Housing and Dining unveiled a restructured dining schedule for the spring semester, introducing extended meal times and continuous weekday dining. Lunch and dinner times are staggered at different serveries — for example, Baker offers lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Seibel offers lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Under the new plan, at least one servery will be open at any given time between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Breakfast options at select locations have also expanded to include cinnamon rolls, omelets and other new additions, according to an email from Rice Dining.
Olivia Seo, Brown College’s food ambassador, said the new schedule was designed based on existing student dining patterns.
WEEKDAYS
distance from Viamontes’ home college.
“I tend to forget to eat until late,” Viamontes said. “Having Baker open until 9 p.m. is definitely helpful, but it’s not the most practical when it’s on the other side of campus … I understand the reasoning, but it’s not ideal for everyone.”
Summer Orr, a Duncan College sophomore, said she was frustrated by the new operating hours, which are now inconsistent across serveries. Like Viamontes, she also expressed concern about having to walk to different serveries across campus.
It takes more effort to figure out where and when to eat now. No one was asking for cinnamon rolls at the expense of losing breakfast at their nearby servery. Especially in winter, who wants to walk across campus for breakfast?
Summer Orr DUNCAN COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
H&D gleaned these patterns from swipe data, which provides insight into serveries and mealtimes with the highest foot traffic, Seo, a sophomore, said. Each college’s food ambassador works with H&D to provide student input on dining options.
“[H&D] found that North and South weren’t heavily utilized for breakfast, so those were the serveries chosen to close,” Seo said. “Meanwhile, Baker’s hours were extended because it’s the most central location on campus.”
Aspen Viamontes, a McMurtry College freshman, said that they appreciated the extended hours at Baker Servery, despite its
“It takes more effort to figure out where and when to eat now,” Orr said. “No one was asking for cinnamon rolls at the expense of losing breakfast at their nearby servery. Especially in winter, who wants to walk across campus for breakfast?”
While the new schedule has faced criticism, changes like menu adjustments reflect ongoing student feedback, said Jones College food ambassador Daijah Wilson.
“A big change implemented because of student input was the return of popular breakfast items like cinnamon rolls and grab-and-go frittatas,” Wilson, a sophomore, wrote in a message to the Thresher. “It feels good to see that student voices are valued on this campus. H&D is encouraging of student engagement, and they’ve been responsive to our feedback.”
SEE DINING SCHEDULE PAGE 2
Rice accepts 13% of recordsetting ED applications
WEEKENDS
Saturday: South & West Sunday: North & Seibel
Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886.
An additional 100 students gained admission through the QuestBridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77. While applications are on the rise, acceptance rates continue to decrease: The past two ED cycles saw 15.3% and 15.2% admission rates. Romero da Silva cited “many factors at play” for this drop, including higher
applications, more QuestBridge admits and the upcoming ED II cycle. This is the first year that Rice has included two rounds of early decision applications. ED II applicants will receive their results in February 2025 Scott Chen, an admitted student from Walnut, Calif., said that he was especially drawn to Rice’s “diverse community” that is both “diverse” and “tight-knit.”
“I am looking forward to the residential college I get into, because it is such a unique social aspect of Rice that really not many colleges have,” Chen said. Chen is part of the 49% of domestic non-Texan admitted students. The remaining 35% of the class is from Texas while 16% are international students.
Laylee Taghizadeh, an admitted student from Houston, also expressed excitement about the community.
“I took a campus tour of Rice over summer, and I absolutely loved the community and culture I felt on campus and I knew that this was the school I wanted to go to,” Taghizadeh said. “I am most looking forward to the relationships I will build with my peers in the residential college.”
Scottsdale, Ariz., said that she looks forward to the collaborative community at Rice after attending a small and competitive high school.
This is all I talked about for the past four years. Actually getting this moment felt like my whole entire dream, my whole entire life coming true.
Amiya Aggarwal ADMITTED STUDENT
“I was on Facetime with my friend screensharing and had the portal up and running, refreshing it up until 8:59 a.m. and then it hit 9:00 a.m.,” Taghizadeh said. “I refreshed it and it popped up, and I started shaking when I saw the update. I had a very emotional reaction then burst into my parents’ room screaming, ‘I got into Rice!’”
Amiya Aggarwal, an
“Beyond the academics at Rice and the programs being amazing for what I want to do, the biggest thing that appealed to me and drew me to Rice was the fact that everyone is collaborative and waiting for you to succeed,” Aggarwal said. “Coming from a very cutthroat high school environment into such a welcoming and collaborative environment like Rice where I can completely be myself is so appealing to me.
“I honestly keep replaying the moment the whole entire day because it was such a surreal moment for me,” Aggarwal said. “Everyone who knows me knows that I wanted to go to Rice. This is all I talked about for the past four years. Actually getting this moment felt like my whole entire dream, my whole entire life coming
Continuous dining — when dining options are available all day — is intended to benefit busier students, Wilson said.
“I really hope continuous dining helps off-campus students and those with tough schedules have more access to food day to day,” Wilson said.
Johnny Curet, director of campus dining, said the schedule was also structured to avoid long waits for meals. To accommodate the additional dining hours, H&D staff now work in staggered shifts to “ensure consistent coverage,” Curet said.
“The extended hours help spread dining traffic more evenly, and we’ve added grab-and-go options and selfserve stations to increase speed and
convenience,” Curet wrote in an email to the Thresher. “We will continue to monitor traffic flows and make adjustments to improve the experience further.”
According to Kyle Hardwick, director of culinary excellence, the extended hours rely on hot and cold holding equipment to maintain ideal serving conditions.
“Dishes are rotated and replenished regularly to ensure freshness, and we’ve implemented training programs to ensure our staff are equipped to maintain high standards across all meal periods,” Hardwick wrote in an email to the Thresher.
It’s still evolving. H&D is actively listening to feedback and making adjustments.
Olivia Seo BROWN COLLEGE FOOD AMBASSADOR
Seo said the dining schedule is a work in progress.
“It’s still evolving,” Seo said. “H&D is actively listening to feedback and making adjustments.”
Sarofim Hall on track for August 2025 opening
The construction of Sarofim Hall, the art department’s new building, remains on schedule for an expected opening in August 2025. The project is moving forward as planned while construction crews continue to work at the site, said John Sparagana, art department chair.
“They’ve really been cranking away,” Sparanga said.
“The steel structure for Sarofim Hall ‘topped out’ in November and work has continued on schedule with exterior façade and interiors,” Hester wrote in an email to the Thresher. “The project remains on track to be complete and moved in to accommodate August 2025 classes.”
We’re really excited. For anybody who’s seen the steel structure going up, it looks like an awesome building.
John Sparagana ART DEPARTMENT CHAIR
According to Sparagana, no major changes have been made to the building’s design.
