VOLUME 100, ISSUE NO. 20 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Thomas, Onwenu win SA election Anita Alem and Drew Keller News Editors
Griffin Thomas will assume the position of Student Association president after winning a close election against Joan Liu, while Justin Onwenu emerged as the clear winner in a three-way race for SA external vice president. Thomas, a junior finishing his term as Lovett College president, won 53 percent of the 1,532 votes cast in the presidential race, which had a 40 percent higher turnout than last year.
SA PRESIDENT
“A lot of things happened with campaigning so I wasn’t really sure what the result would be,” Thomas said. “I was a little shocked.” The number of students voting in the presidential election was almost equaled in the EVP election, which Onwenu, a sophomore and Sid Richardson College senator, won with 54 percent of the vote. Wiess College sophomore Hannah Todd and Hanszen College sophomore Brianna Singh trailed with 27 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Onwenu said he felt the campaign season had been an incredibly long process. “I was happy and excited, but relieved more than anything,” Onwenu said of the outcome. In a third contested election, McMurtry College junior Jodie Nghiem won the Rice Program
SA EVP
LIU
THOMAS
723
809
votes
votes
Council presidency with 62 percent of the vote against Jones College junior Iman Khan. Thomas will officially become the president on Beer Bike on March 19. He said the first item on his agenda will be to engage in dialogue with various groups on campus. “My short-term priority is to talk to student groups and administrators and just seek to understand what is going on and what different priorities are,” Thomas said. According to Thomas, the SA president typically speaks with administrators including deans, Provost Marie Lynn Miranda, the Faculty Senate and President David Leebron. Thomas said he hopes to speak with athletes, international students, first-generation college students and other historically underrepresent-
RPC PRESIDENT
SINGH ONWENU
291
KHAN
TODD
796
532
NGHIEM
395
853
ed groups. Thomas specifically mentioned the Black Student Association, HACER, and Generation College as groups to engage. Another of Thomas’s priorities is attracting talented individuals to SA positions, he said. “In the short term to long term, [I will] try to get qualified and competent people in the SA,” Thomas said. “The SA is an organization with more than 100 people, so having a qualified executive team is great, but you need to have really good people in those other positions.” Similarly, Onwenu said he plans to have conversations with major stakeholders before introducing proposals. He said he would like to continue expanding advisory boards in academic departments and ad0see ELECTIONS, page 2
UNCONTESTED POSITIONS
SA IVP KOMAL LUTHRA SA SECRETARY SONAL PAI SA TREASURER MAURICE FREDIERE THRESHER EIC YASNA HAGHDOOST CAMPANILE EIC MATTHEW CRUZ & KIRA CHEN KTRU STATION MANAGER LEE PELTON RSVP CHAIR KALIAN SHI UCOURT CHAIR MARCELA INTERIANO HONOR COUNCIL SENIOR REP KATIE JENSEN RVP PROGRAM MANAGER KEVIN LI RVP STATION MANAGER MINOTI KALE
Student funding approved for Catalyst, Rally; Pulitzer winner to give commencement RVP retains priority status by 11 votes Anita Alem News Editor
BLANKET TAX REFERENDUM RESULTS
Rice Rally Club and Rice Catalyst are obtaining priority access to student funding through their new blanket tax status, granted by the student body in the general election. Rice Video Productions will retain its blanket tax status. Blanket tax referenda require a two-thirds vote in favor to pass. Rally Club and Rice Catalyst received 70.2 percent and 71.2 percent of votes in favor of becoming blanket tax organizations. RVP received 65 percent of votes necessary to lose its blanket tax status; the referendum was short of the two-thirds mark by 11 votes so RVP will remain a blanket tax organization. Rally Club President Jeremy Reiskind said he is excited that the club’s efforts to foster student support for Rice Athletics have paid off. “I was truly excited and honored when I learned that Rally Club became a blanket tax organization,” Reiskind, a Duncan College junior, said. “Not only is this a huge step forward for our organization, but
it is a huge step forward in student support for Rice Athletics.“ Reiskind said the student body’s support is evidence that they understand the important role Rice Athletics serves on campus and understands the necessity of supporting student-athletes of every sport. Reiskind said the funding will go toward two main areas. The first will help increase the quantity and quality of the prizes for the Rice Owls Reward App. Reiskind said he hopes to Rice Athletics having provided all of the prizes over the past year. “With funding we can provide prizes as well,” Reiskind said. The second, according to Reiskind, is to increase the number and size of the tailgates hosted by the club. Rally Club plans to have tailgates for all football games, two to four tailgates for all sports that compete on campus several times, and at least one tailgate for other sports such as swimming, golf, track and field and cross-country. “We want to turn athletic games into events,” Reiskind said. As part of the RVP leadership, Lovett College senior Rachel Gray
APPROVE RICE RALLY CLUB AS A SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATION?
NO
366
serves as the current station manager, McMutry College junior Minoti Kale will serve as the future station manager and Hanszen College junior Jeremy Kao is the current programming director. Kale won her role in the general election for the uncontested position. Gray, Kale and Kao said they were happy with the result of the blanket tax vote. “We are looking forward to working with our new advisor, and we are excited about the changes we are in the process of implementing which will result in improvements to RVP,” they said. “We will continue to film major events at Rice and provide support for student passion projects.” Rice Catalyst posted a thank you to the student body on its Facebook page on Sunday after the results of the voting. “Because of your help, Catalyst will be able to continue publishing high quality science literature and help promote science literacy across campus!” the statement read. “Thank you to all who voted, we really could not have done it without you.”
APPROVE RICE CATALYST AS A SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATION?
NO
YES
861 70.2% VOTED IN FAVOR
PASSED
353
REMOVE RICE VIDEO PRODUCTIONS FROM ITS SUBSIDIARY STATUS?
NO
YES
871 71.2% VOTED IN FAVOR
PASSED
418
YES
780
65.1% VOTED IN FAVOR
DID NOT PASS
ALL BLANKET TAX SUBSIDIARY VOTES REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE IN FAVOR.
Drew Keller News Editor
Sheryl WuDunn, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and executive, will give Rice University’s commencement address at graduation on May 14, according to the office of Rice president David Leebron. WuDunn won the Pulitzer with her husband, New York Times columnist Nicolas Kristof, for their work reporting on the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. WuDunn and Kristof have also collaborated on several books and other works. WuDunn wrote for the Times as a foreign correspondent in China and Japan, served as an evening news anchor and worked as an executive for several companies. She is currently senior managing director for Mid-Market Securities, which finances emerging enterprises. Leebron said WuDunn’s accomplishments, global outlook and identity as the first Asian-American to win a Pulitzer Prize will make her an effective speaker. “I think she brings so many different things to the table, as somebody who’s been involved in journalism, global affairs, business and as a pioneering AsianAmerican woman,” Leebron said. “Pulitzer Prizes are scarce things. It’s a great choice and a creative choice.” A committee consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, political science professor Melissa Marschall and senior assistant to the president David Vassar selected WuDunn, according to Leebron. “This is a student-driven process,” Leebron said. “We don’t put a financial constraint on the students, but we tell them that’s one thing they might think about. We hope they’ll find somebody who’s a meaningful choice to them for whatever set of reasons, and then
my job is to deliver [on bringing the choice to Rice].” Leebron said he had never met WuDunn, but his wife Y. Ping Sun had met her and contacted her to help recruit her to speak at Rice. “Our students are looking for people who have experience — respected voices who aren’t always the most famous people around,” Leebron said. “Our students by and large have been really thoughtful and wise.” According to Leebron, the most important aspect of a commencement speaker is their ability to convey a strong message to students. “We want people to help educate our students, although commencement is a little different,” Leebron said. “You pick somebody because of their accomplishments, and you think they’ll have something to say, but the success of the commencement speaker is not what you know about them coming in, it’s what you think of them going out.” Leebron said he was looking forward to the commencement. “I’m very excited — it’s usual that when we put our trust in our students, they do us proud,” Leebron said.
