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magazine
How UH’s newest campus residence could impact
the University’s goal of becoming a flagship school
Before you arrived
The story of how UH overcame
many obstacles to turn into the
institution it is today
A MAGAZINE FOR NEW STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
a lofty addition
Join the cluB
UH has hundreds of student organizations
catering to almost every student’s interests
Summer 09 | Volume 19
2 TRANSIT IONS
TRANSIT IONS 3
Thank you for choosing the University of Houston. We are excited to have you as part of our international family. We are confident that our world-class programs and diverse campus environment will position you for academic excellence and give you a competitive edge when you leave us to embark on your successful career.
I hope you find this magazine a useful first step in exploring your new Cougar home. As the fourth-largest city in the nation, Houston will offer you an exciting urban backdrop for your education. Beginning with Transitions magazine, UH can connect you with enriching academic, cultural, professional and social communities both on and off our campus.
Your time at UH promises to be an experience you will never forget. So, dive into your classes and enjoy the vibrant campus around you!
Welcome to The University of Houston. Welcome to The Pride.
Renu Khator, PresidentUniversity of Houston
FelloW CoUgARS,
U N I V E R S I T Y of H O U S T O N
WELCOMET O T H E P R I D E
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6 TRANSIT IONS
TRANSIT IONS 7
114 Ezekiel Cullen
8 TRANSIT IONS
uh history
historyin the making
Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer, the institution’s first president, is to credit for naming UH.
San Jacinto High School served as a location for night classes during the University’s beginning.
The Roy G. Cullen Building was one of the first buildings constructed and now houses the Department of English.
The school’s inaugural body had only 230 students and eight faculty members. Houston Junior College didn’t even have its own building, holding classes at a local church and night classes at San Jacinto High School (now the Houston Community College-Central at 1300 Holman St.).
President Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer had a plan to transform this patchwork opera-tion into a four-year institute of higher learning that would serve Houstonians who couldn’t get into the prestigious Rice University or attend schools outside the city.
Oberholtzer stuck with his plan
and made it work. Thanks in large part to Oberholtzer’s vision, the aptly named University of Houston would eventually serve its initial purpose and so many others.
UH got its foundation when the Houston Independent School District Board of Education granted a charter for the Houston Junior College on May 7, 1927. Oberholtzer, then the superinten-dent of HISD, was appointed as the college’s first president.
Oberholtzer pushed for the college to become a four-year
university and the HISD Board of Education unanimously ap-proved a measure Sept. 11, 1933 that made this a reality. The new institute was named the Univer-sity of Houston and was granted a charter in 1934.
Still, the new university had no land or buildings of its own, continuing to hold day classes at local churches and night classes at San Jacinto High School.
That all changed in 1936 when the heirs of the J.J. Settegast estate and real estate developer
Adversity has transformed UH into a school with big plans for the future || By ronnie turner
W hen Houston Junior College opened its doors for the first time on June 7, 1927, there was little evidence to suggest the tiny institute
would grow into one of Texas’ major universities.
TRANSIT IONS 9
The Ezekiel W. Cullen Building, which opened in 1950, is the primary administrative head-quarters of the UH System.
Ben Taub gave UH roughly 108 acres of swamp land in southeast Houston. However, they handed over the deeds with the stipula-tion that construction must begin on the land by January 1, 1938, or UH would lose the property.
Oberholtzer and Vice President Walter W. Kemmerer immedi-ately went in search of a wealthy philanthropist who could become UH’s first major benefactor. They found the perfect fit in oilman Hugh Roy Cullen. A San Antonio native, Cullen was the epitome of a philanthropist. By the time of his death in 1957, he had given away an estimated 90 percent of his wealth.
Cullen made an initial gift of $260,000 to UH, which was used for the creation of the school’s liberal arts building, named the Roy G. Cullen Memorial in honor of Hugh Roy Cullen’s late son. The elder Cullen also helped organize UH’s first major fundraising cam-paign and would remain one of
the school’s biggest benefactors.The new campus opened
in 1939 and remained under jurisdiction of the HISD Board of Education until it was privatized with a board of regents in 1945. Oberholtzer retired from his post in 1949, but not before overseeing the creation of the architecture school (1945), pharmacy school (1946) and law school (1947).
UH continued to receive dona-tions from the Cullen family, the Cullen Foundation, the M.D. An-derson Foundation and the Ford Foundation, but still needed more assistance for its growing campus. On Nov. 30, 1959, the Board of Regents voted to seek funding from the state.
UH initiated a campaign to join the state’s system of higher education and receive the finan-cial assistance that came with membership.
The campaign was a success as UH was admitted into the Texas State University System in 1961.
The move was made effective in 1963. From there, the University took off.
Phillip Guthrie Hoffman, president from 1961-1977, was the mastermind behind much of this growth. His expansion plan resulted in 25 new buildings. He also helped establish the Univer-sity of Houston System, which includes four universities, two teaching centers, a public broad-cast educational television station (KUHT-TV) and a distance-learn-ing program.
During this same period, the school’s athletics program made strides. The football team, under the direction of Bill Yeoman, had 17 winning seasons and made 11 bowl appearances from 1962 to 1986. Guy V. Lewis coached the
men’s basketball team from 1956 to 86 and led it to 14 NCAA Tour-nament berths, five Final Four appearances and two national runner-up finishes.
Dave Williams led the Cougars golf team to an unprecedented 16 NCAA championships during his tenure from 1952 to 1987.
Today, UH is Houston’s largest university and is still growing. It boasts an enrollment of more than 35,000 students and the campus sits on approximately 560 acres of land. U.S. News and Report named UH the nation’s second-most ethnically diverse university in 2006.
With President Renu Khator on board, the school is continuing its campaign to become Texas’s next flagship university, joining the ranks of Rice, the University of Texas and Texas A&M.
As Oberholtzer and others have demonstrated during the last 81 years, no task is too large for UH to handle.
The annual Frontier Fiesta gives students a night out in an a town named “Fiesta City.” This tradition dates back to 1940 — when Houston was much smaller — and has awarded more than $70,000 in scholarships during the last 15 years.
A group of industrious students started the festival in an attempt to bring together students and the community. The event was discontinued in 1959, but returned with new additions in 1992.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESy OF THE HOUSTONIAN
The new institute was named the University of
Houston and was granted a charter in 1934.
1 0 TRANSIT IONS
i ncoming students may be wondering, “where’s the beef?” and while they’re at it, where the best smoothie can be
found.
The answer to all these questions is right here on campus. Most of these centers of sustenance are usu-ally located near places where students are going to be spending the majority of their time.
Besides, it makes sense to eat on campus between
classes, not only because of traffic, but also because of the gas students could save.
For starters, there’s the University Center, located behind the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. Even if you’re not the studying type, you’re bound to spend time at the library. Plus, it’s a quiet place to take a nap after a great meal.
The UC has plenty of dining options. Students who want a restaurant setting can head to Chili’s Too, where alcohol is served. Some of the appetizers from Chili’s are
WHERE’S THE
BEEF?Students at UH are offered a variety of convenient dining choices || By PhilliPe craig
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
TRANSIT IONS 1 1
dining on camPus
big enough to be a meal. The hamburgers require two hands and plenty of napkins.
Those with less time can grab a meal from Chick-fil-A or Wendy’s. Students can also get a good meal at Extreme Pita. Don’t forget to try one of the killer rolls from AFC Sushi. After-ward, you can cool off with some ice cream from Shasta’s Cones and More or satisfy your caffeine fix at Java City.
The UC Satellite, located between the Science and Research 2 and Communica-tion buildings, is another hot spot for dining. Here, you’ll find another Chick-fil-A and a Kim Son that serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.
The Satellite also has a Taco Bell with plenty of menu items for less than a dollar. Montague’s Deli, which serves everything from stacked sandwiches to decadent par-faits, is another option.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack for the inevitable trek across campus, there’s a Smoothie King with an assortment of drink options. Students can’t go wrong with any-thing that has bananas or strawberries in it. Last but not least is Starbucks, where you can get the jolt required for those dreaded 8 a.m. classes.
The Recreation and Wellness Center has several options within walking distance as well, including a Smoothie King inside the building and a Maui Wowi across the street. This Maui Wowi serves both blended fruit beverages and coffee drinks.
Next door to Maui Wowi is Subway, which is a great place to grab a healthy and inexpen-sive sandwich for that post-workout meal.
On the same block is the Cougar Den, specializing in libations and spirits for those seeking something stronger than a shake or latte.
One of the most popular places for on-campus dining is near the Welcome Center. McAlister’s Deli, which serves up some seri-ous sandwiches and baked potatoes, almost
Besides, it makes sense to eat on
campus between classes, not only
because of traffic, but also because
of the gas students could save.
always draws a lunchtime crowd. Next to McAlister’s is Tealicious, which is
known for its tasty teas and tapioca drinks.With all of these options, and many more
around campus, incoming freshman should accept the freshmen fifteen as a part of life. They can shed those pounds in the winter, then begin the cycle once again.
Healthy menu choices, including chicken salads, are available at all on-campus dining locations.
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
Chili’s Too allows students to take a break and unwind in a true restaurant setting.
PHOTO By MARIAH DAVIS
The two convenience stores on campus pro-vide healthy and sweet options. Alcohol is not sold at either location.
PHOTO By MARIAH DAVIS
1 2 TRANSIT IONS
U N I V E R S I T Y of H O U S T O NTHE DEAN of STUDENTS OFFICE
When you don’t know where to go for assistance, come to the Dean of Students Office.
That’s the suggestion of the staff members who provide assistance to all students with university-related concerns through the Dean of Students.
Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to students or make referrals to others on campus who can help.
Promoting a campus environment that provides an opportunity for all students to learn and grow is an important function of the Office. This includes enforcing University policies and working with the University Hearing Board and the Student Traffic Court.
The Dean of STuDenTS office STaff are available To aSSiST STuDenTS who have queSTionS or concernS.
Fall & Spring Semester Office Hours 8 aM To 8 PM, Monday-Thursday, 8 aM To 5 PM Friday
For more information call 743-5470 or coMe by rM. 252 in The universiTy cenTer, hTTP://www.uh.eDu/DoS
D E A N of S T U D E N T S O F F I C E
Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to
Promoting a campus environment that provides an opportunity for all students to learn and Promoting a campus environment that provides an opportunity for all students to learn and grow is an important function of the Office. This includes enforcing University policies and grow is an important function of the Office. This includes enforcing University policies and
Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to Through the Ombudservice, Dean of Students staff members will provide assistance directly to
TRANSIT IONS 13
Define your
On behalf of the 46th administration of the Student Government Association at the University of Houston, we would like to welcome you to this exceptional institution.
Since 1927, students have benefited from the excellent education provided by our distinguished faculty and gained professional insight from their active and spirited involvement on campus. As our campus continues
to flourish, consider how you will leave your paw print on the cougar nation!
If you are interested in expanding your college horizons and enhancing your knowledge environment, the UH Student Government Association is the ideal organization for you. We are here to make sure that the interests of our students are always represented in the decision making process. The SGA works diligently to serve the concerns and demands of the students. Campus improvement and student satisfaction are two major priorities for the SGA. The SGA operates with three branches similar to those of the U.S. government: executive, legislative, and judicial. More specifically, through SGA you are afforded the opportunity to represent your college and improve your academic experience individually. Through involvement in the SGA or by serving on multiple university committees, you will be provided with countless ways to embrace student life and be proactive on campus. This is a wonderful opportunity for each of you to make a valuable contribution to your
university and make a real difference in the lives of your fellow students.
Only one unanswered question about your college experience remains:
How will you make a difference?
Kenneth FomunungPresident
Prince WilsonVice President
Kyrie Ruiz Speaker of the Senate
Carlos ReyesDirector of Finance
Andrea ZambranoDirector of Public Relations
Activities Funding Board•A.D. Bruce Religion Center Policy •BoardAthletic Advisory Board•Bookstore Advisory Committee•Campus Facilities Planning •Committee Center for Students with •Disabilities Advisory BoardChild Care Center Advisory Board•Emergency Planning Committee•
Food Services Advisory Committee•Undergraduate Council•Graduate and Professional Studies •CouncilHealth Center Advisory Board•International Students Advisory •CouncilLibrary Committee•Organizations Board•Recreation Advisory Committee• Safety and Security Advisory •
BoardSexual Harassment Board•Scholarships and Financial Aid •Advisory Committee Student Fee Advisory Committee•Student Publications Committee•Student Traffic Court•Substance Abuse Prevention •Advisory BoardTeaching Excellence Awards •Committee
Title IX Grievance Committee•Transportation and Parking •Advisory BoardUndergraduate Admissions Review •CommitteeUniversity Commission on •WomenUniversity Hearing Board•University of Houston Art •Acquisition CommitteeWeb Advisory Committee•
college experience!
Mariam ZakariaDirector of External Affairs
Don’t miss your opportunity to be active on campus. Visit our website (UH.edu/sga) to inquire how to enhance your professional sphere by applying for our internship program or serving on the following university panels:
Visit us at our office at 51 University Center Rm. 57 or give us a call at 713-743-5220
1 4 TRANSIT IONS
www.career.uh.edu
UNIVERSITYCAREER SERVICES
UCS
U N I V E R S I T Y o f H O U S T O N
University Career Services • 106 Student Service Center 1Houston, TX 77204-3040 • 713.743.5100 • 713.743.5111 (fax)[email protected]
The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. 6097 | PMG | SF | RS
UCS
UCS
UCS
UCS
Start thinking Career!about your
University Career Services is your source for:
• Help Choosing Your Major• College Work-Study Jobs• Career Counseling• Vocational Assessments• Job Postings• Internship Programs• Résumé Critiques• Career Fairs and Workshops
TRANSIT IONS 15
U n i ve r s i t y o f H o u s t o n
Police
713-743-3333Fire Marshal
713-743-1635Parking enForceMent
713-743-5849
www.uh.edu/police
Serving Our University Community
D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c S a f e t y
1 6 TRANSIT IONS
TRANSIT IONS 17
GET ONLINE
GET ONLINE
GET ONLINE
NOT IN LINE
FALL PARKING
REGISTRATIONOPENS JULY 15TH!
