News

Sick Rich: 49 students fall ill

A total of 49 student cases of gastrointestinal infection had been reported to Crisis Management as of 4:30 p.m.

7 of 70: After sexual assault, where do students turn?

​Committee to look at SJP practices

Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman has established a committee to evaluate Student Judicial Programs policies and practices, according to Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduates Brian Gibson, who will chair the committee.

​Registrar removes waitlists after first week

ESTHER waitlists were removed after the first week of classes, with the exception of courses with FSEM, LPAP and COLL subject codes, although instructors could opt into keeping their waitlists open through the second week, according to the University Registrar David Tenney.

​Students petition for Rice to rehire chemistry instructor Julianne Yost

Over 400 students have signed a petition asking the chemistry department to rehire instructor Julianne Yost, a recipient of the 2018 George R.

Welcome home: Rice’s most selective class matriculates

The newest class of Rice Owls, the most selective class in Rice’s history thus far, marched through the Sallyport to complete their matriculation last week.

Lack of “Summer Melt” leads to minor overcrowding at Jones and Lovett

Students at Jones College and Lovett College overcrowded after fewer students than expected “melted” off from the incoming Class of 2022 over the summer.

​A-plus grade point value reduction goes into effect to counter grade inflation

Students earning a course grade of A+ will receive a grade point value of only 4.0 starting this semester, rather than 4.33 as in years past.

​Rice interfaces with City of Houston to improve transit safety

The City of Houston responded to letters of concern regarding bike safety near Rice’s campus, raising uncertainty over the future of improvements for cyclists. Both letters, from the Graduate Student Association and President David Leebron, pointed to Entrance 20 at the intersection of Rice Boulevard and Kent Street as particularly concerning. Leebron sent a letter to Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council Member Ellen Cohen on July 23 asking the City of Houston to assist the university in implementing several traffic improvements in the surrounding area.

Spilling the tea: ‘Tea and Consent’ video removed from O-Week program

In response to criticism of last year’s programming during Orientation Week, the Title IX office phased out the “Tea and Consent” video, which used giving someone a cup of tea as a metaphor for performing sexual acts with them. According to Allison Vogt, director of sexual violence prevention and Title IX support, the Title IX office is now showing New York University’s “Let’s Talk About Consent” video during the SAFE @ Rice programming instead.

All-clear called after fatal shooting nearby prompts shelter-in-place at BRC

Rice University Police Department advised a shelter in place at the BioScience Research Collaborative Friday morning after a Houston Methodist Hospital doctor was fatally shot nearby.

Rice attempts to improve biker safety in wake of deadly accidents

Changes to increase bike safety will be implemented beginning May 2019 after the second death of a Rice community member at the intersections of Main Street and Fannin Street with Sunset Boulevard since 2017.

Associate Dean of Undergraduates Don Ostdiek retiring

Associate Dean of Undergraduates Donald Ostdiek will retire at the conclusion of the academic year, according to an email from Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson.

Commencement 2018: Bloomberg stresses importance of honesty in commencement address

Four years ago, the class of 2018 walked through the Sallyport into the Academic Quad for the first time, hailed by fireworks and cheered on by upperclassmen.

Class of 2018, meet your student commencement speaker

Reagan Kapp, a member of the 2018 graduating class, will address her peers at the Undergraduate Convocation this Friday evening.

‘Breaking the Silence’: Congressman hosts panel on campus sexual assault

Students, politicians and activists strove to “break the silence” about sexual assault on college campuses at Rep.

Cyclist killed in collision with truck near Rice University main entrance

According to a text alert from Rice University, a bicyclist was killed in an accident with a truck near the intersection of Main Street and Sunset Boulevard this morning.

Rice to invest $100 million in Houston innovation hub

The Rice Management Company will invest up to $100 million in endowment assets to transform its Midtown Sears property into an innovation hub anchoring a larger innovation district.

Following IM fee increase, undergraduate student fees explained

With the recent approval by the student body of a five dollar fee increase in student activity fees, the Thresher took a look at just how much students are paying in additional annual fees, and where their fees are going.

​SJP structure changed to avoid conflict of interest following relationship

As of Feb. 20, Director of Student Judicial Programs Lisa DeLaTorre reports directly to Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson rather than Associate Dean of Undergraduates Don Ostdiek.