Special Projects

Tulane falls prey to Owls' hunt for first win

Throughout the first nine games of this disheartening season, the football team was plagued with a tough schedule, a slew of injuries and some of the worst luck the program has seen in years. But it appears that karmic intervention is finally making its way back to Rice Stadium, as, in the homecoming game last Saturday, the Owls (1-9, 1-5 Conference USA) defeated Tulane University 28-20. But it wasn't easy, it wasn't clean and it wasn't pretty. Tulane (3-7, 1-5 C-USA) scored twice in the first quarter, following the pattern of previous games and rattling the nerves of everyone in the stadium. The worries were warranted, considering the Owls accrued a mere three yards on six plays over their first two drives.

Photo: Where the wild things are

The Wild Moccasins, a local indie pop band, opened for Augustana during Saturday's Homecoming Concert on the Central Quad.

Letters to the Editor

Rice-BCM merger clearly thought-out

McWill defeats Jones in double-overtime thriller

McWill 13, Jones 12 (Double OT)

Health system rife with overcomplication

Two weeks ago, I went to Methodist Hospital for a cortisone injection in an attempt to relieve the pain I've been having from a herniated disk. When the doctor's office called me with instructions, I asked them how much this procedure would cost. They said they wouldn't know until they processed my insurance. The day before my appointment, the hospital staff informed me that I would have to show up the next day and pay $400 out of pocket. Fortunately, my parents wired me the money that day to cover this unexpected financial imposition. During the consultation with my physician, I asked him how much a cortisone injection cost. I already knew what it cost me, but when I posed the question to him, he had no idea.

Tuesday's Sports Update: Women's basketball falls again riding an 0-4 record

The Women's basketball team faced off against the University of Arkansas - Little Rock tonight at Tudor Fieldhouse. The women entered the contest 0-3, while UALR was 2-1.The Owls started off slow, calling a timeout in the first few minutes as the Trojans went up 9-4. The Owls rebounded after the timeout, going on a 13-2 scoring run. The Owls caught fire from three-point land in the first half, shooting 50 percent to finish out the half. The ladies went into the half up 28-25. Sophomore Guard D'Frantz Smart lead the team with five points in the first period, while several others had scored as well.

Relish: A frenzy for fresh fish

Have you been craving seafood? We don't mean fried catfish out of a box or popcorn shrimp in the servery, but fresh, succulent fish, oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimp - the good stuff. If any of that sounds delicious - and it really should, if you have any taste - then Denis' Seafood House is the place for you. With its diverse menu, plentiful portions and a guarantee of freshness, you'll find it hard to walk away unsatisfied.Before we get to the goods, keep a few things in mind: First, the restaurant is not close; expect to drive upwards of half an hour. Additionally, if you look online, the happy hour menu seems great, but be aware of its misprint: Contrary to the advertisement, happy hour ends at 7 p.m., not 9 p.m., an obvious disappointment to yours truly. Also, if you come for happy hour, you will have to sit at the bar. These are just minor annoyances, though, and hardly detract from the overall experience.

Pool of prospects expands

With the passing of the Nov. 1 deadline for early decision this year, it has become clear that the number of applicants is once again increasing. Although regular decision applications are not due until Jan. 2, 2010, Vice President for Enrollment Chris Muñoz estimated that applicant numbers will increase by 21 to 24 percent this year.

This week's Editorial Cartoon

Women's cross country places fifth at Regional

On a campus with a football team that boasts a single win this season, a soccer squad that did not quite live up to expectations and two basketball programs dying to bounce back from disheartening 2008-09 seasons, the women's cross country team, competitors at the national tournament over the past two seasons, had the athletic hopes of an entire university on their shoulders. However, with five upperclassmen out of the mix this season, those expectations fell on the shoulders of an extremely young team - one comprised entirely of underclassmen, save for a single fifth-year senior.

It's hard trying to live in The Real World

It has been weeks since that fateful night at the hotel, and I still sit by my phone anxiously awaiting her call, hoping to have another chance, even if just one more night, to talk, to share my soul with her. But without so much as an "I'll call you in a week!" or "I'll be back in a month; see you then!", I know neither how long to wait, nor if the call is coming at all.But don't cry for me. No, this time it isn't a sexy one-night stand whose sequel I (still) await. This time, I have found myself in a situation that I would never, not in a million years, have thought I would stumble upon.

