Special Projects

SPORTS 2/27/24 10:51pm

Owls finish third at AAC Swim Championships

By Cadan Hanson

Rice Swim competed in the American Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in Dallas last weekend. Out of the seven teams competing, Rice finished third overall, scoring a total of 593 points and improving on their fourth-place performance from last year.

A&E 2/27/24 10:47pm

With ‘Practices of Attention,’ Rice students explore capitalist ruins

By Arman Saxena

Anyone who has walked through Sewall Hall in the past couple months has inevitably seen the words “ARTS 477: Practices of Attention in Capitalist Ruins” written in big, bold lettering on flyers displayed throughout the building. The class is part of a larger project associated with the Moody Project Wall piece “Practices of Attention” envisioned by Angela Chen, a lecturer of art in Rice’s Department of Art.

A&E 2/27/24 10:46pm

Review: ‘The Taste of Things’ explores the culinary world

By Jay Collura

In recent years, food has become increasingly commodified and diminished, at least in on-screen depictions. The allure of perfectly curated dishes on TikTok and other social media apps has desensitized us to the simple pleasures of good food — when everything looks picture perfect, nothing feels particularly special.

A&E 2/27/24 10:45pm

FastWarp hosts Owlcon, brings tabletop games to campus

By Hugo Gerbich-Pais

Board games, card games and even some live-action role playing pervaded campus Feb. 23-35 during the 41st annual Owlcon. The convention is hosted by FastWarp, Rice's student-run board and card game club.

A&E 2/27/24 10:44pm

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ stumbles to a satisfying finish

By Sarah Motteler

Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” premiered Feb. 22 and is the latest attempt to bring the hit Nickelodeon cartoon to live action.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:36pm

Vivian Phillips takes center stage

By Hongtao Hu

Vivian Phillips is polyphonic — whether writing a story, performing at the Riot Comedy Club or competing at the Miss Bayou City pageant, she knows just what to say. She first found her passion for English at Vassar College, a liberal arts college in upstate New York, before transferring to Rice her sophomore year.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:35pm

Zeisha Bennett sees the world through her camera lens

By Noah Berz

Zeisha Bennett was shocked when her Myers–Briggs personality test labeled her an extrovert. She had always considered herself an introvert, but something had to change for her to go from bedroom self-portraiture to fashion shoots in Prague.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:33pm

Ruth Simmons stays true to herself

By Amelia Davis

Ruth Simmons’ career has taken her all across the country — from Houston’s Third Ward to Smith College in Massachusetts to Brown University where she became the first Black female president of an Ivy League School and back to Houston again.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:30pm

VADA explores Bay Area art

By Hongtao Hu

While many Rice students spent their midterm recesses studying, visiting family or lazing about, juniors majoring in Visual and Dramatic Arts — now simply Art — had an excursion to California’s Bay Area, exploring their prospective futures in the visual world.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:29pm

Colleges go green recycling O-Week themes for 2024

By Kristal Hanson

Preparation for next year’s Orientation Week has already begun. Advisors have been selected and co-advisors have applied. Themes have been announced and, in one case, re-announced. Argue with your friends over which are fantastic and which shouldn’t have made it past the drawing board (or out of the recycling bin).

OPINION 2/27/24 10:17pm

Beyond Fondy 24/7: advocating for fairness

By Anonymous

An editorial “24/7 Fondy presents more cons than pros” published Jan. 16 raised valid concerns about the potential drawbacks of Fondren Library operating 24/7. However, this argument barely scratches the surface, overlooking a critical aspect — the well-being of the dedicated staff who operate the library.

OPINION 2/27/24 10:16pm

Students in need are blinded by financial aid process

By Thresher Editorial Board

Rice reached a $33.75 million settlement on Feb. 23 in the financial aid “cartel” lawsuit that alleged Rice, as well as 16 other peer institutions, unfairly limited aid for students at need-blind universities. Nine other universities have also settled in the case.

NEWS 2/27/24 10:12pm

S.RES 22 passes, NSR to become college-elected position

By Belinda Zhu

The Student Association passed a resolution to include an election for new students to select their new student representatives. Prior notice was waived, and the resolution passed Feb. 26.

NEWS 2/27/24 10:11pm

New environmental engineering B.S. introduced beginning 2024

By James Cancelarich

A new environmental engineering bachelor of science degree is set to begin in Fall 2024, according to an email sent out to civil engineering students. Currently, environmental engineering is included under the civil engineering program, but the launch of the new program will formally separate the two programs into different degrees.

NEWS 2/27/24 10:08pm

BCycle reopens on campus after hiatus

By Kenzie Langhorne

Rentable bike share stations reopened across campus the week of Feb. 12 after a temporary suspension in December 2022. The stations were reopened through a partnership between Rice’s Campus Services and Sustainability division and Houston Bike Share.

NEWS 2/27/24 10:07pm

Inaugural State of Black event brings together students, administrators

By Viola Hsia

Rice’s Black Student Association held the first annual State of Black event Feb. 16. According to event coordinator Sean Nyangeri, Black students attended the event to share their experiences of being Black at Rice with administrators.

NEWS 2/23/24 9:04pm

SA presidential debate centers around budget

By James Cancelarich

Student Association presidential candidates Jae Kim and Trevor Tobey discussed their vision for the presidency and the SA at the Thresher’s SA debate on Monday, Feb. 19. Candidates for secretary and treasurer, the other contested elections, also took the stage during the night.

NEWS 2/23/24 9:04pm

Rice settles financial aid lawsuit for $33.75 million

By Prayag Gordy

Rice has reached a $33.75 million settlement in the financial aid “cartel” lawsuit today, according to court filings. Rice denied wrongdoing in the settlement.

A&E 2/23/24 9:03pm

Soul Night combines resilience and creativity to celebrate Black community

By Juliana Lightsey

A one-night-only cultural showcase, Soul Night reflects the artistry and creative lexicon of Rice’s Black Student Association. This year’s showcase is award show-themed, combining music, dance, spoken word and fashion in the form of a narrative musical. The show takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 in Hamman Hall. Tickets are $10 and include a pre-show dinner at 5 p.m.

A&E 2/22/24 11:11pm

Review: Ye and Ty Dolla Sign’s ‘Vultures’ needs less Ye