Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

College life often comes with a considerable financial burden for many students. From tuition and parking fees to meals and textbooks, every aspect incurs a cost that can accumulate over a semester.

For those looking to make a little extra cash, here is a list of ways to earn money as a full-time college student.

The traditional

Traditional and classic ways to earn money as a student can include cleaning houses, house sitting, car detailing, lawn mowing and babysitting. These activities require minimal time commitment and effort but can yield a decent income.

Another idea is to declutter your closet and room, and sell old accessories and clothes at thrift stores, or online sites like Poshmark. 

Tutoring can also be a rewarding part-time job for college students. Whether in-person or online, you can set your own hours and location, offering flexibility.

Campus jobs, University resources

Many part-time job opportunities are listed and offered on the University’s HireNSM platform. This can be a great resource in finding highly tailored and suitable jobs based on your major, resume, and career interests. In addition, the site has numerous helpful features like resume building, mock interviews, connecting you with possible employers and the ability to showcase your academic achievements. 

Whether it’s part-time positions, internships, or freelance opportunities, HireNSM strives to connect students with roles that complement their academic pursuits. Students can easily navigate through the various job categories, filter based on their preferences and explore positions that match their skills and interests. 

The non-traditional

On the other hand, if you have a car, you can use that to your advantage by renting it out to paying customers. Numerous car-sharing services like Turo or Getaround allow you to sign up and make some cash using your car. If you are uncomfortable renting out your car, try delivering food or items in your spare time through DoorDash, GrubHub or UberEats.

For those comfortable with animals, online pet sitting jobs are abundant. Additionally, pet owners often seek individuals to walk their dogs, providing a lucrative opportunity.

You can also consider donating plasma, a component of your blood that carries protein and nutrients to other parts of the body. Donating plasma is safe and can allow you to earn about $20 to $50 each time.

Lastly, you can coach high school students on their college admissions essays. With your University status, you possess the qualifications to guide high schoolers through this crucial process. Offer to edit their drafts and provide coaching tips, as essay editing is a high-demand job among various student demographics, making it a great source of money.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Get your money up, not your funny up: How to make cash as a college student” was originally posted on The Cougar

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.” 

Last month, the Student Fee Advisory Committee recommended a surprise cut to UH Athletics’ 2025 fiscal year budget. 

While many fee-funded units saw little to no change, the committee recommended a reduction of around $1.5 million to Athletics SFAC base funding allocation.  Among other concerns, the committee cited a perceived lack of financial transparency as motivation behind the decision.

“We asked if any funds from student fees were earmarked for other endeavors for travel, and they told us that nothing was earmarked from the student fee funds,” said Anahi Ortega, technology leadership and innovation management senior and vice chair of SFAC. “The department gave us a runaround answer by saying: ‘All funds go into one big pile, and we just take from that pile what is needed.’”

While the committee recommended cutting the department’s base budget, the total reduction only amounts to just over $700,000. Athletics will continue to receive another $1 million as “one-time” funding — money that is provided on the condition that the organization or department receiving it justifies the allocation before subsequent SFAC committees. 

The proposed cut would bring Athletics’ total student-fee allocation to $3,678,322 — a 16% reduction from the department’s fiscal year 2024 budget of $4,407,707. The committee recommended the University reallocate a large portion of those funds as compensation increases for other fee-funded organizations. 

What is SFAC?

SFAC consists of seven students, two faculty members and one non-voting advisor responsible for recommending the funding allocations for Student Service Fees.

Student Service Fees are a flat rate added to every student’s tuition each semester and are what make up the entirety of the committee’s budget. The fee rate for both the fall and spring semesters is $260 per student enrolled in six or more hours and $244 for those registered for six or fewer hours.

The fee rates for the summer semester are $217 for four or more hours and $212 for students taking four hours or less. 

There are 33 total departments and organizations that SFAC recommends the budget for and a majority of student-run organizations rely on Student Service Fees to operate. Examples include Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Government Association and of course, The Cougar. 

