With a 44% yield rate, 1,149 students joined the class of 2028 along with 74 transfer students. Incoming classes continue to increase in size ahead of the construction of two new residential colleges.
This year’s admission cycle marked a third consecutive year of record-low acceptance rates. 7.5% of applicants were accepted for the class of 2028, 7.7% for the class of 2027 and 8.6% for the class of 2026.
Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment, previously told the Thresher that historically high yield rates had, in part, prompted the admissions office to be more conservative with their admissions offers.
This marks the first full admissions cycle since the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 29, 2023 watershed decision to overturn affirmative action at colleges and universities. Rice administration emphasized its commitment to diversity after the ruling.
‘PR for Jesus:’ Across the spectrum of Rice’s Christian student organizations
SARAH KNOWLTON NEWS EDITOR
For those who frequent Rice public parties, there is no sight more beloved at the end of the night than a tent and a whiteboard. Underneath this tent, the intoxicated can indulge in fresh pancakes from the Baptist Student Ministry and attempt to consider the faith-related question on the nearby whiteboard, often encouraging students to vote with a tally mark. Also available — a fleet of golf carts and sober drivers to chauffeur the more inebriated students safely home.
“The first year, 2008, I joined forces with
“Even though the Supreme Court ruling is not allowing us to track race in the [admissions] process, our team is already trained to look at those unique voices that students are bringing and to value it,”
Romero da Silva told the Thresher last year.
6% of the new class of domestic admits identify as Black, compared to last year’s 8%, according to data from Romero da Silva. The proportion of Hispanic students slightly decreased, from last year’s 18% to this year’s 17%. Caucasian students make up 26% of the new admits and Asian American students make up 29% — last year, the Thresher previously reported 24% and 30% for Caucasian and Asian American students, respectively.
Texans make up 38% of the new class, while 49% come from other states and 14% come from countries outside the U.S.
Due to ongoing construction in the academic quad, the matriculation ceremony differed from previous years.
In the past, students from each college proceeded through the Sallyport to the center of the quad to watch a fireworks display in their college’s colors. To avoid construction zones, this year’s
the Rice Women’s [Resource] Center, who was the one running the golf carts at the time … we provided probably 10 or 12 volunteers, and they had one person that was there,”
Andy Dennis, the BSM director of ministry, said. “Over time, we just became the go-to people. After a couple of years, we were the people driving the golf carts, because I wanted to make sure that people stayed safe.”
Later on, Dennis began serving pancakes because of concerns that arose from watching the parade of partygoers.
matriculating class walked through the Sallyport and immediately exited the quad through the Herzstein arcades, watching a continuous fireworks show as a group.
Vanessa De Leon, a Hanszen College freshman, said that she enjoyed the fireworks but that combining the colleges into one show had its problems.
“The fireworks were fun. We were on the concrete, and … they took so long to set them up,” De Leon said. “We were all tired, we were all sweaty.”
However, De Leon said that the college bonding aspect of matriculation was still present.
“I felt so much pride for Hanszen. [Matriculation] really made me fall in love with it,” De Leon said. “When I walked through the Sallyport, it was like ‘Yeah, HFH!’”
Duncan College freshman Areeb Qazi said that he was struck by the importance of the event in the life of any Rice student.
“The significance was pretty cool,” Qazi said. “I didn’t feel the weight that much, but it was awesome. It’s a once in a lifetime type thing. It’s a blessing to be able to do it.”
Christians, I’ve always wondered this, can you answer that?’” Dennis said. “They’ll ask a question that they’ve always had in their mind, but they maybe don’t know a Christian that they feel comfortable asking.”
There aren’t many Christian ministries that are open and affirming in the same way that we are ... It’s not a place of judgment.
Beth Anne Nelson PALMER EPISCOPAL CHURCH REVEREND
“There were so many people that would go to the parties on completely empty stomachs,” Dennis said. “We at least have something that’s going to absorb some of the alcohol in their systems, so that maybe they’re a little safer.”
BSM also encourages students to ask questions about Christianity during these nights, Dennis said.
“People will ask us, ‘Hey, you guys are
Aside from pancakes and golf carts, the BSM also provides free Chickfil-A lunches on Wednesdays, which Dennis said are funded by donations from alumni and affiliated churches. BSM members also participate in service projects and missions throughout Houston.
Dennis said the group strives to provide a different representation of Christianity.
“Part of the process is just doing PR for Jesus,” Dennis said. “I think oftentimes Christians have given a negative view of who Jesus is, and if we can break down some of those barriers, we can have better conversations.”
Bloomgren, players apologetic after football’s upset loss
ANDERSEN PICKARD ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
As the Rice football team put on their helmets for their first home contest of the season, three white letters adorned the back: ARA. The letters were the initials of Rice junior Andrea Rodriguez Avila, who was found shot at Jones College on the first day of classes.
“Our football team is hurting,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said in an Aug. 27 press conference.
“We’re trying to make sense of a situation that simply doesn’t make sense. I truly believe we will come out the other side of this grief tighter than ever.”
As for the 17,295 fans who braved the evening heat for Rice football’s season opener against Sam Houston State University on Aug. 31, there was a pregame moment of silence. Viewers watching on ESPN+ also saw Avila’s photo with a brief tribute.
After the moment of silence, the team proceeded with their home opener. Rice entered the game as 9.5-point favorites but instead fell to Sam Houston, 34-14, dropping their 14th season-opening contest in the last 16 years.
COURTESY JEFF FITLOW
New architecture building nears completion
The William T. Cannady Hall for Architecture approaches completion after breaking ground in September 2022. Cannady Hall is an addition to MD Anderson Hall and is set for dedication on Dec. 5 according to Dean of Architecture Igor Marjanović.
Named after professor emeritus of architecture and lead donor William Cannady, Cannady Hall features new spaces for the School of Architecture, including a large fabrication shop on its main floor, a two-story gallery space and open-area collaborative workspaces, according to Marjanović.
“We are moving in as we speak,” Marjanović said.
“[Cannady Hall] is meant to be an extension of what we do in the School of Architecture, not necessarily an office space or classroom space, but what I like to describe as an aspirational space — a space to research, create work, experiment fabrication and have new exhibitions. It’s almost like an experimental space for us to do the kind of things we currently can not do in [MD Anderson Hall].”
the types of projects students were working on,” Kuo said. “A lot of things that were being done were large-scale prototyping that would be dangerous to be building within a very small wood shop like the one they have.”
Architecture student Mark Liechtenberger said the increase in shop space creates a safer and more convenient working environment for students.
“During busy times of the year, we won’t be running into each other,” Lichtenberger, a McMurtry College senior, said. “And we have more tables set up to have fabrication space or to leave things while they’re being glued or any of that.”
[Cannady Hall] is meant to be an extension of what we do in the School of Architecture, not necessarily an office space or classroom space, but what I like to describe as an aspirational space — a space to research, create work, experiment fabrication and have new exhibitions.
Igor Marjanović DEAN OF ARCHITECTURE
Cannady Hall was designed by the Swiss architecture firm Karamuk Kuo, led by Jeannette Kuo and Ünal Karamuk. According to Marjanović, Karamuk Kuo was chosen during the selection process in part to benefit the emerging firm.
“We wanted to engage a firm that reflects contemporary values in architecture,” Marjanović said. “It was seen as a way for us to support the practice of architecture and whoever might be at the next forefront in terms of the new emerging firms.”
Architect Jeanette Kuo said that she and her firm focused on creating collaborative spaces outside the conventional classroom setting during the design process.
“[MD Anderson Hall] had a little workshop that was too small for
Academic quad to reopen Sept. 12 with fanfare, celebrations
The academic quad is set to reopen Sept. 12. According to Kelly Fox, the executive vice president for operations, finance and support, the opening will be commemorated with a campus-wide event.
Rice’s academic quad was initially projected to be completed by late April 2024. As of April 2, construction was still on schedule, according to Fox. Over the summer, minor delays occurred due to above-average rainfall and unprecedented weather events such as Hurricane Beryl. No further delays are expected, according to Fox.
“We are excited to hold a grand opening celebration on Sept. 12 at 3 p.m., and the entire campus is welcome,” Fox wrote in an email to the Thresher. “There will be a special event just for students that evening from 7 - 9 p.m. complete with a DJ and light bites to celebrate the new, beautiful space for outdoor convening at Rice.”
