News

Search begins for new college masters as terms come to an end

Baker College The current Baker College masters Ivo-Jan and Rose van der Werff will be leaving at the end of the academic year, which marks their seventh year as masters.

Learning to lead: Students reflect on whether the Doerr Institute’s coaching model can deliver results

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders is not a “coaching institute,” according to Associate Director for Coaching Holly Tompson — although it is only one of 12 initiatives, it is what many students have come to associate most with the institute. Although all of the peer coaches the Thresher interviewed reported positive experiences when undergoing coaching with the Doerr Institute, they expressed varying opinions on the program’s methodology and efficacy.

Alternative homecoming shirt sale raises scam suspicion

With homecoming weekend approaching, a two-day weekend sale of homecoming shirts targeting Rice students resulted in more than 100 students placing orders — but some now say they feel misled after realizing that the shirts have no association with Rice, and others on campus have warned that the entire sale may be a scam. Inkonit, a small South Dakota company, launched the sale through a Facebook page over the weekend.

RPC treasurer appointed deputy treasurer of Student Association

The Student Association Senate voted nearly unanimously Monday night to appoint Ameesh Shah, the current Rice Program Council Treasurer, as the first SA Deputy Treasurer. Shah, a Jones College sophomore, will assume the new role immediately.

Rice launches online professional networking site

An online professional network, the Sallyportal, geared toward connecting the Rice community, launched Oct. 12 in honor of Rice Day.

New laws, offices increase administrative positions

In 1956, the Rice University Office of the Registrar consisted of two people: the registrar and his assistant.

$5 billion: Rice's endowment, explained

Rice University’s endowment is valued at $5.3 billion, the 20th largest in the nation. While it supports 40 percent of Rice’s budget, some students have voiced concerns that academic funding does not reflect endowment size.

Panel discusses inclusion of black students, faculty

Student, faculty and administrators discussed the experience of the black community at Rice in a panel on Saturday.

SA narrowly passes bill to create pre-health task force

When Student Association Internal Vice President Komal Luthra introduced Senate Bill #2 “To Charter a Health Professions Task Force” at the SA meeting on Sept.

RUPD to begin security camera test run at Lovett College

The Rice University Police Department recently initiated a test run of security cameras at Lovett College and is set to fully implement a campus-wide security camera initiative as early as this winter. Lovett College President Rahul Kothari attributed Lovett’s decision to quicken the process of implementing the cameras to rising concerns related to exposure to Main Street and construction.

SA calls closed meeting in apparent constitutional violation

Student Association President Griffin Thomas called a closed session, in apparent violation of the SA Constitution, at the end of the Senate meeting on Monday.

Baker Christmas becomes last-minute public

For the first time, Baker College’s annual tradition of throwing a Christmas-themed private party in September took place as a public party instead.

Pre-law internship program to pilot in spring

The School of Social Sciences and the School of Humanities are partnering to launch the Law, Justice and Society Scholars Program this spring, according to Alex Wyatt, the assistant director of the School of Social Sciences.

​Political groups host watch parties, react to debate

Students of all political ideologies watched the first presidential debate of the general election cycle at campus watch parties held by the Young Democrats, College Republicans, and nonpartisan Baker Institute Student Forum and political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha.

Rice Students rally at Tim Kaine's Houston visit

An eager crowd decked out in Hillary Clinton spiritwear lined up in downtown Houston early Friday morning to see Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine.

New evaluation system to debut for courses, instructors

A range of classes will pilot a new course and instructor evaluation system this year focusing more on skills and student progress. The Committee on Teaching recommended the system, named IDEA, after investigating platforms for evaluation from 2014-15, according to Associate Vice Provost Arnaud Chevallier.

Shuttle to Village widens lunch options

A new lunch shuttle from campus to Rice Village for members of the Rice Community opened on Monday and will be piloted throughout the fall.

Happiest students? Princeton Review rankings, unpacked

With the release of the Princeton Review’s rankings earlier this month, Rice regained its position as having the happiest students in the nation.

Know your rights and resources

“May have gone too far”: MOB spurs sexual assault discussion

Band members, students and administration reacted to the Rice Marching Owl Band after its halftime performance at last Friday’s football game drew attention to the opposing Baylor University’s recent cover-up of sexual assault and attracted national coverage.