Religious Diversity Survey Reveals Student Opinions of Tolerance at Rice

Home , Lou Adler

Le cinéma et l’art Deflating Grades Rice Fight Never Die INSIDE Prepare for the upcoming visual and STAT department should reconsid- Remember the athletic highlights of the SJP records judicial dramatic arts art and flm showcase er anti-grade infation policies 2014-15 Rice Owls in our Year in Review meetings in response to student concerns see A&E p. 6 see Ops p. 5 See Sports p. 9 See P. 2

Volume 99, issue no. 26 student-run since 1916 wednesday, april 22, 2015 SA starts According to 1,991 students’ responses... 5% refused to answer discussion on SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL 15% Religious spiritual and minorities grade policy 28% religious 40% Amber Tong Christian Assistant News Editor spiritual, In light of the implementation of 17% not religious 40% NOT RELIGIOUS grade collaring policies in certain in- RELIGIOUS Non-religious troductory courses, the Student As- sociation hopes to initiate a discus- religious, sion regarding departmental policies 5% not spiritual against grade infation in the fall, according to Sid Richardson College senator Justin Onwenu. not religious, Onwenu, a freshman, said he NOT SPIRITUAL noticed the issue in a statistics class, 48% not spiritual the syllabus of which stated that only the top 40 percent can receive 32% 20% an A, and felt a need to discuss it. The spring 2015 syllabi for El- ementary Applied Statistics (STAT 280), Introduction to Statistics for Student responses included... pray often attend service 43% never do nearly every week Biosciences (STAT 305), Probability 26% never attend and Statistics (STAT 310) and Meth- ods for Data Analysis (STAT 385) all Christian groups on campus could proselytize less. state that no more than 40 percent of the classes will receive a grade of A- I do not think that religious intolerance is really an plus, A or A-minus. According to the STAT 280 and issue at Rice. But I think it is important to continue to 94% 57% 305 syllabi, “This policy is meant to help [ensure] similar grades address it to ensure that it does not become an issue. across sections taught by diferent instructors and is being imple- say they always treat say they are always mented in a number of introduc- I have been made fun of or called out for multiple people of other religious treated with respect from tory classes in the department of faiths with respect people of other religious statistics.” occasions by non-religious students. faiths However, according to the course ofering page for fall 2015, there will be only one teacher for all STAT 280 and STAT 305 classes. “I was shocked,” Onwenu said. “I Religious diversity survey reveals brought it up to [the Student Associa- tion], and everyone was on the same page in feeling [that] grade infation policy is an issue that is important — student opinions of tolerance at Rice and I know a lot of universities are dealing with it — but it’s how you go vey was the first thorough effort to their own religions. However, she Week Coordinator Bridget Schil- about it that’s important.” Drew Keller understand religious diversity at also said the study led to some im- ling, many students see a divide According to Onwenu, the policy News Editor Rice. Johnson said the impetus for portant conclusions. between religious ideas and their is problematic because it may dis- the study was donor and founder “Understanding where tensions education at Rice. courage collaboration and engender Rice University’s Boniuk Insti- of the Boniuk Institute Dr. Milton are on our campus will help inform “I think that the idea of a con- negative competition. tute released the results of a cam- Boniuk. a more productive dialogue around flict between religion and science “The goal is to learn as much as pus-wide survey of undergraduates “[Boniuk] was really eager to religious tolerance,” Johnson said. is pretty prevalent on campus, es- possible and if we can work together about religion and religious toler- gain a better understanding of According to a presentation of pecially because we have such a and collaborate, that’s good,” On- ance at a presentation last week. what’s going on [at Rice], because the survey’s results given by the large population of STEM majors,” wenu said. “But if I see you as com- Boniuk Institute Director and it’s sort of seen as a very diverse Boniuk Institute last Thursday, Schilling said. “It can be easy to petition, [I might think,] ‘Oh I’m not sociology professor Elaine Howard and tolerant place,” Johnson said. Rice’s student body is dominated think that religion and science are going to help you [as you may] get Ecklund led the implementation of “So let’s look below the surface by two main groups: Christians and in conflict, especially with some above me and I may be knocked the study, assisted by Laura John- and see what’s really going on.” the non-religious, each of which vocal religious groups in the US be- down a grade level.’” son, the Institute’s associate direc- Johnson said many of the sur- makes up approximately two-fifths ing so visible, but I think that we The long-term focus should be tor of operations, and several stu- vey’s results were expected, such of the population. should have a greater discourse on learning instead of besting fellow dent research assistants. as the fact that religious students According to Lovett College surrounding the relationship.” students, Onwenu said. According to Johnson, the sur- had more positive feelings toward sophomore and Junior Interfaith 0see DIVERSITY, page 4 “Students don’t have a problem with increasing difculty of classes; students have a problem with a cut- throat environment,” Onwenu said. “I’m worried the statistics depart- ECON, MTEC curricula undergo major restructuring ment policy [...] has the potential to disrupt Rice’s collaborative sort of Sana Yaklur Algebra (MATH 211) requirement and The department approved the fnalized “In particular, the reforms are de- environment.” Thresher Staff renumbering of upper level courses. changes in February. signed to more clearly delineate our Onwenu said the statistics de- There is also a new honors program According to Zodrow, these chang- two majors, with an enhanced ECON partment probably implemented the The economics and mathemati- as well as new math, statistics and ad- es are a part of the Rice Initiative for major available to all students and an grade-collaring policy in response to cal economic analysis curriculum is vanced course requirements. the Study of Economics, which is a MTEC major that is designed for stu- a legislation passed by the Faculty undergoing extensive changes for the The economics department’s un- program focused on improving the dents who wish to pursue graduate Senate in April 2014. 2015-16 school year and beyond, ac- dergraduate committee developed the teaching and research of economics study in economics or obtain a position “Two years ago, the SA and cording to Chair of Economics George changes over the course of the 2014-15 at Rice. RISE is led by Economics De- in the private or public sectors that re- the Faculty Senate launched a Zodrow. The changes will be manda- year, according to Zodrow. The com- partment Chair Antonio Merlo. Zod- quires advanced analytical and quanti- working group [and] conducted a tory only for students matriculating in mittee took into account input from row said the goal of the restructuring tative skills,” Zodrow said. tremendous amount of research and after 2015. ECON faculty and students, and tenta- was to meet students’ needs more suc- A number of major changes will be in terms of how Rice compares to The changes include a new intro- tive proposals were presented to the cessfully and provide comprehensive implemented, Zodrow said. One is a other universities, and how our ductory course, removal of the Ordi- faculty and a student advisory board preparation for continued schooling new introductory course for the major. 0see INFLATION, page 4 nary Diferential Equations and Linear appointed by the Student Association. or careers. 0see ECON, page 2 2 NEWS the Rice Thresher wednesday, April 22, 2015 SJP, not students, permit- NEWS IN BRIEF Mackowiak wins Goliard for stars ted to record meetings Stargazing sophomore Mitch Mackowiak was recently awarded the Goliard Scholarship, Drew Keller & Jaycey Parham a $2,500 travel grant described by the Goliard News Editor & Staff Writer many witnesses. Board as a “whimsical efort … to encourage “Having the audio recordings for fac- an international understanding in Rice Univer- tually complex cases is very beneficial in sity’s leaders of tomorrow.” In a proposal titled Rice Student Judicial Programs has im- terms of getting all of the facts straight and “Look up and try not to trip: stars and hills in plemented two changes to its disciplinary in a more time efficient manner,” Garza said. Houston’s opposite” he submitted as his ap- meetings in response to student leader con- “If there’s a case that involves, say, 10 wit- plication, Mackowiak, a Lovett College sopho- cerns over transparency: Starting in Decem- nesses, it’s helpful to have the recordings in more, detailed his plans to “hang out with the ber, SJP has begun recording its proceedings order to review facts.” sky” for at least two weeks in San Pedro de and often includes a second official in the Both directors said the audio recordings Atacama, Chile. Mitch Mackowiak meetings. are not shared outside the SJP office. Be- According to its website, the Goliard Schol- SJP Director Lisa Zollner, who arrived at cause the change is recent, there has not yet arship stems from the defnition of a Goliard as the department in 2013 along with Student been a decision about how long the record- a wandering student in medieval Europe “dis- when you do get an opportunity to travel.” Conduct Officer Emily Garza, said input from ings will be retained. According to Zollner, posed to conviviality, license and the making Mackowiak said he is considering pursu- college presidents and chief justices influ- student disciplinary files are retained for 10 of ribald and satirical Latin songs. ing a nocturnal lifestyle in Atacama, although enced the new policies. Despite the chang- years after the involved student graduates, Mackowiak, an architecture major, said he he does have additional plans to explore San- es, however, students still will not have the but the audio recordings are not a part of felt he had stumbled upon a gem of a scholar- tiago and camp in the Andes. However, he will right to record meetings. This is in contrast these files. ship when he found the prompt, which merely keep his belongings to a minimum. to Texas law, which states that recordings “SJP is working with General Counsel to asks, “Where would you go with $2500, and “I need to fnd some astronomer’s binocu- require consent from only one party being determine a retention schedule for the re- what would you do?” lars, a nice camera and as much Spanish as I recorded. cordings,” Zollner said. “The magic of the question lies in its ask- can pick up in a little more than two months,” Zollner said another change, made this ing,” Mackowiak said. “Even if you didn’t get Mackowiak said. “Otherwise, [I’ll bring] as academic year, is that when possible both the Goliard, you might still follow that proposal little as I can.” she and Garza will be present during meetings with students. This change was also aimed at alleviating campus-wide concerns 300) while MTEC majors will take the more quan- If students believe about SJP proceedings. 0 titative Advanced Topics in Microeconomics for “Recently, there have been negative ru- ECON MTEC Majors (ECON 305). SJP is bad, they may mors toward SJP,” Zollner said. “Some stu- FROM PAGE 1 “ECON and MTEC majors will be required to dents come into our office expecting the take a new course [on] advanced topics in micro- decline to seek out SJP worst. Having two people rather than just “We are creating a new course, ECON 100, economics critical to an understanding of recent as a resource. one person present is a response to concerns Principles of Economics, which will provide a developments in modern economics,” Zodrow voiced by students.” non-technical intuitive introduction to microeco- said. “As a result, these quantitative tools courses Zollner and Garza both said SJP’s primary nomics and macroeconomics,” Zodrow said. should be taken earlier in a student’s career than Lisa Zollner concern is to keep the Rice community safe MTEC majors who matriculate in 2015 or later has often been the case in previous years.” and this includes being a resource for stu- will no longer be required to take Ordinary Difer- According to Zodrow, all MTEC majors must SJP director dents who feel they have been victimized. ential Equations and Linear Algebra (MATH 211) take one of the two new capstone courses based “The true risk of the rumors about SJP because the material from MATH 211 that MTEC on analysis of current research topics in econom- is that they will scare students away from majors need to know will be covered in Math- ics. The prerequisites for these courses provide SJP’s services,” Zollner said. If students be- ematical Economics (ECON 308, formerly ECON insight into this subject. The last change is a two- lieve SJP is bad, they may decline to seek 401), a prerequisite for Econometrics (ECON 310, semester honors program in economics. Garza said this change will improve the out SJP as a resource. This is a risk Rice stu- formerly ECON 409) and Advanced Topics in Mi- “This program will guide students through the adjudication process, particularly