“It was no problem for our team to adjust the timeline,” Fox wrote. “The team has been working hard, and we are in the final stages of the project. There is no major work left to be done.”
kind of stuff, the way [the new students] had to do it was after you walked through the Sallyport, you then had to go and stand in the assigned portion of Founder’s Court and wait for fireworks, which kind of takes away a bit of the magic of it when you’re having to wait your turn.”
It was no problem for our team to adjust the timeline. The team has been working hard, and we are in the final stages of the project. There is no major work left to be done.
Kelly Fox EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Orr said that matriculation retained a lot of its magic in large part to Orientation Week coordinators working hard to make sure things ran smoothly.
The second floor of Cannady Hall is connected to MD Anderson Hall across the arcade. Its large volume is also divided to create outdoor spaces such as a porch and terrace, Kuo said.
“A lot of the design moves were meant for the building to be embedded in this kind of historical campus while at the same time serving the needs of the school,” Kuo said.
Lichtenberger said that he’s excited about the outdoor and indoor spaces around Cannady Hall.
“I’m looking forward to the student events that we’ll be able to use the space for, such as some of our architecture clubs, for Architectronica, Archi Market or some of those other school-wide events,” Lichtenberger said.
Kuo said that Cannady Hall’s gallery space provides a new way for the School of Architecture to engage with the rest of the Rice campus and increases the school’s visibility.
“I think this new building is really a gesture to invite people that maybe are not studying architecture but [are] curious about what an architecture program might mean to visit the gallery and see what’s going on,” Kuo said.
The Board of Trustees first announced the redesign project in January 2022. The redesign was informed by input from the Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice, the Rice community and a resolution passed by the Student Association. The plan involved relocating the Founder’s Memorial, creating new paths and adding other redesign elements such as benches. According to The Board of Trustees, the final redesign aimed “to be more welcoming, to be an active heart of the university and more completely represent our history, our achievements and our values.”
The Sallyport entrance was temporarily reopened for commencement in May 2024, and was again temporarily reopened for Fall 2024 matriculation. New students walked through the arch before taking a hard right and looping around back to Founder’s Court, where they waited up to an hour for the fireworks to go off for the entire matriculating class at once.
Duncan College sophomore Summer Orr said the matriculation process changed only slightly, despite the quad’s construction.
“The main thing is that it changed where fireworks were happening,” Orr said. “So instead of … walk[ing] through the Sallyport and you see everyone that you know and then immediately there’s fireworks and it’s beautiful and all that
“The [Orientation] Week coords were just such amazing people, and they worked so hard, even when they got lastminute information about matriculation,” Orr said. “That’s part of being behind the scenes, but they really did so much for us and made it run so smoothly.”
Many freshmen had no complaints — Saami Baig, a Duncan College freshman, said that he enjoyed matriculation and had a good experience overall.
“It was really cool, the fireworks were really interesting; it was really good fun watching that with my O-Week family and then being able to talk with Rice students while we were talking to Tudor and then back to the Sallyport,” Baig said. “They also walked us through the Sallyport and everyone was there holding signs. It was really cute.”
Alexander Hernandez-Garcia, a Baker College freshman, said that he appreciated being able to see each residential college’s distinctive set of fireworks despite the wait.
“We all came together to honor each other’s cultures, each other’s legacies on campus,” Hernandez-Garcia said. “Even though they make us wait, it kind of forces us to interact with one another.”
Matriculation is a special part of O-Week, which Fox said is something that the administration at Rice also recognizes.
“We value our special traditions at Rice, and so that was something we definitely needed to make happen,” Fox wrote.
AMELIA DAVIS / THRESHER
ZEISHA BENNETT / THRESHER
AMY LI SENIOR WRITER
HOPE YANG THRESHER STAFF
Local Foods to land on campus, Brochstein undergoes construction
VIOLA HSIA ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Texas-based restaurant chain Local Foods will set up shop in Brochstein Pavilion. The pavilion is currently under renovation and set to be completed by the end of September, according to Beth Leaver, interim executive director of Housing and Dining. Familyrun catering venture Little Kitchen previously operated out of Brochstein Pavilion, exiting at the end of the spring semester after four years on campus. This renovation is the pavilion’s first major upgrade in 15 years, Leaver said, and will renovate the pavilion’s kitchen and island area.
“Although the pavilion is not open
yet, the project is nearing completion, and we are eagerly anticipating its grand reopening soon,” Leaver wrote in an email to the Thresher. “This renovation is a significant investment in the future of dining at Rice, ensuring that Brochstein Pavilion continues to be a vibrant and central hub for campus life, now with an even more convenient and efficient service experience.”
Ben Rosenblum Studio, an architecture firm based in New York City and Houston, is spearheading the pavilion’s redesign. Pruitt Structures serves as the project’s general contractor, Leaver said.
According to Leaver, Local Foods will aim to benefit Rice students and provide a varied menu.
“We are excited to introduce Local Foods at Brochstein Pavilion as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the campus dining experience with diverse, high-quality options,” Leaver wrote. “We welcome feedback and look forward to the positive impact [that] this new addition will have on daily life at Rice.”
According to Leaver, Local Foods plans to experiment with new menu items at Brochstein, allowing Rice to preview potential dishes.
“We are particularly excited about the partnership with Local Foods, as it allows Rice to serve as an incubator for culinary innovation,” Leaver wrote.
“Local Foods plans to use Brochstein Pavilion as a testing ground for new recipes and menu items they are
considering bringing to the market. This enables our community to be the first to preview and enjoy these innovative dishes.”
Local Foods owner Benjy Levit said the menu will consist of sandwiches, stone-baked pizza, freshly made pasta and sandwiches and salads that were popular at the restaurant’s other locations. Levit also said that pastries and coffee will be available beginning at 8 a.m., while the space itself will feature new furniture and a self-service section offering premade gourmet snacks.
“We are most excited to create a real jewel in the heart of the campus,” Levit wrote in an email to the Thresher.
“We will provide warm hospitality and superior ingredients for a fair price.”
Students speak up about METRO line cancelation
Students from Rice and the University of Houston spoke against the cancellation of the METRORapid University Corridor Project at a city council meeting on July 23, 2024. The project proposed a new bus rapid transit system, where buses operate at high frequency within bus-only lanes. Service would have extended across 25 miles in
They were going through this process with the intention of moving forward. And so it was kind of a shock whenever the new mayor, the new METRO administration, after Mayor Whitmire took office, basically was like, ‘Yeah, we’re canceling this really big project we’re doing.’
Solomon Ni RICE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Houston, connecting areas like Westchase and Fifth Ward to central locations including the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, the University of St. Thomas and Houston Community College.
Solomon Ni, former Student Association president, represented Rice at the meeting. Though Rice students may not be personally affected by the project cancellation, Ni said it is important for students at Rice to recognize the privilege of living close to the METRORail Red line.
“[The BRT planned has] no stops through Rice, but it does connect up to the Red Line where they have a transfer station,” Ni, a Jones College senior, said. “I do think that what we can do as Rice students is recognize … how much [the Red Line] has done for us or how useful it is and how fortunate we are to have that
in basically our backyard in the medical center, and show our support for the students that are going to be affected by this. It’s mostly commuter students at the University of Houston, and lower-income individuals and households that rely on public transportation like buses and the METRORail.”
Thomas Lu also said that the public transportation at Rice is much better compared to the rest of Houston.
“I think the service frequency around Rice is actually very, very good,” Lu, a Will Rice College junior, said. “I think it’s among the best in Houston. I think it’s just because we’re located so close to the medical center, which is a huge job center, but the rest of Houston doesn’t have as much frequent bus or rail frequencies, and I think it really limits how far our students get without a car, and why so many people feel like they need to bring a car to Houston so that they can get out and explore.”
Both Ni and Lu said they were disappointed and surprised when the project was canceled.
“I don’t think anyone was concerned about it going forward,” Ni said. “They had a lot of community meetings being like, ‘This is what’s going to happen. We want your input on it.’ They were going through this process with the intention of moving forward. And, so it was kind of a shock whenever the new mayor, the new METRO administration, after Mayor Whitmire took office, basically was like, ‘Yeah, we’re canceling this really big project we’re doing.’”
“I was honestly very disappointed in the city government for canceling a project because METRO has emphasized this is their next big project that they’re doing, and they allocated a lot of their resources into it,” Lu said. “Now that it’s canceled, I don’t see what [city government is] going to do because there seems to be a lot of local opposition to the expansion of the light rail lines.”