“There’s been some fine-tuning, but it’s the same structure. All the spaces are the same [as planned],” Sparagana said.
Construction first began in fall 2024, as the structural steel for the building was laid down. According to Matt Hester, the senior associate director of capital construction, the steel frame for the structure was completed in November.
Sarofim Hall — set to be an 80,000 square foot facility, with spaces geared to learning and presenting art — will be the new home for the art major and the Rice Cinema.
Designed by architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Sarofim Hall being constructed where Rice’s Art Barn and Media Center once stood, next to the Moody Center for the Arts.
“We’re really excited,” Sparagana said. “For anybody who’s seen the steel structure going up, it looks like an awesome building.”
OWEN BUTTON / THRESHER Sarofim Hall remains under construction. The steel frame for the building, which is on track for completion in August, was completed in November 2024.
OWEN BUTTON / THRESHER Students queue in Seibel Servery at lunchtime. Seibel offers lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays under the new dining schedule.
FROM FRONT PAGE EARLY DECISION
COURTESY JEFF FITLOW Rice admitted 13.2% of its record-high pool of Early Decision I applicants.
Student Association considers raising Blanket Tax
SARAH KNOWLTON NEWS EDITOR
The first Student Association meeting of the semester, held Jan. 13, introduced several action items for the upcoming semester, including increasing meal swipe donations and planning for the new student center set to replace the Rice Memorial Center. A report on the results of December’s special election regarding divestment and university spending was also on the agenda, however was tabled as student elections director Natalie Wang was unable to attend.
For the spring semester, the SA increased the maximum number of swipes that can be donated to offcampus students from 20 to 30. SA President Jae Kim said that this change was motivated by student input.
“Last semester, the max swipe donation was 20, but a lot of people told us, ‘I donated 20, but I still have 120 left over at the end of the semester,’ so we increased it to 30 this semester,” Kim, a Brown College senior, said in the meeting. “That’s unprecedented, because in the past [the maximum each semester] was 10, 10, 10, 15, [then] 20 last semester, but now it’s 30 … We’re looking to break last semester’s record of 14,000 swipes [donated].”
With this extra money, it gives us so much more leeway to do anything in the future.
Thomas Ngo STUDENT ASSOCIATION TREASURER
The SA also discussed a survey for student leaders to give input on the new student center, which has not yet been designed.
“It’ll really help us pull together a report to present to Rice University administration, so that when they’re actively in the process of deciding what kind of spaces will be present at the new student center, they’ll already have our opinion because we don’t want to [have admin] decide everything,” Kim said.
Kim also said that the needs of clubs whose leaders fill out the survey will be prioritized in the design.
A number of organizations have also applied for access to funding collected from the Blanket Tax. This funding, which is made up of $85 from each student’s tuition, is currently used by student media organizations, the Rice Program Council and the honor council, among others. SA treasurer Thomas Ngo said applicants included Rice PRIDE and Rice Apps.
Ngo also proposed a $5 increase to the Blanket Tax as an item for the SA election ballot later this spring.
According to Ngo, the Blanket Tax increase would address inflation over the past several years and would provide an additional $22,000 in funding for both existing and potential new Blanket Tax organizations.
“The Blanket Tax committee hasn’t finalized which clubs get to become Blanket Tax organizations,” Ngo, a McMurtry College sophomore, said in the meeting. “There may be no clubs that get approved down the line. We don’t know, but with this extra money, it gives us so much more leeway to do anything in the future.”
Rice invests in Scholars at Risk, Welcome Corps following student divestment vote
University shuts down possibility of investment transparency
JAMES CANCELARICH ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Rice is joining the Scholars at Risk network as well as the Welcome Corps, planning to host threatened scholars and refugees seeking resettlement into the U.S. Scholars at Risk is an organization that protects scholars who are experiencing threats of violence, imprisonment or active conflict by providing temporary research and teaching positions at network institutions, according to its website. As of this year, Scholars at Risk reports that a majority of their applications came from scholars in Afghanistan, the “occupied Palestinian territories,” Ukraine, Sudan and Iran. Most positions offered through the program last for one year.
Rice will be able to recruit at-risk faculty for visiting professorships through the Scholars at Risk database, according to Amy Dittmar, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“We have dedicated funding available to support scholars recruited through this program,” Dittmar wrote in a statement to the Thresher. “The number of faculty ultimately invited will depend on the specific needs of departments across campus; therefore, we have not set a limit on the number of scholars who may be recruited through the initiative.
“As we are witnessing, academic freedom is increasingly under threat across the world, with scholars facing persecution, censorship and displacement due to political, social and institutional pressures,” Dittmar wrote. “By joining the Scholars at Risk network, Rice has pledged to support those scholars whose work and safety are in jeopardy. We are committed to offering these scholars temporary academic and research positions, providing space and support in an environment that protects intellectual freedom.”
Rice is also joining the Welcome Corps program, a Department of State sponsorship program for refugees resettling in the United States. Through the program, campus stakeholders support refugees and provide academic pathways for them for a oneyear period.
“As part of the Welcome Corps program, campus partners (including Rice) form sponsor groups to help welcome and integrate refugee students into campus life,” Dittmar wrote. “Rice has been approved to welcome scholars to matriculate in Fall 2025. This will be Rice’s first cohort.”
representatives of the SA, alongside other students “passionate about the issue.”
“I am very excited about Rice joining the network because I think it is a tangible and highly meaningful step the university is taking to align itself with our mission, and I appreciate the time and resources Rice is dedicating to this because I know it is not an easy process,”
Kim, a Brown College senior, wrote in an email to the Thresher.
Arman Saxena, an officer of Students for Justice in Palestine who introduced the referenda, said that Rice SJP activists were involved with the decision to join the Scholars at Risk network, but described the administration’s response to their demands, as well as a commitment to support Palestinian scholars, as “inadequate and disingenuous.”
By joining the Scholars at Risk network, Rice has pledged to support those scholars whose work and safety are in jeopardy.
Amy Dittmar PROVOST
Editor’s Note: Arman Saxena is one of the Thresher’s Arts and Entertainment editors.
The decision follows last semester’s successful student vote to pass a referendum that asked the Rice Management Company to disclose its financial investments. Shortly after the vote, Chris Stipes, executive director of news and media relations, wrote in an email to the Thresher that the university commended the student government for its role in free speech and campus debate but shut down the possibility of investment transparency.
I think that the high voter turnout and activism surrounding the referenda indicate that students are passionate about this issue, and finds it relevant to our university.
Jae Kim STUDENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
The decision follows the failure of a Student Association referendum in December that asked for a commitment to anti-colonial scholarship, which failed to amass the two-thirds approval needed to pass as per the SA constitution.
