News

RUPD braves Harvey flooding

As Houston took on over 40 inches of rain, Rice University Police Department officers received helicopters filled with evacuees from a hospital and a nursing home, and waded into neck-deep floodwaters in student rescues on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Off campus students shelter on campus

Many undergraduates living off campus moved into residential colleges during the hurricane, sleeping on couches and inflatable mattresses in every style of room.

Hit by Harvey: tearing down to build up

Over 2,000 Rice students have signed up as volunteers through the Rice Harvey Action Team, according to Doerr Institute Director Tom Kolditz.

Hispanic student group hosts discussion in response to end of DACA

The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice hosted a discussion Tuesday night about the White House’s announcement that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy would end in six months.

SA to vote on investor responsibility committee

Rice University’s endowment is currently valued at 5.3 billion dollars, and the university currently has no mechanism for leveraging its investments to influence corporate policy.

Rice escapes major storm damage due to emergency preparations

Throughout Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, Rice campus remained safe due to the condition of its buildings and grounds and the existence of improved city infrastructure, said Vice President for Administration Kevin Kirby.

Stay Up To Date: Harvey

Rice University has avoided major flooding with no losses of power during Hurricane Harvey. The residential colleges have opened their doors to house off-campus students and classes are canceled through Labor Day.

Class of 2021 Demographics

Rice applies for bike-friendly status

Rice University’s Transportation Demand Management department submitted an application on Aug. 6 for Rice’s designation as a “Bicycle Friendly University,” following a years-long effort to improve biking at Rice.

MATLAB made free

Over the summer, the MATLAB computer program was made free for Rice students, faculty, and staff to download on their personal computers, according to Diane Butler, Office of Information Technology associate vice president.

Uncertainty surrounds multicultural center staffing

As fundraising begins for the construction of Rice University’s new Multicultural Center, a critical question remains: Who will run it?

Saturday dinners added to reduce financial strain

The full on-campus meal plan will include Saturday dinners this semester, according to an announcement made by the Rice University Student Association over the summer.

High yield rate causes bed shortages

Rice did not find beds for all its new students until the start of Orientation Week due to a higher than expected yield rate for 2018 matriculants, according to Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson.

Admissions reformer named vice president for enrollment

Yvonne Romero Da Silva, the current vice dean and director of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, will begin her role as vice president for enrollment in mid-August.

Rice community marches in Pride Parade

Students, faculty, staff and alumni donned rainbow tie-dyed T-shirts and marched in Houston’s Pride Parade alongside Rice’s float on Saturday.

New humanities dean seeks to promote career opportunities

Incoming Dean of Humanities Kathleen Canning plans to improve career preparation and promote the relevance of the humanities when she begins at Rice University on Jan.

Pub implements changes in response to incidents

Significant changes to Willy’s Pub took place over the course of the spring semester, including the removal of sake and 40-ounce bottles of Mickey’s malt liquor from the menu, as well as the institution of a Rice University Police Department officer on Thursday nights and prohibition of underage attendance at Wednesday trivia nights.

RUPD votes against unionizing after urging from Rice administration

Rice University Police Department employees voted May 17 not to unionize, amid opposition to unionization from Rice administration.

Signs of change: After delays, administration says gender-neutral bathroom signs to come in May

As Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 2899 aim to restrict bathroom accessibility for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in Texas, the Rice University Queer Resource Center hopes to increase the number of gender neutral bathrooms on campus by changing gendered signs on single-stall bathrooms to gender-neutral signs this summer. This change comes after a five-year-old initiative despite administrative delays.

Beer Bike results changed amid errors

After receiving appeals for both the men’s and women’s bike races, the campuswide Beer Bike coordinators have released updated results they say are final: Sid Richardson College was moved to second place behind Will Rice College for the women’s race, although both teams believe this to be incorrect, and fourth through seventh places were noted as possibly incorrect for the men’s race.