Special Projects

Publics are back — enjoy responsibly

After two years, public parties are finally coming back. Two out of four classes of undergraduates have never had the opportunity to attend a public, while juniors had their one year with public culture cut short. Many members of the Rice community are unfamiliar with public parties and all they entail, while others’ experiences are two years removed and they are eager to return to the parties of their underclassmen days. 

Judges crown ‘Rice’s Finest’

In the annual fundraising event hosted by Camp Kesem, McMurtry College sophomore Teddy Gilman was named “Rice’s Finest.” Ten colleges were represented that night — Jones College did not have a contestant this year — in the competition previously known as Mr. Rice. It was renamed this year to be more inclusive of all gender identities, according to “Rice’s Finest” coordinators Kaitlyn Crowley and Ambreen Younas.

SA passes resolution denouncing swim coach comments

The Student Association passed a resolution denouncing Rice swim coach Seth Huston’s statements on the National Collegiate Athletics Association policy regarding transgender participation in college-level sport at the March 7 Senate meeting, with one SA member voting against the resolution.

Chaus, Hoot, Pub to relocate during student center construction

Coffeehouse, the Pub at Rice and the Hoot are moving to temporary locations as a result of the current Student Center’s demolition in late April, according to the three business’ general managers. 

Rice hosts conference on paranomal phenomena

The Archives of the Impossible Conference was held at Hudspeth Auditorium in the School of Continued Studies this past weekend. The conference focused on covering the academic study of UFO phenomena, extrasensory perception and other paranormal activity.

Publics return after two years, COVID regulations loosen further

Public parties will be returning to campus the weekend after spring break for the first time in two years, according to Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman. The first public will be held on Saturday March 26, followed by one every weekend until the end of the school year. 

Rice Apps relaunches carpool mobile site

As school breaks and seasonal holidays approach, so does the need to travel to and from the airport. Previous years have seen a spreadsheet shared among students hoping to find rides. But the rereleased Rice Carpool site allows a simple way for the Rice community to find and coordinate rides on their phone. 

COVID, construction affect accessibility at Rice

Ever since the pandemic started in 2020, classes, events and more were moved online. Learning virtually came with its own challenges, such as Zoom fatigue and monotony; however, the shift also increased accessibility to things like classes and social activities, a change especially helpful for students with disabilities. 

Senior Spotlight: Mahima Masih discovers the intersection of optometry and hockey

Mahima Masih didn’t really pay attention to sports until quarantine in the summer of 2020. According to the Brown College senior, she started watching hockey after a friend suggested it because there was not much else she could do.

Spring Break Scenes and Screens

Review: Conway the Machine reintroduces himself and opens up on ‘God Don’t Make Mistakes’

In the past few years, Conway the Machine has been one of the most interesting rap lyricists active, crafting meticulous bars about street life and the perils of drug dealing. A member of Griselda Records with brother Westside Gunn and cousin Benny the Butcher, Conway has been gaining notoriety in the past few years, and largely crafted “God Don’t Make Mistakes” as an introduction for new fans who may have discovered him through high profile collaborations, like his appearance on “Keep My Spirit Alive” from Kanye West’s “Donda.”

Review: EARTHGANG creates socially conscious Southern hip hop on ‘GHETTO GODS’

Similar to many people’s experience, the pandemic and lockdown was a time of reflection for Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot, the duo behind EARTHGANG. Instead of  touring or interacting with fans, the members of EARTHGANG put their energy towards “the godly part of really just transforming yourself.” This transformation has led to an album that deals with a form of godliness and success achievable through hard work and the uplifting support of their community. 

Check out these local restaurants from Eat Drink HTX

Eat Drink HTX is an event put on by the Cleverley Stone Foundation, named after a mom who, inspired by Houston Restaurant Week, wanted to help bring awareness to casual dining restaurants in Houston by connecting the restaurants to their communities. Participating restaurants offer a special menu for lunch, dinner and brunch, each one making donations to the Houston Food Bank and Star of Hope, a Christian organization dedicated to helping Houston’s homeless population.

Listen to these trans women this Women’s History Month

I never need an excuse to listen to some of the phenomenal music that women make, but I’ll take one when I can get it. The Rice Thresher is celebrating Women’s History Month with a playlist of some of my favorite trans women musicians. Underrepresented in the music world, trans women nevertheless have released some of the best music of the last decade. Ranging from groundbreaking experimental music to bread and butter pop, trans women show that they can both bring a new perspective and thrive in existing norms. 

Review: ‘Jeen-Yuhs’ offers insight into Kanye’s career

It’s hard to know exactly where to begin when writing about Kanye West.  As one of the few artists who has maintained relevance for nearly the entirety of the 21st century, capturing his every album, design, and controversy is no easy feat. Despite this challenge, “Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” is a testament to West’s success and artistry over the last two decades, dissecting his drive and creative process to reveal a constantly working, ever-changing figure. By chronicling Kanye’s rise as an artist, directors Chike Ozah and Coodie Simmons manage to portray his complexity while creating parallels to their own lives and giving hip-hop fans an engaging look behind the scenes.

'The Batman': A Masterpiece of Superhero Storytelling

Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” succeeds in all aspects from direction, story and acting, and it provides a strong foundation for a new DC comics continuity. The film is the best film of the year thus far as well as one of the greatest comic book films ever made.

March into these artsy events

A wide range of ways to experience art are available this month, from theatre performances to museum exhibits to local pop-up experiences and community events. Looking at art can be a great way to go beyond the hedges while also learning about and exploring potentially interesting endeavors and subjects this March, from romance to the rodeo to Houston’s roots. 

Senior Spotlight: Grace Vincent discusses artistic performance through her own lens

Grace Vincent may be a natural entertainer. As soon as she could walk and talk, she was drawn to the world of stage performance, and, over the years, she flourished into an accomplished ballet dancer and thespian. Vincent’s love for the performing arts led her to pursue filmmaking and dance theater at Rice, with the ultimate goal of crafting meaningful stories for her audience. 

Hobby takes their “shot” at Hamilton production

There is little left to say about “Hamilton,” a show that received 11 Tony Awards and captured America’s attention for the middle of the past decade. The only thing I can contribute, then, is my experience of the production of “Hamilton” running at Hobby through March 20. It’s an enjoyable performance that checks all the boxes even in the original’s shadow.

Review: ‘Euphoria’ season two redefines authentic storytelling

After years of delays, Sam Levinson’s Emmy-winning hit, “Euphoria,” returned to our screens in full force. Picking up right at the tail end of the winter break established in the special bridge episodes, viewers find the characters attending a New Year’s Eve party, where old habits die hard and new ones find their way into the fold.