Chugging Trouble with ASB Rice’s very along training own celebrity INSIDE The Thresher profiles mem- ASB site-leader critiques the Baker College freshman Mi- BRC begins bers of each college’s beer required training class for chael Groth garners 2 million discussions with bike teams. ineffectiveness, unfairness. views on Pokemon video. real estate company. See Sports p. 9 see Ops p. 5 see A&E p. 6 See P. 4
Volume CI, Issue No. 23 student-Run since 1916 wednesday, March 26, 2014 House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi visits Rice by Tina Nazerian Thresher Staff
Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Rice Uni- versity Tuesday, March 18 at the James A. Baker III Institute for m artel college Public Policy. She spoke about a variety of domestic and foreign Martel College students construct a life-size Candyland board game out policy issues in a conversation of wood on the Martel sundeck. Structures include Gumdrop Mountain, a with Baker Institute Founding two-story Lord Licorice’s Castle, Grandma Nut’s peanut brittle cottage and Director Ambassador Edward the five-story facade of King Kandy’s Candy Castle. Djerejian. Former Secretary of State James A. Baker introduced Pelosi as not only a trailblazer for wom- en but also as one of the most ef- fective members of Congress of our time, with a host of legisla- Work zone HANSZEN COLLEGE tive achievements to her credit. Willy Week has arrived at Rice, which means that stu- Hanszen College freshmen Andrew Elsey, Patrick Granahan and Kenny Gro- “She and I are living proof szman build a root-beer shooting 12-foot crane, a nod to Crane Day. that you can be at opposite ends dents are hard at work creating artistic masterpieces — of the political spectrum and still like floats, giant board games and even a banana stand like each other,” Baker said. — for their colleges in preparation for Beer Bike. Baker college Baker said Pelosi, whose fa- ther and brother both served as mayors of Baltimore, followed The first Baker Hell Car rode in 1987, its flames the family tradition of political earning Baker College the moniker “College from involvement when she moved to San Francisco and became an Hell.” Two years ago, a few Baker students decid- important part of the California ed to bring the Beer Bike tradition back to life. democratic party, eventually be- ing elected to the House of Rep- “While we only painted it last year, this year, resentatives in 1987, where she we’re welding on horns and spikes to give it more has served ever since. character, and we’re pumped for Beer Bike,” “Once in Washington, [Pelosi] not only made history, she made Baker senior Adrian Yao said. it again, and again. In 2001, Baker College senior Adrian Yao works on the Baker Hell Car, a scrap car she became the House Minority that he and several other students have rebuilt from the frame up. Whip, the first woman to ever hold that post. A year later, she rose to House Minority Leader, For McMurtry College’s Beer Bike theme of also the first woman to hold that Adrunken Development: There’s Always Beer in the post,” Baker said. “Then, in 2007, Banana Stand, students decided to build a replica [Pelosi] became the 60th speaker of the United States House of of the banana stand from the show. Representatives, and the highest “Bananas are a huge part of McMurtry; it’s our ranking woman in the history of the United States Congress, a po- first organically started student tradition since my sition she held until 2011.” freshman year,” McMurtry senior Ryan Johnson Pelosi said she believes said. “We wanted to make it something special this the biggest challenge facing American women today are the year, and we wanted it to personify the beer drink- challenges that face America, ing spirit of Willy Week with a McMurtry flair.” Mcmurtry college mentioning a forum that con- gresswoman Sheila Jackson McMurtry College seniors Ryan Johnson and Garrett McMurtry and sopho- hosted, titled “When Women more Charlie Greulich build the banana stand from Arrested Development. Succeed, America Succeeds.” “ “We believe there are some ob- All photos by frankie huang stacles to women’s fulfillment,” Pelosi said. “Equal pay, paid sick leave, issues that relate to child care, early childhood education, [these] are issues that would give women a higher comfort level in Shepherd to build new opera house in West Lot the workplace, or whatever their pursuit is. We have, in talking to by Andrew Ta “The architect will be the New-York of building a new opera theater, and new building will reduce available women and listening to women, News Editor based firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro,” additional funds were raised by Rice to parking spaces. really seen that whatever matters Clements said. “Rice alum [Renfro] is complete the project. “An underground parking garage to their children is what matters Rice alumnus Charles Renfro (Will a partner with the firm. Pre-design and “The anonymous gift, announced that would be built below the new facil- to women, and its about their Rice ‘89) will be the lead architect for design will take place over the next last year, allowed Rice to begin mov- ity and would serve the needs of both health, their education, their the Shepherd School of Music’s new year, with construction likely to begin ing forward with the initial phase of music buildings, in addition to other economic security. And some opera theater, which is scheduled to in late spring or summer of 2015.” this project, which included forming users of the west end of campus, has women are not moms but, none- begin construction“ just west of Alice Clements said seed funding for the a search committee and interviewing been discussed, but not confirmed, at theless, what works for moms Pratt Brown Hall in mid-2015, Ex- building came from an anonymous gift prospective architecture, design and this point,” Clements said. works for them as well.” ternal Relations Coordinator for the during the Centennial Campaign. Ac- acoustics firms,” Clements said. According to Clements, the new op- McMurtry College senior Shepherd School of Music Holli Cle- cording to Rice’s website, the gift was According to Clements, the uni- era house will provide a wide range of Skye Kelty said she was unsatis- ments said. designated specifically for the purpose versity has acknowledged that the 0see opera, page 2 0see pelosi, page 3 2 NEWS the Rice Thresher Wednesday, March 26, 2014
“Theater design will be led by Fischer 0OPERA Dachs Associates, and Threshold Acoustics BRC begins expansion talks with from page 1 will be the consultants in charge of acoustic design,” Clements said. “The general con- needed services to the Shepherd School and the tractor for the project will be the Linbeck Alexandria Real Estate Equities community. Group, which has overseen the construction of Rice’s McMurtry College, Brochstein Pavil- “AREE has a broad interest in Houston –– it’s “The new facility will include an opera theater by Oliver Su & Yasna Haghdoost ion and James Turrell’s ‘Twilight Epiphany’ For the Thresher & News Editor the city with the most potential that it’s not in- with an orchestra pit and other associated spac- Skyspace.” volved in ––so AREE sees Houston as it’s next es, including rehearsal rooms, practice rooms Kaitlyn Johnson, a vocal performance ma- The BioScience Research Collaborative of Rice major city and location, ” Leebron said. “A part and teaching studios,” Clements said. “The pre- jor , said the new opera house will University and Alexandria Real Estate Equities of this is specifically about Rice and the BRC design process will help us determine exactly “We’re all really excited,” Johnson, a are beginning a discussion on a potential future but a part of it is also about the city of Houston, what we are able to include in the new building. Hanszen College junior, said. “[Chair of Vocal collaboration, according to President David Le- and those two are related because we can’t be It will be designed to work in complement with Studies Stephen King] said this is a reflection ebron. as strong as we’d like to be unless Houston is a our current facilities –– to meet the needs of the of how Rice opera students are having success Leebron said he believes a partnership with center for biomedical research and application.” Shepherd School as well as [those of] the greater with different opera companies around the AREE would be beneficial for the BRC given his- While Rice and AREE have had a relationship university for many years to come.” world. Now, they have a facility to match. [We] tory of developing biomedical research centers in the past, the conversation for a partnership According to Clements, design and construc- have the faculty and resources put in place across the country. began more recently, Leebron said. tion for the theater will be handled by well-re- but didn’t have the performance facility. With “AREE is probably the most successful devel- “The conversation between Rice and AREE spected, specialized firms, some of which have the construction of the opera house, we will.” oper of biomedical research centers in the U.S.,” actually started years ago, because people from worked on Rice previously. Leebron said. “We want the BRC to be as success- Rice and AREE knew each other,” Leebron said. ful as it can be, and that means sort of being part “But it wasn’t until one year ago that progress of a kind of ecosystem of biomedical institutions.” was really made.” Leebron also said that AREE has a good track According to Leebron, a relationship be- record of cooperation with academic institutes, tween AREE and the BRC could lead to greater such as Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of opportunities for students. Technology. “Rice can benefit widely from this coopera- “Academic institutions can work with AREE,” tion,” said Leebron. “There may be funding to Leebron said. “That’s what the evidence suggests.” both support and better research opportunities.” A collaboration would allow the BRC to reach Although no detailed plan has been laid out, its full potential as a biomedical research center Leebron said the basis for the first level of agree- in Houston, according to Leebron. ment will take place and cooperation would be- “With cooperation with AREE, one of the most gin in the next half year. successful developer’s of biomedical research Martel College freshman Catherine Levins in the U.S., the BRC can have its research trans- said she believes Rice’s collaboration with AREE lated and applied and possibly have a new tower, has the potential to be beneficial. which Rice cannot afford by itself,” Leebron said. “It’s a good choice for Rice to conduct such a “We hope BRC can become part of the ecosystem cooperation with a real estate company,” Levins of biomedical institutions.” said. “It’s a good chance for Rice to develop re- Leebron said cooperating with AREE would lationships with other professional biomedical allow the BRC to become more attractive to poten- institutes in Houston.” tial partners such as Baylor, M.D. Anderson, U.T. Hanszen College sophomore Helen Xiang Health and Methodist Hospital. said integrating Rice into the larger Houston “What would come out of this [cooperation] community is a step in the right direction. is, we hope, a BRC that’s more interesting and “People see Rice as very isolated and private attractive to our potential partners across the in its research, and working with other insti- street,” Leebron said. “Other institutions might tutes in Houston will definitely help with what- see the BRC as offering something they don’t re- ever projects they are working on,” Xiang said. ally have right now.” “Also, I think it’s really interesting how BRC is According to Leebron, AREE wishes to broad- teaming up with a real estate company, because en its presence at Houston, and this is the basis that really shows their intention to integrate for the beginning of its discussions with Rice. themselves.”
