The redesigned academic quad had its grand opening Sept. 12. The ceremony included speeches, a ribbon cutting and guided tours for attendees to learn about new quad features. Speakers included President Reggie DesRoches, board of trustees chairman Robert T. Ladd, landscape architect Thomas Woltz and several alumni.
The event began with a moment of silence for Andrea Rodriguez Avila.
Speakers acknowledged the previous “Down With Willy” movement calling for the removal of the William Marsh Rice statue previously located in the middle of the quad. The statue has been moved to a garden in the corner of the quad next to Sewall Hall. According to Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman, a new monument will be placed in the center of the quad.
“The decentering of the statue, having it be more at eye level versus up, and
then ultimately, the counter-memorial that’s being commissioned to celebrate the integration of the university, these are very special things,” Gorman said in an interview with the Thresher. “This is a
This is a culmination of so many years of work that started with the task force and all their thoughtful work and interrogation of our history in terms of how Rice began.
Bridget Gorman DEAN OF UNDERGRADUATES
culmination of so many years of work that started with the task force and all their thoughtful work and interrogation of our history in terms of how Rice began.”
Shifting the status quo: Campus activism, protests change over time
Last week, the academic quad reopened after nearly a year of reconstruction, kickstarted by the decision to relocate the Founder’s Memorial statue. Protests for the statue’s removal began Aug. 31, 2020, and continued for a year and a half before the Board of Trustees announced their decision to remove the statue on Jan. 25, 2022.
The success of the Rice student movement for Willy’s removal is evidence that Rice students have power to influence administrative decisions, according to Ben Mayberry ’73. Mayberry was a student at Rice during protests against the Vietnam War.
“The protests about Willy’s statue, they were very responsive to that,” Mayberry said. “They listened to what people had to say. I don’t know how the administration would have responded 50 years ago, but it was a very different time for sure.”
On the other hand, Daniel Koh ’20 said that he believes the revival of the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd’s murder, rather than student organizing on campus, pushed the Rice administration to remove Willy’s statue.
“Once it becomes politically inexpedient to continue with the status quo, then the administration will change tactics and kind of go forward,” Koh said. “Either the mass movement beyond Rice is too strong to ignore so that Rice would look bad in maintaining the status quo, or a peer institution institutes a similar change and Rice changes their tactics.
“When I was trying to get the SAT/ACT requirement removed,” Koh continued, “I got the exact same thing, and then the day after Harvard [University] announced that they would take away the requirement, Rice changed their mind and said that, ‘Ooh, we’re doing the same thing.’ So, those are the only times where the administration kind of responds favorably. It’s not because of the students, it’s because of external factors that affect their bottom line.”
Nick Cooper ‘91 said he felt the statue’s removal was more to preserve the university’s reputation than genuine care.
“The fundamental issue is that they’re going to pretend that they care about tarnishing their reputation by having a statue of William Marsh Rice,” Cooper said.
Rice Students for Justice in Palestine protest academic quad celebration
While many gathered to celebrate the reopening of the academic quad, Rice Students for Justice in Palestine staged a walkout just a few hundred feet from the festivities, protesting what they described as a shameless celebration, according to a Sept. 10 Instagram post.
About 50 to 60 people attended the protest, held in Founder’s Court, according to the Rice University Police Department.
During the protest, attendees listened to speeches, read poetry and denounced Rice’s “complicity in the ongoing genocide,” according to a Sept. 16 Instagram post. Many protesters signed an open letter to university President Reggie DesRoches and the board of
trustees, calling for Rice to divest from corporations “complicit in Israeli apartheid,” release an official statement “condemning the genocide” and reverse recent restrictions on postering and demonstrations.
“If divestment is a political instrument, then so is investment in the first place,” the letter reads.
“Rice University administrators continually met student activism with suppression, attempts to quash our political momentum and a lack of willingness to seriously engage with our demands for change.”
Erica Augenstein, an SJP representative, said the walkout was staged to encourage students to politically engage with their university.
SARAH KNOWLTON NEWS EDITOR
PHOEBE SCHOCKET / THRESHER
The academic quad reopening ceremony featured speeches and a ribbon cutting Sept. 12.
AMY LI SENIOR WRITER
JAMES CANCELARICH ASST. NEWS EDITOR
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER Protestors hang signs, Palestine flags and keffiyehs during a Sept. 12 Rice SJP walkout.
“Walkouts are symbolic because they call attention in the moment in the classroom to political duty, moral obligation, and they empower individuals who do choose to walk out,” Augenstein, a Ph.D. candidate in the history department, said. “It gives them the choice to make that statement.”
Matti Haacke, another SJP representative, said that the protest was held so that attendees of the quad reopening celebration, including President Reggie DesRoches, could hear their protest.
“Our goal [was] to have them hear our voices, to amplify our words, amplify what we’re saying, amplify our demands,” Haacke, a Sid Richardson College senior, said.
“Rice deeply values and will continue to uphold the right to responsible personal expression, including through protest, which is critical to the academic mission,” Provost Amy Dittmar wrote in an email to the Thresher. Dittmar visited the walkout and viewed the protestors’ open letter.
Thresher. “Our students expressed themselves peacefully. I am pleased with the way the Rice University Police Department supported and protected our students with moderation and open communication. We are grateful for the respect and tolerance members of the Rice community continue to show each other despite differences of perspectives.”
Shifa Rahman ’22 said they were invited to attend the quad reopening celebration, where they walked out during the ceremony wearing a Palestinian flag, to join the protest.
[We are] recognizing the ways in which we undo colonial legacy, the way we undo white supremacist legacy, the way we remove genocidal legacy, the ways in which dehumanization is present for both Black people and Palestinians. I think it was important to bridge them together, rather than dividing.
Shifa Rahman ‘DOWN WITH
“Our students came together to exercise those rights and demonstrated peacefully,” Dittmar continued. Working with the students, the administration took great care to ensure that all activities were conducted in a manner that safeguarded the well-being of every member of the Rice community.”
Haacke said that the letter was presented to Josh Earnest, a member of Rice’s Board of Trustees.
“At Rice, we believe that the right to responsible, personal expression and protest must be maintained and protected, particularly on a university campus,” DesRoches wrote in an email to the
LEADER ’22
A university spokesperson confirmed that Rahman was an invited guest to the quad reopening celebration.
Rahman was one of the leaders of the “Down with Willy” movement, which sought to examine Rice’s segregationist past and relationship with slavery. The movement led, in part, to the redesign of the academic quad that removed the William Marsh Rice statue from its central pedestal and placed it in a corner of the quad.
“The message that I hope to send to Rice is one to fulfill a greater completion of the eradication of white
supremacy, and also to point out that Rice, the institution, is still complicit in the genocide of Palestine,” Rahman said. “[We are] recognizing the ways in which we undo colonial legacy, the way we undo white supremacist legacy, the way we remove genocidal legacy, the ways in which dehumanization is present for both Black people and Palestinians. I think it was important to bridge them together, rather than dividing.”
This is what we get to do in a democracy, and I think it’s beautiful.
Thomas Woltz LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Thomas Woltz, one of the landscape architects who redesigned the quad, acknowledged the audible chants from the SJP walkout during his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This is what we get to
The walkout was the first major protest held by SJP after the revision of policy 820, which implemented new time limits and location restrictions for campus demonstrations. Haacke said that SJP was not allowed to use amplified sound, and that there was a strict time limit on the protest — RUPD told organizers to shut down the protest at around 3:30 p.m. and began to remove the metal barricades shortly after. Haacke said that while he was disappointed in the restrictions, their ultimate goal was to support the student body who came to the demonstration.
“We weren’t trying to put our student body at risk,” Haacke said. “We’re trying to bring each other together. We’re trying to elevate our demands, get our voices
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER Jess Chang, Duncan College fifth year, attends the SJP walkout. Attendees protested the unveiling of the redesigned academic quad and called for Rice to divest from Israel-aligned corporatios.
