Run-oft,EUections Ken Pham F,ound Dead The Dateline: Downto'1n \ ndorses Annise Parker Former UHD student is found dead after being for Mayor of, Houston suspected ofa triple murder in November FR&'N';f~GE CAMP.U~ 'NEWS T U 0 N R U N S N C £ V . Q U M 0 N NEWSPAPER FOR THE UN IVERS ITY OF HOUSTON- DOWNTOWN Volume 43, Issue 7, DECEMBER 7, 2009- FEBRUARY 8, 2010 www.uhd.edu/dateline For Mayor, We Endorse Annise Parker Dateline Staff Report Although Bill White has done a forum taking place at Texas some great things and is quite Southern University (attended After much debate and popular, he has left Houston by The Dateline), Parker quickly deliberation, The Dateline believes with a million dollar deficit answered questions posed and that Houston's next Mayor under his leadership. Measures quickly shut down opponents should be Annise Parker. Former such as the Rainy Day Fund a !tempting to harp on eduction, democratic opponent and City taken by Parker as Controller which the Mayor has no control Council Member Peter Brown have absolutely kept Houston over. Peter Brown came in describes Parker as having a thriving. A native Houston ian thirty minutes late and Gene " 12-year proven track record herself, Parker continues to Locke came in ten minutes after ofpublic service, particularly show her commitment to this Parker, who was there early in terms ofefficient, open city and its possible growth with with her team greeting voters government, quality of life, and visionary ideas. One vision is and preparing for a forum. It fiscal responsibility, especially possibly allowing fellow HCC or was obvious from then on that important in these difficult UHD Cadets to become peace one candidate wants to be the economic times. That candidate keepers because they receive the next Mayor ofHouston. The is Annise Parker." Since 2003, same state certification as those Dateline believes that your vote Parker has proven her fiscal students in the HPD Academy. for Mayor should be for Annise responsibility as City Controller Although the Mayoral Forum Parker. As more allegations about as she stopped wasteful spending that was supposed to take place at Locke come to light (in regard to on soccer stadiums and the UHD in September was cancelled conflicts of interest), we can trust wants, not the needs, ofthe city. by all democratic candidates, that Parker- who gladly published Now more than ever, we need a Parker and Locke continued to her and her partner's taxes for all fiscally responsible Mayor. go to debates and fo rums. At to see- has nothing to hide. · failing placement tests and New Standards for Freshman bein g forced to take remedial Christina Rodriguez and participated in the panel Dr. Steve Murdock, whose a predictor ofthe nation's courses at UHD, which is a ASSOCIATE EDITOR discussion. work has been tO study the growth," and continued to waste of time and money on all Dr. Moosally spoke first changes in population in show slides that supported sides. He stated that a big part On Friday, November 13, and while discussing the need Texas. One of the first things this fact. The main reason ofthe problem is in our area 2009, faculty, administration, for higher standards, she he said was "! may become a for Murdoch's presentation high schools, because they are students and guest speakers stated that "Access without bit preachy, but I just want you was to demonstrate that as a having children graduate who met in Robertson Auditorium direction ...does not support to know I have a right to." In school, we must keep in mind are not able to pass placement to discuss the need for our students." Dr. Flores spoke his Powerpoim presentation, that if the given statistics hold tests. "There has tO be more raising admission standards. next and discussed University he made it clear that UHD's true, we need to consider collaboration between public The guest speakers were of Houston Main Campus, future is tied to non-Anglo the prevalence of Hispanic and higher education." He Dr. Raymund Paredes, which is already discussing populations. He gave the population when discussing also discussed the possibility Commissioner ofTexas Higher raising their admission percentage ofpopulation admission standards because it of making financial aid more Education Coordination standards, and what ki nd of growth in Texas in 2000-2001 may mean fewer students will selective, which would require Board, and Dr. Steve effect this change would have compared to 2007-2008. The be able to attend school. students in high school to take Murdock, State demographer. on our campus. IfUH Main Anglo population decreased Dr. Paredes then gave his AP or IB classes, which are The mediator was Dr. Michelle does raise their standards, then from 42 percent to 35 percent, own speech that focused on good for college credit, and Moosally, President of the those students who do not while the