Nearly 150 students, staff and faculty gathered at Farnsworth Pavilion for a vigil commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Held up by clothespins, pictures paying tribute to killed Israeli people lined the walls of the room.
The event, hosted by Chabad at Rice and titled “Memorial and Mitzvah Tribute,” hosted two survivors of the Nova Music Festival, where nearly 380 people were killed in a Hamas attack.
On Oct. 7, 2023, militant fighters from Hamas — a U.S.-designated terrorist group — breached Israel’s borders in as many as 22 locations and laid siege on nearby towns.
A year later, more than 1,200 Israelis and over 41,600 Palestinians have been killed, according to the United Nations.
campuses like ours in ways that feel more subversive but no less significant,” Gilberd, a McMurtry College senior, said in his speech.
Gilberd, whose parents are Israeli immigrants, said that he feared openly expressing his Jewish identity after fighting broke out last year. However, Gilberd said that he eventually found even greater strength in his faith and hopes to bring the Rice community together.
I think what happened on Oct. 7, and throughout the whole year for both sides, is definitely devastating. I hope, moving forward, that peace comes soon and that the loss of innocent life comes to an end as quickly as possible.
“My hope for the Rice community is healing,”
Gilberd said in an interview with the Thresher.
Rice Students for Justice in Palestine remembers a ‘year of genocide’
Reflecting upon a “year of genocide,” Rice Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a vigil Oct. 7, honoring the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed since last year’s attacks on Israel.
In front of the provisional campus facilities’ tents, students, alumni and faculty shared poetry, speeches and stories. Videos of tarps and hands assembling fabrics were projected on the tent — reflective of the ongoing communitybuilding efforts in the space, said Rice SJP organizer Erica Augenstein.
Later that evening, Chabad at Rice also led a vigil remembering the Oct. 7 attacks.
Before the vigil, Augenstein, a history Ph.D. student, led a presentation on the history of territorial disputes in Palestine. Nick Cooper ’91 also spoke about his work in community organizing during his time at Rice.
This week’s programming arrives months after student protests about the Israel-Hamas war swept universities — and as campuses brace themselves for a resurgence.
It’s hard to think of a reflection on the last year of genocide because it’s not past tense.
Fouad Salah PALESTINIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT ORGANIZER
The vigil capped off Rice SJP’s “Day of Rage” and launched a series of demonstrations — dubbed a “Week of Rage” by the national chapter of SJP — in solidarity with Palestine. Events include a city-wide protest,study groups and teach-ins held throughout the week.
Abdel Razzaq Takriti, an associate professor of history and the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair in Arab studies, shared the story of Rasha, a 10-yearold Gazan girl who wrote her own will distributing her allowance, toys and belongings among her family.
“In her will … a 10-year-old child asked her family not to cry over her,” Takriti said. “Her final request was that her brother, Ahmed, not be shouted at.”
Rasha’s story stands in “stark contrast” to the “complete lack of care for Palestinian life that we witness,” Takriti said in his speech.
Rice alumna Kathryn Jarjoura spoke after Takriti, reflecting upon her Lebanese heritage and its parallels to Palestine. Last month, Israel escalated its attacks in Lebanon, where over 2,000 people have been killed in the last year — most in the past two
Perry Gilberd, president of Chabad at Rice, opened the vigil by reflecting on his experience being Jewish at Rice.
Perry Gilberd PRESIDENT OF
CHABAD AT RICE
“The weight of these events doesn’t just stay in the news or in far-off places. It has quietly made its way to
“I think what happened on Oct. 7, and throughout the whole year for both sides, is definitely devastating. I hope, moving forward, that peace comes soon and that the loss of innocent life comes to an end as quickly as possible.”
R2: The Rice Review showcases student talent at open mic night
ANGELICA HERNANDEZ FOR THE THRESHER
Students filled the air with poetry, music and conversation at R2: The Rice Review’s open mic night Oct. 3, where the spotlight shone on student talent, from soulful singers to stand-up comics. This year’s open mic night celebrated
the release of the literary journal’s 20th edition.
Open mic night is R2’s annual kickoff event. The event highlights artists who have contributed to the previous year’s journal and encourages student interest in submissions, which will open up later this fall, according to editorin-chief Katherine Jeng. The open mic
also provides a space for students to express their creative talents in front of an audience.
“Rice is such a STEM-heavy school, so it’s a nice reminder there are spaces for creative people on campus,” said Jeng, a Hanszen College senior. Jeng is one of three editors-in-chief of R2, alongside Riley Combs and Amelia Tsai, Brown and Lovett College seniors, respectively.
Audiences were met with deep sea aesthetics and twinkling lights, signaling the event’s theme of bioluminescence — inspired by the underwater portrait on the journal’s cover, Combs said.
Matti Haacke, an organizer with Rice SJP, recites poetry. Behind Haacke is a list of “martyrs” honoring Palestinian victims of the Israel-Hamas war.
RICHARD LI / THRESHER
Elsa Koenig, a McMurtry College sophomore, and Kayla Bierman, a Wiess College senior, take pictures commemorating Israeli victims of the Israel-Hamas war.
The vigil continued with prayer and readings from the Torah. Rabbi Shmuli Slonim from Chabad at Rice spoke about the year of violence, followed by Gal Kadmon, an Israeli student who led attendees in a recitation of Psalm 121.
Kadmon’s uncle’s friend was killed in the Nova music festival attacks, she said. She read the words that his wife wrote in his memory.
“This is not living,” Kadmon, a Will Rice College senior, read. “This is a battle to get up every morning and do the most basic things.”
Rokah said he later discovered bullet holes in the back of the car. The two sheltered in a nearby stranger’s house for 12 hours before it was safe to return home — Arad has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.
Soon after, Rokah and Arad reported to reserve duty in Israel’s military for 150 days.
We cannot allow them to take away our song, and this year, in Simchat Torah, we will dance. We may also be crying while we dance, but we will dance. We will dance stronger than ever before.
Yasha Zemel, an Israeli student, paid tribute to his two friends who were killed in the past year — one at the Nova music festival, another while serving in the Israeli army.
Shmuli Slonim CHABAD AT RICE RABBI
“By learning about my two friends, we can see how all the people in Israel are so joyful, so committed to life,” Zemel, a Martel College senior, said.
Liron Rokah and his fiancée Zohar Arad, two survivors of the attack, shared their experiences at the vigil. On Oct. 7, 2023, Rokah said that they had just arrived at the music festival and watched part of the sunrise before they heard explosions nearby.
“We look to the sky, and there was no fireworks. There [were] missiles all over the sky,” Arad said.
The pair ran to their car and were some of the first music festival attendees to escape by driving over an open field.
“For me, it was a part of the healing of my soul,” Rokah said.
“When we were in the fields and we ran away from the terrorists, I never felt so helpless … and [now with a] gun … I could protect myself.”
Following their testimony, Slonim read a story by writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel about the strength of song and joy in the face of grief. He also expressed his own feelings on the events of Oct. 7.
“We cannot allow them to take away our song. And this year, in Simchat Torah, we will dance. We may also be crying while we dance, but we will dance. We will dance stronger than ever before,” Slonim said.
Attendees were encouraged to take a print photograph of an Israeli who was killed in the war. At the end of the event, attendees resolved to complete a mitzvah, or a good deed, in their memory.
“To remember, to mourn. It’s been a year … There’s still a lot of prayer needed, as it’s an ongoing war, and to resolve for the future,” Slonin said in an interview with the Thresher. “More good deeds, bring more light to the world and to pray for the end.”
weeks, Reuters reported.
Both Lebanon and Palestine are “more than just a battlefield, like Western media likes to portray … [their people are fighting for] the right to exist in the land of [their] ancestors,” Jarjoura said in her speech.
Before reading two poems honoring Palestinians, Matti Haacke, a Rice SJP organizer and Sid Richardson College senior, shared a 650-page list naming those killed in Gaza over the past year. He passed the stack of papers to attendees as he began the poem recitations.
drop on them, then we, as taxpaying American citizens, can confront U.S. imperialism and can confront genocide, and can do everything in our power to end the genocide,” Salah said during the vigil.
Daanesh Jamal, who attended the vigil, said he was saddened and overwhelmed by the long, yet incomplete, list of people killed in Gaza. He said one of the student-recited poems, “Tonight we die as a family,” affected him deeply.