Jae Kim, president of the SA, said that the decision came following meetings with administration involving himself and other
“To ensure the integrity and effectiveness of our investment strategies, operations and partnerships, we do not publicly disclose certain information about the endowment,” the statement reads. “Many of the endowment’s investment partnerships are governed by non-disclosure agreements which legally prohibit Rice Management [Company]’s disclosure of holdings within these partnerships. Importantly, Rice complies with all investmentrelated disclosure requirements under applicable federal and state law.”
According to Kevin Crotty, an associate professor of finance, investment transparency involves understanding of what assets comprise a portfolio, ranging from general asset classes — a group of investments with similar characteristics — to granular details within each asset class. Non-disclosure agreements are generally put in place to protect informational advantages, according to Crotty.
“Non-disclosure agreements can arise for investments when a manager is worried about their informational advantage being eroded by the disclosure of their positions,”
Crotty wrote in an email to the Thresher. “As an example, consider a manager who is interested in building a large position in a stock they believe to be undervalued. If the manager discloses the position (either publicly or to investors) before they have had a chance to purchase their desired amount, then the price might move upward as other investors infer that the stock was undervalued. To protect against this type of information leakage, a manager may ask their investors to sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
The other two referenda on the ballot, if passed, would have urged Rice to divest from proIsrael companies and issue a statement condemning genocide in Gaza.
While three of the four referenda failed, future conversations between administrators and SA representatives would acknowledge that over 50% of voters supported each of them, Kim wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
The special election saw a 39.7% voter turnout, with 71.5% approval of the first referendum, and the second, third and fourth referenda receiving a 57.9%, 61.4%, and again 61.4% approval, which is a majority of respondents for the special election, though not a majority of the student body.
“I think that the high voter turnout and activism surrounding the referenda indicate that students are passionate about this issue, and finds it relevant to our university,” Kim wrote.
Saxena said that he was pleased with the support that each referendum received from the student body.
“This vote highlights strong democratic support among students for disentangling the university from systems that perpetuate violence and oppression,” Saxena, a Lovett College junior, wrote in a message to the Thresher. “We call on the Rice University administration to act on Referendum 1 by disclosing its investments and holdings.”
“Transparency is essential for accountability and meaningful change,” Saxena wrote. “This vote shows that these pushes represent the majority of Rice students, and we will continue to work together to fight for the basic human rights of Palestinians and all colonized people worldwide.”
Giovanni Marinilli, co-president of Students Supporting Israel, said that he advocated against the referenda because of the language used.
“Our specific stance was never that there isn’t a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, it’s that the language and the tone,” Marinilli, a Sid Richardson College junior, said. “It’s the ‘U.S.-Israel colonial war machine,’ and not defining that, just having this generic tone that lumps a lot of people into accusations of genocide. It’s very strong accusation, and I think that there are a lot of people who feel very afraid of where this talk leads.”
Student ID swiping system will not be used at Risky Business
ABIGAIL CHIU THRESHER STAFF
The proposed student ID swiping system will not be implemented at Will Rice College’s upcoming public party, Risky Business Saturday, Jan. 18. The proposal required swiping student IDs at scanners before entering publics to shorten attendee verification times and long lines.
Risky Business will follow the same post-APAC regulations and pre-existing rules as publics last semester, said Ayaan Riaz, Will Rice’s chief justice.
Editor’s Note: Ayaan Riaz is the Thresher’s web editor.
“We were explicitly reassured by Student Activities that we were not being forced to implement or beta-test any proposed changes to the ticketing system,” Riaz, a junior, wrote in an email to the Thresher.
Business will be transferable according to emails from the Will Rice socials committee. With the proposed ID swipes, students would no longer be able to transfer tickets.
Last semester, college presidents met and discussed concerns regarding ticketing and entry for publics with Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman.
Along with swiping IDs, another APAC recommendation was for volunteers to verify the sobriety of people entering the public. Gorman said that this is one idea among several that are under consideration for future publics.
“Since the release of the APAC report last year, which addressed health and safety concerns related to public parties, the Student Activities team has been collaborating with colleges to discuss and refine ticketing plans and share best practices,” Gorman wrote in an email to the Thresher.
plans to pilot the system at a public party this semester, we continue to explore solutions to enhance the ticketing process and reduce wait times at event entrances.”
The system was first suggested in April 2024 but has not been implemented.
among college student leadership. Riaz said he’d received complaints that since fewer tickets were being distributed, groups of students planning to attend the party together may not all be able to go.
I’m excited to wear some boxers in public again — for the culture.
Ayaan Riaz WILL RICE COLLEGE CHIEF JUSTICE
“While there are currently no
“The first time the new ‘swipe’ system for public entry was mentioned was immediately after Martel’s 2024 Beer Bike morning party, where we saw massive lines for the Rice [student ID] and NetID checkpoint,” Riaz wrote. “As the idea developed, additional steps were added in addition to the Rice ID swipe. Either a student or an Emergency Management employee would be prompted to answer questions about prospective attendees’ apparent intoxication status and whether they had any contraband (drugs, outside alcohol).”
Information regarding drugs and alcohol would not be recorded and would only be used for safety reasons, said Will Rice president Felipe Lerner.
“The information was supposed to be anonymous and only meant to remind the people managing the line what they were supposed to do, meaning look out for drunk people and don’t let them into the public,” Lerner, a senior, wrote in an email to the Thresher. “We pushed back against that for multiple reasons, one of the main ones being that it would put the students, both those managing the line and those wanting to get into the public, in an uncomfortable position. [Administration] said that was a minor detail and they seemed agreeable to getting rid of it.”
Capacity is another topic of discussion
“My understanding from informal polls of Will Rice is that most students are frustrated with the post-APAC alcohol policy,” Riaz wrote. “As a result, even the individuals within those groups who do have tickets choose not to attend, which ultimately reduces the excitement and energy of the public.”
Riaz said another aspect of the capacity concern is confusion surrounding how it is calculated and regulated.
“The [Will Rice socials committee heads] and I were confused upon learning we could not expand the ticket capacity of the party even if we added our quad space to Risky Business,” Riaz wrote. “I don’t understand why we didn’t have this option given outdoor capacities were calculated for Texas Party and Sid ’80s.”
According to the APAC report, party ticketing is limited to the capacity of indoor space, while “outdoor space is just for ‘getting air,’ not for overflow capacity.”
Despite uncertainty around future publics, Riaz said he is looking forward to Risky Business.
“I’m proud of our Socials committee for putting together a Risky Business that we’ll remember, regardless of recent sentiment surrounding publics or restrictions from the university level,” Riaz wrote. “It’s been two years and too long since the last Risky. I’m excited to wear some boxers in public again — for the culture.”
