YoYo’s to operate in parking loop by Mudd Lab
Editor’s note: The Rice Thresher previously reported that YoYo’s Hot Dog was scheduled to operate out of the Mudd parking loop. The vendor secured by Rice Housing and Dining was, instead, True Dog Houston, a former partner selling similar hot dogs. Click here to read an updated article.
Beginning this Friday, YoYo’s Hot Dog will operate from the parking area between Mudd Lab and Hamman Hall, according to an email, obtained by the Thresher, from Director of Housing & Dining David McDonald.
This week only, YoYo’s will be open Friday and Saturday. Beginning Feb. 9 and in the weeks following, YoYo’s will be open Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The decision comes in the wake of Rice Management Company terminating the leases for YoYo’s and Oh My Gogi beginning Feb. 1.
Gabby Franklin, Student Association president, said that she proposed the idea to McDonald after Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman mentioned a previous tradition of food trucks in the parking area near Mudd Lab. Franklin said the effort to find a space for YoYo’s on campus began after Dani Knobloch brought forward concerns about the lease termination.
“We were kind of on a deadline when we did find out [about the leases ending], so we weren’t really sure where to go at first,” Franklin said. “Then I had a one-on-one [meeting] with Dean Gorman [who] gave me the information to [discuss bringing YoYo’s to campus with] David McDonald, and then he entered into conversations with the RMC. And here we are.”
Franklin, a Brown College junior, said that she hopes the presence of YoYo’s will bring more of the Houston community to an area of campus that is less visited.
“I hope this increases awareness of Rice’s campus,” Franklin said. “Like, the fact that, as a community member, you can enjoy some good food and head over to a part of campus that really deserves more attention, with Hamman Hall being so close [for visitors] to see more theatre programs around the same time.”
Renzo Espinoza, who started a petition intending to reverse the RMC decision, was in disbelief when he heard the news.
“I was shocked,” Espinoza, a Wiess College junior, said. “I tried to check the validity of it first, because stuff can spread [with] significant news like that … [When] I found out that it was true … it was like Christmas.”
According to Espinoza, YoYo’s staying close to campus is going to be welcome news to the entire Rice community.
“I honestly think that there’s not a single person on campus that’s not going to rejoice with this news,” Espinoza said. “People will be relieved that a significant part of Rice culture is making its way back.”
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
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.