Online only: Leebron holds town hall, discusses budget cuts, tuition increase
In an address to over 500 people during his Town Hall meeting Thursday, President David Leebron spoke about budget cuts, tuition raises and the decision not to merge with the Baylor College of Medicine.Though citing the fact that the endowment lost approximately $1 billion during the recession, it has started to recover, leaving Rice still on track for Vision for the Second Century mission, Leebron said.
Because 47 percent of Rice's budget comes from the endowment, its losses spurred the 5 percent budget cuts during fiscal year 2010. Another 5 percent budget cut is expected in FY 2011. As part of these budget cuts, 1 percent of Rice staff has been laid off during FY 2011. However, no layoffs are expected for FY 2012.
Tuition also has been affected. It will be raised 5.4 percent for entering freshmen, Leebron said. However, financial aid is expected to increase by 16 percent.
Fifteen percent of the university's revenue comes from tuition.
Though Leebron mentioned disappointment in the merger with the BCM not working out, he said the Bioscience Research Collaborative is already helping foster connections with the Texas Medical Center and will continue to do so.
South college renovations, as well as construction of the Brockman Hall for Physics, are on schedule to be completed next year.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice’s COVID class graduates amid nation-wide campus protests
Rice held its 111th commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4 at Rice Stadium. The class of 2024 walked through the Sallyport, which is currently closed amid ongoing construction of the academic quad, but was temporarily reopened for commencement. For the second year in a row, all undergraduate commencement events were condensed into one day — prior to 2023, ceremonies were typically spread out over a two-day span.
Rice SJP ‘liberated zone’ ends, university removes artwork in ‘beautification efforts’
The “liberated zone” on Rice campus and associated events ended Friday, April 26, after four days of programming, according to the Rice Students for Justice in Palestine Instagram page. Unlike overnight encampments spreading at college campuses across the country, Rice SJP disassembled the “liberated zone” each night and returned the following morning. And in contrast to clashes and escalating police responses that have led to some 2,000 arrests from Los Angeles to Hanover, N.H., there were “no major incidents and no arrests” at Rice, according to President Reggie DesRoches.
Rice’s Luke McCaffrey selected by Commanders in NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders selected Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey with the 100th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCaffrey was the final pick in the third round, as well as the final pick on the second day of the draft. He’ll compete for a prominent role in the wide receiver room, potentially slotting in as their starting slot receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.