OP-ED P. 3 A&E p. 8 FEATURE P. 14 Misrepresenting Muslims Tantalizing taco tastes Dual degrees What kinds of misconceptions have the media created about Our intrepid reporters continue their taco tour to tackle one One MBA student takes a break from the books to help bring Muslims and the Islamic faith? of the oldest taco outposts in the city. mixed martial arts to Houston.

VOLUME XCVII, ISSUE NO. 17 the RicSTUDENT-RUe N SINCE 1916 FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010 SA begins Owl Days blanket dates to tax reform change

Oversight committee BY SETH BROWN established to help THRESHER STAFF Come mid-April, prospective stu- student organizations dents will descend on campus in greater numbers than ever before. Rice's Student Admission Council BY SETH BROWN and the Office of Undergraduate Ad- THRESHER STAFF mission set this year's Owl Days and Admit Days in the final two weeks of Earlier this month, the Student ' V*"V -' classes, giving admitted students the Association created a new commit- opportunity to visit Rice and get a tee on blanket tax reform to correct taste of campus life. the perceived lack of oversight in This year's Owl Days are sched- tax proposals. I M uled for April 15-16. As in previous The need for oversight of the un- years, prospective students will stay regulated system was highlighted by LOGAN BECK/ overnight with student volunteers. repeated confusion at election time. The two Admit Days will occur the For example, until last year, Univer- next week, on Friday, April 23 and The Barbara and David Gibbs Rec Center was recently outfitted with its first piece of art, an instal- sity Blue, a former student-run literary Up, up and Monday, April 26 - the final day of publication that had been defunct for lation made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles and bottle caps. For information on how artist classes and the first day of dead week, several years, continued to receive $i a-weigh Aurora Robson found inspiration and ultimately named the piece "Lift," turn to page 7. respectively. from each undergraduate student's tu- Owl Days will be held on a Thurs- ition. Of the six blanket tax proposals day and Friday this year in order to to reach last year's ballot, the only one accommodate student workloads to pass was an amendment to remove at the beginning of the wetf;. Two UBlue's blanket tax. Rice's 'best value' ranking dropsyear s ago, three sets of Monday- Tuesday Owl Days were held, and last year, OwJ Days were held on a it BY MICHELLE JIN that Rice has done really well, and it ton Review evaluates the "best value" pair of Wednesday-Thursday sets. THRESHER STAFF has done really well over time," Col- colleges, as well as changes in other For Owl Days, student volunteers I think the attitude lins said. "In the last four years, Rice universities' financial aid systems. host prospective students overnight of the student body Following a year marked by nu- and Swarthmore College are the only "Schools like Harvard and Yale and take them to classes. On Admit merous budget cuts and nearly $1 two schools that have been in the [which ranked second and fifth this Days, the students attend several pan- will have to change billion lost from the endowment, The top 10 all those four years." year, respectively] have recently been els and take a tour of campus, but do — most kids don't un- Princeton Review, in conjunction with This year, Swarthmore received very aggressive on financial aid," Col- not stay overnight with a host. derstand what they're USA Today, ranked Rice seventh in the The Princeton Review's top ranking lins said. The cap for Owl Days attendees nation for "best value private college" for "best value private college." Despite the 18 percent drop in is currently set at 600 prospective voting on. The S,4 for 2010, a drop from previous years. Rice's comparatively low tuition, Rice's endowment last year, there are students — 100 more than last year's needs to better edu- In 2009, Rice ranked fourth and low student debt upon graduation, no cutbacks planned for the universi- number. However, it may be possible cate the whole under- in 2008, Rice ranked first in the same need-blind financial aid policy ty's financial aid policy, Collins said. to increase this number if enough survey. The university has been in and no-loan threshold of $80,000 The relatively low cost of tuition, students volunteer, according to SAC graduate population the top 10 in the category for five of - raised from $60,000 last year — a large determinant in the ranking, Overnight Hosting Chair Alex Wyatt, on all of the issues. the past six years. all contributed to the "best value" is one important factor that attracts who said he hopes that after SAC gets Despite the drop from last year. ranking, Collins said. students to Rice, Vice President for a volunteer registration Web site up Vice President for Finance Kathy Col Collins also said that the fluc- Enrollment Chris Munoz. and running, there will be at least 450 Rachel Orosco lins said she remained optimistic. tuation in Rice's rankings is due to "Primarily, [what allows Rice to student volunteers. Jones 'io "One important thing to notice is changes each year in how The Prince- O see VALUE, page 6 O see OWL, page 7 \ » • •