during dents should not accept, and a risk students croeconomics for MTEC Majors (ECON 305), ac- research process and culminate in the authorship factually complex cases that may involve should actively work to guard against.” cording to Zodrow. of a high-quality research paper,” Zodrow said. Also, core courses for ECON and MTEC majors MTEC majors would obtain more advanced are being renumbered, according to Zodrow. The analytical and quantitative skills through the core courses are Microeconomics (ECON 200, for- Applied Econometrics, Econometrics and Math- merly ECON 301), Macroeconomics (ECON 203, ematical Economics courses taken earlier in their formerly ECON 303) and Applied Econometrics college careers, as well as through the new cap- (ECON 209, formerly ECON 309). stone courses, Zodrow said. “The renumbering of these courses does not “We believe all of these curriculum changes imply they have been diminished in any way,” will provide students with a more comprehensive Zodrow said. “[It] simply recognizes these criti- knowledge of economic principles and applica- cal courses provide the basic foundational prin- tions as well as a deeper understanding of the ciples required as preparation for our upper-level process of research in economics,” Zodrow said. courses and should be taken early in a student’s Economics major Jenny Ren said despite the progression in either major.” new changes, she will opt to continue with the However, Zodrow said for students who had previous curriculum. taken these courses before the 2015-16 school “You can choose which general announce- year, the courses would still be listed as 300-level ments [to] go under, and it would be too much of courses on their transcripts. a hassle to pursue the new track [as] I’ve already Both ECON and MTEC majors will now be taken some of the old classes,” Ren, a Jones Col- required to take two semesters of calculus. Previ- lege freshman, said. “I am looking forward to the ously, ECON majors only needed one. According changes this program will bring and hopefully it to Zodrow, this change will provide better prepa- will create new opportunities in the department.” ration in mathematics for the core and elective Martel College junior Cathy Hu said while the courses. Additionally, ECON and MTEC majors changes do not afect upperclassmen, it’s inter- must now enroll in a higher-level statistics course, esting to see things being improved. Probability and Statistics (ECON 307/STAT 310). “In the past, depending on what professors ECON and MTEC majors will now need to you have, you’d have a very diferent experience take courses on advanced microeconomic topics. as an ECON major.” Hu, an economics and sociol- ECON majors will have to take Advanced Topics ogy major, said. “It would defnitely be more rigor- in Microeconomics for Economics Majors (ECON ous and standardized [after the changes].” wednesday, April 22, 2015 the Rice Thresher NEWS 3 Alumni vote RSVP maintains $17,500 surplus in Shamoo for anticipation of structural changes Excellence in Jieya Wen Council. Honor Council was asked to return the knowing whether these changes that RSVP is Thresher Staff rollover as a part of last year’s Blanket Tax Con- making will result in an increase in spending or Teaching award tingency Committee review. decrease, we were not prepared to make a deci- The Blanket Tax Committee found all blan- In contrast to past years, under the current sion to get back part of the rollover at this time.” ket tax organizations in good standing under blanket tax process, an organization is found in According to Kalian Shi, RSVP external vice Andrew Ta the new policy for the current fscal year, ac- good or bad standing based on the amount of chair, RSVP is planning on several ways to ef- Editor in Chief cording to Sai Chilakapati, chair of the Blanket surplus, rather than rollover, Chilakapati said. fciently use its funding, which includes pro- Tax Committee. This includes the Rice Student Under this process, actual surplus should not be viding funding and collaborating with 35 other Recent Rice University alumni voted profes- Volunteer Program, although the organization more than 125 percent of budgeted surplus. service organizations on campus. sor of biosciences Yousif Shamoo as the 2015 has nearly $18,000 in rollover from its current “We are concerned with the relationship “We formed a new team of students called recipient of the George R. Brown Prize for Excel- fscal year and is anticipating major structural between budgeted and actual surplus,” Chi- the RSVP think tank,” Shi, a Lovett College lence in Teaching. changes. lakapati said. “For example, I requested $1,000 sophomore, said. “We will work specifcally to- Alumni who graduated two, three and fve “The student initiative funding is calculated and my gross expenses that I expect to have is wards improving student development in three years ago were asked to nominate professors, based on our estimate of how many students are around $800 and my budgeted surplus is $200. respects: establishing a greater degree of stu- according to Dean of Undergraduates John expected to be at Rice University next year,” Chi- If you only spend $600, your actual surplus will dent autonomy, creating more efective student Hutchinson. The professor with the most votes lakapati, a Hanszen College sophomore, said. be $400. If they have $400 surplus, we would engagement techniques and devising a system receives the excellence in teaching award, Rice’s “This number was estimated based on Dean ask them to return $400 minus $250, $150.” that teaches leadership skills to students.” top award for teaching. Nine others, chosen by [Hutchinson] and his ofce’s estimate of 3,850 Some blanket tax organizations, such as Rice Former UCourt Chair Brian Baran said he the University Committee on Teaching and the [students]. We then took a low-ball estimate at Student Volunteer Program, have rollover from agreed organizations should have the right to Center of Teaching Excellence based on number 3,800 as our estimation of number of students the current fscal year. RSVP has a rollover of maintain reserves, but within reason. of votes, class size and subject, receive awards to be on the safe side.” $17,487. However, Chilakapati said the Blanket “The anticipation that money will be needed for superior teaching. All faculty, include non- The estimated blanket tax for the next school Tax Committee did not request RSVP to return in the future for unspecifed purposes is not tenure-track and lecturers, are eligible for the year is $323,000, to which every undergraduate the excess rollover, because the organization is sufcient to justify keeping it from the student awards, which also carry a monetary prize. student will contribute $85. Under the new blan- undergoing major structural changes that may body,” Baran, a Duncan College senior, said. Shamoo, who teaches Biochemistry I (BIOC ket tax policy, $11,434.09 from the total blanket lead to an increase in spending. “The purpose of the fexibility of the new blan- 301) and II (BIOC 302), previously received the tax fund will be student initiative funding. The “Constitutionally speaking, the new blanket ket tax process is that an organization can ask award for superior teaching in 2009, 2011 and total student initiative funding is $30,316.09, tax process was created with a ‘forward-looking’ for the money during the annual budgeting pro- 2013, but said he never expected to win the top combined with $18,882 rollover from the Honor approach,” Chilakapati said. “As such, without cess when it knows what it plans to do with it. prize for excellence in teaching. “Biochem is such a hard course; I’m always surprised and honored,” Shamoo, who is also the vice provost for research, Wiess career development chair and director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, said. Real food revolution prepares for Jones College junior Felix Yang said he was unsurprised Shamoo earned the top prize, and that he completely deserved it. “He’s a bro,” Yang, who is currently in BIOC seventh year of Farm to Fork dinner 302, said. “He’s engaged and [cares] about what he teaches and the students he’s teaching.” Isabella Bender Zevallos the official club sponsor, will also be attend- said. “There is a huge agricultural presence Shamoo said he was fattered by the award. Thresher Staff ing, and the management team of the Farm- that people just don’t know about.” “This award comes from our alumni and ers Market will serve as discussion leaders. Hokamp said the second goal of the event that is especially gratifying,” Shamoo said. “It The upcoming spring 2015’s Farm to Fork According to Hokamp, the event has a three- is the education about the activism going means that when they get to grad or med school Dinner has an expected attendance of over pronged purpose. on in food policy for students. Additionally, they value all our hard work together. Many of 80 students and discussion leaders, thus Hokamp said they hope the event will allow my students are pre-meds and too often they are maintaining the success of the semesterly networking with students and between dis- portrayed in an unfattering light, but my stu- event that is now in its seventh year. Rice cussion leaders to possibly help students fnd dents have real discipline and passion. I’d put University’s Real Food Revolution, an orga- jobs. my undergrads up against any school!” nization which seeks to increase awareness The frst thing is to ex- Douglass, said this dinner will feature According to Shamoo, his teaching methods in regards to local foods, is hosting the din- pose the students and Edward Castillo, the executive chef at West are tried and true. ner on April 25. Servery. “I am unabashedly old fashioned,” Sham- Incoming Real Food Revolution Co-Presi- chefs to the opportuni- “We are so excited to work with him and oo said. “There is a huge amount to know for dent and Sid Richardson College junior Kath- sample his delicious food,” Douglass said. this course series. It is a lecture course and I ryn Hokamp outlined the details of the event, ties of local foods in “Some of the produce will be coming from as try to keep things funny and insightful despite which will feature a meal cooked by a chef on close as the Martel and Wiess gardens, [and] the pressured nature of the course for my stu- campus and food from local farmers and the Houston ... There is a the furthest the food can come from is a 200- dents. It would be very easy for the course to Rice Farmer’s Market. huge agricultural pres- mile radius from campus.” go of the rails.” “We’ll bring in discussion leaders from While this is Real Food Revolution’s big- Jones College senior Kevin Li said Shamoo around the Houston area,” Hokamp said. ence that people just gest event of the semester, Hokamp said the was his favorite teacher in the biochemistry de- “We’ll ask farmers, people in food policy, group puts together food stands on a regu- partment. people who write about food, who cook food, don’t know about. lar basis, from which Rice students can take “He lets students punch him in the arm ev- who have promoted gardens in Houston, [...] for free some local food items that Real Food ery year to demonstrate the efects of hemoglo- people who are involved in the local foods Revolution brought from the Farmers Market bin breakdown,” Li said. movement in Houston.” Kathryn Hokamp or harvested from the Rice gardens. Hokamp All 10 recipients will be honored on April 28, Belle Douglass, who is co-president with Real Food Revolution also alluded to the possibility of a farm visit to at Rice’s Teaching Award Ceremony. Hokamp, said the discussions serve to provide either Cellar Farms or Sullivan Happy Hearts “Amongst the hallmarks of the Rice Edu- students with additional information on local Farms at the end of the semester or during this cation are the excellent faculty and close re- foods and where food comes from. summer, depending on student interest. lationship of the faculty with their students,” “We like the conversations to be just that, Farm to Fork Dinner will be held in the Dun- Hutchinson said. “The faculty enjoy honoring conversations,” Douglass, a Martel College ju- “The frst thing is to expose the students can commons, starting at 6:30 PM, $10 for a their students at the end of the year, and this is nior, said. “We have found that the best way to and the chefs at Rice to the opportunities of meal and $15 for a meal and T-shirt. This year, the best opportunity for the students to honor really facilitate discussion and learning is by local foods in Houston, to the diversity and Chef Ed (West servery) will be the guest chef. their faculty. These awards are highly coveted making the discussions casual and allowing amount of local foods in Houston,” Hokamp See the Facebook event for more information. and highly prestigious. All the faculty who re- the students to ask questions and be engaged ceive them feel very honored.” with the discussion leaders.” A number of other awards are given out at Hokamp said that while a number of dis- the event. The George R. Brown Certifcate of cussion leaders have yet to confirm their Highest Merit, awarded for earning multiple presence, there will be representatives from George R. Brown prizes for teaching, will be giv- MD Anderson’s Gardening Project, Plant it en to professor of psychology Michelle “Mikki” Forward and Last Organic Outpost. Richard Hebl. The Nicholas Salgo Distinguished Teacher Johnson, head of Sustainability at Rice and Award, voted on by current juniors and seniors, will be given to professor of bioengineering Ann Saterbak.