In Gaza, they’ve had to invent a new acronym amongst medical staff, WCNSF — wounded child, no surviving family.
Fouad Salah, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and a University of Houston SJP chapter alumnus, spoke about the international community that Gaza has built over the last year.
Daanesh Jamal VIGIL ATTENDEE
“It’s hard to think of a reflection on the last year of genocide because it’s not past tense,” Salah said. “I think we can start by reflecting on what Gaza has done; it has chosen freedom in the face of the most technologically advanced weapons that have ever been created.”
Salah, who is ethnically Palestinian and from Jerusalem, said this year has reaffirmed that the “Palestinian people will not be defeated” and “they will give anything to defend their honor, their dignity and their national history on that land” in an interview with the Thresher.
“The people of Gaza have shown us that if they can stand with their head held high on their land as U.S.-made bombs
“In Gaza, they’ve had to invent a new acronym amongst medical staff, WCNSF — wounded child, no surviving family — and just the idea that there’s just this kid there, and then [their] entire family has been killed, and it’s just wandering the rubble. It’s just so heartbreaking,” Jamal, a Will Rice College senior, said.
Salah ended the vigil by reading the names of the first 100 infant names in the list of Gazan deaths. After each name, he asked the audience to say shaheed, Arabic for “martyr.” According to Islamic belief, martyrdom represents “defending justice and fighting for justice,” he said.
“And as we leave tonight, let each name we read,” Salah said, “all the names that the Gaza Health Ministry could never capture because they’re still under the rubble, guide us to continued action, to continued commitment and dedication to freedom, justice and liberation for Palestine and the Palestinians.”
Sarah Knowlton contributed reporting.
SA Labor Commission proposes $15 student minimum wage
Commission, the median hourly wage for student workers was $12 an hour.
The Student Association’s Labor Commission advocated for a $15 minimum wage for student workers during a Student Association meeting Sept. 30, based on results from a student wage survey. Currently collecting signatures for a petition, the Labor Commission said that raising the minimum wage for student workers would reduce financial burdens for students.
The Labor Commission began last year in order to “raise awareness about the working conditions of Rice’s undergraduate employees and advocate for their needs,” according to their website. They are collecting signatures for a petition to Rice administration on Google Forms.
Oscar Vietor, chair of the Labor Commission, said that the increase was motivated by a desire for students to earn fair wages compared to other university employees.
“[$15 an hour is] the lowest wage that Rice already pays to faculty and staff,” Vietor, a Wiess College sophomore, said. “Undergraduates are, as far as I know, the only employees that are paid lower than this $15 an hour mark that are employed by Rice. And so I think it’s only fair that Rice pays undergraduates the same way that they pay all of their other employees, because undergraduate workers also provide value to the university.”
The minimum wage for non-student Rice employees was raised to $15 an hour in 2023. According to a survey from the Labor
According to Caitlin Lindsay, the director of student center operations, Rice studentrun business finances are not regulated by the Rice administration. A $15 student minimum wage could raise prices as the university does not currently subsidize SRBs.
However, subsidizing SRBs may affect their independent nature, something that Nick Foglia, the financial manager of Rice Bikes, said he is concerned about.
implying that Rice would alter our business in any way, but it is still something that we have to consider.”
For Vietor, the purpose of the Labor Board’s petition is to bring students’ desires to Rice Administration’s attention.
“Feasibility [of a $15 minimum wage] will depend on the individual business, but may result in the need to increase costs for food or services,” Lindsay wrote in an email to the Thresher. “All three of the businesses are intentional to keep prices as low as possible for the Rice community, but that means their profit margins are slimmer.”
It’s only fair that Rice pays undergraduates the same way that they pay all of their other employees.
Oscar Vietor
“If we started receiving money from Rice directly, then yes, we could afford to pay people more,” Foglia, a Will Rice College junior, said. “But I think at the same time, what makes the student-run businesses unique and gives us our freedom to operate in the way that we do is that we don’t receive any supplemental assistance from Rice.”
LABOR COMMISSION CHAIR
Matti Haacke, the Labor Commission Vice Chair, stated that their proposal intended for Rice to subsidize student wages to prevent an impact on prices.
“Rice has a very significant endowment. They’re constantly spending money on things like the Ion project, in which they invested $100 million on developing buildings downtown. And they can already afford to pay all of their other employees $15 an hour,” Haacke, a Sid Richardson College senior, said. “If Rice recognized that like this is something that they need to do, that student workers really need that increase in wages, it’s something that they financially would be capable of doing.”
Foglia said that with current wages at Rice Bikes ($10 for new hires, $12 for shift managers, $13 for general managers), a $15 minimum wage would mean that all tiers of wage would be affected, impacting Rice Bikes’ financials.
While Rice Bikes has access to the RMC garage and makes tax-free purchases, Rice itself does not provide financial assistance to it and other SRBs.
“In our history as a business, we never have received supplemental aid on a yearly basis from Rice, and so I don’t know what that would look like moving forward,” Foglia said. “I’m not
“Last year, throughout my research with the Houston Action Research team, I was in constant contact with HR and a lot of individuals who oversee undergraduate employment. The perspective I heard from them was not one of recognition that student workers rely on their income to live at Rice,” Vietor said. “Their perspective was that these jobs provide an experience or some sort of value to the students that’s not in the monetary income that they get…so I think it’d be important for us to change that perspective to show that Rice undergraduates really would benefit from a wage increase.”
FROM FRONT PAGE SJP VIGIL
FROM FRONT PAGE CHABAD VIGIL
HONGTAO HU THRESHER STAFF
JOANNA LI / THRESHER
RUPD updates on recent campus crime
ABIGAIL CHIU FOR THE THRESHER
A single person is likely responsible for the rash of recent car burglaries in North and South Lot, according to Rice University Police Department Chief of Police Clemente Rodriguez in an email to the Thresher. The male suspect
Always remember to lock your vehicle. Hide your valuables if you store any in your vehicle, try to park in well-lit areas, be aware of your surroundings at all times and stay informed of campus alerts.
Clemente Rodriguez RUPD CHIEF OF POLICE
was identified with security cameras, but their identity could not be determined. No one has been arrested in connection to these burglaries, which occurred on Sept. 21 at 3 a.m. Students received a Rice Crime Alert email Sept. 22 informing them of the break-ins. The North Lot suspect had not been connected to the South Lot burglaries in the email.
Rodriguez said that while the number of thefts has been consistent, seeing so many burglaries on campus at once is uncommon.
“Compared to the previous year, we have not seen an increase in thefts from vehicles, but the alert was sent because five vehicles were broken into at approximately the same time, which is unusual for the campus,” Rodriguez said.
According to Rodriguez, RUPD has increased patrols in parking lots due to the burglaries, especially during late-night hours.
“[RUPD is] also planning another Night Owl Walk to determine if there is a need for additional lighting throughout campus, including parking areas,” Rodriguez said.
A Night Owl Walk is a safety check performed by Rice students, staff and faculty. Additionally, Rodriguez encouraged students to be vigilant about their belongings and vehicles.
“Always remember to lock your vehicle,” Rodriguez said. “Hide your valuables if you store any in your vehicle, try to park in well-lit areas, be aware of your surroundings at all times and stay informed of campus alerts.”
New faculty hires set the curve this semester
SOPHIE GARLICK FOR THE THRESHER
Over 100 new faculty began their first semester at Rice this fall in one of the largest hirings to date. Professors John Baugh, Michael King, Cynthia ReinhartKing, David Sarlah and Eve Dunbar joined as tenured faculty.
John Baugh
Baugh said his background as a descendant of slaves encouraged him to pursue a professorship in linguistics.
“I grew up at a time in the early ’50s, where a lot of negative stereotypes about black speech were being perpetuated on TV,” Baugh said. “The implication was that African Americans are less intelligent than other immigrant groups. And I just knew from my life experience that that couldn’t be right … I met a lot of very smart people that didn’t necessarily speak standard English.”
After receiving his Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania, Baugh focused his research on linguistic prejudice against speakers of non-standard English dialects such as African American English.
“I was motivated to challenge linguistic stereotypes associated with racial prejudice, knowing well that racially motivated discrimination is complex, and that linguistic stereotypes often reinforce negative racial stereotypes,” Baugh said. “As I expanded my studies, I learned more about how linguistic misunderstanding and mischaracterizations negatively impact other groups or nonstandard English speakers, not just African Americans.”
