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Best and Worst of Austin City Limits 2018

Despite the cancellation of headliner Childish Gambino, eager festival goers streamed in to see performances by Paul McCartney, Metallica, Travis Scott and many more. Continuing from last year’s review, I bring you ACL’s best and worst — to keep in mind if you’re heading to Weekend Two, or to discuss if you were lucky enough to attend Weekend One. 

Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke to speak nearby Rice on Tuesday

Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic nominee for the Texas U.S. Senate race and the current representative of Texas’ 16th Congressional District, will speak to Rice students on campus this Tuesday.

A Conversation with San Holo at Austin City Limits

Wearing a bright orange shirt and donning a hat, van Dijck fit right in at the ACL press tent. I was able to catch him for 10 minutes and pick his brains on a variety of topics – from “album1” to advice for aspiring DJs.

Former Rice football player arrested in death of football player Blain Padgett

Stuart Mouchantaf has been charged in the death of Blain Padgett, a Rice football player who passed away this past March, according to the Houston Police Department. 

Romney speaks on Trump, Republican midterm chances

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney addressed the future of the Republican Party, immigration and his opinion of the Trump administration in an armchair conversation with Baker Institute Director Edward P. Djerejian, a former ambassador to Israel and Syria, at the Baker Institute this Monday.

A Survival Guide for Austin City Limits

Since you’ve probably scored your pass to Austin City Limits via desperate posts on Rice Students Selling Stuff, planning and organization might not be your forte. However, situational awareness and forethought are critical to an enjoyable ACL experience – without them, you’re going to subject yourself to a weekend of misery and stress. Check out some tips and a packing list from a similarly disorganized ACL-goer to make sure all of your boxes are checked.

Students navigate health, safety issues in dorms

The disparity in living conditions among residential colleges results in health and safety issues for students at older colleges, according to several students.

Romney speaks on Trump, Republican midterm chances

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney addressed the future of the Republican Party, immigration and his opinion of the Trump administration in an armchair conversation with Baker Institute Director Edward P. Djerejian, a former ambassador to Israel and Syria, at the Baker Institute this Monday.

Push to the Polls: Clubs and leaders work to get out the vote as registration deadline approaches

In the 2016 presidential election, 43 percent of eligible voters ages 18 to 24 cast ballots across the country. In Texas, only 27.3 percent of eligible voters in the same age group voted. And these turnout rates, which are much lower than turnout for older groups, are by no means outliers — historically, young people don’t vote. That is especially true for Texas.

Embracing the Smaller Text: ACL’s Hidden Gems

Beyond listening to KTRU (which you should!), there isn’t much incentive on campus to discover new music, as evidenced by the fact that “Caroline” is still regularly played at publics. Heavily-attended festivals like Austin City Limits offer students the opportunity to get a taste of the oodles of undiscovered talent beyond the hedges.

Rice must expand financial aid eligibility for international students

When my parents got divorced a few months ago, my family went into panic mode. Dad kept pushing me to figure out a way to use my impending permanent resident status as proof of eligibility for FAFSA, while Mom figured out ways to take out an even bigger loan in case Dad was unable to pay the bills. After hearing news of the new tuition assistance program for middle-class students, I excitedly called the financial aid office only to find out that as an international student, I would be ineligible. Even if Rice expanded aid to international students, I could not apply for need-based aid because I had shown on my application that I could pay the sticker price — a virtual necessity for admission in the eyes of my college advisor, and a binding declaration that would make me ineligible for financial aid for as long as I attend Rice, no matter any change in circumstances. 

Matthew Ritchie’s ‘The Demon in the Diagram’ struggles with its chaotic ambition

Rice, City of Houston plan transit improvements close to campus

The Rice administration and the City of Houston have agreed upon the building of a roundabout on Sunset Boulevard and are discussing the installation of a stoplight at Entrance 20, located at the intersection of Rice Boulevard and Kent Street.

International students say health insurance plan poses challenges

Peter Tang (Duncan ’18) said no one should ever have to experience what he did while trying to obtain urgent dental care as an international student at Rice — waiting outside the University of Texas Dental School Student Clinic at 4 a.m. for his wisdom tooth.

“iridescence” is BROCKHAMPTON’s most experimental album yet

Showcasing a characteristically upbeat and scattered style, “iridescence” ups the experimentation with quirkier-than-ever instrumentals, unique choruses and brutally honest lyrics. 

Editorial: The right investment: Rice expands access

The Thresher Editorial Board applauds the Board of Trustees and President David Leebron for demonstrating Rice’s dedication to financial accessibility.

Paying it forward: Rice ushers in new era of financial aid

Under the new financial aid plan, undergraduates eligible for need-based aid whose family incomes fall between $65,000 and $130,000 will receive full tuition scholarships, according to a Rice University press release. Eligible students from families with incomes between $130,000 and $200,000 will receive scholarships that cover at least half of their tuition. 

Luna Llena shines: a closer look at Rice’s mariachi band

Cesar Zapata never envisioned himself as a performer in a mariachi band. He associated mariachi music with his uncle, never himself, and throughout middle and high school only performed in choirs. But now he’s the president of Rice’s own Mariachi Luna Llena. 

H&D plans major Hanszen College renovations

Hanszen College will undergo significant renovations after an overwhelming amount of student feedback from Hanszen student government, according to Mark Ditman, associate vice president of Housing and Dining. 

Rice drops two in US News rankings

Rice University’s ranking dropped two places from a four-way tie for 14th in the nation to a tie with Cornell University for 16th in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best National Universities list.