News

NEWS 3/9/21 9:28pm

Rice’s mask policy will remain unchanged following Gov. Abbott’s decision to lift state-imposed mask mandates

By Bonnie Zhao

Rice University will continue to require face masks on campus after Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift state-imposed mask mandates and allow businesses to operate at full capacity starting on March 10, according to an email sent by Kevin Kirby, vice president for administration.

NEWS 3/9/21 8:12pm

Rice researchers develop two new sensors to detect COVID-19

By Megan Xiao

Researchers at Rice University have been developing two new innovative tools to detect COVID-19: a real-time sensor that can detect small amounts of the virus in the air and a mobile phone reader with a chip that can detect the virus from a blood sample.

NEWS 3/9/21 7:57pm

Students, faculty discuss sprinkle days amidst unconventional semester

By Talha Arif

Two sprinkle days have occurred so far, with one occurring during the winter storm, and the final three will occur on March 16, March 26 and April 8. Students have generally responded well to the implementation of sprinkle days, but some say it is hard to take a break as intended with only one day off.

NEWS 3/8/21 1:49pm

Rice receives approval to receive and distribute vaccines on campus for eligible individuals

By Ivanka Perez

Rice has been officially approved to order, store and distribute vaccines on campus, according to Kevin Kirby, chair of the crisis management advisory committee. In an email to the Rice community today, Kirby also wrote that Rice community members who received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine on campus on Feb. 15 will likely receive the second dose on Mar. 22.

NEWS 3/8/21 11:59am

St. Luke’s Health and Rice partner together for new vaccine clinic at the Rice Stadium

By Rishab Ramapriyan

St. Luke’s Health announced on Monday that it has partnered with Rice University to open a new vaccination site at the Rice Stadium on March 15 to run till the end of July. The Rice Stadium clinic will be focussed on administering vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, such as healthcare workers, seniors, school teachers, child/adult care workers, and underserved communities.

NEWS 3/6/21 4:40pm

Rice Mutual-Aid distributes thousands to undergraduates during polar vortex

By Isaiah Hwang

Rice Mutual Aid, a community-funded and student-led organization, redistributed thousands of dollars to Rice and Houston community members in need due to the recent winter storm.

NEWS 3/4/21 10:28pm

President Biden visits Houston following disastrous winter storm

By Rachel Johnson

President Biden visited Houston last Friday, Feb. 26, following the disastrous winter storm that affected millions of Texans. During his visit, Biden traveled to the Harris County Emergency Operations Center, the Houston Food Bank and the Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID vaccination site at NRG stadium.

NEWS 3/2/21 11:11pm

Rice cancels summer 2021 study abroad programs

By Megan Xiao

Rice plans to extend the suspension of study abroad programs into summer 2021 due to ongoing health and safety concerns as well as restrictions related to COVID-19, according to the Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman, in consultation with the Provost and Rice’s Crisis Management Advisory Committee. This includes the Rice in Country programs offered by the Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication, in-person study abroad programs from the Study Abroad Office and certain fellowships that require international study abroad from the Center for Civic Leadership.

NEWS 3/2/21 10:52pm

Faculty Senate approves new undergraduate Business major

By Isaiah Hwang

The Faculty Senate recently approved the undergraduate business major, which will start offering courses in fall 2021 according to Jeff Fleming, deputy dean of academic affairs at the Jones Graduate School of Business. Undergraduates in the class of 2024 and beyond will be eligible to declare the new business major.

NEWS 3/2/21 10:48pm

Rice Management Company discusses contentious CBA at SA meeting

By Hajera Naveed and Prayag Gordy

Rice Management Company attended last week’s Student Association meeting, updating the Rice community and sparking debate about Rice Management Company’s ongoing development in Houston’s Third Ward. The Ion, a centerpiece of the 16-acre Innovation District, is slated to open later this year, according to Rice Management Company’s manager of strategic initiatives Samuel Dike.

NEWS 3/2/21 9:35pm

Guest meal swipe donation program reinstated

By Mainavi Reddy

Rice University reinstated their Guest Meal Swipe Donation Program this semester after a pause during the Fall 2020 semester. The program serves to mitigate food insecurity by allowing on-campus undergraduates with a Type A meal plan — 20 meals per week — to donate their unused meal swipes to off-campus peers, according to the Student Success Initiatives website. According to David McDonald, approximately 1,443 meal swipes have been donated this semester leading to the reimplementation of the program.

