News

Social policy analysis major to replace policy studies major

The School of Social Sciences is introducing a new major to replace the policy studies major in fall 2017 in response to student feedback. If approved by the Faculty Senate at its April 19 meeting, the social policy analysis major will be the first of its kind in the United States, according to Dean of Social Sciences Antonio Merlo.

SA Treasurer, two Senators vie for Internal Vice President role

Three candidates are vying for the Student Association internal vice president position in the second round general election: former Sid Richardson College Senator Sarah Meadow, former Jones College Senator Rohan Palanki and former SA treasurer Maurice Frediere. No candidates ran for the position in the first round of the general election before Spring Break.

Administration to announce 'masters' title replacement

Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson said he will announce his choice of a replacement for the “masters” title by the end of the semester.

​Baker chef mourned after tragic death

Baker Kitchen cook Essence Derouen passed away this past Sunday, Mar. 9. According to ABC 13, she was an innocent bystander shot while sitting in her car, on her way home. The 21-year-old is survived by her 6-year-old son.

New crisis manager to fix safety gaps after tornado, Taub shooter

Rice students may be most familiar with the university’s emergency management systems as strings of texts or emails symptomatic of heavy rains or flooding, but they encompass much more than that. Rice University’s new crisis manager Jerusha Kasch took office in February of this year and began working on plans to improve the existing systems, including the development of a new crisis center building and online disaster preparedness training programs for students.

Q&A: Justin Onwenu reflects on SA win

The Thresher spoke to Student Association president-elect Justin Onwenu about his recent election win, plans and past experiences.

Onwenu, Ravella win SA races

Former Sid Richardson College Senator Justin Onwenu won the 2017 election for Student Association president with 38 percent of first-choice votes. With 1875 voters in the presidential race, more votes were cast than in any SA election for decades. 

New college presidents take office

The Thresher reached out to the 10 newly elected — and one reelected — residential college presidents to ask about their background, plans for the year and more.

Mental health forum addresses survey results

A Rice Alliance for Mental Health Awareness (RAMHA) survey distributed to Rice undergraduates showed 44.4 percent of respondents said they have lived or currently live with a mental illness and 57 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they felt comfortable talking about mental health on campus.

UCourt extends voting for part-time students

University Court announced at the Student Association Senate meeting Monday night that the election for SA president would be extended five more days for those part-time students who did not originally receive a ballot.

Distribution requirements under scrutiny

The Faculty Senate Working Group on General Education and Distribution Requirements is proposing three major changes to the Distribution Requirements: reducing general education requirements from 36 credit hours to 30 hours, revising the language for each distribution group and placing the Course Review Committee from each of the six schools in charge of recommending courses for distribution credit.

Rice community remembers James Patrick Griffith

James Patrick Griffith, a McMurtry College alum, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 27. Griffith, known by his friends as “JP,” was training to become a flight instructor when he was involved in a plane crash near Denver. A Denver native, Griffith is survived by his parents, Bill and Emma, and siblings Gracie and Griff.

Cost of attendance to rise 3 percent next year

The total undergraduate charges for attending Rice University, including tuition, mandatory fees and room and board, will increase 3.1 percent to $59,458 for next school year, according to Vice President for Finance Kathy Collins. While the cost is the highest ever, its rate of increase was smallest in at least a decade.

$50 million data science initiative moves forward

Starting as early as next year, Rice University’s $50 million Data Science Initiative will be hiring new faculty members in preparation for creating a new minor, additional classes and possible master’s programs for undergraduate and graduate students at Rice.

Director of Elections resigns following U Court complaint alleging constitutional violations

Student Association Director of Elections Taylan Tuncata announced his resignation today, after two apparent constitutional violations occurred during the SA election.

Constitution in brief

Senate approves resolution supporting DACA students

The Student Association Senate passed Resolution #4, expressing support of the federal BRIDGE Act, in a 22-1-2 vote Monday night, after more than 30 minutes of debate in addition to discussions at two prior SA meetings.

Thomas contests election via UCourt

Two apparent constitutional violations have occurred during the Student Association election, and SA President Griffin Thomas has filed a complaint with University Court to contest the election.

Todd launches write-in campaign for SA president

Current Student Association External Vice President Hannah Todd announced she is running a write-in campaign for SA president Monday night just after voting in the election began.

Voting opens for Nyquist and Onwenu, Frediere drops out of race after debate

As Rice undergraduates began voting for a new Student Association president, candidates Jake Nyquist and Justin Onwenu continued ramping up their campaigning on campus and social media. Both individuals, along with former candidate Maurice Frediere, defended their platforms at a Friday night debate hosted by the Thresher. Frediere dropped out of the race on Saturday and endorsed Onwenu’s campaign.