Sheryl WuDunn
2
NEWS
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
the Rice Thresher
Title IX student arm seeks members Claire Weddle For the Thresher
A new student arm of the office of Sexual Violence and Title IX Support is searching for dedicated students to help eliminate sexual misconduct and relationship violence on campus. At the end of spring 2015, Allison Vogt, director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Title IX Support, and Kate Hildebrandt, Student Wellbeing specialist, selected the executive committee for the Students Transforming Rice Into a Violence-Free Environment Coalition. Jones College junior Alma Almanza, McMurtry College sophomore Madison Blattel, Hanszen College sophomore Rachel Bowyer, Jones junior Melissa Rodriguez and McMurtry junior Madhuri Venkateswar are members of the executive committee. Vogt said the idea for STRIVE originated from a previous student, Meghan Davenport (Lovett ’15), who was part of a working group in summer 2014 and envisioned and developed the idea.
The program plans to create 22 STRIVE college liaisons who will be trained by the Title IX office to provide support at the college level, including hosting events. Applications opened at the end of January, and the applicants are currently in the interview process. “The liaisons will provide input on how sexual assault manifests itself uniquely at the different residential colleges as a way to identify and change problematic aspects in each college’s respective culture,” Rodriguez, speaking for the executive committee, said. According to Venkateswar, STRIVE fills the need to specifically address sexual violence. “I wanted to serve on STRIVE because I thought there was a need on campus to align our efforts when it came to sexual violence prevention,” Venkateswar said. “There are many groups on campus who work on this issue but not one student organization who focuses solely on this.” The STRIVE liaisons are similar to Rice Health Advisors with their emphasis on student well-be-
ing, but the Rodriguez said the two roles serve distinct purposes. According to Rodriguez, STRIVE is the first group on Rice to have a sole focus on the elimination of sexual misconduct and relationship violence and is also the only student-driven initiative from the Title IX office. “While the RHAs are trained in general physical, emotional and mental well-being, their training is not focused on eliminating sexual assault or relationship violence,” Rodriguez said. “The role [of the liaisons] is to act as a source of information regarding policies and the channels by which students can report sexual or relationship violence.” STRIVE aims to eliminate sexual and relationship violence by providing the information and tools to create change. Vogt said she hopes STRIVE will be a long-term initiative. “It is our hope the coalition will continue to grow, adding as many students that wish to be a part of the group, so that the goal of making Rice a violence-free environment can be achieved,” Vogt said.
O-Week changes training, college books Elizabeth Myong Thresher Staff
Every year, changes are made to Orientation Week in response to the Survey of New Students and other student evaluations. This year’s major changes highlight three areas: the expansion of academics in the O-Week schedule, the introduction of a campus-wide booklet and the length and content of spring training for advisors. Student Success Initiatives, O-Week student directors, the O-Week Advisory Board and college coordinators are creating and facilitating these adjustments. Chris Landry, assistant director of First Year Programs, and O-Week student director Seth Berggren said changes will be made to the O-Week schedule in order to make students feel more academically prepared for their first semester. Berggren, a McMurtry College junior, said he believes the changes being made to O-Week will allow students to explore their academic options in anticipation of the start of the new school year.
Another change will be the creation of a universal O-Week book. New students will no longer receive a college-specific booklet, but two separate booklets: a universal O-Week book created by the student directors that is consistent for all students and the college-specific publication created by the coordinators at each college. Berggren cited two important reasons for the change: It will make college coordinators’ roles easier by cutting down on editing time, and it will create a unified Rice experience. Solji Jung, who serves as co-student director with Berggren, said that a universal O-Week book would eliminate redundant articles found in past collegespecific booklets, allow coordinators to show what they want about residential colleges, and explain resources on campus in a common publication. “One of our main goals is to show a unified front of what Rice represents,” Jung, a Hanszen College junior, said. “This way, all students will have information presented in the same way.”
Finally, a change will be made to spring training for advisors. “Our data shows that O-Week advisors have a significant impact on new students, but we also know that they receive the least amount of formal training and support,” Landry said. As a result, advisors will undergo more training, including ally and “Question, Persuade, Refer” suicide prevention training sessions, to improve their base knowledge, foster greater awareness to sensitive topics and teach them how to help with issues that can arise later on for new students. Jung said she and Berggren have been very mindful of the complete message they are trying to convey and a focus on Rice’s values: responsibility, integrity, community and excellence. “For a collective stance, it is important not to allow students to feel ostracized or isolated because of traditions and to make it the most enjoyable experience,” Jung said. “Often those who enjoyed O-Week are the most vocal, but we also value students’ voices that are not as heard.”
0ELECTIONS FROM PAGE 1 dressing the meal plan, as he suggested in his platform. “[Housing and Dining] has been extremely receptive to the discussions that the senators, especially Todd, have started this year,” Onwenu said. “I hope to introduce proposals in the near future by using recent survey data and understanding from previous conversations with H&D.” Thomas said he hopes students will look back on his term positively. “I hope there’s not that sense of ‘screw the SA,’” Thomas said. “I hope [students] will remember it as a presidency that was fair, that they felt like they had a voice in, but that also had some tangible action and was productive.” Onwenu said he aims to consider the impact of his actions several years down the road. “I want [to] address a wide spectrum of topics from academic, student life and environmental sustainability policies,” Onwenu said. “I’d like my projects and initiatives to reflect [a] wide spectrum of interests and priorities.” Thomas’ and Onwenu’s percentages of the vote were similar to that of current SA President Jazz Silva, who gained 52 percent of 1,088 votes cast in a three-way race last year. This year’s voter participation rate fell short of a rerun election in 2014 that took place after initial results were partially invalidated. However, according to Ravi Sheth (Martel ’15), who won a write-in campaign in 2014 to serve as SA president, the 1,636 votes cast in that rerun were the most since at least the year 2000.
