Opinion

Editorial: Rice must commit to undergraduate teaching

The Thresher editorial board stands with over 400 students who have signed the petition for Julianne Yost to remain at Rice.

From the editors’ desk: There’s never been a more important time for journalism

It is not an easy time to be a journalist. But it is an important time to be one. When we both began writing for the Thresher, we were drawn in by our love of telling stories.

​There’s an election on Saturday. Vote to save Houston.

One year ago today, the remnants of a tropical storm were soaking the Yucatan Peninsula. Those remnants quickly reorganized over the warm Gulf of Mexico, and the storm strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, making landfall outside of Rockport, Texas just three days later. Hurricane Harvey stalled over the Houston area, dumping an apocalyptic volume of rain.

​Rice community: Politics means you, too

As the new school year begins, you probably have the following on your to-do list: sorting out your class schedule, buying textbooks and choosing extracurriculars.

Editorial: Princeton Review rankings are no excuse for inaction

Rice is starting this year with numerous high rankings from the Princeton Review, commending the school in categories such as “Lots of Race/Class Interaction” where the university ranked No. 1 and “Best Dorms” where Rice ranked No. 10.

Response to Justin Onwenu: Truly partisan issues should not be framed as “questions of humanity”

In his opinion earlier this week, former Student Association President Justin Onwenu argued that Rice had a duty to "stand tall" and take positions on political issues such as immigration, gun control, and global warming, claiming that these issues defy partisan divides as they are "questions of humanity, not partisan politics." Scolding the naïveté of those who endorse “intentional silence,” and what he considers to be its unacceptable consequences, Onwenu proceeds to launch into an impassioned defense of those stances that he considers a matter of consensus, if not obligation, among Rice students (and seemingly all educated, decent people as well). I have always considered Onwenu to be a thoughtful and open-minded advocate for civil discourse on this campus.

Yes, everything is political — but some things should not be partisan

All members of our community — faculty, students, and by extension Rice as an institution — have a duty to uphold our institutional values.

Response to Anson Fung: Support of Dreamers adheres to Rice's commitment to diversity and excellence

It is uniquely fitting for Rice University to publicly declare its unwavering commitment to pursue excellence in and from every corner of the globe, especially when that excellence finds us first.

RIP pub

Disappointing Hutch

Juandrew's parting words: Journalism, truth-seeking is crucial to building a better Rice

Investigating and combating rumors is part of the Thresher’s job, but also an effort every student should contribute to. 

​Response to Anson Fung: No reconsideration necessary, Rice stands with Dreamers

It is impossible for a university’s policies to align with every individual’s beliefs. But if we truly desire to uphold our university’s mission statement, it is crucial that we embrace every Rice student, documented or not, as integral and valuable to the Rice experience. 

Response to Anson Fung: Rice should stand against divisiveness

Fung’s argument is an interesting enough intellectual exercise if you’re bored while sitting in Monday morning traffic, but I entirely disagree with the premise that the public positions taken by the administration on political issues like DACA “call into question Rice’s commitment to diversity of learning and discovery.” 

​O-Week Discussions on LGBTQ Inclusivity Need Re-Examination

Changing our language may be difficult at first. But we pride ourselves on our culture of care; this means we need to be active about supporting and caring for all of our students. 

Response to Anson Fung: Rice must stand by all its students and support DACA

When President Leebron and Dean Hutchinson spoke in favor of protections for Dreamers, they were fulfilling a responsibility to ensure that all members of our community feel safe inside the hedges. 

Editorial: CTIS changes indicate continued progress

We hope the administration will continue to listen to student feedback and be open to discussion, as it did this year with the CTIS student working group. CTIS is a milestone in Rice’s initiative to better the well-being of students on campus, and it is encouraging to witness the progress being made.

Editorial: Increase in IM sports fees introduced too late for engaged student input and voter turnout

The Rice University student body will vote on a proposed increase in intramural sports fees this week (p.

​Administration must reconsider public political stances as representatives of the Rice community

It is my hope that President Leebron and Dean Hutchinson reconsider and reverse their official stance on proposed DACA legislation. My issue with the situation is not the DACA executive order itself, but rather that the university is taking an official position on political issues. 

​Per Owlstra ad Astra: Why Rice Should Choose Space

It's time for renewed investment to make good on Rice’s astronomical legacy. 

​Intramural Sports: A Mainstay of the Rice Community

Intramural sports are not only one of the most popular extracurriculars on campus according to the Surveys of All Students, but they are also integral to our community.