jason liu/thresher Baker College junior Andrew Stout performs with Duncan College junior Jake Laviola in a commedy skit in Kinda Sketchy Presents: The History of the World from Beginning to End. Wednesday, March 26, 2014 the Rice Thresher NEWS 3
When Djerejian asked Pelosi if she be- 0PELOSI lieves the passing of the first clean increase from page 1 in the debt ceiling since 2009 is a sign of in- creasing bipartisanship in Washington since fied with Pelosi’s statements about women’s the government shutdown, rather than a rights, and that while Pelosi is definitely a temporary truce, Pelosi said he should be the leader of the women’s rights movement, she judge. limited the scope of the movement by stating “The full faith and credit of the United that what is best for moms is best for women. States of America should never be in doubt,” “She clearly was not implying that all Pelosi said. “That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t women should be or want to be mothers, be debated or discussed, but it should never but she did neglect many sectors of the fe- be in doubt. And even if you want to vote male population by focusing her attention on against it, you want to make sure that you’re moms,” Kelty said. “What is best for moms not impeding the lifting of the debt ceiling.” is not always best for young girls or college According to Pelosi, Congress in on the students or single women or retirees, nor right path to deficit reduction and can get the is there a universal mom that exists in this majority of the vote if it brings immigration country. Moms in poverty are very different reform to the floor. from moms managing national defense com- “You have to be optimistic,” Pelosi said. panies.” “You have to view every situation fresh and [assess] the opportunities it presents, the public understanding of it.” Pelosi said she is hopeful for comprehen- sive immigration reform. The full faith and credit of Baker Institute Student Forum Vice Presi- (C) 2014 Michael Stravo. Provided courtesy of the James A. Baker II Institute for Public Policy, Rice University dent of Outreach James Dargan said he thinks the United States of America Pelosi’s optimism for future cooperation with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to an audience of faculty, alumni, students and the should never be in doubt. That the moderate Republicans is a sign that bi- Houston commnity at the Baker Insitute. Pelosi visited the insitute on March 18. doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be partisanship is not a hopeless cause among debated or discussed, but it Democratic leaders. The fact is, and I consider the establishment felt the need to profess their Republican or “However, the internal power struggle of the state of Israel one of the greatest politi- conservative party association, including should never be in doubt. within the Republican party will prevent cal achievements of the 20th century, even if the doctor that stated his support for univer- Leader Nancy Pelosi much cooperation from occurring on the Israel never existed, America should be very sal health care and preventative medicine to House Minority Leader policies Leader Pelosi discussed,” Dargan, a concerned and stop the development of [any] the retired physicist that stated his support Wiess College junior, said. “If bipartisanship weapon of mass destruction by Iran or by for climate change legislation,” Kelty said. is really the goal, Congress needs to look at anybody else.” “Most of the people in the room were nervous policies that are less politically divisive such In terms of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Pe- to have a strictly issue-based discussion, as revenue-neutral tax reform.” losi mentioned that four weeks ago, if she were which was probably due to the fact that Lead- Pelosi also spoke about the Affordable Pelosi is also optimistic about a frame- here, she would have said to remain calm. er Pelosi is the face of the democratic party Care Act, which she said is an innovation in work and path for the Iranian nuclear talks, “After the actions of Putin the last few and this is Houston.” wellness and prevention that will save about saying that one of the pillars of American na- weeks, some of the same calm voices were According to Kelty, because people seem a trillion dollars over the course of 10 years, tional security is to stop the spread of weap- saying, this is a different deal now,” Pelosi to define Pelosi as a representative and role as well as giving Americans a healthier life to ons of mass destruction. said. “We had a visit from the Prime Minister model for women, it seems that they end up pursue their happiness, in accordance with Pelosi called the five permanent mem- of Ukraine last week, and he [was] very calm, asking her the same broad question about the wishes of the founding fathers. bers of the United Nation’s Security Council asking for diplomatic and economic support. what the major challenges for women are in “We put it there as a pillar of social secu- agreeing to the sanctions on Iran an accom- He didn’t make a request for anything military.” this country. rity, medicare, affordable care, for all Ameri- plishment. Kelty said, in general, she agrees with Dargan said he thinks while Pelosi dem- cans,” Pelosi said. “We are honoring the vows “It’s deadly serious,” Pelosi said. “The many of Pelosi’s statements but could sense onstrated an awareness of the major issues of our founders, who sacrificed everything, in fact that Iran is a country that has proximity the pandering as she repeatedly referred to requiring legislative action, she offered few their words, for life, liberty and the pursuit of to Israel, and Israel has all this concern –– Reagan, both Bush administrations and con- concrete details. happiness. So it’s liberating in that respect, they consider the development of a nuclear temporary Republican party leaders. “As is typical in these events,” Dargan said. in that you have health insurance that is low- weapon in Iran an existential threat to the “I was quite amused that everyone who Dargan said he had hoped Pelosi would er cost, higher quality and follows you.” state of Israel, and probably legitimately so. asked her a question with any liberal lean provide more specifics in her responses.
The following items were reported to the Rice University Police Department for the period March 16-21. This does not repre- sent the daily crime log required by the Clery Act, which can be found at rupd.rice.edu
Residential colleges Weiss College March 16 Theft of a bicycle Jones College March 16 Assault Lovett College March 18 Theft of a bicycle Will Rice College March 18 Theft of a bicycle jones College March 22 Minor in consumption
Other buildlings Dell Butcher Hall March 20 Theft of a bicycle
Other locations Entrance 3 March 19 Hit and run property damage Engineering quad March 21 Damaged property-graffiti 4 NEWS the Rice Thresher Wednesday, March 26, 2014 RCEL hosts innovative conference Rice IT discusses privacy with 14 universities, gains recognition lawsuit against Google by Jennifer Shen erly and does not read, review or download any Thresher Staff student data. Rice IT will only access student data if a legal action is required, such as legal Google is facing a lawsuit for collecting data eDiscovery requests through a subpoena, or from its Google Apps for Education’s users, Edu- when there is an emergency where the student’s cation Week reports. If Google is found guilty, health or well-being is at stake. the result may affect Rice students and faculty, “IT would only review data by request of since Rice switched to GAE in 2012. the owner as part of a diagnostic process,” Rib- According to its website, GAE is a set of web- beck said. “As with all services the IT provid- based utility tools including email, calendar and ers manage, service administrators may have documents that Google provides to educational the ability to access your data, but there has to institutions for free. Part of the lawsuit accuses be an established and appropriate need to do Google for violating student-data privacy, ac- so. Rice IT staff are required to follow a code cording to Education Week. of ethics that prohibits inappropriate access. A Google representative confirmed to Educa- Any access by administrators is monitored for tion Week that it “scans and indexes” GAE us- auditing purposes.” ers’ emails for various purposes, regardless of Ribbeck said since the accusations against Google about accessing student data have not david soward/brown school of engineering whether targeted ads are served. According to Education Week, Google would not comment on yet been upheld in court, IT will withhold action Gregory Atchinson, program leader of the Boeing Leadership Center, gestures as he gives whether the indexed data is used to build user until something is confirmed. a presentation on the benefits of centers devoted to teaching engineering leadership. profiles. “We’re just going to sit back and watch and If Google does build user profiles from stu- see what falls out of the Google court case,” Rib- by Andrew Ta universities brought some of their students and dent data, Rice students and faculty would be in- beck said. News Editor we had our students.” cluded, as Rice uses Google products under GAE. According to Ribbeck, the Information Tech- Simar said the conference bodes well for Barry Ribbeck, director of Systems, Architec- nology Advisory Committee has discussed po- The Rice Center for Engineering Leader- Rice’s reputation in the engineering field. ture, Infrastructure, Cloud Strategies and Initia- tentially providing a non-Google email account ship held what it called the first-ever national “I think it [was] a great opportunity for the tives, said Rice IT has no way of knowing exactly if there is an occasion that requires one, such as conference on engineering leadership for un- students,” Simar said. “We had really good what Google does with student information. an undergraduate who is working on a confiden- dergraduate students last Friday, according to interest. The students here – they had really “Gmail was provided to us as a service,” Rib- tial research project. RCEL Co-Director Ray Simar. positive things to say about it. I do think it’s beck said. “[Google] says in a pretty broad term “The answer was yes, we could technically, “It was the first one of its kind in the na- important in terms of Rice’s reputation, to sort what