NDIDI NWOSU / THRESHER
EDITORIAL
Dining schedule changes increase meal
accessibility and convenience
Is giving up weekday breakfast at South and North serveries worth it for an omelette bar and cinnamon rolls? We think so. Even if the new dining schedule is confusing, the changes are a good step towards more food availability on campus, and are a heartening indicator of departments considering student feedback.
Keeping various serveries open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays is undoubtedly a positive. There’s no worry of having to choose between pushing through that final project or squeezing in lunch before the servery closes. Longer hours also increase accessibility for students with classes at the Biosciences Research Collaborative building, long labs during mealtimes or other commitments during the previous meal schedule.
Additionally, we finally have the long asked-for late dining option. For students used to eating dinner at 8 or 9 p.m., rejoice — a later servery close means both being able to eat and a better chance at fresh
food late in the evening. This is especially helpful during Fridays and weekends, when the Hoot is closed and students
Even if the new dining schedule is confusing, the changes are a good step towards more food availability on campus.
typically have later nights.
More broadly, we are glad to see H&D’s efforts to act on student feedback. H&D has been proactive in soliciting feedback, with a Google Form to submit suggestions available on their website and selecting student H&D representatives at each college to gather opinions. Many of the changes to dining, such as the Munch meal between 2-4 p.m., offering culturally-
Abortion is still an option, despite
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.
Preventable deaths, rising maternal mortality rates, threats to contraception and state-sponsored deception. This is the reality in Texas, two years after the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
Since our letter to the editor in 2023, more data has come to light, demonstrating the grave consequences of obstructing reproductive care. We must resist becoming desensitized to the horrifying realities of abortion restrictions and share relevant, in-state abortion resources with our communities.
The Texas abortion ban claims to include exceptions for saving the life of the pregnant person. This promise has proven hollow.
In recent months, ProPublica reported the deaths of Porsha Ngumezi, Nevaeh Crain and Josseli Barnica, all denied immediate, life-saving miscarriage care as a result of the Texas abortion ban. In an open letter addressing policymakers, 111 Texan OB-GYNs referred to these deaths as “likely preventable,” arguing that abortion restrictions impede doctors’ ability to provide the standard of care. Under threat of prosecution, doctors hesitate to provide medically necessary surgical abortions — even though delays in care can lead to infection, sepsis or hemorrhagic shock.
Anti-abortion rhetoric calls itself “prolife,” but abortion bans are ending lives. Governments are ignoring medical expertise in favor of politicizing healthcare, and pregnant patients are paying the price.
These are not isolated cases. Nationally, the Associated Press found that over 100 pregnant patients in medical distress have
CORRECTIONS
In
inspired food at each servery and semesterly changes to the dining schedule have been in response to student opinions. To be fair, the new dining schedule isn’t perfect. The inconsistency of servery hours makes the schedule difficult to remember, and no one wants to walk further than their residential college for breakfast, especially in the cold weather spell we’ve been having. While frustrating, we encourage students to remember that the new changes are a net positive, and represent a promising step forward for H&D’s solicitation of student voices.
On the flip side, we also hope that H&D keeps up this trend, hearing out feedback as students adjust to the new schedule, making improvements or compromises as needed. We recognize the staffing and resource barriers that prevent 24/7 dining — and we don’t believe that’s a burden H&D should carry — but hope students and administration can continue to find reasonable middle grounds.
harmful restrictions
been turned away or negligently treated since 2022. Recent data on Texas shows that maternal mortality has increased by 56%, an unprecedented pattern largely attributed to the state’s 2021 abortion ban.
Abortion restrictions curtail access to preventive reproductive healthcare. After the overturn of Roe, the rate of oral and emergency contraceptive prescription fills in Texas dropped by 28% and 47% respectively due to abortion clinic closures and confusion among patients about the law. As of 2023, 43% of women living in states with abortion bans were unsure whether emergency contraception was legal in their state. The opacity of the laws creates a chilling effect that bars people from exercising the rights they have left.
Beyond launching attacks on legitimate medical practices, Texas finances misinformation and deception. Each year, the state funnels approximately $112 million into anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers, 22 of which are in Houston. These centers present facades of medical credibility in order to lie to their clients about their ultrasound results and pregnancy options. Anti-abortion states direct taxpayer dollars toward organizations that take advantage of vulnerable individuals to promote biased, faith-based agendas.
It is easy to feel like there is nothing we can do. The impending Trump presidency, grim stories of maternal deaths and challenges to contraception have created pervasive feelings of helplessness and despair.
Our politicians are infringing on our intimate healthcare decisions by threatening our doctors. As reproductive-aged people in Texas, we need to know how to navigate the available resources. If we can no longer get abortions by talking to our OB-GYNs, we can get them by talking to each other.
Providers, researchers and activists continue to support those who need reproductive care. AidAccess is a network of
providers that mail FDA-approved abortion pills to all fifty states. Plan C Pills is an advocacy campaign that provides reliable guidance on at-home abortion. The Lilith Fund and Buckle Bunnies are Texas groups that subsidize out-of-state procedures.
On campus, too, students are banding together to promote reproductive rights. The Rice Women’s Resource Center and Planned Parenthood Generation Action promote reproductive and sexual health by providing free contraception to the student body. Rice Students for Reproductive Justice is a newly-formed group dedicated to combating stigma and advocating abortion resources.
Now is the time to get involved in abortion activism. Educate your community on the consequences of abortion restrictions. Support your local abortion funds, which work to decrease financial barriers to healthcare and out-of-state travel. Engage with campus organizations that promote reproductive rights by following RWRC, PPGen, and Rice Students for Reproductive Justice on Instagram and participating in their initiatives.
Reproductive restrictions affect us on the most personal levels, but we must fight back collectively. Under laws that foster mistrust and isolation, caring for one another is the most powerful thing we can do.
Imogen Brown
DUNCAN COLLEGE SENIOR
Georgia Jensen BROWN COLLEGE JUNIOR
4801
Email: thresher@rice.edu
Website: www.ricethresher.org
The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA, CMA and CMBAM.
“Sports Mini #7,” Diego Palos Rodriguez, not Evie Vu, was the author.
Pink pantsuits & private equity: Girls in VC launches at Rice
Birth control pills, Barbie dolls and beer – women know what women need. Female inventors and founders have made countless contributions like these, but they’re often held back by rooms of male investors.
Women make up 8.6% of venture capitalists, 8% of venture capital firm partners and hold 7% of board seats. The disparity is pronounced for female founders, who receive less than 3% of total venture capital funding.
When Alena Powell, an associate at the Rice Student Venture Fund — the only on-campus opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in venture capital — learned of these statistics, she said she was taken aback.
“These are literally single-digit numbers in a field managing billions and billions of dollars. Yet, only a very small percentage of that funding goes to women, and women hold very few leadership opportunities in these spaces,” Powell, a Wiess College sophomore, said.
