Regents give Smith $45,000 raise, extend contract to September 2003

In a specially called meeting Friday, the UH System Board of Regents voted unanimously to extend by eight months the current employment contract of UHS Chancellor and UH President Arthur K. Smith. The move was made to allow Smith (whose contract was to expire in January, 2003) to stay on through the next session of the Texas Legislature.
 

Stutts steps down, DeFranco steps in

In a surprise to many faculty and staff members, Alan Stutts, dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, announced last week he is resigning from his position in order to accept the presidency of what is described as a "for-profit higher education institution." At press time, the name of the institution had not been announced.
 

Bayport area residents have opportunity to air grievances

As part of the ebb and flow of the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston Bay is known for its nearly year-round mild temperatures.
 
 

Spread holiday cheer with seasonal favorites

In an effort to bring readers good Christmas cheer, Breaking News staff writers spent the past week gathering around a roaring fire listening+ to stacks of holiday music CDs. It was difficult to pare it down, but the following is our list of the best Christmas CDs. Mele Kalikimaka!
 

Sting adds life to old material on the intimate 
'... All This Time'

When a musician has been in the business for more than a quarter of a century, he can't keep singing the same old songs the same old ways.
 

'Vanilla Sky' may baffle critics, but Crowe handles complex plot well

Vanilla Sky, Cameron Crowe's latest film, is an excellent story filled with sexual, violent and mind-numbing situations addressing the ultimate "what ifs?" regarding relationships.
 

Breaking News Comics

Simonson: One bad class can sour the college experience

Well, this is it. The last Christmas break of my undergraduate career. (You can make melodrama out of anything if you try hard enough.) Three more credit hours, and they'll be handing me a diploma. I don't really believe it. Diplomas are myths, like Valhalla, Atlantis or Michael Jackson. They're not real. Certainly not for me.
 

Caster: Bin Laden tapes reveal terrorist plot

Everyone should have had an opportunity to view the motion picture event of the decade: the Osama bin Laden video. In it, we see the absolutely detestable bin Laden recounting his effort and joy bringing death and destruction to the heart of America with an equally disgusting Saudi citizen Khaled al-Harbi.
 

Staff Editorial: Hurry -- expand the locker rooms

M. Basketball: UH makes significant Gaines; Knight impressed

Before Friday, the UH men's basketball team was average at best.

With one roster addition -- prized sophomore transfer Kevin Gaines -- the Cougars (5-3) have been transformed into a team that has a chance to win every time it steps on the court.
 

Football: Staffers present picks for madcap bowl season

The Breaking News sports staff has compiled brief descriptions and insight into all 25 bowl games over the next two weeks. For each game, Managing Editor Keenan Singleton, Sports Editor Christian Schmidt and Entertainment Editor Ed De La Garza diligently researched and came up with predictions for all the match-ups. Note: These predictions are for entertainment purposes only and should not be used to place illegal bets.
 

W.Basketball: Muoneke leads Houston as Laddy Cougars trounce Jacksonville State

The UH women's basketball team finished the first month of the season with one of its best starts ever, going 6-1 with its only loss coming to the No. 14-ranked Colorado Buffaloes.