Hispanic population the main cause ofestablishing having at least a B average UHD Faculty Senate. Dr. meet that standard will come increased from 40 percent admission standards. He exiting high school. One William Flores was also toUHD. tO 47 percent. Murdoch maintains that a 'Pajor statement that he reiterated present for the opening speech The first guest speaker was also stated that "Texas is problem lies with students see STANDARDS on page 3 Page 2 December 7 - February 8, 2010 Dateline : Downtown STUD DDT IIPD Model Winners at Seattle Debate The Ghosts of Black Friday Amanda White employee named Jdimytai Travis Alford the ultimate goal was to reach a consensus. CONTRIBUTING WRLTER Damour was trampled to death CONTRIBUTING WRITER UHD's resolve never waned. The fundamental while he and other employees views ofdelegates were impressed upon the To most Americans, Black were opening the doors for the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) committees and the decorum. The delegates Friday is considered the predawn sales. In an article Model United Nations Debate Team traveled from The University of Houston- Downtown largest shopping day ofthe from CNN.com, Bruce Both, to Seattle on Friday Nov. 13 2009 to compete triumphed through dialogue and engagement. year, which also signifies the president of United Food and in the Northwest Model United Nations Fortune favored the bold on Nov. 15, 2009 and official start ofthe holiday Commercial Workers Union (NWMUN) event held at the University of there were none bolder than UHD as most season. Black Friday falls on stated, "Where were the safety Washington. The intensity at the debate where outstanding delegation was earned. the fourth Friday in November barriers? Where was security?" high as competing universities proved to Model United Nations is an organization after Thanksgiving Day. Wal-Mart, Green Acres Mall, respectively that People usually go out to the and Securitas Security Services represent simulates the stores before sunrise to take USA faced a lawsuit from the their actual duties advantage of sale. Some people Damour family on December, countries and priorities get an early start by camping 3, 2008. in a debate. of the United outside stores on Thanksgiving To avoid a repeat oflast The buildup Nations evening. Most people find year's disaster, about eight to the (UN): peace­ Black Friday convenient, hundred Wai-Mart stores NWMUN keeping, because they can get their around the country remained could be helping in holiday shopping done early open twenty-four hours seen as emergencies, and save money by buying starting November 27, 2009. having and several items for less, but This change will not affect parallels preventing people who hate crowds and the majority ofsuper Wal­ to an arms nuclear like to get things done quickly Marts, since they are always race; the proliferation. logon to their favorite store's open twenty-four hours. In delegations When website to do their holiday an article from USAtoday. were conflicts shopping. com, David Tovar, a Wal-Mart mounting threaten Although Black Friday spokesperson, said, "Instead ammunition international may save time and money, oflining up outside Wal-Mart, The University of Houston-Downtown won outstanding delegation which was the top overall for every award. The University of Houston-Downtown Model United Nations Debate team includes security, it there are some downfalls to customers can already be possibility Jennifer Phillips, Travis Alford, Luis Galindo (Award Winner), Adam Tiffin (Award Winner), provides a the event. There is a growing shopping in different areas of ofconflict Sarah Mayer, Lissette Charcousse, and led by The HOUMUN President Eduardo Landaeta. forum for trend in which out ofcontrol the store until sales officially during negotiation; customers push and stampede begin at 5 am". debate. it can also their way into stores. A large So how did the tradition Many hours were spent in research and send peace-keepers to stabilize a crisis. At times, number ofpeople are hurt ofconsumers gone mad start considering diplomatic strategy on how to pilot the UN organizes humanitarian relief and food every year due to this (luckily anyway? The term Black the conversation to places where our respective supplies for millions of refugees and victims this seems to have diminished Friday is believed to originate country's position could change the game. The off a mine and natural disasters. Through the in 2009), and some stores back to the 1920s from a story actual debate was challenging in sustaining International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN suffer property damage due to about a man named Laurence focus on the topic while maintaining our has helped minimize the threat ofa nuclear war people breaking down doors Black, who worked for composure and respecting the serious decorum.