The projected base budget for the fiscal year 2025 is approximately $23,092,800. 

Athletics traditionally receives largest slice of the pie

An important thing to note is that the funds provided by SFAC make up just a small portion of Athletics’ total budget, a large portion of which is provided for by alumni, event revenue and institutional support. But by no surprise, Athletics still draws the lion’s share of Student Service Fees relative to other units.  Further, the report states that the department receives significantly more support from Student Service Fees compared to alternative Big 12 Conference schools.

“Considering other Big 12 schools, UH Athletics receives substantially more Student Service Fee support, 184% of the Big 12 average,” the report stated. “Even after the $1.5 million reduction, UH Athletics will still be receiving 151% of the Big 12 average and will continue to until 2037.”

During an interview with The Cougar, Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman discussed the department’s revenue projections ahead of the 2023 football season.

“As we move ahead, where we have to grow is our self-generated revenue: ticket sales, donations, parking concessions, merch, all those. We’re looking at probably close to a 250% to 300% increase across the board in each one of those revenue streams,” Pezman said.

Mechanical engineering sophomore and SFAC Chair Yusuf Kadi believes that, with the projected revenue increases, Athletics should slowly wean off Student Service Fees to devote newly freed funding for student-serving organizations relying on the fees. In addition, the department’s alleged failure to provide detailed accounting alongside lacking a clear cost-benefit analysis were key factors behind the committee’s recommendation. 

“Athletics hasn’t been able to demonstrate its utilization of the money SFAC gives them,” Kadi said. “All other units provide very accurate and detailed breakdowns of exactly where everything is going, and with Athletics, we didn’t receive that.” | Courtesy of Yusuf Kadi

Kadi and other members of SFAC said these issues were made apparent in the department’s SFAC presentation — a yearly meeting where the top executives of funded units justify their use of SFAC funds. Athletics’ presentation, as well as those of every other SFAC-funded organization, can be found at UH.edu/sfac. 

“Athletics hasn’t been able to demonstrate its utilization of the money SFAC gives them,” Kadi said. “All other units provide very accurate and detailed breakdowns of exactly where everything is going, and with Athletics, we didn’t receive that.”

According to Ortega, Pezman’s presentation failed to provide concrete answers regarding the internal use of SFAC funds. Ortega and Kadi consider the perceived lack of transparency unfair to other SFAC-funded programs that did provide detailed information. 

 An important principle for Kadi and the committee was the return on investment that students receive by paying the Student Service Fee.

“The number of services, benefits and experiences these programs give to the students was the most important factor we consider,” Kadi said. Compared to other units, athletics’ use of SFAC funds for student engagement does not justify the amount of support the committee gives them, Kadi claims.

The report recommended Athletics account for SFAC-provided funds separately from their normal operating budget. The intent is to ensure that money given to the program is spent on events and experiences specifically for the student body.

For Ortega, cutting support for Athletics was a difficult but necessary decision.

“At this point, the consistent support of athletics will start inhibiting the growth of other units,” Ortega said. “By cutting Athletics support, SFAC can allocate additional funding to Counseling and Psychological Services, the Center for Student Advocacy and Community and other student-focused units. | Courtesy of Anahi Ortega

“At this point, the consistent support of athletics will start inhibiting the growth of other units,” Ortega said. “By cutting Athletics support, SFAC can allocate additional funding to Counseling and Psychological Services, the Center for Student Advocacy and Community and other student-focused units.

Another major recommendation from this year’s report was maintaining the current Student Service Fee rate. The report cites the University’s affordability as a major factor in their reasoning.. 

“For the time being, it’s a good decision,” said faculty SFAC member Chad Wayne. “But at some point, SFAC will have to decide to either keep services and pay higher student fees or keep the fees the same and eliminate services.”

SFAC is expected to meet with UH President Renu Khator later this month to discuss their recommendations for the 2024- 2025 fiscal year before it is proposed to the Board of Regents, therefore the decision is not yet final.

