Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916
Monday, December 23, 2024 — Houston, TX

News

NEWS 12/17/24 5:58pm

Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications

By Belinda Zhu

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. 

NEWS 12/12/24 1:58pm

Students reject divestment proposals

By James Cancelarich

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.

NEWS 12/3/24 11:41pm

Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda

By James Cancelarich

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. 

NEWS 12/3/24 11:40pm

Chaus closes due to water leak, ‘tentatively hoping’ to reopen Dec. 5

By Belinda Zhu

Rice Coffeehouse is closed indefinitely due to water leaks in the building that occurred over Thanksgiving break. Chaus announced its closure in a Dec. 1 Instagram post, citing “unseen circumstances.” Although no official date has been announced, Chaus is aiming for a Dec. 5 reopening, said both Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Chaus’ general manager, and Caitlin Lindsay, Director of Student Center Operations.

NEWS 12/3/24 11:39pm

Rice launches partnerships with Indian universities

By Nandini Dasari

Thirty members of Rice leadership and faculty convened in Bengaluru, India Nov. 18 to launch Rice Global India, an initiative to bolster Rice’s network of academic collaboration abroad. According to Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global affairs, the trip was the largest international delegation in the history of the university.

NEWS 12/3/24 10:28pm

SA approves special ballot, gender resolution

By Viola Hsia

Senate passed the special election ballot about divestment and investment transparency referenda Dec. 2., during its last meeting of the semester. Senate also passed a resolution, formally introduced on Nov. 25, recommending the inclusion of gender diversity statements in professors’ syllabi and a bill to expand student discounts around Houston.

NEWS 12/3/24 10:25pm

‘Not an easy job’: Student hosts police officer panel

By Viola Hsia

A panel discussion titled ‘Behind the Badge’ was hosted by Kelsea Whiting, a political science student, Nov. 21. The event, according to the Rice University Police Department’s Facebook post, aimed to “humanize law enforcement by providing an honest, inside look into the challenges, experiences and realities faced by officers in their daily lives.”

NEWS 12/3/24 10:24pm

Students partner with Houston ministry for fall festival

By Hongtao Hu

Psychology students at Rice held a fall festival for refugees at Rice’s Welcome Center and Founder’s Court Nov. 23. The event was held in collaboration with the Center for Civic Leadership and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, a non-profit organization helping refugee families with their new lives. 

NEWS 11/19/24 11:27pm

Local Foods launches in newly renovated Brochstein space

By Hope Yang

Local Foods Market opened at Brochstein Pavilion Nov. 19, replacing comfort food concept Little Kitchen HTX. The opening, previously scheduled for the end of September, also features interior renovations to Brochstein. Local Foods is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

NEWS 11/19/24 11:27pm

Scan, swipe — sorry

By Abigail Chiu

Students may need to swipe their Rice IDs through scanners before entering future public parties, said dean of undergraduates Bridget Gorman. This possible policy change is not finalized, but in discussion among student activities and crisis management teams.

NEWS 11/19/24 11:26pm

Energy summit talks the policy behind power

By Jack Lee

The 16th annual Rice Energy Finance Summit was held at Jones Business School Nov. 15. Speakers from the energy industry discussed topics including renewable energy, the Texas power grid and the future of energy policy under a second Trump administration.

NEWS 11/19/24 11:24pm

Lovett College could become overflow housing

By Prasi Desai

Students were asked about their willingness to live in the current Lovett College building if housing is unavailable in their college in the recent Survey of All Students. This question comes soon after news of Lovett’s relocation to one of the newly built residential colleges in fall 2026.

NEWS 11/19/24 10:29pm

Vaccine policy conference takes a shot at public health

By Tanya Richards

The 2024 Baker Institute Vaccine Policy Symposium convened Nov. 15, focusing on current vaccine policy research and strategies to combat vaccine skepticism in Texas. Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a growing number of measles cases driven by declining vaccination rates among Americans. 

NEWS 11/12/24 10:31pm

‘No ballot, no vote’

By Sarah Knowlton

Brad Joiner has requested three mail-in ballots from his home state of Georgia — one for the 2022 midterm elections, another for a runoff that same year and one for the 2024 presidential election.

NEWS 11/12/24 10:30pm

SA referenda scheduled for December vote

By Viola Hsia

Campaigning for the four Student Association referenda, targeting divestment and investment transparency, will begin Nov. 20. The voting period will begin Dec. 4 and end Dec. 11 at noon, with the results published Dec. 12. 

NEWS 11/12/24 10:29pm

Gun violence advocacy group Team ENOUGH starts chapter

By Abigail Chiu

Students walking between the Rice Memorial Center and McNair Hall may notice a collection of t-shirts on poles, labeled with names and phone numbers. The shirts were placed by a new Rice chapter of the national organization Team ENOUGH, a gun violence advocacy group started by Jasir Rahman and Abigail Zimmerman. 

Editor's Picks

Most Popular

The Rice Thresher