Yousif Shamoo wednesday, April 22, 2015 the Rice Thresher NEWS 3 Alumni vote RSVP maintains $17,500 surplus in Shamoo for anticipation of structural changes Excellence in Jieya Wen Council. Honor Council was asked to return the knowing whether these changes that RSVP is Thresher Staff rollover as a part of last year’s Blanket Tax Con- making will result in an increase in spending or Teaching award tingency Committee review. decrease, we were not prepared to make a deci- The Blanket Tax Committee found all blan- In contrast to past years, under the current sion to get back part of the rollover at this time.” ket tax organizations in good standing under blanket tax process, an organization is found in According to Kalian Shi, RSVP external vice Andrew Ta the new policy for the current fscal year, ac- good or bad standing based on the amount of chair, RSVP is planning on several ways to ef- Editor in Chief cording to Sai Chilakapati, chair of the Blanket surplus, rather than rollover, Chilakapati said. fciently use its funding, which includes pro- Tax Committee. This includes the Rice Student Under this process, actual surplus should not be viding funding and collaborating with 35 other Recent Rice University alumni voted profes- Volunteer Program, although the organization more than 125 percent of budgeted surplus. service organizations on campus. sor of biosciences Yousif Shamoo as the 2015 has nearly $18,000 in rollover from its current “We are concerned with the relationship “We formed a new team of students called recipient of the George R. Brown Prize for Excel- fscal year and is anticipating major structural between budgeted and actual surplus,” Chi- the RSVP think tank,” Shi, a Lovett College lence in Teaching. changes. lakapati said. “For example, I requested $1,000 sophomore, said. “We will work specifcally to- Alumni who graduated two, three and fve “The student initiative funding is calculated and my gross expenses that I expect to have is wards improving student development in three years ago were asked to nominate professors, based on our estimate of how many students are around $800 and my budgeted surplus is $200. respects: establishing a greater degree of stu- according to Dean of Undergraduates John expected to be at Rice University next year,” Chi- If you only spend $600, your actual surplus will dent autonomy, creating more efective student Hutchinson. The professor with the most votes lakapati, a Hanszen College sophomore, said. be $400. If they have $400 surplus, we would engagement techniques and devising a system receives the excellence in teaching award, Rice’s “This number was estimated based on Dean ask them to return $400 minus $250, $150.” that teaches leadership skills to students.” top award for teaching. Nine others, chosen by [Hutchinson] and his ofce’s estimate of 3,850 Some blanket tax organizations, such as Rice Former UCourt Chair Brian Baran said he the University Committee on Teaching and the [students]. We then took a low-ball estimate at Student Volunteer Program, have rollover from agreed organizations should have the right to Center of Teaching Excellence based on number 3,800 as our estimation of number of students the current fscal year. RSVP has a rollover of maintain reserves, but within reason. of votes, class size and subject, receive awards to be on the safe side.” $17,487. However, Chilakapati said the Blanket “The anticipation that money will be needed for superior teaching. All faculty, include non- The estimated blanket tax for the next school Tax Committee did not request RSVP to return in the future for unspecifed purposes is not tenure-track and lecturers, are eligible for the year is $323,000, to which every undergraduate the excess rollover, because the organization is sufcient to justify keeping it from the student awards, which also carry a monetary prize. student will contribute $85. Under the new blan- undergoing major structural changes that may body,” Baran, a Duncan College senior, said. Shamoo, who teaches Biochemistry I (BIOC ket tax policy, $11,434.09 from the total blanket lead to an increase in spending. “The purpose of the fexibility of the new blan- 301) and II (BIOC 302), previously received the tax fund will be student initiative funding. The “Constitutionally speaking, the new blanket ket tax process is that an organization can ask award for superior teaching in 2009, 2011 and total student initiative funding is $30,316.09, tax process was created with a ‘forward-looking’ for the money during the annual budgeting pro- 2013, but said he never expected to win the top combined with $18,882 rollover from the Honor approach,” Chilakapati said. “As such, without cess when it knows what it plans to do with it. prize for excellence in teaching. “Biochem is such a hard course; I’m always surprised and honored,” Shamoo, who is also the vice provost for research, Wiess career development chair and director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, said. Real food revolution prepares for Jones College junior Felix Yang said he was unsurprised Shamoo earned the top prize, and that he completely deserved it. “He’s a bro,” Yang, who is currently in BIOC seventh year of Farm to Fork dinner 302, said. “He’s engaged and [cares] about what he teaches and the students he’s teaching.” Isabella Bender Zevallos the official club sponsor, will also be attend- said. “There is a huge agricultural presence Shamoo said he was fattered by the award. Thresher Staff ing, and the management team of the Farm- that people just don’t know about.” “This award comes from our alumni and ers Market will serve as discussion leaders. Hokamp said the second goal of the event that is especially gratifying,” Shamoo said. “It The upcoming spring 2015’s Farm to Fork According to Hokamp, the event has a three- is the education about the activism going means that when they get to grad or med school Dinner has an expected attendance of over pronged purpose. on in food policy for students. Additionally, they value all our hard work together. Many of 80 students and discussion leaders, thus Hokamp said they hope the event will allow my students are pre-meds and too often they are maintaining the success of the semesterly networking with students and between dis- portrayed in an unfattering light, but my stu- event that is now in its seventh year. Rice cussion leaders to possibly help students fnd dents have real discipline and passion. I’d put University’s Real Food Revolution, an orga- jobs. my undergrads up against any school!” nization which seeks to increase awareness The frst thing is to ex- Douglass, said this dinner will feature According to Shamoo, his teaching methods in regards to local foods, is hosting the din- pose the students and Edward Castillo, the executive chef at West are tried and true. ner on April 25. Servery. “I am unabashedly old fashioned,” Sham- Incoming Real Food Revolution Co-Presi- chefs to the opportuni- “We are so excited to work with him and oo said. “There is a huge amount to know for dent and Sid Richardson College junior Kath- sample his delicious food,” Douglass said. this course series. It is a lecture course and I ryn Hokamp outlined the details of the event, ties of local foods in “Some of the produce will be coming from as try to keep things funny and insightful despite which will feature a meal cooked by a chef on close as the Martel and Wiess gardens, [and] the pressured nature of the course for my stu- campus and food from local farmers and the Houston ... There is a the furthest the food can come from is a 200- dents. It would be very easy for the course to Rice Farmer’s Market. huge agricultural pres- mile radius from campus.” go of the rails.” “We’ll bring in discussion leaders from While this is Real Food Revolution’s big- Jones College senior Kevin Li said Shamoo around the Houston area,” Hokamp said. ence that people just gest event of the semester, Hokamp said the was his favorite teacher in the biochemistry de- “We’ll ask farmers, people in food policy, group puts together food stands on a regu- partment. people who write about food, who cook food, don’t know about. lar basis, from which Rice students can take “He lets students punch him in the arm ev- who have promoted gardens in Houston, [...] for free some local food items that Real Food ery year to demonstrate the efects of hemoglo- people who are involved in the local foods Revolution brought from the Farmers Market bin breakdown,” Li said. movement in Houston.” Kathryn Hokamp or harvested from the Rice gardens. Hokamp All 10 recipients will be honored on April 28, Belle Douglass, who is co-president with Real Food Revolution also alluded to the possibility of a farm visit to at Rice’s Teaching Award Ceremony. Hokamp, said the discussions serve to provide either Cellar Farms or Sullivan Happy Hearts “Amongst the hallmarks of the Rice Edu- students with additional information on local Farms at the end of the semester or during this cation are the excellent faculty and close re- foods and where food comes from. summer, depending on student interest. lationship of the faculty with their students,” “We like the conversations to be just that, Farm to Fork Dinner will be held in the Dun- Hutchinson said. “The faculty enjoy honoring conversations,” Douglass, a Martel College ju- “The frst thing is to expose the students can commons, starting at 6:30 PM, $10 for a their students at the end of the year, and this is nior, said. “We have found that the best way to and the chefs at Rice to the opportunities of meal and $15 for a meal and T-shirt. This year, the best opportunity for the students to honor really facilitate discussion and learning is by local foods in Houston, to the diversity and Chef Ed (West servery) will be the guest chef. their faculty. These awards are highly coveted making the discussions casual and allowing amount of local foods in Houston,” Hokamp See the Facebook event for more information. and highly prestigious. All the faculty who re- the students to ask questions and be engaged ceive them feel very honored.” with the discussion leaders.” A number of other awards are given out at Hokamp said that while a number of dis- the event. The George R. Brown Certifcate of cussion leaders have yet to confirm their Highest Merit, awarded for earning multiple presence, there will be representatives from George R. Brown prizes for teaching, will be giv- MD Anderson’s Gardening Project, Plant it en to professor of psychology Michelle “Mikki” Forward and Last Organic Outpost. Richard Hebl. The Nicholas Salgo Distinguished Teacher Johnson, head of Sustainability at Rice and Award, voted on by current juniors and seniors, will be given to professor of bioengineering Ann Saterbak.

