News

Princeton Review race/class ranking at odds with mobility metrics

Following Rice University’s No. 1 ranking for race and class interaction by the Princeton Review in August 2016, a recent study reported by the New York Times of 2,137 universities revealed that Rice is approximately average in terms of class financial composition and mobility when compared to other elite institutions.

SA positions vacant in first election round

While five candidates will be contesting the Student Association presidency and external vice presidency, no undergraduates submitted a petition to run for SA internal vice president or treasurer in next week’s first round general election.

Senate passes new constitution

The Student Association Senate passed a new SA constitution and revisions to the Honor Council constitution at its Monday meeting, while also creating a student housing working group and debating legislation to support the BRIDGE Act.

At Kinder speech, O'Malley promotes urban data

Martin O’Malley, former governor of Maryland and former Democratic presidential candidate, shared his thoughts on modern urban leadership last Wednesday at a Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research event.

Exclusive: Thresher interview with Martin O'Malley

SA addresses campaign ethics concerns with new rules

The Student Association Senate amended the regulations for the upcoming SA elections to bar candidates from promising student funding to organizations and from receiving campaign donations from groups unaffiliated with Rice. These new rules, which were approved unanimously at Monday’s Senate meeting, came in response to information indicating that a potential candidate or candidates had used external campaign consulting services and promised clubs preferential access to student funding in exchange for campaign assistance, according to SA President Griffin Thomas.

Potential federal funding cuts threaten Rice projects

President Donald Trump’s pledge to trim the federal deficit could affect research at Rice. According to The Hill, Trump’s budget team has proposed cutting funding entirely for the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as reducing funding for the Department of Energy to 2008 levels. The administration has not yet released an official budget outline.

Berlin Wall segment restored following graffiti

Art conservators completed the restoration of the section of Berlin Wall outside the Baker Institute for Public Policy following its defacement in an act of vandalism two weeks prior. According to conservator Robert Pringle, the process cost $10,000 to $12,000. Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson confirmed the vandals are responsible for payment.

Willy's statue vandalized with swastika

The base of Willy's Statue was vandalized with chalk on the night of Friday, Feb. 3 with a swastika and the word "TRUMP" between 9:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. According to Baker College senior Stephanie Brener, the white chalk graffiti was removed within an hour of notifying Rice University Police Department.

Opera house design unveiled, set to open July 2020

Rice University and the Shepherd School of Music are set to open a new music and opera building in July 2020. Together with Alice Pratt Brown Hall and a connecting plaza, the three will constitute the Music and Performing Arts Center.

Queer Resource Center to relocate to old Rice Bikes location

The Queer Resource Center is moving. Previously in the Student Organization Workspace in the RMC basement, it will be in the Rice Memorial Center, accessible from both the Ray Courtyard and Sammy’s.

RUPD identifies suspect in Coffeehouse theft

Coffeehouse’s petty cash was stolen from their safe the morning of Jan. 25, after a man not affiliated with Rice University came into their unlocked back room.

"Rainbow building" lit again

The lights of the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, colloquially referred to by Rice students as the “rainbow building,” have come back on after months of darkness.

Hanszen fellows host Daily Show comedian

Approximately 100 attendees gathered in Hanszen College commons on Thursday to hear Adam Lowitt, writer and executive producer of the Daily Show, talk about everything from Rice University’s residential college system to President Donald Trump. He spoke by invitation of the Hanszen Academic Fellows Society, which maintains a tradition of asking speakers to the college.

RVP requests loss of blanket tax funds

The Student Association dissolved Rice Video Productions as a blanket tax subsidiary organization in a vote that was unanimous except for one abstention.

International Iranian students face uncertainty after immigration ban

Last year, Iranian graduate student Behnaz was admitted to Rice University’s electrical engineering doctoral program along with her husband, whom she had met five years ago at Iran’s prestigious University of Tehran.

White supremacist flyers posted on campus

Several flyers supporting a white supremacist organization were posted around the edge of campus over the weekend, Captain Clement Rodriguez of Rice University Police Department confirmed.

Faculty Senate to make recommendations regarding distribution system

The Faculty Senate will establish a working group to study Rice’s distribution credit system at its meeting this Wednesday. According to Student Association Senator Rushi Bhalani, the group will create recommendations for the Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum.

Rice students among thousands of protesters marching for women's rights in Houston, Austin

Rice University students and faculty joined thousands marching in the Austin and Houston Women’s Marches last Saturday to show support for women’s rights in light of President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Following the marches, the female residential college presidents launched a Rice for Women campaign to mirror the follow-up activities promoted by the organizers of the Women’s March in D.C.

Well-known author returns to Rice to teach

We interviewed Justin Cronin, New York Times bestselling author of The Passage Trilogy. Cronin previously taught at Rice from 2003 until 2012.