Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

As the semester begins to peak, the looming presence of finals has students on the edge of their seats. For students navigating late-night study sessions and last-minute cramming, one clear lifeline emerges – caffeine. 

Fortunately, whether it’s a cozy corner cafe or a busy student hub, UH offers a multitude of coffee havens that cater to every taste and study style.

The Nook

Established by UH alumni, The Nook offers students a unique atmosphere made up of small nooks and study areas. The chalkboard walls, ambient lighting and plethora of board games make The Nook a charming oasis for students to get their caffeine fix.

The Nook offers a large menu of different coffees and teas, including abundant flavor and milk options. They serve a variety of breakfast and lunch entrees and locally sourced pastries and desserts. Additionally, for students wishing to blow off some extra steam, they offer a rooftop bar serving various wines, beers and cocktails.  

Located across from the University Lofts, The Nook is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. 

Cougar Grounds

Known for its highly-rated coffee, Cougar Grounds is a student-run coffee shop that was newly renovated in 2022. With a trendy, urban vibe, the coffeehouse serves as a common favorite amongst students. 

They offer a large drink menu including coffee, tea, matcha, smoothies and many unique special drinks.  Additionally, they offer pastries, sandwiches and snacks. 

Located in the Hilton Hotel across from the Student Center South building, Cougar Grounds is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Starbucks

Located in the heart of campus, Starbucks serves as an iconic and dependable spot for students to get their caffeine kick. Most know the menu by heart and Starbucks is known to be highly customizable with their secret drink menus taking the spotlight. They serve as the hub for all things caffeine. 

Starbucks is located in the basement of Student Center South and is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

A popular spot for a quick breakfast treat, Einstein Bros. offers a full coffee menu including hot, cold and blended drinks. 

Located in Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall, Einstein Bros. is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck

For students tired of the traditional coffeehouse, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck offers a unique experience for students wishing for on-the-go coffee. They offer a concise menu of iced, frozen and hot coffee options.

Located outside of Student Center North, the coffee truck is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Shasta’s Cones & More

Looking for a sweet treat with a side of caffeine? Shasta’s offers ice cream, other sweet treats and freshly made espresso. 

Located in Student Center South, Shasta’s is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 

Costa Coffee Smart Cafe

Are you on the north side of campus and in need of a pick-me-up? Avoid human interaction and customize your own drink at the Smart Cafe where a machine creates your drink in seconds.

Located in the Blaffer Art Museum, it’s in operation from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 

Moody Towers and Cougar Woods Dining Commons

Students with a meal plan can enjoy as many cups as they like from either a Starbucks machine or a traditional drip. 

Moody Towers Dining Commons is open 24/7. Cougar Woods is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Best coffee spots on campus just in time for finals” was originally posted on The Cougar

Len Duenas/The Cougar

Spiro Hoxha is a former senator under the 60th SGA administration and currently serves as the SGA-appointed representative on the Equity for Students with Disabilities Committee and Student Fees Advisory Committee.

Student Government Association elections are a mixed bag. They aim to create an atmosphere of leadership, service and work, but they also tend to operate as a laboratory for horrendous political ideologies. Rather than genuinely helping students, SGA candidates use the elections as testing grounds for the theory they learn in class.

For an example, consider the events of the most recent election, in which former president Joshua Martin was ousted by the current president, Benjamin Rizk.

During that election alone, Martin changed the election codes under the cover of darkness, loaded the Supreme Court with people that would rule in his favor and allegedly offered cabinet positions to local student leaders in exchange for endorsements from their organizations.

As drama surrounding the election played out, Martin violated the election code by hiring a UT lawyer to represent him, spent thousands of dollars to try to turn the tides in his favor and eventually was able to overturn the presidential election.

Even if Martin was eventually voted out, the fact that all of the above was able to happen in the first place points to a problem at the very core of how student government elections are run.

Many students think of SGA elections as dumb and pointless. They are dumb and pointless, except when they’re not. As a student body, SGA gives students an avenue towards actual power, something that can be used for good or evil.

Some student leaders are placed in positions that give them access to millions of dollars in student funding. Being an elected leader allows you to influence University administration even as high up as Chancellor Renu Khator. With all this in mind, shouldn’t students try to keep amoral monsters out of these positions?