Attempts by the Rice Program Rocbar selected as 100 Days venue Council and KTRU to increase their respective blanket taxes, as well as representatives at meals or at the pecting to receive $5,000-$6,500 on for the event is $1,000, which was efforts from R2 and Open to begin re- New location, same Rice Memorial Center info desk. the event, both in ticket sales and supplied by the alumni office. The ceiving blanket tax money by becom- The door price is less expensive through an arrangement the com- committee also raised $250 from the ing subsidiary organizations of the celebration set than it was last year, Chair of the mittee has with the venue, Newman homecoming tailgate. Student Association, failed. Senior Committee Danny Newman said. The committee is composed The committee has arranged for Rlanket taxes, paid by every under- BY SCOTT NORGAARD said, because the committee did not of 17 seniors, with representatives buses to transport students to and graduate on top of tuition, typically go THRESHER STAFF want to penalize last-minute attend- from every college. from the club, Newman said. The to campus organizations that benefit ees. In addition to a ticket, each en- As in recent years, the dance first bus, which gives seniors prior- the student body as a whole, with nine Busy seniors worrying about life trant will need Rice identification, or is not technically 100 days before ity, will depart from the Sallyport at current subsidiary organizations, in- after Rice have at least one reprieve be accompanied by someone with a graduation due to scheduling con- 9:45 p.m. Afterward, the bus will run cluding the Rice Thresher. Currently, as their collegiate careers wind Rice ID. Rocbar, located at 530 Tex- flicts, but a close approximation, on half-hour intervals. Newman rec- each student pays a total of $68 per down: 100 Days, a dance tradition- as St. near the Preston stop on the Newman, a Jones College senior, ommends students take the metro- year in blanket taxes, and any changes ally celebrated 100 days before com- metrorail, will have drink specials said. Newman said the committee rail to avoid long bus lines. At 12:30 in the paid amount require the approval mencement to kick off the count- for those over 21, including $3 do- chose the venue because of its suc- a.m., a second bus will transport stu- of two-thirds of the voters in the spring down to graduation in May. mestic and $4 "early drinks," which cess two years ago and that they dents from the club back to campus. general election. This year's dance will be held include Mike's Hard Lemonade. did not want to simply return to The committee has also made an ef- The primary goal of the new com- Feb. 2 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 100 Days raises funds for the se- last year's venue, Club26ten, which fort to make cabs available in order mittee will be to work with organiza- Rocbar, a downtown nightclub. nior gala, which cost $25,000 last drew 650 attendees. The committee to maximize the number of ways to tions interested, in increasing their blan Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 year and is expected to cost as much expects 500 students to attend this get students home safely. ket tax funding or becoming subsidiary at the door, and can be purchased this year. The senior committee, year's event. "We are confident that everything S3 see TAX, page 4 from the senior committee college which coordinates 100 Days, is ex- Like last year, the starting budget Osee 100, page 6

50 days (of Beer Bike) Too sexy for this party A whole new world INDEX Opinion 3 ArchiArts: Model, the fundraiser for the sopho- The World Food fair is Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Ladies and gentleman, start your... ped- News 4 als? Today marks the 50-day countdown to more Archis' trip to Paris, is tonight in the Grand Hall of the RMC. Swing by for free food from the Arts & Entertainment 8 Rice's most hallowed holiday, Beer Bike. Sewall Pit from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets are $15 at Muslim Student Association, Black Student Associa- Sports 11 You might want to start saving up on your the door. You can buy a sweet shirt, too. Then tion and the Turkish Student Association, among Calendar 15 sleep pretty soon. you'll really fit in with all the fashionistas. others, as well as free henna tattoos. Or come on up to Backpage 16 the Thresher office to eat all our leftovers. Your choice. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 2 EDITORIAL THE RICE THRESHER

feS/€t£. NO/TrcvB fin ML. . the Rice (Ihresher WATCHJN6 "TfceM. Dates of Owl Days, Admit Days ill-chosen Many students' first experiences at Rice consist of overnight Ys/te sin visits as prospective students. The tradition lives on, even if over the past few years the names, dates and frequency of bl\ U.00NS Rice's annual official prospective student visits have changed m SAFE- - from Owl Weekend to Owl Days to now Owl Days and Ad- mit Days — to accommodate the growing class sizes (see story, MSS/SIR* page i). Despite these changes, the idea has remained basi- th&Y^E Mtr cally the same: Allow prospective students, who have already HMM... &HW& MB.. been admitted to Rice and are whittling down their final col- lege choices before the May commit deadline, to stay on cam- pus with a student host, sit in on classes of their choice and experience Rice culture as a whole. Unfortunately, the proposed dates for this year's Owl Days and Admit Days, sandwiching the last week of classes, threaten to undermine more than one Rice tradition. Admit Days' occur- rence on the last day of classes, which is coincidentally College Night for both Hanszen College and Wiess College, guarantees that parents and prospective students alike will be eyewitnesses to some of the most widespread drunken antics on Rice's cam- pus this side of Beer Bike. While the administration would like to flaunt Rice's social sphere along with its academics, this is not the angle to take — and one that seems almost antithetical to the ad- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected], twitter.com/thericethresher ministration's attempts to sweep all things Beer Bike-related (i.e., intoxicated and crazed) under the rug. The large majority of par- party, and it will take a lot more well-communicated, and the method Online Comment officers than that to make sure that for assessing them works pretty well. ents and prospective students will undoubtedly be perturbed by of the Week no WD-40 is introduced into the Last year's parade coordinator looked costumes and drinking games in the backs of classes; in turn, the trash cans. If this cost is passed on to be near an aneurysm, true, but 1 Rice University Police Department will be keen on cracking down In response to "Beer Bike proposals to the college, it'll be more than the think that's more a function of being on underage drinking, which we fear will temper the merriment misleading in intent,"Jan. 22: cost of a truck (Baker College spent a coordinator than a lack of safety. of certain revelers. Additionally, students interested in sitting in There's an additional problem to about $300 last year). Really, the administration wants to these proposed [Beer Bike] changes There are some changes, though, get rid of the trucks every single year. on a class or two will be shortchanged: Most classes on the last that I feel has not been addressed that should definitely be made — Safety is just an easy foundation upon day will consist of exams, and those that don't will be dominated — the fact that these proposed namely, the caregiver system. For which to construct an argument, but it's by drunken antics. And we're not even going to touch on the awk- changes are happening far too late the rest, though, it's far too little, an unsound basis. When's the last time wardness of prospective students coming during the first day of for implementation in March. and way too late. there was an accident on the route? dead period, when no classes are even in session. As of today, the final vote among There's one more problem that 1 Has anyone gotten hurt with the trucks the coordinators on whether or not have with the proposed changes, and before? If so, were the rules changed On the other end of the spectrum, Owl Days will be taking to move the water balloon fight is that's the emphasis on safety risks. to prevent such an accident from ever place on the Thursday and Friday before the last week of class- slated for Feb. 1. That gives the co- True, no sane person would ever de- occurring again? es, when most of us will be too swamped with end-of-semester ordinators about four weeks to make sign a water balloon fight to be con- The real question is, why are the work to even consider hosting a prospective student. This is not all the changes necessary for the ducted from moving trucks, but real- coordinators willing to change the ly, I don't think the parade is all that parade this year, rather than stand- the first year that prospective student visits have inconveniently new system — everything should be set in stone before spring break unsafe, unless you're talking about ing up to the administration to de- coincided with the impossible workload that we all face as spring starts Feb. 28 in order to spread the overstretching EMS. The parade is fend this Beer Bike tradition as has turns to summer, a fact that has led to less-than-stellar Owl Day news and teach everyone the new rigorously organized. The whistle- been done in the past? experiences for prospective students who either are abandoned rules at least a week before Willy and-horn system is well known and Diana Cahill by their hosts and dumped on various roommates and friends, Week begins. That leaves 27 days easily understood, even by those Baker'n participants who may be intoxicated. Baker College Beer or are unable to visit at all due to a shortage of available student to coordinate with Rice Emergency Medical Services, work with Rice The penalties are well-structured and Bike Coordinator 2009 hosts and an accompanying boost in admitted students. University Police Department, draw Those involved in the planning of Owl Days and Admit Days up new security plans, rewrite the should garner student body input before scheduling these visits, in fine and penalty structure, figure Last week's online poll results: order to avoid such conflicts as College Night and the work-filled end out how cleanup is handled (it will Are you in favor of optional final exams? of the semester. Why not push these visits just two weeks earlier — be muddier and nastier than in past years) and discuss how balloons will such as April 8-9 and 15-16? Not only will current students be freer and be delivered to the fighters. Plus, less intoxicated and the environment more representative of Rice life, there will be additional costs as- but prospective students will also have an earlier chance to visit and sociated with laying down entirely make a college decision before the crunch of AP exams hits. new sod on the field, which will be Of course, it is entirely possible that the university has necessary after a water balloon fight of this magnitude. transitioned its focus onto solely recruiting students who en- There are even more costs in- Depends on the course joy swigging the flask in the back of the classroom — which volved. Paying RUPD to guard the is another discussion entirely. balloons will be, for lack of a better description, crazy expensive — way more than trucks cost. It's $364 for THIS WEEK'S POLL: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT RICE'S DROP IN THE