You have better things to do with your time. Avoid the long lines by registering ONLINE.
It’s easy and simple!
Here’s what you do:
First, visit our new simpler registration website at www.uh.edu/parking and click on Student Permit Registration.Log in using your MyUH (PeopleSoft) number and click on Purchase A Permit.Chose the permit you want, pick the address you want it sent to and last pick how you want to pay for it and that’s it.Your permit will be mailed to the address you selected starting the first week in August.Or, if you prefer, we can now hold you permit at our office until you come and pick it up!
Still not convinced! Read the following reasons why registering online makes more sense.
NO WAITING IN LINE! Make the best of your higher education, don’t spend it waiting in line!ADD TO FEE BILL By registering online, your permit fee is added to your tuition bill before the due date. If you come to the office, you will receive a second bill for your parking permit.AVOID PARKING TICKETS Students who wait until the last minute to register for parking are more likely to receive a parking citation.FREE COLOR MAP! Receive your copy of the latest campus map to help you familiarize yourself with the campus and plan your school day.LIMITED GARAGE PERMITS We usually run out of permits by the first day of school. Order online to make sure you get yours!
GET ONLINE
GET ONLINE
GET ONLINE
Parking & Transportation Services Room 112, Welcome Center Garage - [email protected] - www.uh.edu/parking - (713) 743-1097
NEW
WEBSITE!
ingredients
TRANSIT IONS 19
liBrary
For succor succEssss Stay on top of class projects by using technological resources from the library || By Zoa khan
s tanding more than 2 million book titles tall in the middle of UH is the M.D. Anderson
Memorial Library, which is ready to serve all of your studious needs with a team of research librarians and powerful multimedia at your disposal.
UH’s library system, which was remodeled in 2004, is designed to tailor to each of the 36,000 students’ various academic needs.
The system is composed of 13 libraries. The most frequently used are the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library and the John O’Quinn Law Library. Students can also take advantage of the University’s electronic libraries, such as the Chemistry and Mexican American Studies libraries.
One of the most unique and powerful tools of the library system is its team of subject-specialized librarians who are always available to aid students with various research projects. When students need to conduct research, the specialized librarians can point students to any kind of data ranging from specific statistics to books and periodicals.
The M.D. Anderson Memorial Library’s collection maintains resources tailored to all curricula taught in classrooms, major research the University is conducting and past research.
In addition to print titles, the library offers e-books, research journals and databases, such as JSTOR and LexisNexis. These databases allow students to find information that helps them write critiques for an English course or a research paper for almost any course.
One of the most exciting additions to the
library is the Learning Commons, which opened in Spring 2009.
The Learning Commons is designed to aid students in their digital multimedia needs. Research tools are available, but the processing tools offered at the Commons allow students to complete presentations and projects that require expensive digital equipment.
Need powerful computers to process inten-sive research? The Learning Commons hosts 18 Dell Optiplex 755 PCs, set up with dual 24-inch widescreen monitors and DVD burners.
Those who prefer a Mac can use one of the five Apple iMacs, featuring the entire Adobe Creative Suite 3 master collection, QuickTime Player, iMovie, iDVD and Mathematica 6.
Students who need to enhance their stel-lar multimedia presentations can check out
Panasonic digital video cameras, Canon digital point-and-shoot cameras, CanoScan USB scanners and PlanOn DocuPen scanners.
As an incoming freshman or transfer stu-dent, it may be difficult to predict what your research and computing needs will be. The UH library system is an incredibly effective ally, providing almost everything you will need to maintain a high GPA.
Sometimes students can’t make the trip to the library, but still need to conduct research. By visiting http://info.lib.uh.edu/undergradu-ates.html students can still browse the cataates.html students can still browse the cataates.html -logue and log on to electronic databases from home. All that’s needed is your last name and PeopleSoft ID.
To find out about other resources the UH li-brary system offers, visit http://info.lib.uh.edubrary system offers, visit http://info.lib.uh.edubrary system offers, visit
The M.D. Anderson Library has plenty of quiet space for study-ing or conducting research.
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
2 0 TRANSIT IONS
THE DAILY COUGAR
Need a job?A place to live?
We’ve got you covered.
Help wanted and housing ads listed daily in print and online at thedailycougar.com
dCatalina Villaged
Come check out the biggest apartments in town, our new look will move you!
Catalina Village3560 Dixie Drive
Houston, TX 77021
(713)747-7238E-mail: [email protected]
Features:y European-style cabinetry
y Full-size washer/dryery Nine-foot ceilings
y Two tone paint
y Wood plank flooringy Spacious walk-in closets
y Small pets acceptedy Expansive bay windows
y Remote-access gates
One Bedroom 1003 SQ. FT.! Two bedroom 1322 SQ. FT.!1 BDRM from $699 w 2 BRDM from $869
Directions: Exit Holcombe Boulevard off Hwy. 288, toward US 90/Old Spanish Trail. Turn west on OST (away from medical center), turn left onto Tierwester. Turn left onto
Dixie Drive. Leasing Center is on your left.
TRANSIT IONS 21
MajoRr eceiving your college accep-
tance letter is exciting, but it comes with a lot of questions.
Questions such as what will I major in and what am I going to do with the rest of my life.
Some people know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their life when they graduate high school. Oth-ers have no idea.
Some think they do, but change their minds as soon as they begin to take courses or talk to their friends about their options.
Whether you have no idea what your major is going to be, or have some idea, but still need more information before you make the big decision, you are in luck.
With more than 300 degrees at UH, 112 of which are bachelor’s degrees, you have plenty of options to choose from.
If you take an interest in science, UH has degrees for you. How about music? UH also has you covered. Math,
psychology, anthropology, interior design, industrial de-sign or health may be an interest for you. With just about every degree you can imagine, and some you can’t, UH has a variety of selections to choose from.
To help you narrow your choices, you could select a degree in one of the University’s most popular col-leges. With about 15 departments, 8,419 students and degrees ranging from English to economics, UH’s Col-lege of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is the biggest college at the University.
Want to be part of CLASS? Get a degree in Com-munication, one of the college’s most popular majors. You could also go into the English department and get a degree in creative writing and then proceed into the Graduate Program in Creative Writing, which US News & World Report ranked No. 2 nationwide.
While CLASS is the biggest college in terms of student population, it is not the most popular.
C.T. Bauer College of Business is the most renowned college at the University with 5,645 students. Bauer ranks as the top business school in Houston, third among Texas schools and 63rd nationwide. With degrees in account-
maJor
Choosing a major is a decision all students must face || By Patricia estrada
22 TRANSIT IONS
PRESSURE
ing, finance, supply chain management and marketing, Bauer gives its students a top education with real-world experience.
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is also a good option for students interested in environ-mental science, chemistry or geophysics. Students who join NSM will learn from more than 170 ranked faculty members, including three National Academy of Science members.
The Conrad H. Hilton College of Hotel and Res-taurant Management, ranked third in the nation in hospitality management in 2002, is also one of the most popular colleges.
The most popular degrees in 2008 included account-ing, biology, finance, hotel and restaurant management, marketing, political science, psychology and public relations.
On the more advanced side, UH’s graduate schools offer a great variety of programs with 135 master degrees and 54 doctoral degrees.
The UH Law program ranks 55th in the nation out of
200 law schools. The UH Law Center offers students J.D., L.L.M. and concurrent degrees that allow students to ob-tain two degrees in less time than individual programs would require.
The Graduate School of Social Work offer students the opportunity to obtain a M.S.W. and doctorate with dual degree opportunities in business, law and public health. Additionally, the college offers certificates in gerontology and political social work.
Despite all the options available at UH, most fresh-men (47.6 percent) and sophomores (31.6 percent) in 2008 were undeclared. And this is perfectly acceptable, and in most cases a smart choice. Students who are undeclared are part of University studies; you cannot get a degree in this program. This allows students to take all their core courses before they have to choose a major their junior year, or after taking 45 course hours.
But remember, whatever major you choose, perse-verance and hard work will take you a long way. College degrees alone will not guarantee you a job, and while they will significantly improve your chances, experience and skills will land you a spot in the workforce.
TRANSIT IONS 23
2 4 TRANSIT IONS
your gPa
A fun time at college will not be worthwhile to a falling GPA || By sarah krusleski
makingthegrade
AVoiding c’s, d’s and f’s
Falling behind in a course leads to poor performance. Follow these tips to stay informed and on task.
Go to class: If you go to class, you’re more likely to receive a better explanation of the »material. Plus, you can ask questions and find out about extra credit opportunities.Take notes: Powerpoint and handouts are great, but writing notes helps with the »memorization process. This also forces you to actively listen to your professor.Work with people who have good attitudes: Doing a class project with a lazy student »puts you in a tight spot. To avoid a bad grade, work with ambitious students who will share the load. Study on a regular basis: Avoid those dreaded all-night cram sessions. your brain needs »time to rest, so don’t expect to make an A after a sleepless night of studying.Keep your priorities straight: College should be one of the most important things in »your life. It’s okay to take an occasional break, but stay organized and create more than enough time to be prepared for exams and projects.
y our GPA can make or break your eligibility for scholar-ships, organizations and
even your entrance into the work-force, but many students struggle to balance extracurricular activities and studies.
Accounting junior Eric Tran saw his first se-mester GPA of 3.85 decline after his freshman year because involvement in activities created a distraction from his courses.
“I definitely want to try to join more clubs, be more involved, maybe try to go for officer positions, but that’s going to take a backseat to my studying,” Tran said.
Another problem for many students is the low amount of time invested in studying. While some students may find an affinity for certain subjects, there are no substitutes for refresh-ing on the concepts learned in class through habitual studying every night or week.
“What worked for me back in my fresh-man year was I spent my nights mainly inside the library studying, studying, studying,” Tran said. “I guess picking a quiet place to study for hours and have that focus, that perseverance, is definitely what would help me out, and that’s definitely something that I would recommend for everybody.”
Communication junior Jose Parr said taking extra credit opportunities and re-taking quiz-
zes can improve grades, but better study habits and test grades made a stronger impact.
“I think my study habits are atrocious and tests are the biggest percentages in grades,” Parr said.
Parr copes with his poor habits by studying for tests earlier than the night before.
“At least if I get distracted I still have time to come back and continue studying,” Parr said. “I don’t make straight A’s.”
Psychology senior Alicia Whitmire has several techniques for coping with the over-whelming amount of material covered by exams.
“I think the best study habit freshman year was diagramming some of my notes, and read-ing a little before class,” Whitmire said.
Whitmire created plenty of studying mate-rial by recording lectures and taking detailed notes. She also suggested taking a break during study sessions to avoid anxiety.
However, Whitmire’s study skills were not without flaws.
“I think the biggest habit I should break would be to study on my bed, or have a lot of distractions,” Whitmire said. “I do this because I can be a bit comfy when I study, perhaps too comfortable. I don’t think I will break this habit, but I may try to study in different areas of the room or away from my room.”
College is the time to prove your indepen-dence and ability to buckle down, despite adversity. While studying can be the least interesting part of college, a great GPA stands out in a crowd.
“You go to class, you learn it, you go home, you review. That’s going to be my daily ritual,” Tran said.
TRANSIT IONS 25
online resources
u H is ready for the future as its WebCT Vista software is progressively shifting to
Blackboard Vista.
With more students coming in and more classes being offered, the University is march-ing toward a more efficient and intuitive online utility for students and professors. The transi-tion allows students to manage courses in both systems. Blackboard Vista is expected to be fully functional by 2010.
WebCT Vista, which was adopted into UH’s system in Fall 2004, set a new standard for the fast-paced electronic style of learning.
“I find (WebCT) very useful when it comes to receiving information from teachers and other students in your course,” art education junior Germain Quintilla said.
The system serves as a virtual classroom that continues students’ learning off-campus. WebCT also allows professors to post take-home quizzes,
notes, syllabi and out-of-class discussions. “It is nice to have WebCT. It makes everything
flexible,” finance sophomore Diaz Adrian said. “Most of the students try to balance all their classes, work and extracurricular activities. The software was designed to manage most of them in one place. It was made to create a comfortable environment for students and professors.”
WebCT and Blackboard Vista aren’t the only software making students’ and professors’ lives easier. The campus portal and PeopleSoft stu-dent information systems were also integrated in 2004. Since then, PeopleSoft has been up-dated to better serve students and professors.
PeopleSoft is becoming the link between users and the University to manage various secured activities. These range from adding and dropping classes and paying tuition and fees, to viewing academic records and applicant status and searching for classes.
“I like being able to use PeopleSoft to pay for my classes online as opposed to driving all
the way to campus,” graphics communications sophomore Paris Jomadiao said. “I also like how I can use it to do a lot of school-related things from the comfort of my own home. As a com-muter student, it saves a lot of time and gas.”
PeopleSoft keeps students informed about any holds on their accounts. Plus, Cougars can view a temporary copy of their transcript. Professors can also access their class rosters through PeopleSoft.
