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Saturday, June 14, 2025 — Houston, TX

News

NEWS 6/6/25 8:42pm

Rice to support Harvard in lawsuit against research funding freeze

By James Cancelarich

Rice, alongside 17 other research universities, requested a federal judge for permission to file an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard University’s lawsuit against the Trump administration over more than $2 billion in frozen research grants.

NEWS 6/1/25 4:59pm

Mayor Whitmire discusses ‘the state of Houston’ between audience protests at Baker Institute

By Juliana Lightsey

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.

NEWS 5/25/25 9:36pm

Rice reaffirms support for international students after Trump administration targets Harvard

By Abigail Chiu

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.

NEWS 5/21/25 2:41pm

112th Commencement occurs during ‘period of uncertainty’

By Hongtao Hu

The graduating class of 2025 passed under the Sallyport before convening in the football stadium for Rice’s 112th Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 10.

A&E 4/29/25 4:24pm

Founder’s Court goes alt-rock as bôa kicks off U.S. tour at Rice

By Radhani Kapoor and Arman Saxena

Founder’s Court morphed into a festival ground Friday night as British alt-rock band bôa launched the U.S. leg of their “Whiplash” tour. The group headlined the third annual Moody X-Fest before what organizers estimate was “a little bit over 2,000 students” — the largest turnout in the event’s three-year history.

NEWS 4/29/25 3:20pm

Rice launches alternative funding program amid federal research cuts

By Hongtao Hu

Rice is launching the Bridge Funding Program for faculty whose federal funding for research projects has been reduced or removed. The program was announced via the Provost’s newsletter April 24.

NEWS 4/22/25 11:39pm

O’Rourke rallies students in Academic Quad

By Noa Berz

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso, Texas spoke in front of the Sallyport to a sea of sunglasses and “end gun violence” signs April 17. The rally, organized by Rice Young Democrats, took place in the academic quad from noon to 2 p.m.

NEWS 4/22/25 11:39pm

Uncertainty, fear and isolation loom over international students after visa revocations

By Abigail Chiu

With the wave of international student visa revocations across the country, including three students at Rice and two recent graduates, international students have expressed fears that their visas will soon be terminated without warning.

NEWS 4/22/25 11:39pm

All bike no beer: bikers race remaining heats without spectators

By Viola Hsia and Devan Sanka

Modified Beer Bike races, dubbed “Bike Bike,” were held at the track April 18 from 5-8 p.m. Results were released by email April 21.

NEWS 4/22/25 11:38pm

Senate approves budget allocations

By Hope Yang

The Student Association Senate passed Blanket Tax funding allocations for the coming year, voting 19 to three with four abstaining April 21. The budget included cuts to some Blanket Tax Organizations, including Rice Women’s Resource Center and student media, with the money to be reallocated to the SA’s Initiative Fund.

NEWS 4/22/25 10:31pm

Rice to expand enrollment and financial aid by 2028

By James Cancelarich

Rice will grow another 8%, aiming to enroll 5,200 students by fall 2028, announced an April 21 press release. This is the second recent expansion at Rice, following a 2021 initiative that raised the undergraduate population 20%, from 4,000 to 4,800.

NEWS 4/22/25 10:29pm

Rice research group spearheads wastewater testing for measles

By Ramya Motati

Amid a historic measles outbreak in West Texas, Rice researchers partnered with the city of Houston to monitor wastewater for the highly contagious virus.

NEWS 4/22/25 10:28pm

Research partnership announced with Exxon Mobil

By Josh Stallings

Rice and Exxon Mobil entered into a research agreement that aims to develop sustainable energy projects related to oil and gas operations, according to an April 14 press release.

NEWS 4/22/25 10:19pm

Q&A: Beto O’Rourke and the future of the Democratic Party

By Noa Berz

Ask Beto O’Rourke about having the odds stacked against him. As a Democrat in Texas for the past 20 years, he knows the feeling better than anyone.

NEWS 4/22/25 10:19pm

Q&A: Beto O’Rourke and the future of the Democratic Party

By Noa Berz

Ask Beto O’Rourke about having the odds stacked against him. As a Democrat in Texas for the past 20 years, he knows the feeling better than anyone.

NEWS 4/15/25 11:08pm

Five international visas revoked at Rice

By Riya Misra

Federal authorities have revoked visas for five international affiliates at Rice — three current students and two recent graduates, President Reginald DesRoches announced in an April 11 message to campus. The revocations are “not related to social activism or protests,” a university spokesperson told the Thresher.

NEWS 4/15/25 11:08pm

Modified Beer Bike races rescheduled to April 18

By Viola Hsia

Beer Bike races have been rescheduled for April 18 at 5-8 p.m. The makeup event was announced in an email to Beer Bike captains, coordinators and stakeholders, from the campuswide coordinators and the Bike Captains Planning Committee.

NEWS 4/15/25 11:08pm

Good Friday and college night overlap sparks ire among students

By Devan Sanka

Four college nights are happening on Good Friday this year. This overlap has caused controversy amongst students who observe the high holy day.

NEWS 4/15/25 11:06pm

Students discuss budget allocations at SA

By Hongtao Hu

Senate meetings are usually a quiet affair — but this Monday, there was a lively debate over the Blanket Tax Committee’s 2025-26 funding allocations. Rice Women’s Resource Center and ktru waved signs and protested funding cuts to Blanket Tax Organizations, which are funded by the Blanket Tax.

NEWS 4/15/25 10:07pm

Good Friday and college night overlap sparks ire among students

By Devan Sanka

Four college nights are happening on Good Friday this year. This overlap has caused controversy amongst students who observe the high holy day.

News

Rice to support Harvard in lawsuit against research funding freeze

Mayor Whitmire discusses ‘the state of Houston’ between audience protests at Baker Institute

Rice reaffirms support for international students after Trump administration targets Harvard

112th Commencement occurs during ‘period of uncertainty’

Founder’s Court goes alt-rock as bôa kicks off U.S. tour at Rice

Rice launches alternative funding program amid federal research cuts

O’Rourke rallies students in Academic Quad

Uncertainty, fear and isolation loom over international students after visa revocations

All bike no beer: bikers race remaining heats without spectators

Senate approves budget allocations

Rice to expand enrollment and financial aid by 2028

Rice research group spearheads wastewater testing for measles

Research partnership announced with Exxon Mobil

Q&A: Beto O’Rourke and the future of the Democratic Party

Q&A: Beto O’Rourke and the future of the Democratic Party

Five international visas revoked at Rice

Modified Beer Bike races rescheduled to April 18

Good Friday and college night overlap sparks ire among students

Students discuss budget allocations at SA

Good Friday and college night overlap sparks ire among students

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