Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 — Houston, TX

News

NEWS 4/8/25 11:39pm

‘Will we survive? Will the movement survive?’

By Hope Yang

Rice Students for Justice in Palestine staged a demonstration April 8. Students walked out in protest of various issues including the detainment of international students; diversity, equity and inclusion rollbacks; ongoing “U.S.-backed genocide” in Palestine; transgender rights and federal funding cuts at the Central Quad from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

NEWS 4/8/25 11:39pm

The Hoot to close after 15 years of late night service

By Riya Misra

After 15 years in business, the Hoot will shut down at the end of the semester. The Hoot has faced staffing and financial challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has reached a point where operations are “no longer sustainable,” Hoot management wrote in an April 8 Instagram post.

NEWS 4/8/25 11:39pm

Students speak out about canceled internships, research opportunities

By Ramya Motati and Hope Yang

Ian Chen, a biosciences and mathematics major, applied to a computational biology lab through the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program. Like many students, Chen was looking for professional experience over the summer. He then heard the program was paused in light of the funding cuts, then entirely axed.

NEWS 4/8/25 11:38pm

Printing credits passed by Senate, funding unclear

By Hongtao Hu

The Student Association passed a resolution urging Rice University to implement a $10 student printing credit April 7. The resolution passed 22-4.

NEWS 4/8/25 10:47pm

Protesters descend on City Hall in opposition to Trump and Musk

By James Cancelarich

Thousands rallied at Houston City Hall April 5 in the “most widespread” slew of national protests since Donald Trump took the presidential office in January. Houston’s rally was one of over 1,300 that were estimated to bring out around 3 million people.

NEWS 4/8/25 10:46pm

Student raises concerns over possible carcinogens, dyes in foods

By Josh Stallings

Preservatives banned in Europe; one, “reasonably anticipated” to be a carcinogen. Yellow and blue dye. One gallon of oil in the banana bread.

NEWS 4/8/25 10:33pm

REMS blood drive rallies community

By Abigail Chiu

Rice Emergency Medical Services hosted a blood drive in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center April 1. Elizabeth Pan, the community outreach lieutenant for REMS, said this semester’s event had around 160 sign-ups and collected 141 units of blood.

NEWS 4/1/25 11:40pm

Rice welcomes 7.8% of applicants to class of 2029

By Abigail Chiu

Rice accepted 2,852 applicants to the class of 2029 March 26, said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment. This represents 7.8% of 36,777, the highest acceptance rate since 2022.

NEWS 4/1/25 11:40pm

Engineering school celebrates 50th anniversary, invites students, alumni and speakers

By Ramya Motati

The George R. Brown School of Engineering invited engineering alumni, students and faculty to celebrate its 50th anniversary March 28-29. The event, which took place in the Engineering Quad, included speakers, a drone show, alumni gatherings and other social events like mixers.

NEWS 4/1/25 11:37pm

Student store offers discounted merch to students

By Janaki Venepally

Select merchandise from the Campus Bookstore will now be available to students for a discounted price, according to an Instagram post by the Student Association in collaboration with the Campus Bookstore. Each month, designated “spirit items” will be offered at a 10% discount. For the month of March, the selected merchandise was two blue Rice T-shirts.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:28pm

Rice establishes international travel incident response team

By James Cancelarich

Rice announced the creation of the International Travel Incident Response Team in a campus-wide email April 1. The move comes amid federal pressures on international travel and an increased immigration law enforcement on university campuses.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:27pm

Vegan Fest returns after six year hiatus

By Viola Hsia

Vegan Fest was celebrated at Rice in the RMC Grand Hall March 25. The event, hosted by Rice Vegan Society, welcomed 25 vendors and organizers for around 610 attendees, according to events coordinator Hong Lin Tsai.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:24pm

VP of research Ramesh steps down

By Noa Berz

Ramamoorthy Ramesh will step down from his role as executive vice president for research at the end of this academic year, President Reggie DesRoches announced in an email to the Rice community March 18.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:20pm

Student activity funding sees a spike in applications, leaving some short of funding

By Richie Su

Rice’s Student Activities/President’s Programming Fund is experiencing a significant rise in demand this academic year, with applications increasing by over 60% compared to last year, according to SAPP administrators.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:19pm

Students hold Transgender Day of Visibility demonstration

By Hongtao Hu

A Transgender Day of Visibility demonstration was held outside the Rice Memorial Center March 31, coinciding with the International Transgender Day of Visibility.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:18pm

Zoghbi slated for commencement

By Hongtao Hu

Huda Zoghbi was announced to be the speaker for Rice’s 112th commencement March 26. Zoghbi is a professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:15pm

Walz and O’Rourke take the stage in Fort Bend County

By James Cancelarich

On a rainy Thursday in Rosenberg, Texas, under what resembled a large metal barn, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota and former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso discussed the future of the Democratic Party.

NEWS 4/1/25 10:13pm

Construction continues on campus

By Richie Su

Several construction projects continue on Rice campus, including a planting refresh in the academic quad, expansion around McNair Hall and the construction of Sarofim Hall for visual arts programs.

NEWS 3/27/25 1:43pm

Neurologist Huda Zoghbi announced as commencement speaker

By James Cancelarich

Huda Zoghbi was announced to be the speaker for Rice’s 122th commencement, March 26. Zoghbi is a professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine.

NEWS 3/27/25 1:26pm

Rice under investigation for ‘race-exclusionary’ practices

By James Cancelarich

The Department of Education is investigating Rice, alongside 44 other universities, for engaging in alleged “race-exclusionary” practices. The investigations come amid allegations that these universities’ partnership with The Ph.D. Project violates Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.

News

‘Will we survive? Will the movement survive?’

The Hoot to close after 15 years of late night service

Students speak out about canceled internships, research opportunities

Printing credits passed by Senate, funding unclear

Protesters descend on City Hall in opposition to Trump and Musk

Student raises concerns over possible carcinogens, dyes in foods

REMS blood drive rallies community

Rice welcomes 7.8% of applicants to class of 2029

Engineering school celebrates 50th anniversary, invites students, alumni and speakers

Student store offers discounted merch to students

Rice establishes international travel incident response team

Vegan Fest returns after six year hiatus

VP of research Ramesh steps down

Student activity funding sees a spike in applications, leaving some short of funding

Students hold Transgender Day of Visibility demonstration

Zoghbi slated for commencement

Walz and O’Rourke take the stage in Fort Bend County

Construction continues on campus

Neurologist Huda Zoghbi announced as commencement speaker

Rice under investigation for ‘race-exclusionary’ practices

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