Although the software isn’t always perfect, it gives users an extensive line of services. People-Soft was designed to help students handle many requirements, from enrollment to graduation, and so far it has been successful.
“(The software) is well organized. It gives you all the tools you need,” psychology sophomore Maria Nadine Frias said. “Overall, UH is well-equipped with the best online services to help both professors and students handle the needed requirements for a high standard of learning.”
WebCT Vista and PeopleSoft give students and professors more control on what they can do outside of the classroom.
WebCT allows professors to post quizzes, assignments and out-of-class discussions. Students can access podcasts and discussion boards.
PeopleSoft gives students a place to pay tuition, apply for financial aid, request transcripts and view graduation status.
JUST O N E ccLILIccKK AWAY
By mattheWmanalo
Connect to a modern-day
campus
2 6 TRANSIT IONS
transfer
e very semester, transfer students receive a fresh start or continue a blossoming
academic career at UH.
More than half of each year’s entering class transferred from another college. Some transfer students may have attended a community col-lege to save money and stay close to home before attending a university. Others changed schools for a new beginning in the Bayou City.
This fall, political science junior Aaron Stout will spend his first semester at UH after living at home and attending Lone Star College for two years.
“I wanted a more college atmosphere,” Stout said. “Living at home is nice, but I want to move on, change my surroundings and see how I adjust.”
Stout chose UH so he could study political science while staying close to his friends. Anthro-pology and history alumna Kris Hall changed schools after her ex-husband accepted a job in Houston.
“(UH) was affordable, had a beautiful cam-pus, and most of all, offered interesting history and archeology classes,” Hall said. “I finally found my academic niche.”
Stout and other transfer students can use the Transfer Center, in Room 100 of the Welcome Center, as a great resource. The Transfer Center offers advising to transfer students, with counsel-ors assigned to different regions of the U.S.
Students can inquire about scholarships and other opportunities geared toward those who are studying under non-traditional circumstances. Students who have a military background, started a family, or have other unique situations will find The Transfer Center quite helpful.
Completed transfer applications are usually processed in a little more than one week. The process usually takes more time when applica-
tion deadlines approach. Transfer students must be in good standing at their previous institution and have at least a C-average to study at UH. Transfer students are also required to fulfill the admissions requirements of their chosen col-leges.
Like traditional incoming freshmen, transfer students must attend orientation and pay an ap-plication fee. Those with a high GPA can join the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, which recog-nizes transfer students’ academic achievements.
But the move to the University can be a headache for transfer students, who must navi-gate through UH’s intimidating financial aid process. Many have unique hurdles that they to leap, adding to the stress that all students experience.
“The financial aid process was horrid,” Hall said. “The stupid counselor wanted me to change my information on my application to my maiden name because I got married in the middle of the year. I had no intention of using a false name to apply to the school and it took me getting the head of financial aid involved to sort it out.”
Hall said after this experience, she went straight to the head of the Department of Finan-cial Aid every time she had a problem.
Stout has experienced his own difficulties with transferring credits from Lone Star College to UH. He said entering UH as a junior has forced him to occasionally talk with the University to find out if his classes will transfer and count toward his degree.
“My advice would be to constantly check with the school to see when and if there are any changes, and be sure to talk to an adviser,” Stout said.
Students can also log on to UH.edu to see which courses can be transferred for credit.
Older transfer students have several options. The Adult Admission Program allows students who are older than 25 and haven’t studied at a
regionally-accredited college in more than five years to apply without sending transcripts. The program is designed to help older students begin their academic career anew.
Another option is Academic Fresh Start. Fresh Start allows students to wipe away courses taken more than 10 years ago, allowing them to focus on their future without the hindrance of past mistakes.
Despite receiving help from the Transfer Center, Stout said he still had reservations about changing schools three years into his academic career.
“Dropping in the middle of a college during junior year is sort of like jumping straight into the deep end,” Stout said. “There’s no adjusting to the changes, (because) that’s what freshman and sophomore year were for.”
Hall said students with concerns about adjust-ing to campus life should get involved by talking to their professors after class, introducing them-selves to other students and finding out where like-minded students hang out on campus.
“I never went right home after classes, but stayed to participate in clubs and honor societ-ies,” Hall said. “Participating and being present in class, rather than passively accepting education like many do in high school, will get you far. The debates that have started in class and then extended after class have spawned some of my longer friendships at the University.”
Despite the stresses of transferring, Stout said he feels confident about making friends at UH.
“Who wouldn’t want to be friends with me?” Stout said with a laugh. “I have to start making applications to be sure the people are awesome enough.”
Transfer students and those interested in transferring can contact the Transfer Center at 713-743-1010. The admissions and transfer infor-mation in this article and answers to more ques-tions can be found online at http://www.uh.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply-transfer/
Switching schools can be a pain and a breath of fresh air || By sarah krusleski
TURNING poInt
TRANSIT IONS 27
Welcome center
W hen students first step foot on campus, the sensation can be a bit overwhelming. Cougars need not worry because the Welcome Center makes life easier, providing numerous services in one building.
Located at the corner of Calhoun Road and University Drive, the Welcome Center serves students with academic advising, consulting for incoming freshmen and transfer students, and a wide array of helpful
information for students new to the big campus. information for students new to the big campus. The Welcome Center is in place to assist students. New students are urged to visit the center in Welcome Center is in place to assist students. New students are urged to visit the center in
lieu of finding the best parking spots, figuring out how to register and determining how to pay lieu of finding the best parking spots, figuring out how to register and determining how to pay for classes on their own. The center is easily accessible from all sides of campus and has a large for classes on their own. The center is easily accessible from all sides of campus and has a large
parking garage, usually housing open spots. parking garage, usually housing open spots. Inside the center, transfer students can check on their applications, speak to an adviser Inside the center, transfer students can check on their applications, speak to an adviser
about declaring a major, check on transcripts and enroll or drop classes. The center about declaring a major, check on transcripts and enroll or drop classes. The center also hands out free maps of the campus, which come in handy if you have classes in also hands out free maps of the campus, which come in handy if you have classes in
multiple buildings.multiple buildings.The center also offers students the choice between using self-service comThe center also offers students the choice between using self-service com-
puters and speaking with a representative. The kiosks are quite useful, but puters and speaking with a representative. The kiosks are quite useful, but students who still have questions can find a representative who will provide students who still have questions can find a representative who will provide
personal assistance and answer queries in further detail.personal assistance and answer queries in further detail.“When new or prospective students arrive on the campus, they are “When new or prospective students arrive on the campus, they are
faced with a variety of decisions. It’s important to take some of the faced with a variety of decisions. It’s important to take some of the guesswork out of where they need to go for vital enrollment infor-
mation,” Donald Foss, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost said in a press release. “It’s also essential
that they know how to navigate the campus. The Welcome Center is the perfect place to begin a campus visit, as
well as an ideal spot for students to start planning their academic futures.”
The Welcome Center is busy at the beginning of each semester. The time students spend waiting to see an adviser or talk with a representative will be longer than usual, but students shouldn’t feel discouraged. Instead, just step outside and enjoy a sandwich or beverage at McAlister’s Deli, Tealicious or any of the other vendors located at the center.
Other than during the start of the academic year, when the center tends to be busiest, Cougars can expect quick help from someone who is well informed.
Students’ best interests are the priority of the Welcome Center and its representatives. Detailed information about the hours of operation for each office in the building is available at http://www.uh.edu/welcomecenter
uH’s FRONT DOORThe Welcome Center is the first stop for many new Cougars || By mattheW keever
FINDING helP
An abundance of services are available at the Welcome Center:
Freshmen »admissions/consultingScholarships/ »financial aidParking »Transfer »servicesDining »Kiosks with »self-service computers
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
The Welcome Center, which opened in 2006, com-bines a four-story parking garage with a building full of academic services.
2 8 TRANSIT IONS
services
c ollege can be overwhelming, but students will find plenty of support from the Univer-sity’s services and departments.
Every freshman aiming for a perfect GPA should get to know the University’s services of tutors, advisers and special programs.
Refer to the University’s Web site for contact information and office hours for your advisers, because their counsel will be invalu-able for navigating the confusing and sometimes fluctuating degree requirements. Some questions about credits and financial aid will be directed to the counselors at the Welcome Center.
There’s no need to sweat about an upcoming test with the variety of services offered on campus. Students who can’t tell the difference between a preposition and a pronoun can visit the Writing Center located in Agnes Arnold Hall. The Writing Center always has three to five consultants on hand to help students fine-tune writing skills and papers. Learning Support Services, located across the plaza from Agnes Arnold Hall in the Social Work Building, Room 321, has tutors on hand for many different subjects, from college algebra to second-year Arabic. Be sure to check the school Web site for each tutor’s hours.
If you want to test out of credit hours or take important exams, such as the GRE or GMAT, go to University Testing Services on the second floor of the Student Service building.
Students with other individual circumstances can also expect assistance from the University. Students coming from challenging circumstances can help themselves rise by looking into the Urban Experience Program, which will help them find internships, scholar-ships and other resources crucial to success.
The International Student & Scholar Services Office in the Stu-dent Service Center gives advice to students from abroad.
Students coming from a military background can speak to Veter-ans Services in the University Center.
The Justin Dart Jr. Center for Students with DisABILITIES pro-
vides textbooks, software, electronic equipment, interpreters and other assistance for impaired students.
No student should forget about their health while dealing with academics, and the University offers many convenient services on campus. The Health Center, located near the Quadrangle residence halls, has general practitioners, and specialists on call for students. Anyone needing a new pair of glasses or an eye exam can visit the University Eye Institute on Calhoun Road. Students with hearing or speech difficulties can visit the Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic.
Students feeling depressed, overwhelmed or battling other demons can visit the Counseling and Psychological Services in the Student Services Building.
If you just want to exercise to burn off calories and stress, the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center provides a gym member-ship, which is included in your student fees, to all students as well as weekly aerobics and yoga classes.
The University provides services to help students deal with other day-to-day matters. Student Legal Services, located in the UC, provides counsel to students who have legal disputes with parties unaffiliated with the school. The Women’s Resource Center in the UC Satellite provides a haven for all students, with weekly movie show-ings and book clubs.
Mothers can look into enrolling school-age children at the Uni-versity’s charter school, a private school program located on campus next to Melcher Gymnasium that teaches kindergarten through fifth grade students. New mothers may also enjoy privacy inside the Women’s Resource Center lactation rooms.
Students interested in starting or joining an organization for any purpose can visit Campus Activities at the UC Underground.
Those who want to join religious organizations can head to the A.D. Bruce Religion Center to take part in prayer or quietly meditate on their own in the chapel.
Information on these services and others at the University can be found at http://www.uh.edu/students/services.php
AtYourSerVice
UH has your back, providing all your on-campus needs || By sarah krusleski
Counselors are always available when the Welcome Center is open. They can provide advice and instruction on on-campus academic services.
The University has self-service computers inside the Welcome Center, allowing students to avoid a long wait to speak with a representative.
PHOTO By yVETTE DAVILA
PHOTO By yVETTE DAVILA
3 0 TRANSIT IONS
Your career in journalismgraphic designjournalismgraphic designjournalism
photographygraphic designphotographygraphic design
businessphotographybusinessphotography
advertising (and more)
starts here.advertising starts here.advertising
Get real-world experience in a variety of � elds you’ll never get in a classroom.
We accept students from all majors and classi� cations.
For detailed job descriptions and to print out an application, visit www.uh.edu/sp/jobs or come by Room 151 Communication Building.
THE DAILY COUGAR®
TRANSIT IONS 31
Located on Campus
Schedule a Tour Today!832-842-LOFT (5638) www.uh.edu/CalhounLofts
Exclusive ServicesPart-time conciergePart-time valetBarnes & Noble bookstoreMini-marketDry cleanersSalsa classesSalsa classesWine & cheese tasting
AmenitiesTheatre roomCoffee barPrivate courtyardRetail spaceWi-fi throughoutStudy loungesStudy loungesRoof terracesSky loungeExercise room
3 2 TRANSIT IONS
Your potential. Reach it.
■ BusinessWeek ranked Bauer one of the top 40 public undergraduate business colleges. ■ The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine ranked the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship as the No. 1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the U.S. ■ Bauer’s Program for Excellence in Selling has the deepest curriculum, largest enrollment and highest corporate support of any university program in selling and sales management. ■ Bauer’s Global Energy Management program for undergraduates in Finance was recently cited as one of the nation’s top “niche” programs by BusinessWeek. Bauer also offers a comprehensive carbon trading course that is the fi rst of its kind in the U.S. ■ Bauer placed fi rst in the U.S. and third in the world in a 2008 stock analysis competition sponsored by the Chartered Finan-cial Analyst Institute, beating Rutgers University, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and other top-tier schools. ■ Academic Analytics ranked Bauer’s fi nance department No. 8 for faculty productivity and its marketing department No. 9, putting Bauer alongside Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, Kellogg at Northwestern and Smeal at Pennsylvania State University. ■ Bauer offers highly recognized accounting programs. The Professional Program in Accountancy (PPA) allows students to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, have an internship and be ready for the CPA exam in fi ve years. The Internal Auditing Program is one of 19 in the world recognized by the Internal Auditing Education Partnership Program.
In a rapidly changing global marketplace, students need every advantage.
At the University of Houston Bauer College, momentum is driving unprecedented success.