Baugh will begin teaching in the fall semester of 2025. He said that he was drawn to Rice because of President Reggie DesRoches’ vision for the university, particularly since increased faculty hiring is part of Rice’s new 10-year plan.
“When President DesRoches assumed leadership of Rice University, he was laserfocused on maintaining and expanding a mission of, I’ll just say ‘greatness,’” Baugh said. “I was thrilled to learn that his vision, supported by Provost Dittmar and Dean [of Social Sciences] Kimbro, included enhancing linguistic research and teaching as part of that campus-wide quest.”
Michael King
King, a professor at Cornell for nine years and then the department chair of bioengineering at Vanderbilt, was similarly drawn to Houston for its healthcare resources.
“Perhaps the biggest [draw] is being so close to the Texas Medical Center,” King, a professor of bioengineering, said. “Since I do biomedical research mostly in the field of cancer, it’s just an outstanding place to do that work with so many hospitals and doctors to collaborate with.”
King said that he was also encouraged by the grants and support that he received, in Texas and at Rice.
“Another really appealing aspect was I received the [Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas] award ... which provides a lot of resources to support our cancer research,” King said.
“The bioengineering department [at Rice] is just very collegial. It has a very strong reputation in the field, and so I’m extremely proud to be a member of this faculty.”
King will begin teaching Rice graduate students in the spring semester of 2025 and will offer a course for undergraduates in the fall semester of 2025.
“[It’s] called ‘Prompt Engineering for Science and Society,’” King said. “It’s a whole course about ChatGPT and how it can be used ethically and how it can be useful in our professional lives and the rest of our lives. My plan is to apply to have it count as a distribution course.”
introduce students to new texts and theories.
“I try to meet my students where they are and introduce them to interesting and challenging materials and ideas in the hopes that when they leave the classroom
I try to meet my students where they are and introduce them to interesting and challenging materials and ideas in the hopes that when they leave the classroom they go into the world armed with new ideas.
Eve Dunbar PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH
they go into the world armed with new ideas,” Dunbar said.
She’ll be implementing this ideology in spring 2025, teaching courses on African American writing.
“I’ll be teaching [ENGL 267:] Introduction to African American Literature,” Dunbar said. “I’ll also be teaching a course I’m calling ‘Narratives of Freedom and Unfreedom,’ which will explore how American writers have narratively challenged the national construction of freedom as contingent upon holding a group of people as ’unfree’ subjects.”
David Sarlah
Born in Slovenia, Sarlah moved to the U.S. in 2006 to pursue a career in chemistry.
After teaching at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for 10 years, Sarlah wrote that he accepted a position at Rice to take advantage of resources that can benefit his studies in organic synthesis and human medicine.
in doing it.”
Reinhart-King said that she will likely teach a course on tissue-engineered models of disease for senior undergraduate students and graduate students interested in healthcare research. She also said that she hopes to employ other undergraduate students in her lab.
“Being involved in a research lab was by far the best part of my time as a student, and I have tried to involve as many undergraduates as I can in my own lab so that I can give them that same experience,” Reinhart-King said.
As she prepares to start teaching at Rice, Reinhart-King says that she hopes to provide resources for students while also expecting excellence.
“My approach to teaching has been shaped over the years by the students in my class, the students in my lab and my own children,” Reinhart-King said. “Learning styles can be vastly different from person to person, and I think my experience has taught me to approach teaching with that lens. I set the bar high, but I also make sure the tools are available to reach the bar.”
“I came to Rice because of the many great possibilities and longstanding scientific excellence this place offers,” Sarlah wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Being in a top university and department next to many great institutes and [the] Texas Medical Center is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to reinforce our research program and enable new directions.”
Sarlah will focus on research and graduate-level instruction at Rice. He wrote that experiences such as lab work can help students discover their passions.
“Figuring out what we want to do and what we are good at is not always straightforward,” Sarlah wrote. “Students need to find ways and opportunities to pursue and validate their enthusiasm, which also takes time.”
Cynthia Reinhart-King
When deciding to come to Rice as the new bioengineering department chair, Reinhart-King said her choice was influenced by the people she had previously met on campus.
“I was struck by the collegiality, enthusiasm, and the ‘big thinking’ on campus,” Reinhart-King said. “Rice students and faculty are tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems, and I was drawn to their support of each other
Eve Dunbar Dunbar, a professor in the English department, said her goal at Rice is to
PHOEBE SHOCKET / THRESHER
Michael King will begin teaching in the bioengineering department in the spring 2025 semester.
COURTESY MELISSA SURPRISE
Eve Dunbar will teach classes on African American literature in the English department.
COURTESY JOHN BAUGH
John Baugh awards Jennifer Coolidge an honorary doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis.
KONSTANTIN SAVVON / THRESHER
Samal presents stroke research
JESLYN CHO FOR THE THRESHER
In Bibek Samal’s junior year of high school, he competed in the Houston Regional Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition at Rice. Five years later, Samal is now a senior at Rice presenting his research on subarachnoid hemorrhages to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Majoring in neuroscience, Samal said he was naturally drawn to the subject for its focus on the intricacies of the brain.
subarachnoid hemorrhage — a stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures on the brain’s surface.
“A lot of what we do right now is mice work; we test therapeutics within mice and see how that decreases platelet aggregation and thus [risk of] stroke,” Samal said.
Recognizing the capacity for new therapies and medicine, Samal hopes his research can be used to improve patient treatment.
I think there’s a lot of potential for growth and room to create these new medications or therapies that might one day help people.
“We don’t know a lot about the brain,” Samal, a Baker College senior, said. “There’s just so much you can do with neuroscience … and I don’t think you can do that with a lot of other fields.”
Bibek Samal BAKER COLLEGE SENIOR
Having grown up in Sugar Land, Texas, Samal began working in a research lab at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in high school. For the past three years, Samal’s lab work has focused on decreasing blood clotting caused by
Guess hoo’s back? Hoot food returns
DIA GUPTA FOR THE THRESHER
The Hoot reopened for the fall semester Monday, Sept. 23. It will now be open from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Thursdays.
Marketing manager Aj Jacobs said The Hoot is no longer open on Sundays due to low sales and to accommodate employee schedules.
“[Our hours] did change a little bit because Sundays are very slow, so we changed it to Monday through Thursday to make it easier for our staff,” Jacobs said. “People are really busy on Sundays. They’re studying, there are events happening, so we’re Monday through Thursday now.”
Since its re-opening, the Hoot has served the usuals: Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, bahn mi, spring rolls and other pre-packaged food and drinks. The Hoot also advertised the return of another staple: pizza. They posted that they would begin serving Pepperoni’s Pizza after 300 days without pizza due to ordering issues with Papa John’s, their previous vendor.
“We did some polling a while back on our story to keep pizza or not, and 79% said keep pizza,” Jacobs said. “It took a little while, but we’re glad that we could figure that out.”
Previously, students could only pay using cash or Tetra; students can now pay using a credit card. Additionally, the Hoot has updated their Shopify to make it easier to buy gift cards.
The Hoot will also offer specials during various weeks, Jacobs said. In previous years, it had donuts, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken and more. It also plans to have a guest caterer— a past Hoot alumnus— come in and showcase their dishes later this semester.
“We’re just getting back into the swing of things and thinking of new ideas, new things we can do to just grow our customer base, especially with all the new freshmen coming in,” Jacobs said.
educational moment.
“I think it was a gratifying experience to be able to present to people that are levels above me and also to learn from them too, in the same session that I was speaking [at],” Samal said.
“I think there’s a lot of potential for growth and room to create these new medications or therapies that might one day help people,” Samal said.
Samal presented his research at the annual meeting for the CNS hosted in Houston, Texas Sept. 28 - Oct. 2. Attendees included the former prime minister of New Zealand
Jacinda Ardern and CEO of Tesla Motors Elon Musk.
According to Samal, presenting to an audience of high-profile figures and distinguished surgeons was an
Samal said that Rice’s strength is in its resources for research.
“Excellence in research is something that I really like about Rice,” Samal said. “I don’t think I would have gotten that at another school.”
Beyond his research endeavors, Samal said his favorite memories at Rice have come from spontaneous hangouts with his friends.