Yousif Shamoo 4 NEWS the Rice Thresher wednesday, April 22, 2015 Deans discuss tech in music, architecture Mengjia Liu With new technology, architects can develop Thresher Staff more sophisticated models, Whiting said. “Through these softwares, you can form more Dean of the Shepherd School of Music Robert realistic environments where the imagination is Yekovich and Dean of the School of Architecture rendered almost real,” Whiting said. “It’s opened Sarah Whiting discussed the impact of technol- the possibility for us to work digitally to create ogy on their disciplines at a Scientia colloquium complex relationships among components.” on April 14. According to Yekovich, the development of virtual instruments and electronically produced sounds has dramatically transformed the music market and pushed musicians to fnd new ways to adapt. Architecture is experi- “It’s far more cheap and cost-efective to have a computer playing the score for a flm than to enced in a state of dis- have 90 or 100 musicians sitting in a recording studio,” Yekovich said. “As a result, many musi- traction, and the public cians have had to learn computer-based skills, doesn’t really pay that such as how to orchestrate, arrange, record and edit, in addition to knowing how to play their in- much attention. We struments.” Virtual instruments have also changed music need to teach students composition and the way professors teach composition, Yekovich said. to make evaluations of “When I write a string quartet, I can now sit their own. with my computer and hear every note I write in real time on all four instruments,” Yekovich said. “When students go to lessons, they come in with Sarah Whiting their computer and whatever the piece has been scored for is played in real time.” School of Architecture Yekovich said he believes human performance and human interaction are still many years from being replaced by machine sounds despite these technological advances. “We still contend that human performance Architecture student and lecture attendee and the kind of experiential learning that is de- Neha Sahai said she wishes the deans dis- rived from that remains central to our musical cussed experiential learning in more depth endeavor,” Yekovich said. because the school does a great job balancing According to Whiting, a current challenge in the technological side with the experiential architecture is how to convince people to invest learning. in architecture or push architecture forward in- “Our felds are very based on experiential stead of imitating designs from the past. learning, and technology is a very integral part “Architecture is experienced in a state of dis- of our education,” Sahai, a Will Rice College traction, and the public doesn’t really pay that sophomore, said. “For example, we take tech- much attention,” Whiting said. “We need to do is nology classes for two years in which we learn teach students how to make evaluations of their about structural systems and the basic mechan- Marcel Merwin/thresher own and make those arguments convincing for a ics behind constructing buildings. So it’s a huge Students, faculty and community members paid a visit to the 2015 broader audience. If you don’t do that, you can component to the education and lets us push the end up repeating the past in a false form.” boundaries with designing.” Teacher Engineering Design Showcase on April 16. The showcase featured a competition where students won prizes for innovative designs. 0INFLATION FROM PAGE 1 grading policies and distribution of grades are at Rice,” Onwenu said. The report Onwenu referred to was the Final Report, published in March 2014 by the Working Group on Grade Infation, which stated, “Every academic program that ofers 100- to 300- level courses will have a faculty-wide discussion about grading practices [...] at least once every fve years. [...] Each department and program should decide how to frame the discussions of grading in the courses their faculty teach.” While the subject matter is not new, Onwenu said it is crucial to keep the conversation going to ensure the spirit of the legislation translates well into implementation. “Grade infation is a word that’s just been thrown around — faculty is probably tired of discussing it,” Onwenu said. “But now is the time that the policies are now being implemented. [...] We are fnally seeing the efects of it.” Baker College freshman Leah Rubin, who is in STAT 280, said making an introductory course difcult seems contradictory to its purpose. “It is supposed to be an [introductory] low- level class, so to collar the grades doesn’t make sense,” Rubin said. courtesy laura johnson Fanny Huang, a Baker College sophomore, Students, faculty and staf discussed Ecklund’s fndings in the frst comprehensive survey conducted on religious diversity at Rice University. is currently taking Applied Probability (STAT 331), which is not afected by this policy. Howev- “I strongly believe that the facilities as rently working on spreading awareness of er, she said the grading policy should not have a 0 they are not sufficient,” Bilgrami, a Baker the survey results, as well as creating a re- huge impact on individuals’ performance. DIVERSITY College junior, said. “Muslims who try to use port for the administration. According to “I’ll just do my best,” Huang said. “And no FROM PAGE 1 the room often find themselves unable to Ecklund, the study should help spur changes matter what [grading] scale the professors use, I use the room for a variety of reasons. … The that increase religious tolerance on campus. believe I’ll get the grade I deserve.” While the study found that 88 percent of best permanent solution would be a separate “Such efforts could include spearhead- Faculty Senate speaker James Weston said students felt Rice was a safe space for their ‘meditation room’ that Muslims at Rice can ing events that will foster a dialogue around the statistics department has the autonomy to religious beliefs, it also revealed that a mi- use for their daily prayers.” these issues across campus,” Ecklund said. confgure its own policy, independent of the nority of students did not feel completely According to Johnson, the student popu- “We are certain that the student body will Senate. supported. For example, the presentation lation views certain Christian groups most benefit greatly from the knowledge we’ve “Academic assessment standards belong to said 38 percent of Hindus and 29 percent of negatively. gained through this research and we hope the faculty, [not] the Faculty Senate,” Weston Muslims felt campus facilities for their reli- “If you look around the world, groups that the survey is a launching pad for future said. “Our constitution does not provide any gions were inadequate, compared to only 6 that face discrimination are often in a reli- conversations around religious diversity at regulatory authority over grade distributions percent of Christians. gious minority, such as Hindus or Muslims Rice.” at the class, department or university level. President of the Rice Muslim Student As- or Jews,” Johnson said. “But on this campus, Bilgrami also said there is a need for fur- What standards statistics decides to set are up sociation Zaid Bilgrami said he was grateful the groups that tend to be the most nega- ther dialogue on religion. to them.” Rice has a prayer space for Muslims in the tively viewed are Evangelical Christians and “Tolerance is a low bar,” Bilgrami said. Marina Vannucci, chair of the statistics de- Rice Memorial Center, but that more resourc- Mormons.” “A deeper understanding and appreciation partment, could not be reached for comment. es are needed. Ecklund said the Boniuk Institute is cur- of other viewpoints is missing from Rice.” 5