NEWS 2/27/21 12:24pm

Vining wins SA presidential election, Sethre-Brink wins EVP race amidst low voter turnout

By Talha Arif

Kendall Vining will serve as the next Student Association president after winning the election against Jarrett Prchal. Vining received 56.8 percent of the vote (545 ballots) while Prchal received 41.4 percent (345 ballots). A total of 959 ballots were cast for the SA presidential election for a voter turnout of 24 percent, the lowest turnout in the past five years.

NEWS 2/25/21 9:59pm

Rice launches new graduate programs in psychological sciences and data science

By Shiyu Miao

Rice plans to launch a two-year professional master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology and a 31-credit professional master’s degree in data science. Both programs will begin their classes in Fall 2021.

NEWS 2/23/21 11:48pm

Rice Bikes, Hoot & Coffeehouse prepare for Spring semester

By Julia Li

Three of Rice’s student-run businesses — Rice Coffeehouse, The Hoot and Rice Bikes — are all expected to reopen in the coming week for the spring semester. There have been no updates released regarding the reopening of Willy’s Pub and East-West Tea.

NEWS 2/23/21 11:25pm

Student Association and Rice EMS host Platelet Donation Drive

By Isaiah Hwang

Over the past weekend, Rice students participated in a platelet donation drive with the Houston Methodist Hospital. This project was organized by the Rice Student Association as well as the Rice Emergency Medical Services leadership.

NEWS 2/18/21 2:51pm

Parrot runs uncontested for Secretary reelection

By Bonnie Zhao

Savannah Parrot, a sophomore from Sid Richardson College, is both the incumbent and sole candidate for the Student Association secretary position.

NEWS 2/18/21 2:49pm

Bunting Runs as Sole Candidate for IVP

By Bonnie Zhao

Madison Bunting, a Martel College sophomore, is running uncontested for the position of Student Association internal vice president.

NEWS 2/18/21 2:48pm

SA Treasurer Candidate discusses platform and new initiatives

By Hajera Naveed

Elliot Riesman-Tremonte, a Martel College sophomore, is running uncontested for the role of Student Association treasurer. The voting period starts on Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. and closes Feb. 26.

NEWS 2/17/21 1:35pm

Vining and Prchal face off in SA Presidential election

By Brian Lin

Kendall Vining, the current Student Association internal vice president, and Jarrett Prchal, the current chief justice at Hanszen College, are the two candidates on the ballot for SA president this year. Voting opens Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. and closes on Feb. 26 at 12 p.m.

NEWS 2/17/21 12:18pm

Brown, Butler and Sethre-Brink vie for EVP position

By Talha Arif

Three Student Association candidates — Hunter Brown, Jared Butler and Lily Sethre-Brink — are currently campaigning for the position of external vice president. Voting opens Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. and closes on Feb. 26 at 12 p.m.

News

Rice’s mask policy will remain unchanged following Gov. Abbott’s decision to lift state-imposed mask mandates

Rice researchers develop two new sensors to detect COVID-19

Students, faculty discuss sprinkle days amidst unconventional semester

Rice receives approval to receive and distribute vaccines on campus for eligible individuals

St. Luke’s Health and Rice partner together for new vaccine clinic at the Rice Stadium

Rice Mutual-Aid distributes thousands to undergraduates during polar vortex

President Biden visits Houston following disastrous winter storm

Rice cancels summer 2021 study abroad programs

Faculty Senate approves new undergraduate Business major

Rice Management Company discusses contentious CBA at SA meeting

Guest meal swipe donation program reinstated

Vining wins SA presidential election, Sethre-Brink wins EVP race amidst low voter turnout

Rice launches new graduate programs in psychological sciences and data science

Rice Bikes, Hoot & Coffeehouse prepare for Spring semester

Student Association and Rice EMS host Platelet Donation Drive

Parrot runs uncontested for Secretary reelection

Bunting Runs as Sole Candidate for IVP

SA Treasurer Candidate discusses platform and new initiatives

Vining and Prchal face off in SA Presidential election

Brown, Butler and Sethre-Brink vie for EVP position

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