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER Students hold posters advocating for a free Palestine. The protest was Rice SJP’s first after Rice added new restrictions on student demonstrations.
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER A protestor wears a keffiyeh at the Sept. 12 walkout.
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER
Shifa Rahman ’22 carries a flag into the protest. Rahman launched the ‘Down With Willy’ movement in 2020, ultimately leading to the quad’s redesign.
WILLY’
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER
The center of the quad is currently home to a platform called the Speaker’s Plinth and its accompanying plaque with a quote from John F. Kennedy’s 1962 speech given at Rice.
“We meet at a college noted for knowledge, in a city noted for progress, in a state noted for strength, and we stand in need of all three,” the plaque reads.
Woltz said that the plinth can be used for a variety of public events, including protests such as the student walkout that took place in the Founder’s Court at the same time.
“We’ve repurposed the pink granite base of the [William Marsh] Rice statue, moved it off the central axis and remounted it as a stage from which anyone can perform, speak, protest, recite or sing,” Woltz said in his
out of the center of the quad and removing it from its pedestal.
“Central to the redesign of the quad was the task to reimagine and recontextualize the statue of the founder William Marsh Rice,” Woltz said. “He is the origin of this institution. He was also an enslaver. His story is essential, but does not have to be the central story of this space.”
President DesRoches thanked Rice’s descendants for their help with the movement of the statue.
“I am personally grateful to the William Marsh Rice family for their sensitivity and understanding as we navigated how to transform such a beloved and iconic space into a newly imagined place of academic convening,” DesRoches said in his speech. “As we move forward, let us embrace this new space with the
same spirit of curiosity, collaboration, community and caring that defines Rice.”
The new quad is divided into three zones: the ceremonial zone behind the Sallyport, the commons in the center and the community zone in front of Fondren Library. DesRoches said that these zones are intended to make students feel more comfortable in the quad.
“This is now a place where we expect students to spend time, as opposed to trying to go from one side to the other,” DesRoches said. “I can’t wait till the weather gets better and to see
students hanging out in the quad, throwing the frisbee, laying on the grass.”
Woltz said that creating a space that was more convenient for students was important to the project, a philosophy that included but was not limited to bringing high-speed internet and shade to the area.
This is now a place where we expect students to spend time, as opposed to trying to go from one side to the other. I can’t wait till the weather gets better and to see students hanging out in the quad, throwing the frisbee, laying on the grass.
Reggie DesRoches RICE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
“The whole thing is held together with these long paths that reorganize circulation, and a lot of those are based on desire paths that we saw, where students were cutting through,” Woltz said in an interview with the Thresher. “We brought to it a very coherent, largescale geometry.”
The design also increased biodiversity for the space, which previously contained very few plant species and required extensive watering.
“The entire quad had a few hedges and grass, and now it has 24,000 native perennials,” Woltz said. “The biodiversity has taken a quantum leap.”
Ladd said he is confident in the quad design after watching the construction in progress.
“I walk the campus most every morning … so I saw it as it was coming together,” Ladd said. “I’m optimistic it’ll be well received by the students.”
Sid, Martel, Hanszen warned about alcohol policy violation
confirmed the email’s existence and contents.
“All students have a responsibility to know the rules for alcohol as detailed in our campus alcohol policy — and leaders of these events are expected and required to share the rules for approved events like Mock Bike to occur, and to step up and prevent others from bringing alcohol to a dry event if and when they see it happening,” Gorman wrote in her email.
According to the email, the warning came after alcohol was present at the colleges’ joint Mock Bike, hosted in the week leading up to Beer Bike, last spring.
Hanszen Chief Justice Laura Yee said the email was sent after Gorman met with the three college presidents.
“It was the one of the days in the middle of O-Week that there was a meeting between the three presidents of those colleges and [Dean Gorman],” Yee, a Hanszen senior, said. “The dean sent an email after that.”
Yee further added that the new sanctions were placed in light of the university’s stricter alcohol policies following last fall’s Wiess College public, Night of Decadence.
by the Thresher. Gorman
versus dry events … The big catalyst for the [warning] of these three specific colleges was our mock bike event.”
Former Sid Richardson Chief Justice Jared Duran said that there was a tailgate held right before the event that contributed to the alcohol being present.
“I remember getting there late, and I remember seeing [the tailgate],” Duran, a senior, said. “I went to the stands, came back and I see, pretty sure it was, the director of Rice EMS. She was taking pictures. I’m pretty sure she called [Rice University Police Department]. It was guaranteed to be a bigger thing.”
Yee said that while there’s no specific end date for the warning, administration had said that the restrictions were for this current semester.
We were already on thin ice as an entire university [regarding alcohol consumption]. There’s always a little bit of gray area where a lot of students don’t know the registration process for events.
Laura Yee
“We were already on thin ice as an entire university [regarding alcohol consumption],” Yee said, “There’s always a little bit of gray area where a lot of students don’t know the registration process for events through student activities, and the difference between wet
HANSZEN COLLEGE CHIEF JUSTICE
According to Yee, the new warning hasn’t affected many of the public events at Hanszen. The main hurdle with this new policy is the differences’ in the three colleges’ physical layouts and how that affects partying, Yee said.
“I personally have trouble reconciling Hanszen’s geography with the policy, because we don’t have big suites, we don’t have spaces that are private, where I could, as CJ, allow people to throw parties,” Yee said. “It’s a little unfortunate that all the colleges are so different, and that one blanket policy is gonna affect colleges differently, but I think we’re kind of still working through the weeds on that one.”
FROM FRONT PAGE
Sid Richardson, Martel and Hanszen Colleges have all received a warning regarding a violation of the alcohol policy, according to an email sent by Dean of
Undergraduates Bridget Gorman to the three colleges’ presidents and magisters. Should there be any more reports of the colleges violating alcohol-policy related rules, college-wide sanctions will be placed, Gorman wrote in her email, which was obtained
VIOLA HSIA ASST. NEWS EDITOR
BRYAN MENDOZA / THRESHER
RICHARD LI / THRESHER Community members gather at the quad reopening celebration.
New center aims to tackle coastal city climate crises
The new Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience was created to address the repercussions of climate change and social inequality in Houston, the Gulf Coast and other coastal communities, announced by Rice News Aug. 26.
CFAR’s research has four main areas: climate adaptation in coastal cities, coastal and industrial communities, disaster recovery and resilience and urban infrastructure futures.
we can take it,” Boyer said. “It wasn’t until Harvey that I think people really said, ‘You know what? Maybe we can’t actually do this. Maybe … the status quo way of doing things is not going to work in a world where the climate is changing quickly enough that we don’t know exactly what the future holds for us, so we need to build up a more resilient set of practices, attitudes and infrastructures.’”
These complex problems require interdisciplinary study and solutions, so it made sense to fund this new center to emphasize the importance of social science perspectives for environmental problems.
Rachel Kimbro DEAN OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
CFAR is housed in the School of Social Sciences and utilizes interdisciplinary research methods, led by co-directors James Elliot and Dominic Boyer said. CFAR features the Convergent Solutions Hub focusing on interdisciplinary solutions, according to Boyer.
Boyer, a professor of anthropology, said that individual faculty members at Rice have been working on climate change issues for a long time, but CFAR is the first initiative at Rice to support such research.
“We represent a multidisciplinary research team,” Boyer said. “We want to shed light on the social dimension of [climate] challenges because we think that although technology and policy are really, really important, there are certain kinds of challenges that are also institutional, infrastructural, ideological, cultural.”
Elliott and Boyer bring different methodologies and disciplinary perspectives to the table, according to Dean of Social Sciences Rachel Kimbro.
“These complex problems require interdisciplinary study and solutions, so it made sense to fund this new center to emphasize the importance of social science perspectives for environmental problems,” Kimbro wrote in an email to the Thresher. “After all, nothing will improve if we can’t change human behavior.”
Boyer said that Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston in August 2017, was a major catalyst for the center’s establishment.