Slip in "best value" two officers for a four-hour public PRINCETON REVIEW'S "BEST VALUE" RANKINGS? WWW.RICETHRESHER.ORG rankings discouraging Casey Michel Editor in Chief The Rice Thresher, the official student news- paper at Rice University since 1916, is pub Despite the Vision for the Second Century's plan to con- Sarah Rutledge iished each Friday during the school year, tinually improve all aspects of the Rice experience, the newly Senior Editor except during examination periods and holi NEWS days, by the students of Rice University. released rankings from The Princeton Review hint that the op- Cindy Dinh Editor Josh Rutenberg Editor Ariel Shnitzer Asst. Photo Editor Letters to the Editor must be received by posite is happening (see story, page 1). Rice, while still ranked Jocelyn Wright Editor David Rosales Multimedia Manager 5 p.m. the Monday prior to publication and first in "quality of life," has gradually slipped in "best value" Jaclyn Youngblood Editor Stephen Wang Web Editor must be signed, including college and year if the writer is a Rice student. Letters should not and now sits in seventh place behind a mix of small East Coast Dennis Qian /Asst. Web Editor OP-ED Eric Doctor Design Director exceed 250 words in length. The Thresher re liberal arts schools and Ivy League powerhouses. Zach Castle Head News Designer serves the rights to edit letters for content and Christine Pao Editor length and to place letters on our Web site. While Rice is still in the top 10, we cannot be satisfied with con- Kay Fukui Cartoonist BUSINESS Editorial & business offices are tinual downgrades. In the past, Rice sold itself on its "best value" SPORTS Yvette Pan Manager located on the second floor of the Ley Stu reputation, with need-blind admission and an increasing no-loan Natalie Clericuzio Editor Jessie Huang Subscriptions Manager dent Center: Jonathan Myers Assistant Editor Charlie Ary Distribution Manager income threshold. However, other schools have caught on to the Gustavo Herrera Distribution Manager 6100 Main St., MS-524 needs of today's college students and their families, and are now ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Sergio Jaramillo Distribution Manager Houston. TX 77005-1892 Joe Dwyer Editor Phone (713) 348-4801 leaving Rice in the dust with even more generous financial aid poli- Fax (713) 348-5238 ADVERTISING E-mail: thresherfg) rice, edu cies. Has the V2C pushed the university too far? COPY Cathleen Chang Ads Manager Web site: www.ricethresher.org It is clear that the administration is willing to sacrifice the Anna Wilde Editor Molly Slattery Ads Manager Rose Cahalan Editor Tiffany Kuo Classified Ads Manager Unsigned editorials represent the major- notion of a good value for that of prestige. To this end, the ad- ity opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. ministration has put its neck on the line, showing itself will- STAFF COORDINATOR CALENDAR All other opinion pieces represent solely Catherine Bratic the opinion of the piece's author ing to let Rice slide in certain areas. We cannot express enough Brian Reinhart Editor hope that we jump in the overall rankings once the 2010 rank- MEDIA The Thresher is a member of the Associated BACKPAGE Collegiate Press, TIPA and CA/BAM. LOST!!! ings are released. If not, we would not be surprised if our "hap- Lauren Schoeffler Photo editor © Copyright 2009 Logan Beck Photo Editor Kyle Barnhart Editor piest students" crown is the next to fall from our head. Cristina Tortarolo Editor Op-Ed 3 National media distorts image ofMuslims Real sympathy for mentally ill IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY. YOU see that Network, aims to foster hope and every time, citing their religion as foxnews.com has published an ar- opportunity for progress in devel- the source of their twisted ideas. ticle stating that a "Muslim terror- oping countries; its agencies have What is lost in translation is that it requires awareness, openness ist tried to blow up a Detroit-bound helped build countless hospitals is the other way around — they are As THE SPRING semester begins, willfully seeking their own ruin. Or, we airliner packed with 300 people just and schools in Asia and Africa, as twisting Allah and the Qu'ran into students leave the holiday warmth can linger in saccharine sentimentality moments before landing." Soon, well as supported numerous mi- an excuse for their atrocities. 1 am of their families to return to problem that compels us to throw a dollar to the you notice that other major media crofinance ventures and promoted disturbed by the way mainstream sets and design projects that pile up homeless so we can atone for our small networks follow suit. "Oh, God," cultural preservation in every area media habitually interchanges like the dead leaves that litter the part in the systemic sin, as their con- you groan. "Not again. What's in which they work. the words "al-Qaeda," "extrem- quad. Less conspicuous this time of dition is merely the product of unjust wrong with theseMuslims? What are Muslims of all sects agree that ist" and "Muslim," as if all three year, however, is that winter can be social forces. We comfort the mentally they thinking?" these values are intrinsic to the Is- terms are one and the same. Hav- an especially difficult time for those ill with pop-psychology platitudes that lamic faith; there are numerous ing Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab with mental illnesses, a significant emphatically remove all responsibility Qu'ranic verses encouraging Mus- and his awful antics splashed on but often unrecognized and untreated for their