Beyond their power within UH, SGA leadership positions frequently provide a route to power at higher levels of government. SGA leaders can take their experience and use it to fuel getting internships, policy advisor positions and even potential bids for Congress. 

This issue isn’t just rooted in SGA, however. It goes all the way to the core of how political science departments across the country operate. Political science courses teach one central concept: How to win by any means necessary. 

While this idea might seem ambitious on the surface, it tends to create antisocial monsters who idealize figures like Richard Nixon or Donald Trump. Many people reading this article likely know a couple people in their political science classes that ramble about how “might makes right” but can’t be bothered to shower.

Our political science departments impact our politics because the way in which we socialize political science students informs how they act within the greater world of politics. In other words, demonic fascist college students become demonic fascist adults with no values.

 Isaiah Martin is an excellent example. He lost his bid for student body president when he attended UH several years back, but he remained deeply involved with student government well after he graduated. Despite no longer attending the university, Martin seems to have maintained a keen interest in its elections.

Outside of his alleged involvement in his younger brother Joshua Martin’s attempt at a second turn, Isaiah recently announced that he throwing his own hat into the ring; he was going to run for Texas Congress. Shortly after this, Martin was soundly criticized for “not reflecting the values of his generation.” 

Amongst the criticisms levied at him included what some saw as a weak stance on healthcare; endorsing a public option amidst a generational push for Medicare for all. Martin was also critiqued for his staunchly pro-Israel stance, something that proved unpopular especially amidst large protests in support of Palestine.

Martin didn’t even have an issues page on his website until local media outlets criticized him into putting one together. But at the end of the day, Martin doesn’t care about his issues page. Like a good graduate of the University’s political science program, he wants to win at any cost.

With the political connections and donors Martin has picked up over the years, some of whom he likely gained through his time at UH, he seems to be counting on coasting into a Congressional seat regardless of public support.

So how do we prevent the University from churning out more morally weak politicians who don’t care about change? Well, we should start by interrupting the problem at its source.

While it’s true that many students who major in political science hold ambitions toward power well before they enter college, our current political science class setup encourages these tendencies. To counter these tendencies, we should consider promoting ideas that stand in firm opposition to this lust for power.

Morality and genuinely held beliefs should be at the forefront of political socialization – not navigating institutions for personal enrichment and bragging rights. It’s only by shifting the focus of our political science education that we can stop these power-hungry monsters from gaining power.

Students can help with this by staying informed and staying aware. Candidates like Martin are able to get away with a lot more if no one pays attention to what they’re up to. If we work together, we can keep these walking PR campaigns out of office and maybe, just maybe, achieve some real change for once.

Spiro Hoxha is a political science junior who can be reached at
opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Op-Ed: SGA, political science programs encourage ambition over leadership” was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily-Huynh/The Cougar

During the fourth special session, the Texas Legislature passed a sweeping immigration reform bill, now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for approval.

Senate Bill 4, would make crossing illegally into the U.S. from Mexico a misdemeanor. The bill will allow Texas peace officers to arrest undocumented immigrants and a state judge to issue the person a state order to leave the U.S. to Mexico, instead of being prosecuted.

The bill authored by state Sen. Charles, R-Lubbock, is almost identical to House Bill 4, authored by Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, which the state Senate snubbed during the third special session before being re-filled.

The bill’s proponents said that the restrictions would help stop sex trafficking and curb illegal immigration. However, the bill’s opponents say that this would open the door for racial profiling, since peace officers would determine someone’s immigration status based on how they look said associate political science professor Jeronimo Cortina.

“So, this has implications according to the opponents of the bill, not only implications for migrant communities but also implications for people that may share some of their characteristics,” he said. “It’s basically a target tool that’s aimed the Latino population in one way or the other.”

Migrant communities are also less likely to report crimes when this type of legislation goes into effect. Crime in general may go under reported which in turn would hurt our society Cortina said.

A research intern at the domestic violence unit at the Harris County District Attorney’s office, political science senior Natalie Vasquez said that victims are already scared to call police for help and this bill could exacerbate that.