Experience what it’s like to be in the right place at the right time.
www.bauer.uh.edu
The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affi rmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. DO 09-0071
TRANSIT IONS 33
welcome centerVisitor Center• Campus Tours• Campus Information• Admissions Events
Admissions• Freshman Admission Counseling• Transfer Admission Counseling• International Admission Counseling
Student Financial Services• SFS Cashier’s Office• Cash and/or Check Payments• Tuition and Fees Information• Refunds and Tax Information• Fee Waivers
Scholarships & Financial Aid• Grant and Loan Advising• SFA Form Submissions (in person) • Scholarship Advising• Work Study Advising• Disbursement Information
Registration & Academic Records• Pick Up Transcripts• Transfer Credit Evaluation• Enrollment Verification• Residency Reclassification • Veterans Certification
Parking &Transportation• Purchase Parking Permits• Paying Parking Citations• Acquire Metro Q Cards
FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: WWW.UH.EDU/WELCOMECENTER
Located at Entrance 1 (on the corner of Calhoun Rd
and University Dr)
3 4 TRANSIT IONS
Our Mission: “Cultivate student learning
and development byproviding quality programs and services for a diverse
campus community”campus community”
Higher grades...Higher grades...Faster graduation rates...Faster graduation rates...Higher graduation rates...Higher graduation rates...
More job offers...More job offers...Better quality interviews...Better quality interviews...
and many more values to offer...and many more values to offer...
Finding a home at UH...Finding a home at UH...Making lifelong friends...Making lifelong friends...
The University of Houston has over 400 student organizations. The University of Houston has over 400 student organizations. Find out more about how you can get involved!Find out more about how you can get involved!
Visit the Department of Campus Activitiesin the University Center Underground (51 UC)
or online at www.experienceuh.com
TRANSIT IONS 35
MEET THE NEW
COUGAR CARD:
KEY TO THE CAMPUS
FLEX ACCOUNT
CAMPUS PRINTINGKEY TO THE CAMPUS
MEAL PLAN/COUGAR CASH
Meal Plan Accounts are used for food, and
can ONLY be used in the Moody Towers and
Oberholtzer Hall dining facilities (RFoC).
Cougar Cash Accounts can be used at all
ARAMARK campus facilities, including the
Convenience Stores.
ALL students may request meal plans or Cougar
Cash plans online at http://my.uh.edu
Flex Accounts are assigned to all actively enrolled
students as a Declining Balance Account.
Flex Account funds are restricted to on campus
purchases only. Accepted at: Barnes and Nobles
Campus Bookstores, convenience stores, campus
eating establishments, residential housing laundry
facilities, vending machines, and more.
Deposits can be made by cash or credit card in
the Cougar Card Offi ce, or by calling (713) 743-
CARD (2273), Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.
Campus Printing Accounts are assigned to
all actively enrolled students for our general
computing labs with laser printing capabilities as
a Declining Balance Account.
MD Anderson Library (1st Floor) - $25.00;
Information Technology Commons (58 MD
Anderson Library) - $7.50; Writing Center (210 –
217 Agnes Arnold Hall) - $7.50
OTHER USES:
Access Control to Residential Housing
Enrollment Verifi cation
Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Access
Classroom Attendance
Access to UH Sporting Events
Plus many more!
AWESOME! HOW DO I GET ONE? VISIT WWW.UH.EDU/COUGARCARD CALL 713-743-CARD
3 6 TRANSIT IONS
Cougar 1Card
UNIVERSITY OFHOUSTONB O O K S T O R E
VETERANSSERVICESOFFICE
The University Centerand Associated Facilities...The University Centerand Associated Facilities...
Cougar 1CardCougar 1CardCougar 1CardCougar 1Card
DANCE ON
www.uh.edu/ucafwww.uh.edu/ucafVisit us online at...
Comes TogetherComes TogetherWhere It
AllWhere It
All
TRANSIT IONS 37
Department of Residential Life and HousingFreshman Year Residential Experience Program
Join a select group of incoming freshmenfor an experience like no other!!
• Move in 1-week before all on-campus residents• Live on floor with students who have the same or similiar major as yourself• Participate in the Backstage PASS Freshman Summer Transition Program• Enjoy tons of academic, cultural, and social programming• Work directly with the University Staff to ensure your academic success• Have live-on mentors that will assist you with academic, career, and personal goals• Develop enhanced academic, social, and leadership skills• Establish lifelong friendships• Have an AMAZING Freshman Year!!
BENEFITS
For more information aboutthe FYRE Program:
www.housing.uh.edu/fyre
3 8 TRANSIT IONS
Campus ReCReationCampus ReCReation E
xperience it!
AquAtics/sAfetyswim Lessons, scuBA & trips,
Master swim, century club, & first Aid/cPR
OutdOOR AdventuReOutings, Gear shop, educational
Workshops, L.i.f.t & Resource Guide
fitnessGroup exercise, Personal training,
fitness Assessments, & Martial Arts
fAcuLty & stAffAnnual Golf tournament,
cougar distance challenge & family nights
sPORts cLuBscollegiate non-varsity competition
& Leadership
intRAMuRAL sPORtLeague, individual competition
& tournaments
yOuthMartial Arts, swim Lessons,
summer camp & family nights
713-743-PLAy www.uh.edu/recreationThe Department of Campus Recreation reports to the Division of Student Affairs through the Division of Student Development.
pRoGRamsGRams
E
53-foot climbing Wall
pRoGRamsGRams
53-foot climbing Wall53-foot climbing Wall
fitness Zone & indoor track
& Much More...Racquetball courts,
Multi-Purpose Rooms
natatorium, Outdoor Leisure Pool, Whirlpools & sauna
combat Room, child care, Locker Room & showers
Basketball, volleyball, & Badminton courts
TRANSIT IONS 39
4 0 TRANSIT IONS713.743.FOOD www.uh.edu/dining
Sign up. Chow down. Get a meal plan today.
If only all choices were this easy
Convenience.Options. Value.
Cougar Cash (available to upperclassmen)$1250 per semester
RFoC 21 (approx. $3.87 per meal) *BEST VALUE*21 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week+$120 Cougar Cash$1490 per semester
RFoC 15 (approx. $4.33 per meal)15 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week+$165 Cougar Cash$1260 per semester
RFoC 9 (approx. $5.47 per meal)9 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week+$320 Cougar Cash$1150 per semester
RFoC 140 (approx. $6.75 per meal)140 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester+$525 Cougar Cash$1470 per semester
Select 300$300 Cougar Cash
Select 500$500 Cougar Cash
Select 800$800 Cougar Cash
Select Plan 20 Plus (approx. $6.50 per meal)20 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester+$35 Cougar Cash$165 per semester
Select Plan 40 Plus (approx. $6.25 per meal)40 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester+$100 Cougar Cash$350 per semester
Select Plan 80 Plus (approx. $5.25 per meal) *BEST VALUE*80 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester+$150 Cougar Cash$570 per semester
Residential Meal Plans
Commuter Meal Plans
TRANSIT IONS 41
No matter where you are,
Bauer Collegeof Business
Bates LawCampus Recrea�on& Wellness Center
Philip GuthrieHoffman(PGH)
Oberholtzer Residence Hall
Moody Towers
R E S T A U R A N TK I M S O N
University CenterSatellite
ExpressR
There’s always something good to eat.
University Center
Vis it us at www.uh.edu/din ingDin ing Services : 713 .743.FOOD
®
4 2 TRANSIT IONS
start out on top.
start one step ahead.
start leading from day one.
Start moving up.
Start higher.
Start raiSing the bar.
Start commanding attention.
©2008. paid for by the united states army. all rights reserved.
start strong.sm
There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. If you want to be a leader inlife, joining Army ROTC at University of Houston is the strongest wayto start. It provides hands-on leadership development. Plus you canearn a full-tuition, merit-based scholarship up to $150,000. Aftergraduation, you’ll begin your career as an Officer. With a start like that,there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
To get started, contact CPT Richard Selveraor visit www.class.uh.edu/rotc/army.
ASK ABOUT FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS! WE OFFER MONTHLY STIPENDS FOR SPENDING AND BOOKS!ENROLL IN MILITARY SCIENCE TODAY WITH NO MILITARY OBLIGATION!
CONTACT CPT RICHARD SELVERA TODAY AT 713-743-3883 OR [email protected]
TRANSIT IONS 43
4 4 TRANSIT IONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION:• CALL: 1-800-853-6600,• OR E-MAIL: [email protected]
EARN OVER $100,000BEFORE GRADUATION! BECOME A NAVY NUCLEAR PROPULSION OFFICER!BENEFITS:• $15,000 SIGN-ON BONUS +$2,000 UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING
• EARN UP TO $3,000 A MONTH• FULL MEDICAL AND DENTAL• NO UNIFORMS. NO DRILLS.
QUALIFICATIONS:• AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE• US CITIZEN• PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED• GPA OF AT LEAST 3.0 • ALL MAJORS ELIGIBLE W/ 1 YEAR OF CALCULUS AND PHYSICS
*SIGN UP FOR THE NUPOC PROGRAM UP TO 30 MONTHS BEFORE GRADUATION
TRANSIT IONS 45
BeginsBeginsWhere Tradition
4 6 TRANSIT IONS
VETERANS’ VETERANS’ V
SERVICES SERVICES S
OFFICE
The University of Houston Veterans’ Services Office is an Educational
Center that supports student veterans and their families (spouses and
dependants) in a wide array of specialized resources, services, programs
and social activities throughout the year. The UH VSO is a model facility for
all universities in the state of Texas with its 1700 sq. ft. facility and many
amenities for Veterans to use.Services and Resources for Veterans
Aid veterans’ in transition from military to student life
Assist in preparation for admission and registration
Computer lab and study area
Assist units in informing veterans’ about compensation
through GI Bill and other programs including the
Hinson- Hazelwood
Provide annual programming, workshops and seminars
Provide work-study employment
Assist in scholarship research
Social Activities
Come by and become a part of the student organization, the Veterans’
Collegiate Society, and become part of a community of “vets help vets” Your
role is critical in fulfilling the mission of both UH and the VCS organization in
pursuit of Tier One status. Work, study, and play together in an unforgettable
college experience! GO COOGS!More info call: (713) 743-5490/5486/5493
20 pcs. chicken mixed, 2 lg sides of your choice, 6 pcs. bread, 4 peppers
20 PIECE FAMILY MEAL20 PIECE FAMILY MEAL
KING SPECIALKING SPECIAL3 Wings, 1 Leg, 1 Thigh, Small Drink, Dirty Rice or Frenchy Fries
10 PIECE SPECIAL10 PIECE SPECIAL3 Legs, 4 Thighs, 3 Wings (chicken only)
EVERYDAY SPECIALS
3919 Scott Street @ WheelerPhone: 713-748-2233
*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus*Two blocks away from campus
Scott Street @ O.S.T (Inside HEB)and other participating locations
LOCATIONS
WWW. ChICkEN.COm ChIC
TRANSIT IONS 47
4800 CALHOUN RD., HOUSTON, TX 77204 | (713) 743-2255 | WWW.UHCEO.NETCOUNCIL OF ETHNIC ORGANIZATIONSThis message brought to you by the
Benvenuto
Willkommen
Hoş geldiniz
BienvenidoBienvenue
H o a n n g h ê n h
歡迎光臨 स्वागत
to the University of Houston,the most ethnically diverse major research university in the United States
Welcome
4 8 TRANSIT IONS
Relax.
UH Librarians are online to help you with your research. Ask or e-mail your subject librarian at http://info.lib.uh.edu/librarians.html
TRANSIT IONS 49
Show your Cougar I.D.
to get any regular
footlong for $5!
that’S SomethIn’
to holla about
offer gooD only at bateS law Center
meal PlanS aCCePteD • 713-743-5873
thIS offer exCluDeS: Subway melt, ChICken baCon
ranCh, Subway Club, anD PhIlly CheeSe Steak.
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION By JORGE ROBLES
LAUNCH
UH’s $110 million loft development isn’t a small pipe dream, it’s a giant leap toward
a flagship campus || By matt miller
PAD
calhoun lofts
Calhoun Lofts, UH’s newest residential fa-cility, sits adjacent to the C.T. Bauer College of Business and the Law Center. Juniors, seniors, and graduate and professional students, are el-igible to live in the luxurious facility. Residents will move into their units beginning in August, will move into their units beginning in August, when the type of students who move can help UH reach national research status.
“Calhoun Lofts should bring in a new kind of student; the kind with more cash,” sociol-ogy senior Trent Baker said. “I think it’s a great
thing for the University because statistics show that students who come from an upper middle-class background tend to do better in school than poorer students. This isn’t the case all the time, but the stats back it up.
“Better students and more money leads to a “Better students and more money leads to a better chance at becoming a national research university. The lofts are supposed to be a place for mature students; the students who want to go to a flagship school.”
Two public universities in Texas — the
W hile UH works toward flagship status, it is putting the finishing touches on one of the biggest construction projects in its history.
TRANSIT IONS 51
University of Texas and Texas A&M University — are clas-sified as flagship schools. Unless students are accepted to one of these two schools or Rice — Texas’ only private flag-ship school — they have to leave Texas to attend a national research university.
The complex is one of UH’s stepping-stones to becom-ing Texas’ next flagship school, but it should also help change the campus’ environment.
“(Calhoun Lofts) should build the future of campus life,” Teeba Rose, Calhoun Lofts marketing manager said. “You rarely have to leave campus because there are so many ac-commodations for the students that will live here.”
the sPecs
Efficiencies (381 square feet), one-bedroom (492 square feet) and two-bedroom (668 square feet) lofts are available for 12-month agreements. Furnished efficiencies will cost $830 per month, while the furnished one-bedroom will be $1,120 per month. Furnished two-bedroom lofts will cost $821 per person each month, but require two residents.