Though it is possible to get to other areas in Houston using local buses instead of existing METRORail lines, Lu said that local buses can be more difficult and timeconsuming to use because they are less consistent due to traffic and some lines run
less frequently.
“The light rail is a lot more consistent in when it arrives,” Lu said. “It’s usually only one minute late at most. I’ve had a couple of times where it’s been more than that, but usually it’s very consistent because there’s dedicated lanes, dedicated signals. The buses really depend on if it’s a good day or a bad day.”
Many students at Rice use public transportation often — for reasons ranging from commuting to off-campus employment, running errands and getting to and from off-campus housing.
Lu also noted that he prefers using public transportation to owning a car and driving in Houston as it is not only cheaper
but also safer considering the dangerous highways in Houston.
Ni said he hopes that the Student Association will pass some sort of resolution to demonstrate Rice students’ solidarity with students at other universities.
“I want to engage the Student Association, at least in the nominal way of showing our solidarity with these other universities, and the people that would be served by this line,” Ni said. “Basically saying, ‘Yeah, we throw our weight behind it because, A, we have this great access to the Red Line, and B, we think that everyone else should also have the same kind of access.’”
RENDERINGS COURTESY BEN ROSENBLUM STUDIO
Local Foods will operate out of an updated Brochstein Pavilion with a renovated central island.
OWEN BUTTON / THRESHER Brochstein is currently under construction and is projected to reopen by the end of the month.
AMY LI SENIOR WRITER
BRYAN MENDOZA / THRESHER
New FSJP chapter emerges on campus
Rice FSJP also says the collective is participating in regional coalitions with other universities in Texas.
Rice Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine established a campus chapter, echoing the mission of the existing undergraduate SJP chapter.
“FSJP aims to protect and defend students, faculty and staff who engage in speech, teaching and activities for Palestine and Palestinians,” FSJP’s mission statement says.
In an email to the Thresher, Rice FSJP declined to name any members of the Rice chapter. The collective says it has over 10 members from different schools of study and plans to grow as the semester progresses.
Rice FSJP is part of the national Faculty for Justice in Palestine Network, which describes itself as a decentralized national network of affiliated university chapters that supports Palestinian liberation movements.
The Rice FSJP mission statement was released in June, following months of student protests amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The collective aligns itself with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, which describes itself as a movement to end international support of Israel’s “settler colonialism, apartheid and occupation” of Palestine. Specifically, FSJP calls for the application of BDS principles to college endowment and retirement funds, as well as “academic and cultural boycotts” of Israeli institutions.
Rice FSJP said they aim to amplify the voices of campus groups working for Palestinian liberation at Rice. This includes Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group that organized numerous protests, a “liberated zone” and a teach-in during the
previous academic year.
“FSJP and SJP share common goals of supporting Palestinian freedom, but are separate entities,” Rice FSJP wrote in an email to the Thresher. “We started an FSJP chapter at Rice to support students, including but not limited to SJP members.”
“Given [Rice] FSJP has recently been founded and the semester has just started, there has not yet been the opportunity for formal collaboration,” Matti Haacke, a representative of Rice SJP, wrote in a message to the Thresher. “We are working internally on how FSJP can best achieve that mission of supporting student speech around Palestine.”
Rice FSJP also expressed “disappointment and concern” about the spring-semester decision to table student resolution attempting to block Student Association funds from going to Israelaligned companies, as identified by the BDS movement. The resolution was tabled indefinitely following a discrimination complaint filed with the Office of Access, Equity and Equal Opportunity.
“We support student efforts that work towards ethical investment practices and ending the genocide in Palestine,” Rice FSJP wrote in an email to the Thresher.
Bob’s Banana Bread: Get bread-y for some late-night pastries
HU THRESHER STAFF
While most college students might throw away their overripe bananas, the co-founders of Bob’s Banana Bread turned them into a business. Lovett College juniors Jahnavi Mahajan and Felix Hasson turned a weekly baking session into a new late-night food option for Rice students during the summer of 2024.
“I had … bananas lying around that were fully ripe and completely black,” Mahajan said. “So we were like, ‘What can we do with this? We can make banana bread with it.’”
This baking session turned into making banana bread weekly, and soon, a family friend recommended that they bring their bread to the Rice community. To ensure food safety, both Mahajan and Hasson have Texas Food Manager Certifications, wear gloves and use separate cooking equipment for loaves that contain nuts to prevent allergic reactions, they said.
Baking banana bread every week came naturally to Hasson, but the difficulties lay in making unique flavors.
“I think baking is just really easy. Anyone can do it ... but the hard part is making something your own recipe,” Hasson said. “We have all these cool flavors. I don’t think anyone really does something like a blueberry lemon crumble banana bread or a Cinnamon Toast Crunch walnut with a cinnamon swirl in it.”
Bob’s Banana Bread was inspired by the Sid Richardson College pop-up Sid Shoots the Cheese, a late-night grilled cheese pop-up. Hasson said he was frustrated by the inconsistency and cost of late-night foodstuffs and wanted a change.
“I think everyone knows at this point there [are] not really consistent food options past a certain [time] on Rice campus, unless
you want to gamble that the Hoot actually has what you’re looking for,” Hasson said.
“You’ll have to pay a giant delivery fee to Uber Eats [from] somewhere else, so this is a great, affordable option for really good latenight food; plus, it just tastes really good. ”
I think baking is just really easy. Anyone can do it ... but the hard part is making something your own recipe.
Felix Hasson CO-FOUNDER, BOB’S BANANA BREAD
The bakers will host their first pop-up Sept. 4 from 9 to 11 p.m. in Lovett’s upper commons. Slices will be sold for $2.50 each. With four different flavors of banana bread to choose from, Mahajan and Hasson said they hope to kick off students’ school year with freshly cooked pastries while also marking a significant moment in their friendship.
“The grand opening happens to be on Wizard Staff Wednesday — the first Wednesday of every semester where Lovett holds this party,” Hasson said. “It’s kind of cool because that’s the place where Jahnavi and I met, so it’s kind of a full circle type of thing.”
Instrumental to Bob’s is its namesake — Bob, a hammer who helps Mahajan and Hasson prepare ingredients.
“I had a free hammer that I named Bob … and we used Bob to crush the walnuts that would go in our banana bread,” Mahajan said. “I think it was Felix who was just like, ‘Wait, why don’t we just name the entire thing after Bob?’ Both of us love Bob, and Bob is amazing, so it’s Bob’s Banana Bread.”
While Bob’s Banana Bread has no plans to expand to different pastries, Mahajan and Hasson hope to develop new flavors and potentially increase their production.
“We’re specializing in different wacky flavors of banana bread. We are still developing new flavors constantly,” Hasson said. “We currently only have plans to sell by the slice, but if it becomes really popular, we might start selling by the loaves and who knows where this could expand to?”
Owls on the rise: Forbes ranks Rice in top 10
all deserving students have the opportunity to attend Rice, make the most of their time here and be successful after they graduate.”
Rice ranks No. 9 in Forbes’ “America’s Top Colleges,” marking the first time Rice has scored a top 10 ranking on the list. Last year, Rice ranked No. 22 — the university’s rise can be credited in part to graduates’ low student debt, Forbes wrote. Rice received an ‘A financial grade,’ reflecting overall low student debt upon graduation. Earlier this year, Rice was also named one of the 10 new private Ivy League schools.
Forbes cultivates their list of top colleges according to 14 metrics, including alumni salary, debt, graduation rate and academic success. Since 2008, Forbes has ranked U.S. colleges and universities annually, prioritizing student outcomes in their evaluations instead of prestige and admission requirements.
Provost Amy Dittmar said it was valuable to see Rice’s recent financial aid efforts paying off.
“The Forbes ranking demonstrates that an excellent education and an inclusive education go hand in hand,” Dittmar wrote in an email to the Thresher. “It recognizes Rice’s extensive efforts, including the Rice Investment and other student supports, such as loan-free financial aid, to ensure
Baker College freshman Elie Park said Rice offered her the most generous financial aid package out of all the schools that she was offered admission to.
“Rice has done a really good job of not only targeting the low-income students but
The Forbes ranking demonstrates that an excellent education and an inclusive education go hand in hand.
Amy Dittmar
PROVOST
also middle-class students,” Park said. “I see a lot of my friends who are from middleclass backgrounds, and they’re not able to go to a lot of these private schools because they don’t have the money to do that, and their school is not offering [financial aid] … Accessibility, for me, was what set my decision in stone because what good is [an acceptance] if you can’t afford it?”