“SFAC’s recommendations for FY25 are currently under consideration,” said UH Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice President of Media Relations Shawn Lindsey. “The University is currently developing its FY25 budget. Final budget recommendations will be presented to the UH System Board of Regents later this year. “

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Student-led committee recommends Athletics budget cut, cites lack of financial transparency” was originally posted on The Cougar

Commuters are now stuck in a dilemma because they have to find an affordable way of commuting to match their schedules or else drop their classes.|Robert De La Garza/ The Cougar

Last month, Parking and Transportation Services made the Sugar Land shuttle permits available for non-priority students. However, some students were surprised to find that there were no available passes. 

After emailing Parking and Transportation Services, students found that 99% of passes were sold out during the priority registration period.

There has been much frustration and confusion among students since this was an unexpected turn in their travel plans for the upcoming semester. 

“UH does not care about us at all, they are very clear about that. Making students pay over $200 for a decision they made is stupid and just unfair,” said junior computer information systems major, Precious Sowunmi.

Despite the intent and success of the priority registration, several “priority” students did not secure passes. Technology students believe they are slowly being displaced to the Sugar Land campus without properly informing them, and those who live on main campus feel helpless.

“They made this decision to move tech students to Sugar Land without even thinking about our well-being,” Sowunmi said. “If I knew they were going to move us to Sugar Land and this would be the transportation, I would have picked another school.”  

Students believe that the University is taking advantage of their situation rather than finding a sustainable solution to this problem.

“I am really angry and upset. I have screws in my neck,” said junior English major, Mina Arican. “How am I supposed to drive? I can’t drive, even if I want to because I have medical excuses!” 

While the students have an option to go on a waiting list, they are not confident about getting off after the recent email sent by the Parking and Transportation Services. 

“Being on the waiting list is not a guarantee that you will receive a permit,” the email read. “We do not expect there to be much — if any — availability for the spring.” 

With UH’s large commuter population, students feel administrators should provide transportation to all campus locations and add more buses. 

“The system would be ten times better with more buses,” Sowunmi said. “There is no way I could have paid for a pass at a price this high in the short time span they gave us.” 

Commuters are now stuck in a dilemma because they have to find an affordable way of commuting to match their schedules or consider dropping their classes.  

While the students are suffering from this situation and waiting to receive an email regarding the waiting list, students like Arican have received no solution or cooperation from the University.

“I really want to buy a pass, but they don’t let me,” Arican said. “They said they won’t make any exceptions even if you have medical records or reasons.”

However, the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee later advised her to contact Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center which is now helping her in getting a pass.

The members of TPAC are also trying to answer students’ issues. 

“I understand their frustration and concerns. The initial rollout of the program did not go as intended,” said mathematics-data science senior and TPAC chair, Salik Faisal. “I think the reason why the permits were all sold out is because P&T didn’t anticipate the amount of students registering under priority registration.”

There are a lot of students who neither own a car nor can afford the parking fee. Their only means of commuting was the shuttle service.

“They are the ones who forced us to Sugar Land. How is it fair that we have to pay the price?” Sowunmi said. “Now people who need the bus can’t use it and they are not finding another option for us.” 

There is still hope for students as TPAC tries to craft a better policy for the upcoming fall 2024 session, allowing students more flexibility and options to commute, Faisal said.

“I’m going to make sure those concerns are heard in crafting the next fiscal year’s policy,” Faisal said. “We’re learning about what went wrong in this initial pilot program and will make necessary adjustments moving forward.” 

news@thedailycougar.com 

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“‘UH does not care about us at all’: Sugar Land shuttle permits cause headache for carless Cougars” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The new year is here! As we ring in 2024, odds are good that you’re feeling some pressure to adopt some kind of resolution, like going to the gym more or reading a certain number of books. While the idea of self-improvement is admirable, is it possible that adopting New Year’s resolutions can actually do more harm than good?

Of course, there’s nothing inherently harmful about wanting to get better as a person. We could all stand to get better in certain areas. But the best resolutions are ones adopted from a genuine desire to improve, not from the annual peer pressure that sets in every January.