Powell wasn’t alone in her reaction. Kaira Sheth, another associate at RSVF, also noticed the gender disparity both within the venture capital industry and at Rice.
“When we stepped into our first RSVF meeting, I think just four of the associates were women, and that’s something we noticed right off the bat, this discrepancy,” said Sheth, a Brown College sophomore.
The stark underrepresentation, both on campus and in the industry as a whole, prompted Sheth and Powell to take action, they said. At the start of the semester, they launched Rice Girls in VC, a new club dedicated to empowering women at Rice to see venture capital as a viable career path.
The club emerged from the realization that many women find venture capital intimidating due to the industry’s lack of female representation and the misconception that entering the field requires significant prior experience in the business world, Sheth said.
“Women think, ‘I see no representation, and this doesn’t seem like a feasible career path for me right out of undergrad, so why should I even consider it?’” Sheth said.
Pranai Reddy, the founder of RSVF, suggested Powell and Sheth start a Girls in VC chapter at Rice after seeing interest in the undergraduate business community.
“The whole goal of starting RSVF was to introduce venture capital to the entire Rice undergraduate community. The business major itself was new, along with organizations like Rice Business Society, Rice Women in Business and the Rice Entrepreneurship Club,” Reddy, a senior at Brown, said. “On the venture capital side, there was nothing like that, so I wanted to create a hands-on learning experience. When I saw an opportunity through a systematic chapter being started at different schools across the country, it felt like a natural progression to bring that representation to Rice.”
Powell said that rather than the prior knowledge and a background in finance that many assume is needed to pursue opportunities in venture capital, it is passion that truly sustains a person to pursue a career in the industry.
“As a freshman, I had not taken a single [entrepreneurship] class. I could not tell you the difference between a Series A and Series C startup or what the difference between a convertible note and a safe investment was,” Powell said.
“I genuinely had no idea about all this [venture capital] terminology and what sort of different industries are popular right now. All I really knew was that I was super passionate to learn.”
When we stepped into our first RSVF meeting, I think just four of the associates were women, and that’s something we noticed right off the bat — this discrepancy.
Kaira Sheth BROWN COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
“You can teach how to do all these analyses and how to read a balance sheet, but you cannot teach someone how to be interested in startups,” Powell said.
Powell said different majors in the club bring diverse perspectives and their knowledge can be extremely beneficial.
“If you have a computer science major who knows a lot about [artificial intelligence] and [large language models], being able to evaluate a startup that is in healthcare AI and having that exposure and that knowledge adds a new perspective to the team, especially if business majors or [economics] majors don’t know much about that, but are eager to learn,” Powell said.
With Girls in VC being the first venture capital club without an application-based
model, the founders said they hope it can serve as a stepping stone for exploring the industry and joining RSVF, especially for those without prior knowledge.
In addition to her role in founding Girls in VC, Powell recently assumed the role of one of the managing partners for RSVF. Currently, RSVF is working on developing a more robust training program curriculum, Powell said. Powell hopes to open up training opportunities, not just to RSVF associates, but Girls in VC too.
“We can teach … the essentials of networking, sourcing and understanding the fund’s thesis,” Powell said. “We help them learn how to identify and source startups that align with that thesis. Additionally, there’s the financial aspect — when you get a balance sheet or are analyzing financial projections from a startup, we teach [people] how to navigate that process.”
Powell said that even before the club’s kickoff event and marketing efforts, interest appeared high on campus.
“There’s definitely strong interest for us, and that also reemphasizes why we started this club,” Powell said. “Even though we haven’t had an official meeting or event yet, 40 girls have already heard about what we’re doing, are very interested, and want to learn more.”
You can teach how to do all these analyses and how to read a balance sheet, but you cannot teach someone how to be interested in startups.
Alena Powell WIESS COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
Moreover, Girls in VC also aims to develop a mentorship program, an initiative alumni and women in the industry wish they had during their undergraduate career according to Powell.
“We currently have seven partnerships with different funds within the Houston and greater Texas area. Every girl we’ve spoken to has expressed excitement about this initiative. They’ve said things like, ‘We really love this, and we wish we had something like this when we were undergrads,’ and some of [the mentors] are even Rice alumni,” Powell said.
Both Sheth and Powell are passionate about growing and transforming this interest into a community of shared passion through partnerships with Lilie. At the end of January, the club plans to have one of their first events at the Lilie Lab.
During that event, we’ll be having some activities explaining all the different pillars: the sourcing, networking, diligence, consulting with industry experts, as well as finally pitching to an investment committee,” Powell said.
As the Rice Business program has expanded, clubs on campus have emphasized more traditional finance career paths like consulting, investment banking and wealth management. Powell and Sheth said they hope Girls in VC will help expand horizons.
“We want to be that club where, [if] you’re interested in entrepreneurship, you’re interested in being a founder … you can come, and we’ll give you the resources to learn more,” Sheth said.
AISHA KHEMANI THRESHER STAFF
ASHLEY ZHANG / THRESHER
Let It Snow
Electives to fill your final credit hours
WILL PATEL THRESHER STAFF
No matter how long you spend perfecting your schedule, the urge to drop a class after syllabus week is inevitable. Whether you’re looking to drop the 8 a.m. that seemed like a good idea or the class with mandatory attendance, consider these three credit-hour electives with open spots to complete your schedule.
CLAS 108/HUMA 111: Roman Civilization and Its Legacy
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Taught by Scott McGill, this class explores various aspects of Roman society, including politics, public entertainment and architecture. The course also examines the lasting impact of Ancient Rome on modern culture and literature.
CLAS 108/HUMA 111 satisfies Distribution I requirements and is offered from 4 to 4:50 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
HIST 258: Food and Gender in Modern U.S. History
This class is for people whose mom always had Food Network on when you were a kid. This course investigates the link between the food industry and gender, spanning the Industrial Revolution to the present. Class readings and discussions cover topics from “tradwives” on TikTok to Betty Crocker and Guy Fieri to almond moms.
HIST 258 satisfies Distribution I requirements and is offered from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
ANTH 307: Global Life of Corporations
Do you have a corporate summer internship lined up? Interested in the dilemmas you will deal with working at a corporation? Consider corporate social dynamics and ethics in Global Life of Corporations. You’ll address
why workers agree to have a boss, the culture in multinational companies and how large corporations interpret ethical business practices across multiple countries.
ANTH 307 satisfies Distribution II requirements and is offered from 9:25 to 10:40 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
RELI 124: Religion and the Art of Happiness
Rice students often rank high in the “happiest students” rankings by Princeton Review, but how does one measure happiness? Through thought-provoking religious texts and in-class discussions, this course considers interpretations of happiness and how society can advance toward satisfaction.
