News

NEWS 4/21/20 7:16pm

Rice University pays $3.7 million to settle claims of defrauding the National Science Foundation

By Rishab Ramapriyan

U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick announced last Wednesday that Rice has paid the United States more than $3.7 million to settle allegations of fraud relating to the use of National Science Foundation research and development grants. Rice officials said that they do not admit any liability or violation of the law, according to the Office of Public Affairs.

NEWS 4/21/20 7:14pm

Student Association proposes suspending standardized testing requirements, officials respond

By Hajera Naveed

In light of financial and academic challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Association recently passed a resolution asking the Office of Admissions to suspend standardized testing requirements for applicants for Fall 2021 matriculation. However, Rice officials have said that they will not be making this decision without significant deliberation.

NEWS 4/21/20 6:51pm

Inflatable dome construction delayed once again

By Kelly Liao

The construction of the inflatable dome has been delayed by at least one month after the company that manufactures and installs the air structure paused all construction operations, according to Rick Mello, the deputy athletics director. The company’s operations, which have been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, are currently set to resume in mid-May.

NEWS 4/21/20 6:48pm

Hidalgo discusses pandemic management with the Thresher

By Savannah Kuchar and Rynd Morgan

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, announced a stay-at-home order for the county on March 24 which, originally scheduled to end on April 3, has been extended to April 30. Working alongside Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Hidalgo has been responsible for instituting these and other precautions for the city of Houston during the current pandemic. The Thresher recently sat down with Hidalgo to discuss next steps for the city.

NEWS 4/21/20 6:44pm

Multicultural Center to relocate to H&D building

By Talha Arif

The Rice Multicultural Center is temporarily relocating from the Rice Memorial Center basement to the former Housing and Dining office. The move is scheduled to occur at the beginning of the fall semester, according to Kevin Kirby, vice president for administration.

NEWS 4/14/20 10:24pm

Students, Faculty Senate propose and debate appropriate academic relief measures

By Talha Arif

After recently rejecting a proposal for the Double A grading policy, the Faculty Senate will deliberate over potential additional accommodations at their April 22 meeting. However, the Student Association released data from a survey of 34.6 percent of the student body on Monday which showed the majority of student support was in favor of the Double A policy.

NEWS 4/14/20 10:03pm

2020 US Census: what students should do, impact on federal funding

By Brian Lin

While the transition to digital classrooms has brought much change to campus, the process behind the U.S. decennial census, a count of every person in the country that helps determine how federal funds are dispersed, at Rice has remained relatively unchanged.

NEWS 4/14/20 9:14pm

O-Week Coords, First Year Programs plan for O-Week with uncertain future in mind

By Jennifer Li

Rice is planning for a full, face-to-face Orientation Week in August, but O-Week coordinators are preparing for an online O-Week followed by a possible Welcome Week when campus reopens if an in-person O-Week is not possible by August, according to Araceli Lopez, associate director of First Year Programs.

NEWS 4/14/20 8:04pm

Zoom bombings disrupt online classes

By Dan Helmici

After moving all classes and programs online over three weeks ago, Rice faculty and staff are still experiencing difficulties teaching, including a common trend known as “Zoom bombing.” On top of other technical difficulties associated with the transition to remote learning, some classes and online programs have reported being interrupted by individuals that randomly join Zoom calls in order to cause disruptions.

NEWS 4/14/20 6:47pm

Student Association moves to Canvas

By Savannah Kuchar

Following Rice’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the transition to all online classes, the Student Association has moved to an online platform for the remainder of this semester. Without the option of in-person Senate meetings, the SA is now using a Canvas page to hold discussions and send announcements.

NEWS 4/10/20 3:39pm

Rice students petition for Double A policy, Faculty Senate Executive Committee unanimously rejects

By Talha Arif

After a recent Thresher opinion piece in support of Rice adopting a Double A grading policy, students mobilized their support through the creation of a petition. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee unanimously rejected this proposal on April 10, according to Christopher Johns-Krull, speaker of the Faculty Senate.

NEWS 4/8/20 4:11pm

Rice announces $1 million COVID-19 research fund

By Rynd Morgan

Rice officials announced that a $1 million accelerator fund will be established to support COVID-19-related research projects, according to a press release on Monday.