“The other day we decided to just randomly go to Chinatown to eat at [midnight],” Samal said. “I feel like those are some of the memories you make that you don’t realize you’re making, but later on down the road, you’re going to realize it was a core memory from college.”
After graduation, Samal plans on taking a gap year to conduct more research, before heading to medical school and eventually pursuing neurosurgery. Samal said he hopes to implement his work in hospitals and continue his cerebrovascular research.
“I would love to collaborate with my lab in some capacity during medical school and beyond,” Samal said.
“Obviously, that’s kind of a lofty goal, but that’s where I’d want to see my research end up.”
Rice introduces peer-led study program
Rice launched the Office of Academic Support for Undergraduate Students this semester, serving as a centralized office and drop-in study hub to academically support undergraduates. OASUS was created by the Task Force on Student Success, initiated by President Reggie DesRoches during his tenure as provost, to address gaps in educational experiences and outcomes, particularly for under-resourced students.
OASUS Director Elizabeth CummingsMuñoz wrote in an email to the Thresher that staffing OASUS with student tutors helps create a collegial environment.
“OASUS is about fostering collaborative learning communities at Rice and creating a vibrant community of practice among Rice peer educators,” Cummings-Muñoz wrote. “We want Rice to be a place where asking for help is the norm and working together to learn is a fundamental part of the academic experience. This is already happening in many places on campus; we aim to build on that.”
Caroline Crann, a peer tutor for MATH 211: Ordinary Differential Equations, wrote in an email to the Thresher that she was inspired to join OASUS based on her own educational experiences.
“Transitioning into college classes, especially at Rice, can be an adjustment, and it certainly was for me,” Crann, a Lovett College junior, wrote. “I personally would have really benefited from drop-in if it existed when I was taking the courses covered by OASUS, so I wanted to help make that kind of support available to all students now.”
“I love the ‘aha’ moment, when something finally clicks and a student realizes that all of their hard work has paid off, or when two strangers sit down at my table and by the end of the session, they are having conversations and exchanging contacts so they can work together in the future,” Crann wrote.
Ruhi Rachakonda, a tutor for MECH 202: Mechanics/Statics, also said these moments of understanding are a benefit of OASUS.
We did lots of group discussions and workshops to understand different perspectives and backgrounds, learn how to be effective peer educators and foster a supportive and collaborative environment within drop-in.
Caroline Crann
OASUS PEER TUTOR
Crann said that the program goes beyond academic support to mentorship and building connections.
“I was working with a student struggling to understand the concept of torque. I drew it out on the whiteboard, explaining how to visualize a pivot point and how forces cause rotation. When she finally understood, the look on her face was the most rewarding part,” Rachakonda, a Martel College junior, said. “I’m just a student, maybe a year older than them, and sometimes you don’t think you know enough to explain something, but realizing that I could make that impact was incredibly rewarding.”
Peer educators are trained in inclusive, equitable tutoring practices throughout the year in partnership with the Center for Academic and
Professional Communication and the engineering department’s Activate communication program, according to Cummings-Muñoz.
Crann said that she found that the training helped her practice different scenarios as a peer tutor.
“Orientation was about understanding the complexity of learning and how so many factors can influence how a student acts in a tutoring session,” Crann wrote. “We did lots of group discussions and workshops to understand different perspectives and backgrounds, learn how to be effective peer educators and foster a supportive and collaborative environment within drop-in.”
The Spring 2024 pilot offered dropin study for eight courses: CHEM 122, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 211, MATH 212, PHYS 102, PHYS 126 and STAT 310. The program saw 1,241 total visits and 322 unique users. 32.5% of students enrolled in the eight supported courses used drop-in at least once.
The program has now expanded to include 22 courses. This fall the program has 55 peer tutors and has had 1,300 visits as of Oct. 2. 72% of firstyear students and 67% of second-year students are enrolled in one or more of the courses currently supported by OASUS, Muñoz wrote.
Riya Yarlaggada, a sophomore at Lovett College, said she found the PHYS 125 drop-in hours helpful.
“A good thing the tutors do is they don’t really give you the answers, they guide your thought process,” Yarlaggada said. “They really help me understand the concept instead of just the routine pattern of doing a problem.”
COURTESY JEFF FITLOW
Senior Bibek Samal presented his research at the annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
AISHA KHEMANI THRESHER STAFF
CAYDEN CHEN / THRESHER
Students attend OASUS drop-in study hours. The groups are organized by course to give students specialized help from peer tutors.
OWEN BUTTON / THRESHER
Students line up outside of the Hoot, which reopened Sept. 23.
Stay engaged as you cast your vote — both locally and nationally
Monday, Oct. 7 was the last day to register to vote in Texas. Now that you’ve (hopefully) taken that step, we encourage you to research your candidates ahead of early voting, which kicks off Oct. 21.
influence everything from healthcare access to public education and energy regulation.
Remember, voting is about more than national headlines.
While national elections often dominate the headlines, your local elections have equally important consequences, and it’s essential to understand what’s at stake.
Many voters feel disillusioned by the choices on the national stage, between candidates like Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, or voting in a likely red state. But your vote goes farther than you may think.
This year, Houston voters will have the chance to weigh in on several key races and proposals, including the contest for state senator between Molly Cook and Joseph Trahan.
While state-level offices may not seem as flashy, senators shape policies that
For instance, the Texas legislature’s stance on Medicaid expansion could determine healthcare availability for millions of Texans.
On top of that, Texas’ environmental policies and investments in clean energy could shift dramatically depending on who’s elected.
And it’s not just the Senate race. Positions like state representatives, district judges and more are on the ballot — elections with serious, real-world consequences.
The officials elected to these posts make decisions on criminal justice reform, public school funding, infrastructure and more. Additionally, important proposals will appear on the ballot, including those for flood risk mitigation and improvements to the Houston Independent School District’s infrastructure. Living in Houston, we know just how critical flood prevention is, especially as each hurricane season
continues to threaten our city year after year.
For out-of-state students, it’s equally important to stay engaged. You can still make your voice heard by requesting absentee ballots. Make sure to follow the proper steps: check your registration (visit Vote.org to confirm your registration status in your home state), request your absentee ballot on time (head to nass.org/can-I-vote to find your state’s absentee ballot deadlines and request procedures) and learn about the candidates and measures in your state.
Of course, the national election is still a big deal. Do your homework on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and whoever else. Make sure you’re choosing a candidate that reflects the future you want for the country.
But remember, voting is about more than national headlines. It’s about shaping your community and standing up for the issues that matter to you. Do your research, stay informed and head to the polls knowing that every vote counts, especially in local elections — where turnout may be low, but the stakes are tremendous.
Students should stop supporting Rice SJP
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.
To foster a truly inclusive campus culture, we must consider a paradox of intolerance: a society must be intolerant of intolerance to uphold its foundational values. Rice SJP not only silences opposing voices, but promotes exclusionary rhetoric that undermines principles of inclusion and pluralism.
SJP amplifies ideas from Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, using a palatable language of anti-racism and social justice that resonates with many in the West. This contributes to a litmus test for Jewish students on our campus: simply believing in the existence of Israel (the only Jewish state and the only country in the Middle East and North Africa region designated as free) can exclude one from campus life.
While SJP hushes the religious and ideological intentions of Hamas, Hamas broadcasts their jihadist agenda. Hamas’s founding 1988 charter calls for the annihilation of Israel and violence against Jews through jihad (Islamic holy war).
Although Hamas released a new PRfriendly charter in 2017 that replaced “Jew” for “Zionist” — mirroring themes of “liberation” and “colonialism” found throughout SJP posts — Hamas has not repudiated their original charter, and Hamas officials have since called on Palestinians to attack Jews worldwide.
This radical anti-Jew, anti-Israel, and self-sacrificial ideology pervades Palestinian education and media, as seen through a Gazan kindergarten graduation ceremony, Hamas Mickey Mouse show and 40 more minutes of
CORRECTIONS
Palestinian youth TV. According to a NATO-recognized international military organization’s 2019 report, “Hamas exploited Israel’s casualty sensitivity by using human shields, including by encouraging residents to defy IDF warning messages and widely publicising incidents of civilian casualties in order to gain international support.”
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas manifested their ideology in a horrific reality, livestreaming their brutal slaughter of 1,200 people in Israel with chilling pride. Reports of systemic rape underscore the sheer savagery of the day.