condition. lims to "be merciful" and do "good every page of every newspaper portion of the collegiate population. Both of these responses are the works." Similar to the Bible and the has further perpetuated American unhealthy extremes in regard to Torah, the Qu'ran commands us to stereotypes of Muslims as violent, human agency. The former places "be good to our neighbors." suicide-bombing creatures. all culpability upon the afflicted, Because of this stereotype, I get claiming that they are completely double takes when I call myself a responsible for their fate and there- U Muslim, especially in Texas. My Ara- fore must fully shoulder the bur- Shamsa Mangalji bic name, Shamsa, raises eyebrows den. Even though they may bear I am appalled that and security wands of airport securi- some responsibility for their state, I can't tell you what those so- ty personnel. The verses about mer- this does not exclude the obliga- called "Muslims" were thinking. I these horrible cy and beneficence in the Qu'ran re- Amanda Roussel tion to shoulder some of the burden can't jump inside their heads to dis- extremists who claim main unknown or forgotten, as does when we have the strength. cover why they commit these mer- to be "Muslim" the incredible charitable work of the University years, typically when ar- Meanwhile, the latter sentimental- ciless, terrifying acts in the name Aga Khan, or that of other Muslim resting uncertainty and ambiguity pro- ity has a reductionist bent that denies of "Islam." But I can tell you what commit vicious acts figures, for that matter. liferate, are a particularly trying time for the sufferer's will. This is a false sym- I think. Simply put, I feel outraged of terror that I am a Muslim who takes my true. the mentally ill. As someone who suf- pathy that many default to because it at these terrorists' disgusting per- Islamic values to heart. To me, Is- fered from mental illness while at Rice appears the least judgmental. I vigor- version of my Islamic faith. I am completely contradict lam means everything from singing and has friends still there with similar ously dispute this, as the sufferer's ashamed to see the way my faith is all of the Qu'ran's "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" afflictions, I understand that the fear of will to live and be well, however being portrayed in mainstream me- morals, ethics with nursery school students in stigma and even university retribution battered, is the only thing that can dia, and I think the world needs to East Africa to brightening people's prevents many from seeking help — a ultimately drive one on the journey understand the real meaning of Is- and commandments. day with a smile and an impromptu dangerous prospect for youth who typi- to successful healing. Both reactions lam, a word derived from the Arabic dance-party study break. It means cally have little familial support nearby originate from a sense of overwhelm- concept of "salaam," or peace. With 99 reusing my water bottle and sprint- and a plethora of means by which to ing impotence to help the seemingly this column, I would like to give you ing like a maniac around the house, harm themselves. In light of this, I ask infinite suffering of a finite mind. a new perspective of my religion. turning off every single light before you, the reader, to resolve to develop a I belong to the Shia Imami Is- So I am appalled that these hor- I head out. It means striving to get more authentic sympathy for the men- U maili sect of Islam. My Imam, or rible extremists who claim to be an A in my statistics class, no matter tally sick, especially those with whom spiritual leader, is the Aga Khan. "Muslim" commit vicious acts of how many weeks of sleep I have to you learn and reside. He teaches that Islam should al- terror that completely contradict all sacrifice to do so. Common responses to the men- iff! To have authentic ways be interpreted in the modern of the Qu'ran's morals, ethics and And it means showing the world tally ill's anguish, even when they sympathy for context, and that Islam's core val- commandments. The perpetrators a wildly different perspective of Is- are close colleagues, roommates and ues today are education, service of such heinous and tragic acts have lam than the one portrayed in the friends, are like the visceral reac- the mentally ill, ¥ to others and pluralism; there is twisted the Qu'ran and its phrases media: one in which I am proud to tions to the homeless. The mentally one should first no mention of committing suicide for their own evil bent; they are no share my views, and one in which 1 ill lack a stable emotional and men- acknowledge the or massacring innocent people in more Muslims than those behind the am proud to call myself a Muslim. tal refuge from the onslaught of life, our houses of worship. The Aga Inquisition were true Christians. just as the homeless lack a roof over illness in all its self- Khan's international aid organiza- And the media falls for their Shamsa Mangalji is a visiting their heads to protect them from the destructive trappings. tion, The Aga Khan Development claims of "Muslimhood" nearly student from Columbia University. elements. Most of the time when we encounter the homeless, we feign ff their nonexistence, becoming sud- denly blind and deaf to their beg- Parade proposals deserve consideration ging and passing by quickly with a So what are the alternatives? To pained but studied indifference. have authentic sympathy for the men- As MEMBERS OF the Rice community, reservations, and two years ago. Will to secure a truck would not preclude tally ill, one should first acknowledge