RELI 124 satisfies Distribution I requirements and is offered from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
BIOS 207: Garden Science
If you want a break from long lectures, consider Garden Science. This course, taught by Joe Novak, the Director of the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, covers how to grow various plants and the importance of gardens for personal and community quality of life.
BIOS 207 satisfies Distribution III requirements and is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
VIVIAN LANG / THRESHER
Stop-motion and scares: A&E’s best movies of 2024
From record-breaking blockbusters to subtle indie gems, 2024 proved that the cinematic landscape is more vibrant than ever. Directors took bold creative risks, reviving classic stories and exploring new genres with stunning ambition. Blockbuster epics returned in force and packed theaters, but smaller films also found their moments to shine, offering compelling narratives, unforgettable performances and daring visuals. With so many exceptional releases, The Thresher’s A&E writers faced a tough task in selecting the top ten — these are the films that defined the year in cinema.
Honorable Mentions:
“Look Back”
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”
“La Chimera”
“Megalopolis”
“The Apprentice”
“Martha”
10. “Queer”
Luca Guadagnino inverts the poignant youthfulness of “Call Me By Your Name” in the cosmic loneliness of his ninth feature “Queer.” Adapted from the 1986 novel of the same name (from the famouslyeccentric William S. Burroughs), “Queer” follows an American expat in 1950s Mexico City as he strives for a meaningful connection with another man. Inspired by Burroughs’ struggles with alienation and yearning, Guadagnino’s adaptation takes a surrealistic, poetic approach while still in the style of the source text — rife with ‘90s needle drops and otherworldly imagery. “Queer” stands as a searingly intimate film which sees the process of one man trying to become human.
- Max Scholl, Thresher Staff
9. “Memoir of a Snail”
Adam Elliot’s “Memoir of a Snail” is a bittersweet and quirky triumph. Through protagonist Grace Pudel’s story, the film explores themes of loneliness and resilience, symbolized by her fascination with snails. Voiced by “Succession” star Sarah Snook, Grace’s journey is filled with heartbreak, humor and whimsical moments. The stop-motion animation brings a tactile charm to the characters, reflecting Elliot’s signature blend of comedy and tragedy. Awarded by both Annecy and BFI London, this is a deeply human and visually captivating experience, making it one of the year’s best.
- Arman Saxena, A&E Editor
8. “Nosferatu”
Gloomy, magnificent and skin-crawling are all phrases that encompass Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu.” Eggers layers his uniquely dark style with marvelous ingenuity over an all-time classic vampire story about obsession and resistance. The film follows the couple of Thomas and Ellen Hutter as Ellen’s mysterious childhood nightmares come to fruition. Lily-Rose Depp delivers a visceral physical performance, and Willem Dafoe shines in an alchemist role he was made for. “Nosferatu’s” scale and style cement it as a new horror standard.
- Max Hess, For the Thresher
7. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
After disappointingly detouring to drama in “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” Australian action auteur George Miller triumphantly returned to cinemas with a prequel to his 2015 masterpiece, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” “Furiosa” takes a much more measured approach to
storytelling; rather than going all-gasno-breaks, Anya Taylor-Joy’s excellent performance is given more breathing room and dialogue to flesh out a romping revenge tale properly.
Even if this slower approach is not as immediately magnetic, Chris Hemsworth’s villainous turn is absolutely thrilling, and Miller magically produces some of the best action setpieces of this decade, if not century. “Furiosa” is bona fide, gorgeous action filmmaking and a worthy sequel to one of the great films of the 21st century.
- Jay Collura, Film Columnist
6. “I Saw the TV Glow”
Jane Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow” marries the fear and freedom of their debut, “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,” with a broader, vivid scope. This second feature explores media’s revealing power through a ’90s lens, blending queer radicality with lush visuals. The movie tracks protagonists Owen and Maddy’s connection over a surreal TV show, capturing the nostalgia and alienation
of adolescence. A transcendent narrative with hauntingly relatable themes, Schoenbrun’s vision remains intensely personal and universally resonant.
- Arman Saxena, A&E Editor
5. “A Different Man”
Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” is a vibrant barrage of fresh premises and grim comedic beats. The film centers around Edward, whose escape from the isolation and self-loathing brought about by a degenerative disease slowly unravels from a dream come true to a complete catastrophe. Though the film conveys some exceptionally dark emotional moments, it does so in a way that is often hilarious and never mean-spirited. The stellar main cast conveys Schimberg’s writing exceptionally, paired with an exceptional makeup job to make this film a visceral and unforgettable gem.
- Thomas Pickell, Thresher Staff
This article has been cut off for print. Read the full article at ricethresher.org
Replay 2024’s best albums of the year
From long-awaited comebacks to innovative debuts, 2024 was a year full of musical highs and hidden gems. Established icons pushed their sound into fresh territory, while up-and-comers shook up the modern musical landscape. Even the year’s biggest pop hits often felt more experimental than formulaic, adding intrigue to the charts. After much debate, the Thresher’s A&E writers present their picks for the top 10 albums of the year, along with a few honorable mentions that demanded our attention.
Honorable Mentions:
“Funeral for Justice” by Mdou Moctar
“Blue Lips” by ScHoolboy Q
“Submarine” by The Marias “Mahashmashana” by Father John Misty
“No Title As of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
“Dopamine” by Normani
10. “Bird’s Eye” by Ravyn Lenae Ravyn Lenae’s honey-like vocals and stunning lyricism pop in sophomore studio album “Bird’s Eye.” Set to delicate rock, reggae and R&B-adjacent beats, Lenae and producer Dahi craft a fluid, heart-wrenching story of learning and relearning to love across the 11 tracks. With singles like “Love Me Not” and “One Wish,” Lenae’s take on the pop genre stretches across deep notes of pining and heartbreak — continuing to set herself apart as a versatile and captivating artist to watch.
- Hannah Son, Thresher Staff
9. “Songs of a Lost World” by The Cure “Songs of a Lost World”, The Cure’s first album since 2008, proves the legendary British alt-rockers remain masters of moody, atmospheric soundscapes. Robert Smith’s introspective songwriting culminates in a somber yet profoundly affecting meditation on death and loneliness.
Sprawling guitar work, melancholic piano interludes and Smith’s unmistakable vocals drive the album’s raw emotional core, culminating with the epic and unforgettable “Endsong.”
Achieving their first UK number-one since 1992, The Cure has delivered a stirring, late-career triumph that resonates as both a rebirth and a haunting farewell.
- Arman Saxena, A&E Editor
8. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by Billie Eilish
“Hit Me Hard and Soft” sees Eilish
exploring her relationship with the public eye and her younger self. Themes of body image, sexuality and infatuation emerge with varied productions that are equally unafraid to rely on simple drums and guitar and hypnotic, sweeping synths.
