Rice accepted 2,852 applicants to the class of 2029 March 26, said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment. This represents 7.8% of 36,777, the highest acceptance rate since 2022.
Huda Zoghbi was announced to be the speaker for Rice’s 122th commencement, March 26. Zoghbi is a professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine.
The Department of Education is investigating Rice, alongside 44 other universities, for engaging in alleged “race-exclusionary” practices. The investigations come amid allegations that these universities’ partnership with The Ph.D. Project violates Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
Asaf Bar Natan applied to the Jones Graduate School of Business in October 2023 while serving as a captain in the Israel Defense Forces. Bar Natan now attends Rice with the help of the Gibborim Scholarship, for which an endowment was recently created within the graduate business school.
Rice For Life and the Catholic Student Association launched a joint petition together calling for Rice to expand resources for pregnant and parenting resources.
The 2025-26 Student Association held their first Senate March 24 after leadership changeover the week prior. SA President Trevor Tobey made inaugural remarks on campus change and listening to students.
Amid uncertainty in federal funding for universities, graduate school acceptances and funding may also be at risk.
Asaf Bar Natan applied to the Jones Graduate School of Business in October 2023 while serving as a captain in the Israel Defense Forces. Bar Natan now attends Rice with the help of the Gibborim Scholarship, for which an endowment was recently created within the graduate business school.
Rice held a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine clinic March 20 in response to the growing measles outbreak in Texas. The clinic was a partnership between Rice Emergency Management and Albertsons/Randalls that sought to provide additional protection to faculty, staff and students who may not be fully vaccinated.
Richard Brown, a founding faculty member of the Shepherd School’s percussion department, passed away March 14. Outside of being an educator, Brown was a Rice professor for over 40 years as well as a professional musician and entrepreneur.
After a one-day delay in results, Trevor Tobey has been elected as the next Student Association president, receiving 74.7% of first-place votes against write-in candidate Callum Flemister, who received 17.4% of votes.
The Student Association gathered for leadership changeover March 10 following the results of the 2025 election. The SA welcomed new elected officials, approved the Spring 2025 Initiative Fund for new clubs and announced open applications for SA appointed positions, which include parliamentarian and director of elections.
Rice will hold a clinic to give the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination March 20 in the Cambridge Office Building.
Following record donations last month, students will be able to donate meal swipes and Tetra until March 14, according to an Instagram post by the Student Association in collaboration with Student Success Initiatives, the Student Association and Housing and Dining.
Around 200 Rice students and faculty expressed their support for the national Stand Up for Science movement in the graduate student commons March 7. The event coincided with SUFS rallies nationwide, including one in Washington, D.C.
The Rice online directory was changed to be only accessible through a password protected site March 10. The directory contains names and contact information for faculty, staff, alumni and students, with the exception of students who have requested to have their information removed.
In Houston’s Discovery Green park, the Rice chapter of the Sunrise Movement joined protests against oil and gas executives attending the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference March 10.
The Stinebaugh Family Financial Literacy program was recently announced, following a $3 million donation. The program will consist of a 1-credit hour course taught by financial advisor Mackenzie Kemp, in addition to workshops and mentorship opportunities.
An event spreading awareness of Zoroastrianism was held in Fondren Library March 6, including speakers from organizations both at and outside Rice, an exhibition in the Brown Fine Arts Gallery and a movie showing.
A brand-new, second student center will open by Fall 2027, president Reggie DesRoches announced in a March 3 email to campus. The current Rice Memorial Center will not be demolished, and will continue to house Rice Coffeehouse, Pub and student media during construction over the next two years. It will undergo renovations after the second building is complete.