“The ranking reflects the increasing
number of alumni who have benefited from the Rice Investment since it debuted in the 2019-20 academic year and from the commitment to loan-free financial aid in 2021-2022,” Dittmar wrote. “In addition to generous financial aid, Rice’s graduates continue to be successful which is reflected by Rice also being on Forbes’ 25 Colleges with the Highest Payoff.”
Will Rice College senior Firas Elkaissi believes that since Rice has been creating support systems for their students, as well as improving the overall quality of the campus experience, this new ranking is well deserved.
“There was a time in my college career when my laptop had gotten some damage to the point where it was unusable, so I reached out to the Access and Opportunity portal, and they were able to pay for a new laptop,” Elkaissi said. “There have also been other times where, for example, I need a course pack or a textbook, and the Access and Opportunity portal has also helped with that.
“It helps with a wide range of things, from personal expenses to school-related expenses,” Elkaissi continued. “It’s really made things a lot easier for me to manage a lot of these unforeseen expenses.”
President Reggie DesRoches said Rice focuses on its core mission and values
NDIDI NWOSU / THRESHER
rather than rankings, as each publication’s ranking methodology targets different characteristics.
“At Rice, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators, and this recognition by Forbes reinforces the impact of our mission,” DesRoches wrote in an email to the Thresher. “While the ranking is fantastic reinforcement of what we are doing here at Rice, we understand the volatility of rankings and will continue to focus our efforts on our mission.”
VIOLA HSIA ASST. NEWS EDITOR
NDIDI NWOSU / THRESHER
HONGTAO
WILLIAM LIU / THRESHER
Expand affordable and accessible coffee options
Dear Little Kitchen: it’s only been a week, but we already miss you. Please take us back — this new relationship isn’t working for us.
Chaus’ recent lines, so long they can extend to the campus store, is enough to make one yearn for Little Kitchen HTX’s ten-minute in-and-out coffee runs. While replacing Little Kitchen HTX with a vendor offering similar foods may be apt, we don’t think it’s wise to remove a key caffeine source from campus, especially as day-today demand for coffee grows.
Construction on Brochstein Pavilion and the Jones School of Business have closed Little Kitchen HTX and Audrey’s respectively, leaving students with few coffee options in the meantime. As Rice expands its student body, administration should work to preserve the student experience — stimulating classes, a tightknit culture and, yes, frequent coffee runs.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Chaus and Dandelion Cafe both serve coffee, but are not always accessible and do not meet demand. Dandelion Cafe’s location in the O’Connor Building is far from the center of campus and, at six bucks a latte, is a bit too steep. Chaus wait times have always been long, but it’s worse than ever. We don’t fault the baristas, to be clear — they’re overworked as is. However, adding more coffee options — especially as construction proceeds — in more accessible places would help decrease the strain on Rice Coffeehouse.
For quick fixes, think coffee carts or popups. The robot barista stand in the Jones School of Business is a step in the right direction, but it lacks a dedicated cafe space and the accompanying ethos as a study and socialization spot. Rice Village abounds with coffee shops that might be willing to create such a space on campus, including
socially-conscious Bitty and Beau’s, Australian transplant Bluestone Lane and homey Coco Crepes. Or look further afield to Montrose favorite Agora, or Audrey’s parent Greenway Coffee Company. Weekday pop-up stores or a mobile coffee cart would cultivate a social environment beyond a grab-n-go vending machine.
A permanent solution would prioritize cafe spaces across campus and as construction abounds. If the long-promised RMC renovation comes to fruition, Chaus should be placed centrally within it and given ample space behind the bar. Similarly, the soon-to-open Cannady Hall is centrally located, and what drives coffee consumption better than five-hour studio courses?
Rice students perform cancer-curing research, fly rockets and win national awards. Let us be caffeinated while we do it.
Telling the stories closest to home
Last week, I knew what I was going to write here. I spent the night before the semester began reading and re-reading what old editors-in-chief had to say in their welcome letters, picking up on common themes: building trust with readers, supporting student media, running a paper in unprecedented times. Then last week, one hour before our first staff meeting of the year, we received notice of an immediate shelter-in-place: RUPD was investigating a tragic homicide at Jones. Campus shut down, and everything stilled.
It’s difficult to report the news. It’s difficult to be the news.
editorial of the year was — honestly, we hadn’t planned it yet — likely going to be a cheeky commentary on the Night of Decadence or new university rankings; not a list of campus and community resources. It’s difficult to report the news. It’s difficult to be the news. I have nothing but love and respect for my team, who came together during a scary, heartbreaking time, and did what they do best: Tell the story.
To any occasional Thresher reader, my name may seem familiar. This is my second year on the job. To put it simply, I didn’t feel my work at the Thresher was done just yet. Without any semblance of a formal journalism program at Rice, we’re the place to learn about reporting, editing, public relations, digital media and design. This year, I’m focusing on professional development, such as continued lunch and learn sessions with local journalists, hands-on editing sessions with new writers and workshops on everything from lede writing to photojournalism.
EDITORIAL STAFF
* Indicates Editorial Board member
For better or for worse, journalism never stops. We always adapt to meet the needs of our peers and our readership. It’s our job to keep our community informed constantly, thoughtfully and accurately. I’ll admit it’s disconcerting, when your knee-jerk response to a tragedy is to spring into action. Our first front page of the year would have been a photo of the matriculation fireworks; not a memorial for our classmate. Our first
It has truly been the year of the student journalist. Last fall, The Daily Tar Heel’s front page coverage of a campus shooting made waves across the nation. In the spring, journalists from the Columbia Spectator and the Vanderbilt Hustler reported around-the-clock on the encampments, police interference and disciplinary action that rocked college campuses across the U.S. I’ve always believed that journalism starts locally, and that begins with the students telling the stories closest to home.
It’s a challenging job to tell the stories that affect us. Through tragedies and successes, we’ll continue to do it. For those of you who share our mission, or simply want to be involved, we have a place for you here.
Riya Misra EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
In loco parentis: Don’t baby-proof collegiate life
Editor’s Note: This is a guest opinion that has been submitted by a member of the Rice community. The views expressed in this opinion are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the Thresher or its editorial board. All guest opinions are fact-checked to the best of our ability and edited for clarity and conciseness by Thresher editors.
I’m not a particularly likely defender of Rice publics, especially one whose name consists of two nouns I don’t particularly like: “night” and “decadence.” Still, I firmly believe that the decision to end yet another flagship Rice tradition is yet another case of a wider infantilization of the Rice community. My position is simple: We’re adults. Let us make stupid decisions.
Undergraduate affairs at Rice have been subverted by a corrosive idea of Rice being a family — corrosive in that it has slowly seeped into all corners of decision-making. Family is, at first glance, a symbol of care, of love, of belonging. However, family comes with obligations, and Rice clearly doesn’t see the relationship with its community as equal. In the context of an overextension
of the concept of culture of care, Rice strips its predominantly over-18 student body of something that the university has a proud history of supporting: individual choice.
When I was selecting which university to go to, Rice’s academic freedom was a major selling point for the flexibility it offers through division requirements. The core foundation of our academic program is minimal, allowing students to specialize or generalize as much as they see fit. I’ve seen friends go incredibly deep into graduate-level classes while others combine majors that, at many universities, would be impossible to fit in four years.
However, in my three years at Rice, administrative conversations about retooling our flexible requirements have become more common. Take Beer Bike — a student tradition that the university seems to have co-opted to highlight our vibrant student life — which has been split into heats, lengthening the race for the safety of riders. These discussions are framed — rightfully so — around values of care and community safety, but, like with NOD, the sacrifices to our university culture of independence are
left under-discussed. Drastic changes to student-led traditions should come from the student body itself.
I recognize that any damage that happens under an administrator’s watch will lead to sound and fury from parents, cousins, yoga instructors and anyone else who has some interest in the community’s health and access to an email account. I recognize that events can cause negative publicity, such as the early COVID-19 waves which occurred during my freshman year. However, I do think that, in the current university climate, we are far more likely to slip into over-policing of university life than under. If Rice cares about producing bold future leaders, perhaps a good place to start is letting students lead their own lives.
Alex Janssen MARTEL COLLEGE SENIOR
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Like BSM, the Episcopal Church at Rice hopes to introduce students to Jesus. Beth Anne Nelson, Rice’s designated reverend at the nearby Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, said that the group does this by welcoming a wide variety of identities and backgrounds.