“I can already see how a lot of victims with physical or mental abuse are scared to even call the police,” she said. “How many victims will continue to be silent because of the fear of being deported or being arrested for their legal status?”

Human development and family sciences junior Ashley Cardona said that the bill being passed through the state legislature is a big shame. The law increases the concerns many undocumented immigrants have had over the years and for their children, even if they are documented, Cardona said.

“My family, we’ve been here for over 20-something years,” Cardona said. “If something were happening with my parents I’ll drop everything I have and I’ll try to fix that and I’ll try to be there.”

Approximately 44.5% of the city is Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The bill could have a ripple effect on UH’s large Hispanic population. In particular, younger immigrants or the children of immigrants could face disruptions to school and development. Undocumented students would be more worried about their safety as well, Cardona added.

For many immigrants who want to start the process to legally live in the U.S.,  new laws such as SB 4 make it even harder, Cardona said.

“The life of the undocumented immigrant is just getting heavier and heavier throughout the years. This is a big thing; there’s not as much advocacy, there’s not many people speaking up,” Cardona said.

The bill passed the Texas House by an 83-61 vote and by a 17-11 vote in the Senate. During the closing statements State Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, addressed the House Republicans on the floor regarding the prejudices in the law.

“It’s not alright to be racist. I will stop pulling the race card when you stop being racist,” Jones said on the House floor.

Under SB 4,  a misdemeanor could be enhanced to a felony if the migrant is accused of other crimes or refuses to comply with the court orders to return to Mexico. The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor charge is a year in jail. For a felony, the penalty is two to 20 years in prison. Migrants would be able to present any evidence they entered the country legally during the protection period.

The bill is expected to be signed by the governor, in a tweet on X,  he voiced his support for the bill and congratulated Perry and Spiller on this “historic progress for border security.”

In the past courts have struck down laws when they think states are intruding on federal powers. SB 4 could also go to the U.S. Supreme Court, Cortina said.

“The issue is of racial profiling, right? Obviously, that’s protected in the Constitution and perhaps also an issue regarding the role that local or state level police officers may have in enforcing immigration laws that is a federal prerogative,” he said. 

As the daughter of two immigrants, the bill doesn’t sit right with Vasquez, who said that it is important to keep advocating for better immigration policies.

“We come here to the U.S. for a better life. Not to get discriminated or be racially profiled because of where we come from — we’re past that. I definitely want to say that I will not be silent,” she said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Different bill, same impact: Senate Bill 4 raises concerns regarding Latino discrimination” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Over the past several years, millionaire and social media influencer Andrew Tate has grown a significantly sized platform on social media. But while his content may be popular, it preys on the insecurities of young men in a way that harms both them and women everywhere.

Tate initially attracted his audience by making various videos where he talked about his thoughts on masculinity and discipline. In several of these videos, he encouraged his viewers to work hard and push deep as they seek out the best version of themselves.

His audience has also significantly latched onto Tate’s advice when it comes to money and success. He espouses a very “Wolf of Wall Street” mindset, telling viewers that money will fix all their problems.

While his intentional contrast to the idea that money doesn’t buy happiness is arguably harmful enough on its own, as it encourages young boys to continue “hustling” instead of enjoying the small things, Tate’s real harmful ideas emerge when he talks about women.

Over his several years in the spotlight, Tate has convinced untold numbers of teenage boys that women simply aren’t as intelligent as men. At points, he’s even gone as far as saying that women can’t ever really learn how to drive, nor can they fathom the true level of men’s intelligence.

Tate also maintains the old-fashioned idea that women should be obedient to men, emphasizing that “Women should prioritize their role as wives and mothers over pursuing careers.” But beyond just viewing women as inferior, Tate encourages his followers to view them as objects.

Several times on his channel, Tate has referred to women with language that implies they’re little more than objects to be used for pleasure. When discussing sexual ethics, he once asked his followers:

“Why would you be with a woman who is not a virgin anyway? She is used goods. Second hand.”

When critiqued, Tate has said that he’s just trying to genuinely follow his religion. While he initially presented himself as a Bible-believing Christian, Tate recently converted to Islam. At points, he’s cited the Bible as inspiration for his desire to have multiple wives.