All lofts will include a refrigerator, stove, microwave, energy efficient double-pane windows and granite counter-tops in the kitchen and bathroom. Two-bedroom units will
also come with a dishwasher in the kitchen and a dual sink in the bathroom.
All furnished units will include a chest of drawers and
a desk with a chair. Efficiencies will come with a daybed.
Furnished one and two-bedroom units will have a love
seat, a dining table with chairs and a full-size bed in each
bedroom.
Although the prices may appear steep, students will
receive much more than a place to stay if they decide to live
in the lofts. Utilities will be included in the rent, and will
cover water, gas and trash service. Calhoun Lofts will pay
the first $25 of each resident’s monthly electric bill.
AT&T’s U-verse 100 package will be included in the rent,
but won’t be optional. The service includes a DVR, cable
television, wireless and wired Ethernet and local land-
line telephone service. Wireless Internet will be available
throughout the building, allowing residents to surf the Web
in the lobby and on the balconies.
Climate control will be another feature of Calhoun Loft’s
utility services. Concrete ceilings will keep units insulated,
while the web-interfaced thermostat in each unit will give
residents the power to set the temperature of their units.
“Other lofts in the city cost about the same or more than
‘ttHE FHE FuturuturE E ooF F ccAMAMpuspus LIFE’ LIFE’
Each unit includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave, sink and granite countertops in the kitchen.
COURTESy OF CALHOUN LOFTS
calhoun lofts
5 2 TRANSIT IONS
TRANSIT IONS 53
Calhoun Lofts, but you only have your unit,” Rose said. “In
those places, you have to pay for utilities and you have to
drive all over the place (to run errands). (At Calhoun Lofts),
your rent includes utilities. Plus, just about everything you
need is here.”
the features
Almost all of the amenities college students can think
of will be available at Calhoun Lofts. Bookworms will find
a 24-hour study lounge on each floor. The more laid-back
student will be able to shoot the breeze with friends while
enjoying a gorgeous view of Houston from one of two roof
terraces.
“You can see Reliant Stadium, the Med Center, down-
town and Minute Maid Park all from (the roof),” Rose said. Students will be able to satisfy their caffeine fix at Cal-
houn Loft’s coffee bar. Procrastinators who have only a few hours to write the dreaded research paper will be able to work in the 24-hour computer lab.
Errands and chores are a huge part of students’ lives, but Calhoun Lofts has it covered. Twenty-four-hour laundry rooms, which include washing machines, dryers, a televi-sion, tables and chairs, will allow students to keep their clothes clean. While waiting for their whites to dry, residents will be able to work out in the exercise room on the first floor, or use the cardio equipment on every other floor.
Residents who need to fill an empty fridge or pantry won’t have to drive. A public courtyard, mailboxes and 10,500 feet of retail space are being built outside of the lobby. A mini-mart that will carry a large variety of grocery items will be included in the retail space.
Students who are looking for reading material can stop by the bookstore that will be inside of the retail area. A dry cleaning service will also be available, making errands easier to run.
“It’s like living in the city without having to leave cam-pus,” Rose said. “A lot of the things you might go out and do in the city can be done here. People who live here will save time, gas and money.”
The spacious lobby could become the best part of the building. Friends will be able to relax on couches while watching their favorite show on the big-screen television. Residents who are running low on cash will be able to stop at the ATM.
Additional features of the complex will include a private courtyard, meeting spaces and a special-events kitchen that will offer a cooking class for around $20. Part-time valet and concierge services will be another highlight of living in Calhoun Lofts.
Bored students with nowhere to go will be able hang out in the multi-purpose room, which will offer a yoga pro-gram, social mixers and a conversational language night. Those who want to have a fun night in the city can drive to downtown in less than 15 minutes.
the services
Numerous students who live in an off-campus apart-ment complex have had plenty of problems with the maintenance personnel. Residents of Calhoun Lofts won’t experience these difficulties.
“The people who stay here will turn in a job ticket to maintenance and after their stuff is fixed, we’ll have a follow-up process with residents to make sure (the mainte-nance employees) did a good job,” Rose said.
Safety is one of Calhoun Lofts’ priorities. The complex will be equipped with back-up generators, which should allow students to dodge electrical blackouts. Graduate as-sistants will monitor security, while surveillance cameras watch every floor to keep residents safe and honest. In addition, numerous smoke detectors and fire extinguishers will be placed in convenient spots throughout the building.
Pets won’t be allowed at Calhoun Lofts, but engineering senior Matt Williams believes this will help prevent distrac-tions and noise.
“It’s good that they’re not letting people (bring pets),” Williams said. “Most students wouldn’t be able to study if there’s a dog barking. Most of us are too busy to worry about taking care of pets, but some students still may have tried to bring their cat or something. It wouldn’t work out.”
Students who are interested in applying for a loft can visit http://www.housing.uh.edu/calhounlofts/index.html Residents who refer a friend will receive $50 and be put into a drawing for a 42-inch LCD television. For more informa-tion, call 713-743-6000 or visit the Calhoun Lofts office at 4700 Calhoun St.
UH hopes the lofts will help lift students and the school to greater heights, giving some of Texas’ brightest students a good reason to earn their degree in Houston.
“(Calhoun Lofts) is like those places you visit and wish you could stay,” Rose said. “The value of this place is hard to match.”
Furnished one and two-bedroom lofts come with a
love seat, a dining table with chairs
and a full-size bed in each bedroom.
COURTESy OF CALHOUN LOFTS
5 4 TRANSIT IONS
For students wishing to live on campus and make the most of their college experience, UH has several housing options available.
By far the tallest and most recognizable buildings at UH, the Moody Towers, is also the largest residence hall on campus. The rooms contain stationary furniture and floors are single-gender with community bathrooms. Rooms are double-occupancy and single suites are available to upperclassmen and graduate students. Connected at the base by a lobby, the Towers also contains one of the two residential cafeterias. All residents are required to purchase meal plans.
The Quadrangle is another on-campus housing option. Built in 1950, the Quad comprises of five, four-story buildings in a courtyard setting. The floors are co-ed with single-gender suites. The majority of rooms are double-occupancy, with each suite sharing a bathroom. The second campus cafeteria is in Oberholtzer Hall, located at the center of the courtyard, and meal plans are required for all students who live in the Quad.
Cougar Place is a cheaper on-campus living option. Located close to the Quad, rooms at Cougar Place consist of single-bedrooms with a shared bathroom. Some of the rooms come
with a kitchenette. Summer housing is also available at Cougar Place.
For those looking for more apartment-style living on-campus, Bayou Oaks, Cambridge Oaks and Cullen Oaks are the best options.
Independently run, Cambridge Oaks offers a variety of floor plans and has the only resi-dential pool on campus. Both Cullen Oaks and Bayou Oaks come with fully furnished rooms and different floor plans to choose from. Bayou Oaks has townhouses for selected sororities and fraternities.
All of these complexes come with 12-month leasing options, laundry facilities, full kitchens, cable television and connection to the Univer-sity’s Ethernet network.
The newest addition to UH’s residential areas is Calhoun Lofts. Opening in Fall 2009, the Lofts will offer furnished or unfurnished one and two-bedroom floor plans for graduate, professional students and upperclassmen. The Lofts will also offer exclusive amenities, such as a coffee bar, dry cleaner and theater room for residents.
All of UH’s residential areas are smoke-free and require a resident’s Cougar Card to gain entry. More information about on-campus living, including rates and availability, can be found at http://www.housing.uh.edu
universityLIVInG
WAYtHE
r esiding on campus allows students to fully experience college life. It is easier to get to class, make new friends and stay involved. Sure, the rooms may be smaller than what you have at home, and
sharing a bathroom with strangers always takes some getting used to, but the benefits far outweigh these slight inconveniences.
housing
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
The largest residence hall, the
Moody Towers, stand 18 stories each and
house more than 1,100 students.
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
By sarah tucker
Cambridge Oaks offers students the freedom of living in their own place at an affordable price.
The Quadrangle contains five residence halls that house Terry Scholars and honors students.
TRANSIT IONS 55
organiZations
s tudents who are looking for fulfilling and fun activities to do between studying and
going to class have come to the right place.
UH offers more than 400 student organiza-tions to select from. Students can join an aca-demic professional development organization, such as the Academy of Student Pharmacists. According to UH’s Web site, the ASP “provides an opportunity for pharmacy school students to work for the community in a capacity that will benefit both the community and the phar-macy profession.”
Other organizations include The Women of the Word, which is a good organization to join for women who believe in “empowering women to provide an environment for spiritual growth and fellowship.”
One of the most rewarding organizations is The Daily Cougar, the official campus newspa-per. The Cougar prints Monday through Friday during the spring and fall semesters and Tues-
days and Thursdays during the summer semes-ter. The Cougar is entirely run by students and is constantly looking for the next star reporter. Students who aren’t interested in writing can join the Cougar’s production or advertising staff.
Those who seek to represent students should consider the Student Government Association. SGA is one of the few student groups officially recognized by the Texas Legislature.
According to its Web site, SGA is “commit-ted to understanding the needs of students and ensuring their future at the University of Houston is bright.”
Those interested in sports or games will find many clubs to join, including: cycling, ice hockey, kendo, soccer, swimming, handball, water polo, bowling, kayak, chess, tango, ping pong, racquet-ball, Taekwondo, motorsports and boxing.
UH is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation and it is certainly reflected in the student clubs, proving people from around the world are proud to be Cougars. UH has clubs for students of all backgrounds and origins, from China to Bangladesh.
Those who want to shape the world at UH can join clubs like Amnesty International, Hu-man Rights Alliance or Black Student Union. These clubs seek to improve the world for all people, but specialize in the issues that influ-ence the group most.
People interested in going Greek will find plenty of Deltas, Sigmas and Omegas. UH has fraternities and sororities of all kinds, from the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity to Sigma Phi Omega, which is a sorority for Asian-Americans.
Students who are looking for a religious sanctuary can join one of UH’s spiritual organizations. The Baptist Student Ministry, Bhakti Yoga Society, Catholic Student Orga-nization and Hindu Students Council are just a few of the organizations that promote faith and goodwill.
The variety of interests on campus expands with each incoming student. People who can’t find a club that’s right for them can always con-sider starting their own organization or club. UH is a gateway to culture, religion, sports and many other aspects of life.
Meet people or blow off steam by joining an on-campus organization || By Zoa khan
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTOS
JOINOIN ’EMEMcA
JcA
JOINcAOIN
n’t n’t OIN
n’t OINOIN
n’t OIN
BEA ’BEA ’EMBEA
EMt ’t ’
EMt ’
EMEMt ’
EMBEAt ’BEA
EMBEA
EMt ’
EMBEA
EMEM
EMEM
EM?
5 6 TRANSIT IONS
cougar fans have plenty to look forward to this year. The football team tasted postsea-
son success for the first time since before most of us were born, and the basketball squad nearly crashed the dance for the first time in 17 years.
Everywhere you look, UH teams are ei-ther winning titles or on the rise. Athletics is poised to take fans for one heck of a ride.
Ever wonder what your student ID is good for? It gives students free admission to home games. Whether it’s spending an afternoon at Robertson Stadium watching Shasta do push-ups after every score, or a weeknight hoops game at Hofheinz Pavilion,
students have plenty of ways to get away from textbooks and homework.
footBall
UH football has experienced a renais-sance in recent years. The Cougars have re-turned to the high scoring, pass-happy glory days of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Although fans might not see the flat tops and mullets of those teams, led by Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware, they will recog-nize the high-scoring offense the Cougars put on the field.
The offense starts with head coach Kevin Sumlin, the man who paces the sidelines each week. In his first year at the helm, Sumlin executed a seamless transition to a system that spreads the field and utilizes
LEt tHE GaMES BEGIN
Although 2008-09 was not a great year for athletics, UH is primed for a turnaround in 2009-10 || By PhilliPe craig
PHOTO By GREGORy BOHUSLAV
TRANSIT IONS 57
athletics
The UH men’s track and field team swept the indoor and outdoor conference championships, mark-ing the Cougars’ first outdoor title since 2005.
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
PHOTO By DAVID SHIH
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
UH football players celebrate after earn-ing the program’s first bowl victory since 1980.
Forward Qa’rraan Calhoun finishes with
authority against East Carolina. Cal-
houn averaged 10.2 points per game.
speed in open spaces from an Art Briles’ system known for scoring in bunches.
Sumlin has made this team his. He already has fans saying, “Art who?” Under Sumlin’s leadership, UH earned its first bowl victory in 28 years.
On the field, junior quarterback Case Keenum has became the leader of the No. 2 offense in Football Bowl Subdivision in both passing yards and total offense per game in 2008. Shasta might need a bigger jersey if Keenum and company have another 5,000-yard, 41 point-per-game season.
Sophomore wide receiver Tyron Carrier has emerged as a two-sport standout, spend-ing his springtimes tearing up the track for the Cougar track and field team and leaving defenders in the dust on the football field
in the fall. He was named to 2008 All-C-USA Second Team and 2008 C-USA All-Freshman Team and became the first freshman in school history with more than 1,000 receiv-ing yards (1,026) in a season.
Sophomore running back and 2008 C-USA Freshman of the Year Bryce Beall also hopes to see continued development after amassing 1,247 rushing yards last season.