The day following these attacks, Rice SJP called for a rally honoring “martyrs” in a since-deleted Instagram post. SJP’s use of the word “resistance” in the wake of the atrocities on Oct. 7 is not just a moral failure, but reveals hateful and troubling undertones.
To SJP: do you consider the Israeli students, faculty and staff on our campus, who may love their home country, even while dealing with conflicted feelings about its actions, to be “garbage people”? Would this be an acceptable statement if it referred to the people of any other country?
Their ability to cheer in support of terrorism and chant “from the river to the sea” – which calls for the annihilation of Israel and ends with the phrase ‘Palestine will be Arab’ in Arabic – highlights the power of protected speech, a cornerstone of liberal values. This protection does not negate the harmful impact of such rhetoric, however, which can leave Jews and Israelis on campus feeling isolated and targeted.
In stark contrast, the moment SJP faces opposing viewpoints, their commitment to free speech vanishes. Rice SJP has called for the cancellation of events like “Israel at 75” and the “Global Conference for Israel,” revealing a troubling double standard undermining free expression.
SJP’s intolerance is a microcosm of the
underlying ideological conflict at play – if you cherish values like inclusivity, individual freedom, rational thought, scientific progress or the rule of law, stop doing the bidding of terrorist groups that want none of those. We must also resist illiberalism on our campus; calls for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions by SJP and SA threaten academic freedom by promoting an academic boycott (p.13). In a move seemingly out of the MAGA playbook, SJP undermines the political neutrality of our institution by demanding Rice adopt an oversimplified, propaganda-filled narrative.
Additionally, SJP has twice reposted accounts featuring the upside-down red triangle on X (formerly Twitter), a symbol Meta has banned due to its association with support for Hamas. They blatantly lied about the al-Shifa hospital attacks “clear[ly]” violating rules of war, which the New York Times previously confirmed were linked to Hamas’s operations and can be considered legitimate military targets. This is not just a matter of inaccuracies; It’s a deliberate manipulation of reality designed to garner support for terrorism.
It may feel difficult to reckon with the privilege many of us feel at a top college in a rich country. However, we must not lose sight of the liberal values that have allowed our society to thrive. SJP’s actions, which include silencing differing views while also promoting exclusionary rhetoric and false narratives, oppose the values we should stand for.
Editor’s Note: This guest opinion has been cut off for print. Read the full article at ricethresher.org.
Colin Hill SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC GRADUATE STUDENT
In “New art opens behind Brochstein’s closed doors,” the curator’s name was Frauke Josenhans, not Josenhaus.
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Servin’ up serveries
GARRETT PIRRETTI FOR THE THRESHER
From a 20th century central kitchen to today’s serveries, you can count on Rice for one thing: running out of plates.
Before the dawn of the serveries, food was prepared at one big central kitchen and then trucked to smaller kitchens near the colleges. Complaints about the meal quality and payment structure persisted.
A September 1993 Thresher editorial said that “meal plans offered to students are poorly structured, requiring payment of a base cost in addition to costs per meal.”
A committee was formed to investigate introducing serveries with “[four] faculty members, two staff members, and two undergraduates,” according to an August 1998 issue of the Thresher. The overall response: negative. In a public survey, an estimated 70 out of 120 students critiqued the plan.
Then-Will Rice College magister Dale Sawyer said that the final decision about whether to add serveries would be up to the administration, though students would be consulted.
“There will be an earnest attempt to solicit student opinion [about the proposed
facility],” Sawyer said.
Conversations with students yielded varied reactions.
“Are you smoking architectural crack?” an unnamed undergraduate said in response to seeing the North Servery plan.
Brian O’Malley ’01 said he was worried about the loss of college identity.
“It’d be just like one cafeteria with three dining rooms, and who’s to say some people won’t just hop rooms?” O’Malley said.
In December 2000 Rebecca Lee Scheiner, the incoming assistant director for food operations, oversaw the construction of two “super-kitchens,” now called serveries, for Wiess and Hanszen Colleges, then Jones, Brown and Martel Colleges. “Basically, [my job is] to keep you guys interested in having a good time and enjoying your meals,” Scheiner said.
Once Wiess’s new building and Martel were finished with
construction, the plan was to start building the new serveries.
After opening, the Hanszen/Wiess servery, eventually renamed South servery, drew crowds. Housing and Dining reported in September 2001 that Hanszen/ Wiess servery served twice as many people as any other servery.
Shruti Patankar contributed reporting.
Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. Read the full article at ricethresher.org.
Beats and bonds: A cappella groups welcome new owls
Here’s an interesting challenge: create a full production, complete with percussion, multiple voice parts and a set list of several songs. The catch? Your voice is the only instrument allowed.
Members of the six a cappella groups at Rice aim to rise to this very challenge. Basmati Beats specializes in South Asian melodies, performing in front of audiences in the Rice community and beyond.
Pratyush Mohapatra, the music director of Basmati Beats, said he was initially interested in joining due to the group’s diversity in music.
“I wanted to try something new. Part of that was getting in touch with my [South Asian] culture through music … and getting to know a group of people who also had that appreciation,” said Mohapatra, a Sid Richardson College senior.
Basmati Beats combines songs in South Asian languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam with music in English.
“You mash the two songs together and you create this new arrangement with elements of both songs in them,” Mohapatra said.
Throughout the school year, Basmati Beats arranges a number of performances at a Carnatic music festival, open mic night, Acappellooza and a joint benefit concert hosted with Nocturnal. The group also travels for competitions at universities such as the University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles.
Going in was slightly intimidating ... but when I let go and stopped thinking about it, I think the music just started flowing.
Oliver Zhu DUNCAN COLLEGE FRESHMAN
“We get to travel every year and make memories on those trips … I think that is a lot of fun and a huge part of why ‘BB’ is one of the best groups to be a part of on campus,” Mohapatra said.
As the only group on campus to enter the International Championship
of Collegiate A Cappella, Philharmonics members regularly compete. Rehearsal schedules include five practice hours a week and an additional two to three hours for upcoming performances.
“Everyone’s constantly making jokes, everyone’s constantly making each other laugh. It’s a super fun atmosphere. But, when it’s time to sing, [we flip] the switch and [we’re] really good at what [we] do … I really like that distinction that [we make],” said Kairi Mano, the Philharmonics recording manager.
When they’re not competing, the Philharmonics perform at the POST Houston, Acappellooza, Moody Fest and seasonal Christmas concerts. The Philharmonics sing in a variety of styles including pop, indie pop and R&B.
“Our recent set list includes Hozier’s ‘Too Sweet’ [and] ‘Erase Me’ by Lizzie McAlpine … We’re looking to do ‘Die With a Smile’ by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. I don’t know if we really stick to a specific genre,” Mano, a Lovett College sophomore, said.
Unlike other a cappella groups at Rice, Nocturnal chooses not to compete. Nocturnal’s events include a fall benefit performance, winter study break concert, senior send-off, Acappellooza and After Dark in Pub.
“It’s something that I think sets us apart because we just want to have fun singing with our friends and not worry about the stress that comes with competition,” said Claire Dean, Nocturnal’s music director.
Most of Nocturnal’s musical repertoire, including songs by Radiohead and Paramore this fall, are classified as indie pop, alternative rock, or R&B. Dean said Nocturnal doesn’t specialize in a particular musical genre, and song choices change year to year as member feedback is continuously incorporated in the setlist.
“I [like] how many songs the group performs. Because we don’t compete, we’re able to do more songs throughout the year and just have more variety which is fun,” said Dean, a Lovett College senior.
Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. Read the full article at ricethresher.org.
Have you asked yourself, “How many more buildings can Rice construct before losing its classification as an arboretum?” Have you thought that the campus squirrels are a little too bold around humans? If you’re sick of constant construction marring the oncampus flora and fauna, Houston has plenty of student-friendly destinations to get your fix of green.
Hermann Park
Only a 10-minute walk away, Hermann Park’s offerings range from the perfectly kept Japanese Gardens, with wild-ranging ducks, to plenty of photo opportunities at the Memorial Obelisk. There is also plenty of open space for a picnic, or on a cool day, to study outside and get your fill of Vitamin D before exam season. A notable spot is the hill at Miller Theatre, the openair amphitheater. Bring a blanket and some snacks.
