The Moores Opera Center is a place for each student to appreciate the skill and hard work of their classmates. Opera music is an artistry anyone can enjoy. | Mia De Los Reyes/ The Cougar

The Moores Opera Center has exhibited the talent of UH students since 1985. There is so much to be recognized as their season approaches.

Students have the opportunity to observe true talent in this upcoming season. From Feb. 1 to April 14, 2024, there will be performances composed by Franz Léhar and Mozart. This fall the Moores School of Music also welcomed new additions to the team, with artistic director Kathleen Belcher, voice professor Daniel Belcher and music director Keith Chambers.

The perfect setup has been made for exceptional student performances. The Grammy award-winning baritone, Daniel Belcher, and founder and artistic director of New Amsterdam Opera, Chambers serve the purpose of continuing to permeate the artistic and musical community in Houston. 

Kathleen Belcher, an accredited director with experience from the Los Angeles Opera to the Houston Grand Opera hopes to spread her knowledge to the learning students at UH. 

“It is my hope to help train students in a way that will reflect what is happening in the professional world and to introduce them to as many people currently working in the business as possible,” Belcher said. 

The Moores Opera Center is in the hands of teachers and directors who strive to help their students succeed in as many ways as possible. 

She emphasized the efforts UH students make in perfecting their abilities.

”Performing is a skill that you need to get up and do as often as possible,” Belcher said. “Yes, you can learn some things by watching, but nothing is going to take the place of being onstage in front of an audience, or even by rehearsing a piece of theater for several weeks.” 

The Moores Opera Center is a place for each student to appreciate the skill and hard work of their classmates. Opera music is an artistry anyone can enjoy. 

“Opera is music for everyone. Forget the stereotypes of the ‘fat lady in horns’ singing and the idea that opera is an elitist art form,” Belcher said. 

Opera music is a source of entertainment that is made to connect with every type of audience. 

“Come and let yourself be washed in acoustic music, unamplified voices and unplug for an hour or two. Opera can be funny, and the stories can reflect our society today. There is no need to wear a tux or a gown,” Belcher said. “Come as you are and enjoy the immensely talented musicians that are a part of the Moores School of Music.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Moores Opera Center director says new talent to make for exceptional season” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/ The Cougar

The race for the 63rd mayor of Houston will be extended for an additional month to determine the next leader of City Hall. 

State Sen. John Whitmire and U.S. Rep. Shiela Jackson Lee lead the crowded 18-man race and are headed to a Dec. 9, runoff since no candidates were able to receive more than 50% of the votes required to win. 

As of early Wednesday morning with more than 90% of the Election Day ballots counted for, Whitmire garnered nearly 43% of total votes with 107,097 votes, while Jackson Lee received 89,773 votes at about 36%. 

Both candidates have a long history in politics. 

Democratic candidate Whitmire, a UH alumnus, has represented Houston’s 15th District in the State Senate since 1982 and previously served in the state House for a decade. Whitmire’s campaign pushes for a  strong economy, city infrastructure and curbing crime. 

Jackson Lee has served as the U.S. House Representative for Houston’s 18th District since she was elected in 1995. Her campaign will focus on crime rates, infrastructure and homelessness. 

Outgoing Houston mayor Sylvester Turner has led the city for the previous eight years but has yet to endorse a candidate. However, he recently made some notable retweets on X, formerly known as Twitter, that show Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo endorsing Jackson Lee.

The City Controller will also be heading to a runoff race in December. Early in the evening on Election Day, attorney Chris Hollins appeared to have a runaway lead. However, Hollins will go head-to-head against Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez. 

The city controller is considered the chief financial officer who oversees how the city allocates its finances and has the ability to audit how city agencies are spending tax dollars

Prop A, Props 1 – 11 and Prop 14 were all voted in favor for Tuesday.  

The next day voters will have a chance to have their voices heard in the runoff election Dec. 9, 2023, and will include Whitmire and Jackson Lee. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Houston mayoral race headed to a December runoff” was originally posted on The Cougar

Alyssa Espinoza/The Cougar

Savannah and Brandon Hudson, better known as the sibling duo, Between Friends, took the stage at their Houston show on Oct. 11 to perform their debut album “I Love My Girl, She’s My Boy.” Their musical talent and energy left the attendees with an absolutely unforgettable experience.

