first school, Clear Lake.

Sounds like you moved around a lot, how did that affect your experience? Was it difficult for you to meet people?

Martin: It wasn’t always the easiest, luckily I was always a basketball player so that definitely helped introduce me to new folks at the school and kind of forced me to meet new people. Even with that though it was hard at times, at Clear Brook I found myself caught in between being a basketball and being a student.

I was always kind of quiet and took school pretty seriously, so because of that some people saw me as a nerd. At the same time I played basketball, so other people saw me as an athlete. I ended up being caught in this position where people didn’t know how to classify me and it made it kind of difficult for me to put myself out there. 

That definitely sounds hard, do you feel like it helped prepare you for college life? 

Martin: Definitely, having to adapt to different environments during high school helped me to develop myself socially in a way that the transition into college wasn’t as much of a shift for me as it is for some. I didn’t really have any friends at UH from high school, so I saw my first year here as an opportunity to reinvent myself, to take myself one step closer to who I really wanted to be. 

What made you decide to run for SGA president as a freshman? Were you involved in student government in high school? 

Martin: Believe it or not, I actually wasn’t involved with any sort of student government before coming to UH.

I saw the start of my college experience as being a time for me to decide who I wanted to become. So I sat down and I really asked myself what it was I wanted to do with my life, and ultimately I decided I wanted to help people. What really brought it home though was when I went down to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida as a part of a volunteer initiative with For the Students.

We ended up helping over 400 families, and during that time I was able to connect with and speak to these people that had lost so much, it was just a really eye opening experience for me.

How did you find balance between reinventing yourself, running for president, and handling your school work?

Martin: Well there was definitely a bit of trial and error involved. Learning to manage my time effectively was one of the first hurdles I had to overcome. I quickly learned that to succeed in college you have to be able to hold yourself responsible.

No matter what, school comes first, before socializing, before social clubs and organizations, before SGA, school comes first. Recognizing that helped me to order my priorities and structure my life in a way that fostered success.

At the same time though, I also learned the importance of setting aside time for myself. I can be a bit of a workaholic at times and sometimes I found myself getting stressed because I just refused to take a break. This is something I’m still working on now, but it’s extremely important to be aware of because your work can and will suffer if you don’t take care of yourself. 

Aside from time management, what else do you think goes into having a good start at college? 

Martin: By far the most important is to be yourself. I know it’s cheesy, but I think it’s something that a lot of people struggle with when they come to a new environment. I see so many of my peers concerning themselves with what others think they should be, that they rarely think about who they are and who they want to be.

Really just being brave enough to be honest with yourself and with others goes a long way in college. Other than that though I’d say get involved.

There are so many people to meet, so much to do, so much to see at UH, and the best way to experience it all is to get involved with some sort of organization or social club. I know if I hadn’t joined For the Students, I probably never would have gotten the confidence to run for president. 

And are there any common pitfalls you see freshman falling into? Any common mistakes students should be aware of?

Martin: I’d say it’s easy to get kind of overwhelmed early on and end up jumping the gun. Students are fresh on campus and are like ‘oh I have to do this, this, this, this.’ It’s important to know that it’s OK to take things slow, it’s ok to ease into it.

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is, take a seat, take a breath, focus up and get back at it with a clear mindset. Most of us are here for at least four years, and that’s plenty of time to experience UH. Just take your time, don’t worry about going too fast or too slow, go at the pace that’s comfortable for you. 

Is there anything you’d like to say to students starting at UH this fall?

Martin: Know that you have a place on this campus. With over 47,000 students at UH, there is someone out there who will like you for you. It goes back to what I was saying earlier, don’t be afraid to be yourself. At the end of the day, what makes us Cougars is our diversity, and our diversity is what makes us strong. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Q&A: Meet Joshua Martin, UH’s youngest SGA President” was originally posted on The Cougar

photo@thedailycougar.com

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“Gallery: Houstonians protest to defend Roe v. Wade, LGBTQ+ rights” was originally posted on The Cougar

“I believe more human rights laws will be overturned, like Obergell v. Hodges,” said history junior Julianne Gutierrez.

Many Americans across the nation woke up this morning to find out their legal access to safe abortions could be in jeopardy. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a fire has been lit as citizens call upon their lawmakers to act in the face of this landmark decision. 

