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NEWS 1/22/25 2:34am

Rice reflects on leadership at MLK vigil

By Viola Hsia

Rice held a vigil to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jan. 19. The vigil, held in Kraft Hall, included a reception, followed by a series of talks from Rice professors. The Rice Black Men’s Association and Multicultural Community Relations, within the university’s Office of Public Affairs, helped organize the event.

NEWS 1/22/25 2:34am

New AI major proposed for fall 2025

By Abigail Chiu

The Faculty Senate will vote on a possible AI major Feb. 5, proposed by Rice’s Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum. The program has been in development within the computer science department since Spring 2024, and if approved, could be offered as soon as Fall 2025.

NEWS 1/14/25 10:59pm

H&D rolls out new spring dining schedule

By Charlie Cruz

Housing and Dining unveiled a restructured dining schedule for the spring semester, introducing extended meal times and continuous weekday dining. Lunch and dinner times are staggered at different serveries — for example, Baker offers lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Seibel offers lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Under the new plan, at least one servery will be open at any given time between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays.

NEWS 1/14/25 10:59pm

Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications

By Belinda Zhu

Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77. 

NEWS 1/14/25 10:57pm

Student Association considers raising Blanket Tax

By Sarah Knowlton

The first Student Association meeting of the semester, held Jan. 13, introduced several action items for the upcoming semester, including increasing meal swipe donations and planning for the new student center set to replace the Rice Memorial Center. A report on the results of December’s special election regarding divestment and university spending was also on the agenda, however was tabled as student elections director Natalie Wang was unable to attend.

NEWS 1/14/25 10:56pm

Sarofim Hall on track for August 2025 opening

By Viola Hsia and Aisha Khemani

The construction of Sarofim Hall, the art department’s new building, remains on schedule for an expected opening in August 2025. The project is moving forward as planned while construction crews continue to work at the site, said John Sparagana, art department chair.

NEWS 12/12/24 1:58pm

Students reject divestment proposals

By James Cancelarich

The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.

NEWS 12/3/24 11:41pm

Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda

By James Cancelarich

Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed. 

NEWS 12/3/24 11:40pm

Chaus closes due to water leak, ‘tentatively hoping’ to reopen Dec. 5

By Belinda Zhu

Rice Coffeehouse is closed indefinitely due to water leaks in the building that occurred over Thanksgiving break. Chaus announced its closure in a Dec. 1 Instagram post, citing “unseen circumstances.” Although no official date has been announced, Chaus is aiming for a Dec. 5 reopening, said both Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Chaus’ general manager, and Caitlin Lindsay, Director of Student Center Operations.

A&E 12/3/24 11:40pm

Amy Hobby: from Rice to Oscar nominee

By Steven Burgess

Before its permanent closure in 2021, the Rice Media Center was home to film students at Rice. One particular alumna, Academy Award-nominated producer Amy Hobby ’87, has been one of the most notable people to come out of Rice’s film department, having worked alongside Tim Burton, David Lynch and Steven Soderbergh throughout her three-decade career.

NEWS 12/3/24 11:39pm

Rice launches partnerships with Indian universities

By Nandini Dasari

Thirty members of Rice leadership and faculty convened in Bengaluru, India Nov. 18 to launch Rice Global India, an initiative to bolster Rice’s network of academic collaboration abroad. According to Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global affairs, the trip was the largest international delegation in the history of the university.

NEWS 11/19/24 11:27pm

Local Foods launches in newly renovated Brochstein space

By Hope Yang

Local Foods Market opened at Brochstein Pavilion Nov. 19, replacing comfort food concept Little Kitchen HTX. The opening, previously scheduled for the end of September, also features interior renovations to Brochstein. Local Foods is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

NEWS 11/19/24 11:27pm

Scan, swipe — sorry

By Abigail Chiu

Students may need to swipe their Rice IDs through scanners before entering future public parties, said dean of undergraduates Bridget Gorman. This possible policy change is not finalized, but in discussion among student activities and crisis management teams.

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