“We are the only open and affirming Christian ministry on campus,” Nelson said. “There’s another open and affirming ministry, Hillel … We are [both] in that group that sees the beauty in everyone, and how God created them as they are.
“Our students and the Episcopal Church generally find it really important to seek and serve Christ in everyone, loving our neighbor as ourselves, and our neighbor can be anyone, including people who are in the LGBTQ+ community,” Nelson said.
Nelson emphasized the inclusivity of the Episcopal Church for all, including her own experience as a woman in the clergy.
“There are people who have trouble with women [working] in ministry and find that a block to seeing God,” Nelson said. “I’ve found that it’s incredibly liberating to have so many different genders available, because people experience God wherever they are on the gender spectrum.”
The Episcopal Church at Rice hosts fellowship lunches on Wednesdays for students to talk about their lives and faith journeys. They also host their own retreats and missions.
Similar to the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church follows a specific liturgy based on the history of the Christian church. Although Episcopalians are somewhat unique among Protestants in this way, Nelson said that students of all denominations are welcomed.
“I think because there aren’t many Christian ministries that are open and affirming in the same way that we are, people from other traditions feel comfortable at the Episcopal Church at Rice because it is open to all people,” Nelson said. “It’s not a place of judgment.”
Alpha did not respond to requests for comment.
Tour has also hosted a Bible study at West University Baptist Church for over 25 years, which he says can reach up to 150 people each week in person and online. He and his wife also make lunch at their home for attendees.
While some fellowships like Tour’s can number in the hundreds, some are much smaller. Cristian Olivarez, co-president of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapter at Rice, said that while there are relatively few Orthodox Christian students at Rice, the organization fosters a strong sense of community.
Part of the process is just doing PR for Jesus ... If we can break down some of those barriers, we can have better conversations.
Another connection between Christian ministries across campus is James Tour. Tour is known across campus both for his award-winning chemistry work and his religious zeal. Although he is not currently affiliated with any one organization, he said that he supports all of the Christian groups at Rice.
Andy Dennis BSM DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY
“They’re pretty good at trying to help you be the best person you can be and not beating you down for who you’ve been or what you’ve done,” Olivarez, a Will Rice College senior, said. “It’s a common thing, or it should be, in all churches, the idea that the church is full of sinners, and it’s a hospital of sinners.”
every single person asks.” CCF is affiliated with Houston Chinese Church and hosts small fellowship groups and events on Friday evenings. The group also does a few service projects, including care packages for finals season.
“I think the primary focus of our fellowship is to care for people on campus,” Hong said. “After one of our large groups, we put together little bags of snacks and candy and also wrote little notes, like ‘you got this,’ ‘you’re almost there’, and then we sit outside [Fondren Library] and pass them out to people as they’re walking by.”
While some of Rice’s faith-based organizations are affiliated with churches or denominations, others focus on a specific service-based mission. Sarah Sowell, founder and president of Rice’s chapter of International Justice Mission, said that she created the chapter with the organization’s goals in mind because there wasn’t another organization like it at Rice.
work on this fishing boat and often drown because you’re trying to untangle the nets and you get caught, that’s denying the beauty that God has created in every person.
“We believe that Jesus has come to earth and died and rose again to save us and to offer us hope,” Sowell continued. “IJM exists to share that message and also to alleviate material suffering and injustice, and the Bible talks so much about being against injustice.”
Like IJM, the Global Medical Mission Alliance is a faith-based organization that focuses on a specific cause; in this case, providing medical care to impoverished areas worldwide. Former GMMA copresident Charles Lee said that the organization’s purpose is a draw for Rice’s many pre-med students, but also for other Christians regardless of major.
“I’m open to all of them. Whoever asked me to come and speak, I speak,” Tour said. “I love them all. I think they all do good work, they all have good leadership and I’m glad to help.”
In the past, Tour was the faculty sponsor for the now-defunct Rice chapter of The Navigators, a non-denominational campus organization that aims to spread the gospel to college students. He has also been outspoken in his support for Chi Alpha, Rice’s chapter of the nationwide campus ministry of the same name. Chi Alpha hosts Evening of Elegance, the formal dance that once served as an alternative to the now-banned Night of Decadence.
“The university should be sponsoring an evening of elegance. You don’t have to start Night of Decadence. Evening of Elegance will put them out of business,” Tour said. “We want good, wholesome things. What do you want, Baker 13? Is that what we’re proud of?”
Olivarez said that OCF often works with chapters at schools like the University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas. Students come together to attend church and participate in cultural festivals and events from the Arab and Greek Orthodox community in Houston.
“It’s pretty diverse,” Olivarez said. “The vast majority of the OCF group that we actually hang out with [is Arab], but then we also have people going to Annunciation [Greek Orthodox Cathedral] … and then we go to these festivals and you get people from everywhere, so it’s pretty fun.”
Like Olivarez, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship co-presidents Ruth Hong and Zach Yu said that they value the wider community that they met through the organization.
“I think one of the biggest things in being part of a Christian community at Rice is having a perspective that is larger than your college bubble,” Hong, a Wiess College senior, said. “Just being a student and thinking about the long-term purpose of your life and why you exist, why you’re doing what you’re doing, going through all the struggles of school, and being able to find answers to all those questions that
“International Justice Mission is a chapter of the world’s largest anti-slavery organization, and at the time at Rice, I didn’t really identify any anti-trafficking groups and groups that were focusing on labor trafficking or the wider umbrella of gendered violence,” Sowell, now a graduate student, said.
Advertisement in September 2000 Thresher.
IJM is focused on fighting global human trafficking from a Christian perspective. Since the Rice chapter’s founding, they have hosted a number of events, including panels on human trafficking and a fashion show in Fall 2023. Sowell (Jones ’24) said the core of these events is biblical motivation.
“The reason why I became so passionate about anti-trafficking and fighting modern-day slavery is because as Christians, we believe that every person is created in the image of God,” Sowell said. “So, to take away someone’s autonomy, to force them to work in your factory for 48 hours straight without food, or to have sex even though they don’t want to, or … to
“It’s a medical mission, there’s a lot of pre-health students. There’s also quite a few who aren’t pre-med or pre-health, but because of their convictions or because of their beliefs, they came to GMMA to have an opportunity to go on these medical mission trips,” Lee, Baker College ’24, said. “I don’t think being interested in medicine is really important because there are a lot of other roles and a lot of other ways to support as well.”
Lee emphasized that students are not providing medical care, but rather assisting alongside qualified volunteers.
“They’re not quite medical professionals yet, so they won’t be doing a lot of actual medical work,” Lee said. “The closest would probably be just triaging patients and shadowing doctors, other professionals or medical students.”
Tour said that a key feature of these organizations is their faith, particularly at a secular school like Rice.
“Even colleagues will mock me. But when they lose a spouse, I’m the one they come to,” Tour said. “Students can say all they want about me. I know I have something that really works and really changes lives.”
Chi
FROM FRONT PAGE CHRISTIAN CLUBS
GUILLIAN PAGUILA / THRESHER
Unpacking back to school necessities (and absurdities)
AMELIA DAVIS THRESHER STAFF
Whether you’re a freshman feeling not-so-fresh right out of Orientation Week or a fifth-year senior desperately trying to graduate this semester, there’s no doubt: In your packing frenzy, you have forgotten something. Whether that is all your socks (urgent) or simply packing your collection of emotional support Pokémon cards (to be honest, also pretty urgent), you may be wishing for a helpful guide on how to prepare for your first weeks back to school. What to buy, what to do, what to wear: find your answers here.
Stock up on shaving cream Bakerites, our resources say that as many cans as possible is the ideal amount. Better to be a benevolent provider than a supplicant at the feet of the Shaving Cream Gods.
Break out your colored pens
A planner. Oh, you use Notion? You just look at Canvas and remember? Stay hinged; live in the undigitized past. A real-life paper planner is your friend — or your enemy, if you hate doing homework. A good planner can contain multitudes.
Maximize deodorant use
Take some laps around the inner loop to find an optimized walking speed. The goal: where you can leave as late as possible without having to dry out sweat stains in the bathroom before class.
Start swiping
Break in your Tetra by visiting all of the cafes and eateries on campus. Pick your favorite, then prepare to run out of Tetra by September and be sadly estranged.
Curse campus construction
Size up the current construction against your class schedule. Will you
be detouring around the unsurprisingly still-closed quad four times a day?