“In Houston, I think we tell ourselves we’re ‘Houston strong,’ we’re resilient,
Students, staff remember 9/11
A memorial honoring the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks was held Sept. 15 at the Rice Memorial Center Chapel. A flag-raising ceremony followed in Ray’s Courtyard. Guest speakers and attendees also placed small U.S. flags in a 9/11 formation to “honor the fallen.”
Speakers reflected on personal impacts of the 9/11 attacks. Warren Weissbluth, copresident of Students Supporting Israel, spoke alongside sociology professor Craig Considine, Rice University Police Department Chief Clemente Rodriguez and Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum.
In his speech, Weissbluth spoke about how 9/11 shaped his understanding of patriotism, unity and national optimism. With two of his uncles serving as a paratrooper and a special forces operative, his own life has been molded by the sacrifices of first responders, he said.
“I’m encouraging people to use dialogue, education, understanding, compassion, engagement,” Considine said in an interview with the Thresher. “If we can get more humans to just interact with one another, on the fundamental level, I think we can start seeing each other as humans before we see each other as members of this religion, or this ethnic group or this nation.”
During her speech, Castex-Tatum said that 9/11 tested national security as well as America’s national values.
“In the face of hatred and violence, we chose resilience and unity,” Castex-Tatum said. “We chose to reaffirm our commitment to the promise of America, a country founded on liberty, justice and equality for all … these lessons are as relevant today as they were 23 years ago. We must continue to build a nation where every person, no matter their background, faith or origin, feels safe, valued and heard.”
Elliott, the chair of the sociology department, said that one of CFAR’s current focuses is on hazardous chemicals in coastal industrial communities that can be released during storms and create toxic floodwaters.
“To help visualize these dynamics, our team produced an interactive map of major polluters at elevated flood risk which was picked up by ‘The New York Times’ last week when Hurricane Francine hit,” Elliott said. “We’ve now updated that map to show where major polluters were located in the hurricane’s eventual cone of impact.”
Boyer said that CFAR is planning its first public in-person event scheduled to happen early February.
“We’re going to have a combination of Rice experts on the four research topics [CFAR is focused on] … community partners, both community organizations and [non-governmental organizations] who we’re beginning to develop collaborative relationships with, and we’re going to bring in people from outside to share their insights about similar problems that might be happening in their communities,” Boyer said. “We’re going to really brainstorm about what our priorities should be, what we should concentrate on first.”
Kimbro expressed hope that CFAR can create new research possibilities at Rice and impact the Houston community.
Boyer said that CFAR has the potential to create stronger ties between Rice and communities in Houston affected by climate change.
“I’m hoping that we can make real world impacts through the work that we’re doing,” he said. “That we can study the problems, but that we can also actually make Houston a more sustainable and safer place for all Houstonians.”
“For me, 9/11 instills a profound sense of purpose to fight and build for a stronger America, to protect American values and to secure the future of a strengthened community,” Weissbluth said in his speech. “I feel a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to this mission, to the service members, police officers, first responders, firemen, nurses, teachers and mothers, those who work tirelessly to maintain order and stability in our society.”
Weissbluth said he wanted to organize this event to memorialize the attack on the U.S. He said the past year has reminded him of the importance of national unity, security and countering terrorism globally.
If we can get more humans to just interact with one another, on the fundamental level, I think we can start seeing each other as humans before we see each other as members of this religion, or this ethnic group or this nation.
Similarly, Rodriguez thanked local first responders in his address, while sharing his own experiences as a first responder. On 9/11, he said, many first responders knew the dangers of serving, yet they still did not hesitate to go into the wreckage to help civilians.
Craig Considine SENIOR SOCIOLOGY LECTURER
“You saw police officers, firefighters, paramedics and countless others who ran to the danger when for most the instinct is to run away from that danger … I did not see hesitation, not once,” Rodriguez said. “Many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice. Some never came home, leaving behind families, friends and a nation forever grateful for their service.”
Considine shared an encounter he had in 2008 with David, a man who had lost his wife and daughter in one of the planes that struck the Twin Towers in 2001. Over time, David had a “spiritual awakening” and founded the BRAVE program, dedicated to conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. Now, Considine is trying to do something similar — encouraging people to not use violence to solve their problems.
“As a Jewish American, it’s become a really important concern of mine. There’s been a lot of hate, frankly, in this country lately,” Weissbluth said. “I think that hopefully that that [unity] will overcome this hate that I’m seeing across the country on campuses often.” Weissbluth also mentioned a broader threat of terrorism, including the Austrian Taylor Swift concert that was threatened by the Islamic State, the 2015 Paris attacks and more recently the events of Oct. 7.
“Certainly Oct. 7, as a Jewish American, engaged me on the topic,” Weissbluth continued. “But it’s not really something new to America or Americans, and that’s what makes it so important to remember when we were directly attacked … The connection between all this is we all share American values, so it’s good to remind ourselves of that every once in a while.”
In response to the rise of Islamophobia and antisemitism recently, Castex-Tatum said that, as a nation, we need to continue to focus on unity.
“Nothing drives out darkness but light, and we have to rise above the sometimes negative stereotypes and the hatred and the talk of division,” Castex-Tatum said in an interview with the Thresher. “and the only way that we can do that is by getting to know each other, making sure that we keep an open dialogue and realizing that we are stronger together in all situations, we will be stronger together.”
HOPE YANG THRESHER STAFF
MARIA MORKAS MANAGING EDITOR
HAI-VAN HOANG / THRESHER
COURTESY MIRIAM CONSIDINE Attendees listen to the national anthem performed by the Shepherd School of Music’s brass quintet.
It’s okay to not be ‘busy’ all the time
Here’s a challenge: say no.
It’s a busy time of year, we know. The career fair is around the corner, summer program applications are opening up and midterm season is upon us. With the looming threat of multiple exams and essays, prioritize yourself.
We’re saying this because we are also guilty of it. As we write this editorial, some of us are fretting over post-graduate plans, while others are bouncing between three simultaneous meetings.
We should stop taking pride in not sleeping the recommended eight hours a night. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice health for the sake of adding yet another club, sport or leadership position to our resumes.
We know that Rice is small and, often, few people have to do a lot.
But perhaps we pick up more things to do in our free time to feel like we’re truly involved, to make use of our time or just to feel busy. We look at those around us who are creating great things and beat ourselves up because we don’t feel as if we’re putting in the effort that makes us worthy of being students at Rice. Imposter phenomenon is real, and it’s not an easy thing to process.
It’s easier said than done, but we encourage our readers to find their
passion and commit to it — anecdotally, we find doing one thing well to be more satisfying and more impactful on one’s resume than being overcommitted to many clubs. Resist the culture of busyness. Take a nap. Put down your phone and go for a walk. Worrying about the next assignment on your list or a club activity coming up is a normal, human thing – but it’s also okay to set aside your worries for a while.
Imposter phenomenon and the cult of busyness are difficult to address because of how shameful it can feel to admit you’re struggling. However, sharing how you’re feeling with friends is not only a science-backed way to feel better, but can help dispel these myths in your own social circles. If someone you know is sharing their struggles, reserve judgment.
Resist the cult of busyness. Take a nap. Put down your phone and go for a walk. Worrying about the next assignment on your list or a club activity coming up is a normal, human thing — but it’s also okay to set aside your worries for a while.
services for students who are concerned about their commitments or just need someone to listen. If you’re a freshman, you’ll recall your panelists and moderators for Healthy Relationship Talks — advisors who spoke on those panels precisely to show you’re not alone in your struggles. Talking and listening to others about their struggles isn’t a sign of weakness or shame at all. Neither is declining a task to stop yourself from being overwhelmed, or just because you don’t want to.
In this busy time of year, we encourage you to forge a different path than one that eats away at your wellbeing. Part of our culture of care also means that there is no judgment if someone chooses not to do something, even if everyone else is doing it.
EDITORIAL STAFF
The Wellbeing and Counseling Center offers free therapy and counseling
Cut out the extra noise. If we were to say it colloquially: Chill out.