After all, there’s a reason many gyms have adopted the habit of offering deals exclusively for new customers who sign up close to the new year. Many of these gyms are well aware that the customers signing up in January aren’t likely to stick around, so they can get more money out of them if they sign them up for a “cheaper” yearly membership.

This kind of wheeling and dealing is a bit sketchy, but one could easily say that it’s just good business sense on the gym owners’ parts. However, it points to a fundamental issue with a lot of New Year’s resolutions: They almost never work.

Forget about gyms. If you really want to see how common failed resolutions are, try searching “Goodreads” on X and looking at any posts from the past few months. More than likely, you’ll find dozens of users bemoaning their unmet goals to read a certain number of books that year.

Some of these people missed their book reading goals by several dozen books, and yet a lot of them also joked about how they plan to do the same thing next year.

So why do we insist on doing this dance over and over again? How many people genuinely improve their lives significantly off one half-hearted vow they took while slightly tipsy off too much champagne and cheese?

For some people, the stress of trying to fulfill the resolutions is little more than a meaningless ritual, but the pressure is much more real for others. Between potential family stress and financial struggles, the holidays can already be a lot to deal with, and a national push to make some kind of vow of self-improvement hardly helps.

These stresses can be especially stressful for people dealing with body dysmorphia, eating disorders or mental health struggles in general. Sudden pressure to go to the gym is hardly likely to be helpful to any of the above examples and runs the risk of actively worsening certain mental health conditions.

It might be easy to say “Well, some people need that extra push,” but again, setting good habits rarely works like that. If you really want to make a change, you need to have the conviction and time to really set yourself up for success. And most importantly, you need grace if you end up stumbling a bit on the way there.

So this year, maybe consider taking it easy on yourself. A lot happened in 2023, and it’s okay to take a bit of a rest instead of pushing yourself further. Gen Z has been marked by a notable embrace of “self-care” ideas, and if the declining January gym membership promotions are any indication, that trend is being taken seriously.

If you have to make a resolution, consider trying something broader like “take more time to enjoy nature” or “spend more time with friends”. It might sound cheesy, but life is too short to start the year already stressed. Make 2024 the year you take a deep breath and choose to enjoy life regardless of what you accomplish.

Malachi Key is a Journalism senior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

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“Focus less on New Year’s resolutions, more on being happy” was originally posted on The Cougar

Sworn in under oath on Jan. 1 and publicly inaugurated on Jan.2, Whitmire delivered a speech where he expressed that his top priority is increasing public safety. |Courtesy of Houston Public Media

During Mayor John Whitmire’s first week in office, he met with Houston police and firefighters, promised to address citywide concerns and voted with City Council. 

Sworn in under oath  Jan. 1 and publicly inaugurated  Jan.2, Whitmire delivered a speech where he expressed that his top priority is increasing public safety. 

“If we do not address public safety, the other quality of life issues will not matter,” Whitmire said. “The first solution to solving the problem is acknowledging you have one.” 

Jan. 4, Whitmire met with Houston Chief of Police Troy Finner to discuss public safety concerns. Whitmire promised to increase the number of police and bring in 200 troopers from the Department of Public Safety to Houston.

Although statistics show that Houston has decreasing crime rates, Whitmire said that a few years of statistics do not explain the fullness of the problem. 

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to make people feel safe,” Whitmire said. “I’ll commit myself to recruiting more officers.”

In addition to expanding law enforcement, Whitmire wants to focus on getting repeat offenders off the streets.

Currently, there are over 35,000 pending felony cases and over 1,500 people are waiting to go to court for murder charges in Houston, according to the Harris County District Courts website. 

Whitmire claims over half of the people waiting to go to court for murder are on the streets of Houston and are the main contributors to crime.

“That’s a small group that is raising havoc that you see on the 10 o’clock news. We’ve got to address that,” Whitmire said. 