But before the duo stepped foot onstage, rapper Blaketheman1000 gave a brief opening performance. His opening act was characterized by intriguing lyrics and electrifying instrumentals. While he only performed for 30 minutes, his interactions with the crowd were deeply enjoyable.

At around 9 p.m., the lights dimmed and the audience screamed with excitement. As the lights fully blacked out, the tension increased as the crowd waited in eager anticipation. 

Suddenly, colorful laser beams lit up the room and the song “Baby Come Back” by Player blasted over the loudspeakers. As the song came to an end, the lights flashed dramatically as Between Friends sprinted onto the stage.

The pair officially kicked the show off with their song “Stalker,” an upbeat catchy song that makes listeners want to jump up and dance. Savannah even held the microphone out to the crowd so they could sing along to the chorus.

“How are y’all doing tonight?” Brandon said as he accompanied his sister on guitar. The crowd responded with a rapturous cheer as they bounced and danced to the music.

They wasted no time getting into their next song, “iloveyou.” As Savannah banged her head to the beat, she told the crowd that the song was dedicated to them. Many concertgoers held up hand hearts during the chorus to express their love and support for the duo.

Something that stood out during this concert was how much Savannah and Brandon interacted with their fans. You could tell that they genuinely care about their audience and are grateful for the support that they receive.

A favorite song of the night was “Self destruct,” a song about self-sabotaging your relationships.

The song talks about the process of losing someone you care about and then looking back with regret, wondering if you made the right choice. Despite an upbeat sound, the lyrics were remarkably deep and the duo’s performance of it was deeply moving. 

During the last songs of the night, concertgoers made an attempt at crowd surfing. Although it was very short-lived, it brought a lot of hype and a deeply fiery energy to the end of the show. The energy was so intense that the floor was actually shaking at one point!

As the night came to a close, the pair seemingly ended the concert with their song, “orange juice.” But as the audience cheered for them to come back, Between Friends came back for an encore with faux reluctance. 

To properly finish off the concert with a bang, they played their most popular song, “affection.” To put it into context, this song accumulated more than 175,000,000 streams on Spotify and went massively viral on TikTok in 2020.

Overall, the energy from the crowd was infectious in the best way. There wasn’t a single person there that wasn’t dancing or singing their heart out.

Despite being a smaller venue, the combined energy from both the band and the crowd made it feel like a stadium with tens of thousands of people. 

Even if you haven’t heard of them until now, you should consider giving Between Friends a shot. Their debut album is a dreamy bedroom pop journey that covers relatable experiences while also being something you can dance and sing along to.

If that sounds like something you would enjoy, take a listen on Spotify and maybe you’ll find yourself singing along in the crowd next time.

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Concert Review: Between Friends take on Houston” was originally posted on The Cougar

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

In an Instagram post, the Student Programming Board announced Sean Kingston will headline the annual homecoming concert Thursday, Nov. 9. 

Responding to the announcement, students filled the comment section with complaints claiming the rapper no longer holds relevance.

“He is a bit of an older artist and not really relevant at this point,” said psychology junior Daniel Pomes. “Because many people only know a small list of his songs, they probably won’t enjoy most of his performance.”

Kingston gained popularity after his 2007 debut single “Beautiful Girls” and continued his success after releasing “Fire Burning” in 2009.

Although Kingston released his fourth studio album in 2022, he hasn’t been featured on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart since 2010. 

“I don’t think he’s a bad artist, he just hasn’t been on the map in a while,” said strategic communication junior Jennifer Hernandez. “UH should have chosen an artist that more people care about, like a Houston rapper.”

In addition to Kingston’s performance, Orion 224, a student-led indie rock band, will open the concert.

Homecoming week will conclude with the Homecoming football game this Saturday, Nov. 11, as the Cougars take on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. 

The concert will be held in Lynn Eusan Park and is free to all UH students. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Sean Kingston to headline HOCO concert, students react” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Dealing with the idea of raising a child that’s “different” than their peers can be scary, even heartbreaking. But in many cases, the fear surrounding autism is misplaced, and giving into it can cause serious harm.

Fears of autism don’t just come out of nowhere; parents are pushed to think this way. From characters on “Boy Meets World” acting like their friend’s autism diagnosis is a death sentence to advertisements depicting sobbing parents, the cultural image of autism is not a pretty one.

