Candid conversations on ‘constant construction’

By Valentina Kuschnir     4/1/25 10:33pm

You can’t step outside on campus without seeing a crane or some yellow caution tape. Sarofim Hall, the art department’s new building, is set to open in the fall; a second RMC is in the works; and the academic quad remains lined with orange safety netting.   

Martel College sophomore Chiara Moretti said she appreciates the architectural diversity that new buildings bring to campus. 

“It’s nice to walk around and see diversity in architecture,” Moretti said. “I do think that it does shift the aesthetic for sure.” 

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Minji Kim, a Wiess College freshman, said the construction is hurting the campus environment and aesthetic. 

“Constant construction is hurting the aesthetic of the campus overall. I think it’s kind of a personal preference, but I prefer the older architecture,” Kim said.

Kim, who lives next to the construction of the new college in between Sid Richardson College and Wiess College, said the construction affects her sleep schedule. 

“Throughout the year, I would wake up at random times of the morning just because it was right outside of my room,” Kim said.

Katherine Sammy said she worries Rice will lose some of its charm when the new buildings are complete.

“I’m a little bit worried, for example, we’re in [Chaus] now and I love the vibe here,” said Sammy, a Wiess College junior. “I don’t know if they can capture that with the new RMC.” 

Vishal Kumar, a student at the Shepherd School of Music, said the construction disrupts his practice. 

“If your studio and lessons are in the back hall, where the business building is, you’ll hear these beeps, and that distracts you,” said Kumar, a Hanszen College freshman. 

Despite the disruptions, McMurtry College freshman Nicolai Mendoza said he’s hopeful that the construction of new student-focused buildings like the second RMC will bring late-night dining options.

“We don’t have any major chains,” Mendoza said. “We don’t have a Starbucks on campus or a Chick-fil-A, but most other campuses do.”

Wiess College senior Cassandra Chapa said her time at Rice has been impacted by the university wanting to continuously expand its size and population.
“The reason I applied here is because of the small class sizes,” Chapa said. “The class sizes are not small anymore. It's taken me three years to get into a lab class that I need to graduate, and that's why I'm graduating next semester.”

Chapa said she thinks administration focuses more on attracting prospective students than addressing current students’ needs and concerns. 

“I don't think the admin is prioritizing current students at the same level [as] they are future students,” Chapa said.“I don't think that's right.”

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