Man with knife runs on campus
A man with knife in hand entered Rice campus through Entrance 3 on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 11:15 p.m., according to a police report. After being awakened by a Hermann Park ranger, the suspect threatened the ranger and subsequently ran onto Rice property, the report states. Rice University Police Department searched for the suspect but was unable to locate him. Sergeant Carol Barnett from RUPD said that the suspect has not yet been found.
The suspect was described as a male in his mid- to late-30s, around 5 feet 10 inches and 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing white shorts, a white striped shirt, a white baseball cap and carrying a pink backpack. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated.
Despite the crime alert on Wednesday morning, Hanszen College junior TJ Patel said she went about her day as normal.
"I got these almost every day at Baylor before I transferred [to Rice]," Patel said. "I think RUPD is doing a really great job."
Jones College freshman Weston Ruths agreed that he feels generally safe on campus.
"I have full confidence in the police to handle any situation that may arise," Ruths said.
Barnett said she advises students not to walk around campus alone at night or let anyone suspicious into campus buildings. She said if students see any suspicious behavior, they should call RUPD at 713-348-6000 or use the blue light system around campus.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice’s James Tour and YouTuber ‘Professor Dave’ debate the origins of life
Dave Farina of the YouTube channel ProfessorDaveExplains came to Rice to debate organic chemistry professor James Tour on the topic of abiogenesis, the scientific theory that life on Earth originated from non-living compounds. The debate occurred May 19 in a full Keck Hall, with up to 2,800 viewers watching the event livestreamed on YouTube.
‘Always laughing, always smiling and singing’: Family, colleagues remember Triny Carranza
María Trinidad “Triny” Carranza, cook III at the Cohen House, passed away May 7 at the age of 50. Carranza’s daughter said Triny’s cause of death was complications from blood clots. Hailing from the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, Triny visited Houston in her early twenties and chose to stay after meeting her future husband, Salvador Carranza, in the same apartment complex. Once settled, she began working in the cooking industry that, according to her husband, she was in love with.
Old Sid to be demolished, 2 new residential colleges expected by fall 2026
Rice intends to build two new residential colleges with an accompanying servery, President Reggie DesRoches and Vice President for Finance and Administration Kelly Fox announced in an email sent May 19. The old Sid Richardson College building, opened in 1971, will be demolished as “part of this project,” the announcement added.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.