However, Tate rarely applies his religious beliefs evenly. Not only does he completely ignore passages in the Bible and the Quran calling on men to treat others kindly, he tends to engage in double standards, never critiquing men for sexual promiscuity in the same way he does women.

This double standard can at points be taken to deeply horrific lengths, including excusing sexual assault. At points, Tate has stated that “If you put yourself in a position to be r***d, you must bare some responsibility.” 

While his supporters have tended to claim that Tate is “just joking” or that he puts on an overly extreme personality to attract more viewers, recent events have shown that his ideas go far beyond isolated bits of “dark humor.”

Several months ago, Tate, alongside his brother Tristan, was charged and arrested in Romania for several counts of rape and alleged involvement in sex trafficking. 

Regardless of what his supporters will excuse, Tate’s ideas have had a clear impact even just in his own life and the lives of those around him. However, the real danger lies not in what Tate does, but what his legions of followers are likely to do in the long term.

Tate regularly encourages his audience of impressionable young men to disrespect women and view them as sex objects. He exploits their ignorance to get more money without any concern for the long term effects he might have.

Eventually, those boys grow up and become men, carrying his ideas into how they treat the women around them. If we don’t take his impact seriously, the repercussions of Tate’s ideas will be felt generationally, and untold numbers of women are likely to suffer because of it.

Camila Isela Gonzalez is a journalism freshman who can be reached at
opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Andrew Tate has had a serious negative impact on young boys” was originally posted on The Cougar

A passenger boarding the UH at Sugar Land Shuttle bus at the Cullen College of Engineering Technology Division, on Nov. 27. | Robert De La Garza/ The Cougar

For students, a new semester can be quite expensive with student fees, tuition and books — all coming due around the holidays. This spring, students who need access to the Sugar Land Shuttle can now add a bus permit fee to the long list of funds owed. 

UH Parking and Transportation, the Student Government Association and the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee have agreed to adopt a new bus permit fee of $239 for people who don’t meet priority requirements to get on the Shuttle free. Although students were informed about the possible changes in September, some are still unsure about the fairness, affordability and details of the permit.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said computer information systems senior Bradley Ledford. “It should be open to anyone, we’re all students at UH and we all pay fees, so I don’t see why it would be restricted.” 

Who is it for?

Students who are registered for classes at both UH main campus and UH at Sugar Land will have priority registration for the permits and are not required to pay a fee, according to an email sent Monday evening by assistant director of Parking and Transportation Services Richard Zagrzecki.

Students who live on the main campus and have in-person classes at Sugar Land will also have priority. Additionally, students who have a valid UH zoned or garage parking permit for the spring semester will not be required to pay an additional shuttle bus permit fee, the email said. 

However, students with a valid UH at Sugar Land parking permit will still have to pay $79, which is the difference in cost between a zone permit and the Sugar Land parking permit, according to the email.

Purpose of fee?

The required permit was announced last week, more than two months after the University decided to restrict access to the shuttle in September. 

These efforts are to address concerns the University had with some students using the bus as a park-and-ride service to get from Sugar Land to UH, said journalism senior and vice chair of TPAC Zahra Gokal.

“The shuttle was originally for people who have classes at both locations and no one else,” Gokal said.

Gokal lives in the Sugar Land area, rides the shuttle and is also directly impacted by this decision, which she helped develop as chair of TPAC. 

She said this was the best compromise, as opposed to the alternative, which would have completely restricted access for those who don’t have classes at both campuses. 

The $239 from each student will allow the shuttle bus to be financially sustainable in the long term so students can continue to utilize this service, and it will increase the shuttle fee revenue to cover a fraction of the costs necessary for operations, Gokal said.  

Students’ reaction

Ledford has been using the Shuttle for over a year. He lives in the Sugar Land area and as a CIS major, all his classes are located at UHSL. However, he previously worked at the main campus and utilized the Shuttle instead of driving. 

Ledford is unsure if he will meet the requirements and doesn’t believe the prices are affordable for students balancing a tight budget.