tiffany yip/thresher
Celebrating 50 years
Alumni, community members, students and administrators gathered to remember, reflect and celebrate 50 years of black undergraduates attending Rice University on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Limits on credit hours proposed Abigail Panitz & Emily Abdow Thresher Staff & For the Thresher
A subcommittee within the Rice Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum has drafted several changes to the limitations on number of credit hours that undergraduates can registered for each semester, according to subcommittee member Dorin Azerad. If approved by Faculty Senate, starting in fall 2016, freshmen would be able to register for a maximum of 17 credit hours, while transfer students, sophomores, juniors and seniors would be capped at 18 hours per semester, as opposed to the current limit of 20 hours for all students. According to Azerad, a McMurtry College senior, students would still have a shopping period for exploring classes, as a third reform would allow students to register for up to 20 hours during the first week of classes. However, students would have to drop to 18 hours by the second week of classes. If students fail to drop to 18 hours, the last class they had registered for would be automatically dropped. She said the change could also open spaces in popular classes that other students could take. The subcommittee also hopes to pass a proposal that would lower the petition limit to 21 hours, from the current limit of 24 hours. Spencer Seballos, a Brown College senior and one of two undergraduate representatives on the CUC, described the process as a way to encourage students to think more about course registration. “[Taking more hours] can be permitted, but students just need to explain why they are doing it and how it fits in with their overall plans at Rice,” Seballos said. “[This helps] them think much more clearly about the class load they plan on taking at the beginning of the semester when they are registering for courses.” Azerad said she was asked to join the subcommittee because of her two years of experience as the student director for Peer Academic Advising. “For the past two years, we’ve been making a greater push for the message from the OWeek PAAs that 15 credits is a healthy number to average your first year,” Azerad said. “[New students] assume that that message is directed to everyone else in the room except themselves because the majority of Rice students who come in were high achieving in high school.” Azerad said Brian Gibson, an associate dean and former director of the Office of Academic Advising and member of the subcommittee, provided data from the Consortium for Financing Higher Education, which is comprised of peer institutions including Columbia University, Harvard University and Duke University. “A lot of the students at our peer institutions, even those on the semester system, were taking fewer classes than Rice students,” Azerad said. According to Azerad, the proposal for capping first year students at 17 credits is receiving support, but there has been more opposition regarding the 18 credit cap for all other students. However, only selective parts of the proposal could be implemented if necessary. Azerad noted concerns could arise because undergraduates pay tuition on a semester and not a credit hour basis, and also because some students aim to graduate in three years. She also cited opportunities such as externships, spring break trips and summer internships which require a minimal time commitment during the semester but could raise students to 20 hours and require petitioning. “The way the overload petition stands now, it is nearly impossible to petition for an overload,” Azerad said. “But with the 17- or 18-credit hour cap, we would have to reevaluate the circumstances for granting overloads.” The changes will be voted on later in the semester by the CUC. For now, the subcommittee is focused on gathering student feedback to ensure the proposals would help students to plan healthier academic schedules, while exploring all of the opportunities Rice has to offer.
3
Value marginalized voices in our colleges Careful consideration required before credit limit Rice students often joke about how they seem to be taking more classes than their friends at similar universities, but it turns out that for many, this observation is actually true (see p.2). This finding, one of several by the Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum, points to a university environment in which students feel pressure to take a heavy course load. While students are certainly entitled to challenge themselves, this competitive culture negatively affects many students’ mental health and education quality. With this in mind, the Thresher supports the CUC proposal to reduce the credit hour cap to 18, and to 17 for freshmen. A lowered cap decreases the average hours in which students enroll by allowing them to feel more comfortable with taking the number of courses best suited for their abilities and less pressured to approach a potentially unmanageable maximum. A lower limit additionally drives students to carefully consider their classes instead of loading up on courses they plan to drop, a good first step toward reducing the overcrowding in many classes. Of course, it is true there are often circumstances in which a student must take many credit hours: A student trying to graduate early for financial or personal reasons may need to make up a course they failed earlier or may simply want to explore outside their major. A reduction in the credit hour cap must be accompanied by major changes to the appeal process for overloading above the limit, especially considering the needs of students without AP or IB credit. Currently, such appeals are rarely approved. The process should be made easier and more flexible, and with no unappealable maximum given that anything above 18 hours requires an appeal. A lower cap will be especially important for freshmen. New students are often unaware of a university’s academic rigor, and many insist on taking more than the recommended 15 hours. The current checks in place, such as peer academic advisors, have no real say over how many hours new students choose to take. Although freshmen have the freedom to drop courses until the last day of class first semester, taking more hours than is manageable often manifests in high stress and poor grades before then. A limit at 17 hours signals that a smooth transition is a priority for Rice and forces freshmen to reflect upon their ability before undergoing the appeals process. These proposed changes have admirable intentions, but those alone are not reason enough to institute them. The Student Association Senate must ensure that this conversation reaches the colleges and student body since the changes would immediately and significantly impact all undergraduates. It is important to understand the reasoning and motivation of students who have taken more than 18 hours or who have applied for above the proposed unappealable maximum of 21, as well as the academic and personal outcome of their choices. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. All other opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the piece’s author.
Editorial Staff Andrew Ta* Editor in Chief Yasna Haghdoost* Managing Editor Miles Kruppa* Senior Editor news Anita Alem* Editor Drew Keller* Editor Andrew Ligeralde Asst. Editor Justin Park Designer
From our first day of O-Week, we are told Rice actively works to build inclusive and diverse spaces and a “culture of care.” O-Week coordinators assemble their new students into O-Week groups of diverse identities and backgrounds. We view the residential college system as a social equalizer and living space for all students, and espouse that we value inclusivity and diversity. In practice, we often fail to translate these ideals into reality. Whether it’s college auction items for Beer Bike, dorm hall decorations or terrible yaks, a number of issues have arisen that exclude marginalized voices from the community we claim to care so much about. Rice students of marginalized identities occupy this tense space between the rhetoric of inclusivity and the erasure and dismissal of their identities and experiences. What does it mean to be marginalized? The term, often reduced or misunderstood, refers to the reality that our society gives more space and legitimacy to certain identities, particularly white, middle- or upper-class, cisgender, heterosexual men. Those of us with delegitimized, persecuted, dismissed or otherwise invalidated identities are marginalized. At its heart, marginalization occurs when the majority fails to consider the minority. Being marginalized is not an individual personal offense or discomfort. It is the utter, systematic invalidation and dismissal of the core of your being. Much of the time, it happens casually or unintentionally, when groups are unaware they are not taking others into account or not factoring in community members harmed by certain decisions. Rice is neither a vacuum — we all bring our own conscious or unconscious biases with us — nor a safe space of “enlightened” students untouched by the problems of wider society. Just because we are a liberal and diverse college campus does not mean we are all incapable of marginalization. In our time at Rice, we have witnessed a multitude of marginalizing college-sponsored
events and incidents. Acknowledging the racism in Will Rice’s fake Beer Bike theme posters, the invisible exodus of low-income and first-generation college students from residential college leadership participation, the auctioning of senior girls making out at college Beer Bike fundraisers and calling a Beer Bike auction fundraising a “slave auction,” we can see Rice is not the diverse, inclusive utopia to which we aspire. What exactly about these events makes marginalized groups feel invalidated? How can they be offensive if only few people take offense? Even if these events are not overtly discriminatory, they contain implicitly discriminatory elements that promote stereotypical images people in marginalized groups are trying to supersede. When you’re constantly fighting these stereotypes, being affronted by them is mentally violent. For example, the Trayvon Martin reference in the Will Rice fake Beer Bike poster “Trayvon Martini: Shots Till You’re Dead” reduces the very real and harmful stereotype of black criminality to a casual joke. Commodifying two women making out reinforces the stereotype that women together in sexual contexts is a hot display primarily for the eyes of men. These stereotypes trigger dehumanizing realities marginalized groups/individuals must cope with and constantly try to overcome to be viewed as holistic individuals. Students have spoken up about a number of these events and explained why they are invalidating and marginalizing, yet the campus continually shuts them down and tells them they should leave or get over it if they are offended. Those who are not members of the marginalized community cannot tell those who are how to feel and react to certain events. For a community that talks about valuing its members, Rice has a severe problem with ensuring that those who do not fit the particular mold are welcome.