These images don’t just exist in a vacuum, either. In many ways, a parent’s only experience with what autism is comes from popular culture, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that it can contribute to everything from parenting styles to treatment plans for autistic children.

Many parents want to be seen as normal, and they want their children to be perceived the same way. The problem with this core line of thinking is that you have to consider: Who gets to decide what “normal” means?

In most cases, “normality” is defined by non-autistic parents, teachers and physicians. The treatment for children with autism is rarely designed to help the kids adjust to the world around them. Autistic children and adults are often completely left out of these discussions.

And as anyone who has been through the American public school system can tell you, one size does not fit all. Children with autism, ADHD and other “disorders” frequently need different kinds of support.

Multiple autistic traits, including noise sensitivity, the tendency to “stim”, or repeat body movements and noises, and the potential for overstimulation can make sitting quietly in a classroom an immense challenge.

Imagine if there was constantly someone sitting directly behind you in class continuously poking you or making annoying noises in your ear. It would be nearly impossible to focus, and if they refused to stop you might be tempted to snap at them or tell them to knock it off.

Now imagine if no one else could see that person, and whenever you tried to stop them from poking you, your teacher got angry with you instead.

While this is a deeply oversimplified example, many autistic children have reported feeling similarly punished for trying to stop overstimulation. Some struggle with how clothing feels on them, while others are particularly perceptive and can hear electricity buzzing when others can’t.

This level of stimulation can be hard to explain, and when it becomes too much, meltdowns are likely to occur. But instead of taking measures to understand their child, many parents rush to a doctor, convinced that something is wrong with them.

At this point, a lot of autistic children are then placed in behavioral therapy clinics where they receive Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. ABA therapy is meant to help autistic children learn life skills and do schoolwork in a less stressful environment.

For many children, especially autistic kids that need more support, ABA can be a godsend. Having dedicated clinical staff working with children on a regular basis can help kids in a way that overstaffed school systems might be unable to.

But for some kids, ABA therapy is nothing less than a nightmare. Using methods as intense as electroshock therapy and repetitive punishment, clinicians aim to reduce “incorrect” behaviors in favor of “correct” ones.

While these extreme methods arguably work, the cost on clients’ mental health can be high. Children who have undergone this treatment might fidget less or make smaller amounts of noise, but their odds of suffering from PTSD are immensely increased.

Even more “mild” forms of ABA therapy still have issues at their core. For many kids that need more support, dedicated staff can teach them how to tie their shoes or develop language skills. But for some kids, they’re essentially tortured into conformity no matter how high the cost.

Advocates of this kind of therapy might say that if these behaviors aren’t trained out of children, they’ll never make it in the “real world”. But what if we could imagine the “real world” itself to be better?

Think about it. Whether autistic or not, everyone needs some kind of support at one point or another. Odds are good that all kinds of workplaces could benefit from available headphones for overstimulated employees or an option to take more breaks as needed.

At their core, autistic people deserve to be treated as people. They’re not special snowflakes who need to be handled extra carefully, but they’re also not animals who need to be trained into compliance.

They’re doing their best to make it in this world just like anyone else, and they deserve the support necessary to achieve their goals. So rather than asking “how can we fix that person?” maybe it’s time to ask, “How can we support them?”

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

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“We need to change the way we think about Autism” was originally posted on The Cougar

Gwyneth Gravador/The Cougar

This November, Houstonians will vote to decide who will be their next mayor. However, they will also have to decide on how to vote on different propositions. Some of the proposals includes, but not limited to university fundings, expanding both water, and internet access, a tax exemption on biomedical manufactured goods, and giving Houstonians better representation. 

Currently, 17 proposals are listed on the ballot — 14 of which are state-wide, two are city-wide and one is specific to Harris County. While the sheer number and breadth of the propositions on this year’s ballot can lead to confusion, the impact they have can be immense. The legislation voters will decide on this November will also have a direct impact on UH.

The article is listed based on the order of importance, as opposed to numerically. 

Texas Proposition 5

Proposition 5 focuses on restructuring the National Research University Fund to the Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment that provides funding to improve the research capabilities of four Texas universities, including UH. 

The NRUF allows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to distribute money for those institutions that meet two required criteria. The first is whether or not an institution is considered to be an “emerging research university,” meaning that its campus is growing and that it is focused on graduate students. The second is if they have a minimum of $45 million to spend on restricted research. 