After pledging his support for first responders during his inauguration speech, Whitmire met with the Houston Professional Firefighters Association Jan.3.  After the meeting,  he ordered the city attorney to end ongoing legal proceedings against Houston firefighters. 

“Within 72 hours of taking office, Mayor Whitmire is moving forward to implement the promises he made to Houston firefighters during the campaign,” HPFA President Patrick M. Lancton said in a press release. “After eight years of acrimony, we are finally headed in the right direction. It is hard to express how much it means to Houston firefighters and their families to have a leader who respects them and will follow through on what he says.”

During a City Council meeting on Jan. 9, Whitmire and the City Council collectively decided to defer the city’s plan to relocate residents in the Fifth Ward who live near a Union Pacific Railroad site showing elevated levels of creosote, a carcinogenic contaminant. 

Whitmire appealed to the newly-elected council for additional time to scrutinize the relocation initiatives, highlighting that he had recently been briefed on the matter, leaving him with minimal time to make informed decisions regarding the relocation efforts.

“We’re trying to do it right. I’m sorry that these questions were not answered before we commit the resources to it,” Whitmire said. “Who in the world thinks $5 million’s enough? Let’s do it right and be responsible. In a month from now, I’ll be the first to say we need to move forward.” 

Houston City Council will meet again to vote on funding Feb. 7.

“There is so much to do. I have no patience, no time to waste,” Whitmire said. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Mayor John Whitmire’s first week of office focuses on public safety” was originally posted on The Cougar

The University of Houston announced Monday evening in an email, that UH main, UH at Sugar Land and the UH Katy campuses will all be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16 due to inclement weather. 

Tuesday was scheduled to be the first day of classes for the Spring 2024 semester, but they are now canceled because of extremely freezing temperatures and icy road conditions related to an arctic blast moving throughout southeast Texas. 

Temperatures hovered below freezing around the Greater Houston area Monday, and are expected to dip in the 20’s and below throughout the evening into Tuesday morning. 

“UH expects to resume normal operations on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  We hope you and your family stay safe and warm, and please exercise caution if you must travel.” The University stated in an email Monday evening. 

The University and The Cougar are currently monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“University announces campus closure first day of spring semester” was originally posted on The Cougar

Dylan Burkett/The Cougar

The first few weeks of school can be overwhelming for both freshmen and returning students. It’s easy to lose track and feel lethargic, especially during this cold weather. 

But fear not! The Cougar has got your back with a few helpful tips to help you survive the upcoming semester and avoid feeling stressed out.

Stay organized and don’t lose focus

With all the back-to-school chaos, it can be easy to lose track of your assignments and tests. A planner can make things clear and help you prioritize important assignments and exams better. If you prefer to use a digital option, try using Google Calendar.

A well laid out schedule also helps you identify when you can take a break and have some time for yourself. You can even sign up for Canvas reminders to stay updated on upcoming quizzes and assignments. 

In addition, Sufficient sleep contributes to overall good health and well-being. It can also lead to better concentration and cognitive function. 

Be prepared 

Instead of waiting for the first week of school, get all the required books and materials before classes begin. This will help you avoid the possibility of items you need selling out. 

Obtaining your books in advance will also give you a head start in class and help you understand the lectures better. 

Stay involved 

Don’t isolate yourself from society and be antisocial. UH has a variety of different organizations that can help you stay involved and make mundane days a little more interesting. 

It will help you meet new people, pursue hobbies and excel in your field. Through Get Involved you can access up to 500 organizations and clubs. 

It might feel overwhelming alongside your academic workload, but joining an organization in your field will help you get valuable experience and is an opportunity to create connections. 

Socialize

If you live on campus please don’t be afraid to get out and explore the city. It will give you some time for yourself outside of studying. 

College can and will get tiring, so enjoying free time with friends is important to not over-stress yourself. This will also help you realize you’re not alone and have people sailing in the same boat.

Don’t forget about your mental health

Maintaining a healthy balance between school, social life and other responsibilities can become really stressful. It is important to prioritize yourself and take care of your mental well-being. 