How can we bridge the gulf between our values and current practices? Building the respectful and diverse community we all claim to value will take work, necessitating an uncomfortable examination of our own personal biases, traditions, institutions and privileges. Just because no one has raised an issue does not mean no issue exists. Indeed, when someone stands up and says they feel marginalized, they feel safe enough to constructively criticize their community with the goal of aligning it more with its values. When members of your college community point to experiences of marginalization, it is imperative to congratulate and respect them, as a sign of progress. Offer spaces for dialogue and discussion, listen to their voices, acknowledge their identities and experiences, and treat their concerns with merit and value. Learn to critically examine and reconsider the traditions, practices and rhetoric within your college, and recognize and work to disentangle your own personal biases and misconceptions. Know who is and isn’t involved and present in your college. Reevaluate whether certain groups get pushed to the periphery. Listen to the concerns of your peers, respect and celebrate our diverse identities, and engage in the difficult but productive dialogue necessary to work toward a more inclusive community.
Roshni Janakiraman, Sam Love and Michael Robinson are a
Brown College senior, Lovett College senior and McMurtry College junior
Students of color should apply to advise When I got my O-Week book, I was thrilled. It was the summer of 2013 and I couldn’t be more excited to be going to Rice. I tore the package open, read the letter from my O-Week coordinators and proceeded to flip through the book. As I got further into it, I realized my goal was no longer to learn about O-Week, Brown and Rice generally; rather, I was on a manhunt. Not for anyone I knew or even my own advisors, but for someone who looked like me. There were photos of black students seemingly enjoying Rice. However, when I looked to the people charged with acclimating me to Rice and only two of 48 were black (both co-advisors) and neither were men, I was immediately skeptical of my O-Week experience. Questions flooded my mind about how advisors were selected, what it means that so few black students were in these leadership positions, what it must mean about their Rice experience broadly, and most importantly and frightening: Had I made a mistake in choosing Rice? Fast-forward to December 2014 when I was asked in my coordinator interview why I wanted to coordinate. I cited various reasons, but the most important to me was to increase representation. I spoke passionately about the importance of seeing people who look like you succeed, lead and be role models, though at the time I had no idea what it meant to actually select advisors and make a “successful” team. In reviewing advisor applications, I was happy to see we had a sizable number of Latino and Asian
opinions Mitch Mackowiak* Editor sports Maddy Adams Editor Andrew Grottkau Editor Sarah Nyquist Designer art Carrie Jiang Director Jake Nyquist Photo Editor Jessica Kelly Asst. Photo Editor arts & entertainment Sophie Newman Editor Walden Pemantle Editor Samantha Ding Designer
copy Jasmine Lin Editor Julianne Wey Editor Tiffany Yip Asst. Editor backpage Joey McGlone Editor Riley Robertson Editor Business Juan Saldaña Manager Advertising Shannon Klein Manager * indicates member of the Editorial Board
applicants, but saddened to see only four black applicants in a pool of 48. Even more frustrating was that only two of our 150-plus co-advisor applicants were black, and neither ended up at Brown. I began to wonder exactly why students of color, specifically black students, weren’t applying to advise. I learned from conversations with friends and peers that black students who don’t see representation tend to not apply, and those who apply but aren’t chosen become discouraged and don’t re-apply in the future. These feelings and actions are further bolstered by already prevalent feelings of exclusion and isolation black students report feeling in their residential colleges year after year. I realized as a coordinator the issue isn’t just those who evaluate the application pool — coordinators are far from perfect and extremely biased — but also that the application pool itself doesn’t reflect Rice or Rice’s ideal of how advising teams should look. So here is part one of my plea: To students who felt the advising team didn’t properly mirror the diversity we aspire to at Rice, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! If you don’t try to change the status quo, don’t complain about the way things are. Ask people you know who have advised what the interview process looks like, what you should do and say, and what makes a successful advisor. I have yet to meet a coordinator who didn’t want a diverse team, but in order to make them we need diverse applicants! Which leads me to part two of my plea: To Coordinators who want their O-Week to be as
The Rice Thresher, the official student newspaper at Rice University since 1916, is published each Wednesday during the school year, except during examination periods and holidays, by the students of Rice University. Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday prior to publication and must be signed, including college and year if the writer is a Rice student. The Thresher reserves the rights to edit letters for content and length and to place letters on its website.
representative and fulfilling for as many students as possible, seek out, cultivate and select diverse applicants. My work in recruiting and talent acquisition this year has taught me people want to be wanted. Sure, that’s common sense, but actively cultivating candidates increases the likelihood they want to be at your college. A lot of these points are easier said than done. I’m asking a subset of students to put themselves out there and be vulnerable to rejection, and asking coordinators to think and work even more judiciously than they are already asked to — but isn’t this what O-Week is about? Creating a culture where new students feel welcome and informed about the academic and social aspects of Rice? Where students can feel comfortable entering an unknown environment led by people they connect with on various levels? Acclimating new students to what it means to be an Owl? If not, maybe there’s no point in writing this piece. But if there is, I hope my pleas are heard and considered.
James Carter is a Brown College junior
Editorial and business offices are located on the second floor of the Ley Student Center: 6100 Main St., MS-524 Houston, TX 77005-1892 Phone (713) 348-4801 Email: thresher@rice.edu Website: www.ricethresher.org Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. All other opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the piece’s author. The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and CMBAM © Copyright 2015
arts
ENTERTAINMENT
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Kanye West opens up in ‘The Life of Pablo’ Samantha Ding Thresher Staff
If “Yeezus” was a compilation of Kanye West’s most intense and angry beats yet, “The Life of Pablo” could be said to reveal his innermost fears, hopes and struggles. A self-reflective and thoughtful collection of both melancholy and triumphant songs, “TLOP,” when closely examined, gives listeners insight on the mysterious life of Kanye. The most poignant lines from the new album shed light on a few serious topics.
courtesy ht2ff film festival
Amy Hobby and Qubilah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, promoting Hobby’s film ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ at Take 2 Film Festival. ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ follows the life of Nina Simone, acclaimed jazz musician and civil rights activist. Hobby championed the film, nominated for Best Feature Length Documentary at this year’s Oscars, for bringing strong black female voices into public life at a time when few recognized films do so.