Master Plan overlooks inner expansion

On Nov. 11, University Architect David Rodd spoke to the Student Association to outline Rice's Master Plan, a comprehensive overview of how Rice and its campus are expected to change over the next five decades. As he presented his plan, I couldn't help but notice the constant mention of words such as "expansion," "growth" and "increase," with reference to both the undergraduate population and academic resources. The question that came to my mind was whether the idea of growth is inherently at odds with Rice's character as a medium-sized, undergraduate-focused university charging relatively low tuition.

RDT 'In Habit's campus with season's first show

Nearly two months after the opening of the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, the Rice Dance Theatre has finally received the opportunity to showcase its talent in the facility's state-of-the-art dance studio. After one viewing, it is easy to see that the wait, while tedious, has been worth it.In preparing for "In Habit," the studio needed only minor tweaking to transform the Rec Center's dance studio from practice space to performance space. Come the night of the performance, the room finds itself adorned with black partitions lining the walls and black material covering the wood floor. Four light trees are employed on either side of the performance space; though there is only flexibility in light intensity, not color, the space is well lit and the company uses well-timed light fading to enhance their performances. Dancers emerge from the partitions and perform in the round - chairs surround the performance space on both sides, and there is not a bad seat in the studio.

The competition: A look at this weekend's Conference USA Tournament

This weekend, the C-USA volleyball tournament will be hosted at Tudor Fieldhouse. Tulane has been a conference powerhouse in past years, but this season, Southern Miss has emerged as the strongest squad. 1. University of Southern Mississippi (25-4, 14-2 C-USA): The Golden Eagles enter the tournament as the obvious favorite, having won 14 matches in a row. Southern Miss has experienced a resurgence of their program and has been led by seniors Angela Hlavaty and Maia Ivanova.

Where future Rice students come from

Holding Esperanza in the Health Museum was bound to provide an interesting setting for those in attendance. Brown College junior Wharton Wang and Jones College sophomore Grace Ching take a break from dancing to check out the museum exhibits last Saturday, one of the many bodily activities that night.

An open letter to Lance Berkman, concerning Beer Bike

Dear Lance,By now, we're sure you've heard the news: Beer Bike is changing (see story, page 1). This year, the first in which the number of colleges runs into double digits, the most sacrosanct part of Rice's culture will look . different. See, two new colleges have ridden in on their environmentally friendly horses and decided to crash the party, changing up the game plan and turning this year's Beer Bike into a cauldron of concern and confusion.

Rice & BCM: Faculty Merger Review Committee

The Faculty Merger Review Committee is an independent committee designed to evaluate the benefits and costs of a merger and, if necessary, provide advice to the Faculty Senate. Committe Chair Donald Morrison provided his outlook on the merger.The Faculty Merger Review Committee was formed April 23 due to a resolution passed by the Faculty Senate during a plenary meeting that same day.

Religious differences foster dinner discussions

For the first time in the university's history, the Rice Interfaith Dialogue Association, in conjunction with the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, hosted dinner talks Thursday at two residential colleges to discuss students' religious differences. The two sections, held at Brown College and Wiess College, accommodated eight and 12 students, respectively. The talks were led by RIDA moderators: Lovett College sophomore Katie Jenson at Brown and Martel College junior David Sorge at Wiess.

Rice & BCM: Point/Counterpoint

The possible acquisition of the Baylor College of Medicine is one of the biggest decisions Rice has faced in its 97-year history, and dozens of variables are to be taken into consideration before a final verdict is reached. President David Leebron, a high-ranking proponent of the merger, and professor Moshe Vardi, one of its most outspoken opponents, debate the merger's merits.Read President Leebron's argument below, or skip to Professor Vardi's.

Bozman, Hollywood exec, shares career path

Many head out to Los Angeles to become stars, but few succeed. One of these elite and talented individuals is Rice graduate Ron Bozman (Hanszen College '69) who has served as executive producer of box-office hits including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Failure to Launch, The Stepford Wives and Confessions of a Shopaholic. However, Bozman is best known for his production of 1991's Silence of the Lambs, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Picture.Last week, Bozman visited Rice to share his experiences with students, and the Thresher chatted with this producer about his career at Rice and his experiences in film.