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M, both received funds under the Permanent University Fund, are currently the only Texas universities to be listed in the U.S. News & World Report’s Top 50 Public Schools. With the TUF, it would make four Texas universities compete for federal research grants, improve the national ranking and create more business opportunities. 

“I can tell you that the passage of Proposition 5, which by the way requires no new taxes or bonds, is critical for the University of Houston System and the City of Houston,” Chancellor Renu Khator said in this year’s State of the University address, who was in favor of it. 

City of Houston Proposition A

Proposition A amends Houston’s charter to simplify the process through which city councilors may add items to the weekly meeting agenda. As it stands now, three of the city’s 16 councilors must call for a special meeting at which a majority must agree to the proposed agenda item. 

As a result, Houston’s city council has rarely exercised this ability and many argue the current system grants the mayor de facto control over local legislation. If passed, Proposition A would eliminate the meeting requirement and allow three council members to simply sign a letter to add an item to an upcoming agenda. 

Houston has historically operated under a strong-mayor format, meaning the mayor’s office has greater influence over city operations than the council. While Proposition A would adjust this balance of power slightly, it would not completely tip it in favor of city council. 

“As a legislator, I did not need permission from the lt. governor or speaker to offer bills or amendments,” Whitmire wrote in a statement to Houston Landing. “I will extend that same privilege to the City Council. I want to work in partnership with council members and ensure they have more influence in city government. We work better when we work together.”

Texas Proposition 6

Proposition 6 establishes the New Water Supply for Texas Fund, a special fund focused on water conservation and improving infrastructure. 

Due to the rising population, the Texas Legislature decided to establish a plan 

If passed, the project will commence at the beginning of next year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. 

Texas Proposition 8

Proposition 8 is a bill that amend the state to create the Broadband Infrastructure Fund, allowing broader access to the Internet.

About 7 million people are lacking broadband access to the Internet statewide, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The BIF would increase digital access to education, increase economic growth, improve public safety and emergency services, healthcare, steady & reliable internet, and close a digital divide.

Texas Proposition 10

Proposition 10 is a tax exemption on biomedical manufacturing, and is a part of a push toward making Texas more competitive in medical manufacturing. It would also add 100,000 more jobs over the next decade, with an average salary from $75,000 to $100,000.

The proposal, if passed, also improves Texas’ supply chain, as well as its healthcare system. 

Harris County Proposition A 

Harris County Proposition A is a project in which Harris Health facilities will be rebuilt, due to rising population.

The proposed $2.5 billion bond replaces the existing LBJ hospital with a Level One Trauma Center. It would also allocate funding to build a new community clinic and have a higher capacity at Ben Taub Hospital. 

Houston Proposition B 

Also known as the Fair for Houston campaign, Proposition B is a bill that amends the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Houston’s regional government consisting of eight counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton, to consider population into its voting structure. 

The proposition has been endorsed by several mayoral candidates, which includes frontrunners U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and state Sen. John Whitmore, it became one of the leading topics in the election.

The campaign will “ensure that everyone in the region has a fair voice and fair representation in important decisions,” ranging from flood control, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, childcare vouchers, and more, according to the Houston-Galveston Area PAC.

Texas Proposition 1

Proposition 1 establishes a constitutional right for people who farm, ranch or garden a land that they lease. This would allow state officials to allow some jurisdictions to protect public health if needed, but it may become difficult for them to create new farming laws in the future if the proposal passes. 

Texas Proposition 2

Proposition 2 is a property tax exemption for childcare facilities. This allows providers to improve wages, as well as to make tuition rates affordable for parents. 

Texas Proposition 3

Proposition 3 is a proposal on abolishing the ‘wealth tax,’ a term that is used to tax wealthy residents. Many Texas residents from both lower and middle-class would be affected by this if passed, meaning that they would have to pay more as opposed to affluent people. 

Texas Proposition 4

Proposition 4 provides homeowners within school districts a greater tax exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. It also includes a limit on how much tax each district can apply on elderly and disabled homeowners. 

Texas Proposition 7

Proposition 7 will create a fund to improve, manage and maintain utilities — particularly electric and natural gas. This, however, would not apply to wind and solar-based facilities, according to the Houston Landing.  