Always an important factor to consider in your daily planning.
Fight Duo demons
Practice clicking into Google Forms and entering your information —
perhaps even battling Duo verification — at turbo speed in order to survive the bloodbath of public party ticket drops.
Get your “Fixer Upper” on Save the prowling of Facebook Marketplace for a fridge, chair or linens (yikes) for a few weeks in, when
you can think more rationally about the necessity (and hazmat danger) of secondhand nesting supplies.
Strip down your wardrobe
As for what to wear: as little as possible, while heat in the hundreds is still looming.
Have you ever wondered what goes into making the puzzles that appear in the Thresher?
You’re in luck! Come to a puzzlemaking workshop to learn what goes on behind the scenes and get all of the tools you need to write your own puzzles. All students are encouraged to submit crosswords for publication in the Thresher!
WHAT? WHERE?
Bring your laptop, your brain, and your bestie! Contact apm8@rice.edu with any questions.
VIVIAN LANG / THRESHER
Get back into the school spirit with these movies
Coming back to school is always a challenging transition, but don’t fret. The writers here at A&E have chosen a few entertaining movies that will help make your journey back into the school mindset more pleasant.
“Mean Girls” (2004)
School is a socially precarious place, and no movie conveys this better than “Mean Girls.” Tina Fey’s breakout hit, starring Lindsey Lohan, follows a transfer student navigating the Shakespearean power dynamics and complex social feelings of high school. Even with its unmistakable 2000s cheesiness, everything from the writing to the melodramatic performances is
laugh-out-loud funny. “Mean Girls” can’t be mentioned without Regina George, a compelling villain whose cunning, megalomaniacal doings are brought home by Rachel McAdams’ flawless performance. It also sports exquisite costume design, Fey’s unwavering writing and a poignant message about the struggle to fit in. If you’re anxious about ending up in somebody’s burn book this semester, soothe your woes with this modern-day classic. - Thomas Pickell
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
When the obligations of college loom, it helps to take time off — which may include terrorizing Chicago with your anxious best friend. This is a classic feel-
good movie where Ferris, a hustling but good-hearted maverick, waltzes through a wonderful day off, leaving a trail of deceit and chaos in his wake. His rivalry with the bumbling principal keeps the film’s pace lively while also providing structure to the plot. The scenes brim with life, with rarely a dull visual and a message regarding finding purpose and identity. If you want to decompress before locking into your 300-card Anki deck, let Ferris Bueller take you on the joyride of a lifetime. - Thomas Pickell
“Nowhere” (1997)
Gregg Araki’s movies take the phrase “school daze” to new heights. Sex, drugs, aliens and existential angst populate this hilarious and surreal acid trip of a movie that tackles classic teen movies themes, such as identity, relationships and the search for meaning. If you’re looking for a quintessentially ’90s dramedy with vibrant colors and a banging alternative rock soundtrack, go watch this group of Los Angeles college students navigate life in a world only Araki could envision.Arman Saxena
“3 Idiots” (2009)
As a new semester begins, we mustn’t forget to first reflect upon our journey, academic and otherwise, up until this moment. A potent catalyst for such reflection is “3 Idiots,” a Bollywood film directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The lives and evolution of Farhan, Raju and Rancho, three engineering college students who find themselves in the death claws of the Indian education system, are boldly displayed to the audience. Their story is multifaceted in nature and has a little bit for everyone — satire, romcom and drama, you name it. A beautiful and heartwarming concoction of quickwitted remarks, heartwarming moments
and hysterical comedic bits (as well as the typical Bollywood music scenes), “3 Idiots” has most certainly stood the test of time as the ultimate and quintessential coming-of-age film. - Hamza Saeed
“Chicago” (2002)
Start off the semester right with this glamorous, over-the-top adaptation of Bob Fosse’s classic musical. Following the rivalry between two women competing for public fame on death row, the film’s extravagant musical numbers — set in 1920s Chicago — are total camp but nonetheless pure eye candy. Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones nail it with not only their musical prowess but also their performances as two power-hungry, wannabe celebrities. It’s a lighthearted (and yet darkly hilarious) story with insane rewatchability value and the perfect amount of colorful ‘kick’ to get your semester started. Watch with friends for a great time. – Max Scholl
“Booksmart” (2019)
What better way to start off the year than by watching a movie about graduation? This film follows two overachieving seniors who suddenly realize on the eve of graduation that their perfect academic records have left them with zero reallife experiences. Desperate to make up for lost time, they decide to cram four years of missed parties, hookups and chaos into one frantic, misguided night. What follows is a whirlwind of awkward encounters, questionable decisions and sobering realizations that could serve as a cautionary tale for any highflying student who may be neglecting to live a little throughout the school year. All in all, “Booksmart” delivers a heartfelt reminder that sometimes, the best memories come from the most unexpected moments. - Jennifer Liu
Queer aesthetics shine in the summer’s top albums
HUGO GERBICH PAIS SENIOR WRITER
From splitting apples to comparing yourself to take-out food (hot-to-go), this summer’s top albums were defined by their eclectic lyrics and queer aesthetics. In no particular order, here are the albums of the summer that are well worth a listen.
“Brat” by Charli XCX
Perhaps nothing demonstrates the success of “Brat” like the fact that the album has made the color chartreuse cool.
A continuation of her hyperpop sound, Charli XCX’s music was long familiar to club rats, but “Brat” has introduced her music to younger audiences, especially songs like “Apple” and “365,” which have dominated TikTok.
“The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by Chappell Roan
While Chappell Roan released her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” in September of 2023, it leapt into mainstream culture (read: straight culture) this summer. Roan’s debut album shows her incredible range; from songs like the ballad-esque “Casual” to “Hot To Go!,” an in-your-face pop anthem that will reverberate through your head all week.
“The Great American Bar Scene” by Zach Bryan
A blend of pop, folk and country music, Bryan’s sound is infectious and irresistible. Whereas Charli XCX writes music to lose yourself to in a sweaty nightclub, “The Great American Bar Scene” is laced with nostalgia, longing and sprinkles of optimism. “Pink Skies” (feat. Watchhouse) is my favorite of the album and features lyrics that would also fit right into a Phoebe Bridgers song. Beautiful acoustic guitar and harmonica instrumentation bring a brightness to this album that balances its heavy subject matter at times — and makes it perfect for a late-night walk or a quintessential American bonfire.
“How to Build an Ocean: Instructions” by Bears in Trees Bears in Trees are an English indie band, mixing a typical english rock sound with horns and piano. The second song of the album, “Things That Look Like Mistakes” is my favorite, thanks to sections of more classic rock interspersed with funky horn melodies.
“Short n’ Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter finally released her third album “Short n’ Sweet” in late August, featuring her summer hits
“Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Carpenter’s album manages to be catchy but not generic. It sounds flirty and summery while still containing relatable and emotionally developed lyrics.
“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” by Billie
Eilish
Billie Eilish lacks a summer aesthetic,
but her latest album was played all season. “Birds of a Feather” is the album’s most played song on Spotify. It has a light and summery melody and verses sung with a bright head voice which differs from her usual sound. “LUNCH”’s queer lyrics are set against a fast tempo baseline, making it the song perfect for your next gay pool party or sapphic rendezvous.
JENNIFER LIU / THRESHER
Houston concerts to check out this semester
ARMAN SAXENA A&E EDITOR
This semester’s concert lineup is packed with an eclectic mix of genres and artists that promise to light up the city’s music scene. Whether you’re eager to see alternative hip-hop innovators like Bladee and Joey Valence & Brae, rock legends like Weezer or pop icons like Usher and Mariah Carey, Houston’s stages are set to host unforgettable performances. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience live music at its finest.
Hip-Hop
From alternative hip-hop artists like Bladee and Joey Valence & Brae to Reggaeton superstar Jhay Cortez this semester’s concert selection has much to offer in the world of hip-hop. Bladee’s “Cold Visions” and Joey Valence & Brae’s “NO HANDS” are some of the most underrated hip-hop albums of the year
and are less expensive shows than many more mainstream concerts. If you want something with more pop vibes, The Kid LAROI and Jhay Cortez are sure to satisfy your craving.
Artists to check out: the Kid LAROI (Sept. 8), Joey Valence & Brae (Sept. 11 and 29), Rapsody (Oct. 8) Bladee (Oct. 26), Jhay Cortez (Nov. 13).