After a warm-up game against North-western State in the home opener, UH takes on national power Texas Tech three weeks later in front of a national TV audience. If you’ve never sat in the student section, this will be the game to experience it.
noW or never
The men’s basketball squad is hoping
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
Shortstop Blake Kelso fields
a grounder. The Cougar baseball
team finished 27-31 last season.
Sophomore wide receiver Tyron Carrier has emerged as a two-sport standout, spending his springs tearing up the track for the Cougar track and field team and leaving defenders in the dust on the football field in the fall.
5 8 TRANSIT IONS
athletics
for a different kind of postseason invitation this year, a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Tom Penders has guid-ed the Cougars to postseason play four out of the last five years, with last season’s squad losing to eventual-champion Oregon State in the Col-lege Basketball Invitational.
Couple this with losses to peren-nial powerhouse Memphis in the last two C-USA tournaments, and this year could be a make or break season for Penders.
The conference could come down to addition and subtraction. The Cougars return four starters from last season while former Memphis head coach John Calipar and his prized recruits have headed to Kentucky. Don’t be surprised if the Cougars go dancing next March, and not at a downtown nightclub.
the Best of the rest
The baseball and softball teams are looking for bounce-back efforts after a disappointing 2009. One year removed from a pair of deep postseason runs, both squads have a core of returning young players with another year of experience under their belt.
If history has shown anything, you can’t keep either program down for long. If this trend continues, the diamonds may be the place to be in spring.
The men’s track and field team was UH’s best squad in 2009. After sweeping the Conference USA indoor and outdoor championships and sending Carrier, Chris Carter and Ivan Diggs to the NCAA Championships, UH track is in good hands under head coach Leroy Burrell.
Students will have plenty of op-portunity this year to join the “redvolu-tion.” Don’t forget the answer to the question on everyone’s mind: Whose house? Coogs’ house!
Don’t forget, the games are free with a student ID.
» PENDERS
SPIRIT 101
1. Phi slama
Jama
» From
1982-84, the UH men’s
basketball team was
nicknamed “Phi Slama
Jama.” The “fraternity”
included Hakeem Ola-
juwon (pictured above),
Clyde Drexler, Rob Wil-
liams and Greg “Cadillac”
Anderson.
2. fred couPles
» Getting his start
with the Cougar
golf team, Couples
went on to win the 1992 Masters
and 14 other PGA tournaments.
3. cotton BoWl » In the 1977 Cotton Bowl,
the Cougars defeated the University of
Maryland Terrapins, 30-21, under Hall of
Fame coach Bill yeoman.
1984 HOUSTONIAN
HOUSTONIAN 1977
4. alma mater
» All hail to thee,
/ Our Houston
University. / Our hearts fill with
gladness / When we think of thee.
/ We’ll always adore thee / Dear
old varsity. / And to thy memory
cherished / True we’ll ever be.
5. fight song »
Cougars fight for
dear old U of H /
For our Alma Mater cheer. / Fight
for Houston University / For victory
is near. / When the going gets so
rough and tough / We never worry
‘cause we got the stuff. / So fight,
fight, fight for red and white / And
we will go to victory.
cougar
PaW »
While
Shasta was traveling
to the University of
Texas for a football
game, a digit on her
paw was severed by a
cage door. Longhorns
mocked the wound by
bending their thumb
over the ring finger
against their palm. In
1976, Cougars held up
the sign as UH went
on to defeat the Long-
horns 30-0.9. heisman » In 1989, Andre Ware became the first black
quarterback to win the Heisman. Ware remains the only
athlete in UH history to win the award.
7. olymPics » UH athletes have
won 35 Olympic medals, including
16 gold. UH head track and field
coach Leroy Burrell is a former record-holder
in the men’s 100-meter dash.
8. the official colors » Scarlet and Albino White.
Scarlet represents “courage and perseverance,” while
Albino White embodies “the purity and perfections of a
heart, mind and soul that is dedicated to serve faithfully.”
TRANSIT IONS 59
stay fit
shed THOSE POUNDSDon’t let UH’s numerous dining locations get to your belly. The Rec Center has several activities that help students stay in tip-top shape.
Intramural sports: About 30 activities are planned each aca- »demic year for students. Students can participate in only one or all events.Outdoor Adventure: Climb the rock wall, bike or go for a hike. »Personal training: One-on-one instruction that uses health »education and challenging workouts tailored to each student’s needs.
u H offers students many opportuni-ties to work up a
sweat and avoid the fresh-man fifteen with several student organizations and a fee-paid membership to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
At the Recreation Center, stu-dents can lift weights, work out on various machines, scale rock walls, run around an indoor track, shoot hoops and swim.
The center’s indoor natatorium has 50-meter lanes, as well as diving boards, for those seeking a full-length swim. During warmer months, students may opt to lounge on the outdoor pool’s deck, relax in the center’s sauna or play a game of volleyball.
Keeping in shape can be easier with the support of your friends. Several student-led organizations have popped up during the last few years for cycling, martial arts, Ultimate Frisbee and other popular sports. The Rec Center hosts several intramural tournaments for mem-
bers each semester, with options such as basketball, dodgeball, soc-cer and more.
Many students may enjoy the Rec Center’s weekly group yoga, aerobics and fitness workouts. Stu-dents who work for the University part-time can participate in the annual golf tournament and Cougar Distance Challenge, which chal-lenges faculty and staff to do more walking in exchange for fun prizes.
Outdoor Adventure gives fans of the outdoors an opportunity to take kayaking, hiking, camping, surfing, climbing and cycling trips with other students. The intensity of the trips varies. Some trips take students climbing on Enchanted Rock, while others may entail a re-laxed bicycle ride through a farmer’s market.
Students can also shed calories by riding around campus on their bicycle. Walking to and from your car is a good start, but getting involved in one of the many options UH provides for the active student will help people stay in good shape.
Information on these topics and more can be found at http://www.uh.edu
UH’s various activities, exercises to choose from allow students to stay active on campus || By sarah krusleski
tHE Fun WAY to STAY FIT & TRIM
Outdoor Ad-venture Rock Wall is 52 feet tall and has 6,000 square feet of climbing area.
The 264,000 square foot Campus Recre-ation and Wellness Center opened in Spring 2003.
The natatorium is 30,473 square feet and holds 1.3 million gallons of water.
The Rec Center includes basketball courts, where students can unwind by playing a game of H-O-R-S-E.
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
DAILy COUGAR FILE PHOTO
6 0 TRANSIT IONS
art
s tudents at the University of Houston are lucky. They receive an education and have the opportunity to attend world-class con-
certs, plays and art exhibits on campus for free or at reduced prices.
The Moores School of Music accommodates choral concerts, small ensembles, orchestra concerts, operas and guest recitals yearly. Recent cho-ral performances have included Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem and Karl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The annual December concert is popular and features popular Christmas songs, performed by UH choral groups.
The Moores School of Music is also home to various ensembles, such as the choral ensemble Floreat and the contemporary music ensemble Aura. Each year, the school also hosts the International Piano Festival in February and the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival in the summer.
Tickets to all of these events are available to faculty, staff and students at affordable prices. Guest lectures and re-citals that are part of the A.I. Lack Series Master Classes are free. More informa-tion regarding events can be found online at http://www.music.uh.edu
For art-lovers, Blaffer Gallery is a wonderful place to visit. Located in the Fine Arts Building, Blaffer Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday. Past exhibitions have included photographs by Andy Warhol, Houston-area artists and established artists of many mediums. Future exhibitions include contemporary artists Josephine Meckseper and Jon Pylypchuk.
Blaffer Gallery also displays graduate students’ works at the School of Art Masters Thesis exhibit each semester. Guided tours are available by student docents, as well as Brown Bag Gallery tours and art salons to discuss the works. All events are free and open to the public.
From paintings to plays, UH has plenty to ponder on
By sarah tucker
art oncamPus
More information about upcoming events and exhibitions can be found at http://www.class.uh.edu/blaffer
For those who prefer the theater, School of Theatre and Dance brings a wide-range of impressive theatrical and dance shows to students at an inexpensive price. Most perfor-mances occur at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.
Past performances include Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Louis Sachar’s Holes, as part of the Theater for Young Audiences pro-gram, and The Good Woman of Setzuan. The Annual Houston Shakespeare Festival, founded by Dr. Sidney Berger, is performed at the Miller Outdoor Theatre and often features many UH students onstage or behind the scenes.
Performances for the 2009-2010 season include Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, The Rocky Horrow Show and Danger-ous Liaisons, based on a novel by Choderlos de Laclos.
For fans of dance, each semester features the Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase and a dance concert. Tickets to all School of Theatre and Dance performances are $10, unless oth-erwise noted. More information about events can be found at http://www.theatredance.uh.edu
UH is also home to various sculptures and other types of art, located around campus. A student favorite, “Sandy in Defined Space,” features a sculp-ture of a female in a box and is located at the east entrance of the Science and Research 1 Building.
A student favorite, “Sandy in Defined
Space,” features a sculpture of a female in a box
and is located at the East Entrance
of the Science and Research 1
Building.
TRANSIT IONS 61
Other popular sculptures include the un-titled collection of chairs around the Athletics and Alumni Center and “A Comma A,” the curving multi-language sculpture located at the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library plaza, as well as inside the library on the third-floor balcony. A list of other artworks on campus,
including sculptures, mosaics and photographs can be found online at http://www.advancement.uh.edu/arttour/index.htm. Walking art tours are also available.
Taking part in the fine arts at UH will not only give students something to do, but also allows them to show support for fellow Cougars. Students should take advantage of these quality performances and exhibitions — alumni tickets are not always as cheap.
The 5,000-square-foot Stella Project is one of the many attractions at the Moores Opera House.
PHOTO By LANA FLORES
6 2 TRANSIT IONS
B ooks, research papers and tests; these are all part of the college experience. But so are fun times with your new friends.
Although there are a lot of activities present on campus, such as the University Center Games Room, sporting events, the wide range of dining services and the shows and plays at the Moores Opera House, sometimes it’s good to go off campus and get to know the city.
If you are a fan of sports, the city of Houston is home to five professional sports teams: the Rockets, Texans, Astros, Aeros and Dynamo. Whether it’s
baseball, football or soccer you are interested in, there is always a game go-ing on. All of these teams have ticket specials, which are usually posted on their Web sites.
Maybe you’re not a sports fan, but there’s a lot to do in the Bayou City.If you are interested in shopping, one of Houston’s nine malls has what
you are looking for. Both Memorial City Mall and the Galleria have ice-skating rinks open to the public year-round.
Those with a big appetite will enjoy the wide range of foods, from Tex-Mex to authentic Mexican, Thai, Indian and Mediterranean. It could be said that food from any place in the world can be found in Houston.
Students looking for good and cheap Tex-Mex should stop by Chuy’s on Richmond Avenue and Kirby Drive. Ask for the green sauce when you get tortilla chips and salsa. Taco Milagro, on the same streets, offers low-priced Mexican food. On Thursday through Saturday nights, the restaurant turns into a salsa club.
Not everyone likes Mexican food or wants to eat it all the time. Those who are in the mood for Asian food can head to Thai Village in Rice Village for a great atmosphere and cheap, deli-
cious Thai food. Cafe Nirvana on Dairy Ashford Road and Memorial Drive offers $10 all-you-can-eat Indian buffet.
Students in the mood for great Mediterranean buffets can go to Di-massi’s, Fadi’s or Aladdin’s. Prices vary, depending on what you order. Niko Niko’s on Montrose Boulevard makes excellent Mediterranean dishes, but don’t forget your student I.D. for a student discount.
While the pizzas aren’t pink at Pink’s Pizza, located on West Gray Avenue, they are absolutely delicious.
Those who take preference to the bar scene have tons of places to visit, such as sports bars, piano bars, pubs or clubs.
Looking for a place to relax before an Astros or Rockets game? Lucky’s Pub,
city life
It could be said that food from
any place in the world can
be found in Houston.
All work and no play makes you a dull student
|| By Patricia estrada funAnD tHE city
TRANSIT IONS 63
on St. Emanuel Street between Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, has happy-hour from 4 to 7 p.m. On select evenings, Lucky’s has Guitar Hero and Rock Band night, giving gamers and wanna-be rockers a chance to shine.
Howl at the Moon on Hadley Street in Midtown is a fun piano bar. Thursday nights are college nights, so bring your student ID to get in
free and purchase $1 domestic beers.Pub Fiction on Smith Street, also in Mid-
town, is a great place for those who want to dance and listen to some live music. Thursday nights are usually ‘80s night.
For more information on what do to in Hous-ton, you can always refer to The Daily Cougar, Houston Press or Houston Chronicle.
GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Houston’s Discov-ery Green is a unique 12-acre park located near George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park.
funAnD tHE city
commute
Commuting to campus can be a painful experience|| By mattheW keeverSTOP&Go
t raffic conditions in this big, bustling city are the worst. So if UH’s newest students find
themselves stuck in traffic, weaving in and out of lanes, exiting and enter-ing the freeway in hopes of shaving a few minutes off their commute, they will most likely be disappointed. Trust us. We’ve all tried it.
One downside of being a commuting Cougar One downside of being a commuting Cougar is traffic. No matter where students live, aside from on-campus residence halls, traffic will be part of their college experience.
A 20-minute commute one day may take an hour and 30 minutes the next, but the best way
to avoid this problem is to stay consistent in timing trips to campus. A few alternative, lesser-known routes to and from campus do exist. They may help students save time and ease the pain of driving to campus every day.
Students taking Texas Highway 288 to get to campus should forget about exiting on to Interstate 45. Instead, exit South MacGregor Way, head east to Scott Street and drive north. From there, Wheeler Avenue, Holman Street and Elgin Street are all easily accessible.
