News in Brief: 26 New trees planted around campus
On Jan. 25, 2014, the Facilities Engineering and Planning celebrated Arbor Day by planting 26 trees around Rice's campus, FE&P's Manager of Communications Susann Glenn said.
This year, FE&P planted 20 post oak trees and six sawtooth oak trees directly behind Martel College, near the Master's house and in the retention area directly across from Wiess College, according to Glenn. Another event celebrating Arbor Day will take place November 2014.
Rice's campus makes up the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum, which was dedicated in 1999. The arboretum maintains numerous projects across campus that furthers its mission to create a teaching and research resource, according to the arboretum's website. Glenn said the university will keep the environment on the forefront of the Rice community's mind.
"Rice continues to commemorate Arbor Day every year by planting more trees; however, this is not the only time during the year that we plant trees," Glenn said. "Our dedicated team of three arborists are constantly caring for more than 4,700 trees on campus."
The Grounds and Sustainability department within FE&P worked closely with the Arbor Day Foundation and the Texas Forest Service to ensure the species of trees planted would survive in this community, Glenn said.
According to Glenn, the purpose of replanting trees in such an event is to diversify the types of trees on campus, introduce young trees to replace the old and dying ones and to help educate volunteers about the benefits of trees in an urban environment.
The entire Rice community was invited to participate in this event.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications
Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77.
Students reject divestment proposals
The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda
Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.