“Meanwhile, they’re going to invite Henry Kissinger and Hillary Clinton to come and speak [at the Baker Institute’s 2023 gala.”
‘They just waited for them to leave’
In the spring of 1970, the Student Association Senate notified the Dean of Students that they intended to sponsor the appearance of Abbie Hoffman. Hoffman was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party, was particularly outspoken against the Vietnam War, and was described as a radical speaker in the April 9, 1970 issue of the Thresher. The acting Rice president at the time, Frank Vandiver, denied the Senate’s invitation to Hoffman, citing recent events on campus and phoned threats of violence.
In protest, a group of Rice students occupied the Allen Center business building. Their occupation was initially peaceful; according to the April 16, 1970 issue of the Thresher, they entered the building at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11. They were ordered to leave at 11 p.m. on Sunday, but refused. Dean of Students Frederick Wierum stated that “anyone still in the building at 11:30 p.m. would face disciplinary probation ‘or worse.’”
Mayberry, who was not part of the protest but was outside of the building, said that the situation escalated considerably when a group of nonstudents and students from Texas Southern University and the University of Houston stormed the building soon after Wierum’s ultimatum.
“The Rice students felt like they’d been intellectually snubbed by the administration,” Mayberry said. “Their freedom of speech had been violated. But at the same time, Rice students weren’t prone to violent protests, so they were just doing a sit-in in the building. The students from off-campus were much more radical, and they were looking for any kind of confrontation they could find with authority.”
Eventually, students left the building peacefully. Mayberry said that he did not believe that, at least prior to the situation, that the Rice administration had planned to force the students out.
“The administration wasn’t happy that the building was occupied, but they weren’t preparing to storm the building and remove the students or anything like that,” Mayberry said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were just
issue of the Thresher, the Student Association Senate distributed $300 of leftover funds from a defunct student organization to CAPF, so they could sponsor films and lectures on politics in Latin America.
The club planned their first meeting for Nov. 12, 1985.
However, things went awry.
According to the Nov. 15, 1985 issue of the Thresher, “22 students opposed to giving Blanket Tax funds to the Peace Forum entered the room and attempted to take control of the organization, passing a new constitution written by themselves, electing new officers, and adjourning the Peace Forum’s meeting.”
In the same issue, two ringleaders of the opposing group stated that they’d been concerned over using Blanket Tax funds for political groups and decided to protest the issue in a peaceful, democratic way. Blanket Tax funds come from a charge on each student’s tuition at the beginning of the academic year. The opposing group leaders disagreed with using Blanket Tax funds for organizations that not all students
The Rice students felt like they’d been intellectually snubbed by the administration ... But at the same time, Rice students weren’t prone to violent protests, so they were just doing a sit-in in the building.
Ben Mayberry RICE UNIVERSITY ‘73
agree with, and questioned why the Student Association should spend tuition money on things that they did not believe benefitted them.
On the other side of things, Jane Mitchell ‘86 stated in the Nov. 15 issue that the opposing group had been extremely disruptive, refusing to acknowledge anything she said by shouting over her.
“It was very intimidating, actually, like a big group of them came in,” Sanchez said. “And we were just like, probably we were like six or seven people, we weren’t huge, and we were, I think, all girls as well.”
According to the Nov. 22, 1985 issue of the
Thresher, the University Court stated that they would try Grady Gibbs ’88, the leader of the opposing group, by the end of the fall semester and “that no other members in Gibbs’ group will face charges.” It is unclear what charges Gibbs faced, but his op-eds were published in issues of the Thresher during the spring 1986 semester, and he later obtained a leadership position as the Lovett Election Chairman.
According to the Dec. 6, 1985 issue of the Thresher, the Senate additionally voted on whether or not to take away the CAPF’s funds. The vote was tied, and the motion ultimately failed.
Swept under the rug
As a student, Koh became involved with and organized a variety of student movements. In particular, he worked with the Houston Coalition for Equitable Development without Displacement to advocate against the Ion project Rice was building in the Third Ward. As the Jones College new student representative and senator, he also advocated for change in the financial aid system for international students and for removal of the SAT/ACT requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Each one of those three instances where I tried to initiate conversation with administration, it took several weeks to get a response at first,” Koh said. “Then, either I got a response through email and that was intended to be the end of the conversation, or if I kept pushing, then I got a single meeting with a single administrator and that single meeting was intended to be the end of the discussion period.”
Throughout his advocacy efforts, Koh said that he noticed a pattern in how the administration responded. According to Koh, Rice administration attempted to contain movements by directing any conversation on new issues to the Student Association, where bureaucracy would delay productive change, and by refusing requests for town halls.
“[Senate resolutions were] a big slowdown because it would take at least a week to draft, at least a week to propose, and then another week to go. It was intended as a delaying tactic there, and then also because engagement in Student Association has historically been low,” Koh said. “All of that precluded the participation of students who maybe are interested in the issue, but not necessarily interested in the
Planning to plan?
The firm conviction that this year is the year that you finally get organized hasn’t yet been crushed by the cruel realities of the semester. What better time to think about planners?
Google Calendar (or whatever calendar you use)
Pros: They are efficient, effective and can hound you about your obligations. They work with everything.
Cons: Whether it’s lacking an ongoing task list or overall vibe, online calendars lack a certain je ne sais quoi
Notion
Pros: You can brag about how aesthetic you are while being productive. Notion has artificial intelligence features, so you can do a task in five seconds instead of seven. Included in Notion are pre-made templates, goals and wikis if you are feeling freaky.
Cons: There isn’t a half-way commitment (Notion or nothing), as the set-up process is complex.
ClickUp
Pros: The only system on the marketplace that gives corporate baddie (sorry, not sorry Asana!) and is the ultimate all in one productivity solution –anything your heart desires, ClickUp probably has. Integrating with everything from Google Calendar to GitHub, ClickUp doesn’t play.
Cons: Even though the system incorporates AI, it’s not really helpful. The learning curve to use ClickUp is higher than the Physics 101 curve, but it can be done.
Bullet Journaling
Even after the Student Association passed a resolution in support of HCEDD’s request for a community benefits agreement with Rice, Koh said the administration continued refusing to
“Rice’s response was
Pros: Bullet journals work for you, as you build them from the ground up.
Cons: Making a good or even semidecent bullet journal is time-consuming and, rather unfortunately, your life ends if you leave the journal at home.
Paper Planner from Indie Bookstore
Pros: You can start the day with pithy sayings and/or cool graphics while getting your life organized without sacrificing your entire Saturday to set up (see Bullet Journaling). Paper planners have been around since the dawn of the industrial ages, helping you show off the money you have to spend on glorified notebooks.
Cons: Paper planners are essentially bullet journals without the personalization.
None
Pros: You can terrify everyone with your preponderance for chaos.
Cons: Everything.
GARRETT PIRRETTI FOR THE THRESHER
AMY CAO / THRESHER
LILY REMINGTON / THRESHER
FROM FRONT PAGE PROTEST HISTORY
Bite Size
Taylor Swift album
Tankard filler
Grow older
Actress de Armas
Surveil
The “N” of NIMBY
Part of eye
A holiday tune, perhaps Other, in Mexico
Intense suffering
Farewell, in Spain
South Asian flatbread
Arm muscle
Acid in vinegar
Fitting
Walked the runway
Poetic tribute
Comedian Martin
“Roses ___ red...”
Digital modeling software, abbr.
Computer memory, abbr.
“Mr. Blue Sky” band, for short Lion’s dwelling
Recently
All major American performing arts awards, colloquially
Spice Girl Halliwell
Zealot
Hammock brand
Slay, cook, leave no crumbs, etc.
Sabrina Carpenter lyric “It’s funny and it’s ______ that only I feel that way...”
“Not gonna happen.”
Monopoly token
“Four score and seven years ___ ...”