UH offers Counseling and Psychological Services which students can utilize if they feel they are approaching a crisis situation. CAPS offers a variety of services like group counseling and 24/7 support. UH offers an abundance of resources which can range from academic to career assistance. So don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

Enjoy!

College is much more than just studies and getting a bachelor’s degree. It is a time to make a lifetime of memories and friends. So don’t forget to enjoy your college life!

news@thedailyoucougar.com

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“Back-to-school survival guide: Start your spring semester with less stress, more success” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

As freezing temperatures descend upon Houston, residents should take necessary precautions to prepare for a hard freeze. 

According to local meteorologists, a cold snap will arrive early Sunday morning, and temperatures will reach near-freezing Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, Houston temperatures will struggle to rise above freezing and are expected to be in the 20s Tuesday morning. 

Here is a look at measures students can take to stay safe and prepared.

Stay informed

Keep a close eye on weather updates and advisories. Stay informed about the forecasted temperatures, wind chill and any potential announcements made by UH. This will help you plan your activities and make necessary preparations.

Stock up on essentials

Make a trip to the grocery store to stock up on essential items. Include non-perishable food items, water and medications in your emergency supply kit. Consider having a sufficient supply of blankets, warm clothing and flashlights.

Plan for power outages 

Be prepared for potential power outages. Have essential items like flashlights, batteries and power banks ready. Consider keeping non-perishable snacks and water in your dorm room if dining facilities are affected.

Prepare your living space

Take steps to ensure that your living space is adequately heated. Seal any drafts around windows and doors, and consider using weather stripping to keep the cold air out. Insulate exposed pipes and allow faucets to drip slowly to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

Be cautious on the roads

Freezing temperatures can create hazardous road conditions, especially in areas where infrastructure is not built to handle icy conditions. If you must drive, exercise caution, and allow extra time for your commute. Keep emergency supplies in your car, including a blanket, flashlight and snacks.

Dress in layers

Dress warmly in layers to stay comfortable both indoors and outdoors. The temperatures may vary, so having the flexibility to adjust your clothing is essential. Don’t forget a good winter coat, gloves, and a hat.

Protect plants and pets

Cover sensitive plants or bring them indoors to shield them from the cold. Frost can damage or kill plants, so take precautions to preserve your garden.

The same goes for your furry friends. Make sure to bring your pets inside before temperatures get too extreme and keep adequate food and water available for them. 

Houstonians may not be accustomed to such cold weather, but with these preparations, everyone can weather the freeze safely. Stay informed and be prepared as the city navigates through the freezing temperatures.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Houston freeze 2024: How to prepare for low temps” was originally posted on The Cougar

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

For Taylor Swift, 2023 was an amazing year. From some incredible releases to being named Time’s Person of the Year, it seems like this was her year through and through. As we head into 2024, let’s take a look back at one of her most highly anticipated rerecorded albums, “1989.” Do the new versions of her songs, specifically the vault tracks, live up to the hype?

“1989” was first released in 2014, and much of it is marked by Taylor’s personal life during this time period. Like many of her albums, it delves deep into her relationships, the struggle of feeling hated by the media and the various dramas she dealt with regarding other celebrities. 

The most significant figure in her life at the time was arguably former One Direction singer Harry Styles, which led to various theories that the album was about him. 

Their on-again, off-again relationship had fans carefully going back and analyzing the track, wondering if songs like “Style”, “Out Of The Woods” or “Clean” were secretly about him.

The recently released vault tracks are a new edition to the album, letting listeners dive deeper than ever before into what Taylor’s life and emotions were like during this particular era.

Slut!

Much like how Swift pokes fun at the way the media perceives her in the song “Blank Space”, she embraces her reputation as a “slut” on this track, turning the label on its head.

While she could have let those words get to her, she instead ignores them because she feels so strongly about the man she’s singing about. What everyone says about her doesn’t matter. 