Texas Proposition 9

Proposition 9  makes adjustment on the cost-of-living pensions from the Teachers Retirement System of Texas. This would increase the amount of money retired teachers received as a part of their retirement benefits. 

Proposition 11

Proposition 11 issues bonds to conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County. This would allow them to fund parks, environmental conservation areas and recreational facilities. 

Proposition 12

Proposition 12 would allow for the abolishment of the Galveston County Treasurer. If passed, the county would employ a designated officer or other qualified individual. Hank Dugie, the county’s current treasurer, called for the position to be abolished during his 2022 campaign. 

Proposition 13

Proposition 13  increases the retirement age for state judges and justices. If passed, the minimum age to retire would rise from 70 to 75, and the max from 75 to 79. 

Proposition 14

Proposition 14 establishes a centennial park conservation fund. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receives $1 billion from the state for creating new parks, and improving existing ones. 

Early voting starts on Oct. 23rd and the election will be held on Nov. 7. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“City elections, propositions on the ballot” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/ The Cougar

Last Thursday, the Texas House passed three immigration bills after debating almost the entire night on them.

One of the bills that drew the most attention was House Bill 4, which if passed, would allow law enforcement officers to arrest, apprehend or send back immigrants who cross the border illegally.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, will make it a state crime to migrate to the U.S. without legal authorization, said assistant political science professor Michael Kistner.

“This is important, because immigration enforcement is traditionally considered a federal responsibility – the nation as a whole decides how to police its borders,” Kistner said. “A first offense would be a misdemeanor, but repeated offenses or failing to return to Mexico when ordered to would be felonies that could entail multiple years imprisonment.”

In a rare move to end the debate sooner, state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, made a motion to block new amendments. After the motion passed, House Speaker Dade Phelan called the house on a break and it stood at ease for hours, until lawmakers returned and the additional amendments were passed.

State Rep. Armando Lucio Walle, D-Houston, confronted Harris and said that it is unfair for Republicans to end a debate early.

“It hurts us to our f—-ing core,” Walle said, according to a video posted on social media. “And you don’t understand that you don’t live in our skin. And that’s what pisses me off.”

Kistner said that harassment of the Hispanic community remains a concern, unless a law enforcement offer actually sees someone crossing the border outside of authorized places of entry, it’s essentially impossible to know who is or is not a legal resident.

“Passing this bill and giving these powers to state law enforcement officers, thus raises the risk that law enforcement officers use other cues – skin color, language proficiency, etc. – to accuse people of being illegal aliens,” he said.

The bill grants the power to any law enforcement officers that have the authority to enforce state laws to arrest any suspected unauthorized immigrants.

To restrict the power of state law enforcement officers, house Democrats introduced  amendments limiting the enforcement ability to only apply when a border crossing is witnessed in person and limiting these powers to Texas Public Safety officials, but they did not pass.

Former legislative aid for Walle and sociology senior Esme Ledezma is outraged by this bill and said that it brings “constant fear” for families.

“This bill is heartbreaking. It tears families apart, it disrespects entire communities, and it shows where the true cultural values of Texas politics lie,” she said.

Approximately 44.5% of the city is Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If this bill passes, it would have a broader impact on students at UH.

“There is a significant Hispanic population at UH and this bill would tear families apart, which could impact enrollment and graduation rates. Additionally, it could provide more barriers to undocumented students applying to the University,” Ledezma said.

Furthermore, students would be hesitant to reach out to UHPD for help if they think there is chance they or someone they know could be deported. This could lead to victims unable to get the justice or resources they deserve, Ledezma added.

The bill passed the Texas House by 84-60 vote and is now headed to the Senate, where there is firm GOP support for boarder security.

In the past courts have struck down laws when they think states are intruding on federal powers. The bill authors argue that this bill doesn’t preempt any federal authority, it only supplements it.

“While the bill’s text does not use the word “deport”, what it describes is very close to deportation. If this bill passes, I would expect this to get challenged in court, with a good chance that it makes it to the Supreme Court,” Kistner said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Texas House Bill 4 leads to outrage among Latino community” was originally posted on The Cougar

For now, students frustrated by the University’s SB 17 response continue to demand answers from the school. | John Lomax/The Cougar

Since the passing of Senate Bill 17 and the closure of the LGBTQ resource center, students have been struggling to fill in the void created by the lack of diversity and inclusion initiatives for public universities. 

