Special Projects

Why the Democratic Party keeps failing us - and what we can do

In the wake of the 2024 general election, many of us are grappling with frustration, disappointment and even anger toward the Democratic Party — and that’s okay. This isn’t about campaign strategy or a single election loss; it’s about the party’s choice to take a once-promising, potentially transformative nominee and reduce her to a hollow vessel for corporate donors and backers. 

LPAP courses need wide-ranging change

Picture this: You’re a senior. After four years of churning out every major requirement and elective known to man, you’re ready to graduate. You eagerly submit your spring semester courses in Esther (who asked for a redesign, by the way?), only to be stopped in your tracks by the last, looming task on your plate: the LPAP.

Awareness club screens Houstonians for lung cancer

With the beginning of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, the Rice University American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative leadership said they are striving to bring attention to this disease. 

Jewish Network provides non-religious community, discussion

Faculty and staff established the Rice Jewish Network this semester. Moshe Vardi, Lisa Geda, Anatoly Kolomeisky, Rebeca Kalontarov, Lisa Birenbaum and Yael Hochberg were all involved in the creation of the organization, which aims to create a support system for Jewish people on campus, according to Vardi.

Anthropology reports highest major satisfaction in survey

Anthropology students are the most satisfied with their major according to last year’s senior exit survey results,  Mary Prendergast, director of undergraduate studies for anthropology, said.

First-ever election block party draws crowds

A line stretched across the academic quad this Election Day. In contrast to previous years, however, the line was not for voting at the Sewall Hall polling location — it was for the first-ever election block party hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement.  The event aimed to encourage student voting and engagement in politics, complete with a bouncy castle, free food and a DJ.

Students pack Sid Richardson to watch election results

Around 200 students crowded into the Sid Richardson College commons Tuesday evening, where voting results played out on the commons’ screen. As Massachusetts turned blue, a loud cheer erupted throughout the room.

Waits drop after morning voters crowd Sewall polling place

On Tuesday, 1,094 voters flocked to Rice’s Welcome Center to cast their ballots in the presidential, state and local elections. Wait times climbed to an hour shortly after the polling center’s doors opened at 7 a.m., with many hoping to beat the crowds during Rice’s first-ever non-instructional Election Day. The lines calmed down around noon, when students began congregating in the academic quad for the election block party. 

IGNITE pushes for women in politics

A new chapter of IGNITE, started under the national organization of the same name, was founded at Rice by Aleena Ahmad and Carmine Steiner this semester. The organization is dedicated to closing the gender gap in the political sphere by encouraging civil and political engagement for women and nonbinary people, according to their website.

A peek at the polls: political participation through the years

Waiting on election results isn’t new to Rice students. The 1916 presidential election saw students waiting for the Houston Chronicle’s news for three days; when the results were finally announced, Woodrow Wilson’s reelection drew incoherent shouting, rah-rahs and a congregation in the quad.

Worth the wait: Rice football drowns Navy in rain-soaked victory

During a normal Rice football game, junior quarterback E.J. Warner doesn’t usually tell jokes from the locker room while the offense is in the red zone. Interim head coach Pete Alamar doesn’t usually spend an hour waiting for his clothes to dry while preparing for a five-yard touchdown run. The support staff doesn’t usually sprint to the Rice Stadium Chick-fil-A stand to buy out their entire supply of sandwiches. 

Spring 2025 Sample Course Schedule

11-6-2024 "Owl-American"

Nine hours in the press box with assistant sports editor

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sit in the Rice Stadium press box for nine hours, drinking Diet Coke and watching raindrops slowly slide down the windows? Let’s revisit the commotion of Rice’s weather-delayed win over Navy on Saturday from the perspective of assistant sports editor Andersen Pickard.    

Women’s cross country achieves breakthrough third-place finish

The Rice women’s cross country team has made significant strides this season, improving from a sixth-place finish at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship to third place this past weekend. Women’s cross country head coach Jim Bevan said he attributes the success to the dedication of returning athletes and new talent.

Men’s cross country struggles at AAC, eyes regional comeback

The Rice Owls men’s cross country team finished in eighth place in the 2024 American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships Nov. 1 in Wichita, Kansas, with 215 points. Runners said unexpected challenges left the team grappling to meet pre-race expectations.

Lovett journeys ‘Into the Woods’

Lovett Theater returns from an eight-year hiatus with its performance of “Into the Woods” this weekend. There will be three performances in Lovett College commons from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9, each starting at 8 p.m., as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 9. The show is free for all Rice students.

Asia Society Night Market shines, displays culture

Asia Society Texas put on its annual night market on Friday, Nov. 3 at the Asia Society Texas Center in the Museum District, providing opportunities for food, performances and shopping to highlight Asian culture.

Review: “A Different Man” gives a twisted take on self-acceptance

Few films have defied my expectations quite like “A Different Man”. I walked into the screening anticipating a straightforward thriller that dramatizes the lives and struggles of facially disabled individuals . While the film explores that theme, it also looked me dead in the eye, laughed in my face and left me laughing out loud more than I have in years.

​​‘Chromakopia’ bares all

There are few artists that have had as eclectic of a transformation as Tyler, the Creator. Breaking into the game as a teenager in the irreverent rap collective Odd Future, Tyler Okonma has reinvented himself on pretty much every project he’s released since then — and this newest project is no exception. “Chromakopia” throws the quirky and manic edge of “Cherry Bomb,” the funky, psychedelic and soulful production of “Igor” and the introspection of “Flower Boy” into a blender to create a project that sees Okonma delve deeper into themes of family, queerness and identity than we’ve ever seen before.