Rock
Many like to say it, but rock is not dead. And if you want proof of that fact, show up to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s concert at White Oak Music Hall on Nov. 16. King Gizzard is a band that knows how to rock out and their very improvisational concert sets are a wonder to behold. Alternative rock giant Weezer is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut breakout project “Blue Album” on Sept. 28. If you’ve always wanted to see iconic tracks like “Say It Ain’t So”, “Buddy Holly,” or
“Only in Dreams” live, this concert is for you.
Artists to check out: Twenty One Pilots (Sept. 4), The Black Keys (Sept. 21), Weezer (Sept. 28), King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Nov. 16).
Country
Country darling Kacey Musgraves came out with her best album since 2018’s “Golden Hour” earlier this year with “Deeper Well.” Get ready for a beautiful experience with guitar work that will likely tug on your own heartstrings. Though his concert will incorporate all of his hits, Post Malone’s most recent project was a country album so I am going to include him here. You won’t want to miss one of today’s biggest hit makers bringing a set list that will likely feature a discography that brings together country, rap, folk, pop and R&B.
Pop Just a few months after his Super Bowl gig, Usher is bringing his Past, Present, Future tour to Houston’s Toyota Center. if you were a fan of his gameday performance, this show is a must-see. Some of other heavy hitters like Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake and Marc Anthony will also be performing massive shows this semester, performing the hits that made them household names.
Artists to check out: Zedd (Sept. 28), Becky G (Nov. 1), Marc Anthony (Nov. 3), Mariah Carey (Nov. 18), Usher (Nov. 27, 29, & 30), Justin Timberlake (Dec. 4).
R&B
Tinashe’s “Nasty” was undeniably one of the songs of the summer and her Match My Freak tour will bring more of that same energy. With opener Raveena, who also came out with a fantastic album this summer, be prepared for lush tracks from two of the best R&B artists today. Whenever Houston-born artist Keshi returns to H-Town, it’s always a night to remember. As a result, his Oct. 27 concert at the Smart Financial Center is definitely something to look forward to.
Artists to check out: Omar Apollo (Sept. 19), Kehlani (Oct. 8), Remi Wolf (Oct. 10), Tinashe (Oct. 24), Keshi (Oct. 27).
Alternative/Indie
From Andre 3000’s flute album, to indie darlings like Mitski, Hozier and Clairo, there is so much to be excited for in this semester’s lineup of alternative and indie concerts. Mitski, Hozier, and Clairo are responsible for some of the most popular indie albums of the last twelve months and are sure to be emotional and memorable concert experiences (read: you might cry).
Artists to check out: Mitski (Sept. 10), Peter Hook and the Light (Sept. 13), Cigarettes After Sex (Sept. 18), Gracie Abrams (Sept. 19 and 20), Hozier (Sept. 25), André 3000 (Sept. 25), Clairo (Sept. 28), Wave to Earth (Oct. 8)
In 1979, general audiences first bore witness to the grotesque horror of the chest-burster scene in the original “Alien” — and the extraterrestrial thriller genre was never quite the same. Since then, the franchise has birthed eight more films, although the series has significantly evolved in terms of tone, genre and message in ways that have not always been well-received by critics and diehard fans alike. With the recent release of “Alien: Romulus,” however, Fede Álvarez has, for better or worse, returned the franchise to its roots.
Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson) shine, and their relationship was a persistent thread of hope in a film that was full of bleak moments. It’s difficult to grill the performances of their fellow actors too harshly, simply due to the nature of an “Alien” movie — we doubt the acting talent was intended to be the primary or even secondary draw of this film. We are saddened to report, though, that there are scenes in which you will most likely find yourself either exasperated or yelling at the screen as a character does something foolish (because obviously, you would display the utmost astuteness when faced with a giant, organ-consuming, apex predator
Álvarez, in taking over from previous directors of the franchise, was faced with quite a difficult task. He could continue the show-don’t-tell style narrative worldbuilding of Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant.” He could pivot the franchise back toward the mindless/moronic action offered by the later “Alien” and “Predator” films. But when Rain crawls through the dark, ominous water aboard the station, you don’t ponder the lore implications and you aren’t aroused by an upcoming shootout – you are transfixed by the screen, breath-bated in anticipation. What Álvarez chose to do was to take the viewer back to 1979, back to that first time you were petrified, not hopeful, of what could be out there in the night sky. And overall, he does a fine job of it. The third act does suffer from overuse of the Xenomorph threat, although we did find the live-birth of the human-xenomorph hybrid a brief, yet effective invigoration of energy the film so sorely needed at that point. Would we have preferred for the human-xenomorph creature to have a role of greater prominence within this film? Probably, unless the overall runtime, 119 minutes, was simply cut down to not include any mention of the outcome of Kay’s pregnancy. One narrative choice made by Álvarez that we greatly appreciated
was making all of the protagonists young adults/teens, bypassing the largest (and blandest) criticism of “Prometheus” — the trained scientists touching the foreign biological specimens and panicking. The fact that our protagonists are untrained, immature and reckless does help justify some of their decisions, but as with any movie in this space, expect dumb decisions to drive the plot.
The most important question in picking out a film for movie night, contrary to popular belief, isn’t actually whether or not the movie is good, but whether or not it is suitable for your viewing. I suspect that, unless you are an expectant parent, synthetic android or cosmic horror, you’ll get a kick out of the film, and then forget about it by tomorrow. And that’s alright.
CATHERINE ZHOU / THRESHER
HAMZA SAEED STAFF WRITER
20TH CENTURY STUDIOS
“This is a team butt-whooping. They took us out to the woodshed and beat the heck out of us. We’ve got to respond. We can’t put that kind of product on the field ever again,” Bloomgren said.
The game began with a pair of three-and-outs from Rice’s offense, led by junior transfer quarterback E.J. Warner, and Sam Houston responded with a 67-yard touchdown strike. Senior cornerback Sean Fresch’s missed assignment allowed the Bearkats’ receiver to take off for the end zone untouched.
On the Owls’ next play from scrimmage, Warner threw a pick-six. He was targeting redshirt sophomore wide receiver Braylen Walker, but a miscommunication between the two of them allowed a Sam Houston cornerback to intercept the pass and score a touchdown. Within one minute and two seconds, Sam Houston had put 14 points on the board.
“That’s not what you want,” Bloomgren said. “We had a missed assignment on defense, and you want your offense to go and respond. Unfortunately, it went the other way.”
The Owls found some momentum on the final drive of the first quarter, crossing into the red zone as the clock hit zero. An opportunity for points at the start of the second quarter was wasted as redshirt senior kicker Tim Horn missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. Rice’s kicking woes are nothing new; Horn made just eight of 12 field goal attempts last year, ranking 20thworst among all FBS kickers with at least 10 attempts.
This is a team buttwhooping. They took us out to the woodshed and beat the heck out of us. We’ve got to respond. We can’t put that kind of
product on the field ever again.
On their next drive, the Owls added seven points when Warner connected with senior wide receiver Kobie Campbell breaking free near the goal line. He crossed into the end zone for Rice’s first touchdown of the year.
The two sides exchanged touchdowns to open the second half, with Rice’s points coming on a 15-yard run from senior running back Dean Connors. He ultimately led the team in both rushes and receptions, finishing the day with 12 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown on the ground, plus nine catches for 30 yards through the air.
Mike Bloomgreen HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Sam Houston added one more touchdown to go ahead 34-14, and that score would hold for the remainder of the game after neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
up but ultimately did return for the final drive.
“E.J. is a dude,” Connors said. “He’s tough as nails.”
Bloomgren noted both Warner and Connors faced heavy pressure, but he believed that the offensive line wasn’t the only group that deserved blame.
“Protection falls on everybody,” Bloomgren said. “There’s running backs involved, there’s the quarterback’s timing, there’s receivers that frankly have to get open.”
Senior tight end Boden Groen was also banged up, exiting the game twice with apparent injuries. He caught five passes for 43 yards.
seven sacks, including 1.5 from graduate defensive lineman Charlie Looes. On the other hand, the Owls allowed several big gains through the air and were also exposed by the Sam Houston rushing attack, which tallied 178 yards on the ground.
“Their ability to run the football on our defense is not something I thought would happen,” Bloomgren said. He also praised Sam Houston’s coaching staff, adding that “they outphysicaled us, outplayed us, outcoached us in every way.”
Bloomgren promised improvement, starting with an important week of film study and practice.
Sam Houston added a touchdown and field goal in the second quarter, taking a 24-7 lead into halftime.