they do and don’t do.” but it would be difficult to manage,” Ribbeck tion,” Simar said. “Our whole focus with the of hold the first of these and begin to help this Ribbeck said since the GAE service was pro- said. “This corner case has yet to surface.” conference was teaching engineering leader- process and communicate this kind of agenda vided for free, Google may be using users’ behav- In response to potential student concern ship in a university, [which is] why the found- and be able to share it with other people.” ior for other purposes, such as targeted ads. regarding privacy, Ribbeck said it would be too ers are 14 different universities. The idea was to Simar said participating in similar confer- However, Google said they were offering hard to support opting out of Gmail individually. start to share more of these experiences.” ences will always benefit Rice. the service for free because they want to create “If there is going to be a change, I think it The conference brought together more than “In a way, the bigger thing is that it’s great a generation of people who are used to using would need to go back through the previous 14 engineering leadership centers from across for students and the faculty to hear what these Google products, according to Ribbeck, and the process to get all undergrad email changed to the U.S. and Canada, along with industry lead- other universities are doing and talking about targeted ads by Google was turned off when IT something other than Google and not just spe- ers and other professional engineering organi- [and asking themselves], ‘How can we make deployed the GAE service. cific individuals who may not want to agree to zations, according to the conference website. Rice better from what we’re learning?’” “Per our initial contract with Google we are the Google TOS,” Ribbeck said. “[But] you have Keynote speakers included the president of the According to Simar, there aren’t firm plans only obligated to serve ads if we provide ser- to remember that other services have a TOS as National Academy of Engineering and the di- for the next conference, but there will un- vices through our campus Google Apps for Edu- well and they might cause even more discourse rector of the Johnson Space Center, Simar said. doubtedly be another. cation to alumni which we currently do not,” so careful considerations need to be made.” Simar said participants in the conference “The first one was held here,” Simar said. Ribbeck said. “Google does make changes to Ribbeck said Rice switched to Gmail and included faculty and students from each of the “Within the complete organization, we’ll the TOS from time to time and we are notified other Google services a little over two years organizing universities. [probably] hold the event annually. We’re go- if the changes are substantial. This is in line ago because of overwhelming demand from “We had 240 registered attendees,” Simar ing to have some discussion about that. This with what most if not all cloud providers state undergraduate students, which was confirmed said. “About 80 of [those were] faculty; dif- won’t be the last one. We’ll have more; we’ll in their TOS to date.” by an escalating number of students who were ferent people from different universities. The have to figure out the rate, and what we might Ribbeck said Rice IT monitors the Google ser- forwarding their Rice emails to their personal other two-thirds were students; the 14 different do is rotate around where they’re held.” vices only to make sure they are running prop- Google accounts. Rondelet successful despite many last minute ticket transfers by Anita Alem & Andrew Ta have to host both formals off campus, given perience this year will really help set the tone According to Tatum, the volume of trans- Thresher Staff & News Editor that there is not a single venue on campus for the future and is a good indication to us fers was not unprecedented. He said that this that can sustain an event with such a capac- that students are happy to attend off campus year, Esperanza sold 1705 tickets and saw The Rice Program Council considers Ron- ity. We have been lucky the past two years for formals,” Jeeva said. many more transferred. Tickets to Rondelet delet, held the evening of March 22 at Trevi- Esperanza in that there were tents already were sold out within ten hours of their re- sio Restaurant and Conference Center in the on campus for other major university events, Ticket transfers lease, which Tatum said may be an explana- Texas Medical Center, a resounding success, but unfortunately it is unlikely we will have According to RPC Committee Chair Mi- tion for the transfers. President Aisha Jeeva said. that option next year. We’re currently scout- cah Tatum, of the 640 tickets sold, 103 were “I think that a lot of people purchased ing locations, but high venue rental fees (up transferred between students. tickets on a whim without knowing wheth- Success! to $10,000!) are our biggest hurdle to over- “[Transfers] began immediately after we er they’d be able to go or not,” Tatum said. “This was the first time bringing back come.” sold out but died down in the following week,” “This probably led to the wave of transfers Rondelet after several years, and I’d say it Jeeva said that strong student interest in Tatum, a Jones College junior, said. “Interest- starting up the week before our event.” was definitely [successful],” Jeeva, a Martel formals will allow RPC to book better venues. ingly enough, we received a large volume of Daniel Zhang, a Sid Richardson College College junior, said. “Things went off ex- “We hope that students continue to show ticket transfers on the week before our event. freshman, said he initially intended to sell tremely smoothly and we’ve received a lot of strong interest in these off campus formals This carried on through the week of Rondelet his ticket but ultimately attended the event great feedback about it; students seem very so that we can afford great locations,” Je- until our cut-off time 5 p.m. last Friday.” and found it enjoyable. happy with the event. Having positive feed- eva said. “The more tickets we sell, the more Jones freshman Krysten Barnes said she “The dance floor was very small and back and high student interest (tickets sold money we have to work with and the better sold her ticket and attended the Houston ro- cramped, but the venue was really nice,” out in 10 hours!) definitely sets things up the venue we are able to get. That being said, deo instead. Zhang said. “Overall, it was a great atmo- well for future.” Trevisio was a great location and we’ve re- “I didn’t think I would enjoy the dance sphere.” Jeeva said the locations for next year’s for- ceived a lot of positive feedback about it, so it as much as I would the rodeo,” Barnes said. Tatum said RPC was satisfied with the mals have yet to be determined, but that they is definitely still an option.” “Also, a lot of my friends weren’t going to be turnout rate. will not be on-campus. Jeeva said this year will hopefully set a attending the dance, because there was a “We’re hopeful that Rondelet can return “This will depend on a variety of factors, precedent for the tone of future formals. very limited amount of tickets, and they sold as a Rice tradition for the coming years,” Ta- including student interest and ticket sales/ “Because our future formals are likely to out so quickly that my friends weren’t able to tum said. “Judging by the turnout this year, prices,” Jeeva said. “Next year we are going to be held off campus, having this fantastic ex- purchase one.” it’s highly possible that it’ll happen.” Hutchinson visits colleges to discuss narcotics use across campus by Madeleine Tibaldi hard alcohol, hallucinogens, narcotics and oth- “I want our students to help each other, sup- “If colleges are choosing to do jacks, those Thresher Staff er illegal drugs. port each other and get each other the help that jacks need to be respectful to the custodial “Personal consumption or possession are they need,” Hutchinson said. “We don’t want and maintenance staff, as well as to students Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson treated as a medical issue,” Hutchinson said. “If anybody hesitating to call for assistance if there in other colleges,” Hutchinson said. “Jacks will have soon visited all 11 residential colleges you’re in the business of endangering other peo- is somebody who needs medical assistance.” should be a time for shared laughter and to discuss the culture of care and encourage stu- ple by providing or selling substances that are Hutchinson said it is especially important shared fun but should not impose upon the dents to relieve stress in safe ways, especially as harmful or illegal, then that is not amnesty. And to engage students in this dialogue after the hardworking staff.” it pertains to drug and alcohol usage, he said. in fact you should anticipate that we will come recent tragedies. He said these issues are espe- Hutchinson said the format of his visits is “I hit the two big points having to do with down pretty hard on that kind of activity here.” cially pertinent in the wake of Willy Week, and student-driven, and they are a chance for stu- reasonable, responsible and respectful behav- According to Hutchinson, if a student noti- students must be reminded to be respectful to- dents to engage in an informal discussion with ior as well as the culture of care and the medical fies Emergency Medical Services that a friend wards both their peers and the custodial staff. him and get their questions clarified. amnesty policy,” Hutchinson said. “Then I open has consumed too much alcohol or taken an Hutchinson also said he supports students “Some of the colleges have set up means by it up for questions.” illegal substance, the administration will treat seeking stress relief and fun through jacks which students can submit anonymous ques- Hutchinson said he hopes to clarify the med- the issue as a medical one rather than as a dis- and other Beer Bike activities, but he wants tions,” Hutchinson said. “Whatever means are ical amnesty policy and its delineation between ciplinary one, in which the offending student to ensure they exercise responsibility in their possible for students to get the information they the consumption and distribution or selling of would be removed from campus. actions. need about the culture of care, I’m all for it.” 5
