Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Thursday, April 25, 2024 — Houston, TX

News

NEWS 3/19/24 9:42pm

Rice joins new federal AI Safety Institute Consortium

By Viola Hsia

Rice joined the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Artificial Intelligence Consortium, which aims to support safe practices and uses of AI.

NEWS 3/19/24 9:38pm

Largest staff division unveils plan to better serve Rice community

By Prasi Desai

The Division of Operations, Finance and Support, formerly known as Finance and Administration, released a five-year strategic plan to enhance “operational excellence,” customer experiences and inclusivity.

NEWS 3/19/24 9:37pm

Rice launches Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences

By Wenshi Chen

The Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences, housed within the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, launched at the beginning of March, aiming to improve the capture, analysis and interpretation of images at the nanometer scale.

NEWS 3/19/24 9:35pm

Beer bikers required to spend five hours on track for certification

By Viola Hsia

Beer Bike riders are now required to spend at least five hours practicing on the track to get certified to race in Beer Bike, after revisions to the biker and pit crew requirements.

NEWS 3/5/24 10:55pm

Kim elected SA president, Ngo wins nailbiter for treasurer in high-turnout race

By James Cancelarich

Jae Kim has been elected to serve as the next Student Association president, receiving 64% of first-place votes against Trevor Tobey, who received 34.2%. 1,928 students voted in the election, amounting to a voter turnout of 42.09%, nearly triple last year’s turnout of 15.02%.

NEWS 3/5/24 10:55pm

UCourt complaint alleges SA power grab, claims ballot inaccurately represented constitutional changes

By Maria Morkas and Viola Hsia

The Student Association ballot inaccurately represented proposed constitutional changes that “consolidated power in the hands of fewer people,” an unnamed student alleged in a complaint filed with the University Court Feb. 22.

NEWS 3/5/24 10:54pm

How to get your money from Rice’s ‘568 cartel’ lawsuit settlement

By Prayag Gordy

Rice settled a class action lawsuit in February for $33.75 million. The complaint alleged that Rice and 16 other elite universities illegally conspired to limit financial aid. Rice settled before trial — as do the vast majority of civil cases — and the university denies any wrongdoing.

NEWS 3/5/24 10:51pm

Hopkins dives into Black history at Rice archives

By Brandon Chen and Njwi Achoh

Rice’s Black History Month Committee hosted a series of over 20 events, spanning academic and social spheres and facilitating conversations around the history of African Americans throughout the month.

NEWS 3/5/24 10:51pm

David Leebron joins Texas-focused policy center as incoming president and CEO

By Keegan Leibrock

Former Rice president David Leebron has been named the incoming president and CEO of Texas 2036, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses data and research to address issues in Texas policy.

NEWS 3/5/24 9:56pm

Freedom talks life experiences

By Krishna Chalise

Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, spoke about his life experiences around the world at Rice Feb. 27.

NEWS 3/5/24 9:53pm

Fette knighted by French education ministry

By Kenzie Langhorne

Julie Fette, an associate professor of French Studies, was named a chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques, the Order of the French Academic Palms, by the French Ministry of National Education on Bastille Day, a French national holiday, July 14, 2023.

NEWS 3/5/24 9:50pm

RURS splits into school-specific research showcases

By Nayeli Shad

The spring 2024 Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium has been replaced with new events specifically for the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

NEWS 2/29/24 8:08am

Astronaut Peggy Whitson ’86 to speak at 2024 commencement

By Riya Misra

Peggy Whitson ’86, widely dubbed “America’s most experienced astronaut,” will speak at the 2024 commencement ceremony May 4, President Reggie DesRoches announced in an email to the Rice community Feb. 29.

NEWS 2/28/24 3:01pm

Students build startup to ‘revolutionize’ healthcare information

By Sam Balakrishnan

The Healthcare Navigator, a new startup for consolidated healthcare information, is launching in May. The leadership team of Rice students Kayla Grimes, Arunima Jaiswal and Priya Bapna said the program aims to present healthcare information in a user-friendly manner to eliminate barriers to healthcare access.

NEWS 2/28/24 2:49pm

Lactaid added to RHA bags

By Ivana Hsyung

Rice Health Advisors have added Lactaid, an enzyme supplement which offers relief to those who have difficulty digesting dairy based products, to RHA bags at each residential college starting Feb. 1.

NEWS 2/27/24 11:08pm

Faculty, students host vigil for scholars in Gaza

By Maria Morkas

Community members gathered in Ray’s Courtyard Feb. 26 for an event titled “Scholasticide is Genocide, a Vigil for our Colleagues in Gaza.”

NEWS 2/27/24 11:02pm

Construction begins on two new residential colleges

By Riya Misra and Kenzie Langhorne

After the demolition of the old Sid Richardson College building finished last semester, construction of the two new colleges will begin soon.

NEWS 2/27/24 11:02pm

‘He wasn’t one for slowing down’: Ron Sass remembered

By Prasi Desai

Ron Sass, a Rice professor for over 60 years, passed away Jan. 9. Sass was a renowned educator, winning the George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching, among many others. He retired in 2005 as Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and as a global climate change fellow at the Baker Institute.

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