Special Projects

Guess hoo’s back? Hoot food returns

The Hoot reopened for the fall semester Monday, Sept. 23. It will now be open from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

New faculty hires set the curve this semester

Over 100 new faculty began their first semester at Rice this fall in one of the largest hirings to date. Professors John Baugh, Michael King, Cynthia Reinhart-King, David Sarlah and Eve Dunbar joined as tenured faculty. 

Samal presents stroke research

In Bibek Samal’s junior year of high school, he competed in the Houston Regional Brain Bee,  a neuroscience competition at Rice. Five years later, Samal is now a senior at Rice presenting his research on subarachnoid hemorrhages to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

10-02-2024 Crossword Solution

10-02-2024 Crossword: "Study Time"

New art opens behind Brochstein’s closed doors

The morning after a terrible storm, inspiration struck Karyn Olivier on her commute to work. In a North Philadelphia neighborhood she had driven through countless times before, a huge swath of vines and ivy had been peeled off of a concrete wall by the rain and wind, crumpling forlornly over an adjacent fence. Olivier stopped her car and took a photograph. 

Observations and adjustments after Rice football falls to Charlotte

Rice football led for more than 53 minutes during Saturday’s conference battle with the University of North Carolina  at Charlotte, but it wasn’t enough. The Owls surrendered a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining and missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired, falling to Charlotte, 21-20.

New RWRC directors bring ‘hot girl walks’ to campus

With new initiatives like “Hot Girl Walks,” menstrual cups and the revival of a gender-focused zine, the Rice Women’s Resource Center’s new directors say they’re making sure Rice’s women feel supported on campus. 

Rice launches 10-year strategic plan

The university launched a new strategic plan that will develop investments in research and teaching over the next decade. The plan, titled “Momentous,” was announced at an Oct. 1 event. 

Senior Spotlight: Abdullah Jahangir captures home and belonging

Through Abdullah Jahangir’s camera lens, a photo isn’t just a still image — it’s a moment in time, dynamic and emotional. Working with film in his freshman photography class prompted him to consider photography as more than just snapshots, but rather a form of self-expression and exploration. 

Sophomores debut AI nutrition app Diagnos

Diagnos, an AI-backed nutrition-tracking app, launched in the Apple app store Sept. 24. The app, designed by Ifty Ahmed and Thun Silpsamrit, provides AI-based calorie and nutritional estimates based on users’ pictures of their food. The app also provides nutritional estimates of food on servery menus.

Student Association MILF Weekend Schedule

Following two wins, volleyball seeks to land on top

Rice volleyball opened last week with two wins against Tulane University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, defending their projected first-place American Athletic Conference finish. The AAC’s Coaches Poll picked the team to finish atop the conference during their preseason, in their second year in the AAC. 

10-02-2024 "Owl-American"

10-2-2024 Scores & what’s next

Scores from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1

Rice diving makes a comeback with new talent, high hopes

After a 30-year hiatus, Rice’s diving program is back. The program is spearheaded by three-time Olympian Gabi Chereches, who represented Romania, and two divers. 

Review: Duck n Bao doesn't disappoint

A gloomy peace this midterm season with it brings; this campus, for sorrow or joy, is flooded once more with tears. Whether tears of happiness or despair, you, my compatriots, deserve a reward for making it through yet another challenge in your academic career. Duck N Bao, a Chinese restaurant located in Rice Village, is perfect for such an occasion, I do declare. 

Another shounen disappointment: The fall of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’

After 271 weekly Shonen Jump chapters, Gege Akutami's “Jujutsu Kaisen” has reached its conclusion, and with it, a wave of frustration has swept across the shounen manga community. In a genre known for its iconic scenes but lackluster endings, “Jujutsu Kaisen” followed through, leaving fans in disbelief. What should have been a triumphant closing act for one of the most popular series instead fizzled out, leaving us all wondering: How did something so promising end so terribly?

Explore hidden architecture gems on campus

Rice’s campus is home to many notable works of architecture, from the classic Sewall Hall to the state-of-the-art O’Connor Engineering Building. However, there are still diamonds in the rough that have yet to be discovered by the wider population of the university. Provided below are a handful of lesser-known architectural wonders located within the hedges.

Movies to check out at MFAH this October

Just a mile outside the hedges, an oasis of indie, art-house, international and classic films await. Every weekend, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston shows unique cinematic curiosities, some you may have heard of, some you may have not. Additionally, tickets are discounted for Rice students to less than 10 bucks each. Here are some shows you should check out in the next few weeks.