-• resher — Vol. XCIV, Issue No. 7 SINCE 1916 Friday, October 5, 2007 SA, adminstration work on green policy by Jocelyn Wright campus construction built to at least LEED Silver standards. THRESHKR EDITORIAL STAFF But in March 2004, Rice Environmentalism has been adopted a sustainability policy a major campus theme lately, to foster environmental con- and student and administra- sciousness and mitigate Rice's tive environmental agendas ecological footprint. Thus, will meet this Monday when Leebron's office began looking i the Student Association votes into the climate commitment on a resolution requesting independently of the SA. President David Leebron to In fact, many measures speci- sign the "American College & fied in the commitment have University President's Climate already been achieved by Rice Change Commitment." or are in their formative steps on This resolution comes more campus, including setting up in- than three years after the admin- stitutional structures responsible istrative adoption of an environ- for sustainable and ecologically- mental sustainability policy, the friendly development. effects of which are now becom- Now the groups are working ing visible on campus. together, and Leebron said his The commitment in the office could reach a decision resolution outlines steps its about signing the climate com- signatories should take in order mitment very soon. to achieve climate neutrality, "We're very positive including making inventories of about the climate change greenhouse gas emissions, pur- commitment," Leebron said. "We chasing Energy Star certified do welcome student engagement products, and having all new see GREEN, page 4 DEIAN TABAKOV/THRESHER Fall formal Esperanza Dude, yer so screwed Students gather in front of Willy's Statue on Saturday to meet their dates for Screw Yer Roommate. The Rice Program Council (RPC) hosts Screw Yer Roommate in the beginning of the fall semester every year to encourage booked at Minute Maid students to get out and meet new people. by Liz Mallett about the venue. "The fact that it's in Minute FOR THE THRESHER Maid park is very awesome — This year's Esperanza, the but it would be better if it was Rice Program Council's annual out on the field," he said. Endowment grows 21.6 percent in past year fall formal dance, will return to Although Minute Maid pre- Minute Maid Park, which held viously served as the venue by Catherine Bratic Although this year's budget has growth to the success of stocks, not yet been finalized. Wise said the the event in 2002. for Esperanza, Kerkstra said it FOR THE THRESHER private equity, real estate and The dance, scheduled for differs from recent years' hotel growth of the endowment will allow natural resources such as oil and Nov. 3 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m, ballroom venues. Despite recent economic trou- the university to continue its trend gas. Currently, the investment is will take place in the ball- "Everyone's really excited bles in the hedge fund and sub- of increasing financial aid payouts divided into 48 percent in stocks, 20 park's Champion's Ballroom about Minute Maid," Kerkstra prime loan markets, the Rice every year. percent in hedge funds, 10 percent Appetizers will be offered, but said. "I think it's a really cool endowment grew 21.6 percent this "I'm very pleased with the re- in private equity, 8 percent in bonds, the majority of the budget left venue not just for girls to get past fiscal year now clocking in at turns," Wise said. "Any time you can 7 percent in real estate and 7 percent over from the venue will go excited about but for boys to $4.66 billion. Vice President for do returns in excess of 20 percent for a in natural resources. towards subsidizing tickets in get excited about, too." Investments and Treasurer Scott year, you have to be happy with it." Over the years, the university has order to make the dance afford- RPC plans to leave part of the Wise (Will Rice '71) attributed The last time the endowment had been shifting investments from public able for students. stands open so that people can the growth to the success of its returns higher than 20 percent was stock to private partnerships. Wise RPC Formals Committee walk around. Kerkstra said the equity investments. in 1998, Wise said. said these are more difficult to main- co-chair Michelle Kerkstra said venue overlooks the field and The endowment, the money with Wise attributed the endowment's tain but produce greater returns. tickets should cost between $20 downtown Houston. which the university was founded, and $25. At the door, prices will Amenities provided by the provides funding for faculty chairs, rise to around $30. Kerkstra, a venue include free parking, se- graduate fellowships and under- ENDOWMENT OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS Will Rice College sophomore, curity and first