NEWS 4/8/20 3:04am

Summer 2020 courses move online, fees reduced

By Rynd Morgan and Trisha Gupta

All summer 2020 courses, except for research and internship, must now be offered online, and no face-to-face courses may meet, according to the Office of the Registrar. In addition, fees for summer 2020 courses have been reduced to $250 per credit hour from the typical $800 per credit hour billed for online summer classes, according to the Rice Cashier’s Office.

NEWS 4/7/20 9:06pm

Student-run businesses support employees, plan ahead amid uncertain times

By Henry Baring

Shut down for the remainder of the semester, student-run businesses are facing challenges filling the financial and emotional gap left by COVID-19. Questions hover for Coffeehouse, The Hoot and Rice Bikes, as well as student-owned East-West Tea and student-staffed Willy’s Pub, as to how they will support their student employees, deal with disrupted income and plan ahead.

NEWS 4/7/20 7:55pm

Rice honor council moves online, University Court suspends operations

By Hajera Naveed

The honor council, which upholds one of Rice’s longest-standing systems, has been adapting to their new virtual environment for investigative meetings and hearings as a result of Rice’s response to COVID-19. University court, however, will not continue hearing cases in this remote environment.

NEWS 4/7/20 7:08pm

Construction continues undeterred on campus

By Christina Tan

For the students still staying in the south colleges, one noise rises above the rest: the sounds of construction on the new Sid Richardson College building. Although most major buildings on campus have been closed, all construction projects on campus have continued due to their continued classification as “essential” under Houston’s stay-at-home order.

NEWS 4/7/20 6:55pm

Students remaining on campus adjust to regulations, new ways of living

By Rynd Morgan

For the less than 10 percent of the undergraduate population remaining on campus past March 25 campus life in the midst of the pandemic comes with changes to their living spaces, daily routines and the overall atmosphere of campus.

NEWS 4/7/20 3:45pm

English professor suspended after microaggressions, ADA disagreements and alleged physical assault

By Ivanka Perez

English professor Colleen Lamos has been suspended, which she said was due to complaints of race-based remarks in class. However, Lamos said she believes Dean of Humanities Kathleen Canning used the complaints as a reason to suspend her for disagreements over ADA accommodations — an accusation that Canning has denied.

NEWS 4/5/20 2:28pm

Rice offers housing for COVID-19 medical personnel at residential colleges, relocates students and RAs

By Rishab Ramapriyan

Rice will offer temporary housing for medical personnel who work in nearby Texas Medical Center hospitals at Wiess and Hanszen Colleges, according to an announcement from President David Leebron on Sunday afternoon.

NEWS 4/3/20 7:57pm

Rice announces freeze on staff hiring and cancels pay raises for next year

By Savannah Kuchar

Rice announced that it is implementing a staff hiring freeze effective immediately, according to an email sent to division leads and administrators on Wednesday night. The email, which was obtained by the Thresher, also said that there will be no pay raises for staff for fiscal year 2021.

News

Rice University pays $3.7 million to settle claims of defrauding the National Science Foundation

Student Association proposes suspending standardized testing requirements, officials respond

Inflatable dome construction delayed once again

Hidalgo discusses pandemic management with the Thresher

Multicultural Center to relocate to H&D building

Students, Faculty Senate propose and debate appropriate academic relief measures

2020 US Census: what students should do, impact on federal funding

O-Week Coords, First Year Programs plan for O-Week with uncertain future in mind

Zoom bombings disrupt online classes

Student Association moves to Canvas

Rice students petition for Double A policy, Faculty Senate Executive Committee unanimously rejects

Rice announces $1 million COVID-19 research fund

Summer 2020 courses move online, fees reduced

Student-run businesses support employees, plan ahead amid uncertain times

Rice honor council moves online, University Court suspends operations

Construction continues undeterred on campus

Students remaining on campus adjust to regulations, new ways of living

English professor suspended after microaggressions, ADA disagreements and alleged physical assault

Rice offers housing for COVID-19 medical personnel at residential colleges, relocates students and RAs

Rice announces freeze on staff hiring and cancels pay raises for next year

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