Houston Arboretum
Though the arboretum isn’t too walkable, it is only 10 minutes away by car, and also within reach using Metro bus 84 (Northwest TC Northbound). It’s shady and peaceful, even on a hot and sunny day, and perfect for someone seeking a longer walk and more of a retreat. It boasts numerous trail options and boardwalks over Houston’s signature wetlands.
Memorial Park
This option is one of the most popular (and most extensive) offerings: a trail network and natural conservancy in Houston with over 30 miles of trails, right next to the Arboretum. Though it is popular for tourists and locals alike, there are plenty of forest trails for hiking, dog-walking and running to share comfortably. It also has six miles of biking trail, both mountain and recreational. If your bike is feeling neglected or you’re tired of Beer Bikers hogging the road, this might be a place to break in your wheels.
Houston Botanic Garden
The botanic garden is a little harder to access, being 15 minutes away by car. However, its convenient location near Hobby Airport makes it a better option for when family is in town, if you are picking someone up. It does offer very little shade coverage, so go on a cloudy day. Unlike the other options, it does require an entrance fee of $8 on weekdays or $10 on weekends with Rice ID.
Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. Read the full article at ricethresher.org.
NANDINI DASARI FOR THE THRESHER
AMELIA DAVIS THRESHER STAFF
HAI-VAN HOANG / THRESHER
WILLIAM LIU / THRESHER
Go outside, touch grass
BRYAN MENDOZA / THRESHER
Doubly Puzzled
Voided
Female deer
Like what most governmental positions are in the United States
Mathematician famous for his trigonometric Formula as well as his Method of solving differential equations
Forward an email to someone without the initial recipient knowing (abbr.)
Keep in inventory
Something that doesn’t fit in Fearless Polynesian warrior
A singular time
Wing action
Censoring, colloquially
Animal’s jaw
See 83 down
Volcanic emission
Instrument that measures the brightness of stars
“Break a ___!”
Word that means the moon, or beloved, in Arabic
Cylinder with tapered sides that meet at a point
Fantastical warring creature
Vocal range two notches above bass
Precious metal that usually comes in a
“Fool’s” variety
To show on television
9-digit identification number (abbr.)
A first-aid one, for example
Underground tree tendril
It can follow WiFi, traffic, and electrical
Won a consumption competition?
Scrape Medical professional
Association with a defined purpose, shortly
“It’s sort of good”
Island crafted from 135 across
“A-one, ___, a-one, two, three, four”
A test that measures adaptive social/ behavioral skills, used to diagnose learning disabilities (abbr.)
Weeping woman turned to stone in Greek mythology
Caffeinated drink
Winter transport down a hill
Brown fruit with a green interior
How deep-fried foods are cooked Good spirits during the holidays
Not his
Thing that is typically the center of solar systems or media attention Living organism made of polyps
Writer’s Note: There is an additional puzzle hidden within this crossword (see 42 down). The colored tiles are meant as an indicator of the type of puzzle, as well as the words involved, but besides that, they do not hint at the answer to the hidden puzzle; you must solve that on your own.
Fruit often complemented by lime
Famous Australian landmark, also called Ayers
Rock
Rice’s musical feature in the football stadium
Iconic word game that this puzzle actually contains within it (marked by the shaded letters)
Signify, for an omen
Who asked?
Poem written by Homer
Sharp taste
They make the opponent go unconscious in boxing (abbr.)
It has knee and elbow types
Native American group from which 113 down derives its name
Fine particles deposited in riverbeds
Someone who used to go to a particular university, shortly
Person in charge of a company (abbr.)
Big cats known for their prints
Very intelligent bird often confused with a raven
Course that’s co-curricular with most science classes
Fitzgerald known as the “First Lady of Song” and the “Queen of Jazz” Cereal grains
Scammers
“Remember the _____!” Texan historical landmark
Relating to the ocean
Era of time
Stringed instrument pitched below a viola
“I just want to be able to see ___ ___,” when paired with 90 across Focus for a vexillologist
Often ends a list (abbr.)
Positive aspects (abbr.)
Earn via virtue
Inverse of sin/cos
Quadruple award achievement, in entertainment (shortly)
“A long, long time ___”
A way to pay
Shake
More still
To move downwards
To circle around another object routinely
A type of carbonated water
Stereotypically difficult math class, shortly
State known for its Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks
Carry
Thin poles
Trees known for their strong wood
A very non-witty person in a conversation
A Nigerian state
Computer brand
A telecommunications standard (abbr.)
Term of respect for a man
CONNECTIONS ANSWERS:
Yellow: Colors (CORAL, GOLD, LILAC, PLUM)
Green: Ways to show support for a team
(BACK, BET, CHEER, ROOT) Blue: Terms associated with math
(LIMIT, MEAN, RAY, UNIT)
Purple: Starts of popular candy names
(AIR, HERS, KIT, STAR)
Throughout the night, student organizations and individual performers took the stage, showcasing a range of artistic abilities.
“I’m really impressed at the variety of things that students have decided to do, from poetry to singing as a group, [or] singing solo,” said Sandy Parsons, a resident associate at Will Rice College.
The event also featured a capella performances from The Philharmonics, Basmati Beats, The Low Keys, the Nocturnals and Chimacapella.
“The Phils’ performance was our first time performing as a full ensemble including our new [members] … It was great to share what we had been working hard on with the Rice community,” said Ella Martinez, a Lovett freshman and member of the Phils.
Other students used spoken-word to
showcase their talents and express their feelings. Poetic themes ranged from love and grief to frustration with parts of modern life. Some performers said the open mic allowed them to express their hidden talents, or discover their peers’..
“It meant a lot to me to be able to perform my poetry for the first time,” said Isabella Regan Beltran, a Brown College sophomore.
“I felt inspired by the other people who were performing … and the atmosphere of people being able to share things that they [wrote] and created,” said Amy Suo, a Hanzen junior who performed a poem.
Audience members said they appreciated seeing art on campus.
“I would love to create art that I am proud of and want others to see,” said Katherine Citino, a Lovett College freshman and audience member. “And so, it’s definitely motivating to see that there is a collective effort to dispense our art forms.”
Ranking residential college interior design
Your college’s interior design can make you feel like royalty or like you’re stuck in a cheap motel. From the grandeur of Baker’s chandeliers to the eerie skeleton in Hanszen commons, let’s explore the cozy and the uninviting, the aesthetic and the stale of each residential college’s design.
Tier A Baker College Baker comes first. The commons resemble Hogwarts, and Baker Library is much nicer than Fondy. The wooden
floors add an antique feel, and the chandeliers make me feel like I’m at a museum. The communal areas make up for some of the unappealing rooms in Old Wing. Baker has an “old-money” aesthetic, adding a historic and grandiose feel.
Martel College Martel is home to the best (and only?) DDR machine. The game and movie rooms are hands-down the top attractions at Martel. The rooms are decent, though they open up outside into the quad (think cheap motel). The lights in the commons add an interesting element, and it would be a
great place to host a fake wedding or quinceanera. Their nice design makes me forget it’s actually a parking lot.
Lovett College
This one almost didn’t make it to the top tier (because of the questionable dorms), but the home-y and nicely lit commons boost its rating. If you’re not from Lovett, their commons is the one you want to go just for the vibes. It is a great place to work, chat, or just lurk. Although Lovett’s basement is a bit musty, it is a great spot to host celebrations and make memories (or forget them).
Tier B
McMurtry & Duncan Colleges I put these two together because they’re basically the same thing. I can’t ever tell if I’m at McMurtry or Duncan when I’m walking past. The only difference is the shape of the commons (McMurtry is circular, Duncan is rectangular).
The rooms at each college are decent, and their adjacent PDR’s are great for holding meetings or “locking in.” Overall, McDuncan’s newer facilities and interesting commons increase their ratings, but their lack of distinctiveness keeps them from reaching the top tier.
Wiess College
TFW (Team Forgettable Wiess). Wiess’s design does not stick out. Their commons look like a 90s shopping mall, although they have a nice stage for play performances. The game room feels more like a napping place, rather than a communal lounge. However, their PDR is one of the nicest on campus and their dorms are quite spacious, but that alone will not suffice for a better rating. I would say more about Wiess, but I forgot.
Jones College
Jones commons looks like the set of a low-budget Bollywood movie. Why is there so much wood?