“$240 is a lot, considering we’re already paying tuition, books and all these other expenses. This is just another thing that you’re adding on to us,” Ledford said.

Not all student’s feathers were ruffled by this decision. Others had contrasting opinions about the permits, saying that they were well informed on the matter and somewhat fair if you consider fuel.

“I think it’s fair, ” said freshman business major Amanda Chen “You have to think about the gas cost if you drive yourself every day, most people around here live at least 30-40 minutes away. That’s why it is a little on the high side.”

The fees will go directly to Parking and Transportation, according to leadership, but it is still unclear how these funds will be allocated, and if it will better serve the students using the shuttles. 

Some students say they could get behind the fees if it meant improving the current situation and if sudden changes could be rectified with more clear messaging. 

“I would love if they were more transparent with the decisions they’re making,” Ledford said. “We’re just being told to pay this fee and if you don’t have the money or don’t register in time, you don’t get the permit, so then you can’t use the bus.”  

Chen said students had the opportunity to participate in forums created in the community’s GroupMe, however, some students didn’t take the initiative to have their voices heard.

“They put in a lot of surveys, so if you really wanted to have your opinion heard then you could have filled the form, but I understand. I heard a lot of people didn’t really do that, so if you’re upset it’s really your decision,” Chen said.

Priority registration

Priority registration is now open and students eligible for the shuttle bus permit must register by Dec. 1 at 5 p.m., Gokal said. 

If you are not on the priority list, then on Dec. 4, the permits will be made available to any UH student at noon, according to the email. 

Availability is limited so students are encouraged to register quickly and stay informed because a spot on the shuttle is not guaranteed. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“A look at the permit system coming to the Sugar Land shuttle” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The city of Houston will have the chance to decide on its next mayor and city controller as the runoff election begins to ramp up. 

Early voting for the runoff election will run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, with Dec. 9 being election day. Voters who did not cast a ballot in the general election will still be eligible to vote in the runoff election, as long as they are registered. 

City Mayor

U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee and state Senator John Whitmire, lead the crowded 18-person mayoral race and are set to face each other again for the bid to be the city’s next mayor. 

The general election results show that Whitmire at nearly 43% with 106,434 votes. Jackson Lee tails closely behind, with approximately 34%, or 86,061 votes. 

In a survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs, 50% of the voters intend to vote for Whitmire and only 36% of the voters would vote for  Jackson Lee, in the event of a runoff. One in 10 voters remained undecided about who they would vote for, and 5% said that they would not vote in the runoff if these were the two candidates.

Both Whitmire and Jackson Lee have held their offices from 1982 and 1995 respectively. 

The runoff takes place two days before the deadline, Dec.11, to file for the 2024 primary elections for federal and state offices. While it’s hard to predict what the election result could mean for the candidate’s future in politics, political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said this is likely the end of one of their careers. 

“Both have gone all chips in on being mayor so I think this will be the end of their career for one of them,” Rottinghaus said. 

City Controller 

The controller is the chief financial officer of the city. Like the mayor, the controller is also bound to a maximum of two four-year terms. The controller is able to audit how city agencies are spending tax dollars and oversees how the city allocates its budget. 

Attorney Chris Hollins and former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez, are set to face off against each other in December after competing in a four-way race during the general election.

The general election results show that Hollins got nearly 44%, or 95,001 votes and Sanchez got almost 27% of the vote, with 57,841 votes. 

Voter Turnout 

Less than 18% of registered voters in Harris County voted for the mayoral race, according to unofficial data released by the Harris County clerk’s office. 

The runoff will likely see an even lower turnout and with more passionate voters who are attached to one of the candidates, Rottinghaus said. 

“We’ll likely see less than 10% of Houston vote for mayor, a stunningly low number in a major city like Houston,” he said. 

Voting Locations 

Harris County will open up 41 early-voting locations, which will be open from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.  The voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, with the exception of Dec. 3, when it will open at noon instead. 

The nearest early voting location to the University is at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located at 53826 Wheeler Avenue, according to the Harris County voter centers site. 

The University will host a voting location on election day in the Space City room at Student Center South.

What do you need to bring? 

