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No need to fret over finals

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As part of Finals Frenzy, a series of events to help students destress during the hectic weeks of finals, students will receive the chance to pet trained therapy dogs on Dec. 9 – 12. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar

Winter is fast approaching, and Christmas tunes have creeped up on radio listeners even earlier this year. The sound of “Jingle Bells” playing can have several different meanings, but for the studious it means one thing: finals are coming.

As the campus bustles to life with students furiously attempting to end the semester with a bang, Cougars can keep an eye out for upcoming events and freebies.

Study break with new friends

Furry creatures will head to the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library to comfort students during their breaks in the upcoming week of feverish finals from Dec. 9 to 12 in Rooms 106-T and 106-P.

“Paws and Relax” is a new finals tradition whereby certified therapy dogs are brought in from local organizations for students to relieve stress. Cougars will be able to pet, cuddle and give treats to the dogs.

The library has partnered with Faithful Paws to bring the therapy dogs to campus. They will be at the library at various times during the week in the evening. More information can be found at http://info.lib.uh.edu/finals-events-library-fall-2013 or on the library’s Facebook page.

Finals Mania
Students will file into the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library for last-minute cramming sessions and all-nighters during a week that has come to be known as “Finals Mania.” In an effort to support the tired and hungry masses of students, Auxiliary Services has devised a plan: a late-night pancake breakfast.
Staff will serve hot pancakes, turkey sausages, snacks and beverages from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Dec. 10 in the library, free for students with UH IDs. This will also coincide with “Paws and Relax,” so students can enjoy their meals while cuddling with a certified therapy dog.
The library will also be open 24 hours a day Monday through Thursday from Dec. 10 to 19.
Highlight on higher education

Chancellor and President Renu Khator will discuss how legislation has affected UH and higher education in Texas from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Sugar Land Marriott.

The University has made strides in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and has received funding from both corporations and the state. Beyond the research and laboratories, though, UH has fostered a diverse student body from a range of ages and interests.

Khator visited the state capitol for the Texas Tribune Festival 2013 to discuss the future of higher education in late September.

“We know for sure that higher education will change more dramatically in the next 10 years than it did in the last 10 years or even in the last 25 years,” Khator said. ”What I’d like to see is that my institution is agile enough, flexible enough, prepared enough to be able to navigate and find an anchor (of) student success.”

The UH System comprises UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria and teaching centers across the Greater Houston area. With an operating budget of $1.6 billion for the 2014 fiscal year, the system serves almost 70,000 students, according to UH.edu.

The Educational and Governmental Relations Divisions of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce will host the event at the Marriott at 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, Texas.

Scholarship reception

In honor of the memory of Patsy Swayze, a former dance instructor and mother of actor Patrick Swayze who passed away earlier this semester, a scholarship was created in her name by two alumni.

Judy and Walter Jones will host a reception in honor of the new Patsy Swayze Endowed Scholarship for the School of Theater and Dance at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Wortham Theater Lobby. Judy had studied directly under Swayze and hopes to keep the former dance instructor’s memory alive with this endowment, according to a UH press release.

Admission is free.

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