Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Thursday, March 28, 2024 — Houston, TX

245 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.




Honor Council referendum allows for fair punishments

(01/28/14 12:00am)

The Thresher supports the referendum on the SA general election ballot to remove Article XII, Section 1 from the Constitution of the Honor System, (see story, p. 1). As it currently stands, this article serves as a get-out-of-jail-free card, allowing students to withdraw from Rice for two semesters after being accused of an Honor Code violation while avoiding further investigation and potentially stricter punishment. If a student commits a violation warranting a punishment stricter than a two-semester suspension, he or she should receive that sentence. 


News in Brief: Spanish Course Revisions

(01/28/14 12:00am)

The professional Spanish courses cancelled for this semester will be available again in the fall, according to Dean of Humanities Nicolas Shumway and Director of the Center for the Study of Languages Rafael Salaberry. At the Jan. 27 Student Senate meeting, Lovett College President Christian Neal and Will Rice College Senator Cynthia Bau reported that Shumway and Salaberry thought the core of the cancelled courses did not meet Rice standards and are currently being revised to include an emphasis in linguistics and correct usage rather than vocabulary memorization. Interest has been expressed in connecting students with internships and other opportunities through these professional classes. For more information, visit sa.rice.edu/petitions.


Catalyst should get blanket tax, RES needs clarification

(01/28/14 12:00am)

The Thresher supports the Catalyst's request for $1 in blanket tax funds (see story, p. 1). As Rice's only undergraduate scientific research journal, the Catalyst publishes unique content and emphasizes Rice's commitment to giving undergraduates research opportunities. We understand the costs that go into producing a publication and think their request is reasonable.



International efforts prove beneficial despite narrow scope

(01/21/14 12:00am)

The Thresher is pleased to see the administration's effort to include a more diverse group of students from around the world, namely through new exchange programs in France, South Korea and Denmark, as well as the Brasil@Rice on-campus program (see story, p. 1). They provide a different perspective to the undergraduate experience and enrich cultural life.





Congratulations to our football teams

(01/14/14 12:00am)

The Thresher would like to congratulate the football team on its successful season, in which it finished as the Conference USA champions and earned the opportunity to play in the Liberty Bowl. Although the team did not win the bowl game against Mississippi State, the players put in a great effort, and it was an accomplishment just to be invited to the game. We hope to see continued success next year.




Commencement changes preserve old traditions, create new ones

(01/14/14 12:00am)

The Thresher supports the changes to the commencement ceremonies for this upcoming year. As the student body has grown, the ceremony has lasted longer, extending into the hotter hours of the morning. The Houston sun can be brutal in May, so for students required to sit in a polyester gown for three hours and for students' elderly relatives and friends who have a more difficult time withstanding the heat, a shortened Saturday morning ceremony is ideal. 








News in Brief

(11/13/13 12:00am)

A committee may soon be formed at Martel College to gauge whether residents would like to change the college crest, according to College President Izzy Spanswick."The crest is talked about every year," Spanswick, a Martel senior, said. "There has been discussion concerning the crest and potentially changing it."Spanswick said no design is in the works because college residents and alumni have not decided whether they want to change the crest."The main argument in favor of changing the crest is that people feel it doesn't represent the culture and values of the college as well as it could," Spanswick said. "If we find that the majority of Martelians are interested in altering the crest, then we will move on to the design process."Martel freshman Abbi Gutierrez said that since the crest was made before Martel culture was created, some people want a crest that better visualizes that culture, but others believe the crest should be kept the same because of tradition."Since we are fairly new but have a few years under our belt, we just want to explore our creative freedom to design something that may potentially represent us better," Gutierrez said. "We pride ourselves on being a family, so that really is our culture."Spanswick said the college will vote on Wednesday, Nov. 13 on a bill that will decide whether or not a Martel crest committee should be created. She said this committee would be responsible for collecting data from current students, alumni and other interested parties to gauge interest on whether or not they want to update the crest."This is a very important issue to the college," Spanswick said. "Nothing will happen in regards to the crest without consent from both current students and alumni."