Voters will need to bring one of the seven valid forms of photo ID with them to the voting booth. Valid forms of identification include Texas IDs such as driver’s licenses, election identification certificates, personal identification card, and handgun licenses. 

Federal identifications such as a U.S. military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate or a U.S. passport are also considered acceptable forms of identification. 

In case you do not have a valid photo ID, you might be able to fill out a reasonable impediment form and show supporting documents such as a voter registration certificate, credited U.S. birth certificate, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check to any other government document showing your name or address. 

news@thedailycougar.com

—
“December’s runoff election: What to expect” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

A new course titled The Entrepreneurial Genius of Taylor Swift (ENTR 4397) is being offered this spring semester by the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.

The course will explore how Taylor Swift has used an entrepreneurial edge to become an international star. It is advertised to cover marketing and press strategies, fan engagement, community building and more. 

Kelly McCormick professor of practice at the Wolff Center in the C.T. Bauer College of Business said that attending the Eras Tour in April was a major inspiration for her to teach this class and an opportunity to take a deep dive into Swift’s career.

“I was so impressed, not only by her songwriting but by what she’s done as a businesswoman to accelerate her success,” McCormick said. “Specifically some of the marketing, engagement and community building she does is so impressive.”

Swift’s recent success and broken records have interested many students in learning and exploring this topic. Senior media production major Hannah Bittick said she joined the class after hearing about it on social media. In addition to being a Swiftie, this class will count towards her minor.

“I’m going into the entertainment industry, although in a different way than Taylor,” Bittick said. “She’s an amazing businesswoman, not just an artist and I feel like people can learn a lot from her.”

Bittick hopes that this course will give her more insight into promotion in the entertainment industry. “I’m excited. I’m not sure what to expect curriculum-wise but I’m expecting the class to be full of fellow Swifties,” Bittick said.

Swift has dedicated herself to her craft and does so in a very effective way to reach a market that loves her, according to McCormick. This has had enormous outcomes that many can learn from such as her new billionaire status and becoming the second-richest self-made woman in music. This makes her a great example to learn from. 

“I think if people want to learn about entrepreneurship, it’s a great opportunity to learn from a popular creator and entrepreneur,” McCormick said. “She’s done so many things in her career that students can implement in their own lives and in their businesses.”

The course will have various aspects that will delight Swifties, McCormick said. Each class will explore a specific era of her career and what she did entrepreneurially during that time. In addition, the class is open to all undergraduate students and majors. 

“You don’t need a background in business to take it and appreciate it,” McCormick said. “In fact, I think students outside the business school can learn a lot about operating a successful business through the strategies we’ll explore in Swift’s career.”

The class will also focus on a specific business topic and discuss how Swift did that well. For example, the topic of branding and how Swift has handled her image and reinvented herself several times over the years. 

McCormick will use this to answer various questions like “What can be learned from that?”, “How could you use those lessons to do that well yourself?”, and “How do other businesses do that very well?”

McCormick expects students to learn about entrepreneurship in general and more, specifically; how Swift has executed the components necessary for business success. The course will also attempt to apply such lessons to other businesses, industries, and fields students are interested in pursuing. 

“I’m hoping the class will be a lot of fun —both for Swifties and anyone interested in learning more about how to be an entrepreneur,” McCormick said. “I’m excited to start teaching it next semester!”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“New entrepreneurial course tailored to Swifties to debut spring semester” was originally posted on The Cougar

Tuesday morning, the UH community received an email warning about a possible Tuberculosis outbreak on campus.

The Houston Health Department has notified the University and UH Student Health Center officials that a student on campus has been treated for TB, an active airborne disease. 

The event is considered to be isolated and no other students have yet shown symptoms, according to an email sent by interim executive director and chief psychiatrist for the Student Health Center Dr. Jon Rusciano. 

“The University is working closely with the Houston Health Department to identify any student, faculty or staff member who should be tested for TB infection,” Rusciano’s email said. “The Houston Health Department determines who needs testing based on the type of exposure a student or employee has had to the sick individual.”

Tuberculosis is an airborne illness that can spread from person to person if someone is infected with the disease. Typically, the bacteria is only spread if someone has spent an extended period of close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. 