Most of the traffic on Scott Street comes Most of the traffic on Scott Street comes southbound from the freeway early in the morning and heads north as the afternoon rolls around. Students driving the opposite direc-tion on Scott Street will spend less time waiting behind other cars at red lights.
TRANSIT IONS 65
Miles to campus Miles to campus see chart below
cALcuLAtE Your COMMUTING COSTS
Think commuting is saving you money? you’d be surprised to find out how much your daily commute is costing you. Use this handy worksheet to determine your total commuting cost for the semester.
×× Round tripRound trip
2 = Total daily mileageTotal daily mileage ×× Cost per mile Cost per mile see chart below
×× No. of days per No. of days per week you drive to
campus
××Weeks per semesterWeeks per semester
14 =
$yOUR TOTAL SEMESTER
COMMUTING COST
exAmple: A drive from Sugar Land to UH in a compact car, 4 days a week.
Miles to campus × Round trip
2 =Total daily mileage
22 44 TOTAL SEMESTERCOMMUTING COSTCost per mile No. of days per
week you drive to campus
Weeks per semester
14 =× × ×$0.10 4 $ 246.40
Worksheet: Fill in the blanks using the charts below and determine yOUR commuting cost.
COMMON commutes cost PER MILEcity
Baytown
Cypress
Clear Lake
Humble
Katy
Pasadena
Pearland
Spring
Sugar Land
Tomball
Woodlands
miles to uH
26 miles
31 miles
20 miles
27 miles
34 miles
20 miles
21 miles
28 miles
22 miles
38 miles
37 miles
Clear Lake 20 miles
Katy 34 miles
Pearland 21 miles
compAcT » Corolla, Focus, Cobalt, Civic
mid-Size » Camry, Taurus, Altima, Accord
Truck/SuV » 4-Runner, F-150, CR-V, Explorer
HYbrid » Prius, Fusion, Insight
$0.10
$0.12 $0.06
$0.15
Cost per mile figures were determined using 12,000 average miles driven per year, a gas cost of $2.40 per gallon and were based on the mile per gallon of the Toyota model in the class.
»»
» see chart below»
see chart below
South MacGregor Way, a somewhat-resi-dential street, is only busy from around 8 to 9 a.m. westbound and 4 to 5 p.m. eastbound. For Cougars going to school during the day, this street is a surefire route to quickly arrive at Texas Highway 288, especially compared to getting on I-45.
If Highway 288 is backed up, Cougars can keep themselves busy at the numerous coffee shops and cafés, which offer free Wi-Fi, near the freeway.
Cougars who insist upon taking or who can-not avoid I-45, should exit Scott Street or take Spur 5 to the University entrance. The Cullen Boulevard exit tends to back up with traffic, especially early in the fall semester. Cullen Boulevard is the most frequented road entering campus as it is the main entryway to UH.
The bottom line is Cougars need to allot themselves enough time to get to class. Being on the safe side and planning to arrive early is ev-ery Cougar’s best bet. Shortcuts do not exist in
Houston. Some avenues may be less frequented than others, but timing is more important.
Traffic in Houston is never certain. Ten-thousand new Cougars will be driving to cam-pus beginning in late August, so it’s a good idea to get to UH with time to spare.
With the University Center, UC Satellite, M.D. Anderson Memorial Library and many other informative and fun places to rendezvous with friends and meet people, students won’t be upset if they arrive earlier than planned.
Sugar Land 22 miles
Woodlands 37 miles
6 6 TRANSIT IONS
f or most UH students, living in the largest city in Texas usually means a daily commute to and from the University. As if traffic congestion
weren’t enough, most students who commute to cam-pus also have to deal with congested parking spaces.
If you drive to UH and plan to be punctual to your classes, the reality is you will have to plan your daily routine in advance. If you think you can show up five minutes before class to find parking, think again — you may find there is no parking, with a long wait time for a space to open up.
Some students have said looking for parking caused them to be late to class and, in the worst cases, forced them to miss class due to inadequate parking. In addition to accommodating adequate driv-ing time for your commute, students should allow sufficient time for hunting down a parking spot.
With about 36,000 other students on campus, it’s an advantage to know the inside scoop on parking as spaces have become increas-ingly limited. University officials are working hard to address stuingly limited. University officials are working hard to address stu-dent parking with the UH Framework Plan. The University antici-pates the construction of six additional parking garages within the next 20 years will alleviate students’ parking needs.
Unfortunately, construction projects on campus further decrease
cAn’t FINDA SPOT ?Preparation, luck may be keys to finding a
place to park at UH || By larissa gonZaleZ
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
Parking
TRANSIT IONS 67
?parking availability. Student parking problems persist, but luckily, there are a few helpful tips to avoid com-mon parking hassles.
UH offers several parking options, varying from economy permits to ?varying from economy permits to ?student and garage parking per?student and garage parking per? -mits. All permits can be purchased ?mits. All permits can be purchased ?online or directly from the Parking ?online or directly from the Parking ?and Transportation offices at the ?and Transportation offices at the ?Welcome Center on campus.
Depending on whether permits are purchased for semester or annual use, pric-ing for students usually run between $54 and $214.
Although economy per-mits are located farther from the campus grounds, all of these parking lots are serviced by UH shuttles.
Students assert the new parking garage is the best value.
“With a garage permit, you are almost guaranteed to find an open spot. It saves time, so it is just more practical,” economics junior Bran-don Valdez said.
There are numerous ways to stay There are numerous ways to stay ahead of the parking competition. One of the most helpful tips is to avoid scheduling classes during the middle of the day or early afternoon.
“It is not likely that you’ll find a parking spot between 10 (to) 12 (noon),” construction management senior Andika Zulbachri said.
If you find yourself enrolled in classes during this time period, try to arrive at least 30 minutes to an hour in advance to secure a parking spot.
Other students advise waiting in the lot areas until previous classes let out. Most students say it helps to
arrive on campus early; spots are generally available earlier in the day before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
Although the Rob-ertson Stadium lot is perhaps the largest and easiest lot to ac-cess, it also quickly
fills up. UH has several less popular lots,
such as the two economy parking lots on Wheeler Avenue (Entrance 4 and 7) and the two student lots along Elgin (Entrance 18 and 17). If you get too clever about avoiding parking problems and can’t afford a citation, be sure to review which permits are allowed at each parking location.
The University is well on its way toward improving parking standards toward improving parking standards to address commuter demands. In the meantime, students can avoid common parking inconveniences by planning ahead.
With about 36,000 other students on campus, it’s an advantage to know the inside scoop on parking as spaces have become increasingly limited.
don’t ParkTHere
Be aware of how much violating the rules will cost you. These fines will be reduced by 50 percent if you pay them within 48 hours. Those with excessive unpaid tickets could be towed. Tickets may be appealed or paid online at http://www.parking.uh.edu
Parking in “No Park- »ing” areas: $32Parking on a side- »walk, along curbs, or in a construction area: $21Failing to properly »display a UH parking decal/permit: $11Parking overtime at »a parking meter: $21Parking in a UH lot »without a UH decal/permit: $53Parking in a lot »without a proper decal/permit for that lot: $27Parking in a reserved »space without a proper decal/permit for that space: $64Parking in or blocking »a driving lane: $21Parking in the grass »or blocking a side-walk or crosswalk: $21
6 8 TRANSIT IONS
P icture a growing population of diverse individuals who live together with a sense of community. They live in a carefully planned urban landscape, getting around in an eco-friendly way thanks to an efficient public transportation system. All this imagery
may bring notions of a futuristic supercity, but these elements are all part of UH’s vision to expand and evolve the concept of on-campus living.
constructIonENTRANCE
Like a little metropolis of its own, the University is already well on its way to improving its infrastructure and building a new kind of campus culture.
In an effort to address the projected enrollment growth from 35,000 to 45,000 students in the next 10 years, the University has begun several construction projects to im-prove the lifestyles of its student population and engender a sense of community among future generations. A two-phase freshman housing village has been proposed and plans for construction are anticipated to begin in 2009.
“The creation of freshman housing village was moti-vated by studies which show that students who live on campus are more engaged in their studies and are more involved in community service,” said Chelsea Lee, a UH communication coordinator for administration and finance.
In accordance with these findings, UH aims to become primarily a residential campus with at least 25 percent of its students living on campus.
“The university plans to increase its capacity by an ad-ditional 5,000 beds over the next four years as currently only 8 percent of undergraduate students — 24 percent of
freshman students — currently live on campus,” Lee said.In the first phase of the project, an additional 1,000 beds
will be added to the current Moody Towers. Remodeling of the towers will also include a complete renovation to its existing dining hall. As part of Phase 2 of the freshman residence plan, beginning in June 2010, an additional 1,000-bed tower will be built adjacent to Moody Towers.
In addition to University resources and bonds, a portion of the funding for such large scale initiatives is provided by generous donors. Luckily, Phase 1 of the freshman resi-dence was approved before the economic downturn.
If funding remains steady, construction of the project is expected to be completed by August 2010. Phase 2 may be finished in as little as 10 to 12 months.
As far as new residential spaces are concerned, UH of-ficials have already begun giving tours of the newly created Calhoun Lofts, which are targeted toward juniors, seniors, graduate or post-baccalaureate students.
“The Calhoun Lofts will be a great opportunity for students to live on campus; it will save a lot more time and money than living off campus somewhere. It will have the downtown vibe and lifestyle for an affordable price,”
UH moves forward in plans to expand || By larissa gonZaleZ
TRANSIT IONS 69
construction
Calhoun Lofts marketing associate Adrienne Rocha said.Other construction initiatives include the 20 year master plan,
known as the UH Campus Framework Plan, which aims to double the living space and learning facilities and increase parking space.
“The East Parking Garage will create 1,500 new parking spaces,” Lee said. Lee said.
In terms of transportation improvements, a new Metropolitan Transit Authority rail line project is expected to integrate several transportation services and make them readily accessible for students. Proposals from Houston Solutions Plan II have been made to direct two Metro rail lines to service the UH campus. One will be called the Southeast Corridor and the other the University Corridor.
The Southeast Corridor has already been approved by the De-partment of Transportation and will run from 3rd Ward into down-town. Tentatively, it is to be completed in 2012. More importantly, the Southeast Corridor will have three stations for the UH campus located at street intersections Wheeler/Calhoun, Cleburne/Scott and Elgin/Scott.
“Construction of the three stations is scheduled to start next year. The second line, the University line, is scheduled to start in 2011, but approval for this line is still pending,” UH Director of Real Estate John Walsh said.
UH also plans to build several “multi-modal” transportation centers at each rail stop. These stations will bring all of the modes of transportation together for easy transfer, connecting the rail-line with the Metro buses, Cougar shuttles, bicycles, automobiles and parking garages. The centers will also serve as information booths for incoming visitors. Approval for the multi-modal centers will coincide when Metro opens their stations, Walsh said.
“It will be easy for students to come to campus with the rail and
multi-modal stations — you won’t have to park and you’ll be able to get right where you need to be,” Walsh said.
Other plans include proposals for the creation of several diverse social districts on campus, including the creation of a professional, arts and stadium district. Several other renovations and expansions are also in place for UH in the near future.
The School of Communication will renovate and expand its lobby area, studio space and add a considerable amount of new office and administrative space.
A new optometry building has already been approved. The optometry building will create more lab space and feature state-of-the-art equipment, which will allow students to watch eye surgeries.
The C.T. Bauer College of Business has proposed a Bauer Business Building III project to create new additional class-room space, conference rooms and larger lobby areas.
The College of Engineering Student Services Center will create more space for departmental offices, conference rooms and will also house graduate and undergraduate visu-alization laboratories.
UH is well on its way to improving its infrastructure and building a new kind of campus culture. For more informa-tion, visit http://www.uh.edu/plantops/fpc.html
$74 millionEstimated cost of completing Phase I of UH’s transformation into a residential campus.
nuMBErsrsby the
Projected cost of constructing Projected cost of constructing an addi-tional tower adjacent to tional tower adjacent to Moody Towers.Moody Towers.
$9 millionProjected cost to build the Bauer BusiProjected cost to build the Bauer Busi-ness Project III, which will feature a lecture hall and academic center.
1,5001,500 Projected numberProjected numberof parking spotsof parking spots in the East Garage.the East Garage.
$64$64 million$64 million$64
Proposed number of beds number of beds in the freshman in the freshman residence hall.residence hall.
1,1721,172
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
The East Parking Garage is scheduled to open in Fall 2009. The 1,500 additional
parking spaces will bring the total of on-campus spaces to 17,371.
7 0 TRANSIT IONS
Meet the neW Cougar Card:Meet the neW Cougar Card:Meet the neW Cougar Card:Key to the CaMpus
For More InForMFor More InForMatIon: VISIT WWW.uh.edu/CougarCard CALL 713-743-Card
hoW do I get one?
Students will have their �photos taken in Room 279, University Center. A Cougar Card will be �produced at that time. All functionality will be placed �on the card at the beginning of each semester.
Cougar Card Office:Room 279, University Center
8 am – 5 pm Monday thru Friday(713) 743-CARD
THE DAILY COUGAR
Red all over.
Get campus news, sports & discussion at thedailycougar.com
TRANSIT IONS 71
University Health CenterHurt? Sick? All currently enrolled students can use our services whether you have UH Student Insurance or not!
