Special Projects

A&E predicts the 97th Academy Awards

Christmas for cinephiles is near as the Academy Awards will be announced on Sunday, March 2 starting at 6 p.m. CST. From controversies to big snubs and surprises, this Oscar season has already been memorable. Here are our predictions for the 97th Academy Awards.

Rice Zine Fest creates collages

Calming beats, the chatter of conversation and the smell of oranges hung in the air the evening of Sunday, Feb. 23, in Lovett College’s basement, dubbed ‘Lyle’s’. Magazines, scrapbook paper, art books and stickers were spread across a few tables, along with mandarin oranges. Throughout the night, students made collages and zines, noncommercial or homemade magazines, with supplies provided by Zine Fest organizers at Rice Zine Fest’s first event.

Analog artistry in FOTO 205

At a time when digital photography is instantaneous and ever-present, FOTO 205 offers something different — a return to the patience of film photography. Taught by Eli Greene, the course introduces students to film photography, darkroom techniques and the fundamental concepts behind the photographic medium.

Senior Spotlight: Bayzhan Mukatay on kidney matching, community

Whether it’s organ donation, neural connections or Rice’s exam scheduling, where most see a problem, Bayzhan Mukatay sees a solution. At least, using math, he sees a way to try. 

Promotions of the past: Thresher ads over time

With its first issue published in 1916, the Thresher has featured a variety of ads whose trends reflect changes in our recent history. Among countless ads for clothing, cigarettes, Coca-Cola and banks, there are a few gems in the mix. See below for some examples spanning a century. 

From ballet shoes to beakers: James Shee bridges art and science

While his peers rushed to finish their college applications, James Shee pirouetted into a gap year, trading textbooks for tights to chase his dance dreams.

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.

DEI unclear amid federal bans

A letter from the Department of Education, issued Feb. 14, warned schools to eliminate race-based programs within 14 days. According to the letter, the ED intends to “take appropriate measures to assess compliance” with these guidelines. 

New media studies major in the mix for next spring

A media studies major is in development as an expansion of the existing cinema and media studies minor, with the proposal to be submitted to the University Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum in March. If approved, classes for the major would become available in spring 2026.

Fondren Library partners with two new publishers to decrease research publishing costs

Fondren Library announced they reached two new agreements with the Association for Computing Machinery and the Royal Society for Chemistry in an email Feb. 11. According to the email, these agreements will expand the accessibility of Rice publications and alleviate the financial burden within Rice research. 

LGBTQ+ student leadership group started by PRIDE, DEI

The Lav Team, an LGBTQ+ leadership and outreach student organization, will be launching its pilot program co-created by Rice PRIDE and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Alt-rock band bôa to headline Moody X-Fest

The third Moody X-Fest will host English alt-rock band bôa as the headline act. The festival on April 25 will be bôa’s first stop in the U.S. in 2025, before they continue their Whiplash tour in Dallas.

Startup incubator unveiled in Ion District

The Rice Nexus in the Ion building was opened to the public Feb. 14. The Nexus will assist selected faculty, student and alumni startups with office space and industry mentorship, free of charge.

Rice testifies for lawsuit against ‘devastating’ federal funding cuts

Rice joined 70 other universities supporting a lawsuit against the National Institutes of Health, which may reduce research funding by billions of dollars. A Feb. 7 NIH memo announced a drastic cut to indirect costs, which covers overhead for research institutions; including funding for lab spaces, water and power bills and paying subcontractors, according to testimony from Provost Amy Ditmtar.

Federal grant cuts jeopardize $4 million of research funding

Rice could lose up to $4 million in research funding due to cuts to National Institutes of Health grants, according to analysis by the New York Times. On Feb. 7, the NIH proposed a drastic slash of funding for indirect costs, which include administrative and lab upkeep. The proposal was blocked by a federal court Feb. 11.