The commons are usually empty (unless it’s dining hours), so it’s deader than Pub during the middle
of the semester. However, the Jitchen has a “home-y” feel and I feel like I’m in my grandma’s kitchen baking cookies. Each floor has communal spaces and study rooms, though the dorms and facilities at Jones could improve.
Brown College
Unless you’re from Brown, you probably won’t be going there (since it’s too far), so let me describe Brown for you. It’s mid. The commons looks like they tried copying Martel and Jones’ homework, but they didn’t want the teacher to notice. The rooms and facilities are some of the worst on campus. However, Brown receives “brownie” points for this year’s muchneeded cosmetic renovations, which updated the college’s basement and furniture.
Tier C
Hanszen College
The commons are alright, if you can get past the stench of South Servery. The skeleton in the middle of the commons adds an element of spookiness, but I only notice it like 1% of the time. New Hanszen is alright, but I would label Old Hanszen the worst dorm on campus. There are no elevators, the rooms are almost a century old, and they have barely been remodeled.
Will Rice College
The commons at Will Rice are small and cannot contain a lot of people, which makes sense given the size of the college. The game room is kind of connected to the commons, so all the noise spills over, making it a terrible spot to get any work done. Similar to Hanszen and Baker, there is extreme dorm disparity. New Dorm is relatively new, but Old Dorm is comparable to that of Old Hanszen.The contrast from each dorm makes living at Will Rice a lottery for incoming freshmen.
Sid Richardson College
The Sid Richardson rooms are brand new, but feel like an imitation of McDuncan. The whole college has a sterile, corporate vibe — Sid should be a dorm, not an office where you’re doing your consulting internship.
GUILLIAN PAGUILA / THRESHER
FROM FRONT PAGE OPEN MIC
CHIARA MORETTI THRESHER STAFF
RIYA MISRA / THRESHER Students Kayla Peden and Grace Yetter annouce performers at R2’s open mic night Oct. 3.
Review: ‘Peter Pan’ balances kitschy and camp
SARA DAVIDSON THRESHER STAFF
“Peter Pan,” the musical about a flying boy who never grows up and his adventures in Neverland, came to the Houston’s Hobby Center Oct. 1-6. The show made its Broadway debut in 1954, and though the technology and fly-systems have changed since its opening, classic songs such as “Never Never Land” and “Pirate Song” certainly have not. The story was comforting and nostalgic, bringing back memories of the childhood Disney movie. However, some of that magic was lost in the poor style choices made by the production.
The actors did a wonderful job, despite the most challenging part of “Peter Pan” — singing and dancing while suspended in the air. It seemed like every time that Peter himself was up in the air, he was flipping, singing and dancing all at the same time, and was always able to land on his feet and continue on as if he was just strolling across the stage.
Captain Hook and his right-hand man, Mr. Smee, were also a crowd favorite, conveying the often-silly storyline while also adding in adult innuendos that got everyone laughing. While the story felt familiar and the characters performed very well, some of the more modern elements of the adaptation fell
flat. Mixing musical theater with background screens instead of a traditional cyclorama backdrop is always a gamble, and like most others, “Peter Pan” did not come out on top. The fake storm scene that was brewing in the background felt like a movie was playing, while the singing animated moon that grew from the night sky appeared tacky and cheap.
A cyclorama that just had colors to compliment the scene on stage would have been enough, especially considering the already elaborate set alongside the cool shadow projection that
was used to highlight Peter Pan’s shadow during the story.
Additionally, issues with some of the basic elements of the story make for a confusing musical. Time is never well defined during the show, and it’s unclear how long Wendy and her two brothers were in Neverland before they returned home to their mother and father. Also (spoiler alert) the adult Wendy simply lets her daughter leave for Neverland so she can go experience the same adventures, with uncertainty regarding if Wendy realized how long she spent the first time around.
Poorly-defined passage of time might be a consistent piece of the show across all adaptations, but with 21st-century level technology such as iPads used as props, it doesn’t feel totally out of line to wish for a more defined timeline.
This last issue was the acknowledgement of the Native lands that the Hobby Center sits on at the beginning of the performance. Though this moment was supposed to be a chance for reflection, even tying into the musical with fights for the land on Neverland Island between the natives and pirates, the significance was diminished by the mispronunciation of the tribes’ names. Since the group will continue to travel on this revival tour, ensuring that the person chosen to honor the American Indian land has read the names out loud before would be helpful.
Overall, “Peter Pan” is a musical that brings out the kiddy storyline and reminds its audience of simpler times from childhood movies. However, the incorporation of new and old technological elements detract from the overall enjoyment. “Peter Pan” should stick to soaring across the stage, not forcing crescent moons to sing along in a song about pirates.
Review: Victoria Monet dazzles on ‘JAGUAR II: Deluxe’
A year out from the release of her Grammy-winning album “JAGUAR II,” R&B superstar Victoria Monét is back with a deluxe version that features 10 new tracks. “Jaguar II: Deluxe” explores themes of familial and romantic love, self-confidence and ambition, all presented with Monét’s trademark live instrumentation and vocal versatility.
Standouts from the album’s original 11 songs include the addictive, sleek “On My Mama” (which samples Texas rapper Chalie Boy’s “I Look Good”), the Kaytranadaproduced “Alright” and “Hollywood,” a heavenly collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire.
“Jaguar II: Deluxe” smoothly expands on and references the original tracklist without feeling redundant.
“DickAtNight” has a cheeky opener that few artists could get away with without allegations of corniness, but Monét pulls it off with style. Her swooping vocals, backed by swung percussion and twinkling, near-improvisational keyboard accompaniment conjure images of a chandelier-adorned jazz club.
“Don’t Sleep” featuring Thundercat is a propulsive, groovy track. There’s a tangible spaciousness to the soundscape, which Thundercat complements with a glossy, tongue-incheek verse. Given that the chorus feels more like a pre-chorus, the song builds
a tension that isn’t ever fully released, though this underlying momentum works in Monét’s favor and reiterates the message of her working tirelessly toward her dreams.
The luxurious trumpets and harmonies of “SOS (Sex on Sight)” featuring Usher make it an undeniable earworm. Usher’s chemistry with Monét is just on the cusp of being convincing — it feels as though the two are singing around each other rather than in tandem — but the song’s visualizer and soothing outro more than make up for it.
Following “2SEXY,” a disarmingly tender and sensual interlude, “1900’s” is pure joy. On this track, Monét samples Anita Baker’s magical “Caught Up in the Rapture” and interpolates Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.’” There’s also a lyrical nod to Prince’s “1999.” Monét manages all these references while maintaining her own electric sound and sincere lyricism. A minute in, the production cuts out to make space for a staccato, saccharine-sweet vocoder interjection that leaves you craving more.
Monét effortlessly captivates on “Love Is Stronger Than Pride.” While a cover of Sade’s nostalgic, tranquil 1988 single, Monét makes clear here that she aims to pay tribute to rather than replace the original track. Her version is up-tempo and fluorescent, more danceable than meditative.
With its bright harmonies and honeyed vocals, “Everybody Needs
Someone” is heartachingly earnest. Sonically, it echoes “How Does It Make You Feel” from the standard album release and is Monét’s contemporary take on ’70s R&B-soul love ballads. Just when it seems we’ve reached the song’s conclusion, Monét shows off with an outro that contributes a gorgeous harmonic complexity.
The deluxe album comes to a close with “The Greatest,” a celebration of Monét’s newfound sense of peace and autonomy. The lyrics are simple to the
point of feeling impersonal, though this quickly becomes irrelevant once the sunny vocal layering and live instrumentation take center stage. Monét evidently approaches her vocal delivery, collaborations and homages with an attention to detail that can only emerge from a decade of working in the music industry. “JAGUAR II: Deluxe” is a cinematic, glimmering tapestry of an album that sounds simultaneously timeless and contemporary, playful yet profoundly sincere.
ASHLEY WANG THRESHER STAFF
HOBBY CENTER
Top Track: ‘On My Mama’
Golfer Daniel Zou swings to victory
EVIE VU THRESHER STAFF
Freshman golfer Daniel Zou tied for first place at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic Oct. 1 in only his third tournament as an Owl. Though Sam Houston State University took home the team trophy, Zou and Rice junior Lukas Boandl tied with Louisiana State University’s Noah McWilliams for the individual first place title with a three-day score of 12 under par.
Zou was ranked in the top 25 in the nation and top five in the state as a college recruit during his high school career in The Woodlands, Texas. Living nearby, he said, allowed Zou to bond with his fellow golfers from a young age.
