News

Rice students express disappointment, optimism after midterm elections

As election results rolled in around 10 p.m., many students watching in the Rice Memorial Center Grand Hall expressed disappointment with the defeat of midterm election candidates Beto O’Rourke, who lost by 2.6 percent to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, and Todd Litton, who lost by 7.6 percent to Dan Crenshaw, in races for the United States Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.

National College Health Assessment response rates nearly triple

At least 40 percent of students have already taken the National College Health Assessment of Rice University as of last Friday – almost three times as many who took the assessment the last time it was offered in 2014, according to Agnes Ho, director of Rice’s Student Wellbeing Center.

RPC changes Esperanza theme after student concerns

Rice Program Council changed Esperanza’s theme to “A Taste of the Twenties” a week before the event after student leaders expressed concerns about a Great Gatsby-themed dance at the Houston Museum of African American Culture.

Rice student voting guide

With election day right around the corner, here’s everything you need to know as you prepare to head to the polls.

Campanile, Thresher win 16 national awards

Rice Campanile and the Rice Thresher won a combined 16 awards at the joint Associated College Press/College Media Association convention in Louisville, Kentucky last weekend. 

Rice invests 82 million in new faculty, research space

New center, minor connect data and students

A new data center will support the creation of the new data science minor and provide students with learning experiences in data science, while enhancing data-intensive research at Rice University and building partnerships with outside organizations, according to Genevera Allen, founder and faculty director.

Women’s Resource Center hosts celebration of consent

The Rice Women’s Resource Center organized “I <3 Consent Week” to change the narrative of sex and consent and to hand women back their autonomy in a political climate that shut out their voices and perspectives, according to Maddy Scannell, the external advocacy coordinator for the RWRC.

Rice community mourns those killed in Pittsburgh synagogue

Over 250 Rice students gathered at Willy’s Statue on Monday evening for a vigil honoring the 11 people who were killed in a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Isolated vote-flipping occurrences reported in Harris County

Some voters have reported that Harris County voting machines appear to be changing their votes, according to the Texas secretary of state. 

No ass on glass: New Baker 13 rule prohibits “butt-printing” on glass

A new rule developed by Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman and leaders at Baker College will “highly discourage” students from pressing their rear ends on glass windows during Baker 13, according to Baker College President Eliza Martin. 

Rice Democrats and Republicans spar in annual Fall debate

The Rice University Young Democrats and Rice University College Republicans debated felon disenfranchisement at the annual fall debate hosted by the Baker Institute Student Forum this Monday. 

Ella Grant, transgender conservative, speaks at Rice

Ella Grant, a conservative transgender woman with a YouTube audience, shared her political views and opinions on the transgender community in a conversation hosted by the Rice University College Republicans on Oct. 17 as a part of their Shred Nonsense Speaker Series.

NOD, EOE organizers ramp up party planning efforts

Night of Decadence, Wiess College’s public party, is introducing a high-reward costume contest and Evening of Elegance is increasing its budget, after attendance to EOE surpassed NOD for the first time ever last year. Both events are planned for the night of Saturday, Oct. 27. 

RUPD records students with fake Architectronica wristbands

Rice University Police Department recorded names of students who falsified wristbands to attempt to gain entry into Architectronica, a public party hosted by the school of Architecture, according to party organizer Natalia Koziel.

Morgan Gillis appointed Student Association director of elections

Morgan Gillis will serve as this year’s Student Association Director of Elections, according to SA President Ariana Engles.

Housing and Dining considers plan to expand palm leafware

Students discussed a study by Housing & Dining that proposes replacing all current tableware in the servery, including porcelain, china and plastic, with palm leafware, at Monday’s Student Association Senate Meeting.

Panel discusses Anita Hill documentary, history of sexual violence

After a showing of the documentary, “Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power,” a panel including leaders of Houston organizations against sexual assault as well as Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman spoke on the epidemic of sexual violence in historical and Houston-based contexts last Wednesday.

Baker 13 run leaves Sid Richardson College window shattered

During the Baker 13 run last Saturday, an unnamed runner broke the window by the ramp entrance to the Sid Richardson College commons, according to Baker 13 captain Michael Price.

Rice ramps up efforts to increase accessibility

Rice University is installing accessibility features at Sewall Hall, Herzstein Hall and the new Music and Performing Arts Center in an effort to increase accessibility for students with disabilities, according to Vice President for Administration Kevin Kirby.