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NEWS 1/28/25 11:42pm

Proposed amendments revamp constitution

By James Cancelarich

The Student Association Constitutional Revisions Committee announced four potential constitutional amendments at a Jan. 27 Senate meeting. The amendments include correcting typos, restructuring the blanket tax allocations process, clarifying election rules and potentially reshaping the power structure of the Senate. 

NEWS 1/28/25 11:41pm

Rice Marriage Pact returns for third year

By Viola Hsia

This year’s iteration of the Rice Marriage Pact opened Wednesday, Jan. 22 via email. Matches will be released later this week, according to Allison He, Marriage Pact coordinator. The questionnaire closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday after a one-day extension due to a “lopsided” respondent pool that would leave 52 heterosexual men unmatched. According to He, 2217 students filled out the survey total.

NEWS 1/28/25 11:41pm

SA announces election timeline

By Hongtao Hu

The Student Association’s director of elections Natalie Wang announced the election timeline in a senate meeting this Monday. Campaigning begins on Feb. 12 and ends on Feb. 26, with the voting period open for a week afterwards. Election results will be announced March 6 around noon.

NEWS 1/28/25 10:47pm

Rice climate scientists say more freezes to come

By Hope Yang

Winter Storm Enzo, which brought snow to Houston and halted operations at Rice Tuesday Jan. 21, may suggest similar weather events to come in the future. As a result of climate change, students can expect warmer Decembers and sudden frigid weather, Office of Sustainability executive director Richard Johnson said. 

NEWS 1/28/25 10:43pm

DEXA body composition scans available at Rec

By Charlie Cruz

The Rice Recreation Center recently introduced Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans, which Anatolia Vick-Kregel, senior associate director of health and well-being at Rice, described as a cutting-edge method for body composition analysis. DEXA scans provide a detailed breakdown of muscle mass, body fat percentage and bone mineral density.

NEWS 1/22/25 2:35am

‘A Charlie Brown’ January:

By Sarah Knowlton

Classes and normal campus operations will halt on Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to a winter storm watch, Rice Emergency Management announced Jan. 19. Houston is forecasted to receive sleet, two to four inches of snow and possible freezing rain. The Rice Memorial Center, Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center and Fondren Library will be closed. Campus bus service will be suspended until roads are safe to travel.

NEWS 1/22/25 2:34am

Rice reflects on leadership at MLK vigil

By Viola Hsia

Rice held a vigil to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jan. 19. The vigil, held in Kraft Hall, included a reception, followed by a series of talks from Rice professors. The Rice Black Men’s Association and Multicultural Community Relations, within the university’s Office of Public Affairs, helped organize the event.

NEWS 1/22/25 2:34am

New AI major proposed for fall 2025

By Abigail Chiu

The Faculty Senate will vote on a possible AI major Feb. 5, proposed by Rice’s Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum. The program has been in development within the computer science department since Spring 2024, and if approved, could be offered as soon as Fall 2025.

NEWS 1/21/25 10:23pm

College 12 selects part of staff leadership

By Hongtao Hu

Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman announced the magisters and one resident associate Jan. 4. for the upcoming College 12, set to open fall 2026. In the email, Gorman also announced the establishment of a college 12 website and founding committee. 

NEWS 1/14/25 10:59pm

H&D rolls out new spring dining schedule

By Charlie Cruz

Housing and Dining unveiled a restructured dining schedule for the spring semester, introducing extended meal times and continuous weekday dining. Lunch and dinner times are staggered at different serveries — for example, Baker offers lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Seibel offers lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Under the new plan, at least one servery will be open at any given time between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays.

NEWS 1/14/25 10:59pm

Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications

By Belinda Zhu

Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77. 

NEWS 1/14/25 10:57pm

Student Association considers raising Blanket Tax

By Sarah Knowlton

The first Student Association meeting of the semester, held Jan. 13, introduced several action items for the upcoming semester, including increasing meal swipe donations and planning for the new student center set to replace the Rice Memorial Center. A report on the results of December’s special election regarding divestment and university spending was also on the agenda, however was tabled as student elections director Natalie Wang was unable to attend.

NEWS 1/14/25 10:56pm

Sarofim Hall on track for August 2025 opening

By Viola Hsia and Aisha Khemani

The construction of Sarofim Hall, the art department’s new building, remains on schedule for an expected opening in August 2025. The project is moving forward as planned while construction crews continue to work at the site, said John Sparagana, art department chair.

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