Moved around a fixed point
___v.Wade
Poisonous caterpillar
Follows (with “by”)
Jane Austen novel
Literary best friends Frog and ____ N.Y. Congresswoman
Visible act of intimacy, abbr. Overtake Epoch
Baker 13 celebrates 50 years of fun and foam
The Thresher contacted former Rice students about their experience with the tradition over the years.
This month marks the 50th anniversary of Baker 13, one of Rice’s most famous traditions. What started as a streak in the spring of 1974 has evolved into a regular event where students don nothing but shaving cream and run through campus, continuing a legacy that blends spontaneity, humor and camaraderie.
Greg Marshall, Baker College ’86 returned to Baker as a resident associate from 1994 to 2002 and is now the director of university relations.
“I was very interested as a Baker alum and a Baker [resident associate] in knowing what the true history was, so I started to do interviews,” Marshall said.
Marshall discovered that the first “Club 13” tradition began on Friday, Sept. 13, 1974. Earlier that year, in March, Baker students had participated in a coed daytime streaking event, which followed the streaking “fad” sweeping campuses at the time. However, unlike the later “Club 13” tradition, the March event did not involve shaving cream.
“A group of men in Baker decided that they should put shaving cream on their groins and run around,” Marshall said. “They had a couple of beers and a little bit of whiskey when they made that decision. They said they had so much fun doing it, that they decided they should call it Club 13 and do it every month on the 13th. Surprisingly, that’s exactly what happened, and it has continued for 50 years.”
Lori Taylor attended Rice from 1984 to 1986 before transferring to University of California at Berkeley and frequently participated in the runs.
“It was so freeing, exhilarating,” Taylor said. “There were a small handful of women who would run, and I miss those times.”
For Taylor, the experience of Baker 13 was always one of respect and safety, despite the vulnerability of running nude. She spoke about leaving collaborative shaving cream body prints on windows across campus with Jim Colton, Baker ’89. Taylor and Colton married 30 years after their Rice days.
“I guess those body prints knew what we didn’t,” Taylor said.
Christopher Coffman, Baker ’03, recalled a run on a colder day in Houston in February of his senior year.
“With the wind, I believe the temperature felt like it was under 40 degrees,” Coffman said.
Despite the cold, Coffman and one other student were determined to uphold the tradition.
“Neither of us was thrilled about running in such frigid conditions, especially covered in only a thin layer of shaving cream,” Coffman said. “I wasn’t the most frequent runner, but I respected the tradition and knew that one of us had to make the run.”
Coffman set off on the run alone, passing through the regular route. However, as he
neared the end of the run, his friend came running.
“He decided he couldn’t let me finish alone, so he disrobed, applied shaving cream, and we took off through the academic buildings,” Coffman said “After stopping for a beer at Valhalla, we made the final stop at the library to deposit two perfect butt prints on the doors. It was a great night, and I was proud to carry on the tradition.”
Today, Joshua Floriano, a Baker 13’s captain, is looking forward to ensuring the tradition stays strong.
“It’s really fun to pass on the torch, make sure it stays a major tradition,” Floriano, a Baker senior, said. “I’m hopeful that I can leave behind a diverse captain pool, because that’s what matters. The big runs
— Halloweekend, first, and last runs [of the year] — have better diversity among the runners. On the regular runs we have a very homogeneous group, which cannot seem very inclusive.” Floriano said he also plans to commemorate the tradition.
“We’re planning on making shirts, because we’re looking at the Woodson archives, and there’s a 25th-anniversary shirt, so we want to do something similar,” Floriano said.
Both Floriano and Marshall credit the longevity of the tradition to Rice’s culture and a culture of good-natured administration.
Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. To read more, visit ricethresher.org.
LAJWARD ZAHRA FOR THE THRESHER
COURTESY BERNARD YOO
Why is everyone a DJ?
In a Baker College single, a D’Angelo vinyl spins and two sunset lamps frame a soundboard and speaker: Devin Gonzalez has a room made for a DJ.
Gonzalez, a senior who performs as “DJ Dev,” is known for his work both on and off campus. Outside of DJing Architectronica, he has held residencies in Austin and Londonbased stations, as well as guest spots in San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles throughout the years.
“Fundamentally, DJing is about creating the experience for the people on the dance floor or wherever they are,” Gonzalez said. “Before, there’s a certain amount of anxiousness, and you anticipate how the crowd’s going to react or whether you chose the right songs or the flow of the event. But as soon as I hop on stage, it feels like I completely change, or I switch off. I just lock in and … get a boost of confidence.”
Gonzalez is far from the only DJ on campus. In recent months, student DJs seem
to have increased exponentially, with more popping up with each passing day. This is not a Rice-specific phenomenon, though. Off the heels of “Brat” summer, DJing as a form of not only art but performance has creeped into the cultural mainstream.
“There’s a lot more content on social media about DJing, especially boiler room [and] media outlets that just clip or add the cameraman into the DJ booth,” Gonzalez said.
“I think it’s kind of like a pop culture trend that’s happening right now],” Maaz Zuberi, a Jones College senior, said. “It’s becoming accessible, too. DJ gear is not too expensive … there’s not that many roadblocks now.”
Zuberi, who performs as “Maaz,” also pointed to how a passion for music factors into DJing’s rising popularity.
“People that enjoy music are really starting to learn ‘You know, what? If I had a little more control or granularity over what I listen to, I can make it sound a little bit better,’” Zuberi said.
Tania García-Jasso, a Sid Richardson College senior who performs as “DJ Tanz,” welcomes the recent influx.
“I think that it’s a hobby that people are more intrigued by, especially as more people pick up on it,” Garcia-Jasso said. “It inspires other people to maybe try it out. I do think that the amount of DJs is a little funny, but I also think that it’s great, because it just means that we’re gonna have more variability in music and exposure to it,”
Zuberi also noted some cultural pushback to the recent influx of new DJs.
“I think everyone hates when their niche goes mainstream,” Zuberi said. “I think it’s cool … I never see it as competition against me. Like, who cares? At the end of the day, the best DJ should get the gig, and if there’s more DJs, so be it … that means you have to be a better DJ.”
One newcomer to the Rice DJ scene is Jorge Albores, a Lovett College freshman.
“My advisor found out that I [DJ] so they were like oh like, would you like to DJ Dis[Orientation] and … that was like the first thing here,” Albores said.
After some deliberation, Albores decided to begin performing as “DJ Lov,” a name inspired by his residential college and the
Celebrate Latine literature this month
HUGO GERBICH PAIS SENIOR WRITER
The ubiquity of English translations, coupled with the innumerable Latine writers who create works in English, means that you don’t have an excuse — this Latine Heritage Month, read Hispanic authors. To get you started, here are just a few incredible novels and non-fiction works by Latine authors that have challenged, inspired and brought me joy.
“Let Me Count The Ways” by Tomás Morín
It feels fitting to begin with a memoir written by Rice assistant professor and critically acclaimed poet Tomás Morín. In “Let Me Count The Ways”, Morin recounts his childhood and adolescence growing up in South Texas. I appreciated the memoir’s vulnerable exploration of mental illness, and the strong sense of place that Morín creates in the memoir as he paints a vivid and tender picture of the patriarchal, impoverished and drugstricken community he grew up in.
“In The Dream House” by Carmen Maria Machado
Another exquisite memoir is “In The
Dream House” by Carmen Maria Machado, an author of Cuban descent. The memoir highlights a heavy and often ignored subject matter: domestic violence in queer, specifically lesbian, relationships. Born out of her time at the Iowa Writing Workshop, the memoir’s structure can only be described as innovative — each chapter is written using a different narrative style or trope, such as one chapter titled “Epiphany” that is only one line long, or “Self-help best seller,” satirically written in the style of an airport self-help book. This unique structure keeps the reader engaged and stops the memoir from feeling too burdened down by its sorrowful topic.
“Como Agua Para Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel
“Como Agua Para Chocolate”, or “Like Water for Chocolate” is a novel written by Mexican author Laura Esquivel in the late 20th century. The novel was my introduction to magical realism — a hallmark of Latin-American literature — and truly felt like a fever dream to read.