The song starts by describing a dreamy scene which alludes to how it feels to be “drunk on love.” She recognizes that she might pay a high price for pursuing this person, but the man that she’s dating won’t have to pay that price since men are rarely criticized for their dating lives in the same way women are.

Swift goes on to talk about how he’s worth being “slutshamed” for because he’s just that good of a person. He’s worth potentially taking unfair criticism for because: “in a world of boys he’s a gentleman.” 

Stand-out lyric: “If they call me a slut, you know it might be worth it for once.” 

Say Don’t Go

In this song, the pain of unrequited love leaves Swift angry and confused. She repeatedly questions her relationship with her ex, specifically wondering why it ended the way it did. She wishes that he would’ve stayed and fought for her instead of just letting her go.

Swift sings about how she always knew that their relationship wasn’t going to work out from the start but she held onto hope that he would change and that they could work it out. She refuses to accept the end of this relationship and blames her ex for making her fall so hard for him.

Towards the end of the song, she progressively gets louder and more passionate before suddenly shifting to near-silent whispers of  “but you won’t”  near the end. As her voice slowly fades into the background, the listener is left with the haunting feeling that she’s accepted defeat.

Stand-out lyric: “I said ‘I love you’, you say nothing back.”

Now That We Don’t Talk

On this track, Swift wonders how her ex is doing and tells us what she’s been hearing about him. She notices how much he has changed, to the point where she almost doesn’t recognize him anymore. The song focuses on how much it hurts to watch someone you love change.

Eventually, she’s able to remind herself why the relationship ended and why she can’t be friends with her ex. The song ends on a more positive note with the realization that she is better off without him. Now that she’s on her own, she doesn’t have to pretend to be someone she’s not.

In the album structure, this song represents a new beginning. She starts accepting the end of their relationship, and the listeners can see how much she has already grown since the last track.

Stand-out lyric: “I cannot be your friend, so I pay the price for what I lost and what it cost now that we don’t talk.”

Suburban Legends

Swift reflects on the best parts of her and her ex’s relationship in this track, specifically focusing on the chemistry that they had with each other. Despite her ex showing some red flags, she acknowledges how she was able to ignore them because of how deep their connection felt.

The connection ran so deep for her that she felt as if they were destined to be great. Throughout the song, she sings about the future that she imagined for them together.

The fantasy she conjures is powerful, but by the end of the song she starts to see things more clearly. She’s able to admit that the fantasy she created would never be a reality and is able to instead focus on the present.

Stand-out lyric: “I broke my own heart ‘cause you were too polite to do it.”

Is It Over Now?

The closing track of the album takes on a double meaning. Swift references the song title within the song itself as “a funny play on words,” at one point even directly asking “Is the album over now?”

This is the most intense of the vault tracks by far. She directly calls out her ex for his actions with a pointed intensity but is also able to recognize where she should accept some blame for the end of their relationship.

She accuses her ex of dating a new girl that looks just like her and she also calls him out for not keeping his new relationship private. As her frustration builds, she thinks about ways to get his attention and wonders if he would come back and tell her everything that she wants to hear.

Reluctantly, she finally accepts that they weren’t right for each other and that she has to come to terms with both of them being done with each other for now.

Stand-out lyric: “If she’s got blue eyes I will surmise that you’ll probably date her.”

Conclusion

Overall, the vault tracks do an excellent job of filling in the missing pieces of Swift’s life. They give curious listeners more insight into what she was going through at the time, making the new version of the album a must-listen for anyone who’s ever gone through something similar.

Despite being almost ten years old, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” goes to show that some music really does “never go out of style.”

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Review: Taylor Swift’s 1989 vault tracks bring back 2014 heartbreaks” was originally posted on The Cougar

Student organizations in 2016 rallying to raise awareness for the challenges undocumented students face. | Jasmine Davis/The Cougar

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund holds a high reputation amongst Hispanic students, and justly so. Their website proudly notes the over $730 million they’ve given out in scholarships over the years. But despite their charitable efforts, they consistently exclude one group: undocumented students.