If students have been identified as someone who needs to be tested, a separate message will be sent with more testing information about a date, time and location, according to the email.  

Next week, Houston Health Department officials will host an event on Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon and Nov. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Space City room of Student Center South to spread awareness and answer any questions about TB. 

“Please be assured that we are taking this situation seriously — your health is of utmost importance,” Rusciano said. 

The Cougar will continue to provide more updates as information becomes available. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH warns students of recent Tuberculosis treatment on campus” was originally posted on The Cougar

A permit will now be required to ride the Sugar Land shuttle, according to an email sent by Parking and Transportation Services Assistant Director Richard Zagrzecki.

A valid UH parking permit will work in place of a shuttle fee for the spring semester, but students without one must purchase a shuttle permit for $239.

Students registered for classes at the main campus and UH Sugar Land campus will have first access and a limited number of permits will be released on Dec. 4.

The decision comes after the UH Board of Regents approved a fee for the shuttles, which has been supported by Student Government Association leadership as well.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Permit now required for Sugar Land shuttle” was originally posted on The Cougar

During the walk, participants identified areas around campus that need additional lighting. | Courtesy of Jesus Acevedo Jr.

Students and staff were guided around campus after dark to express their lighting and safety concerns during the annual “Walk in the Dark.” 

The event was held Wednesday, Nov. 15, and was hosted by the UH Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal’s office, the Residence Halls Association, Campus Facilities and the Student Government Association.

“Walk in the Dark helps because we work during the day, so we don’t really get a chance to look at any of these lights after hours,” UH electrician Aaron Rife said. “The fact that we can all get together and do this helps us get a better hold on what needs to be fixed”

There were approximately 40 participants at the event, according to SGA President Benjamin Rizk. 

During the walk, participants identified areas around campus that need additional lighting. Some of the locations included the Cullen Family Plaza Fountain, Agnes Arnold Hall, Wilhelmina’s Grove and the Moody Towers Residence Hall

“Walk in the Dark is very helpful because it helps bridge the gap between students and faculty,” said political science senior Sophia Wilson. “It’s a great way for student’s voices to be heard.”

In addition to ongoing maintenance through UH FIXIT, Facilities and Construction Management has begun working on the long-awaited Campus Lighting Project after experiencing delays due to the Cullen Boulevard Project and COVID-19 complications.

The project will install approximately 60 new light poles, three new emergency call phones and 60 new security cameras in parking lots around campus, according to David Oliver, senior associate vice president for facilities and construction management. 

“The safety and security of our campus community is a top priority,” Oliver said. “We want to provide our students, faculty and staff a safer experience on campus.”

Phase I of the Campus Lighting Project will include parking lots 1C, 1D, 8A, 8B and 9C. Construction has begun in parking lots 1C and 1D and is scheduled to be completed over winter break. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2024 fall semester.

The Centennial Plan construction project is also currently in progress and is scheduled to be completed by 2026. The project includes the demolition of Farish Hall, the creation of a new student plaza, new monument gateways at university entrances and a revamped outdoor space. 

The Centennial Plan will install additional lighting fixtures along with other improvements in Lynn Eusan Park, Cougar Woods, Butler Plaza and Wilhelmina’s Grove.

“Every year we see improvements, and there were much fewer lights this time last year. Compared to many other campuses, UH is very well lit, but there is always room for improvement,” said UH Police Department sergeant Federico Perez III.

Campus safety is a sizable concern as American School Search gave UH a D- rating in safety and over the past 60 days. over 100 cases of theft and around 20 cases of assault have been reported.

“Sometimes I have to stay on campus really late at night, and I don’t always feel safe,” said environmental design junior Yamin Saab. “I have friends who park in lots where cars have gotten stolen, so I always try to stay as safe as I can.”

Aside from the Campus Lighting Project, students are encouraged to fill out service requests through UH FIXIT to address any additional safety or maintenance concerns. 

“Our main concern is that students can go here and be safe and successful,” UHPD officer Amir Watkins said. “It’s our job to make sure you can come here and solely focus on getting a higher education without having to worry about your safety.” 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Campus organizations team up to host annual ‘Walk in the Dark’” was originally posted on The Cougar