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NEWS 3/26/22 5:45pm

Rice hits record low acceptance rate for Class of 2026

By Riya Misra

This year, Rice hit a record-low acceptance rate of 8.56 percent for its admissions cycle. The Office of Admissions received a record high of 31,424 applications, marking a six percent increase since last year and a 74 percent increase over the past five years, according to Vice President for Enrollment Yvonne Romero da Silva. Out of those 31,424 students, just 2,691 were offered admission.

NEWS 3/22/22 10:46pm

Masks no longer required indoors

By Maria Morkas

Wearing a face mask is no longer required in the classroom, indoors, outdoors or anywhere on campus for fully vaccinated individuals, according to an announcement from Kevin Kirby, chair of the crisis management advisory committee, on March 13. However, instructors still retain the right to require students to wear masks while in their respective classes if they choose. 

NEWS 3/11/22 6:50pm

RMC rebuild delayed, likely for one year

By Prayag Gordy

The demolition of the Rice Memorial Center has been postponed, Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman wrote to administrators in an email obtained by the Thresher. The delay will likely last one year, she said.

NEWS 3/8/22 11:33pm

Judges crown ‘Rice’s Finest’

By Savannah Kuchar

In the annual fundraising event hosted by Camp Kesem, McMurtry College sophomore Teddy Gilman was named “Rice’s Finest.” Ten colleges were represented that night — Jones College did not have a contestant this year — in the competition previously known as Mr. Rice. It was renamed this year to be more inclusive of all gender identities, according to “Rice’s Finest” coordinators Kaitlyn Crowley and Ambreen Younas.

NEWS 3/8/22 11:32pm

SA passes resolution denouncing swim coach comments

By Bonnie Zhao

The Student Association passed a resolution denouncing Rice swim coach Seth Huston’s statements on the National Collegiate Athletics Association policy regarding transgender participation in college-level sport at the March 7 Senate meeting, with one SA member voting against the resolution.

NEWS 3/8/22 11:29pm

Rice hosts conference on paranomal phenomena

By Viola Hsia

The Archives of the Impossible Conference was held at Hudspeth Auditorium in the School of Continued Studies this past weekend. The conference focused on covering the academic study of UFO phenomena, extrasensory perception and other paranormal activity.

NEWS 3/2/22 8:26pm

Franklin wins SA presidential election, Gupta to serve as next IVP

By Hajera Naveed

Gabrielle Franklin will serve as the next Student Association president after winning a close election — 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent of the vote — against Madison Bunting.  A total of 1124 ballots were casted for the presidential election, with a voter turnout of 26.81 percent, up marginally from last year’s 24 percent. 

NEWS 3/1/22 10:42pm

Baker Institute hosts panel on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

By Lindsey Ran

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is to show that Putin’s sphere of influence is greater and the 21st century is not going to be like the post-Cold War period, Zachary Zwald, international security expert, said during a Baker Institute Student Forum panel. BISF hosted the panel of experts to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Feb. 24, with an estimated 115 students in attendance, according to BISF Vice President Thomas Kovac. 

NEWS 3/1/22 10:39pm

Hanszen dryer vandalized with racial slur and graphic image

By Bonnie Zhao

One of the dryers in the Hanszen College laundry room was found vandalized with a graphic image followed by a crossed-out phrase that appeared to be a racial slur, as well as the acronym “WRWS” on the morning of Feb. 21, according to an email by Jayaker Kolli, the Will Rice College President, and Izzy Williams, the Will Rice College Chief Justice.

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