Zou said he committed to playing for Rice primarily because of his existing friendships with his teammates, as well as the mix of academics and sports.
“I love all the guys on the team,” Zou said. “[I’ve known them] basically my entire life since I was maybe five or six [years old]. I have grown really close to them and treat them like my family.”
Since coming to campus, Zou said he has noticed a big difference between junior and college golf. The courses play longer, the pin placements are more difficult and the other players are
significantly better, he said. Despite this, he says he likes the change.
“I really enjoy the increased level of competition, and it makes me want to better myself for the future,” Zou said.
Zou said he has a lifelong dream to golf professionally after college, and he hopes that performing well during his college career will allow him to pursue that.
Head coach Justin Emil said Zou is a high potential player.
“He doesn’t overcomplicate things on the golf course,” Emil said. “He’s very talented, very athletic and just an impressive player for sure.”
Emil said that besides Zou’s ability to make smart decisions while playing, his biggest advantage is his strength in driving the ball.
“I try to pride myself on my driver,” Zou said. “I keep it in place and the majority of the time I feel like my distance has also been really, really helpful.”
Zou said he also is not afraid to take big risks. The week before his Oct 1. win, Zou changed his putting technique. The new technique, called broom putting, uses a longer putter to increase accuracy and consistency.
Looking at the future of his college career, Zou said he has set some concrete goals to build off of his first win.
Scores & what’s next
Scores from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8
Women’s Soccer vs. Temple University
Oct. 3 - Rice 4, Temple 0
Men’s Tennis at Ron Wesbrooks Invitational
Oct. 4-6 - 7-5 singles, 1-1 doubles
Women’s Volleyball at University of Tulsa
Oct. 4 - Rice 3, Tulsa 1
Women’s Cross Country at DBU Old Glory Gallop
Oct. 5 - 31 points (1st place)
Men’s Golf at Trinity Forest Invitational
Oct. 6-8 - 9th place of 15 teams
Women’s Volleyball at Wichita State University
Oct. 6 - Rice 3, Wichita State 2
What’s next from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15
Women’s Tennis at ITA Texas Women’s Regional Championships
Oct 10-14 - Away in Fort Worth, Texas
Women’s Volleyball vs. University of North Texas
Oct. 11, 6 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Women’s Swimming at Rice Fall Splash Invitational
Oct. 11-12 - Home
Women’s Diving at Houston Diving Invitational
Oct. 11-12 - Away at University of Houston
Football vs. University of Texas San Antonio
Oct. 12, 6 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Women’s Soccer vs. University of North Texas
Oct. 13, 11:05 a.m. - Home on ESPN+
Women’s Volleyball vs. East Carolina University
Oct. 13, 2 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
“I always just keep it rolling,” Zou said.
“It’s a great start to my freshman year.”
Along with another individual win, Zou said he wants to contribute to a team win overall and to break the top 150 individual collegiate rankings.
Emil said he thinks Zou has the potential to go far in his career at Rice and beyond,
just as Zou hopes for himself.
“Daniel has the opportunity to make a really big stamp on the program, leave a strong legacy, you know, accomplish a lot of things,” Emil said. “I just want this experience to help him become more of a complete player. I think he’s got a very high ceiling.”
Sports Mini #1
COURTESY RICE ATHLETICS Freshman golfer Daniel Zou watches a ball after he swings.
EVIE VU THRESHER STAFF
Owls in the NFL
ANDERSEN PICKARD ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
After Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, five former Rice Owls remain on rosters. Let’s check in on how these Rice products have performed so far this year.
Highlight: Made first start of season in Week 5, played 60 snaps
Played for Rice 2019
Luke McCaffrey, Wide Receiver
Currently: Washington Commanders
2024 stats: 11 tgt, 10 rec, 98 yds, 0 TD
Highlight: Set 1st pass block to create TD in Week 5
Played for Rice 2021-23
Strategic plan addresses athletic updates
- Attract and retain the most talented studentathletes with a strong focus on gender equity.
Rice’s new strategic plan announced Oct. 1 outlined goals for the next 10 years via a 60 page slideshow. One slide titled “Ensure competitive athletic excellence that enriches campus culture” addressed Rice Athletics in the section about advancing undergraduate education. The strategic plan said Rice would:
- Enhance opportunities for female studentathletes, including adding new women’s sports programs.
- Strategically invest in Rice Athletics to ensure competitive excellence.
- Increase student, campus and community engagement with Rice’s sports teams, emphasizing the game-day experience.
- Develop and enhance athletic facilities to provide support for athletes and improved spectator experience.
- Increase faculty and staff involvement and engagement in athletic events and with studentathletes.
- Provide support for student-athletes to excel on and off the field and elevate Rice’s image as a university where student-athletes can excel in academics while being competitive at a D1 university.
Have questions about what these points mean? Submit them at thresher@rice.edu, and our staff will try to get them answered by Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland in the next issue.
HONG LIN TSAI / THRESHER
ASHLEY ZHANG / THRESHER
KATHLEEN ORTIZ SPORTS EDITOR
Did you lock in to plan where to go?
You’re going to Austin, baby! Do you have a friend with a car?
You head north in your friend’s car but break down in Ellinger, TX! Do you know how to change a tire?
You kneel down on the salted earth and shake your fists at the night sky, cursing the heavens.
You make the repair (and impress your friends). Onward ho!
You go to Austin in your O-Week dad’s roommate’s car. It’s an awkward yet efficient drive, although the senior next to you makes a vaguely sexist comment and everybody glances at each other but it’s never mentioned again.
You look out the window – my God, there’s a Buc-ee’s! Do you stop?
You buy some Beaver Nuggets and get a picture with Buc-ee the Beaver! (+1,000 aura)
You’ve got Good Luck, Babe! Chappell Roan is feeling the right vibes today and decides to perform. Lesbians are shedding tears all around you.
Which hallway of their mini-mansion do you walk down?
You arrive in their home theater, where you and your friends play their indoor golf simulator for the entire rest of the weekend. Your friend mogs you at golf (-100 aura), but you’re just happy to have such a rich friend. Cash money!
Okay, killjoy. You are Beaver Nuggetless and bad energy follows you for the rest of the trip.
At last – the glimmering jewel of Austin awaits in the not-so-distant horizon. Where do you decide to do?
Chappell Roan cancels her set and you get so high that you think it’s your fault (it is). You have G-O-T-T-O-G-O.
…everybody sees you! While submerged, you brush beside a graceful luminous fish that winks at you — what a story!
You do a cool flip into the pond, and…
You raid their liquor cabinet and swipe some of their Japanese whiskey. Arigato-masu!
Plans fell through, but your friend’s house in Sugar Land is free for the weekend! Is your friend rich?
You end up in the living room, where you have to talk to your friend’s parents and they ask what you plan to do after college as an ANTH major. How do you cope?
You go to a minor league baseball game. As you get settled in your seats, you hear some guy behind you make a macroaggression –doorjam! He leaves in a huff, leaving behind his halfeaten hot dog. Score!
You spend the rest of midterm recess doomscrolling on LinkedIn. Somehow you always get this ending…
Call him out Do nothing
You feel guilty for not saying anything. You run through your O-Week Advisor training modules and vow to do better next time.
You’re in the third inning and pretty bored. Do you decide to day-drink?
2-Dollar Beer Day
Your high school friend that you haven’t really spoken to since graduation who goes to UT Austin invites you to a frat party. When you get to the door, the Frat Bro Bouncer offers you a vexing query: “I’m warm when I’m full, and cold when I’m out. You pump me up hard, but you stand on my spout. Who am I?”
“No, fuck off, nerd!” the bouncer exclaims in disgust. He sends you on your way, where…
…a 30-foot alligator sees you! Chomp chomp!
The Backpage is the satire section of the Thresher, written this week by Andrew
questions or comments, please email pookiebear@rice.edu.
“Yes, bro! No cap, on God!” the bouncer bro-claims. You get lit as fuck and vibe with someone you matched with on Tinder. Time to recheck your Rice Purity Test score!
You pretend to be invested in the game but are really thinking about your midterm you messed up the whole time. Your professor emails saying there will be a curve, and you end up having a good time.
Kim, Will Howley, Charlie Maxson, and Max Scholl and designed by Lauren Yu. For
