Special Projects

Why we're not endorsing IVP

Last Sunday, Ashley Fitzpatrick began a write-in campaign against the previously uncontested internal vice president candidate Kendall Vining. While the Thresher’s editorial board normally endorses candidates in contested races, we were unable to reach a consensus on endorsement for the IVP role of either Vining, a Martel College sophomore and former new student representative, or Fitzpatrick, a Martel sophomore and current senator. 

Guo officially suspends treasurer campaign with intent to run for EVP

The Student Association Senate confirmed candidate Kevin Guo’s decision to suspend his campaign for SA treasurer on Monday, removing him from the first round election ballot and freeing him to run for SA external vice president during the second round of elections in April, according to Guo. 

Ledig passes SA vote, faces UCourt

The Student Association Senate voted on Tuesday evening to allow Will Ledig, a Hanszen College junior, to remain on the ballot as a candidate for Rice Program Council president, despite issues of ineligibility and constitutional violations.

Andrew Manias, Martel College senior, dies at 25

Andrew William Manias, a Martel College senior, died Feb. 9 at age 25 in Houston, Texas after contracting pneumonia. While at Rice, Manias was a history major and served on the editorial board of the Rice Historical Review. 

Trustee emerita Ruth Simmons encourages universities to take a stand during presidential lecture

Former Rice University Trustee Ruth Simmons called for universities to challenge the injustices in present society during her talk on Feb. 10.  Simmons was the first speaker to be featured this year in the President’s Lecture Series hosted by President David Leebron.

Anna Margaret Clyburn runs uncontested for president

Anna Margaret Clyburn, current president of Martel College, will be the only candidate on the ballot this year for the role of Student Association President following Jones College senator Drew Carter’s withdrawal from the race. Current SA President Grace Wickerson and former SA President Ariana Engles have expressed concern over the implications of an emerging pattern of a lack of presidential candidates. 

Candidates argue efficacy of SA and definition of roles within the organization at Debate and Town Hall

Student Association Internal Vice President candidate Kendall Vining and write-in IVP candidate Ashley Fitzpatrick debated the functions of roles within the SA and the SA’s relationship to the student body, and presidential candidate Anna Margaret Clyburn discussed similar issues in the SA Election Town Hall and Debate on Monday, Feb. 17, hosted by the Thresher.

Accessibility issues affect first month of Kraft Hall use

Due to the delay in the installation of automatic doors at the Kraft Hall for Social Sciences, students with disabilities faced difficulties entering the building and getting to classrooms during the first four weeks of the semester. According to Larry Vossler, senior project manager at Facilities Engineering and Planning, the delay was due to an issue getting the permit for the lock on the door from the city of Houston. 

The Senate’s “independent” jurors aren’t even pretending anymore

Donald Trump is an innocent man, at least according to the United States Senate. Congress has decided that Trump didn’t abuse his power to solicit derogatory information about his political opponents, bribe Volodymyr Zelensky with the withholding of nearly $400 million in crucial foreign aid necessary for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression or obstruct Congress by defying mandatory subpoenas and covering up the aftermath of his misguided dealings. 

Clarifying misconceptions about Rice Program Council

In light of recent claims made about Rice Program Council, we would like to take the opportunity to clarify some misconceptions about the organization. 

Grace Forbes: Lightning Fast

Grace Forbes has been outrunning just about everyone she’s faced this season. But, according to Forbes, the freshman track star who has taken Conference USA by storm, that hasn’t always been the case.

Men’s and women’s tennis set to host LSU in dual meet

Rice men’s and women’s tennis will face Louisiana State University on Sunday in a dual home meet. The men’s team, with a 3-3 record, hopes to first defeat Texas A&M University on Friday, while the women’s team will seek to first up its 4-4 record against Texas State University on Saturday.

Basketball seeks return to winning ways against UNT

Rice women’s basketball will aim to get back into the win column when the team faces the University of North Texas at home on Thursday. Rice has lost two games in a row to Conference USA opponents: Old Dominion University and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Previously, the Owls had won 11 straight games, all against C-USA opponents.  

Fear, discrimination, support: Chinese international students talk coronavirus outbreak

As Chinese families around the world prepared for the Lunar New Year, the Chinese city Wuhan, with a population of 11 million, prepared for something darker: announcing a quarantine to contain the unexpected outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Fears for family back home put a damper on celebrations at Rice.

Black at Rice: Black students reflect on Black History Month

This February marks a year of Black at Rice, a features series created with the intention of highlighting and celebrating Black voices on and off campus. For the anniversary and for Black History Month, the Features staff decided to do something a little different with the series. 

2-19-2020 Crossword solutions

‘Black Girl Church’ celebrates versatility, resilience

When I asked Rice Creative Society founder Taylor Crain what struck her most about the documentary short film “Black Girl Church,” her answer was simple: “It’s encapsulated in the title — the documentary feels like home.”

Review: Tame Impala delivers trademark vibrations but fails to innovate

Making an album as creatively rich as “Currents” was always going to be a tough job or Kevin Parker, and his newest album “The Slow Rush” is the comparatively-lackluster proof.

An orientation to this year’s O-Week coordinators

In a week jam-packed with social activities and academic sessions, a thousand nervous and enthusiastic freshmen are accepted into the warm embrace of the Rice community. Throughout Orientation Week, students are introduced to countless Rice traditions, given an O-Week group and are inducted into their residential colleges. With next year's class of coordinators already drafting plans, one from each college shared their views on the magic of O-Week.

Possible drop outs and violations plague the only contested 2020 races

Two days after the elections ballot was approved by the Student Association, multiple concerns have arisen, including possible constitutional violations and Kevin Guo potentially dropping out from the only contested Student Association race — the race between John Cook and Guo for the treasurer’s role.