Walk-in Clinic Physician visits for general diagnosis, treatment, minor emergencies, laboratory, X-ray and specialist referral. 713-743-5151Nursing Care Allergy injections, cuts and abrasions, health information, blood pressure monitoring, immunizations. 713-743-5156Dermatology Clinic Diagnosis and treatment of skin related conditions. No referral necessary. Appointment only. 713-743-5154Men’s Clinic Diagnosis, treatment, counseling and referral for men’s health issues. Appointment only. 713-743-5155Orthopedic Clinic Treatment of sports injuries and musculo-skeletal problems. Appointment only. 713-743-5142
Psychiatric Clinic Evaluation, diagnosis, medication management and treatment for psychiatric disorders. Appointment only. 713-743-5149Women’s Clinic Diagnosis, treatment, counseling and referral for women’s health issues. Appointment only. 713-743-5156Attendant Care Services Care and lifestyle assistance program for needs of disabled students living on campus. 713-748-8603Pharmacy Prescription and over Pharmacy Prescription and over PharmacyPharmacythe counter items at very low cost. 713-743-5125UH Student Health Insurance Deadline to add or drop insurance is the 20th class day of each fall and spring semester. 713-743-5137
For hours and more information, http://www.uh.edu/admin/hcEntrance #6 on Wheeler • Bldg #525 on Campus Map
All visits and
inquiries are confidential
safety
d espite accounts of various crimes occurring on campus, UH is still considered a safe campus by many standards.
The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to keep students and visitors safe and secure while on campus. With a range of crime pre-vention services, including the Daily Crime bulletins directly delivered to cell phones and e-mail accounts, Security Escort Programs and emergency Blue Light Phones, the UHDPS strives to remain commit-ted to serving the security needs of students, faculty and administra-tors.
Located at 3869 Wheeler Ave., near the northwest corner of campus, the DPS is available 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of everyone entering campus grounds.
Although visitors are provided escorts to and from vehicles and buildings across campus, they are encouraged to contact the DPS for
UHDPS is working hard to ensure students’ safety || bY eric miller
Emergency Blue Light phones are placed at various spots around campus, directly connecting people to UHDPS.
SSaaFE
TY
SSFIrst
7 2 TRANSIT IONSTRANSIT IONS
TRANSIT IONS 73
any reason should they feel unsafe or prefer a security escort after dark. Depending on availability, commissioned officers or trained student workers are assigned to provide such escorts for all members of the UH community.
The University’s DPS remains the first line of defense for visitors and residents.
UH is well equipped to manage the secu-rity needs of its clientele as it is supported by the first class resources of Houston’s renowned emergency response personnel. Campus police routinely monitor the campus through more than security cameras. Ad-ditionally, UHDPS officers are networked into Houston’s vast 911 operation systems.
The University is dedicated to providing
a safe environment for its students in order to continue fostering a leading academic environment.
Seminars covering a range of topics, including sexual assaults, personal safety and disaster and terrorism training, are covered throughout the academic year. UHDPS of-ficers and staff are trained and prepared to handle a diverse range of issues from hate crimes and date rape to weather-related disasters and motor vehicle thefts.
The department also actively involves campus organizations, such as the Student Government Association, and faculty organi-zations in security decisions and information gathering. The department remains commit-
ted to open communication.The UHDPS seeks to provide the neces-
sary resources and tools to help keep stu-dents and visitors safe. While personal safety is the primary concern of each individual, DPS is known for an outstanding record of crime prevention techniques, awareness campaigns and criminal investigations. Fami-lies can rest assured UH will continue to pro-vide safety programs that will enhance and enlighten security preparedness. Suggestions on improvement are always encouraged.
The UHDPS produces an annual crime report and provides this information as a public service via its Web site at http://www.uh.edu/police
A well-kept campus is nothing without a strong line of defense.
500 The number of security cameras that scan the campus.
45The number of campus
police officers.
75 The number of emergency and information call boxes on campus.
nunuMBErsby the
The approximate number of police-related calls that UHDPS
receives each year.40,000
COURTESy OF UHDPS
7 4 TRANSIT IONS
ADVERTISERSTOPICSUniversity Eye Institute .................................... 2
President’s Office .............................................. 3
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences .... 6
Vice President for Student Affairs ................ 7
Womens Resource Center .............................. 12
Dean of Students Office .................................. 12
Student Government Association ................ 13
University Career Services ............................. 14
Center for Students with DisABILITIES ....... 14
Geico Insurance ................................................ 14
Department of Public Safety ......................... 15
Student Legal Services .................................... 15
UH Bookstore ............................................ 16, 80
Smart Financial ................................................. 16
Air Force ROTC .................................................. 16
Parking & Transportation ........................ 17, 39
Psychology Research & Services ................ 20
Catalina Village ............................................... 20
The College Store ............................................. 21
Center for Entrepreneurship ....................... 30
Calhoun Lofts .................................................... 31
Bauer College of Business ............................. 32
Welcome Center................................................ 33
Campus Activities .......................................... 34
Cougar Card ............................................... 35, 70
University Center ............................................ 36
Residential Life & Housing ............................ 37
Campus Recreation and Wellness .............. 38
Aramark ....................................................... 40-41
U.S. Army ........................................................... 42
Cougar First Impressions............................... 43
U.S. Navy .......................................................... 44
UH Marching Band ......................................... 45
Frenchy’s Fried Chicken ................................ 46
Veterans Services Office ............................... 46
Council for Ethnic Organizations ................. 47
M.D. Anderson Library .................................. 48
Subway .............................................................. 49
Plant Operations ............................................ 49
Health Center .................................................... 71
Counseling & Psychological Services .......... 71
Cambridge Oaks .............................................. 76
Textbook Brokers ............................................ 76
American Campus ........................................... 77
African American Studies ............................. 78
Learning & Assessment Services ................ 79
indeX
a
Alma mater 58
ArtsBlaffer Gallery 60Cynthia Woods Mitchell
Center for the Arts 60Houston Shakespeare Festival 60Moores School of Music 60
Athletics 56baseball 57, 58, 62basketball 57football 9, 56, 57, 58, 62track and field 57
B
buildingsA.D. Bruce Religion Center 28Agnes Arnold Hall 28Ezekiel W. Cullen Building 9Fine Arts Building 60M.D. Anderson Memorial Library 10,
19, 61, 65Learning Commons 19
Campus Recreation and Wellness Center 11, 28, 59
Roy G. Cullen Building 8Social Work Building 28UC Satellite 11, 65University Center 10, 28, 62, 65Welcome Center 4, 11, 26, 27, 28, 29, 67
c
campus Framework plan 69
collegesCollege of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences 22College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics 23Conrad H. Hilton College of Hotel and
Restaurant Management 23C.T. Bauer College of Business 22Graduate School of Social Work 23UH Law Center 23
commuting 64Calculate cost of, 65
cougar paw 58
cullen, Hugh roy 9
d
department of public Safety 72
f
Fight song 58
Frontier Fiesta 9
h
Hoffman, phillip guthrie 9
Houston Junior college 8
m
metro rail 69
o
oberholtzer, edison ellsworth 8
official school colors 58
P
parking 66
peopleSoft 19, 25
r
residence halls/housingBayou Oaks 54Calhoun Lofts 51, 52, 53, 54, 68, 69Cambridge Oaks 54Cougar Place 54Cullen Oaks 54freshman housing village 68Moody Towers 54, 68, 69Quadrangle 28, 54
s
ServicesHealth Center 28International Student
& Scholar Services Office 28Justin Dart Jr. Center for Students
with DisABILITIES 28Speech, Language
& Hearing Clinic 28Student Legal Services 28Transfer Center 26
Academic Fresh Start 26Adult Admission Program 26
University Eye Institute 28Urban Experience Program 28Writing Center 28
Student organizations 55
W
WebcT 25
TRANSIT IONS 75
editor’s note
W elcome to one of the most unique universities in the nation. While UH
is not one of the most recognizable campuses in the U.S., soon you will see why it is a great place to get your degree.
UH is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, as students from around the globe come to Houston to pursue their dreams. Many of you know only a few people from other countries, but get ready to meet more.
Our University will expand your mind and open you up to new cultures. Of course, you don’t have to enjoy only the diversity. You also have plenty of places to go to have a good time with friends, eat, work out, study and live.
Before you can enjoy everything the cam-pus has to offer, you have to figure out where you’re going, what you want to do, who you are and why you’re here. Not all of these questions will be answered in your first semester, but don’t sweat it. With time, you’ll find your niche and truly appreciate UH.
We hope Transitions helped you answer a few of these questions. This magazine gave you information on places to eat, athletics and frequently visited places such as the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library and The Welcome
Center. Plus, we threw in some tips for transfer and commuter students.
Once you find out where to eat and park and how to navigate around campus, new questions may pop into your head. What clubs should I join? How do WebCT and Blackboard Vista work? Where can I watch a play or view pieces of art? Our staff has done its best to give you answers to these questions as well. We hope we’ve provided enough information to create a smooth transition to UH from high
school or community college.You might not fall in love with the campus
and join the “Red-volution” right away. But, if you keep an open mind and soak in everything with a positive attitude, you’ll enjoy most of your experiences at the biggest university in Houston.
I’d like to close with a special thank you to my staff, whose tireless efforts turned a few story ideas into a helpful magazine. All that’s left to say is, have fun and eat ‘em up Coogs!
PHOTO By JUSTIN FLORES
Transitions editor in chief Matt Miller, left, enjoys a view of Houston’s skyline from the ninth-floor terrace of Calhoun Lofts with marketing manager Teeba Rose.
oVErLooKED unIVErsItY FuLL oF opportunItIEs
TrAnSiTionS STAFF
By TRANSITIONS EDITOR matt miller
Summer 09 | Volume 19
EDITOR IN CHIEF » matt miller
GRAPHICS EDITOR » mariah davis
COPy CHIEF » Trae browne
COPy EDITOR » newton liu
PAGE DESIGN » lana Flores, mariah davis matt Johnson, colby kibbe, Jorge robles
PHOTOGRAPHERS » Justin Flores, Yvette davilla, mariah davis, lana Flores, Tony ngyuen, david Shih
ADVERTISING REPS » Faith Akioyamen cindy Alvarado, Victoria gbenoba, dhanya Vadakanthara
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION » rob Asaad, luis chacón, lana Flores, Stan le, Jorge robles
» contact usUniversity of HoustonDepartment of Student Publications151C Communication BuildingHouston, TX 77204-4015(713) 743-5350
» about the magazine
Transitions in published by the Department of Student Publications at the University of Houston. The magazine is intended for incoming freshmen and transfer students. No portion of the magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the director of the Department of Student Publications.
7 6 TRANSIT IONS
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TRANSIT IONS 77
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7 8 TRANSIT IONS
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an experience in academic and cultural diversity!
University of HoUstonAfricAn AmericAn StudieS
628 Agnes Arnold Hall628 Agnes Arnold HallHouston, TX 77204-3047Houston, TX 77204-3047
(713) 743-2811(713) 743-2811
FAll 2009 CoursesAAs 2320 InTo To AFrICAn AmerICAn sTudIes 2:30-4pm TTH 205-seC CrAWFord requIred AAs 2320 InTo To AFrICAn AmerICAn sTudIes 4-7pm m 106-m eAsTerlInG requIredAAs 2320 InTo To AFrICAn AmerICAn sTudIes 4-7pm m 106-m eAsTerlInG requIredAAs 2320 InTo To AFrICAn AmerICAn sTudIes 7-10pm T 108-m sYlVers requIredAAs 2320 InTo To AFrICAn AmerICAn sTudIes 7-10pm T 108-m sYlVers requIredAAs 2322 InTro To AFrICAn relIGIon And pHIlosopHY 4-7pm T 204-AH BonGmBA soCIAl AAs 2322 InTro To AFrICAn relIGIon And pHIlosopHY 4-7pm T 204-AH BonGmBA soCIAl sCIenCesCIenCeAAs 3307 AFrICAn spIrITuAlITY TrAnsFormATIon In THe soCIAl sCIenCe 10-11:30Am TTH AAs 3307 AFrICAn spIrITuAlITY TrAnsFormATIon In THe soCIAl sCIenCe 10-11:30Am TTH TBA TIlloTson soCIAl sCIenCeTBA TIlloTson soCIAl sCIenCeAAs 3310 AFrICAn AmerICAn eXperIenCe THrouGH THeAAs 3310 AFrICAn AmerICAn eXperIenCe THrouGH THeATATre 11-12pm mWF Anderson HFACre 11-12pm mWF Anderson HFACAAs 3330 AFrICAn AmerICAn orAl HIsTorY 11:30-1pm TTH ConYers HFACAAs 3348 AFrICAn AmerICAns And THe lAW 10-11:30Am TTH 9-AH WIGGIns soCIAl sCIenCeAAs 4330 THe BlACk CHurCH In AmerICA 5:30-7pm TTH 202-AH WAlker soCIAl sCIenCeAAs 4440 model AFrICAn unIon semInAr 1-2:30pm TTH TBA eAsTerlInAAs 4440 model AFrICAn unIon semInAr 1-2:30pm TTH TBA eAsTerlInG soCIAl sCIenCeG soCIAl sCIenCe
GrAdu GrAduATATe Coursese CoursesAAs 6308 African religion and Biography 10-11:30am TTH 203-AH CAAs 6308 African religion and Biography 10-11:30am TTH 203-AH ConYers Graduate CertificateonYers Graduate Certificate
TRANSIT IONS 79
IP a r e n t E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t
7 1 3 - 7 4 3 - 5 4 9 1
WWW.LAS.UH.EDU
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8 0 TRANSIT IONS
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