Opinion

Why the Democratic Party keeps failing us - and what we can do

In the wake of the 2024 general election, many of us are grappling with frustration, disappointment and even anger toward the Democratic Party — and that’s okay. This isn’t about campaign strategy or a single election loss; it’s about the party’s choice to take a once-promising, potentially transformative nominee and reduce her to a hollow vessel for corporate donors and backers. 

LPAP courses need wide-ranging change

Picture this: You’re a senior. After four years of churning out every major requirement and elective known to man, you’re ready to graduate. You eagerly submit your spring semester courses in Esther (who asked for a redesign, by the way?), only to be stopped in your tracks by the last, looming task on your plate: the LPAP.

So, you want to be the Rice football coach?

The grim reaper of men’s sports coaches, also known as athletic director Tommy McClelland, struck for the second time since his arrival at Rice in August 2023. This time, his victim was former head football coach Mike Bloomgren.

Stand up for true free speech

The recent climate on campus has seen rising tensions around free speech and inclusivity, particularly in discussions concerning Israel and Palestine.

Make Election Day a permanent non-instructional day

Back in 2022, as Jones College’s New Student Representatives, we presented one of our first Student Association Senate resolutions to President Reggie DesRoches and other university leaders, asking them to designate Election Day as a non-instructional day. This resolution aimed to eliminate barriers to voting and promote civic engagement, recognizing that the right to vote should not come at the cost of academic performance. 

Students should weigh in on divestment, investment transparency referenda

On Monday, the Senate passed four referenda calling for Rice to divest, be transparent with their investment holdings, condemn “ongoing genocide and scholasticide” and support “anti-colonial scholarship.” These proposals will now go to an undergraduate-wide student body vote as early as next month.

Rice needs to better support students with disabilities

As I sit in my room, struggling to muster the energy to get out of bed, I can’t help but wonder how many others are silently fighting the same battle. It’s been almost two months since I lost access to my medication, and the toll is undeniable. Since 2022, a medication shortage has left thousands without life-saving treatment, forcing them to manage their symptoms alone. I don’t drink, smoke or vape — yet here I am, trapped in a haze of withdrawal. The most infuriating part? I can’t fix this alone. So, I turned to my accommodations — the lifeline that should have supported me.

Public party dress codes are doomed to fail

Students should stop supporting Rice SJP

To foster a truly inclusive campus culture, we must consider a paradox of intolerance: a society must be intolerant of intolerance to uphold its foundational values. Rice SJP not only silences opposing voices, but promotes exclusionary rhetoric that undermines principles of inclusion and pluralism.

Stay engaged as you cast your vote — both locally and nationally

Monday, Oct. 7 was the last day to register to vote in Texas. Now that you’ve (hopefully) taken that step, we encourage you to  research your candidates ahead of early voting, which kicks off Oct. 21. 

Rice bends to Zionist propaganda

In the last several weeks, Rice University held three events — both openly and behind closed doors — that, taken together, demonstrate its commitment to advancing a Zionist ideology on campus, which serves as the foundation for Israel’s increasingly psychotic expansion of its genocidal violence into Lebanon and Yemen. 

Innovation is good, responsible innovation is great

Those sitting in their college commons last Tuesday may have watched between two and twenty minutes of an ad promoting the student-developed food-tracking app Diagnos. We’re glad Diagnos provides that nutritional data — absent from servery menus —  for free. However, we encourage the developers of Diagnos and other app developers, especially those that involve artificial intelligence, to address ethical concerns and user-test these apps prior to launch. 

Rice is going through an awkward phase

Rice is going through puberty, marked by awkwardness, evolving parts and existential questions. This pivotal time offers both challenges and opportunities for growth. Our actions now, as a community, will have lasting impacts on Rice’s future.

Career expo needs more careers

Of the 116 recruiters advertised for the Fall 2024 Career & Internship Expo, 11 are related to the humanities and social sciences. That’s 9% — yes, some of us can do math.

It’s okay to not be ‘busy’ all the time

It’s a busy time of year, we know. The career fair is around the corner, summer program applications are opening up and midterm season is upon us. With the looming threat of multiple exams and essays, prioritize yourself.

Letter from the opinion editor’s desk: Voicing your opinions is important more than ever

The shock I felt as I saw the shelter-in-place order ring on my phone. How my heart raced as a friend and I sought safety in a stranger’s suite at Brown College. How my voice shook as I picked up phone call after phone call from friends, family and colleagues. 

New demonstration and poster policies seem targeted, lack student input

Rice recently updated its policies on campus demonstration and postering — changes include new restrictions on campus protests and increased vigilance about signage, to name a few.  Students need to be informed about these changes. We worry they weren’t.

Letter from the editor’s desk: Telling the stories closest to home

Last week, I knew what I was going to write here. I spent the night before the semester began reading and re-reading what old editors-in-chief had to say in their welcome letters, picking up on common themes: building trust with readers, supporting student media, running a paper in unprecedented times. Then last week, one hour before our first staff meeting of the year, we received notice of an immediate shelter-in-place: RUPD was investigating a tragic homicide at Jones. Campus shut down, and everything stilled.

Expand affordable and accessible coffee options

Dear Little Kitchen: it’s only been a week, but we already miss you. Please take us back — this new relationship isn’t working for us. 

Expand affordable and accessible coffee options

Dear Little Kitchen: it’s only been a week, but we already miss you. Please take us back — this new relationship isn’t working for us.