Senior Spotlight: Cory Pan celebrates uncertainty

Though his journey as a bioengineering major has since become central to his experience at Rice, Cory Pan’s first experience in bioengineering almost pushed him out of the major. While working on a problem-based learning project, Pan was part of a team that was charged with coming up with a design concept for a device that would measure renal function and notify a patient if they needed emergency dialysis. 

Off-campus community members lose heat, water among statewide infrastructure failures

Below-freezing temperatures, hazardous roads, power outages and frozen water pipes in the Houston area moved Crisis Management to cancel classes Feb. 15 and 16, with Feb. 17 remaining a scheduled sprinkle day. No classes or exams can be held and no assignments can be due on these days. 

New Sid Rich opens doors to first of its residents

After nearly two years of construction, the new Sid Richardson College building opened its doors to the first of its residents on the week of Jan. 18. The building features ten floors of student housing, spacious common areas including a 4,000 square foot outdoor patio, isolated study pods, an Off Campus lounge and a theatre, according to Housing and Dining Senior Director David McDonald. The magisters’ house, quad and nearby parking lot remain under construction and are expected to be completed in the next two to three weeks.

Faculty Senate will meet to discuss risks and benefits of returning to campus

UPDATE 8/20/20: According to Faculty Senate Speaker Christopher Johns-Krull, the senate passed the following resolution after a nearly three-hour long meeting: “The Faculty of Rice University expresses its deep disappointment that in spite of the stated principle of ‘choice,‘ some faculty and staff members felt under pressure to be physically present on campus.”

Faculty prepare for possible transition to remote instruction

Faculty and university staff have begun to prepare for the possibility of transitioning to remote classes following spring break, according to an email sent to faculty obtained by the Thresher. As part of an ongoing response to the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus on campus, Rice University canceled all classes and graded exams and assignments for the week of March 9. 

Housing guide: Meal plan options

Feeding yourself for the first time can be the one of the most daunting parts of living off campus. Just ask me, who lived almost completely off frozen meals last year. Luckily, I’ve asked a few people who have fared much better for their advice on eating healthily and well while living off campus.

Wickerson's campaign promises remain unfulfilled

When Grace Wickerson ran for Student Association President in February 2019, they campaigned on a platform of multiple goals falling under the categories of education, student wellbeing, access and inclusion, sustainability and championing student ideas. Based on our analysis, Wickerson has only attempted one-third of their campaign promises. 

Last semester’s TABC charges delay Pub opening

Willy’s Pub will remain closed for the first weeks of the semester as management begins to implement changes to improve its compliance with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission policy, according to an email from General Manager Emily Duffus. 

Students, alumni recount experiences with mental health at Rice

Content warning: This piece contains references to suicide, which can be triggering. The 24/7 Wellbeing hotline number is 713-348-3311.

Chegg security breach exposes 130 Rice accounts

Over 130 Rice accounts had their email addresses and passwords exposed as part of a breach that swept Chegg, a textbook rental and homework help company, over a year ago, according to Marc Scarborough, chief information security officer at the Office of Information Technology.

MOB lets pride fly in Baylor halftime show

During halftime of the football game against Baylor University on Saturday, over 50 students and alumni from Rice and Baylor ran onto the football field bearing pride flags. The halftime show, organized by the Marching Owl Band, was a protest against Baylor’s discriminatory stance toward LGBTQ+ students, according to Chad Fisher, the public relations representative for the MOB.

New Hanszen College dorm will begin construction in 2021

Construction of a new five-story Hanszen College dormitory made out of mass timber will begin in 2021, according to Mark Ditman, the associate vice president of Housing and Dining, and Anzie Gilmore, the assistant director for project management and engineering.

Bikes cut, left unlocked during summer

A large pile of abandoned or unclaimed bikes has been left in an unsecured pile outside the Rice Bikes workshop. Rice Bikes took charge of the process of storing and repurposing bikes deemed abandoned over the summer as well as contacting the owners of bikes registered to the Rice University Police Department, according to Rice Bikes General Manager Luke Howe-Kerr. 

Title IX office relocates, begins to offer forensic exams

The SAFE Office, formerly the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Title IX Support, moved to a new location next to Student Health Services this semester and now offers on-campus forensic examinations for students who have been sexually or physically assaulted, according to Deputy Title IX Coordinator Allison Vogt and Director of the SAFE Office Cathryn Councill.

New registration system replaces Schedule Planner

An upgraded registration system was rolled out during Orientation Week and faced several glitches, according to a joint statement by the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Academic Advising and the Office of Information Technology.

McNair Hall to open new coffee shop in the fall

Provost Miranda to step down, return to faculty role

 Provost Marie Lynn Miranda announced that she will be stepping down from her role as provost, a position she has held for the last four years, at the end of June, in an email sent last Sunday.

Off-campus students allege poor living conditions, unfair leases with popular rental company

A housing company renting to over 100 Rice students has been the target of student complaints about unfair leases, repeated maintenance issues and lack of professionalism dating back to 2017.

Acceptance rate hits record low 8.7 percent

Rice University accepted just 8.7 percent of applicants in the 2019 admissions cycle, according to Vice President of Enrollment Yvonne Romero da Silva, setting a record for the lowest acceptance rate in the university’s history. In all, combining both regular decision and early decision applicants, 27,084 students applied and 2,364 were accepted. 

After Christchurch shooting, students speak on Muslim experience

Muslim students in the Rice community reflected on their experiences both at Rice and outside the hedges in the wake of the shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last week that killed 50 people and injured 50 more.