“Como Agua Para Chocolate” traces the story of Tita, a young Mexican woman, as she wrestles with forbidden love and the magical powers she acquires in the kitchen. This romantic-tragedy will break
place where his Rice DJ career began. Albores only has only a few months of experience, having received his first board as a high school graduation gift. However, he hit the ground running, getting attention on campus within days of arriving. Albores attributes much of his current success to the social media platform, Fizz. According to Albores, posts about his sets have led people to connect him to his DJ name.
“My friend in my math class has sat next to me since the first day, and then this last week, he’s like ‘Oh, you’re DJ Lov!’” Albores said.
DJing in the age of Fizz complicates the experience, according to Zuberi. On the anonymous platform, anyone can say anything about anyone, including — and especially — about DJs.
“The Fizz era is tough out here,” Zuberi said. “This year I DJed the first pub [night] … and I made the mistake of checking Fizz … [the app] is kind of the breeding ground of hate. [But] it doesn’t really affect me because everyone I’ve actually talked to was like, ‘Oh, you did a good job.’”
Despite the often-overwhelming noise that comes with being a DJ at Rice, according to García-Jasso, DJing can be an uniquely fulfilling experience for all parties involved. She described DJing as a melding between herself and the crowd.
“It feels less like I’m putting on a performance and more like I’m trying to become one with the crowd,” García-Jasso said. “You have to match the vibes as closely as possible to what the crowd is reacting to, and this takes into account mistakes, unforeseen events, reacting unexpectedly to songs. You have to go with the flow, but it’s an incredible amount of flow.”
As the DJ scene on campus grows, GarcíaJasso hopes that it comes with an increase in diversity.
“I would say that the DJ scene is mostly non-women ... If there’s one thing I wish I could see at Rice, it’s more women DJs … I think that we have a lot of potential. Everyone has so much potential. I really think so. Women, non-women, etc. I just think that hopefully, as more people get interested, there will also be an increase in people coming up with cool ideas and cool collaborations and fun themes, things like that.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been condensed for print. To read more, visit ricethresher.org
your heart and make you hungry, leaving you wanting seconds.
“Love in the Times of Cholera” by Gabriel García Márquez
If the pandemic hasn’t left you too scarred, I recommend “Love in the Times of Cholera”, by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Set against the backdrop of a cholera epidemic in an unspecified Latin American city, García Márquez’s novel explores class, patriarchy and the remnants of Spanish colonialism, all while telling a powerful love story. The novel invites us to consider whether deeply flawed characters deserve happy endings, and if we should be rooting for them.
“A Xicana Codex of Changing Consciousness — Writings 2000-2010” by Cherríe Moraga
My last recommendation is a collection written by an author who is visiting Rice on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to deliver a Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality Gray/Wawro Lecture on gender, health and well-being. Cherríe Moraga is a Chicana feminist activist and creative, who has authored several books and dramas. “A Xicana Codex of Changing Consciousness — Writings 2000-2010” is a great
introduction to her groundbreaking work. The anthology contains essays and poems musing on serious cultural issues, such as the impact of 9/11, the election of Barack Obama and immigration policy but also warm-hearted stories reflecting on loss, friendship and her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
BASMA BEDAWI THRESHER STAFF
NDIDI NWOSU / THRESHER
What’s hot (and not) in nightlife Review: Ten years later, “Days Before Rodeo” endures while Travis Scott remains static
Is your 21st birthday coming up? Do you want to experience nightlife off campus for once, or have a drink fancier than Tito’s and Great Value cranberry juice? Look no further than this list of the best — and not so best — clubs and bars around Houston.
Blur Bar
This queer Montrose nightclub brings the party on weekends, with a thumping mix of Top 40, Latin and club classics. Blur has the notable advantage of admitting everyone over the age of 18, though with a higher cover charge than for those 21-andup. Getting there does require hailing a rideshare or a kind-hearted sober friend with a car, but ranks among the most reliable night-out experiences close to campus.
Numbers
Also in Montrose, Numbers tends to see an older crowd than Blur, especially on Classic Numbers Fridays, which focuses on ’80s music. The dance floor features a respectable laser system, and Numbers hosts underground DJs, alternative artists and kink-positive events throughout the year. Celebrating its 45th birthday this year, Numbers has stuck around as an unpretentious neighborhood classic.
Escapade
Through the front doors of Escapade is a massive dance floor filled with couples swaying to Latin jams. Though not a traditional nightclub experience, the second floor features more fast-paced beats and great balconies to peoplewatch from or just take a breather. A trip to Escapade will set you back 20 minutes of driving and $10 or $20 at the door on weekend nights, depending on whether you arrive before or after 11 p.m. (earlier is cheaper). Escapade could make for an adorable date night — or leave you feeling painfully aware of your lonely singlehood.
Wooster’s Garden
By virtue of being three stops north on the Red Line and boasting considerable savings during happy hour, Wooster’s Garden is the friendliest bar for a cashstrapped Rice student. Half-off house cocktails Monday through Friday 4-6 p.m. means a drink made with exotic ingredients such as celery bitters, nori and malic acid starts from $6. The cocktail menu is divided into approachable sections by flavor profile for novice drinkers, and the open-air patio’s teal swinging chairs make for a great photo.
Poison Girl
Decked out in scarlet walls, sticky countertops and a healthy dose of nude female paintings, Poison Girl is a gritty,
grimy little dive bar in the heart of Montrose. We say that with love. In the twenty years since it opened, Poison Girl has charmed locals with its cheap-ish drinks, life-size statue of the Kool-Aid Man and oft-broken pinball machines. Try their impressive selection of whiskeys (they have over 500 offerings — we counted) in a Sazerac or a fan-favorite $3 house shot with Sprite and blackberry. Disclaimer: the cheap drinks may save your wallet, but the $6.50 photobooth won’t.
Double Trouble
Do you need to cram a paper in the a.m. and unwind (after turning in said paper) in the p.m.? Cafe-bar Double Trouble, also three stops north of Rice on the Red Line, could be what you’re searching for. Slinging lattes by day and cocktails, often coffee-infused, by night, Double Trouble is great for a group with both drinkers and non-drinkers. Be warned that seating — both indoors and outdoors in an enclosed patio — is limited, so arrive alone or in a small group. The space tends to be louder than your average work-friendly cafe once it hits 5 p.m.
Cidercade
Arcade-bar Cidercade is a winning concept with hundreds of retro and modern gaming machines. Despite the novelty, Cidercade won’t disappoint those looking for a well-crafted drink — their beverage supplier, Bishop Cider, brews exclusively for Cidercades across Texas. The current lineup includes novel flavors such as bananas foster, butterbeer and a champagne-style cider. Cidercade is great for groups large and small, but does require driving. Arrive after 9 p.m. to avoid families and children.
Bodegas Taco Shop
Tex-Mex joint Bodegas makes the cut purely for its margaritas, single-serving or in a $35 pitcher. Split between four or more people, the pitcher is a decent bang for your buck. It’s somewhat walkable from the north side of campus and Red Line-accessible from anywhere else. Stay for massive portions of the build-yourown tacos, burritos or any other entree. A single order of nachos can be comfortably split across two people for your next night out.
Truck Yard
Visitors to Truck Yard will encounter a lively atmosphere with plenty of outdoor seating and its own Ferris wheel. Unfortunately, that’s all Truck Yard has going for it. The drinks are fairly pricey for being nothing special, the crowd tends to be older and the Ferris wheel is small and not free. Though a good group of friends can definitely rescue an outing at Truck Yard, why fight fate? Choose someplace more fun.
Ten years after its release, “Days Before Rodeo” remains one of Travis Scott’s most beloved projects — a raw, energetic mixtape that laid the foundation for his rise to stardom. Released on SoundCloud in 2014, it featured impressive collaborations with the likes of Young Thug, The 1975, and Big Sean, and firmly established Travis as a force in hip-hop.