SJP’s hold over UCourt thwarts student governance UCourt was not what we thought it would be. edge of cases until SJP chooses to refer them or We frmly believe SJP and UCourt should aim Nor was it what Rice pretends it is. allow students to appeal. There are legitimate pri- to educate and rehabilitate. It is harder to design Grade collaring policies When we applied to be new student repre- vacy reasons to limit the information available to a efective educational sanctions tailored to each have no place at Rice sentatives, we wrote that University Court allows student panel, but SJP frequently interprets these case, but it’s better to work toward doing so than students to “play a major role in shaping Rice into so broadly it seems the real intent is less to protect to continue fning students out of ease and inertia. The Student Association plans to begin what we want it to be,” “maintain the integrity of privacy than to prevent us from weighing in on This issue is also an example of when UCourt a discussion in the coming fall about de- the university” and “promote responsible deci- cases and campuswide issues where it worries our ofcers asked to discuss a major topic with SJP partmental grade infation policies. These sions” by students. Maybe our wording was a little answer may not be one it wants to hear. and were promptly shut down. discussions come on the heels of legisla- of, but even as new students, we got the idea: Which brings us back to the central problem: Finally, UCourt’s decisions are only recom- tion passed by the Faculty Senate in April The point of UCourt should be to give students a UCourt is stuck sitting at the little kids’ table. For mendations until SJP accepts them. While deci- 2014, which called for faculty-wide discus- voice in Rice’s judicial process. But as UCourt has example, in the 3.5 years prior to the semi-an- sions are rarely overturned outright (as opposed sions about grading standards every fve matured, it has begun to collide with the rock wall nounced Code of Student Conduct overhaul this to through the appeal process, an integral part of years, among other stipulations (see p. 1). of reality; Rice restricts us to operating in such a winter, SJP made unannounced changes to the any judicial system), the possibility always looms, The Thresher supports this renewal narrow space that our voice can hardly be heard. Code at least 10 times. UCourt was not consulted inevitably constraining the views we can provide. of discussion on a subject matter that We have both been on UCourt for the last four on changes where a student perspective would All of this puts UCourt at the mercy of fckle continues to afect many students at Rice, years; between the two of us, we’ve served in every have been relevant, but that pales next to SJP’s university politics, which is the last place a ju- especially now that the department of position, from new student representative to chair. failure to even tell us the document we adjudicate dicial panel should be. UCourt cannot currently statistics has implemented a blanket policy From this vantage point, we want to communicate under had changed. serve as a check on SJP’s power; it’s been made of no more than 40 percent A’s in many of both UCourt’s potential and the serious pitfalls of That experience represents the larger issue clear throughout our time here that we are not in a its introductory classes. the current UCourt-SJP power dynamic. with the SJP-UCourt relationship. SJP treats UCourt position to hold SJP accountable. While it is understandable that a large For a little background, UCourt adjudicates as a student relations operation and a pawn. It of- This is a classic case of a lopsided power dy- proportion of high grades in a certain class cases under the Code of Student Conduct (analo- ten seems that SJP uses us to ease its workload by namic, and it’s a shame that it’s between two or- may be cause for concern, The Thresher gously to Honor Council, which administers the referring cases only when it feels comfortable with ganizations that could do a lot of good for the Rice maintains the opinion presented in our Honor Code) and operates under Student Judicial what our perspective might be — and, in doing so, community by working together. April 23, 2014 editorial that collaring Programs. UCourt was essentially re-established it can pretend students have genuine input. That’s To be clear, we are not bringing into question grades as a response to grade infation is in the fall of our freshman year (2011) and has not to say UCourt is always expected to agree with our previous case decisions; we believe our per- not an appropriate response. since come a long way. SJP (it empirically doesn’t), but that SJP only gives spective has been benefcial in the cases we’ve By instating a policy where only a UCourt is an impressive organization in its mis- us the chance to disagree on select cases. been allowed to hear. Our goal in writing this is certain percentage of students can achieve sion. It provides students the chance to have their Even when cases are referred to UCourt, its instead to improve the overall system in which high grades regardless of how many points cases heard by peers who understand both what infuence is limited. Rather than having free rein UCourt operates. they accrue throughout the semester, the Rice community means and the integrity it re- to consider situations, their social meaning and Like most graduating seniors, we didn’t want instructors engender a system that directly lies on. In our time here, UCourt has heard cases appropriate responses from a student perspec- to take all our institutional knowledge with us, but contradicts the spirit of positive collabora- with consequences as serious as suspension and tive, UCourt is often confned to a framework dic- we could’ve never written this piece while we were tion so frequently touted by Rice. had long, serious, straining conversations about tated by SJP and SJP’s own view of the charges and in ofce. Now, we worry that we waited too long to If individual professors, departments or the conduct we should expect from Rice students sanctions that ft the facts and students involved. say anything, and that if the student body doesn’t the administration wish to see a more even in each case that has come before us. For students found in violation, UCourt must continue to advocate and enthusiastically call for grade distribution, then perhaps looking But UCourt’s ability to be a prosocial orga- determine an appropriate sanction, but SJP unilat- change, the status quo will prevail. at course rigor or taking a more nuanced nization is restrained by its institutional limits. erally sets the baseline for what is “appropriate.” So it is on you, students and UCourtiers alike, approach is in order. Considerations for UCourt is dependent on SJP for case referral and Base fnes, the starting point from which the Court to be mindful of the diference between what major requirements, distribution credits its very existence, so while it would like to, it can can move up or down based on the specifc case, UCourt is, and what it could be. and class content should be made to help rarely operate as a true voice for the student body, are set by SJP and often change (read: increase) determine a change in grading scale, not whether by advocating on broad issues or by re- suddenly. Even if the changes are not arbitrary, Brian Baran and Zelia Rosenzweig the performance of the current grading viewing specifc cases. they seem like it. We’re lucky to be told there was a are Duncan College se- scale. “You can always appeal to UCourt” is the mes- change, much less to get an explanation. niors and the former Collaring grades is an arbitrary punish- sage students are supposed to hear when they But this is much bigger than a question of the UCourt chair ment to students that not only negatively meet with SJP. But that’s not true. In reality, you exact amount of the fnes. We have long believed and treasurer, impacts Rice’s academic environment of have the right to bring your case to UCourt — un- that fnes are rarely appropriate except to repay ac- respectively. positive collaboration, but also does not less SJP doesn’t want you to. tual damages. Despite a lack of evidence that fnes address the root of any alleged problems None of this comes from Yik Yak; we’ve seen educate or deter, Rice fnes students left and right. with infation. it year after year. UCourt operates as a functional (Fines also present a social justice issue; the same If too high a percentage of students re- judicial panel but lacks jurisdiction over or knowl- dollar amount has a disparate burden.) ceives A’s, the grading scale should not be the frst place the faculty looks for a solution. The Thresher recommends investigat- ing the content of the courses to see if it is appropriately rigorous for Rice students. The Thresher believes the statistics department’s turn to grade collaring is a prec- edent other departments should not follow. Princeton University recently repealed their grade defation policy after 10 years, citing how it adversely afected students’ willingness to take risks in course selection, damaged the academic atmosphere and discouraged students from applying to the university. There is no reason a similar policy should be implemented among Rice courses. The Thresher encourages each academic department to consider student feedback in the implementation of grading policies, and to give signifcant thought to the potential negative consequences of such policies. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Thresher editorial staf. All other opinion pieces represent solely the cartoon by yasna haghdoost and carrie Jiang opinion of the piece’s author. “Thanks, SJP!”

Editorial Staff opinions arts & entertainment Mitch Mackowiak* Editor Sophie Newman Editor The Rice Thresher, the ofcial student newspaper Editorial and business ofces are located on the Kaylen Strench Editor at Rice University since 1916, is published each second foor of the Ley Student Center: Andrew Ta* sports Walden Pemantle Editor Wednesday during the school year, except during 6100 Main St., MS-524 Editor in Chief Maddy Adams Editor examination periods and holidays, by the students Houston, TX 77005-1892 Evan Neustater Editor copy Yasna Haghdoost* of Rice University. Phone (713) 348-4801 Sarah Nyquist Designer Jasmine Lin Editor Managing Editor Email: [email protected] Julianne Wey Editor Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. Website: www.ricethresher.org art Miles Kruppa* the Friday prior to publication and must be Carrie Jiang Art Director backpage Senior Editor Marcel Merwin Photo Editor Reed Thornburg Editor signed, including college and year if the writer is Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Jake Nyquist Photo Editor a Rice student. The Thresher reserves the rights the Thresher editorial staf. All other opinion pieces news Jessica Kelly Asst. Photo Editor * indicates member of the to edit letters for content and length and to place represent solely the opinion of the piece’s author. Anita Alem* Editor Claire Elestw ani Illustrator Editorial Board letters on its website. Drew Keller* Editor Andrew Ligeralde Asst. Editor The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and Amber Tong Asst. Editor CNBAM © Copyright 2015 Justin Park Designer arts ENTERTAINMENT 6 Afghan Village serves Middle Eastern specials

Walden Pemantle A&E Editor

With all the good Middle Eastern food around Houston, it seems unlikely that Af- ghan Village, a small Afghani restaurant in a Gulfton strip mall, could be a standout. The quiet dining room is mostly filled with families and regulars. Larger crowds occasionally appear for the lunch buffet, but for the most part, a unique calm pervades the restaurant. It’s the kind of place where, when the waitress asks, “How did you hear about us?” she seems genuinely curious. But if Afghan Village’s vibes cause any mis- givings, the food will come as a pleasant surprise. Serving consistently good main- stays of Middle Eastern cooking, as well as a number of dishes unique to Afghani cuisine, Afghan Village is a hidden gem and a great addition to Houston’s portfolio of Middle Eastern restaurants.

Afghan Village

Address: 6413 Hillcroft St. 77018 Price range: $$ Website: theafghanvillage.com Recommended Dishes

Shinwary Kebab, $13 Broiled lamb ribs crusted with pepper

Mantoo, $10 Ground beef dumpling with yogurt and mint sauce

courtesy mckenna mitchell Pictured above: McMurtry College senior McKenna Mitchell’s photographs, taken on a summer solo trip to Iceland after winning the Parish Fel- The most noticeable difference between Afghan Village’s cuisine and other lowship for summer travel. Her artwork will be displayed for the frst time in the Matchbox Gallery, which opens to the public on April 23. Middle Eastern restaurants is the Kashmiri influence. Fans of Indian specialties like aloo paratha will appreciate Afghan Vil- Rice welcomes annual student art show lage’s bolani, a flatbread “turnover” filled with leeks, potatoes, onions and herbs. Sophie Newman terest. John Sparagana, chairman of VADA and to help students get a glimpse of the professional Other Indian influences come through in A&E Editor professor of this year’s senior design class for art world. the multiple dishes served with palak, a visual arts majors, said forming a valuable idea “What I’m most excited about is the aspect spiced blend of wilted spinach that looks Transitioning from the safe, comfortable class- can take as much, if not more time, than creating of professional development for them,” Stringer unappealing but makes a great accompani- room setting to a job in the real world is tough for the project itself. said. “I require them to submit works to festivals, ment for the rice and flatbread that many all students, but especially for artists who plan to “One person may have a tremendous amount and I require them to make a website. Basic things dishes come with. The complimentary flat- market their work professionally. They not only of material output, and some person may have like having a portfolio and knowing how to sub- bread also comes with bouranee baunjan, have to invent original, relevant ideas for inde- far less, but the person who has far less got on mit an art proposal are really important skills.” a smoky and tangy mix of eggplant, tomato pendent projects, but they also have to learn how to something very meaningful,” he said. “To my For Sparagana, the most rewarding part of the and yogurt. The small selection of appe- to successfully curate their work. mind, that’s a real measure of this class: that process as a professor is witnessing the transfor- tizers is consistent and on par with other The visual and dramatic arts senior studio is each student have an experience generating their mation of students and their work throughout Middle Eastern restaurants, but Afghani a class that attempts to give majors the opportu- own interests and investigations.” the course of the year. Village’s biggest draw is its entrees. nity to build skills necessary for success in the Although the professors are available to “One of the things that is always exciting The majority of the entrees are kebabs art world. Over the course of a year, students de- provide feedback to students, they try to take a is when I realize that everybody has actually served with a heaping plate of sweet long- velop an idea for an independent project, gather hands-of approach to teaching the class. Tish crossed that threshold of generating their own grain rice with raisins and candied pep- materials, build their work and eventually decide Stringer, lecturer, flm program manager and independent work,” Sparagana said. “I’m always pers. Nearly all the kebabs on the menu are how to present their fnal projects to the public. professor of this year’s senior studio for VADA doubting it throughout the year … and I start cooked perfectly, trapping in the moisture On Thursday, April 23, 13 students from the flm students, said her role is more a function of to have a crisis of faith, but every year that I’ve of the meat to avoid the dry chewy texture VADA department will debut their fnal pieces in creating space for her students than it is super- taught this class there’s a turnover point where I that sometimes results from their cooking Sewall Hall. The display will represent a year of vising them. realize that they have crossed that threshold and method. The chicken and shinwary lamb toil to create something that pleases professors, “Basically you’re facilitating their develop- it was a transformative experience.” kebabs are especially flavorful. The chick- peers and art critics alike — something that is not ment of a project, which is just creating time for en is basted in an orange tomato-based only true to the students’ personal interests, but them to develop a concept,” Stringer said. “You A Diverse Range of Work sauce similar to Indian tandoori chicken. potentially marketable to the art world at large. love to think of yourself as a mentor, but basically Such freedom produces a wide range of proj- The shinwary lamb chops are marinated in I’m just making space for them to explore.” ects. For one flm student, Amiri Boykin, this a blend of peppercorns, spices and vinegar Staging the Show Aside from encouraging students to explore freedom means going beyond the traditional and crusted in more pepper before broil- The process begins with a simple idea or in- their own interests, senior studio is also designed 0see VADA, page 8 0see AFGHAN, page 8