ASB site-leader training program unfair, ineffective I need to say it: The worst large-scale decision of some service cannot be understood through an but given the service burnout, as well as loss of Opera House good I’ve made in the last year was becoming an Alter- academic approach that focuses on “traditional passion and dedication as this year progressed, I native Spring Break site leader. I’m writing this service” or using measurable community impact worry that this program may be doing more harm development for Shepherd piece to express both how much I care about the as a metric for success. than good, despite the value of the service being School ASB site-leader program’s potential and the extent The CIC also mostly failed to build productive, created. Again, this is not to discredit my own to which the Community Involvement Center has personal relationships with the site leaders de- trip, co-leader or participants — I am incredibly The Thresher is excited for the construction disappointed me personally. I think this program spite its outward acknowledgement of its “build- proud of everything we did and discussed on our of an opera house on campus (see story, pg. 1), is a concern to the larger Rice community, and ing” year. Holistically, the CIC refused to view trip. Y’all are great, and this isn’t your circus, your despite the fact that we think the student body, students who may be considering applying to site ASB site leading as a program- and class-based monkeys or your wolves. as a whole, would benefit more from other lead should hear a perspective other than the one opportunity for their office to support students to The CIC does have plans to reconstruct the projects. However, we recognize that this mon- the university presents. However, this is a com- individually develop as leaders through individu- site-leader program for next year. Among other ey was donated specifically for the construc- mentary specifically on my experience with the alized, empathic relationships, and it tended to changes, it will be more heavily academic, and tion of an opera house. For that reason, we ASB site-leader program that is in no way repre- view the program as a mainly academic and logis- trip-related logistical assignments will be graded urge people to understand that another project sentative of all site leaders and is not targeted to- tical commitment. The CIC lost sight of the goal, as a part of the academic workload. While I have that students would like to see prioritized, like ward the hardworking members of the CIC. In to- meaning, community, passion for and quality of great hope for ASB participants and the service a new student center, could not have replaced tal, the ASB program ran 17 trips and gave around service trips for the purpose of streamlining its in- work the program enables, and the CIC has re- this project financially. 200 Rice students and staff members access to teractions with site leaders. For example, one site ceived plenty of specific feedback from myself and Going forward, we hope that students service-learning opportunities. While it hurts me leader was forced to enroll in — instead of audit — others, I still feel obligated to share my experience across campus can see the benefits of this to communicate this in such a public way, I be- UNIV 317, although enrolling in the class prevent- with the Rice community. To students thinking new project. We do not currently have an ed him from declaring part-time senior status and about site leading, I would encourage you to re- opera house, but we do have one of the top saving up to $1,585 in tuition. Another site leader consider your application, especially if you have music schools in the country, and this can was given an automatic 6.5-point deduction from a little time, little interest in theoretical academic only add to the prestige associated with the course total of 100 points when she needed to miss approaches to service, little need for unnecessary program. While many of us often forget about one class for an unavoidable obligation as newly- stress or little tolerance for pointless busywork. To Shepherd students and are unaware of their The meaning of elected president of her college and was denied the CIC, I urge you all to big-picture reconsider the many accomplishments, it is important that the ability to make up the 6.5 points back via an way you approach your site-leader program as a we recognize their program and support their some service can- alternative assignment. service- and community-based program run by experience at Rice. We also hope people will I can confidently say that in my three years student leaders. consider the potential benefits of the opera not be understood at Rice, I have never felt so disrespected, unex- While this year has been a bumpy road, and house (not only for music students — free pectedly upset and angered as I am from my in- there have been some roller coasters along the performances anyone?) before coming to snap through an aca- teractions with the CIC. As a current O-Week co- way, I’m continuously grateful for my personal decisions about whether or not they support ordinator, I cannot eloquently express the stark spring break trip. I believe the ASB site-leading the new project. demic approach... contrast between the CIC’s site leader treatment program, if structurally redesigned and empa- Additionally, we think the choices for the and the way that First Year Programs has so thetically oriented, could be a powerful growth design and construction firms are promising, far treated the O-Week coordinators with trust, opportunity for Rice students that focuses on ser- and it is definitely nice to see that Charles grace and compassion. vice meaningful to them. Renfro (Will Rice ‘89) is a partner at the In our last class of this term, the site lead- chosen architecture firm. The decision to use lieve the ASB-trip experience is not worth the CIC’s ers were asked what we had learned. The value a construction company that has previously program-based construction of what it means and of the service I’d organized for 10 other students Zelia Rosenzweig managed projects at Rice is also encouraging, takes to be a site leader. (as well as participated in) did not come to mind as the firm has presumably worked well with The worst part about being an ASB site lead- first. What I learned from site leading is that being Rice University the campus and administration before. er in the 2013-14 school year had to do with the passionate about and organizationally committed Class of 2015 As this project develops, we would also like specific ASB site-leader program that Rice’s CIC to your ASB trip may not be worth the program- to recommend that the administration heavily ran and developed; it had to do with site leaders related hassles of being a site leader at Rice. I am consider the potential parking problems that being held to uncommunicated expectations, incredibly proud of the work my fellow site lead- could arise with the construction of a new op- the CIC’s concept and understanding of service ers have done in communities across the country, era house. Adding new buildings on campus, limited to theoretical academia and the CIC especially those that could draw large perfor- staff’s lack of willingness to create, participate in or understand the value of an empathetic and mance crowds, could easily cause students to CONCEPT BY SAL TESTA, ILLUSTRATION BY CARRIE JIANG have more difficulty finding parking. For this growth-oriented relationship between students reason, we support the already-being-consid- and professional staff. ered underground parking near the new opera As a change from last year’s program, the CIC facility, in order to avoid increased patrons implemented a mandatory ASB site-leader class without increased parking options. (UNIV 315/316, two credits, followed by UNIV 317, one credit), originally sold as a benefit that would give site leaders academic credit for their extra Rondelet proves successful curricular hours as well as provide service-learn- ing background. However, both courses held site The Thresher would like to congratulate leaders to drastically different expectations, work- the Rice Program Council for throwing a suc- load and policies (including an unreasonably cessful Rondelet. Tickets sold out quickly, and strict attendance policy) than were provided when students who attended were pleased with the site leaders originally applied to the program. good music and conversation space. In the The course itself was disorganized and fre- future, it would be great if the dance floor were quently failed to achieve any meaningful objec- slightly larger, and of course everyone loves tives. During one class in November, we spent on-campus tents as locations. Additionally, it a full hour discussing the nuances between ice might be nice to see a slightly larger venue in breakers, name games and team builders. UNIV the future so that more students can attend, 317 required site leader groups (instead of the especially considering how quickly tickets class instructor) to prepare and teach content for sold out. However, in general, the historically classes. Site leader “teachers” were provided with problematic dance was a huge success and we information but were not knowledgeable enough look forward to Rondelet becoming an annual or qualified to teach lessons like logistics or risk Rice tradition once more. management. But most importantly, on a campus that trends heavily toward rigorous academics, I Unsigned editorials represent the major- disagree with the emphasis placed on academic- ity opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. All other based service learning. I think the ASB site-lead- opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the Conventional wisdom piece’s author. ing program is valuable without making it into an academic commitment and theory; the meaning