we all understand how sacred Beer Rice College had to literally piece participation in the fight. the illness in all its various self-de- Bike is. So, with the Student Associa- a truck together on the rental lot Some students have voiced con- a structive trappings. If friends confide tion poll on the proposed Beer Bike in order to participate. It would be cerns over the size of the field, but in you, do not be afraid to talk about parade changes open and a decision devastating for a college to end up the field is large enough to accom- Common responses their struggles with them. It can be due following this Monday's vote, a short-changed and unable to partici- modate all participants with ample to the mentally a frustrating prospect, as there are few points about the proposed plan pate in the Beer Bike parade due to space where people can rest and temptations to condemn, pontificate warrant clarification. the inability to secure a truck. Rice Emergency Medical Services ill's anguish, even or to feel superior, and these friends There is also the issue of safety. can set up a tent to treat students. when they are close are not always the easiest to talk to. Fortunately, we have not had any Under the proposed plan, stu- When their mental illness is clearly serious injuries in the past, but put- dents would no longer be limited colleagues, roommates self-destructive, call them out. Not in ting over 1,000 students of varying to throwing balloons at colleges and friends, are like public, of course, but let them know sobriety alongside 11 large, moving directly in front of or behind them; the visceral reactions that their actions affect more than trucks presents a significant possi- they could be thrown at all col- just themselves. bility of serious or fatal injury. The leges, providing more access to to the homeless. The Moreover, remind them that there consequences to Beer Bike in the rival colleges. Also, the confusion mentally ill lack a are always little things that they can case of such an occurrence would that seems to always arise with the do to improve their situation. En- Helen Shaw undoubtedly be severe. starting and stopping of the parade stable emotional and courage them to continue in spite of Taking into account all these prob- would be eliminated. mental refuge from their fear of failure, in spite of their The decision is ultimately in the lems, the campus-wide and parade In a stationary fight there are the onslaught of life, fear of rejection. As G.K. Chesterton hands of the students. On Monday, coordinators have come up with a fewer limitations as to how many bal- says, "Anything worth doing is worth there will be a vote by the college plan that is student-initiated and has loons a college can have. Additional just as the homeless doing badlv." And of course, the pru- Beer Bike coordinators, who were a lot of promise. While students are ly, it opens up several possibilities for lack a roof over their dent thing in all cases is to urge the ill selected by each college to plan the rightfully skeptical of change, they water balloon fight strategies — sev- to seek professional help. event. College coordinators have should consider this proposal care- eral students have already expressed heads to protect them Though these exhortations for au- done a fantastic job of eliciting dis- fully while making their decision. excitement at the prospect of assem- from the elements. thentic sympathy for the mentally ill cussion during college government As it stands, the proposal is to bling defense systems and forts. appear daunting, the smallest kind- meetings, and the campus-wide hold the water balloon fight on the It should be reiterated that no nesses make a world of difference. coordinators answered questions football practice field, just north decision regarding the format of During the more acutely insidious mo- about the changes at the most re- of the stadium, with each college the parade and balloon fight has ments I had at Rice, there were count- cent SA meeting. owning a piece of the field's terri- been made. An SA poll, located at Similarly, we can falsely believe less friends and professors who gave There are several growing prob- tory. The balloons would be loaded sa.rice.edu, is currently open so stu- that the best way to "respect" those me genuine hope to heal through their lems with Beer Bike in its current onto the field either the morning dents can have their say. If the vote close colleagues, roommates and thoughtful words and deeds. Know- format, the most widely discussed of or the night before the fight. On ends in the decision to keep the old friends who passively and sometimes ingly or unknowingly, they shone light being the issue of trucks. With the the morning of Beer Bike, colleges format, then the traditional parade will actively appeal for consolation is to to me through living the second great- Houston Rodeo happening at the could participate in a processional happen just as gloriously as it has in "let them do their own thing." We ig- est commandment, "Thou shalt love same time as Beer Bike, the addi parade going out to the field, cheer- the past. Students should provide their nore them in part so we do not embai thy neighbor as thyself," even when tion of two new colleges and the ing and giving bikers and chuggers input so that coordinators can achieve rass them, but mostly because we do that neighbor is troubled. To them 1 am fact that truck rental companies are well-deserved recognition. their goal — which is ultimately to make not wish to entangle ourselves in their very grateful. And someday, I hope vou increasingly reluctant to rent trucks The logistics of getting the bal- Beer Bike the best and safest experience seemingly innumerable webs of pain. will be the person to whom someone is out for the event, colleges scramble loons onto the field would be the for students as possible. Occasionally, we yell, "Get a job!" grateful as well. each year to pull together )ust one trickiest aspect and would still re- or "Get over vourself!" to the appar- truck per college. Students have quire some trucks; however, colleges Helen Shaw is a Jones College junior ently able-bodied homeless and men Amanda Roussel is a to lie to truck companies to secure could share trucks, and the inability and Beer Bike parade co-coordinator. tally ill, respectively, who seem to be Hanszen College alumna. THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 4 £ NEWS