Texas being one of the many states that has so-called “trigger laws” on books, students at UH in particular have found themselves in a situation where rights they have had access to for many years are on the verge of disappearance. 

Student Government Association President Joshua Martin was one of the first to speak up. In a statement issued to The Cougar, Martin called upon Americans to make their voices heard.

“I am deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. In order to protect all, and not just some, of our rights, we must flood the polls this November like never seen before,” Martin said. “To Americans nationwide, will you knock on doors? Will you peacefully march to ensure your voice is heard? Because in the end, we need elected officials committed to stand with the people of this country, and the only way to get that is to vote.”

The cry for change does not come from SGA alone, however. UH students of all years and majors have begun making their voices heard on social media platforms and around campus. 

Julianne Gutierrez, a history junior, shared her thoughts on the decision, saying on how she feared for the future and for future court decisions. 

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade devistates and terrifies me,” Gutierrez said. “I believe more human rights laws will be overturned, like Obergell v. Hodges. People might say that won’t ever happen, but look at what happened today.” 

Gutierrez is not alone in her fear, as many students appear to share this sentiment.

Gaby Hamilton, a sophomore studying journalism, echoed Gutierrez’s stance on the ruling. For Hamilton, what’s most concerning is the effect this will have on traditionally underserved populations such as lower-income families and people of color. 

“This move was made to discriminate against middle and lower class women and women of color who cannot afford to travel to states where abortion is still protected,” Hamilton said. “It’s terrifying to know that a gun has more rights than a woman does.”

 As the future of reproductive rights in the U.S. continues to remain uncertain, UH students are left to deal with the realities of a state that has deemed abortion a crime.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“‘Terrifying to know that a gun has more rights than a woman’: UH reacts to ruling” was originally posted on The Cougar

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

As a hub for UH representation, we find it vital that the students of the University feel heard during these troubling times. With over half of the student population made up of people who can get pregnant, staying silent is not acceptable. 

The Cougar’s editorial board is appalled to hear the news of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We oppose this decision and stand with all others fighting for Americans’ rights to an abortion. No person should be denied the right to an abortion. To do so is an infringement of privacy and liberty. 

Six out of 10 Americans believe abortion should be legal in most if not at all cases compared to 37 percent who say it should be illegal. With that in mind, the Supreme Court’s decision does not represent American ideals nor takes into account the intersectionality intertwined with abortion. 

The health and livelihood of people who can get pregnant are now at risk as their right to privacy and autonomy has been taken away. Especially for low-income minorities who were facing difficult challenges accessing abortion even before the overturning Roe v. Wade, their quality of life will get worse .

The decision might also trigger, if not already, a snowball effect on other monumental Supreme Court decisions. Justice Clarence Thomas called for the Supreme Court to reconsider other decisions including same-sex marriage and contraceptives. 

Not only are the rights of women and people who can get pregnant gone, but the right to love who you love and when you decide to start a family might also be next. 

After former President Donald Trump appointed three new Supreme Court justices during his term, the Supreme Court is now more conservative than ever. All of his appointed Justices voted to overrule Roe v. Wade.

What a shame.

No American should fear that their lives are not in their control because an aspect of their lives is now in the hands of a government that believes their right to privacy is invalid.

President Joe Biden spoke shortly after the decision was revealed but only offered pleas of peaceful protests and urged people to vote in state, city and county elections. Although he said he will take actions to ensure access to contraceptives and travel for abortion, it was clear from his words that it all comes down to Congress and voters. 

With that being said, we urge all students to find ways to combat this ruling in whatever way they can because people power is all we have left. Participate in protests, call your representatives, donate to pro-choice organizations and make sure to vote in the November elections. 

It is clear that the government does not take Americans into account when making monumental decisions. We all must do our part to support each other in achieving goals in life without the government infringing on them.

Now is the time to be loud and angry because no one else will do it for us. 

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Access to abortion is a right, even if the Supreme Court says it isn’t” was originally posted on The Cougar

Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case constitutionally protecting Americans’ rights to have safe abortions, has been overturned.

As a result, it is predicted for abortion to become outlawed in about half of the states.

In Texas, abortions will become a felony due to a so-called “trigger law” passed by the state legislature.