Editorial Staff sports arts & entertainment Miles Kruppa Maddy Adams Editor Sophie Newman Editor The Rice Thresher, the official student newspaper Editorial and business offices are located on the Editor in Chief Evan Neustater Editor Kaylen Strench Editor at Rice University since 1916, is published each second floor of the Ley Student Center: Sarah Nyquist Sports Designer Carrie Jiang A&E Designer Wednesday during the school year, except during 6100 Main St., MS-524 Brooke Bullock Molly Chiu examination periods and holidays, by the students Houston, TX 77005-1892 art copy Rachel Marcus of Rice University. Phone (713) 348-4801 Claire Elestwani Art Director Christine Jeong Editor Senior Editors Email: [email protected] Dante Zakhidov Photo Editor Megan Seidel Editor Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. Website: www.ricethresher.org news web backpage the Friday prior to publication and must be Andrew Ta Editor Nathan Shih Web Editor Alex Weinheimer Editor signed, including college and year if the writer Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Yasna Haghdoost Editor Reed Thornburg Editor is a Rice student. Letters should not exceed 250 the Thresher editorial staff. All other opinion pieces Aruni Ranaweera News Designer business words in length. The Thresher reserves the rights represent solely the opinion of the piece’s author. William Byers Manager advertising to edit letters for content and length and to place opinions Cynthia Bau Ads Manager Mitch Mackowiak Editor letters on its website. The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and CNBAM © Copyright 2013 SpringCleaning arts ENTERTAINMENT 6
Singles B+ by Benjamin Huber-Rodriguez Thresher Staff
courtesy 4ad
Where the 2000s will be seen by some as the great rock ’n’ roll revival era, boasting scores of new guitar bands paying homage to the legend- ary rock bands from 30 years earlier, the 2010s may be seen as the revival of synth mu- sic, paying similar dues to the founding synth and progres- sive groups of the 80s. While Future Islands may be one of this recent crop of talented new synth-based bands, they possess a secret weapon that should put their fourth LP, Singles, released on big-name indie label 4AD, miles ahead of their peers: the magnetic, en- chanting presence of frontman extraordinaire Samuel Herring. His energy and ear for melodies turns each track on Singles, all of them capable pieces of mu- Geneva Vest/Thresher sic, into vibrant experiences for the listener to behold. Search for any video of Fu- ture Islands playing a live gig, and you’ll be greeted by three Meet YouTube celebrity Michael Groth competent musicians and one eccentric, wild singer, dis- Kaylen Strench Old is Ash Ketchum?” using a lap- guised as a normal Joe, busting A&E Editor top and a few basic sound-editing VIDEOS TO WATCH moves and pouring his heart programs. 1. “How Old is Ash Ketchum?” out on the stage. His energy is Brown University has Emma “I realized it wasn’t a topic I View count: 1,833,301 absolutely captivating, though Watson, Northwestern University had seen [on YouTube],” Groth Published: July 21, 2013 it seems unlikely he could ever has Chet Haze and Rice University said. “There were a lot of vid- duplicate it on a recording. has Michael Groth. Groth, a Baker eos answering questions about In this video, Groth utilizes math and Give Singles a spin, however, College freshman, succeeded in Pokemon, but none addressed complex logic to compute Ash Ketchum’s and you can hear that energy, attaining over 1.75 million views that particular topic. I just “technical age” and “actual age.” Find- pain and impassioned restless- within a year on his self-created thought, okay, this doesn’t exist, ing the answer to this question is actually ness in his voice. While other video “How Old is Ash Ketchum?” and I’m going to be the person much more difficult then you might think. singers keep their voices airy or He now has over 13,000 subscrib- to make it.” monotone, emotionally discon- ers for his channel MANDJTV, is a The video began catching on 2. “What Happens Inside a Pokeball?” nected from the lyrics, Herring YouTube partner and has six vid- last fall, when Groth matriculated View count: 753,786 draws influence from growling eos that have broken 10,000 views. into Rice. It hit 1,000,000 views Published: Nov. 5, 2013 vocalists like Chuck Berry and Groth now tries to post videos about this past December. James Brown. A simple lyric once a month. “I was just in a state of happy Groth’s second most popular video con- like “Seasons change, but I’ve Groth started making videos shock,” Groth said. “I remember it siders several explanations for how grown tired trying to change for in eighth grade with his younger was at 999,000 one night and I was Pokemon fit inside a Pokeball and what it you” would surely sound cliche brother. His first video, “Nerf War like, ugh, I have to go to bed now. might be like inside. Find out if he thinks in the hands of most singers, Gone Wrong,” received 60,000 And then when I woke up, it was it’s a spherical prison or a dream oasis. but Herring sings with such views over two years. there. Finally, after so long of try- dire earnestness that it sounds “Back then, YouTube was rela- ing to make it big, and then doing 3. “My Fake Starter Pokemon” as if he spent months agonizing tively new,” Groth said. “I was fol- it with Pokemon no less, it was just View count: 19,601 over the exact way to express lowing a few big YouTubers, and amazing.” Published: July 11, 2013 this very sentiment. what they were doing looked like The success of “How Old is Ash The 80s influenc- fun. Also, at the time, my brother Ketchum?” encouraged Groth to This video showcases three Pokemon es abound on Singles: and I had nothing to do, so it seemed make similar videos, which have Groth has created. He not only comes up Check out the Asian-influenced like a good cure for our boredom.” also achieved high view counts. with all of their evolutionary forms, but strokes on the extraordinary Groth continued making videos One video, “What Happens Inside also their heights, weights and moves 0see SINGLES, page 7 and in June 2013, he created “How 0see GROTH, page 8 courtesy mandjtv they can learn.
THE ART FEST KITE FLYING BUCKET LIST DANCE TECH WEEKLY Come check out the 43rd Annual Bay- Relive your childhood at Hermann “Before I die, I want to…” How would See dance and technology seam- ou City Art Festival Friday, March 28 Park’s inaugural Hermann Park you respond? TEDGlobal speaker lessly streamlined in WIRED: SCENE through Saturday, March 30 at Memo- Kite Festival, Saturday, March 29 Candy Chang conceived the idea of Dance and Technology. This com- from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. There will be The editors’ picks rial Park. Over 300 artists will be on the Before I Die walls in 2011. She cre- bination of choreography and food trucks, music and, of course, for this week’s display with works ranging from paint- ated a wall near her home in New Or- spot-on visual effects is sure to kite flying contests. Don’t miss your best events. Time ing and sculpture to jewelry and house- leans where citizens could record their excite your senses. The show runs chance to see S.H.A.R.K., the South March 28 through April 5. Tickets to explore the wares. There will also be food and mu- bucket list ideas. The idea spread to Houston Area Recreational Kit- are $16 presale and $20 at the door. wonderful world sical performances. Tickets are $15. communities worldwide. Now through ers, in action. Admission is free. of Houston. March 31, Houstonians are invited Memorial Park to take part in this collective effort. Frenetic Theater 6501 Memorial Dr. Hermann Park 5102 Navigation Blvd. artcolonyassociation.org 6001 Fannin St. 3414 S. Shepherd at Colquitt freneticore.net Wednesday, March 26, 2014 the Rice Thresher A&E 7 0 by Louis Lesser SINGLES This Week in Entertainment from page 6 album closer “A Dream Of You And Me” that harken back to Let’s Dance-era David Bowie or the dark and pounding rhythm sec- tion, pioneered by legendary 80s group Depeche Mode, on “Light House.” These tracks could come off as musically generic, and with- out Herring they do to an extent, but the anticipated progression and alternating dynamics pro- vided by the band eschew cheesy courtesy paramount pictures courtesy atlantic recording corp flourishes and place Herring’s Noah Head or Heart vocals at the center of attention, IN THEATERS exactly where they belong. Christina Perri Lyrically, Singles is an album ALBUM about calling out relationships, Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) brings the biblical Since her career took off following a performance of her song “Jar of Hearts” both familial and romantic, for epic to the big screen with Russell Crowe (Les Miserables) in the titular on a 2010 episode of So You Think You Can Dance, the talented singer-song- what they really are. Its plentiful role, in which he teams up with Jennifer Connelly, his co-star in 2001’s Best writer has emerged as a contemporary music star. After a two-year absence, metaphors are riddled with refer- Picture A Beautiful Mind. When Noah sees visions of an apocalypse, he must Perri returns with her second studio album, which contains 13 original tracks, ences to the sea, as suggested by take extraordinary measures to protect his family from a coming flood. PG- including collaborations with artists such as Ed Sheeran and her lead single the cover artwork. “Sun in the 13. 132 minutes. “Human,” which has already charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Morning” could be taken literally, but when Herring cries out “She feeds me daily soul,” you get the impression that he’s talking about a potential wife or child. The slow jam “A Song for Our Grandfa- thers” describes the pressures of being a family man. But when the record closes with “A Dream Of You And Me,” Herring lets all of his emotional distress wash away as he re- laxes into a seafaring dream, filled with an empty vastness and inner peace. These are by courtesy paramount pictures courtesy konami no means master strokes at the complexities of human relation- Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes ships, but the heart with which DVD VIDEO GAME Herring vocalizes his internal Despite outgrossing its predecessor, the sequel to the beloved 2004 Will The newest edition of the best-selling game series is the first of two entries struggles conveys a personal Ferrell comedy was more tepidly received by critics and fans. Nonetheless, in the fifth incarnation of Metal Gear Solid, to be followed by Metal Gear Solid importance that groups taking the film arrives for home viewing in a variety of editions, including extended V: The Phantom Pain. The game features radically enhanced game design and wider swipes at life fail to com- and unrated varieties. It tells the story of a reunited news team in New York a brand-new, open-world format on a redesigned interface. The programmers municate. And if heartfelt, reso- City facing the challenge of 24-hour programming. Bonus features include behind the game worked to enhance every element of previous versions to take nant communication backed by behind-the-scenes documentaries, audio commentary and deleted, alter- full advantage of the next-generation gaming systems. Available for PlaySta- solid, catchy synth tracks doesn’t nate and extended scenes. tion 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. make a great record, I don’t know what does. 8 A&E the Rice Thresher Wednesday, March 26, 2014
