From the opinion editor’s desk: The opinion section is a space meant for the Rice community
As the semester nears its end, it’s time to reflect on the state of the opinion section this fall amidst a near return to normalcy, and to look forward to another semester of opinions. We’ve had a multitude of opinions and editorials published on a wide range of subjects. Still, some people coming to campus for the first time or who did not engage much with our paper while we were working online last year may not be all that familiar with the opinion section. I want to reintroduce the possibilities that the section offers for all of the Rice community.
The Thresher accepts guest opinions from any Rice student, faculty, staff or alum about topics that are related to the Rice community. Additionally, if you want to respond to a piece that the Thresher has published, you can submit a letter to the editor to be published in the opinion section.
Many community members flock to the opinion section to push for big change, and some have been successful. But as my predecessor so eloquently wrote, your opinion doesn’t have to change the world. No matter how big or small the issue, if you have an opinion that you’re passionate about and want to share with your peers, the opinion section is the place for you to do that.
The range of topics covered in the opinion section are broad. Recently published opinions span from reconsidering the use of the terms Hispanic and Latinx on campus to easing COVID-19 restrictions on student activities to bringing back the Rice University Farmers Market. All opinions are welcome so long as they are pertinent to the Rice community.
To get started writing your opinion, all you have to do is follow our opinion submission policy, which includes guidelines on content, format and authorship. When you’re ready, send a draft to thresher@rice.edu. If you’re apprehensive about writing, don’t worry — we’ll work with you every step of the editing process to get your opinion out to the community in its clearest form. Every edit is approved by you to preserve your voice as much as possible. That is the spirit of the opinion section.
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Start by paying the students who need it most
Student Association president Solomon Ni presented a motion during the March 20 senate to pay voting members of the SA essentially $8 every senate in session, which they are required to attend. Our new cohort of SA representatives near-unanimously shot the motion down.
The Student Association is DEAD, long live the Student Association!
The Student Association in this past year has been disappointing to say the least; the discourse and lack of engagement I have seen reflects that disappointment. The Student Association’s reckoning has been a long time coming. The organization is in need of urgent reform in order to be more receptive to all the students it represents.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.