About 50,000 to 55,000 women in Texas had an abortion each year between 2014 and 2021, according to The Texas Tribune.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Roe v. Wade overturned, triggering Texas abortion ban” was originally posted on The Cougar

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

With the academic year coming to an end, our outgoing editorial board members have taken a moment to reflect on their time at The Cougar.

Sydney Rose, Managing Editor

My time at The Cougar has been such a large part of my college experience. This office is the place where I spent most of my hours, where I met many of my close friends and where I developed a love for writing and editing.

Saying goodbye is almost unimaginable as I haven’t spent a semester away from this office or this amazing staff before, and going to a whole different country to study abroad next semester feels unreal.

I have learned so much about myself and what I want to do with my life after college just with the opportunity to be around like-minded individuals and go through the ranks. Starting off my freshman year as a senior staff writer in the news section to where I am now as the managing editor has been quite a journey.

One that I will appreciate more than anyone knows. I’m so grateful for everything I got to accomplish here. I love you all and don’t miss me too much! XOXO, Sydney.

Aminah Tannir, News Editor 

It’s hard to put into words how writing at The Cougar has transformed my college experience. Starting out as an eager staff writer, I was excited to be able to inform the campus community about important issues, especially at the start of a pandemic.

My time there quickly snowballed into something much greater when I started writing as an assistant editor and finally as a news editor. I have been able to cover the topics I’ve been passionate about such as COVID-19, initiatives at the College of Medicine and the groundbreaking research happening on campus.

Whether it was faculty, students or staff I had a great time meeting new people and interacting with members of our campus community to tell their stories. Aside from writing, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet some of my closest friends. They’ve helped me not only develop as a writer but as a person and will have me look back on this experience with no regrets.

It’s been an honor writing for The Cougar and the UH community. I’m gonna miss y’all, good luck!

Ashley Gwananji, Assistant News Editor

Howdy, y’all! My time at The Cougar has been amazing from start to finish. It’s incredible to know that my hobby of writing has contributed to something greater than myself. This organization has allowed me to fully express who I am behind the tap of my laptop’s keyboard.

In return, I’ve spent working hours with some of the amazing and talented people I also consider my friends. While I enjoyed writing and delivering stories, I mainly enjoyed interacting with people within the UH community. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with the most interesting and impactful individuals.

Without The Cougar, I wouldn’t have been able to meet a member on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list, a former reality tv star and a well-known basketball player for the Knicks. However, I will admit some of the most interesting individuals I’ve met have been through “Ask Ashley.” It’s been an honor running my little anonymous advice column and providing the most unhinged advice.

As I finally move into the next chapter in my life as a #ForeverCoog, I will truly miss you all. Thank you so much for everything. Love y’all!

Anna Baker, Opinion Editor

The Cougar has been an invaluable experience for me. It was a fantastic outlet for my writing and a wonderful learning opportunity. While having to switch between MLA and AP style as both an English major and opinion editor was sometimes a challenge, I’m so grateful for my time here.

The Cougar has opened up opportunities for me to write about things I’m passionate about such as the University’s need to expand HyFlex classes and the attack on LGBTQ rights in this country. Writing about these topics has only made me a better communicator and I know that I will take these skills wherever I end up in the future.

The thing I appreciate most about The Cougar has been the people. I had a lot to learn when I became opinion editor and I can’t thank the rest of the editorial board enough for what they’ve taught me. Whether I needed help finding a source or clarifying information, I knew I could count on the people around me.

I always looked forward to coming to work everyday and I hope I can find the same enjoyment and community in the future. 

Juana Garcia, Creative Director 

The Cougar shaped my college experience and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities from this organization. I would not have guessed that a simple application for a graphic designer position would lead me here as a creative director today.

I am truly honored to have helped create graphics and covers for both The Cougar and Cooglife. This organization was a great way to practice and better my skills as an artist and a leader, which will help me in the future.

I enjoyed working with a team of wonderful artists and minds to put out content for this newspaper. What I loved the most while being here was the people. I met some lovely people and I will not forget the talented leaders from my time here. There was never a dull day while working at the office, a place full of open and creative voices.