eos, I’ll respond unless the messages are 0GROTH illogical or make me uncomfortable.” Take social media seriously from page 6 Groth said he likes Pokemon because of its imaginative nature and capacity for al- Kaylen Strench news, and to learn about other people. Tweets a Pokeball?,” currently has over 700,000 lowing users to play creatively. A&E Editor supply quick news, and blogs chronicle diverse views. “I have a very active imagination, and human experience and supply entertainment. In “When [“How Old is Ash Ketchum?”] a factor in my ability to enjoy things is The stable mystery in social networking is short, in modern society, people utilize informal, made it big, and I started making money, how well they allow me to imagine my- whether the latest iteration will be a “fad” or a highly personal mediums to gather information. that motivated me to make more videos,” self in a creative scenario,” Groth said. fundamental new institwution that others will One should further consider the strange Groth said. “Overall, it’s fun to just enjoy “Also, I think Pokemon is so appealing build upon. In a type of Darwinian competi- ramifications of anonymous blogging and tweet- being super nerdy and to be appreciated by as a game because every save file can of- tion, sites compete for inclusion in the latter ing. Literature is judged and constructed for an people online for something I have such a fer such a different experience. It’s so category. There are two such mediums, however, audience; it is a reactive medium intended to passion for.” customizable.” that have already made a lasting mark as radical anticipate audience response. So, when one has Groth makes two types of videos. In Groth said he thinks Pokemon has such new forms of artistic expression, if not vital cy- the capacity to restrict the audience to solely some, he speaks directly to the camera a prominent following at Rice in particu- ber-institutions. Tweeting and blogging present unknown, anonymous viewers, he or she has or acts. For others, like “How Old is Ash lar because of the university’s culture of phenomenal new access to the human psyche on incredible new freedom to bare their soul. I Ketchum?” and “What Happens Inside a acceptance. a micro and macro level. They should be taken have had the unique opportunity to read a blog Pokeball?,” Groth narrates over images “People at Rice aren’t afraid to be them- seriously as mediums of literary expression, and of an acquaintance who assumes her forum and clips from the Pokemon TV show. He selves,” Groth said. “Here, it’s cool to be a they have the capacity to showcase new aspects is presented to completely unknown viewers. said he typically writes a script and records little weird and embrace your interests. I of human nature that are not accessible in tradi- What I’ve found is she has a unique freedom to himself while he reads it in small segments. think [students here] can say ‘I don’t care tional literature. criticize and present herself freely and honestly; He uses audio software to string the clips if Pokemon is nerdy, I like it.’ That’s really First, the question arises as to why anyone the experience of reading it is akin to reading a together, and then adds pictures and vid- what I love about Rice.” should respect blogs and Twitter on their liter- diary. Because of the nature of the blog, she is eos to match his narration. He says it can Groth said he will continue to make vid- ary merit. Many are written stream-of-conscious, not even subconsciously aware that acquain- be a time-consuming process, and his eos in the future. by mere plebeians versus traditionally educated tances might read her posts and form judg- longest video took him a full two weeks t “I’ll do some more question and answer intellectuals, and thus the language deviates ments of her. She has total freedom to shape o make. videos, but I’m going to use other formats, phenomenally from traditional texts. To snub or her self-image. Even anonymous literature does Groth said one of the hardest parts about too, even though those are the most popu- ignore these handles for these reasons, however, not have this capacity, because it is still read his success is posting frequently enough. lar,” Groth said. “My next video will prob- forwards a notion of literary purism – the idea by a mass audience versus a blog’s 100-1000 “I feel so guilty if I don’t post pretty ably be something about Pokemon physics, that there is a “right” language, and any devi- dedicated viewers. regularly,” Groth said. “I don’t want to let which are pretty screwy if you think about ating vernaculars signify lack of status or intel- Twitter is another such novel forum. Even down my subscribers. Yet, the guilt is posi- it. So that’s what my plan is, to keep mak- ligence. While this is a debate for a later forum, when presented to the public, it is a fresh rep- tive too because it motivates me to keep ing videos, to keep making money and get- my take would be that we should be wary of pur- resentation of the psyche because of its breadth. making videos.” ting more subscribers. Also, my ultimate ist notions of language in the modern world and Besides blogging (Facebook does not require Groth said he tries to answer messages goal is to get recognized by a stranger in accept the deviations present in these forums as personal posts), it is one of the only forums al- and read comments when he can, but it is public.” important cultural expressions free from hierar- lowing one to present themselves to the public difficult to do with his more popular vid- Groth said he is excited about what he chical language “classes.” In other words, the in small, personal slices over an extended period eos. For instance, “How Old is Ash Ket- has been able to accomplish through his specific presentation of the language should not of time. A dedicated, personal Twitter handle chum?” has received nearly 5,000 com- YouTube account. be a judge of its quality. thus has the unique capacity to reveal an uned- ments to date. “One of my original motivations for With that out of the way, we should move to- ited human conscious. In fact, it draws to light “Some [of the comments] are just silly starting a YouTube channel was to become wards the content. Tweeting and blogging have questions about human identity itself. Is the so- and frustrating,” Groth said. “For instance, popular on the Internet, because I just lasting cultural implications. They have funda- cial essence of a person their interactive physical I get a lot of compliments on my appear- thought that would be so cool,” Groth said. mentally changed the way that our generation presence or the version represented over time ance from guys, which is, um, interesting. “And now that I’m finally sort of achieving utilizes and interprets the written word. Before through these handles? Are they fundamentally Usually, though, on my less popular vid- that, well, that’s the best part.” modern technology, people primarily read about different? Are the handles more honest about other societies in a story format or third-person self than physically social interaction, or less so? perspective. One would read a book or an article The answers to these questions are enor- in a newspaper to find out about other cultures mously significant and have much to say about or other dimensions of human experience. If the nature of human expression. These forums TV shows that make the cut stories were written in first-person perspective, make the human mind less and less a private only a minority were informal, highly personal black box; they allow a leaking of identity that Rachel Marcus gin caring about. However, I still plan to narratives. Today, college students arguably rely cannot be expressed strictly through conversa- Senior Editor tune in for a few other characters, namely on media in the first-person perspective to gather tion or abstract artistic means. Bruce (Andrew Santino, Henry Poole is As a stereotypically busy college stu- Here), whose eccentric nature, intention- dent, I definitely should not watch as ally odd appearance and comically wrong much TV as I do. TV shows are my number philosophies have so far kept me enter- one vice; new characters pull me in, and tained with low-level humor. plot twists hook me for seasons to come. That being said, even I cannot watch ev- About a Boy ery new show. I can multi-task all I want, Tuesday 9/8 p.m. central on NBC but homework takes precedent, and some This show is based on the 2002 movie of shows never make it past my pilot test. Re- the same name, which was based on Nick cent mid-season premieres have offered Hornby’s novel. The original movie, which new possibilities for my weekly tv sched- starred Hugh Grant (Notting Hill), Toni ule — others were deemed unworthy of Collette (Hostages) and a young Nicholas my time. Here is my take of what’s worth Hoult (X-Men: First Class), told the story precious moments of free time, and what of a man-child who is taught to grow up probably should not make the cut. by a mature and charming young boy. The movie succeeds with good character de- Crisis velopment, a relatively realistic portrayal Sunday 10/9 p.m. central on NBC of depression, and hilariously blunt hu- This show is staying on my radar, for mor. In contrast, this new show’s jokes now. The concept of the world’s most in- fall flat, and I do not feel the same level fluential people submitting to kidnappers’ of compassion for the characters. While requests after their children are kidnapped Hugh Grant’s portrayal of a cluelessly im- on a prep school field trip is far-fetched, mature playboy was complex enough to but the first episode had enough gasp mo- make the audience root for his ultimate ments to keep me interested. Rachael Tay- success, this new show’s main character lor (Transformers) is mildly entertaining seems to know just how ridiculous and as a beautiful FBI agent, and Lance Gross childish his actions are but also chooses (House of Payne) is definitely swoon- not