THE BEER WEEK BENNETT/GAGA TICKET HUNT JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR WEEKLY Restaurants, bars and beer Have one last hurrah before f- Come out to Sam Houston Park distributors across the city are nals begin. New pop will meet classic for an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Yearning to hear a classic bib- SCENE hosting a weeklong happy hour crooning in the Tony Bennett and Lady Find a teammate and snap pictures of lical tale told over wailing electric for thirsty Houstonians. Partici- Gaga concert, starting 8 p.m. at the the items on the list. The real fun is guitars? The chart-topping rock The editors’ picks Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion. The pating venues will be hosting a in the hunt, but winners will receive opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, is for this week’ s unexpected duo will perform songs coming to Houston. Bayou City range of events from half-price tickets to Houston music festival Free best events. Time from their new album, Cheek to Cheek, Theatrics will perform the show beer nights to beer dinners with Press Summer Fest. The event is Sat- to explore the as well as some of their classic hits. The at the Kaleidoscope Theater until limited edition brews until Satur- urday, April 25, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. wonderful world concert is Friday, April 24. Sunday, May 3. day, April 25. of Houston. Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion Sam Houston Park The Kaleidoscope Around Houston 2005 Lake Robbins 1100 Bagby 705 Main Street houstonbeerweek.com woodlandscenter.org heritagesociety.org bayoucitytheatrics.com arts ENTERTAINMENT 6 Afghan Village serves Middle Eastern specials

Walden Pemantle A&E Editor

Afghan Village

Address: 6413 Hillcroft St. 77018 Price range: $$ Website: theafghanvillage.com Recommended Dishes

Shinwary Kebab, $13 Broiled lamb ribs crusted with pepper

Mantoo, $10 Ground beef dumpling with yogurt and mint sauce

THE BEER WEEK BENNETT/GAGA TICKET HUNT JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR WEEKLY Restaurants, bars and beer Have one last hurrah before f- Come out to Sam Houston Park distributors across the city are nals begin. New pop will meet classic for an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Yearning to hear a classic bib- SCENE hosting a weeklong happy hour crooning in the Tony Bennett and Lady Find a teammate and snap pictures of lical tale told over wailing electric for thirsty Houstonians. Partici- Gaga concert, starting 8 p.m. at the the items on the list. The real fun is guitars? The chart-topping rock The editors’ picks Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion. The pating venues will be hosting a in the hunt, but winners will receive opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, is for this week’ s unexpected duo will perform songs coming to Houston. Bayou City range of events from half-price tickets to Houston music festival Free best events. Time from their new album, Cheek to Cheek, Theatrics will perform the show beer nights to beer dinners with Press Summer Fest. The event is Sat- to explore the as well as some of their classic hits. The at the Kaleidoscope Theater until limited edition brews until Satur- urday, April 25, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. wonderful world concert is Friday, April 24. Sunday, May 3. day, April 25. of Houston. Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion Sam Houston Park The Kaleidoscope Around Houston 2005 Lake Robbins 1100 Bagby 705 Main Street houstonbeerweek.com woodlandscenter.org heritagesociety.org bayoucitytheatrics.com wednesday, April 22, 2015 the Rice Thresher A&E 7 8 A&E the Rice Thresher wednesday, April 22, 2015

WHAT’S HIP RIGHT NOW by Sophie NewmaN ART: FILM: TECH: TRENDING: Infnite poetry ‘Rocky Horror’ remake Afectiva Lilly Pulitzer frenzy

courteSy 20th ceNtury fox In a phrase: Rocky Horror meets High School Musical. courteSy affectiva courteSy library of coNgreSS Where to fnd it: Details are sparse, but will In a phrase: 75 years of melodic poetry read- probably air on television sometime next year. In a phrase: Computers that know when ing in one place. you’re sad. Where to fnd it: loc.gov. Speculation is circling around the recent Where to fnd it: Hasn’t hit the mainstream announcement that Fox will be remaking ev- market yet, but it’s just a matter of time. courteSy lilly pulitzer Romantics, rejoice — April is National eryone’s favorite cult classic Rocky Horror Pic- In a phrase: Crazy basic girls mob popular Poetry Month and the Library of Congress ture Show. Details are sparse, but Hollywood Computers have already gained the capa- retails stores. has just introduced a new way to celebrate. Reporter claims it will be pre-taped and aired on bility to play several roles in your life — li- Where to find it: Target, if there’s any left. In honor of the holiday, the institution has Fox in time for the 1975 flm’s 40th anniversary. brary, secretary, personal assistant, dietician. released its new Archive of Recorded Poetry The other known tidbit is that the flm will be Soon, however, it seems that your Macbook If you don’t know what Lilly Pulitzer and Literature. The downloadable collection directed by Kenny Ortega of High School Musical may also be able to take the place of your psy- is, just think ultra preppy, neon-pink-and- currently includes 50 top-notch recorded fame, which has spurred a wave of ambivalent chiatrist. New software program Afectiva, a green dresses and skirts. The brand has poetry readings that span over 75 years, and reactions across the web. News that the original start-up that grew out of research at the Mas- traditionally had a reputation for being there is more to come. No longer will you have flm’s producers, Lou Adler and Gail Berman, sachusetts Institute of Technology, uses algo- overpriced and difficult to procure, so when to scour the library or the interwebs for po- will join the project has assuaged some worries rithms to recognize emotions through facial news broke that a more reasonably priced ems; now, you can have smooth-talking writ- that Ortega will Disney-fy the musical. expressions with 90 percent accuracy. line was coming to Target, 16- to 30-year-old ers like Robert Frost and Gwendolyn Brooks This is Fox’s second attempt to remake the The possible applications of such a pro- females everywhere jumped with glee. recite them in your ear as you lift weights at classic — there was talk about the network pick- gram are endless: Experts say software may Despite the hype, however, no one could the Rec Center or code away on your CAAM ing it up 10 years ago for its 30th anniversary, but be able to detect psychiatric disorders more have predicted the response when Target assignment. the project never came to fruition. The decision to objectively than well-trained physicians or launched the line on Monday, April 20. If that’s not enough to pique your inter- go through with the production this time around identify if a driver is stressed or tired to help Hundred-person lines accumulated out- est, the archive also includes interviews with may have something to do with Fox’s growing prevent car accidents. The only concern is side Target stores across the country like poets about their own masterpieces or their afnity for remaking musicals. The Rocky Hor- that these programs are a little creepy. Some it was Black Friday, and shoppers crashed peers’ work. In addition, visitors can stream ror announcement closely follows Fox’s wild critics claim the technology could be used to the website in record time. The good news literature readings from famous authors such success with musical show Glee and news of a collect “emotional” data and use it to exploit is that Target has clearly found a winning as Vonnegut or Cheever. The archive will be Grease remake starring Vanessa Hudgens and consumers: There’s a fne line between cool product, but whether they can keep up with updated every month, so listen away. Julianne Hough. new tech and Big Brother. demand is yet to be determined.

0 happens,” Smith, a Duncan College senior, VADA said. “The feld is so open, and there’s all these from page 6 limitless possibilities, but at the same time, nar- rowing down and fguring out what you want to short flm medium to create a flm installation. do for a full year is extremely challenging and For his senior studio project, Boykin, a Jones scary too.” College senior, has decided to showcase a mash- After students settle on an idea, they must up of the classic kid’s show, Arthur, and the also learn to incorporate feedback from peers, adult cartoon, Arthur. professors and visiting artists into their work Boykin is interested in the threads that carry without sacrifcing its integrity. on from childhood into adulthood. “There’s a healthy balance of critique,” “Ultimately, I think that most adults are ei- Smith said. “When you’re working on art, what ther hardened children — they’ve never really let you’re basically doing is having a conversation go of the things they’ve wanted most as a child, with whatever you’re making. Learning how to or they’re adults who’ve never had a childhood, take in criticism but also understanding how to so their outlook on life has always been bleak,” still be true to yourself is a skill that people have Boykin said. really developed over the past year.”

Between Art and Science Thursday’s event will feature more than just waldeN pemaNtle/threSher senior design projects. Alongside the VADA ma- When you’re working on jors, earth science major McKenna Mitchell will 0 flavor to the meat sauce. The one exception debut her photographs, taken on a summer solo AFGHAN to the entrees’ success is the gosfand lamb art, what you’re basi- trip to Iceland, in the Matchbox Gallery. from page 6 kebab. While its flavor is not particularly Inspired by a photography earth science bad, it is under-seasoned. The dish relies cally doing is having a class, “Visualizing Nature,” Mitchell applied for ing. The pepper crust gives them a straight- too heavily on the lamb’s flavor, leaving it and was awarded the Parish Fellowship for sum- forward but satisfying flavor and locks in the bland and dried out compared to the other conversation with what- mer travel to take pictures of natural geologic moisture that makes Afghan Village’s meats kebab meats. ever you’re making. formations in Iceland. After nearly a year and a so tender. Aside from the kebabs, Afghan Occasionally, homemade baklava and half of mulling over the photos, Mitchell, a Mc- Village serves a few specials specific to Af- Afghani green tea can be ordered after the Murtry College senior, is now putting them on ghani cuisine, the best of which is the man- meal, but both depend on availability. Over- display for the frst time. too. The dish is comprised of onion-and-beef all, Afghan Village is a quaint and satisfying Lydia Smith Mitchell believes that artists and scientists dumplings tossed with housemade yogurt, alternative to more bustling Middle Eastern Duncan College senior are pulled toward the same subject matter, al- topped with a chickpea-and-meat sauce and restaurants like Istanbul Grill and Aladdin. though they approach it in diferent ways. sprinkled with dried mint. The dish is a bar- The food’s quality and price are fairly simi- “I really believe that artists and scientists are rage of tastes but the flavors never clash; lar to competitors, but the delicious kebabs drawn to describe and produce work because of the tangy dumplings compliment their spicy and unique Afghani dishes endear it to pa- the same interests,” Mitchell said. “So for a re- beef filling, the mint adds an herb flavor to trons as an understated and overlooked gem Although students have a nearly limitless ally beautiful glacier, scientists would want to the yogurt and the chickpeas add an earthy of Middle Eastern cuisine. feld to explore, such freedom comes at the cost know what’s going on geologically, and an artist of comfortable structure. Julia Klineberg, a visu- would just paint it, but it’s the same subject.” al arts student whose project will feature large- Mitchell also sees similarities in the method- scale portraits, said working without a schedule ology between artists and scientists. can be more difcult than it seems. “I also think that the process of feldwork is “One of the difculties I’ve had this year very similar,” Mitchell said. “You have to be re- is planning ahead for change,” Klineberg, a ally well-planned, to have all of your equipment McMurtry College senior, said. “The hardest ready to go, sometimes you’re really alone, you WRITE FOR THRESHER part is molding your original idea and risk- have to research a lot and really engage with the ing that change in order to possibly produce subject.” ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT something better.” The senior student work, the Matchbox Gal- Pursuing one project for a year also requires lery opening and the annual undergraduate a great deal of confdence in an idea. For Lydia student flm showcase will all debut Thursday Smith, a visual arts student whose fnal project evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festivities will will feature Tyvek, a housing wrap material, the begin at the Rice Media Center and progress to [email protected] process can initiate self-doubt. Sewall Courtyard, where there will be drinks, a “When you’re thrown into a year of inde- food truck and a disc jockey. For specifc details pendent study, there’s a lot of self-doubt that and times see events.rice.edu. Sports is on Twitter. Get the scoop at twitter.com/ThresherSports 9 2014-15 OWLS YEAR IN REVIEW Soccer wins C-USA championship Evan Neustater Sports Editor

