News

SA clarifies effects of possible federal Title IX changes

The Student Association Senate hosted a presentation Sept. 10 regarding potential federal Title IX policy changes and their possible effects on Rice University practices. 

Rice partners with Texas legislature to launch policy internships

Rice will pilot a paid internship in conjunction with the Texas legislature this spring in Austin, offering select students the opportunity to work hands-on with research, bill drafting and policy analysis. 

Rice architecture programs jump in national rankings

Rice architecture rose in the rankings in undergraduate and graduate programs, ranking in the top ten in the country for both categories, according to Architectural Record. 

Student committee to advise on undergraduate experience in School of Humanities

The School of Humanities is establishing a committee of at least 20 students this fall to improve undergraduate academic and extracurricular experiences in the department, according to Associate Dean of Humanities Lora Wildenthal.

Allison Vogt named new associate dean of undergraduates

SA to vote on formation of Beer Bike review committee

The Student Association will vote on the formation of a Beer Bike Best Practices Working Group at senate next Monday to conduct research on student opinion regarding possible changes to Beer Bike. Beer Bike is organized by the Rice Program Council, which has jurisdiction over planning the event.

Students organize first Houston Youth Voters’ Conference

At the first-ever Houston Youth Voters’ Conference on Sept. 15, college students from around Houston will gather at Rice to discuss policy and student voter mobilization. Sonia Torres, a Hanszen College senior, said a goal of the conference is to facilitate discussion between students from different Houston universities. “We are a campus isolated from the rest of our Houston universities — our students do not interact except for the occasional sports game,” Torres said.

Rice announces formation of Texas Policy Lab

The Rice School of Social Sciences announced the opening of the Texas Policy Lab, a collaboration between Texas academics and state policymakers focused on policy research and analysis.

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.