Rice alumna produces Oscar-nominated documentary Ryan Lee
Thresher Staff
A documentary that neither Netflix viewers nor Oscar voters can ignore, “What Happened, Miss Simone?” weaves through the life and music of jazz legend and civil rights activist Nina Simone. As one of the most recognizable African-American voices of the 20th century, Simone laid her fingerprints on the culture of many generations. Directed by Liz Garbus and produced by Rice alumna Amy Hobby (Will Rice ’86), the film has been nominated for Best Documentary in the upcoming Academy Awards. During her time at Rice, Hobby found her place in the Rice Media Center. She fell in love with the relatively young film program and thrived in its small classes. Three decades after graduating from Rice, she found herself fascinated by Nina Simone’s story. “I had worked with director Liz Garbus before and she called me to talk about doing the film on Nina,” Hobby said. “I saw a woman of intensity and complexity and that’s what drew me to the idea instantly.” “What Happened, Miss Simone?” paces through Simone’s childhood training as a classical pianist, her unexpected transition to jazz, her outspoken participation in the civil rights movement, her self-imposed exile from the public sphere and her eventual return. Garbus and Hobby succeeded in creating a film that belongs unequivocally to Simone. They successfully navigate the tradeoff between narrative structure and attention to detail. Especially in the documentary world, the all-too-convenient storyline often comes with the subject’s own caricature, but
THE WEEKLY SCENE The editors’ picks for this week’s best events. Time to explore the wonderful world of Houston.
when this happens, the density in material becomes a re-enactment of a Wikipedia page. The film commits neither crime, tethering the plot to consistency while unpackaging Simone’s character for the audience. To the film’s benefit, the “talking heads” are mainly limited to her daughter Lisa Simone Kelly and her guitarist and musical director Al Schackman. Kelly’s complicated relationship with her mother and Schackman’s brotherly affection for his collaborator allow for the narrative to strike a deeply personal tone. While it is common for a biopic to drag through a musician’s “Greatest Hits,” this documentary takes advantage of the fire inside Simone’s performances that completes her characterization. “Miss Simone” stands out from its fellow Oscar contenders in two ways. One is in its high profile of addressing the racial politics of the country, which is fitting given the Academy’s lack of diversity over the past two years. The other is that, of the five nominated documentaries, “Miss Simone” is the only one helmed by female filmmakers. In a Variety piece on the well-known gender disparity in the Oscars, Garbus talks about being treated unfairly in another project by a male colleague. To address the gender bias in the film industry, Hobby founded her company Tangerine Entertainment with fellow filmmaker Anne Hubbell. “We met one day after one of these meetings and she said, ‘I want to work with more women directors,’” Hobby said. “We looked up the statistics and boom! We found something we could get behind.” The mission statement on their website includes the tagline: “An innovative
production company and community builder for films by women.” The company runs the Juice Fund, a means by which supporters can donate money to help women directors find a home for their vision. These efforts have helped advance the careers of filmmakers, including Caryn Waechter and Stacie Passon, and continue to level the playing field today.
I saw a woman of intensity and complexity and that’s what drew me to the idea instantly. Amy Hobby Producer of ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’
“Our next project is Rose McGowan’s feature film debut called ‘Synesthesia,’” Hobby said. “And we are in talks to launch a few things that will give women a way to easily take action to support women storytellers.” “What Happened, Miss Simone?” is currently available for streaming on Netflix. The 2016 Oscars Awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 28.
Social justice Kanye has touched on the issue of racism and inequality before in “Yeezus” in “New Slaves,” “Black Skinhead” and “Blood on the Leaves.” He returns to this ever-pressing issue in “TLOP” in “Feedback,” where he evokes similar symbols: “Rich slave in the fabric store picking cotton.” In “New Slaves,” he proclaims, “They wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself,” alluding to his 2011 fashion collection that was harshly disparaged by fashion critics. In his new album, Kanye takes it a step further by referring to himself as a slave to the industry even though he is a wealthy individual. West also alludes to the tumultuous events of the past few years later on in “Feedback”: “Hands up, we just doing what the cops taught us / Hands up, hands up, then the cops shot us,” commenting on the shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. “Hands up, don’t shoot!” has become the rallying cry of many protests, and Kanye brings to light the frustration of black activists in their conflict with the police. Kanye affirms that even the rich and powerful population among the black community can feel disempowered. Religion “TLOP” opens with the euphoric “Ultralight Beam,” heavily reminiscent of gospel music. He describes his current fame and success as a “God dream” and compares it to being on an “ultralight beam,” a biblical allusion to a heavenly beam of light. Kanye seems to be tapping into his religious side, harking back to his spiritual stance on “The College Dropout” in contrast to Yeezus’s comparisons of himself to a god. He has even described “TLOP” to be a gospel album, though this is inaccurate to say the least. Chance the Rapper makes a significant appearance on this track, referring to his recent song “Sunday Candy,” which is dedicated to Chance’s own love for God: “I made Sunday Candy, I’m never going to hell / I met Kanye West, I’m never going to fail.” The verses strongly evoke “Sunday Candy” vibes. Kim “FML,” unexpectedly, is an endearing dedication to his wife Kim Kardashian West. The name of the song invokes a double meaning, standing for both “fuck my life” and “for my lady,” both of which are phrases used by Kanye and The Weeknd in the song. He reveals his commitment to Kim, saying, “God, I’m willing / To make this my mission / Give up the women / Before I lose half of what I own,” coming a long way from the call “We want prenup!” in “Gold Digger.” He continues to remain faithful to his wife even though critics “wish [he] would go ahead and fuck [his] life up.” Kanye also makes an interesting analogy in the somber “Wolves,” comparing Kim to Mary, suggesting the possibility that Mary could have acted immorally before 0see KANYE, page 5
CHRISTIAN FILM
SNOW QUEEN
HIP HOP FEST
ANIME MATSURI
Didn’t know Christian film was a genre? Been waiting for this festival all your life? Either way, the Bethany Church welcomes you to its fourth annual Christian film festival. The festival includes titles such as “90 Minutes in Heaven” and “Where Hope Grows” and admission is completely free.
Looking for frosty fun this weekend? Check out the AD Players’ production of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.” The fairytale play follows Gerta as she searches for her kidnapped sister. The show runs through March 12 and tickets are only $12.
This Saturday, hit up Warehouse Live for Houston’s biggest annual hip hop festival. Headliners include Pharoahe Monch and Houston locals Def Perception and Genesis Blu. On top of that, b-boy ciphers, dance competitions and open DJ competitions will be held with big cash prizes.
1,500,000 square feet of “anime, concerts, speakers, celebrities, workshops, fashion, cosplay” and more. What more could you want? This comprehensive convention features the best of anime and Japanese culture. Tickets start at $65 but for three days, the cost can’t be beat.
Bethany Christian Church 3223 Westheimer Road txcff.com
Grace Theater 2710 W. Alabama adplayers.org
Warehouse Live 813 St. Emanuel Street warehouselive.com
George R. Brown Center 1001 Avienda de las Americas animematsuri.com
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
A&E
the Rice Thresher
WHAT’S HIP RIGHT NOW ART:
#Elevated
TV:
In a phrase: Live stream of Shia LaBeouf in an elevator. Where to find it: bit.ly/Elevate-YouTube If you haven’t had enough celebrity narcissism this week (cough, cough, Kanye West) then you won’t want to miss Shia LaBeouf’s latest contribution to the art world. The #ELEVATED project, which took place from 9 a.m. Feb. 19 to 9 a.m. Feb. 20, was a 24-hour livestream of Shia LaBeouf, Luke Turner and Nastja Sadde Roko (LaBeouf’s performance art group) in an elevator — or really, the outside of said elevator. That’s right, the footage itself includes nothing but a stationary, closed elevator door, though you can hear a lot. LaBeouf and the rest of the gang invite visitors to come in and discuss various topics — some philosophical, some personal and others just kind of stupid (for example, La Beouf’s favorite animal, the hippo). In the portion I watched, LaBeouf describes his view of God: “I’m not saying I believe in God, but I do believe in magic.” I wouldn’t set aside a day to watch it, folks, but I also won’t say it wasn’t really freaking weird.