Following an 11-3-3 regular season, the Owls culmi- nated their season by shutting out all three of their opponents in the Conference USA tournament and earning the program’s third conference title. After defeating the regular season champions University of North Texas 2-0 in the championship match, the Owls secured a spot in the NCAA tournament. Although the team went on to lose against the University of Texas, Austin in the frst round, the team’s 14-4-3 record marked one of Rice’s best seasons in program history, and included victories in seven of their last eight games, fve of which were shutout performances. Senior goalkeeper Amy Czyz was named the Owls’ 2014 Player of the Year after setting new school career records for minutes, saves and Photos by Jake Nyquist, DoNalD Page, JohN shutouts. Czyz closed out her collegiate career making Deal, erik Williams, rice athletic commuNi- 80 career starts, tying for the school record. catioNs, haWaii meDia source, aaroN hou

Clark Men’s Tennis Bowl victory Rhoades Tennis Baseball looks Volleyball Qualifes falls just short in Hawai’i knows three-peat for 20th straight makes fnals This semester, senior The Owls entered the After posting a 7-5 After winning only 12 Rice closed its open- Currently sitting at Despite finishing swimmer Casey Clark Conference USA tourna- regular season record and games from 2012-14, Rice ing season in the George 26-16 overall and 14-7 with one of Rice’s best swam in the US Olympic ment as the No. 1 over- fnishing second in the posted a 12-20 regular sea- R. Brown Tennis Center in Conference USA seasons in its history Trials. The Owl qualifed all seed, but could not West Division of Confer- son record and a victory in by defeating Marshall play, the Owls are look- with a record of 23-10, for the next round after overcome the University ence USA, the Owls de- the frst round of the Con- University 4-1 in the Con- ing to secure their 20th Rice volleyball lost in posting a 1.00.42 time of Texas, San Antonio, feated Fresno State Uni- ference USA tournament ference USA Champion- straight conference ti- the Conference USA ti- in the 100-meter butter- losing 4-2 in the cham- versity 30-6 in the annual under frst-year head ship match. The cham- tle. Despite starting off tle match 3-2 to Western fy. Despite qualifying pionship match. Rice Hawai’i Bowl. The bowl coach Mike Rhoades. Se- pionship victory marked winning 15 of their first Kentucky University. for the next stage of the previously defeated the victory marked Rice’s nior forward Seth Gear- the team’s third consecu- 21 games, the Owls cur- Sophomore Sara Blasier Trials, Clark said she University of North Car- eighth victory in their hart led the Owls and tive conference title, and rently sit in third place helped lead the Owls does not plan on con- olina, Charlotte in the last 10 games, and Rice ranked seventh in C-USA Rice’s second C-USA title in C-USA, behind Flor- in their season, and tinuing her swimming semifinals of the tour- earned its second bowl with 15.3 points per game of the year. Senior Nata- ida Atlantic University finished No. 27 in the career. She currently sits nament, held in Nor- victory in three years en route to earning second lie Beazant, ranked No. and Middle Tennessee country in assists per atop the Rice swimming folk, Virginia. Rice fin- and its 18th win over the team all-Conference USA 21 in singles, helped lead State University. Rice set. Additionally, senior record books with indi- ished the season with a last two seasons, the best honors this season. He the team to its title vic- will look to rebound and middle blocker Jillian vidual school records in 12-14 overall record and two-season stretch in notched a career-high 31 tory after winning her tie- climb up the conference Humphrey was named the 100-yard freestyle, will look to build upon school history. The team points in the win at West- breaker set in her match standings in part with an American Volleyball 100-yard backstroke, last season as the team will look to reload around ern Kentucky University against Marshall. Rice effort from preseason Coaches Association 200-yard freestyle, 200- will return all but one rising senior quarterback and topped it a week later fnished their regular Player of the Year senior All-America Honorable yard butterfy and in her member, senior Srikar Driphus Jackson, who with 32 points in the Owls’ season and conference John Clay Reeves and Mention for her perfor- favorite event, the 100- Alla, of the roster next will look to build upon win over the University of tournament run with a preseason Pitcher of the mance over the course yard butterfy. season. his frst year starting. Alabama, Birmingham. 16-8 overall record. Year junior Blake Fox. of the season. Baseball takes weekend series Men’s tennis Michael Kidd game losing streak against the Cougars. Af- runs and Rice went up 5-0. However, UTSA falls in fnals Thresher Staff ter heavy thunderstorms postponed Friday’s battled back in the top of the fifth inning by opening matchup against UTSA, the Owls scoring four runs, which forced McCanna Kevin Mohanram Thresher Staff Rice vs. UTSA won both games of the Saturday doublehead- to leave the game after 4.2 innings of work. er but fell in Sunday’s contest. Rice finished With Rice leading 9-6 headed into the ninth Despite entering the Conference USA tour- 3-1 on the week and is now 26-16 on the year inning, the Roadrunners plated two runs to nament as the No. 1 seed and favorite to win, (14-7 in C-USA). cut the deficit to 9-8. Rice then stranded the the Rice University men’s tennis team could In the first game against UTSA, Rice ju- tying runner at second base to hold on for 2-1 not overcome the University of Texas, San nior starting pitcher Kevin McCanna got off the 9-8 final and grant junior Matt Ditman Antonio in the championship match. Rice by- The Rice University Owls baseball team to a clean start after allowing three singles the win. passed the frst round with a bye and defeat- completed a four-game homestand against through his first 4.0 innings of work. Mean- The final game of the doubleheader began ed the University of North Carolina, Charlotte two in-state rivals, the University of Houston while, third-inning RBI singles by senior left 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first 4-2 in the semifnals. UTSA automatically and the University of Texas, San Antonio. Be- fielder John Williamson and junior catcher game and UTSA jumped out to a 1-0 advan- earned a spot in the NCAA tournament with ginning on Tuesday afternoon, Rice defeated Hunter Kopycinski gave Rice the early 3-0 tage against Rice junior starting pitcher Jor- their 4-2 win. No. 25 Houston 11-0 to even up the Silver advantage. In the following inning, a costly dan Stephens. The offense responded in the 0 Glove Series at one apiece and snap a four- error by UTSA allowed Rice to score two more 0see Baseball, page 10 see Tennis, page 11 10 SPORTS the Rice Thresher wednesday, April 22, 2015 Women’s tennis wins third straight championship

Juan Saldana when momentum shifted, but even when mo- Thresher Staff mentum shifts, you have to do a good job capital- izing on it.” Somehow managing to escape the poor Beazant, ranked No. 21 in the country in weather, the Rice University women’s tennis singles play and playing her fnal home match, team won their third consecutive Conference said she was ecstatic with the team’s confer- USA title this weekend. ence championship to cap of an impressive The No. 30 Owls fnished their frst year at the weekend of play. new George R. Brown Tennis Center with a confer- “It’s been a long weekend with some really ence championship and an automatic berth in the tough matches in there,” Beazant said. “We had NCAA tournament. The Owls, seeded frst, shut played Marshall before and I am really excited out the University of North Carolina, Charlotte 4-0 that we have been able to get the third [champi- in their frst match on Friday. The next day, they onship] in a row.” proceeded to put down Florida International Uni- This year’s conference championships al- versity 4-1. Sunday morning, the Owls outplayed lowed the Owls to celebrate their victory at home no. 2 seed Marshall 4-1 in the conference fnal. for the frst time. Schmidt praised the fans who In their frst match on Friday, the Owls showed came out to support, and said it ofered a great their dominance quickly by blanking the Char- advantage to the Owls. lotte 49ers. After winning the doubles point, the “It was really awesome to be able to play in Owls got their second point of the day from se- front of our home crowd,” Schmidt said. “The nior Natalie Beazant when her opponent, Victo- support was fabulous and really helped us. It gave ria Pahlett, retired early due to injury. The Owls us an energy and it’s fun to be able to share this completed the shutout with singles victories from with all the people who have been a part of our sophomore Katherine Ip and freshman Savannah program over the years. They pushed us through Durkin, who won their singles matches while today and I am just really happy to share this with only dropping a combined three sets. the Rice family right here on the Rice campus.” The Owls continued the momentum on Satur- Schmidt said she points to this third straight Rice vs. Charlotte Rice vs. FIU day against Florida International, beginning with conference title as a standard of excellence that a doubles performance that resulted in 8-1 and 8-2 the team is setting as they continue to set higher wins. Despite Beazant dropping a match on court expectations every year. 4-0 4-1 one, the Owls followed up with straight set wins “There are a lot of diferent people that have from Durkin and junior Solomiya Zinko. Then, for gone into these three championships,” Schmidt the second straight year, Ip delivered the clinch- said. “Each team has a unique personality and ing point to send the Owls to the conference fnal. every championship is a little diferent but win- On Sunday, the Owls faced No. 60 Marshall ning breeds winning. The more you can win, the in the conference fnals. After once again win- more people feel confdent and the expectations ning the doubles point, Durkin added the sec- get higher.” ond point of the day with a straight set victory As the team now looks to wait a week before over freshman Mairja Bojicevic, 6-3, 6-2. This fnding out who their next opponent in the NCAA completed her 10th straight victory, including tournament is, Schmidt said her team needs to an undefeated conference tournament. Marshall enjoy the moment before moving on to prepare then cut into the Owls lead with a 6-1, 6-2 win for the next challenge they will face from tough over senior Liat Zimmerman. After fghting her national competition. way back in a tough frst set, Beazant got the win “First, we’re going to enjoy this championship against sophomore Derya Turhan. Finally, Zinko that they worked really hard for,” Schmidt said. fnished her match with a 7-5, 6-0 win that gave “We need to get physically and mentally rested the Owls a 4-1 win and their fourth-ever confer- and then we’ll be back on the practice court.” ence championship. Even though both Beazant and Schmidt The fnal day was marked by singles matches stressed the importance of taking the NCAA featuring constant lead changes. Head Coach tournament slowly and one match at a time, Elizabeth Schmidt said momentum shifts in the the team has an unofcial goal — to have the frst sets were a primary reason for the win. seniors miss their graduation. The round of 16 “There were quite a few momentum shifts in in the NCAA tournament will be held in Waco, those singles for sure,” Schmidt said. “[Beazant] Texas on the same day as Rice’s commence- won her frst set and Lindsey [Hodge] came back ment on May 16. and won her frst set at the same time that Kath- “We want to take it match my match,” Bea- Jake Nyquist/thresher erine [Ip] came back in her second. We started out zant said. “We want to make it to Waco so hope- fast in a couple courts but so did they. I think the fully we’ll be there during graduation, and not at huge thing was winning close frst sets. That was graduation.” Rice vs. Marshall 4-1