For UH GLOBAL President Kaitie Tolman, replacing the LGBTQ resource center’s services remains a constant uphill battle, from coordinating with other organizations to dealing with the University’s response to SB 17. Tolman and other student leaders feel frustrated by not only the banning of these initiatives but also the lack of a suitable alternative and the silence of the university administration.

“They’re doing everything in their power to not assist us,” Tolman said. “I sleep an average of three hours a night because of the amount of homework because of all this. It is not fair to anyone on campus, but that’s the position we put ourselves in because the alternative is not having any help for LGBTQ students.”

According to Tolman, this issue spans across many LGBTQ student organizations and is among many other problems students have with the university’s compliance with SB 17.

Student struggles

Under the text of SB 17, Texas public universities are prohibited from funding diversity, equity and inclusion programs. However, it does not explicitly prevent universities from delegating the responsibility of these resources from these programs to smaller, student-run organizations.

However, the University refused to share these resources to student leaders like Tolman who wish to take up the responsibility of the defunct resource center.

These include lists of how they ran programs, LGBTQ-friendly providers and other internal information about how the resource center used to operate, more specifically which services were dropped by the University.

“We are kind of coming together to help out and make sure nothing gets dropped and supporting each other,” Tolman said.  “And so when we don’t even know what is dropped, it becomes a problem.” 

The process of acquiring this information requires students to search through archived internet websites and communicate with university administration, a long and gradual process for organizations and one that might not yield the results they want.

The University eventually sent out information detailing the programs that were canceled due to SB 17, but only after public information requests made by students. Tolman feels that she shouldn’t have to take legal action to get this information and even then, this information is not enough.

According to Tolman, asking the university for guidance on conducting DEI programs becomes “a wild goose chase,” as administration officials refer her to others without providing any information. 

The University’s interpretation

Another issue for student organizations is the lack of transparency from the university as to how they are interpreting the bill. 

While UH does provide similar information about DEI changes as the University of Texas and  Texas A&M by outlining the extent to which the university can and cannot offer DEI resources, and that universities should not deny benefits to any organization that aims to conduct DEI programming, its actions after the passing of SB 17 are contradictory. 

For Tolman, the University’s adherence to SB 17 is among the strictest of Texas universities, as while they claim they don’t wish to deny benefits to student organizations, Tolman finds that they often ignore her requests for information. This makes it more difficult for GLOBAL and other organizations to function to their fullest extent.

“They are not preventing us from being an organization, but it’s a matter of over-compliance,” Tolman said. 

Going forward

For now, students frustrated by the University’s SB 17 response continue to demand answers from the school and going forward, they also plan on working with other student organizations that demand more change.

Organizations such as GLOBAL have received solidarity from other student associations in their frustration regarding the University’s actions, including Young Democratic Socialists of America, who platformed their outrage against SB 17 during their walkout protest.

The leader of YDSA, economics sophomore Harrison Martin, also feels the administration has abandoned LGBTQ students and other students who demand transparency. This led to him creating a coalition with GLOBAL and other organizations to promote collective support. 

“Students don’t really have any power to affect the day-to-day happenings at the University, and I feel like we could turn out more people by bringing in more issues and getting the faculty on our side,” Martin said. 

When inquired about whether the university plans to be more receptive to third-party organizations, the university claims that they are “adhering to SB 17 without exceeding the necessary requirements” and that the Center for Student Advocacy and Community will substitute the LGBTQ resource center. To many LGBTQ students however, this new center is not an adequate replacement.

“I feel frustrated and sad and scared because if the state can remove our safe spaces, what else can they do to us?” said biology senior Orion Harper. “Safe spaces save lives, and the University has not been doing an adequate job of compensating for the loss of the resource center.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Students frustration surrounding DEI resources grow” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Launched in early October, UH partnered with the app Welltrack Boost as part of its continued efforts to improve mental health on campus.

The app, which is available for free on the App Store or Google Play, uses clinically-supported cognitive behavioral therapy and self-guided activities to help students with their mental health and overall well-being.

Overview

After downloading the app, students will be asked to answer questions regarding their demographics and then to fill out a short survey about their stress levels and similar feelings.

Using the feature “MoodCheck,” students can do daily check-ins of their mood, tasks and overall feelings. Students can later look back and view their progress in a journal form.