Forum features 'Not for Sale' founder FROM PAGE 1 organizations in order to identify the amples of wasteful spending on the BY MICHELLE PHILLIPS necessity of the funds. Tiffany Wu, SA part of the SA senate, and we aren't the THRESHER STAFF Treasurer, said the committee will then one exception," McAnaney said. "We As a follow-up to last spring's present each individual case to the SA, have to think critically about what we Veritas Forum on "Science and T which will vote on whether to include are doing with the money." God," 17 Rice Christian fellowships each proposal in the general election. McAnaney declined to comment and Houston-area churches spon- "In the constitution, it is written further on the sources of SA waste. sored the second Veritas Forum at that all requests [for blanket tax mon- KTRU President Rachel Orosco and Rice on Wednesday. The speaker this ies] must be substantiated," Wu, a R2 President Jennifer Luo said that in year was David Batstone, founder of Brown College junior said. "I thought order to receive the necessary amount the "Not for Sale" campaign, which it might help to have a committee that of votes in the future to increase their focuses on bringing awareness to could examine each request in detail." blanket taxes, their organizations will worldwide human trafficking. The committee, which consists of need to better educate the student body The Veritas Forum is a nation- Wu, SA President Patrick McAnaney on how blanket taxes work. While Oros- wide Christian program started at and three other students, gave orga- co, a Jones College senior, said KTRU Harvard University, Michael Karim, nizations until last Friday to submit intends to try again this year to increase current head of the planning com- request forms. These forms require their funding, Luo, a Sid Richardson mittee of the Veritas Forum, said. any organization attempting to either College senior, said it was unlikely that After hearing about the fruitful con- David Batstone, founder of the "Not for Sale" campaign, spoke to an audi- become a subsidiary or to change the R2 would try again to become a subsid- iary organization again in this year's versations such forums generated ence of more than 400 at the Veritas Forum, held in the Shell Auditorium. amount of money received through among students and faculty, he said blanket taxes to explain why the funds general election. he and other members of Christian are necessary, what other attempts to "Last year, people thought we were fellowships felt inspired to start one senior, said that the process allows ing a "Not for Sale" chapter at Rice, increase funding have been made and adding on to the blanket tax," Luo at Rice, beginning with last year's the Veritas Forum to maintain the to which Batstone responded posi- how the blanket tax would contribute said of last year's proposal to turn R2 "Science and God" discussion. quality of its speakers on the college tively, mentioning he already had to the organization's long-term sustain- into a subsidiary organization. Since "We are trying to deal with the campuses. Last year, Francis Collins, several plans to raise awareness. ability. It also recommends the inclu- UBlue was the predecessor to R2, Luo hardest questions of life, and find- the founder of the Human Genome The Lutheran Campus Ministry sion of both current and historical pro- said she thought it was reasonable for ing ways to address them as Chris- Project and current director of the is organizing a Spring Break trip posed budgets, historical expenditures R2 to receive the funds previously col- tians," Karim, Rice's joint campus National Institute of Health, spoke around Texas to raise awareness in and a letter of support from a dean or lected by UBlue. minister, said. on his experience of being a scientist Christian churches of human traf- faculty member. "When UBlue went defunct, it made On Wednesday, Batstone tried and a Christian. ficking, Brad Fuerst, the campus Wu said the requested informa- sense to have the money transferred to to address how his Christian faith Shung said that since Rice has pastor for the ministry, said. tion is necessary in order to properly R2," she said. motivates him toward the abolition so many science majors, last year's "I knew nothing about slavery evaluate requests. However, she said Both R2 and KTRU have found other of modern-day slavery, more com- forum drew more people than this before this," Wendy Liu, a Lovett the committee is only meant as a first sources of funding, though Orosco and monly called human trafficking, year's event. Last year, there were College freshman, said. "Now that screening process. Luo said their organizations would be and brought up examples of other around 2,000 students that filled we at Rice know, we can do some- "There isn't