A decade later, the mixtape has finally hit streaming platforms. Despite its cult status, it reveals an unfortunate truth: Travis has been running in place. While “Days Before Rodeo” was praised for its innovation in 2014, the same sound that once felt fresh has become a crutch. Travis continues to deliver catchy music, but it rarely pushes beyond the boundaries set for himself years ago.
At the core of Travis’ music is production and harmony. While Kanye West pioneered using the human voice as an instrument, blending it seamlessly into his production, Travis took this concept further. Alongside artists like Playboi Carti, he carved out a niche in hiphop where vocals and instrumentals blend so naturally they become indistinguishable. In Travis’ music, the beat and voice intertwine, forming an immersive soundscape. Travis’ ability to fuse hip-hop with lo-fi textures introduced a new wave of atmospheric rap, and he continues to reign in that sonic space.
Take “Drugs You Should Try It” as a prime example. The song encapsulates the beginning of Travis Scott’s signature style, with smooth guitar riffs paired with his moody, melodic voice. The arpeggiated guitar riff, influenced by early 2000s emo, follows a simple chord progression but is layered with subtle leads to create a dynamic feel. Travis blends this with his melodic flow, intertwining his emotional core with lofi, reverb-heavy production. The track’s innovation comes not just from its sound but from its process: Travis took a hook originally written by FKi 1st, laid his vocals over the mp3 version, and crafted something undeniably powerful. The
seamless harmony between the beats and vocals in “Drugs You Should Try It “ is quintessential Travis, an atmospheric fusion that many have attempted but mastered truly by him.
Then there’s “Mamacita,” my personal favorite, where his sampling skills shine. Pulling from Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right,” he transforms a soulful classic into a club banger with heavy percussion and raw energy. The song, featuring Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug, is a high-octane experience with thumping drums that demand movement, perfectly complementing Travis’ explicit verse. The rhythm and intensity drive the track, embodying the carefree, wild energy that defines much of Travis’ music.
The rest of the project follows suit, with tracks like
“Quintana Pt. 2” and “Skyfall” blending diverse sounds and influences into a cohesive, atmospheric experience. Each track has its own flavor, yet the project thrives on the same principles: energetic percussion, vocal manipulation, and boundarypushing production, securing its place as a standout in Travis’ discography. Still, the mixtape is ten years old now. Perhaps I would have been amazed if I had first heard the project in 2014. But after listening to it more than ten times, I keep coming to the same conclusion: Travis is ... just Travis. He’s mastered his style, no doubt about it, but that’s all there is. Even after listening to his latest album “Utopia”, it’s clear that despite nearing 34, the themes in his music haven’t changed much.
And honestly, that’s okay. Travis was never known for his lyricism or deep songwriting. Yet, I can’t help but wonder why Travis is still so revered. Yes, he makes fantastic club music, but plenty of up-and-coming artists offer the same — and more. While the individual tracks on “Days Before Rodeo” are solid, the concepts that have since evolved in his later work feel more polished but no longer as original. After a decade, it feels like Travis hasn’t evolved beyond what made him famous. I’m left questioning whether his influence will endure without artistic growth.
SPRING CHENJP MANAGING EDITOR
CHARLIE CRUZ FOR THE THRESHER
ASHLEY ZHANG / THRESHER
GRAND HUSTLE RECORDS
Top Track: ‘Mamacita’
Rice football falls 33-7, loses possession of Bayou Bucket
went 0-for-7 on third down in the first half and 0-for-11 to start the game.
Rice football’s quest for back-to-back Bayou Bucket titles fell short as the Owls lost to the University of Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium, 33-7, on Saturday evening.
Houston delivered a quick strike midway through the first quarter. On the second play of their third drive, they broke off a 65-yard rushing touchdown to pull ahead 7-0. Less than two minutes later, they added seven more points on a 75-yard punt return touchdown. Rice left the first quarter trailing 14-0 as the result of these two plays.
Rice continued to stall on offense throughout the second quarter. All seven of their drives in the first half resulted in punts, and five of those seven ended after just three plays from scrimmage. Rice finished the opening half with just three first downs. For comparison, Houston recorded eight first downs. The Owls also
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of [something like] that,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said. “So that’s not good. You’re not moving the sticks; you’re not giving your defense a chance to rest, and you’ve got a lot of plays on your call sheet you want to call that you can’t.”
The Cougars were able to add seven points in the second quarter, pulling ahead 20-0 with a 44-yard touchdown pass. Each of their first three scores came on gains of at least 44 yards.
Redshirt senior defensive tackle Izeya Floyd said postgame that even if a defense holds its ground for the vast majority of plays, just a few mistakes can dig a 35-point hole. He said that the Owls’ defense needs to have more consistency going forward to minimize the number of big plays surrendered.
As the teams went to their locker rooms at halftime, tension built in the Section 125 bleachers as stadium security relocated a portion of the 600-plus Rice students in attendance.
According to Wiess College junior Ben Bridges, some Rice students moved down from the second level to join their peers in Section 125 and support the cheerleading and dance teams.
“We were given tickets for a different section but moved one section down [because] it was empty, and [we] wanted to be in front of the Rice cheer and dance teams to support and better engage with them,” Bridges said.
In the first half, security had asked students to refrain from standing on the bleachers. They also
asked students to show their tickets again, which posed a challenge for individuals who had misplaced or disposed of their tickets.
“Some of my friends had difficulty returning to the section after going to the bathroom or getting food,” Jake Chapman, a Baker College freshman, said. “Apparently, you had to show your ticket again, and most people had thrown theirs away. Most of my friends managed to sneak back in. Following this, they sent officers to vacate the entire section row by row.”
Chapman estimated that security relocated more than 150 students to upperlevel seating, including Section 225.
In an email to the Thresher, University of Houston Vice President for Media Relations Shawn Lindsey wrote, “The individuals seated in Section 125 did not possess tickets for that area. They were instructed to relocate to their assigned seats. No one was asked to leave the stadium; rather, they were asked to vacate the seats for which they did not hold tickets, ensuring that ticketed guests could occupy their designated seats.”
The majority of seats in Section 125 remained empty after students were removed according to students at the game.
Students told the Thresher they felt security targeted them because they were Rice fans, the visiting team.
Students found their way to new seats in the second and third levels of the stadium as both teams emerged from their locker rooms. The Owls’ struggles continued coming out of halftime. They recorded just one first down before having to punt to Houston — their eighth consecutive drive resulting in a punt.
Rice’s defense was able to force a turnover on downs at the seven-yard line, re-claiming possession backed up against their own end zone. Junior quarterback E.J. Warner wasn’t able to get any cushion for the offense before he threw an interception, giving the ball back to Houston at the oneyard line. The Cougars’ quarterback found the end zone from one yard out for the team’s fourth touchdown. Falling into a 26-0 deficit prompted Bloomgren to make a quarterback change, replacing Warner with true freshman Drew Devillier.
Warner finished with his worst stat line in three games since transferring to Rice. He completed just 12 of 21 passes for 50 yards, no touchdowns and one
interception. He rushed for four yards and also took one sack. Warner’s 6.3 QBR was his lowest mark through three seasons in the NCAA.
“For [Warner], we’ve got to figure out what’s going on, what are we not seeing, what are you not liking, what are you not understanding?” Bloomgren said.
Houston added seven points in the fourth quarter as their quarterback broke off a 37-yard touchdown run, putting Houston up, 33-0.
It was too late for Rice to mount a full comeback, but Devillier did seem to inject some life into the offense on the latter of his two drives. He moved Rice 70 yards down the field, finishing the drive with a handoff to senior running back Dean Connors, who found the end zone from four yards out. The touchdown saved the Owls from a shutout, and the score remained 33-7 until the final whistle blew.
The result returned the Bayou Bucket to the University of Houston, thwarting Rice’s bid at winning back-to-back matchups with the Cougars for the first time in over 20 years.
Connors continued to be the Owls’ top offensive performer, tallying 32 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He remained very involved as a pass-catcher, totaling an additional 17 yards on a teammost five receptions.