to care, and for that reason I never worthy as a gallant Secret Service agent, made it past episode two. Minnie Driver’s but the kidnapped teenagers definitely amusing portrayal of a sarcastic new-age hold the most potential here. Personally, mother almost saves the show, but in the I would like to see the President’s son end it just is not enough. confess some juicy White House secrets while geeky Anton Roth (Joshua Erenberg, Rake Suburgatory) amuses with random science Friday 8/7 p.m. central on FOX facts before this potentially good drama Greg Kinnear stars in this show about gets weighed down with boring adult dra- an amoral lawyer named Keegan Deane ma and forced romantic relationships. and his antics defending some of LA’s sleaziest patrons. Kinnear, an Academy Mixology Award Nominee and Emmy Winner, nearly Wednesday 9:30/8:30 p.m. central on ABC saves this show with his excellent acting; Featuring an entire season devoted to he manages to turn a character who makes just one night at one bar, this show tells one bad decision after another into some- the stories of multiple main characters one I want to win. Keagan’s potential re- with multiple perspectives, with each epi- lationship with hooker Mikki (Bojana No- sode concentrating on different individu- vakovic, Edge of Darkness) maintained my als. The comedy so far is not great, but the interest for a few episodes, but ultimately characters are entertaining although not their assuredly destructive romance is realistic. It is the perfect show to turn on not interesting enough to keep me enter- but not pay much attention to (I’ve man- tained. The episode plots, while some- aged to fold laundry, reply to emails, and what creative with detail, are all actually make my bed all while watching), and for the same: Keegan defends someone who that reason alone I find it valuable. I do has done something wrong but manages not expect to begin caring about some to get them off the hook by using his legal characters; Tom (Blake Lee, Parks and prowess and sheer wit. While a subplot ri- Recreation) and Liv (Kate Simses, What’s valry with the mayor held potential, this Your Number?) are both poor stereotypes show is going to have to mix things up a of goody-two-shoes that I have yet to be- little bit more for me to keep coming back. Sports is on Twitter. Get the scoop at twitter.com/ThresherSports 9
Beer Bike 2014: Meet the Athletes
MARTEL HANSZEN BAKER Justin Cho Mike Schubert Matthew Yang Men’s biker Men’s chugger Men’s biker
“Practice? We talking about practice. “Before every chug, I take five deep “Baker Not the race I go out there and die for, breaths, one for each of the members of captains but we’re talking about practice. But in *NSYNC. I then channel the spirit of Jus- hold practices all honesty, we’ve changed a lot about tin Timberlake because he was the only almost everyday practice this year. Not really in terms of one to be successful on his own, and after to try to accom- intensity, but organization and regular- all, my individual chug is a solo act. I then modate all bikers. ity. We’re much more organized than in ask myself, “Who’s gonna suck all this wa- We do time trials past years and we have a fair amount of ter?” and answer in song “It’s Gonna Be weekly to gauge the potential here now. Who know’s maybe Me,” and begin the chug. While chugging progress of the bik- in a year or two Martel will be up there the water, I sing “Bye Bye Bye” to myself ers. We just want competing for a top spot.” and suck the water down like I’m a Dyson everyone to be com- vacuum.” fortable riding on the track on race day.” JONES Momona Yamagami WILL RICE Women’s biker Dan Li Men’s biker “For Jones Bike Team we’re just try- ing to encourage people to train as “Well, I’ve biked so much on the track much as possible and start training that my pelvis is crooked from only turn- early on. As we get closer to Beer Bike ing left. 5,000 miles last year and 3,500 we give our bikers suggestions on small this one, mostly on the Greenbriar track. DUNCAN things that they can change to get stron- As an event, I think Beer Bike suits a lot of Hannah Abrams ger and faster. I think we also definitely people because the distance requires both Women’s biker have a pretty strong bond within the strength and cardiovascular output. Con- team, which helps encourage people to trary to popular belief, Will Rice doesn’t MCMURTRY stay in hotels the night before “Our chug team tradi- work out more often because they enjoy tionally practices every Gabriel Teo what they do.” beer bike. But we do have Men’s biker a nice pasta dinner the week after college govern- night before with ment meetings, and the bike “McMurtry Bike Team gets the open [a lot] of beer captains orchestrate small rides recognition and endorsement from the bread.” throughout the week with big team whole college in a ceremony before rides on Saturday mornings. race day. This year, the college en- WIESS [We also prepare for beer bike] by dorsed a substantial amount of money Shelby Kuhn filling water balloons, lots and lots of to purchase team jerseys, so we will be water balloons.” presenting the team jerseys to the bik- Women’s chugger ers the night before! Training routine-wise, we normally “We’re not overly competitive about take it a little easy for the whole week chugging, but we want everybody to go leading up to Beer Bike, choosing to out and do the best that they can. We rest our legs and trusting in all the have two practices a BROWN training we have done through the en- week, and we encour- tire year.” age people to go and Greg Kinman chug after they’ve Men’s biker worked out because LOVETT they’re thirsty. We Carol Nordman “At Brown, we don’t really have the want people who en- Women’s biker big biking culture that colleges like Will joy chugging to chug — Rice have. We have really good program- SID RICH we’re not into having “The way we prepared at Lovett ming for events during Willy Week and Alex Nunez tryouts and having was we focused on getting the riders on Beer Bike, but it’s hard to find bik- Men’s biker the best people on the comfortable with the bikes, the clip-in ers until pretty close to the last min- teams. If you want to shoes and the track layout. Once they ute. So most of the time, I’m just mak- “Their training really has come chug, you’re going to got used to what they rode with and ing sure that bikers are in some sort of down to their hard work. They get up chug.” where they were riding, the speed and good shape, and that they know to push bright and early around 6:30 AM and stamina easily came with more practice themselves as hard as possible during practice pace lines, sprints, etc. Then and race-day adrenaline. Biking trans- the race. We probably won’t win, but we once a week or if it’s raining they do leg formed from something intimidating to definitely don’t want to finish in the bot- work at the rec.” something fun!” tom six.”
Photos by Mia Polansky, Sean Chu, Sarah Nyquist, Sharrad Jones Baseball sweeps Florida Atlantic Men’s tennis by Michael Kidd shutout innings and struck out a career-high lar fashion to Saturday, the FAU Owls scored wins twice at Thresher staff 12 batters. He was pulled with one out in the a run in the first inning but could not hold ninth and replaced by sophomore Matt Dit- the lead. The Rice Owls answered in the bot- The Rice University baseball team com- man, who secured the 2-0 win. tom of the inning with two runs. Ewing hit a Rice Invitational peted in a three-game series this past week- Sophomore pitcher Blake Fox took the sacrifice fly to tie the game at one run apiece. end against Florida Atlantic University. In the mound on Saturday. The FAU Owls struck A few pitches later, junior catcher John Clay by Catherine Levins battle of the Owls, Rice came out victorious in first with an RBI single in the first inning. Reeves hit a solo home run deep to left field for The Thresher all three contests. The Owls improved to 19-6 Rice rallied for four runs in the bottom of to give Rice the advantage. McDowell went on the season and 8-1 in Conference USA play. the third inning to take a 4-1 lead. They then seven innings, allowing the one run until This past weekend the Rice men’s tennis With the sweep, Rice is now on a nine-game tacked on 10 more runs in the ballgame, win- freshman CJ Chatham hit a solo home run in team competed in the 56th annual Rice Invita- winning streak; the Owls have won 12 of their ning by a final score of 14-1. The Owls were the eighth inning to tie the game at two runs tional against Texas A&M, Corpus Christi and last 13 games. 10-15 hitting with runners in scoring position, apiece. The game remained tied until the bot- Tulane University. Despite persistent rain on Junior right-hander Zech Lemond took the and Rice’s offensive performance coupled tom of the 12th inning when junior infielder Friday, the team won 4-0 against Texas A&M, mound for the Rice Owls for the first of three with Fox’s pitching secured the victory. Hoel- Skyler Ewing hit a walk-off two-out single to Corpus Christi. games against FAU on Friday night. Rice led scher tied a career-high by going 4-4 on the win the game for Rice. Ditman did not allow Sunday’s matches against No. 67 Tulane 1-0 after seven innings of play with Lemond day with three doubles. He has hit safely in a single hit in his relief role and struck out proved to be a closer match. Tulane had the ad- pitching all seven scoreless innings. Not until five straight at-bats since his game-winning eight batters to improve his scoreless innings vantage after the round of doubles, so the Owls the eighth inning did senior Shane Hoelscher hit on Friday night. streak to 17.1 consecutive innings pitched needed to win four of their six single matches rip a two-out single down the third base line Chase McDowell pitched for Rice in the without giving up a run. to secure the team’s 4-3 victory. 0 to tack on another run. Lemond threw 8.1 final game of the series on Sunday. In simi- 0see Baseball, page 10 see Tennis, page 11 10 SPORTS the Rice Thresher Wednesday, March 26, 2014
0Baseball from page 9
Lemond said the Owls have grown as a team as the season has progressed. He said the win- ning streak is a testament to the intensity and focus the team brings into every game. “You can really see how much more we want it now compared to how we started off,” Lemond said. “We go out with the same intensi- ty every day and everyone’s on board. We don’t want to lose to anybody.”