As a vocalist, Eilish deftly moves between bone-chilling intimacy (“Skinny,” “Wildflower,” “Blue”) and bouncy playfulness (“Lunch,” “L’Amour de Ma Vie”). The album’s most popular track by far is the arrestingly tender, sunlit “Birds of a Feather,” one of Eilish’s best works to date.
- Ashley Wang, Thresher Staff
7. “The New Sound” by Geordie Greep
The announced hiatus of Black Midi was some of the worst music news of 2024, but their former singer-guitarist Geordie Greep spun this lowlight into a highlight with “The New Sound.” As the name implies, this album has Greep taking a unique approach to the heavy prog stylings of Black Midi, incorporating bossa nova, jazz fusion and various session musicians to create a rock record that is just as whimsical and dancey (“Terra”) as it is heavy and harsh (“Blues”).
This duality is not skin deep, as Greep’s lyrics and penchant for storytelling create a series of pathetic, lovelorn characters defined by their simultaneous comedic obliviousness (“Through A War”) and genuine vulnerability (“The Magician”). All of this comes together in a wonderfully written record that will please those seeking both the technical and the poetic
in their hard rock.
- Jay Collura, Film Columnist
6. “Chromakopia” by Tyler, the Creator By bringing together the captivating introspection of “Igor” and “Flower Boy” and a refinement of the chaotic sound of “Cherry Bomb,” Tyler’s provides a listening experience that is equally thought-provoking and invigorating. “Chromakopia” finds the most success when it’s personal: Tyler’s further exploration of his relationships (“Hey Jane,” “Tomorrow”) and the dichotomy between his personal and professional personas (“St. Chroma,” “I Killed You”) yield standout tracks. “Chromakopia” is an anxious, complex and sincere record that feels wholly fresh while still managing to rank among Tyler’s best.
- Eric Shackleford, For the Thresher
5. “I Lay Down My Life For You” by JPEGMAFIA JPEGMAFIA’s “I Lay Down My Life For You” is nothing short of a masterpiece. Selfproduced and released without a label, JPEGMAFIA flexes his unmatched artistry with alternative hip-hop beats that blend rock, Brazilian rhythms and experimental artificial intelligence-generated melodies. Tracks like “either on or off the drugs” showcase a groundbreaking use of AI in music, elevating the album to an avantgarde triumph.
- Charlie Cruz, Thresher Staff
WARNER BROS.
ATLANTIC RECORDS
Kyle Mooney talks killer robots, Limp Bizkit in film ‘Y2K’
Kyle Mooney’s sci-fi disaster comedy and directorial debut, “Y2K,” released in theaters on Dec. 6. Ahead of the release, the “Saturday Night Live” alum talked inspirations, set design and working with ’90s icons in a roundtable interview with the Thresher.
“Y2K” follows two social outcast high schoolers, Eli and Danny, on New Year’s Eve of 1999. As the clock strikes midnight, the best friends face off against now-deadly machines — from a bloodthirsty blender and a sentient Barbie Jeep to Eli’s beloved PC — on a mission to take over humanity.
Mooney reflected on his own high school experience during Y2K — and disappointment at the unrealized catastrophe — as inspiration for the film.
“I just hung at home with my friend Mark, and we watched the MTV New Year’s Special … maybe like a year or two later, I finally got to go to a party,” Mooney said. “I think I remember looking it up and Kathy Griffin co-hosted.
“My mom was a little scared about something actually happening. So she got … a bunch of jugs of water and some nuts and granola and stuff, but we just chilled,” Mooney continued.
Mooney spoke about bringing the hysteria around technology to life in “Y2K” for modern audiences, saying that fears around the Internet feel more poignant in the present day.
“They thought … banks wouldn’t be able to transfer your money … or maybe even planes would crash,” Mooney said. “Today we’re so consumed by our phones … It feels like that has become very threatening and something that we need to be conscious of and how it affects our lives.”
A period piece in its own right, “Y2K” blends ’90s nostalgia with nods to modern teen culture, staging a major character moment to Sisqó’s “Thong Song” while also featuring Gen Z cast members like Rachel Zegler and The Kid LAROI. Mooney commented on seeing the recent wave of Y2K nostalgia among younger generations, particularly in fashion.
“I’ve seen Jaeden Martell, who’s our star, wearing the big pants, so I know that something like JNCO jeans are at least somewhere in the fashion world,” Mooney said.
However, Mooney said these current trends simplify the Y2K era.
“That was not what I was wearing in 1999. I was wearing surf and skate clothing because I’m from San Diego, California,” Mooney said. “I think that whenever … fashion comes back from decades earlier, you never really get just the subtle dress. You only get the sort of big, flamboyant looks.”
Mooney said he imbued memories and pop culture artifacts from the period into props like a Warped Tour sticker on Eli’s computer, and a “Heart and Souls” poster in the video store his own character, Garrett, manages. Beyond these, Mooney talked about studying references with production designer Jason Singleton and co-writer Evan Winter to craft character wardrobes, teen bedroom sets and ’90s tech reminiscent of the era.
“I really loved going on YouTube, looking up video yearbooks from ’99 and 2000, especially to get a sense of dress, but also pulling photographs of bedrooms,” Mooney said. “There’s a TV show that I was really into that came out in ’99 called ‘American High’ ... and it follows a handful of seniors in high school … so you really get a good glimpse into the time period. I love stealing from that stuff.”
The film’s distinct visual landscape also heavily features sci-fi costumes and effects. Mooney talked about working with special effects company Wētā to emulate the type of practical effects — as opposed to CGI — of ’90s movies in the household appliancesturned killer robots of “Y2K.”
“We were very excited about making a movie that we would have seen in the
theaters in 1999,” Mooney said. “That was an interesting time because there was CG, but there was also still a little remnants of practical effects … there’s obviously something very tangible to [practical effects] and the fact that our actors can actually respond to a robot in the same space with them is incredibly awesome.”
Mooney also commented on what the experience of directing stars such as Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst and Alicia Silverstone meant to him as a ’90s kid himself.
“It’s always intimidating,” Mooney said. “Fred is … really into comedy, and he was a little aware of my stuff, and … he was just down, and he got it and he was like, ‘I trust you guys. I see that you’re incredibly passionate, and I see that you’re coming from what I believe to be an interesting perspective.’”
“With Alicia … it was … scary to give notes to somebody who’s a hero,” Mooney said. “But also being able to watch somebody who’s been at it for so long is always such a gift.”
In addition to directing, Mooney cowrote the film with Evan Winter. Mooney said that several of the high school-aged characters carried parts of himself.