Warner finished the day 27-for-44 with 227 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He took two sacks, including one enormous hit on the Owls’ second-to-last drive. He was slow to get
Ahalya Lettenberger takes Paris
Former Rice swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger ’23 competed in the Paralympic Games this past weekend, placing 5th and 6th in her two events. Lettenberger was born with arthrogryposis amyoplasia, which results in the shortening, tightening or increased wear of muscle tissue, according to Cleveland Clinic. The 2024 Paralympic Games were Lettenberger’s second, as she competed in the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. At the Tokyo games, Lettenberger earned a silver medal in the 200-meter Individual Medley SM7 and finished 4th in the 400-meter Freestyle S7.
Event: 100m Breaststroke (SB6) Time: 1:47.72 Place: 6th
Warner’s favorite target appeared to be graduate wide receiver Matt Sykes as the two connected six times for 74 yards. With this one performance, Sykes has already tied his single-season personal best for receptions. He caught six passes as a member of the University of California Los Angeles football team in 2022.
The defense flashed some good and some bad, with the top story being their
“You guys are going to want answers for why it happened, and I don’t know that I’m going to have them right now, but we’re going to get better,” Bloomgren said.
The Owls will have one week to right the ship. Football returns to Rice Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Texas Southern University for another non-conference matchup. The game will air on ESPN+.
“Cool drone show, but I’m the better Sammy”
COURTESY AHALYA LETTENBERGER
COURTESY RICE ATHLETICS
Junior quarterback E.J. Warner throws a pass during the Aug. 31 football game against Sam Houston State at Rice Stadium. The game against SHSU was Warner’s first at Rice after transferring from Temple University.
Rice Rally Club sparks new wave of school spirit
ANA RIVERA THRESHER STAFF
As the fall semester kicks off, the Rice Rally Club is bringing new energy to campus. Leading this movement are students Priya Armour, Morgan Toran and Hannah Wixom.
“Our goal is to make Rice sporting events something students genuinely look forward to,” Armour, Rice Rally president, said. “The Rice Rally Club works hard to bridge the gap between Rice Athletics and the student body.”
One of Armour’s favorite moments so far as Rice Rally Club president was the football tailgate before the Owls faced Sam Houston State University.
to the sidelines.”
Armour said Rice Rally’s efforts extend beyond boosting attendance; they’re also focused on making game day experiences more convenient for students.
“We now have shuttles running to the stadium on game day, so students don’t have to walk,” Armour said. “We’re also planning a tailgate at the University of Houston for the Bayou Bucket, with shuttles taking students from Rice [to UH’s TDECU Stadium].”
We’re building a legacy of pride and unity that will last far beyond our time here.
Priya Armour RICE RALLY PRESIDENT
“I was honestly worried about the turnout [for that game],” Armour, a Sid Richardson College junior, said. “But seeing so many people hanging out, playing games and supporting our football team together made me so happy and hopeful for the year ahead.”
This year, she said, the club has undergone significant changes aimed at increasing student engagement.
“We’ve completely restructured the club to create more opportunities for involvement,” Armour said. “One of the most exciting changes is the introduction of sister college tailgates at football games, [which is] a first for the university. College presidents will proudly carry their crests to the stadium, bringing a renewed sense of pride and competition
However, Armour said she recognizes the challenge of fostering school spirit, especially in a community so centered on individual residential college life. “I think athletics doesn’t get the support it deserves because we’re so closely tied to our residential colleges rather than to Rice as a united community,” Armour said. “That’s why this year, we’re finding creative ways to involve the residential colleges more.”
As the year progresses, Armour said that she, Toran and Wixom are optimistic that their efforts will leave a lasting impact on the culture at Rice.
“We’re not just building school spirit, we’re building a legacy of pride and unity that will last far beyond our time here,” Armour said.
The next Rice Rally Club event is Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at Tudor Fieldhouse, as Rice Women’s Volleyball takes on Baylor University. The theme is “Black Out Baylor,” featuring a t-shirt giveaway and free food.
Scores & what’s next
ANDERSEN PICKARD ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Scores from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3
Soccer vs. Lamar University
Aug. 29 - Rice 2, Lamar 1
Volleyball vs. Houston Christian University
Aug. 30 - Rice 3, HCU 2
Volleyball vs. Texas State University
Aug. 31 - Rice 3, TXST 0
Football vs. Sam Houston State University
Aug. 31 - Rice 14, SHSU 34
Soccer vs. Texas Southern University
Sept. 1 - Rice 4, TSU 0
Volleyball vs. #23 Baylor
Sept. 3 - Rice 0, Baylor 3
Upcoming
Volleyball vs. University of South Alabama
Sept. 5, 6 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Soccer vs. University of Louisiana Lafayette
Sept. 5, 6:05 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Volleyball vs. University of Nevada Las Vegas
Sept. 7, 1 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Football vs. Texas Southern University
Sept. 7, 6 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Golf at Argent Financial Classic
Sept. 8-10 - Away at Louisiana Tech University
Soccer vs. Sam Houston State University
Sept. 8, 7:05 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
is Coming to Brochstein Pavilion!
Calling all c/o ‘28 finance majors, children of Tesla owners, and Lululemon moms: Local Foods is excited to announce that we are joining the Rice community! We’ve recently partnered with the Rice Management Company to give you a little slice of us right on campus because apparently our Rice Village location was too far for you. We know we’re the best, so we took the initiative to extinguish campus competitors through strategic construction lobbying at Audrey’s and planting Temu download solicitors at Little Kitchen HTX.
To aid our seamless transition into the Rice family, Local Foods is offering elevated alternatives to your favorite campus establishments such as Coffeehouse and Pub, and we’re eager to share a preview of our debut menu below:
SAMPLE MENU
Bites & Nibbles
FARMHOUSE COMBO
$20
Cage-free chicken fried in artisanal breading, coupled with Idaho potato strips and our House Aioli, with your choice of seasonal greens slaw or EVOO-poached Texan toast.
Locally sourced from our local partner vendors!
LOCAL FOODS’ FAMOUS AVOCADO TOAST
$18 +$5 to add avocado
Avocado locally sourced from our partners at Howard E. Butt Produce Shoppe.
DECONSTRUCTED RECONSTRUCTED WAGYU BEEF
SANDWICH
$42 +$8 to deconstruct again
1 oz of unctuous, A5 Wagyu Beef flown in from Japan every morning. Prepared by our very finest sous-chefs, the deconstructionreconstruction technique requires years of intense training.
MEXICAN-VIETNAMESE-FILIPINO FUSION PHO
BURRITO BURGER BOWL
$28 or Market Price (whichever is higher)
We are obligated to disclose that no Mexican, Vietnamese, or Filipino people were consulted in the creation of this dish, but we believe their spirit will be conveyed!
ÁČÂÏ BŌWŁ (pronunciation: /ˌæs.aɪˈiː/)
$1ß
Yümmʎ!
Libations
Pick-Me-Ups
All drinks made with your choice of oat, almond, or soy milk — no dairy, you cow-sucking perverts.
SLUTTY BEE
Market Price
The Nutty Bee for sluts! Nut and honey latte, locally sourced honey from harvested beehives on campus, nuts plucked directly from the conniving claws of squirrels.
THE FUCK DANDELION CAFÉ LATTE
$10
Comes with a real dandelion! Make a wish ;)
MATCHA LATTE
$9
Home-brewed with locally sourced grass from McDuncan rooftop gardens.
BUBBLE DRINK
$9
An aromatic herbal blend with notes of orange, chamomile, and fresh basil. Served with organic cane sugar, honey lavender popping boba, or a lite option with ice orbs instead of boba for our less daring clientele.
Indulgences
Grimey basement pub yuck, modern glass pavilion yum!
We offer craft beer on tap, champagne on ice from the champagne region of Houston, and signature cocktails like the Nectar Of Decadence: locally distilled vodka, elderflower liqueur, agave nectar, and lavender bitters. All drinks $9 off every Thursday night from 10 PM to 2 AM.
REMS #: (713) 348-6000
As a part of our collaborative compensation initiative, Local Foods automatically charges a 30% gratuity for parties of 0.4 or larger. You are responsible for being aware of this practice before answering the secondary tip screen at checkout. But, we take Tetra! :)
The Backpage is the satire section of the Thresher, written this week by Andrew Kim, Will Howley, Charlie Maxson, and Max Scholl and designed by Lauren Yu. For