Defensively, redshirt junior defensive lineman Elroyal Morris III was the only Owl to register a sack. Senior cornerback Sean Fresch led the team with nine tackles, but he also had a costly muffed punt in the second quarter. It was his second muff of the season.
With the loss, the Owls dropped to 1-2 on the season. Conference play begins next week against the United States Military Academy, more commonly known as Army.
“We’re on the cusp of entering conference play, and we know the great opponent we have next week,” Bloomgren said. “We’ve got everything we want in our conference right there, but if we don’t fix some things, it ain’t going to matter.”
As it stands, Army is 2-0, putting them atop the American Athletic Conference standings. The clash between Rice and Army kicks off at 11 a.m. CDT in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Owls are currently 6.5-point underdogs against the Black Knights on DraftKings. CBS Sports Network will televise the game.
ANDERSEN PICKARD ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
CAYDEN CHEN / THRESHER
Redshirt junior DJ Arkansas tackles University of Houston’s Stacy Sneed with the help of two of his teammates.
CAYDEN CHEN / THRESHER Quarterback E.J. Warner emerges from the tunnel ahead of Saturday’s game.
Men’s Tennis at Texas A&M Corpus Christi Invitational
Sept. 13-15 - Won 4/6 finals matches
Women’s Volleyball at No. 9 Creighton
Sept. 14 - Rice 0, Creighton 3
Men’s Football at Bayou Bucket Classic (University of Houston)
Sept. 14 - Rice 7, Houston 33
Women’s Volleyball at University of Northern Iowa
Sept. 15 - Rice 0, UNI 3
What’s next from Sept. 18 to Sept. 24
Men’s Golf at Ram Masters Invitational
Sept. 17-18 - Away at Colorado State University
Women’s Soccer at University of South Florida
Sept. 19, 6:05 p.m. - Away on ESPN+
Women’s Tennis at H-E-B Invitational
Sept. 20-22 - Away at Baylor University
Women’s Volleyball at University of Texas Arlington
Sept. 20, 2:30 p.m. - Away
Men’s Tennis at ITA Men’s All-American Championships
Sept. 21-29 - Away in Tulsa, Okla.
Men’s Football at Army
Sept. 21, 11 a.m. - Away on CBS Sports Network
Women’s Volleyball at No. 25 Texas Christian University
Sept. 21, 5 p.m. - Away
Men’s golf starts strong, hopes to keep the momentum going
EVIE VU FOR THE THRESHER
The Rice men’s golf team teed off their season with a historic win last week.
Lukas Boandl placed first at the Argent Financial Classic in Louisiana, becoming the fourth golfer in Rice history to complete a tournament at least -10 and the first to receive medalist honors in any tournament since 2019. The Owls tied for third place at +6, three strokes behind the lead.
“My goal this year was to win a tournament,” Boandl, a junior, said. “But now that I’ve done that, I need to set some new goals.”
On the first day of the tournament, Boandl carded a 65, the second-best round in school history. He followed with a 73 and 68 on the second and third days respectively, ending with a cumulative score of 206 to secure the win.
“Lukas always had enormous potential, and he’s finally really showing it,” said head coach Justin Emil.
Emil said the team has made serious improvements since last season.
“We’ve been heavily recruiting new players,” Emil said. “We got a freshman,
Daniel Zou, who may be our highest-ranked recruit in program history.”
Zou was a top-25 recruit in the nation and top five in Texas for the high school class of 2024, according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings and the AJGA Rolex Rankings.
Aside from recruiting, Emil said increased structure during practice has helped the team focus on three areas.
“First, we have to be good off the tee,” Emil said. “Getting the ball into play is the most important part. Second is the approach shot, so we want to focus on getting the ball on the correct side of the pin and finding the right part of the green to put the ball on.
Chugh are other players to keep an eye on this year. Zhu placed top-20 in the tournament last week and while Chugh is recovering from an injury, Emil said he played well over the summer.
We have to focus on the right things. How we approach the day, what we eat, taking cell phones away in practice. We need to play well throughout the year, not just at the conference tournament … and [win] in the classroom.
Justin Emil MEN’S GOLF HEAD COACH
Last is the short game and putting.”
In addition to Boandl and Zou, Emil said sophomore Reggie Zhu and senior Raghav
Zhu said he trained over the summer by competing in tournaments in his hometown, Winter Garden, Fla.
“When I’m playing tournaments, I’m just focusing on controlling what I can control and taking one shot at a time,” Zhu said.
The team has big goals for this season and hopes to play post-season NCAA golf. To achieve this, Emil emphasized that they have to do the little things right first.
“We have to focus on the right things,” Emil said. “How we approach the day, what
we eat, taking cell phones away in practice. We need to play well throughout the year, not just at the conference tournament … and [win] in the classroom.”
Emil said the team also has a unique approach to team bonding and creating culture. They have five words and phrases — humility, wisdom, honor, discipline and the relentless pursuit of team — that they say lead them through practice and tournaments. Established three years ago, Emil said these values are the soul of the program.
“We look at what [the phrases] mean on and off the course,” Emil said. “[Players] think about how they want to approach the year, and how they’ll follow these for the next forty years of their lives.”
Zhu said the team is like a brotherhood.
“We have workouts three times a week, and the whole team goes to South or Seibel [servery] after every single time,” Zhu said. “It’s really fun. We’re all sweaty and whatever, and we’re just all eating breakfast together.”
The team is in Fort Collins, Colo., competing in the Ram Masters Invitational until Wednesday evening. Next, they will host the Bayou City Collegiate Classic at Westwood Golf Club in Houston Sept. 30.
“Finally adding this to my bucket list”
HONG LIN TSAI / THRESHER
CAYDEN CHEN / THRESHER Rice Rally Club provided free tickets for more than 600 students.
CAYDEN CHEN / THRESHER Rice fans cheered in section 125 until they were removed by security at halftime.
Rice Tattoo Ideas
• Outer loop line art with a heart on your residential college
• “Reserved for [Marriage Pact’s name]” tramp stamp
• KTRU sticker
• Rice Purity Test checkboxes on your back, updated accordingly
• College bingo card
• Map of new Academic Quad redesign
• Nutty Bee bee
• Duo Push Notification
• GPA, Latin Honors, and the prestigious internships you spent summers doing with a LinkedIn QR code
• Fireworks over Sallyport
• “Intellectual Brutality”in Mandarin script
• Traffic cone on Willy statue
• Residential college logo and acronym
• R-I-C-E and F-I-G-T on each knuckle
• Screenshot of Esther unofficial transcript
• Rice student ID (scannable)
• Fizz ranking by your most popular post
• “Pilaf, Pizza, PAOW”in a gaudy cursive font
• “43-41, 9/9/23”
• “Fuck Will Rice”
• RUPD/REMS phone number
• Pub Venmo QR code
• Baker 13 date with shaving cream covered dick
• “Add/Drop Hero”
• COMP 140 Recipe Guide
• #9 (Forbes ranking)
• “O-Week is Forever” followed by names of your O-Week siblings
• Bowl of rice
• “Why does Rice play Texas?” – John F. Kennedy, 1962
• Copycat Jimmy DeNicco’s “Supply” and “Demand” bicep tattoos
• That really long section about coats and linen in Chapter 1 of Karl Marx’s Capital, Vol. 1.
• Name, College, Major
• I Survived NOD 2023
• Chaus order in Sharpie like on your cup
• Rewarding to go out and meet friends to help and support you in times of need
• I love the Rice Owls
• Culture of COC
• Everyone really likes it here
• Ripped squirrel wrestling a jacked owl
• Lifetime blackout tally (for your friends’use)
• “I got fondled in Fondy!”
• “Be Bold” in a badass font
• Picture of chicken at the Wok
• Seibel → Fondy → Perch → Repeat
• “Sir!” – Janice
• CRN for a class you really want next semester
• “Rixner is hard”
• COC with arrow pointing at your crotch
Andrew Kim, Will Howley, Charlie Maxson, and Max Scholl and designed by Lauren Yu. For