TECH:
‘Love’
courtesy youtube
by kaylen strench
Nervana headphones
courtesy netflix
In a phrase: “Girls” as a romantic comedy but a bit worse. Where to find it: Netflix. Millennials love quirky shit. We love electronic indie rock, Urban Outfitters clothing not officially from Urban Outfitters, acceptance of smoking weed (even if we don’t do it), people working at record labels and radio stations. I’m not saying it’s bad to be into any of this stuff, but it’s certainly predictable. Netflix’s newest rom-com series “Love” capitalizes on millennial quirk fetishism. The male lead is nerdy-hot and loves watching old movies on Blu-ray (so much more retro than streaming). The female lead works at said radio station and wears high-waisted shorts and flannels. The show is hipster porn. That said, while “Love” is a far cry from really creative comedies like “Broad City” and “Girls,” I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it is intensely watchable and often hilarious. In fact, it would’ve been downright cutting edge if it came out five years ago. So, I’d say don’t get your hopes up, but “Love” is a hip enough distraction while you’re waiting for your true favorites to return.
courtesy shutterstock
In a phrase: Nirvana headphones (as opposed to Nervana). Where to find it: Should go on sale at the beginning of March. How these puppies have not gotten more media attention, I will never know. Florida-based tech company Nervana has done something amazing: They have created headphones that can get you high — I’m not just talking about “high on great music,” either. When you put these fairly standard looking headphones on, they deliver a low-power electrical signal to your brain, stimulating your vagus nerve and causing a release of dopamine. For you non-cognitive science folks, that means you get really, really happy. Critics who have tried them out report that during the first hour of use, it’s almost impossible not to smile or laugh. The effect fades, but is said to last in some respect all day. Though the tech hasn’t been peer reviewed, and the headphones cost a steep $299, these initial reports are very promising. Early birthday present, guys?
0 KANYE from page 4 she was visited by God. He acknowledges that Kim was “clubbin’ / Thuggin’, hustlin’ before [she] met [her] husband,” undoubtedly referring to her infamous sex tape with Ray J. Again, Kanye refers to himself with a biblical reference. Trust and fame The most somber track on the record is “Real Friends,” in which Kanye laments his hectic lifestyle and how he often forgets friends’ birthdays and to call them, leading him to lose many of his real friends. Due to his fame, he feels that all the friends that surround him are not real, but in fact fake friends that only “want [their] tickets when it’s game time.” He remembers an incident where he “had a cousin that stole [his] laptop,” leading to Kanye paying “250 thousand just to get it from him,” referring to a 2015 incident in which Twitter user @kanyelaptop threatened to leak a song from his laptop for $100,000, something that obviously hurt Kanye, reflected in his voice as he sings this line. Kanye returns to this topic in the “No More Parties in LA,” in which he samples his own lines from “New God Flow.” Public image Upon first hearing “I Love Kanye,” one might be turned off by its over-the-top self-referential quality. But Kanye is surprisingly selfaware, and this thought is exactly what he is addressing in this song. He makes a mockery of our characterization of him through Internet memes and phrases like, “I love you like Kanye loves Kanye” by saying them himself. Coming out of his mouth it sounds much more ridiculous, which he makes clear by his selfdeprecating laugh at the end of the song. Most may not listen to this skit on a regular basis. It is more of a statement than a song, but it provides a humanizing look at Kanye’s perception of his public image. Whatever “The Life of Pablo” may mean, to stop speculating about the name of the album allows us to delve deeper into the meanings of individual songs that provide unexpectedly interesting and deep introspections of Kanye West.
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events
Early Voting for Texas primaries! Regular voting for the Texas primary is on Feb. 16 March 1. If you are registered to vote with your Rice address and will be out of to town for spring break, you must early vote! You will need to bring a passport Feb. 26 or a Texas issued ID. Check harrisvotes.com for locations and hours!
Feb. 27
LGBT Volunteer Round-up. Find out more about various LGBT organizations in Houston that need your help! 11 am – 3 pm at the Montrose Center.
Mar. 2
Houston GLBT Political Caucus Meeting. 6:30 pm at the Montrose Center.
Mar. 4
The Guy Debord Club of Houston Study Group Meeting. For more info email guydebordclubofhouston@gmail.com. 7:00 pm in the Montrose Center.
fact of the day
art from the community ode to a past self by Anonymous
Gender identity is an individual’s internal sense of gender, which may or may not be the same as one’s gender assigned at birth. Some gender identities are "woman," "transman" and "agender" but there are many more. Since gender identity is internal it isn’t necessarily visible to others. Additionally, gender identity is often conflated with sex, but they are separate concepts! –Gender Equity Resource Center
then i realized that i was cold. the people i was with were strangers, we had never met. they were friends with someone i once knew and even once was. i left them behind and went on my own way. to where? who knows i cant even say
if you want to be featured in the Queer Agenda, please submit your art piece to riceqrc@gmail.com
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Ivan C. Spector, M.D. 3100 Weslayan Suite 350 Houston, TX 77027
Call (713) 963-0769 to set up an appointment
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courtesy rice sports information
Let the games begin
Rice head coach Wayne Graham shakes hands with University of Arizona head coach Jay Johnson before the Owls’ season opening game against the Wildcats on Friday evening. The Owls lost the first two games of the three-game set to the Wildcats before earning a 4-3 victory on Sunday to put their record at 1-2.
Men’s basketball culture sees changes Aaron Shi
Thresher Staff
After a dominating victory over Florida International University on Saturday afternoon, Rice head coach Mike Rhoades marched off the court and waved a gracious “thank you” to the student section as he’s done after every home game this year. The excited Rice crowd cheered in response to Rhoades, stomping and clapping in the stands. It has not always been this way. Three seasons ago, men’s basketball averaged only around 25 students a game. Now, it enjoys over 200 per game. This year, Rice basketball has seen multiple near sellouts. We are witnessing a shift in basketball culture here at Rice, and gradually, little by little, Rice is becoming a basketball school. According to junior center Andrew Drone, the new energy of the crowd is infectious. “A lot of times over the years, we’ve had to try to make our own energy without any fans here,” Drone said. “It just helps us so much mentally for the game whenever we can come out and see so many people here, cheering and yelling, and see our friends out in the stands. It just helps us out a lot.” The hectic atmosphere can be traced back to the arrival of Rhoades two seasons ago. According to senior guard Max Guercy, the transformation stems from Rhoades’ enthusiasm. “It all starts with coach Rhoades,” Guercy said. “He’s out there trying to promote our games, doing all these things to get our fans in. Last year and this upcoming year, we’ve had the most fans we’ve ever had. It’s a real change of culture he’s really brought.” Jeremy Reiskind, president of Rice Rally Club, which just won blanket tax funding from the recent Student Association election, said he agrees with Guercy’s appreciation for Rhoades. “It all changed when coach Rhoades came,” Reiskind said. “He sparked my interest. By having a personal connection with him, I wanted to help him out with whatever way I could because I knew what he was going to be doing with our school, with putting a product on the court, it would only be more beneficial for him if we could help by putting energy into the student section and energy in Tudor.”
