Opinion

DEI office name change is symbolic, maybe necessary

Amidst federal funding cuts impacting research and firings of federal workers, higher education feels chaotic right now. At first glance, it seems alarming that Rice’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was renamed to the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence, announced in a campus-wide email. However, we feel this name change is mostly symbolic and necessary to ensure Rice can continue supporting those values — in action, if not in name.

Mixed votes for constitutional changes

Sandhu for Internal Vice President

Due to her experience as the Student Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission head, we, the Thresher Editorial Board, endorse Sohani Sandhu for Internal Vice President.

I ran against Trevor last year. Here’s why I’m asking you to vote for him.

I ran against Trevor last year. Here’s why I am asking you to vote for him.

Trevor Tobey for SA president

Due to his previous Student Association experience, knowledge about SA logistics and passion for transparency, we, the Thresher Editorial Board, endorse Trevor Tobey for SA president.

The Thresher must stop endorsing SA candidates

The Thresher holds a clear stranglehold on Rice-wide media and, as such, its Editorial Board should not endorse candidates in the Student Association elections. 

What is an endorsement anyway?

This week’s opinion page is a bit more crowded than usual. Beyond our standard editorial and guest opinions, we’ve reserved one of this week’s extra four pages for our annual SA endorsements. Just as national newspapers endorse candidates for federal races and the Houston Chronicle endorses local candidates, we endorse candidates for Student Association elections.

Student Association needs to self-reflect

Once again, Student Association elections season is upon us (are you as thrilled as we are?)  and 40% of the seats are empty. 

Student Association needs to self-reflect

Once again, Student Association elections season is upon us (are you as thrilled as we are?)  and 40% of the seats are empty. 

Help undocumented students close to home

President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders increasing border security measures and altering the daily lives of undocumented immigrants. The orders include expanding the use of immigration detention, bypassing immigration judges to fast-track deportations and auditing current federal programs that support allegedly removable immigrants. 

Proposed constitutional changes — or power grab?

Four months ago, the Student Association formed a special committee to review its constitution. Two days ago, members of the committee presented their findings, suggesting four major changes to functionally, they say, streamline the SA’s efficiency — granting them “ultimate authority” over Blanket Tax Organizations like student media and Rice Program Council, and eliminating BTO perspectives from the committee that disburses some $300,000 every year.

Students should prioritize American patriotism

A threat to American values has grown rapidly in recent years: the anti-war movement’s shift to an anti-military stance, calling for divesting from, and in effect dismantling, the defense industrial base. The hyperbolic language found here should alarm Rice students because the U.S. military needs those same companies to develop critical technologies in the functioning of U.S. defense. 

Consider ethics while designing AI major

From a little-known concept among researchers to generating summaries with every Google search, artificial intelligence’s accessibility has skyrocketed over the past decade. However, its innovation comes at a cost. Training ChatGPT-3 was estimated to generate 552 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, more than the emissions of 559 flights from London to New York. Artificial intelligence can also steal from artists and reproduce racist biases from its data sets.

Abortion is still an option, despite harmful restrictions

Preventable deaths, rising maternal mortality rates, threats to contraception and state-sponsored deception. This is the reality in Texas, two years after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. 

Dining schedule changes increase meal accessibility and convenience

Is giving up weekday breakfast at South and North serveries worth it for an omelette bar and cinnamon rolls? We think so. Even if the new dining schedule is confusing, the changes are a good step towards more food availability on campus, and are a heartening indicator of departments considering student feedback.

Undergrads should vote ‘yes’ on political referenda

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, undergraduates will receive an email from the Student Association containing a ballot with four political questions. These questions must be met with student-body support. 

Prioritize functionality, student needs in tech upgrades

Between ESTHER, Degree Works and Navigate, students have a plethora of technological platforms for everything from viewing financial aid to keeping track of graduation requirements. Despite being necessary for students, these platforms often are visually clunky, redundant or just don’t work.

Students of conscience should boycott Local Foods

Local Foods has served, for many years, as a casual Houston restaurant option for Houston residents, including Rice students. Folks on campus will notice that this option has become more proximate, as a Local Foods location claims space on campus in the Brochstein Pavilion. 

Insurance options for Ph.D. students are overpriced and insufficient

Doctoral students at Rice are given insufficient health insurance options especially compared to institutions with graduate student unions. Aetna’s graduate student health insurance plan  leaves students with significant costs compared to the minimum annual stipend. Additionally, the available Aetna plan offers insufficient benefits when compared both to medical insurance plans at peer institutions and to the non-subsidized Wellfleet plan – Rice’s alternative option for international students.

Keep administrative hands off public parties

Emergency Management is hoping to implement a new system that has students swipe their IDs when entering public parties to cross-check their name with a pre-registered list. This idea is being touted as an effort to reduce check-in time and lines at publics. The thing is – we are tired. After bans on events, APAC and dramatic changes in party requirements, we want hands off the public party.