The app has something for everyone, from courses designed to help overcome anxiety, to a guide to healthier sleep. There are also screenings available for anxiety and depression, along with alcohol use and resiliency.

Through the “resources” menu, more information is available for sexual violence, addiction, finances and more. Once choosing a category, a list of UH-specific offices will appear and students can choose where they want to be redirected to.

Welltrack’s “tools” menu includes a thought diary and “The Zen Room,” which lets users choose ambient noise and a meditation type. Available noises include a campfire, river and birds, and meditations include breathing exercises and relaxing phrases.

The “activity scheduler” is extremely useful for students, as it allows them to plan out not only homework, but also social activities and self care.

Review

Working while also being enrolled full-time in classes is no easy feat, so I gave Welltrack a shot to see if it could ease some of my stress.

While it’s no miracle worker, the app gave me the tools needed to practice more self-care and set aside time to recharge. The ambient noise became a quick favorite, but I also learned to enjoy MoodCheck, as it forced me to take a step back and recognize my feelings and stressors.

The scheduling tool proved to be extremely useful and helped with time-blocking and making sure I stuck to my word and got my work done.

It’s also nice to have a wellness app to turn to when I’m killing time on my phone instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media.

With finals coming up, the continued importance of mental wellbeing is stressed and so are we. Using your UH email, you can download the Welltrack Boost app and see what it has to offer for your habits and overall mental health..

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Welltrack Boost: A look at UH’s partnered mental health app” was originally posted on The Cougar

“Homecoming is when alumni come to campus and they celebrate campus culture. Students like to do things like bed races which is kind of like a traditional thing,” said homecoming chair Valerie Ejiogu. | Gauraangi Gupta/The Cougar

Homecoming is a traditional event celebrated all across the United States at different universities and is a time for alumni to reconnect with their college communities. 

The University will host a bunch of fun activities and opportunities to interact with current students as well as the returning alumni. This year, homecoming week is Nov. 6 through Nov. 11.

“Homecoming is when alumni come to campus and they celebrate campus culture. Students like to do things like bed races which is kind of like a traditional thing,” said homecoming chair Valerie Ejiogu.

Homecoming 2023

To become a part of the tradition. students can partake with a team of five in “The Spirit Cup.”

According to director of productions Jaden Paige, the Homecoming Board will be announced on Nov. 6, followed by the talent show “Stretch your Stuff” the next day.

Wednesday will see the Bed Races where students will be given a bed and wheels and will decorate the bed and race it against other competitors. 

Thursday will have ‘Canstruction’ where participants will build using cans and the best building will win points. According to Director of Court Activities Madison Marshall, the cans will be later donated to the Metropolitan Volunteer Program.

Cougar Quest will be conducted on Friday at Lynn Eusan Park where students can find a bunch of different things like inflatables, photo booths, mechanical bull, mini golf as well as food.

Homecoming week will end with the football game and announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen on Saturday.

Homecoming over the years

At the UH, homecoming is a tradition dating back to 1946. After World War II, as students started enrolling homecoming became one of the many traditions that are still followed to this day. 

Around this time the football team joined the Lone Star Conference, the marching band was organized and the first bonfire was held. 

Here are a few notable events that took place over the timeline of Homecoming at UH:

UH has a rich history with the first homecoming held on Nov. 16, 1946. It was “dedicated to students and former students of the University who served in World War II.”

The festivities consisted of the football game against the North Texas Eagles, a barbeque, a barn dance and the crowning of Mary Ray Curry as the first ever Homecoming Queen. 

Apart from homecoming becoming an annual event, UH witnessed a very special arrival on the campus: UH’s first live mascot. 

Following a contest to name the cougar, Shasta’s name was announced at the Friday night homecoming bonfire.

Referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World,” the UH football team played their first homecoming game at the Astrodome on Nov. 6, 1965.

In November 1968, Lynn Eusan was crowned as the first African-American Homecoming Queen, making her the first at a predominantly white university in the South.

1996 marks the 50th HOCO of UH. The football team returned to campus, playing homecoming and other home games in Robertson Stadium. The Cougars prevailed 56-49 against 20th-ranked Southern Mississippi.

More information about UH’s homecoming history can be viewed here.

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“UH homecoming 2023, history at a glance” was originally posted on The Cougar