It has been a wild journey and I am grateful that I stuck around for it. This work environment made this a wonderful first job and I can not thank The Cougar enough. I will miss my time here! Take care! 

Gerald Sastra, Assistant Creative Director

I can proudly say that my experience working at The Cougar has been life-changing, I have grown so much these past couple of years and that is thanks to the supportive and friendly environment.

The Cougar was the first student organization that I joined and it is an incredible establishment with even more incredible people. As a graphic design major, I can say that it was a great outlet for me to develop my skills in design, both technically and conceptually. Seeing my work around campus was an indescribable honor, and I was able to have a weekly regimen to practice my skills from the weekly prompts and requests.

I am super honored to have worked with a team of super talented and driven writers, designers, and many other people here who I will miss very much. The relationships that I have made will be something that I will cherish for my entire life.

I hope that our work has made a positive, lasting impact on campus. I wish the best of luck to the future members of the editorial board! Thank you all, It’s been a pleasure working with all of you! 

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“Parting Ways: The Cougar’s outgoing editorial board members say goodbye” was originally posted on The Cougar

Each year, The Cougar’s outgoing and incoming editors in chief get together to write a joint letter informing our readers about the upcoming leadership change. Last year I had the privilege of participating in this tradition as I began my term. Now, as I begin my second year as editor, I want to take a moment to reminisce and appreciate the journey here.

Last May, this editorial board started as a group of student journalists who had spent the last year working remotely. Having met each other only a handful of times, it was a great summer developing the team and beginning our transition back to in-person work.

I’ll never forget the 10-hour workday to make The First Roar or the board first bonding at XLR. Our Twitter account also got verified this summer, which was my biggest goal for the year. I like to look at it as an early sign that it was going to be a great year.

Beginning our full office operations this fall, I’m proud of our staff for making the newsroom a home. At the core, student newspapers exist to train future journalists with vital skills to take with them into the professional world. Above all, I strive to make The Cougar a place for students to learn and experience working in a newsroom.

Thank you so much to all the section editors for training and developing our staff. The work you’ve done is invaluable, and I hope you know you have taught people skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

It’s important to acknowledge the work our paper has created over the past year, and the high-quality news we have produced. In my humble opinion, Houston is one of the most magical cities in the world, and I’m very proud of our staff’s ability to tell its stories. Our campus and city are full of news, The Cougar will continue to cover it to the best of our ability.

Aminah, Ashley, Lisa and Logan, thank you so much for your commitment to the news section. Each of your unique perspectives and personalities translates smoothly into the stories you write, and it’s been a pleasure editing your work. To the A names, I’m so excited to see where post-grad life takes you. You’ll do big things. To the L names, I’m glad to be working with you again and see what else you’ll accomplish at The Cougar.

James, Sean and Armando. Y’all truly keep me on my toes. It’s so hard to fathom your passion for sports, and it’s so evident in your writing. Brace yourself for next year because I will be getting redemption for my March Madness bracket.

Anna Baker, thank you for being you. Your presence in the office has been so peaceful and calming. Gerald and Juana, y’all are some of the best artists I know, and it’s been such a dream to have you. Senator, you keep us young. Thank you for being such a cooperative and talented photo editor.

Sydney, thank you so much for always being adaptable and open to change. It is appreciated in the unpredictable newsroom. Jhair, thank you for knowing the answer to everything. Your abundant knowledge has been crucial to The Cougar time and time again.

Moving into the next editorial board, we will continue to deliver accurate, relevant and timely information to the University community. It’s been a pleasure to serve you all, and I can’t wait to do it again.

editor@thedailycougar.com

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“Letter from the Editor: Transitioning into a new editorial board” was originally posted on The Cougar

A student was robbed at gunpoint Monday afternoon in the courtyard of the Fine Arts Building, according to a University security alert.

The suspect asked to use the student’s phone before showing a a tan and black semi-automatic handgun and demanding for the student’s smartwatch and money.

The suspect is a Black male, approximately 25 years old with facial tattoos and a faded haircut, wearing a black pullover shirt, blue jeans and red Nike shoes, according to the alert. No injuries were found.

The suspect was seen heading westbound away from the building on a blue bicycle.

More information will be added as the case continues to develop.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Student robbed at gunpoint outside Fine Arts Building” was originally posted on The Cougar