Special Projects

‘Will we survive? Will the movement survive?’

Rice Students for Justice in Palestine staged a demonstration April 8. Students walked out in protest of various issues including the detainment of international students; diversity, equity and inclusion rollbacks; ongoing “U.S.-backed genocide” in Palestine; transgender rights and federal funding cuts at the Central Quad from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

The Hoot to close after 15 years of late night service

After 15 years in business, the Hoot will shut down at the end of the semester. The Hoot has faced staffing and financial challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has reached a point where operations are “no longer sustainable,” Hoot management wrote in an April 8 Instagram post.

Students speak out about canceled internships, research opportunities

Ian Chen, a biosciences and mathematics major, applied to a computational biology lab through the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program. Like many students, Chen was looking for professional experience over the summer. He then heard the program was paused in light of the funding cuts, then entirely axed.

Printing credits passed by Senate, funding unclear

The Student Association passed a resolution urging Rice University to implement a $10 student printing credit April 7. The resolution passed 22-4. 

Study Abroad Photo Contest spotlights global experiences

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, students gathered in the Ley Student Center to celebrate global experiences through photography. 

04-09-2025 Crossword Solution

04-09-2025 Crossword: "Masala Madness"

The Riceberg

Sid wins again, defeats Baker in coed IM flag final

Illuminated by the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza’s red and yellow lights, Sid Richardson College defeated Baker College in the intramural coed flag football championship April 3. Sid Rich took home the title for the second year in a row, outscoring Baker 19-7 in the final after an undefeated season. 

04-09-2025 Owl-American

“We don’t feel so bad about missing Beer Bike now.”

Review: "The Crux" Should Redefine Djo

Joe Keery’s work has been boiled down to Steve Harrington from “Stranger Things,” but this label shouldn’t define his 10 years in the entertainment industry. Keery, under his stage name “Djo", is the voice behind the TikTok hit “End of Beginning,” which was released with his album “DECIDE” in 2022 and climbed the charts for the first time in 2024.  With “The Crux”, Keery’s third album, he tries to separate his work as Djo and an actor, evidenced by the album’s visual of Keery escaping a building. 

Review: “Lonely People With Power” merges blackgaze fury with dreamy introspection

Fifteen years into a storied career that’s crisscrossed the boundaries of black metal and shoegaze, Deafheaven has found a way to once again outdo themselves. “Lonely People With Power” feels like a triumphant return to the band’s blackgaze roots, fusing massive walls of guitar-driven sound with whispery dream-pop interludes, recalling their classic album trio of the 2010s (“Sunbather,” “New Bermuda” and “Ordinary Corrupt Human Love”). It also bears the learned refinements of “Infinite Granite,” the 2021 album where they dabbled more boldly in cleaner vocals and atmospheric passages. 

Gentle and rich, vulnerability echoes throughout Perfume Genius’ ‘Glory’

Alienating, strange and familiar, “Glory” by Perfume Genius sounds like wandering the empty halls of your home. 

Review: sad women rejoice! Japanese Breakfast is back, and her pen is lethal

Michelle Zauner returns as Japanese Breakfast for the first time in two years with her new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women).” The album comes 10 years after Zauner’s mother died, and Zauner said in a DIY Magazine interview that her grief speaks to the album’s theme of melancholy. This melancholy is potent throughout this album: Zauner has an incredible knack for turning her life experiences into pieces of masterful fiction set to music. She sprinkles blink-and-you’ll-miss-it metaphors and references throughout the album.  

Review: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is unimaginative with an absurdist tone

“A Minecraft Movie” is not very good. I don’t think that should come as a surprise to anyone.

Arts and entertainment courses to keep you sane this fall

Another course registration period – closing this Friday – has forced us to contemplate whether to drop a major or drop out altogether, but no worries: to assist you in considering your options, the Thresher has compiled a list of unique classes offered this fall semester.  

LinkedIn-fluencers find new ways to connect

From wellbeing content and making new friends to half marathons on the beach, LinkedIn feeds are becoming increasingly populated by things other than the usual job announcements and internship offers. 

New semester, novel courses

Tired of the same old lectures and pop quizzes? Next semester brings a new lineup of courses that may actually make you want to get up for an 8 a.m. Whether you want a class that dives deeper into your major, explores a passion or teaches you something new, this semester has something for you. 

Students react to Moody X-Fest headliner

Moody X-Fest is back, and like it or not, British alt-rock band bôa is bringing their Whiplash tour to Rice to headline for the event on April 25.

Protesters descend on City Hall in opposition to Trump and Musk

Thousands rallied at Houston City Hall April 5 in the “most widespread” slew of national protests since Donald Trump took the presidential office in January. Houston’s rally was one of over 1,300 that were estimated to bring out around 3 million people.