According to Rhoades, he has been actively trying to address the apathy from students, and it has been working. “My big thing is, I go around to the colleges and into the serveries and tell everybody that once or twice a week during basketball season, put your books down, come over to the gym for an hour and a half and just go crazy cheering on your fellow classmates and help us get this program going and be a big part of it,” Rhoades said. “You see a lot of new faces each and every game, and that’s how we’re going to get it going.” This change of culture is reflected through the new system of basketball Rhoades brought to Rice. The fast-paced, pass-heavy offense coupled with the effective rotational defense has made Rice basketball fun and exciting to watch, allowing players to truly shine. Young standouts Marquez Letcher-Ellis, Marcus Evans and Egor Koulechov are prime examples of the successful system. According to Rhoades, this style of play is essential for attracting big crowds. “You have to put a good product on the court,” Rhoades said. “If it’s a good fun style, a fun atmosphere and a fun way to play through building our program, as we get better and better, more and more students will want to be a part of our rise.” Instead of the season-long struggle to promote basketball games like previous years, Reiskind said he believes that the increased attendance is becoming more natural. “Now, it’s becoming more of this intrinsic thing, where somebody will come to a game, they’ll have an amazing experience because the games are fun,” Reiskind said. “They’re fast-paced, there’s good energy, and [the students] are going to want to come back and bring their friends.” Despite being plagued by injuries this season and sitting at a 6-8 conference record and a 11-16 overall record, the team overcame much adversity and laid a solid foundation for its rebuilding process. With a newly energized fan base, a strong core of young talent and Rhoades’ fast-paced system, Rice basketball boasts a future brighter than ever.
The Final Kauntdown If you’re reading this it’s too late: The life and times of a sports fan at Rice If you’re reading this it’s too late: You are already invested in Rice sports, and there is no need for me to convince you that they are worth your time. You have deemed that this column is worth your time. Well, maybe you’re reading this because you saw the first line and thought I was writing about Drake. Sorry about that, I’m not.
There is nothing I can do that will change your mind because you already care about sports.
I don’t need to tell you about the excitement I felt on Friday evening when I went to Reckling Park for Opening Day. You already understand the serenity of sitting under the dark sky and watching the ball explode off of the pitcher’s fingers and slap into the catcher’s mitt. It is not easy to explain the silent chess match that is a baseball game, but I don’t have to. You see it yourself. I want to tell you about the rush of adrenaline I get every time a football game enters the fourth quarter. The stress of watching that clock tick down toward zero as the offense desperately tries to get into field goal range, the agony of seeing the final Hail Mary pass crash to the turf, the helplessness of sitting in the stands as the coach drops his headset and walks dejectedly to the center of the field — you know all of that. The swish of a basketball net is music to you. And the screech of the referee’s whistle is like nails on a chalkboard. You know the buzzer can be a celebratory cheer to end a victory or
a grieving moan to close a loss. You appreciate the sacrifice of thousands of people screaming so loud that they lose their voices just to distract the opposing team’s free-throw shooter. I wish I could tell you about the feeling of bliss I get after watching my favorite team win. And I want to pretend that I don’t get a pit in my stomach after a loss. Naturally, I can’t. You know that would be a lie. At the end of the season, those feelings intensify. A championship victory puts a close on a season you will cherish forever, and a postseason loss destroys a team you once loved. I could tell you about the friends I’ve connected with because I’m a sports fan. I can describe all of the times I have sat with them for three hours to watch a game. Of course, you know watching the game is hardly a passive experience. Watching involves critiquing every decision the coach makes, debating the quality of each and every player who enters the game, and every once in a while, jumping out of your seat and highfiving everyone within arm’s reach. There is nothing I can do that will change your mind because you already care about sports. You know how it feels to put down your work and become lost in a game, to distract yourself from everything else going on in life for a few hours by watching sports. If you’re reading this, it’s too late. You know all of this.
Andrew Grottkau
is a McMurtry College freshman and Thresher sports editor
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
Kidd’s Korner: The Unwritten Rules of Baseball Back in 1986, Baseball Digest Magazine published an article explaining how to play the game of baseball “the right way” or in a manner that preserved and respected the great history of what has become known as “America’s Pastime.” Titled “The Book of Unwritten Baseball Rules,” the article covered rules that you would not find in an MLB or NCAA rule book but rather those that are generally known or in some cases, not even spoken of. This week I wanted to describe these rules in general and their application to the games that occurred over the past weekend against the University of Arizona. I feel that there are three primary ways to see these “unwritten rules”: as traditions, strategies and baseball etiquette. Opening Day, which took place this past weekend, is one of the greatest traditions in baseball. Typically, both teams participating as well as the coaching staffs, the groundskeepers, the home fans and fans of baseball everywhere have an extra ounce of adrenaline running in their veins. On Friday, it was pleasant to have strike one thrown out by Blake Fox echoed by fans and dugouts of both teams cheering the start of a new season and that baseball is back once again. And as head coach Wayne Graham says every year, “Life starts on Opening Day.” While the hustle and bustle of Opening Day died down over the course of the weekend into the Saturday and Sunday matchups, other traditions were welcomed back and greeted by the entirety of the ballpark. Right before the games begin, the “First Pitch” is tossed out by a special community member or a longtime Owls fan and is caught by one of the Owls players. Following the first pitch is the national anthem where cries of “Play ball” echo in the stadium. As the hot dogs, peanuts and sunflower seeds are cracked open, the game begins. Fans never shy away from heckling or criticizing the umpires. I am guilty of this too, and this too can be seen as an “unwritten rule” or tradition. During the middle of the seventh inning, fans are encouraged to take part in the “Seventh Inning Stretch” and sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame!” These traditions and many more all contribute to the atmosphere that surrounds a trip to the ballpark and makes them memorable. Moving away from the traditions of a baseball game, the strategies that go into winning a
SPORTS
the Rice Thresher
ballgame are also generally noted and observed by fans of a game. In Rice’s 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon, the Owls took advantage of numerous strategies to help lead the comeback. For instance: “Never make the first or third out at third.” Dane Myers had two triples on the afternoon but each time he needed to be 100 percent sure he could make it to third because making the first or third out at third is frowned upon and a huge negative for a team trying to score that inning or especially mount a comeback. Another strategic move is intentionally walking an individual to set up a more favorable matchup for the pitcher. Arizona’s pitcher, a righty, intentionally threw four balls to Connor Teykl, a lefty, to put him on first base with one out. This set up a potential double play and also brought up a right handed batter in Jefferies who was then substituted for Fox, a lefty. This matchup game came about because a righty facing a lefty is a more favorable matchup for the hitter. Other “unwritten rules” that Rice followed in the seventh and eighth inning of the game included not trying to steal while behind by one or two runs, sacrificing a man to third base with one out to put him in prime position to score, and not preparing the “stopper,” or top reliever, to come out of the bullpen until securing a lead and trying to close out the game. Again, baseball is a very strategic game and these are a few things that were executed well. Lastly, the rules of baseball etiquette that dictate the ways in which one should conduct themselves on a baseball field. There are many debates about whether or not these rules are for the benefit or harm of the game but that is up for each individual to decide for themselves. In my opinion, there are some things that you should not do and one of those is to show up the opposing pitcher after a home run by standing and admiring your hit. This rule was not broken by second baseman Grayson Lewis when his solo home run tied up the ballgame at 3-3 on Sunday afternoon because after his swing he immediately ran down the line and then realized that the ball had left the park. If Lewis had stayed to admire his hit, one of his teammates may have seen retaliation in the form of a fastball directed right towards him in that inning or in a subsequent inning. Rice would have most likely retaliated and if things escalated, a brawl or fight may have ensued. The game of
baseball is meant to play hard and with passion but there is always a line that needs to be drawn as to where it gets too much and too forward. For example, sliding with your cleat spikes upward into a base trying to break up a double play is considered hard-nosed by some but also extremely dirty because injuries often happen following these slides. Other ways to incite the opposition are to continue cheering boisterously and arrogantly with a sizeable lead, which was the case when Arizona boisterously cheered a leadoff walk on Friday night with the game out of hand. Additionally, stepping on the pitcher’s mound or arguing with an umpire on the strike zone when the game is out of reach are frowned upon and are also included in the code of “unwritten rules.” The “unwritten rules” of the game, however, are for all to participate it because I feel like everything finds a way to balance itself out. There is the positive, the potential negative and the neutral. With the positive is the traditions that all fans participate in as a unit which promotes a fun time and respect for the game. Conversely, with some of the baseball etiquette that can or cannot be followed, comes animosity and more “fuel to the fire” of what are often three-game series. This hostility separates the two dugouts and fan bases and can make things more negative, opposite of the friendly traditions. But ultimately, the strategic part of the game is up for grabs and the team who executes better through pitching, hitting and defense is going to win the ballgame and that cannot be disputed as good or bad. This is because competition between two sides always has a winner and a loser … and the game itself will figure that part out.
