REF Task Force gets new at-large members
At the Oct. 15 Student Association Senate meeting, SA Executive Vice President Trent Navran introduced new members of the Rice Education of the Future task force. The new at-large (non-Senate) members are Jones College junior Mariah Lawhon, Jones freshman Bailey Tulloch, McMurtry College sophomore Sawyer Knight and Cyndie Wu.
Over the past two weeks, the task force has engaged students, faculty, staff and administrators in discussion groups as well as a photo campaign.
“We've seen incredible headway in raising awareness, gaining student input and having critical small group discussions,” Navran said.
Lawhon said outreach efforts give all stakeholders a platform to express their opinions.
“The best thing about this initiative is that we are providing an outlet for the entire Rice community to voice their thoughts about how to advance the Rice educational experience,” Lawhon said.
Knight said the progress has been promising.
“We have seen interactions … that are already promoting the connective environment that will be necessary in making Rice the phenomenal institution and environment we pride ourselves upon,” Knight said.
Looking ahead, Tulloch said she hopes that the initiative will garner campus-wide support in pursuing its goal of improving Rice’s education in the future.
“Our mission is something I think everyone can relate to,” Tulloch said. “The overwhelming support we've received is hopefully indicative of how much we will achieve this year.”
More from The Rice Thresher

Rice to support Harvard in lawsuit against research funding freeze
Rice, alongside 17 other research universities, filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard University’s lawsuit against the Trump administration over more than $2 billion in frozen research grants.

Mayor Whitmire discusses ‘the state of Houston’ between audience protests at Baker Institute
John Whitmire’s remarks on the city’s budget, transportation and infrastructure were interrupted twice by shouts from audience members at a Baker Institute event May 29. At the event, which was open to the public, Whitmire spoke about the current state of Houston alongside former county judge Ed Emmett.
Rice reaffirms support for international students after Trump administration targets Harvard
Rice and the Office of International Students and Scholars said in a May 23 email that they are monitoring the Trump administration’s actions towards Harvard to bar the school from enrolling international students. A federal judge temporarily halted the move less than 24 hours later.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.