You can really see how much more we want it now com- pared to how we started off. Zech Lemond
Lemond was named Co-Conference USA Pitcher of the Week for his performance on Friday night. He said he approaches his role as starter the same way he did last year when he was a reliever– by focusing on recording outs. “I’m still just pitching, so that’s the way I go out and look at it,” Lemond said. “Even though I used to pitch out of the pen and I start now, I think of it as just going out there, throwing strikes and getting outs.” Skyler Ewing said as the season pro- gressed, the offense developed consistency and the pitching staff has been routinely strong throughout the season. “It has been one of those deals where, as we move on throughout the season, we [have gotten] more comfortable at the plate and much more consistent,” Ewing said. “It’s great [to know] our pitching will always be there and that we can rely on our pitch- ing to the extent where we will always [be competitive] in ballgames.” The Owls will travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. this upcoming weekend to face the Blue Raid- sean Chu/ Thresher ers of Middle Tennessee State University. The Junior Ford Stainback prepares for a bunt in a game against Florida Atlantic University. This past weekend, the Owls won three games against Florida three-game series begins Friday, March 28, and Atlantic and boosted their Conference USA record to 8-1. Rice has continued to build momentum throughout the season as the team has grown closer. first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2014 the Rice Thresher 11
“I’m not typically as good indoors, so I 0Tennis was a bit nervous to see if I could hold on to Track and field begins outdoor from page 9 [my momentum],” Bennett said. “We came in here [and] all the guys made a ton of noise on Freshman David Warren said the team the side and it helped me get through.” season at Texas Southern relays is starting to find their rhythm and perform Despite the change in facility, Bennett well as a unit. and Warren won their matches 2-1 each. Tu- by Shannon Foreman 4:36.59 in the 1500-meter to earn the top colle- “I think, even though maybe the record lane 4-3. Head Coach Efe Ustundag said that, for The Thresher giate spot. didn’t show it, we were doing the right things,” despite the fact that the team had to win in The Rice men also found success in the Warren said. “Now as a team we are starting to a fashion that they were not accustomed to, The Rice University men’s and women’s 1500-meter, in which they took five of the top play much better, and everyone is competing Gustafsson and Gonzalez helped the team track and field teams began their outdoor sea- six spots. really hard and it’s really showing.” win due to their strong individual perfor- son this past weekend at the Texas Southern Sophomore Harry Sagel, who led the Owls Sophomores Adam Gustaffsson and Gus- mances. University Relays at TSU in San Marcos, Texas. in the meet, said he was happy with the team’s tavo Gonzalez won their matches to help se- “The fact that we hadn’t won a match this Several Owls performed strongly at the efforts but is looking forward to continual im- cure Rice’s victory. Their quick wins in their whole year after losing a doubles point only meet, especially junior Claire Uke, who won provement later in the season. singles matches gave Rice a 2-1 lead; how- adds to the pressure, but [the team] respond- the shot put event with a personal-best mark of “As a team, the objective is to improve on ever, Rice needed to secure two more wins ed,” Ustundag said. “Adam [Gustafsson] and 4.1 meters, the second-best throw in the nation last season’s times and aim for a win in as many when the rain set in. Gustavo [Gonzalez] getting on the ball quick- last week. events as possible,” Sagel said. “Right now, it’s Warren and sophomore Tommy Bennett ly, I think, really helped this team.” Uke said she was surprised by her own per- just the first stepping stone towards bigger and were forced to move their third sets to the in- The Owls will have an opportunity to con- formance and hopes the momentum will carry more important meets later on in the season.” door courts. Bennett said he helped the team tinue their winning streak when they play through the rest of the season. Other strong performances on the men’s side win due in large part to the support of his no. 12 Texas A&M on Tuesday in College Sta- “I actually wasn’t expecting to throw that far included redshirt freshman Filip Drozdowski’s teammates and fans. tion, TX. on Saturday, so I’m really excited about how the fourth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles, season is going to progress,” Uke said. “If things senior vaulter Alex Hsu’s second-place finish pan out correctly, I should be able to peak to- in the pole vault and sophomore thrower Evan ward the end of [the] outdoor season when Karakolis’s third-place finish in the javelin. things really count.” Men’s track and field Head Coach Jon War- Many other field athletes also surpassed ren said he was pleased with the start to the their previous personal-best performances. In outdoor season but knows the team has much the women’s pole vault, sophomore McKen- more potential. zie Johnson won the event with a vault of 4.1 “Getting off to a good start is pretty important meters, the fifth-best mark in the country last since we only have eight weeks until the outdoor weekend, and junior Alisha Janke returned from conference meet,” Warren said. “We are still injury to break her own personal best to finish looking for significant improvement as the sea- in third place with a vault of 3.8 meters. son progresses, but I am happy with the start.” The Rice women carried their success into The Owls will next compete at Rice on Sat- the running events as well. Junior sprinter Ty- urday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 at the neisha McCoy finished fifth in the 100-meter Victor Lopez Classic, which will feature over 20 with a time of 12.39. Senior Heather Olson ran collegiate teams. TSU relays Results March 22-23
Junior Claie Uke - 1st place shot put Freshman Daisy Ding - 3rd place high jump Senior Heather Olsen - 2nd place 1500m Senior Alec Hsu - 2nd place pole vault Geneva Vest/ Thresher Freshman Daisy Ding - 2nd place triple jump Sophomore Evan Karakolis - 3rd place javelin Sophomore Tommy Bennett stretches for a forehand at the Rice Invitational Tennis Tournament this Sophomore McKenzie Johnson - 1st pole vault Sophomore Harry Sagel - 1st place 1500m past weekend. The team bested both Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and Tulane University Freshman Ijeoma Ugwunze - 2nd place discus Senior Alex Weinheimer - 2nd place 1500m Junior Alicia Jahnke - 3rd place pole vault Sophomore William Roberts - 3rd place 1500m
Courtesy James Hilton Junior Casey Clark celebrates her success after a meet. She competed in the NCAA championships in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle events last weekend. Clark visits NCAA championship by Julie Doar her performance despite not advancing to Thresher Staff the finals. “I was 32nd in the [100-yard butterfly], Last weekend, swimmer Casey Clark which was an improvement from my seeding,” represented Rice University in three events Clark said. “Both of my 100s were relatively at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Div- close to my best times, so I was happy with ing Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. those events.” Clark, a Baker College junior, competed in Clark said she has taken much away from the 100-yard butterfly, the 200-yard free- her experience and gained a new perspective style and the 100-yard freestyle events. She and appreciation for the sport. placed 32nd in the 100-yard butterfly, 49th “The experience has taught me perspec- in the 200-yard freestyle and tied for 49th in tive,” Clark said. “It’s so easy in the moment the 100-yard freestyle. Clark did not qualify to get caught up in focusing on moving down for the finals. in placing or adding time that it’s easy to for- Clark said she was excited for the NCAAs get that the meet represents some of the fast- and wanted to continue her momentum est swimmers in the country. Taking some from the regular season and Conference USA perspective and enjoying the experience are championships. the most important things I took away from “I was most looking forward to the [100- the meet.” yard butterfly] this past weekend,” Clark Although the season has ended, Clark has said. “That was my focus throughout the sea- a far-seeing eye. She said she is already look- son, and I felt that it was my best chance of ing forward to her senior-year season, and she making it back to finals.” wants to help get a team relay qualified for the Clark managed to advance to the second NCAAs next year. round in the 100-yard butterfly with a time “My goals for the rest of my swimming career of 53.07 and swam the 100-yard freestyle are getting a relay qualified for NCAA as well as with 49.67. Clark said she was pleased with scoring points at the championship,” Clark said. VIOLATIONS AND FINES Violation Fine Practicing for Beer Bike Last Semester $500 Chanting “[insert college] Wins Again” Despite Losing Living at Jones Excessive Bullhorn Use $120 per second Rice Program Council Claims Waterballoon Fight (even though it was a long standing Return $1500 to each college Rice Tradition) Waking up After 8:00 a.m. $250 + $1 per minute Alumni Making Awkward Advances at Freshmen $350 Underage Drinking Priceless The BP Onlooker How did I end up here in life? Dear Rice Community (and Daniel Imas), In response to your comment that overcrowding is a problem at all colleges on Beer Bike morning, I think this issue is something that can be addressed on a case- by-case examination. But this would suggest that all colleges are overcrowded in general. By my own experience, Martel is a special case. As keg-usage data corrobo- rates, this anecdotal experience is founded in fact. For this reason, I wish to move forward with this experiment and keep the Martel Sundeck reserved for Martelians from the hours of 6:30 - 7:15 a.m. You see Daniel, as is often the case, this issue boils down to a battle between the needs of the individual and those of the collective society. I believe Jean-Jacques Rousseau addressed this issue quite appropriately in stating, “Man is born sober, and everywhere he is drunk.” By entering Rice, Daniel, you have joined our social contract. Deep at the core of this contract is the belief in balance — one that dictates that the Martel community has the right to get intoxicated at 6:15 a.m. and listen to “Crown on the Ground” together as a collective, without the burden of drunken riff-raff climbing on shit. Martel deserves its own chance to skip around playing Candy Land, even if this comes at the minor cost of people enjoying time with their own colleges for a brief period. Ultimately, if we cannot find balance, I feel that this reflects severely on our values as a Rice community. Do we not like drinking openly at the break of dawn? Do we not value the chance to act like complete children once a year? Is it so impor- tant that we migrate to Martel that we completely disregard Wiess’ awesome tradi- tion of not having a theme and drinking in small isolated rooms? My dream is that the Rice community finds balance this Saturday, even if indi- viduals have a hard time standing.
Dean Hutch
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