Michael Kidd
is a Lovett College junior and manager of the Rice baseball team
Upcoming Games: BASEBALL vs. Dallas Baptist Feb. 23, 6:00 p.m. Reckling Park
vs. Texas State
Feb. 24, 6:00 p.m. Reckling Park
vs. Arkansas
Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m. Minute Maid Park
vs. TCU
Feb. 76, 7:00 p.m Minute Maid Park
vs. UI Lafayette Feb. 28, 6:00 p.m. Minute Maid Park
vs. Sam Houston State Mar. 2, 6:30 p.m. Huntsville
Results vs. Arizona
Feb. 19, 6:00 p.m. Score 1-8 L Attendance: 3,368
vs. Arizona
Feb. 20, 4:00 p.m. Score 2-6 L Attendance: 3,145
vs. Arizona
Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m. Score 4-3 W Attendance: 2,752
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BACKPAGE
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
the Rice Thresher
Stuck for Spring Break? It’s not too late! You can picture it now … You, alone in your room, nothing but empty Cheez-It boxes, used tissues and downturned photos of your loved ones. All of your friends are on a beach somewhere, reveling in their youth. You, on the other hand, are wallowing in your poor planning and inadequate facial hair. “No, not this year,” you tell yourself. “I’m going to actually do something for spring break this year.” Does that sound like you? Well, don’t worry! There are still plenty of spring break opportunities available to those with low enough standards. We have included some of the particularly cockamamy options here:
Marketing — Externship with Nigerian External Affairs
Hey, Give that Back(page)! ASB: Getting to Know Dishonesty and Fraud We live in a crazy world today. At every turn, malicious people are waiting to dupe you and take your money, or worse. Even on campus, it’s not hard to see people trying to swindle unwitting students with things like “leadership seminars,” “Alternative Spring Breaks” or “tuition.” It’s like lambs to slaughter — tragic. If there is one thing that Rice students should be able to take away from their time here, it is the ability to spot a scam. That’s why the Backpage is hosting an ASB this year! Being the magnanimous people that we are, we have decided to share our wisdom and expertise with a select few for a limited time only. Over the course of the week, we will see real con artists in action on the streets. Of course, participants will have to pay for transportation for themselves and us, and they will also be responsible for covering our lunch. In fact, we’ll probably go ahead and have you guys take care of breakfast, dinner and second dinner, too. It’s part of the learning process. Then, after we’ve seen how to spot a scam, participants will have the opportunity to practice real cons on unsuspecting Houstonians! After all, what better way is there to spot a scam than know the ins and outs of one firsthand? Naturally, we will be collecting 70 percent of any funds participants are able to secure during their scams. I mean, where would you guys be without us? It’s only fair. Finally, once the week is done you’ll be free to use your powers however you please. You may choose to educate your fellow Rice students about the scams that surround them, or you can choose to become a con person yourself to make some guap on the side. In either case, stay out of the area between Hanszen and the Rec (including the RMC). That’s our turf, and it’d be a shame for us to have to make an example of any of you. Participation in this ASB is only $800!
Hello Rice undergraduates — I am Charles Okoye, and I am an honored member of the Treasury of Nigeria. Having worked closely with your esteemed President Leebron, we have been able to establish a last-minute Owl Edge externship, but you must act quickly because we have many applicants. We are looking for an eager, teamwork-oriented Rice undergraduate for social media work. You will be working closely with his eminent Majesty, Prince Robert Mbogo, to help manage transfer of large sums on an international scale. Knowledge of webmail services and communication skills are required. You will be able to establish contacts all over the world and understand the success and strength of the Nigerian economy at its core. We will pay you 1,000 naira for every day of work, depending on the quality of your work. Once again, contact me as soon as possible at okoye.hooray@yahoo.com for a position.
Leebron runs out of chips at Lovett
Rugby Team Seeking Student Intern The club rugby team is currently looking for an undergrad Owl to join them on their trip to Ireland. Duties would include arranging matches with local clubs, keeping tracks of players’ stats, organizing lodging, washing uniforms, ironing jockstraps, participating in drills (we can’t bring our practice dummies), carrying luggage, DDing, chewing food for the team (teeth are hard to come by among the players), daily O’Specs runs, translating the native tongue, telling engaging — but not too spooky — bedtime stories, digesting food for the team (they can’t afford to retain those calories come game day), providing security deposits on all rented rooms, always having cigs and condoms on your person, wingmanning the whole team and filling up water bottles. Payment will be in the form of cash: $50 to each of the players. Airfare, lodging and meals are not included.
This past Saturday, among the sparse crowd at Lovett, one desperate man could be seen arguing with various dealers around the Lovett commons. He goes by the name of David W. Leebron — or Mr. President ’round these parts. Sources indicate that, having run out of chips, he began requesting various third-party arbiters: Abe Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, even good ol’ Ben Franklin showed his face (well, to be honest, he made quite a few appearances). Even by the time Lovett emptied (I think it was about 10:30), Leebron still couldn’t be convinced to leave the tables. It took nine armed RUPD officers to tear him away, while both his dough and dignity stayed behind. Lucky for the majority of his family, the president only leeched into a college savings fund, so the repercussions should not have too drastic an effect on their well-being. Leebron declined to comment on the incident; however, Hanszen College is reportedly “waiting with open arms and willing to forget the past.”
The Backpage is satire and written by Joey McGlone and Riley Robertson, and this week Isaac Schultz did not contribute. For comments or questions, please email thirsty@rice.edu.
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