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COVID-19

NEWS 2/2/21 11:37pm

COVID-19 cases on campus rise over winter break

By Mainavi Reddy

Rice experienced a spike in COVID cases over the past few weeks, much of which can be attributed to increased travel and laxer social distancing measures during the holidays, according to Kevin Kirby, chair of the Crisis Management Advisory Committee.  

NEWS 10/20/20 10:28pm

COVID-19 shifts student sex patterns, sexual health resources remain

By Hajera Naveed

In light of the pandemic, campus organizations are trying to balance providing open access to sexual health resources while simultaneously not encouraging unsafe COVID practices. While some students have stated they are choosing to change their sexual behavior to accommodate safety regulations, others voiced their choice to remain sexually active.  

NEWS 10/6/20 10:39pm

Culture of Care FAQ updated to include clarifications on amnesty, other general policies

By Sumin Yoon

The FAQ section of the Culture of Care agreement was updated in September to include further clarifications on student life, including enforcement and student travel policies. The first version of this document was released to all returning students on July 1 to inform them about the Culture of Care and how it will function in residential colleges, dining and social events. 

NEWS 9/1/20 9:53pm

Clubs adapt structures to fit COVID rules, include remote students

By Alizay Azeem

The Rice University Student Center held its annual Fall Student Activities Fair on August 29 through an online event platform called Hopin. According to event details on OwlNest, over 150 student organizations participated in the virtual club fair. Many of these organizations have adapted club structures to better cater to COVID-19 guidelines and remote students. 

NEWS 9/1/20 8:55pm

COVID Court sees six reports in first week

By Hajera Naveed

With the semester starting amidst a pandemic, one way that Rice plans to regulate student behavior and ensure adherence to this year’s new Culture of Care agreement is through the new COVID Community Court. The Court handles all low level infractions on campus such as mask wearing and social distancing. 

NEWS 9/1/20 7:38pm

Students say admin unprepared for return to campus in petition

By Ivanka Perez

A student-written petition expressing concerns about the administration's handling of fall semester has reached 442 signatures at the time of print. Students shared dissatisfactions with the administration ranging from those listed in the petition — servery food and a new "medical hold" health status — to concerns about contact tracing.

NEWS 8/25/20 9:37pm

Student leaders adapt O-Week to COVID-19 precautions

By Savannah Kuchar and Rynd Morgan

Orientation Week is a decades-old event at Rice, with traditions that have largely remained untouched. This year, coordinators have had to modify or cut out many traditional O-Week events to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and university guidelines in light of the pandemic, resulting in a unique experience for the incoming class of new students. 

NEWS 8/25/20 9:25pm

Sidizens maintain culture beyond building

By Kelly Liao

Students from Sid Richardson College who originally planned to live on campus this year, including many new students, have been reassigned to Martel, McMurtry, Duncan and Wiess Colleges based on their preference after Sid Richardson College was converted to isolation housing for on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19. 

NEWS 7/1/20 4:24pm

Gorman announces in-depth fall semester plans

By Savannah Kuchar

Students returning to campus in the upcoming fall semester will have to adjust to a number of precautionary changes all subject to change, such as rearranged housing, bathroom schedules and mandated COVID-19 testing, implemented in efforts to protect against the spread of COVID-19, according to an email sent July 1 by Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman.

NEWS 5/4/20 9:17pm

Leebron announces plans for fall semester: Shortened semester, dual in-person and online classes

By Rishab Ramapriyan

President David Leebron announced plans for reopening campus for the fall semester in an email to all faculty and staff on Monday evening. Rice plans to reopen for the fall semester in mid-August with its full population on campus, but there will be significant modifications to class and campus operations, according to Leebron’s email that was obtained by the Thresher.

NEWS 4/3/20 7:56pm

Campus evolves with COVID-19

By Rynd Morgan

The university's decision making has evolved along with the pandemic it is responding to, with near-constant updates on policies covering everything from travel, academics, campus buildings and housing and dining. Given the rapidly changing situation at the university as the pandemic ramps up in the U.S. and internationally, this article hopes to centralize the information and clarify the current state of university policies in each of these areas. 

NEWS 3/30/20 2:40pm

On-campus commencement postponed, online ceremony to occur

By Christina Tan

In light of ongoing COVID-19 concerns, an on campus commencement is postponed until further notice, according to an email sent by President David Leebron, Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman and Interim Provost Seiichi Matsuda. There will be an online ceremony on May 16, according to Gorman, where graduates names will be read out loud. 

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