To be eligible to apply for their scholar program, you must be “of Hispanic heritage” but they also require that you are either in the country as a full U.S. citizen, permanent resident or here under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

It is important to note that since only one-third of undocumented students are covered under the DACA program, this set of requirements excludes a substantial amount of students from even being considered for the program.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s choice to exclude this particular community of students might come as a surprise. After all, these students are no less Hispanic than any other applicant; their immigration status shouldn’t change anything.

This is a perfect example of how deep-rooted the dehumanization against undocumented students is. Sometimes, discrimination against these students can be just as harsh from members of their own community. 

In academic spaces, this discrimination can range from not having the ability to obtain various forms of financial aid to being automatically rejected from potential opportunities.

These students are rejected not based on merit or any other academic factor, but instead miss out on potentially life-changing opportunities based on something they cannot control. 

It’s important to remember that even though the majority of undocumented college students are Hispanic, not all of them are. Currently, around 27% of undocumented college students are Asian and 13% are Black.

Something that often goes unacknowledged is the intersectionality of being both Black and undocumented. The experiences of Black undocumented students must be acknowledged as their experiences will greatly differ from other undocumented students who aren’t Black.

That being said, providing visibility to all undocumented students and people, no matter their race, should be the goal. “Undocumented” doesn’t look one way, but the difficulties faced by these individuals unites them in a unique fashion.

It is a difficult task to properly encapsulate the whole plight of undocumented people. No amount of space will ever be truly enough to showcase the enormous hardships thrust upon these individuals by the systems united against them.

The greatest weapon undocumented people have to wield against the systemic injustices they constantly face is none other than their life. Despite the circumstances thrust upon them, undocumented people continue to fight back by persevering and living their lives to the fullest.

The spaces that undocumented students occupy were not built with them in mind. Those spaces, by nature, will almost always resort to diminishing and excluding them as much as they can. If we want to truly help undocumented students, we need to actively resist the push to exclude them.

National discourse surrounding undocumented individuals frequently seeks to discredit them by questioning their existence and their way of living. Questions like “Why didn’t they come here legally?” are commonly used to dehumanize them and ignore their pain.

But if you truly choose to dig deep and try to understand them, you will find that many of these people so frequently maligned are actually individuals you should admire. Living and engaging in spaces that do not want you or make it difficult for you to succeed is a brave act.

“When I used to do speech and debate competitions in high school, I used to recite a poem that I found on YouTube. That poem meant so much to younger me as I found it to be a touching and accurate piece on being undocumented,” said an undocumented UH student who chose not to disclose their name. 

The poem they’re referring to is “UndocuJoy: A Love Letter to My Undocumented People,” by Yosimar Reyes. In it, Reyes candidly professes his love for his fellow undocumented people, saying:

“I love my undocumented people because being undocumented is not political, it’s not physical, it is a condition keeping us from smiling. But look at us: thriving.”

The perspective shared by Reyes is similar to a statement made by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his 1982 Nobel lecture. When talking about his home country in Latin America and the constant struggles they face, he said:

“In spite of this, to oppression, plundering and abandonment, we respond with life. Neither floods nor plagues, famines nor cataclysms, nor even the eternal wars of century upon century, have been able to subdue the persistent advantage of life over death.” 

To oppression, undocumented people respond with their lives, and undocumented students do so through education. An “undocumented”  and “un-American” life brings new meaning to the word perseverance. 

At the end of the day, however, undocumented people are not defined by their status. Rather they’re defined by their strength. This strength allows them to prevail and craft meaninful lives despite immense challenges.

This strength is something that shouldn’t be looked down on or pushed to the side. Undocumented people deserve to be seen as fully human. Daring to live in a world that doesn’t believe fully in your humanity is worthy of praise, and we would do well to not forget that.

Jose Acuna Cruz is an English freshman who can be reached at
opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Undocumented students continue to face discrimination, a look at the way forward” was originally posted on The Cougar