aid. Kakkarsaid graduate scholarships. said the committee is still she hopes for a similar turnout The endowment also posted posi- figuring out prices for Minute to last year's. Originally, the tive returns for the first quarter of Maid, so the ticket prices are committee had booked a room the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 in not settled yet. with a capacity of 350 people, spite of the stock market's negative "If we have enough money, but moved to a 600-person turn. Wise said. of course we are going to lower room given the 580-person at- "The good news is there was prices to get people to come," tendance last year. not a big negative impact on the Kerkstra said. Kerkstra said RPC will offer endowment from the credit and Kerkstra said they consid- souvenir champagne flutes to liquidity difficulties in the markets," those who buy advance tickets. Wise said. A ered a few downtown venues ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ T?° before deciding on Minute Last year, shot glasses were The endowment's success will be Maid Park but that Minute Maid handed out at the door and not taken into account when formulat- 2006:3.98 2001:3.24 All endowment statistics represent the 2007 2005: 3.61 2000: 3.37 approximate value of Rice's endowment in was their first choice. everyone who bought tickets ing this year's university budget, 2004: 3.30 1999: 2.94 June of the indicated year (except 2002, which Lovett College sophomore early received one, she said. which the Board of Trustees ap- 4.10 2003: 2.94 1998: 2.79 was recorded In December). Alt numbers are BILLION 2002: 2.94 1997: 2.32 measured in billions of US dollars. Jose Hernandez is excited see RPC, page 6 proves in December. INSIDE OPINION Page 3 Scoreboard Classy musicians What about indie? Baker 13 ultimatum Football The Shepherd School Symphony KTRU will sponsor a concert tomorrow A&E Page 14 Rice 31, Southern Miss 29 Soccer Orchestra will present romantic mas- from 3-6 p.m at Valhalla. The concert features PoP culture standoff terpieces by Dvorak, Strauss, and bands such as a Pink Cloud and the Blades. Rice 5, Lamar 0 Page IS Volleyball Beethoven at 8:00 p.m. today and tomor- SPORTS Rice 3. UH 2 row in the Stude Concert Hall. Tickets SpoCo v. Phils Women's cross-country ranked no. 7 are $8.00 for students. If you prefer a Quote of the Week Weekend Weather more diverse performance, the Shephard Improv comedy and a capella faceoff in a battle royale this Friday, and it's all going "Coyotes make noises that sound like people Friday School Chamber Orchestra will play Isolated T-storms, 73-91 degrees down in the U>vett Undergrounds tonight screaming. We got a couple calls from some pieces by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and guys at the south colleges that said they heard Saturday Linz at the same time Sunday night in at 9 p.m. Come and check out Spontaneous what sounded like women screaming." Isolated T-storms, 72-89 degrees the Stude Concert Hall. Admission is free Combustion and the Rice Philharmonics in — Rice University Police Department Sergeant Sunday for students. their first performance of the year. Jesse Salazar (See story, page 101 Scattered T-storms, 7189 degrees THE RICE THRESHER OPINION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5,2007 the Rice Thresher m Pavilion success relies on students, machines SOUTM SEC While construction on the Brochstein Pavilion is steadily progress- ing — currently at the dust pit stage — plans for what will be inside the Pavilion are still not yet concrete. The blueprints are not overly complex: It is essentially a big glass box with couches, restrooms and a food kiosk. But the kiosk, which will draw students campus- wide with its alluring late-night food and beverages, should be the diamond in that big glass box. A successful pavilion will rely on a LETTERS TO THE EDITOR successful kiosk, which will require two key qualities: 24-hour ser- faith's holiest day because their room- ate to a need-to-know online forum. vice and a student vibe. And these two qualities can come together '80s decision rested mate is wearing spandex. Radical. But it is inappropriate in hard-copy in one easy package with student employment. publication, available to the broader Admittedly, a 24-hour food kiosk would be economically difficult on logistics, budget Liz Ericson public and far from complete. — only a few people seek food in the wee hours of the morning, Sid Richardson sophomore I applaud the Thresher publicizing To the editor: the best courses and professors, but and even fewer want to work. However, Rice students, well known Jenny Kingsley and I chose to run am dismayed by the listing of theworst for keeping odd hours, would be the perfect candidates to run a for Head Socials at Sid Richardson Anger at party date The biggest problem is the selected late-night kiosk.