Special Projects

Review: Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is lackluster damage control

Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is an embarrassment — 73 minutes of recycled ideas, lazy songwriting, and some of the worst attempts at experimentation Drake has ever put on wax. It's a bloated mess of an album, proving that just because two artists have chemistry doesn’t mean they should make an entire project together. But the biggest issue isn’t just the lackluster music — it’s the fact that this album is Drake’s first release after his career-altering loss to Kendrick Lamar. Instead of delivering something impactful, he gives us limp attempts at reassurance and 21 half-hearted party songs.  

6 romance novels to read if you’re feeling lonely after Valentine’s Day

Spend Valentine’s Day scrolling through others’ couple posts? Date stood you up? Here are a half-dozen romances to help ease the ache in your heart.

‘¡Ritmo!’ 2025 brings art, soul and celebration to campus

The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice hosted its annual ¡Ritmo! showcase Feb. 3, filling the Grand Hall with music, dance, poetry and Latine culture. This year’s event, themed “Arte y Alma (Art and Soul),” brought students together by highlighting the connection between artistic expression and cultural identity.

Review: ‘Brave New World’ is the Marvel universe at its worst

With each passing year, I have begun to question my undying allegiance to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I have seen every single film in theaters since 2011’s “Thor”; I was there at opening night for “Infinity War,” and inevitably, I will be seated front and center for, at the very least, “Fantastic Four” later this year.

Review: “Companion” is defined by its twist

Talking about “Companion” is nearly impossible without spoiling the movie. I know this to be true because the film’s own marketing spoils its first-act twist. If you enjoy horror-tinged thrillers, I recommend you stop reading and go see “Companion” - it’s nothing mind blowing, but it is a solid, if shallow, movie.

Review: “I’m Still Here” is a defiant and intimate portrait of a family under dictatorship

Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, “I’m Still Here”, arrives with plenty of buzz, positioning director Walter Salles’ film squarely in the spotlight. It’s not exactly surprising: This is the same Salles who helmed “Central Station” and “The Motorcycle Diaries”, both lauded for blending socio-political commentary with humane, character-driven storytelling. In “I’m Still Here”, he returns to these strengths, exploring one of the darkest chapters of Brazilian history — its 1964-1985 military dictatorship — through the intimate lens of a single family. 

Spotlighting Black media

This month is Black History Month — so what better time to engage with media highlighting members of the Black community in the United States and around the world? Here are some incredible works by Black artists that illustrate a small sliver of the diversity of the Black experience.

Spring Archi Market blooms

Candy hearts, pastel crafts and the hum of excited chatter transformed Anderson Hall into a makeshift bazaar Feb. 10 for the 12th iteration of Archi Market, a student-run market where vendors sold items: hand-beaded jewelry to homemade iced coffee in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

LILIE’s annual venture challenge takes flight

At the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, pipettes and petri dishes are swapped for market research and poster presentations for pitches. The lab’s work this academic year culminates at the Napier Rice Launch Challenge Championship hosted in the RMC Grand Hall on April 22, said executive director Kyle Judah. 

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. 

New dining schedule brings back breakfast at all serveries starting Mar. 3

Housing and Dining announced in an email to the student body Feb. 18 that breakfast will be available at all serveries starting Mar. 3. 

Student Association ballot nearly complete

The Student Association Senate voted to put five constitutional amendments on the spring elections ballot and rejected Rice PRIDE and Rice Apps’ requests to be blanket tax organizations. While the ballot will not be voted on until Feb. 24, the SA has nearly finalized what will be voted on by the general student body in the upcoming election.

Virani School celebrates namesake donors

The Jones Business School held a celebration for the donation establishing the Virani Undergraduate School of Business Feb. 13th. The celebration was held in the Jamail Plaza outside of the Jones School building and is the first official celebration of the Virani School of Business since its official naming last fall. 

Federal hiring freeze may jeopardize internships, jobs

In one of his first major executive actions following his inauguration, President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on hiring federal civilian employees across the executive branch. The directive, applicable as of noon Jan. 20, states that no vacant federal civilian position may be filled and no new position may be created.

Rice Dems, Rep. Ann Johnson discuss state politics

The Rice Young Democrats hosted Texas Representative Ann Johnson for a dinner and discussion Feb. 7. Johnson, who represents the area surrounding Rice in District 134, spoke with undergraduate students about policy issues including reproductive rights, criminal justice, climate change and Texas political culture. 

O-Week Themes 2025

Federal immigration policies draw ire, conversation

Thousands of Houstonians marched down Sunset Blvd. on Sunday to protest President Donald Trump’s new immigration policies. Students like Rocio Vides, the daughter of two Salvadoran immigrants, joined the protesters in marching for immigration rights.

The Hoot hires, ready to fly

The Hoot is preparing for re-opening after an unexpected period of closure.

Student Judicial Programs investigates snow day antics

Rice students climbed onto the roof of Lovett Hall Jan. 21 during a snowball fight in the academic quad. The Rice University Police Department received a call about students on the roof, which prompted officers to respond and direct students to leave. Student Judicial Programs is still investigating the situation.