“C.J. is the character who’s really into underground hip hop,” Mooney said. “Starting my sophomore year of high school … I was in a group with two of my friends. We were called Instruments of Intelligence. Our whole thing was just bragging about how we weren’t mainstream, and it was very cringy and corny, and I made beats … I would like to think I was … a little more self-aware than C.J. … So it’s not something I necessarily say proudly, but I definitely relate a lot to him.”
Mooney also said he relates to the protagonist, Eli, and hopes that the character’s misfit qualities at the heart of the film resonate broadly with viewers.
“I don’t know that I was ever … incredibly confident in socializing and arguing,” Mooney said. “That difficulty and challenge of fitting in and sort of figuring out who you are … I imagine is pretty universal.”
HANNAH SON THRESHER STAFF
COURTESY A24
Q&A: Meeting Mia Nagle
Division 1 athletics. Houston is a great city with countless opportunities for fun and my career, and I instantly bonded with the team here.
Scores & what’s next
Scores from Jan. 8 to 14
Women’s Basketball at University of Texas San Antonio
Jan. 8 - Rice 58, UTSA 67
Men’s Basketball at University of North Texas
Jan. 8 - Rice 59, UNT 81
Men’s Basketball vs. Temple University
Jan. 11 - Rice 70, Temple 73
Women’s Basketball vs. University of Memphis
Jan. 12 - Rice 70, Memphis 59
What’s next from Jan. 15 to 21
Women’s Basketball at University of North Texas
Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m. - Away on ESPN+
Men’s Tennis vs. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Jan. 18, 11 a.m. - Home
Women’s Tennis at Sam Houston State University
Jan. 18, 1 p.m. - Away
Women’s Basketball vs. East Carolina University
Jan. 18, 2 p.m. - Home on ESPN+
Men’s Basketball at Florida Atlantic University
Jan. 19, 12 p.m. - Away on ESPN+
Men’s Tennis vs. Prairie View A&M University
Jan. 19, 12 p.m. - Home
Jan. 19, 4 p.m. - Home
Mia Nagle, a junior at Baker College, competes for Rice’s swim team in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. She is double-majoring in business and sport management and minoring in sociology.
Rice Thresher: How did you get into swimming originally?
Mia Nagle: I began competitive swimming immediately after finishing swim lessons. I fell in love with the water while learning how to swim, and I wanted to know how I could stay in the water for as long as possible. I joined my local swim team, and the rest was history.
RT: Can you describe one of your earliest swim memories?
MN: My earliest swim memory was my first meet. I wasn’t aware that a swim meet is a competition and that your performance is based on how fast you swim down the pool. When it was my turn to race, I just stayed in the deep end until my coach begged me to make it to the other end of the pool. After the race, I finally learned that swimming is about speed, not just playing in the pool.
RT: Did swimming always come naturally to you?
MN: Swimming came naturally to me from the start. I knew I wanted to swim in college when I was in elementary school when a college swimmer from Ohio State came to talk to my swim team. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up.
RT: Why did you choose Rice?
MN: I chose Rice because it offered elite academics for my majors and competitive
RT: How do you balance your classes with swim?
MN: I balance classes and athletics by having dedicated time to study. I also have spreadsheets and calendars for my assignments and deadlines.
RT: Who has been most supportive of you while chasing your goals? In what ways have they helped you?
MN: My parents have been the most supportive in helping me chase my goals. They’ve driven me to countless swim meets over the years, cheered me on through good races (and bad ones), and most importantly helped me have the confidence to chase all of my dreams.
RT: What is your favorite memory from being on the swim team at Rice?
MN: My favorite memory is hiking the Grand Canyon with my teammates on our recent training trip in Arizona.
RT: What are your goals for this season?
MN: I want to compete at our conference championship in February and bring home Rice Swimming’s first American Athletic Conference Team Championship.
RT: When you’re not swimming, how do you spend your time?
MN: When I’m not swimming, I’m watching Netflix, trying new Houston restaurants and making coffee or baking.
RT: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
MN: My favorite condiment is ranch.
ANDERSEN PICKARD ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
EVIE VU THRESHER STAFF
COURTESY MIA NAGLE
Junior swimmer Mia Nagle swims the breaststroke during a meet at Rice.
Football players enter the transfer portal
DIEGO PALOS RODRIGUEZ ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
With the departure of seven-year head coach Mike Bloomgren and the hiring of Scott Abell from Davidson College, the football program has seen numerous changes in personnel. A change in head coach comes with a change in the strategy and staff coming into the team, often leading players and coaches to look for opportunities elsewhere. For players, the transfer portal provides an avenue to consider offers from schools around the country that fit into their desired athletic and academic trajectory. Since the closing of the winter transfer portal Dec. 28, there have already been many changes to the football roster.
“Owl-American”
“Even
Coaches:
Head Coach Mike Bloomgren→Cleveland Browns
Offensive Line Coach
Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
Pete Alamar → University of Central Florida
Special Teams Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Brian Smith → Temple University Defensive Coordinator
Players Out:
Linebacker Josh Pearcy → NFL Draft
Cornerback Sean Fresch → NFL Draft
Safety Gabe Taylor → NFL Draft
Quarterback E.J. Warner → Fresno State University
Running back Dean Connors → University of Houston
Offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa → Ohio State University
Offensive lineman Chad Lindberg → University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Offensive lineman Lane Jeffcoat → University of Central Arkansas
Safety Tyson Flowers → Virginia Tech University
the private jet is entering the transfer portal.”
HONG LIN TSAI / THRESHER
Notes
Rice 2025 Ins and Outs
IN:
– Second dinner at Baker College
– Fun, playdates, playing
– Using fake name at Chaus
– Rose, bud, thorn outside of O-Week setting
– “Good afternoon!” texts
– Snapchat streaks
– Neglecting your O-Week kids for your mental health
– Becoming the fine shuzz (fine shyt huzz)
– Taking naps on the anti-homeless benches in the quad
– Believing everything you read on Fizz
– People with ADHD
– Secret handshakes
– FaceTiming professors who list their number on the syllabus
– Instagram Reels, ironically
– Giving out hand-written valentines with temporary tattoos
– Committing to outfit themes at publics
– 2014 aesthetic (beanies, finger mustaches)
OUT:
– Bigotry and all forms of hate
– Culture of Care
– Freshman fall friend group
– Wiess College, McMurtry College
– Calling RUPD “roopdee”
– Rice Village
– Holding people hostage on your Instagram Close Friends story
– The Wok at North
– Microtransportation over walking
– Camp Kesem
– Making six figures out of college
– Interrupting your professor during lectures
– Minoring in Data Science
– Instagram Reels, unironically
– D1 requirements
– Rice Pride
– Setting bar too high with FDOC fit
The Backpage is the satire section of the Thresher, written this week by Andrew Kim, Will Howley, Charlie Maxson, and Max Scholl and designed by Lauren Yu. For questions