0 The Owls have only three games sched- BASEBALL uled over the next 15 calendar days as the end from page 9 of classes and finals approach. Hallmark said the extra time should allow the team to com- third inning on RBIs by senior infielder Ford plete their academic obligations and then fo- Stainback and sophomore right fielder Char- cus solely on baseball. lie Warren to take the 2-1 lead. A home run in “I think [the layoff] will help more than the next half-inning by UTSA tied the game up anything to get the academic load off,” Hall- at two runs apiece and the back-and-forth ac- mark said. “Work is always heavy during this tion continued until the sixth when Rice sent time of year with lots of tests, final exams nine men to the plate and scored five runs to and projects going on. It [will] be nice to get take an 8-2 advantage. A bases-loaded single the last round of projects and papers done so by senior catcher John Clay Reeves plated two the guys can relax and get to focus more on runs while RBIs by senior left fielder Kirby baseball.” Taylor and junior first baseman Connor Teykl Otto saw a combined 6.0 innings of work accounted for the other runs. Rice held on 8-2 this week against Houston and in the second and the pitching trio of Stephens, freshman game of the UTSA series. He struck out 12 bat- Glenn Otto and junior Austin Solecitto com- ters and allowed just one hit in those outings. bined to strike out 15 batters. According to Otto, his pitches simply In the Sunday finale, the Owls poised to seemed to work. strike early after back-to-back first-inning “I was trying to stay down in the zone and singles from Stainback and Warren. However, really throw strikes to get ahead of hitters UTSA freshman starter Chance Kirby worked and by doing that. … The outcome was good,” out of the jam to keep Rice off the board. He Otto said. “I hope I can continue to keep it then went on to throw a complete game and going throughout the rest of the season and stifled the offense, allowing just one run dur- contribute to the team anyway I can.” ing nine innings. Meanwhile, junior starter Otto, along with many of his teammates, Blake Fox kept the Owls in the ballgame for said he realizes the three games at Western most of the afternoon. Despite the loss, Fox Kentucky University this weekend are crucial allowed four runs on five hits through 6.0 in- going into the off-week for final exams. nings while striking out six batters. The Owls “We all know how important these next could have ended UTSA threats on two occa- three games are and not only them but the sions, but defensive miscues ended up lead- rest of the games in terms of getting back on ing to five of the seven runs scored by UTSA. top in conference and doing what we and ev- Rice lost by a final score of 7-1. eryone else wants us to do,” Otto said. “We According to Rice Pitching Coach Patrick are to the point of the season where every Hallmark, the coaching staff was happy with game is crucial and we just need to focus on the team’s performance despite the loss. playing good baseball these next three games “We know that 3-1 is always a good week and here on out.” especially with having Houston on our sched- The Owls will travel to Bowling Green, ule and a doubleheader which are always Kentucky this upcoming weekend to face the tough,” Hallmark said. “[Sunday’s] pitcher Western Kentucky University in a three-game shut us down a little bit but for three out conference series. Following the series, Rice Jake Nyquist/thresher of the four games we really hit the ball well will not take the field again until May 6 once Senior catcher John Clay Reeves took a ball during a 7-1 loss against the University of Texas, San and the pitchers pitched really well so we are the final exam period is over. First pitch for Antonio. Despite the loss, Rice took the series two games to one. Rice is now 26-16 on the season. pleased.” Friday’s matchup is scheduled for 6 p.m. wednesday, April 22, 2015 the Rice Thresher SPORTS 11 Night of the Owl showcases student athletes Savannah Ezelle dent or the athlete depending on the situa- ment. The women’s cross country team was Quin Award to his already impressive list of For the Thresher tion; we need to start recognizing both. Let’s recognized for its average cumulative GPA of successes, including serenading a Hawaiian be honest, Rice, we need to start recognizing 3.748, the highest of any team in Rice’s his- airport with his cello after the Hawai’i Bowl. This is a column written by Savannah athletics period. tory. Additionally, over 40 student athletes Natalie Beazant of the women’s tennis team Ezelle. The opinions expressed in the column won the 2014-15 Conference USA Commis- won the Joyce Pounds-Hardy Award for her are solely hers. sioner’s Academic Medal, awarded to those “eforts in sports, in the classroom and in the Student athletes gathered in Tudor Field- with a 3.75 cumulative GPA or better. community.” house for Night of the Owl, an annual event Also, each player on the volleyball team The main question, then, is why Rice celebrating their athletic and academic has completed an average of 21.2 hours of students often don’t recognize the achieve- achievements. As part of Rice Rally Club, I We need to always community service. Let me put that in per- ments of student athletes. Why does the Rice got the opportunity to support my peer stu- support each other spective — that’s more hours of community community often belittle athletics and why dents in a rare, of-the-feld context I don’t service on top of practices, games, classes, do some Rice students actually take pride in normally see them in. in our endevors, homework, research, labs and workouts their apathy concerning athletics that aren’t Not really though, because I see athletes than hours of sleep I get during fnals. These intramurals? in an of-the-feld context all the time. I sit whether athletic or 21.2 hours don’t factor in how the volley- We need to support each other in our next to them, I talk to them and I’m often ball team serves as role models to countless endeavors, whether athletic or academic. stuck with them in Fondren frantically try- academic. girls around Houston; if you want to see the We must realize that others might walk dif- ing to complete a lab due the next day. The smallest Owl fans, come to a weekend vol- ferent paths, and that there’s more depth people I exchange looks with when a pro- leyball game. Those are some happy and in- to those around us than we often assume if fessor goes overtime are the same people I vested children. we go by superfcial clues, such as a jacket supported last year as a cheerleader, and the We have great teams and we have great Additionally, Night of the Owl lauded or Gatorade bottle. As members of the Rice same people I continue to support today on athletes, something that this year’s Night of individuals. Gabe Baker, a redshirt senior community, we play diferent positions with Rice Rally Club. the Owl has further proven to me. In addi- safety on the football team, won the pres- diferent degrees of visibility, but we are a You see, this is a problem I think many tion to an exhaustive list of athletic victories, tigious O.J. Brigance Courage Award for the single team. We huddle, we break and, on or Rice students have. We see either the stu- the Owls boast immense academic achieve- second time. Baker can also add the Bob of the feld, we play together.

Ustundag said winning the doubles point was a and Conference USA title. Ustundag said losing 0TENNIS pivotal development in Rice’s victory. the doubles point was key in the loss and that from page 9 “We knew going in that Charlotte was going UTSA simply outplayed them. to battle us every step of the way, but the key “UTSA was just better than us in doubles to- Even though Rice lost to UTSA in the regular would be the doubles point,” Ustundag said. day,” Ustundag said. “We were better on three season, the Owls managed to earn the frst seed “Even with that, we got of to a fairly shaky start. singles courts and they were better on the other in the tournament. We got down breaks on all three courts, and may- three, but we could not overcome the loss in dou- Rice faced of against Charlotte on April 18 be some of that was just nerves. But we got past bles. They were the better team today.” and in the C-USA semifnals on April 18 in Nor- that and turned it around to set the tone for the The Owls’ overall record for the season is 12- folk, Virginia. Singles victories from sophomores rest of the match.” 14. Alla is the only graduating member, and the Max Andrews and David Warren and junior On Sunday, April 19, Rice lost the Conference tennis team will look to reload and improve upon Adam Gustafsson helped seal the victory. Fresh- USA title game to UTSA. Unlike on Saturday, the their success for the 2016 season. man Jamie Malik and junior Gustavo Gonzalez team could not win the doubles point. The teams were defeated in their singles matches. Senior of Malik-Yablon and Gustafsson-Gonzalez lost Srikar Alla did not need to fnish his game due to their doubles matchups. Warren and Andrews Rice vs. UTSA the Rice victory. did not fnish their game. The doubles pairs of Warren and Andrews In the singles portion of the matches, Alla, and Gustafsson and Gonzalez also won their Malik and Gonzalez each lost to their opponents. games. Malik and sophomore Zach Yablon, how- Despite victories from Andrews, Gustafsson and 2-4 ever, lost their doubles match. Head Coach Efe Warren, Rice could not pull away for the victory 12 BACKPAGE the Rice Thresher Wednesday, April 22, 2015

If a party happens in Snapple Cap Fact a quad and no one is The Jumbo Award for Kangaroo Jack 2: Vladimir Putin Award Award for the Distri- there to attend it, did the Improvement of G’Day USA Award for the Cultivation of bution of Probably it happen? Diplomatic Relations for Kangaroo Court Free Speech Incorrect Information with Tufts University Administration Dean Hutch for his handling of SA Discussion Forum on Title IX Baker College’s Fall Music Lisa Zollner, J.D. O-Week Cheer Battle Festival Rice Senior Gala 2015

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