enough time [at SA able to do more with increased blanket abolitionists across the world. the Shell Auditorium in the Jones thing about it." meetings] to go into each request," Wu tax monies. Orosco said she feels opti- Batsone, who is a professor of School and overflow rooms across Karim said that next year's Veri- said. "We will go through and evaluate mistic about the new requirements in ethics at the University of San Fran- campus; this year, Karim estimates tas Forum is still up in the air. Some each proposal and then present both applying for these funds, though she cisco, said he discovered many years that there were well over 400 at- on the planning committee have sides to the senate." said this would only increase KTRU's ago that his favorite restaurant was tendees, but there was no need for suggested more of a panel form, in Although the new committee will odds of getting votes from students involved in slavery. He now tours additional rooms. which a speaker and faculty hold not deal with the problem of ensur- who were already interested in the the country to bring awareness to At first, Karim said, the plan- more of a discussion. Whatever the ing the funds are properly managed, election process. the plight of the millions of people ning committee wanted to have a decision, Karim said, they hope that McAnaney, a Brown College senior, "I think the attitude of the student currently enslaved. topic more related to integrating the Veritas Forum will continue to will be working with the SA to elimi- body will have to change — most kids "I wasn't looking for slavery - it faith and science. However, when raise questions and encourage dia- nate sources of waste in order to test don't understand what they're voting found me," Batstone said. it became clear that the speakers log within the Rice community. how other organizations' expenditures on," Orosco said. "The SA needs to bet- In his talk, Batstone said that they had in mind would not be free, Batsone said he was amazed at might be monitored. ter educate the whole undergraduate $L\V Houston is one of the major ports for human trafficking came to the the level of enthusiasm shown by "There are definitely very clear ex- population on all of the issues." the trafficking of 17,000 people each forefront of the committee's dis- the students. When he was first year into the United States for slavery. cussion. Therefore, Karim said, the invited to speak at Rice, he was "I think this year's topic speaks to planning team decided to explore impressed that the campus was different aspects of interaction between a new theme this year, and invited looking for ways to integrate many STUDENT ASSOCIATION MINUTES faith and the world we live in," Sherry Batstone to speak. fields — such as humanities and so- The following were noted at the most recent meeting of Wang, a Jones College senior, said. The book-signing following the cial sciences — into finding practi- the Student Association Jan. 25. The forum at Rice must petition forum featured approximately 10 cal solutions. the Veritas Forum headquarters ev- abolitionist organizations that let "This university has so much to • SA Treasurer Tiffany Wu announced that blanket tax requests have ery time it wants to feature a speak- students sign up to get involved in offer to Houston and to the world," been received. er, Dennis Shung, a member of the putting what they had just heard Batstone said. "Activism like this is planning committee at Sid Richard- into action. A group of underclass- an inspiring use of the education • Secretary Philip Tarpley announced that the SA T-shirts have ar- son College, said. Shung, a Sid Rich men spoke to Batstone about start- the students here receive." rived and will be on sale to students for $5 at future SA meetings.

• Internal Vice President Selim Sheikh mentioned that the Public Affairs Office has set up a page on the SA's Web site and everyone Thomas Blakeney dies at 46 can submit possible news stories to be highlighted. both his job and to Rice. Levin ('07) and Ashley Leonard ('08) BY JOCELYN WRIGHT • Elections Director Ronnie Ren announced that election packets THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF "He worked his schedule around remembered Blakeney as helpful and work and the [Marching Owl Band] and positive. are now posted on the SA Web site. Each candidate must obtain Thomas Alson Blakeney III died then his personal life, and that was kind "If you ever asked Tom how the day 25 signatures and submit a blurb for the Thresher. Packets are Wednesday, Jan. 20 at St. Luke's Hospi- of the three cornerstones," Cabello said. was going, his reply would be, 'It's a due Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the SA office in the RMC. There will be a tal after nearly 19 years of service to the Hamaker said Blakeney never great day in shipping and receiving!"' mandatory candidate meeting on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. Campaigning Chemistry Department working in its missed an opportunity to be involved in the statement said. begins the following day. Voting will take place Feb. 18-24. stockroom. He was 46. campus events for students, particularly Hamaker said Blakeney had a The cause of his death was not Graduate Student Association events. great personality. • President Patrick McAnaney presided over the Beer Bike public forum. released. "People who have been here for "His sense of humor was something Assistant Chair of the Department years as staff never go to one Rice you had to get to know him to see some- • The SA will meet at 9 p.m. in Farnsworth Pavilion on Feb. 1. of Chemistry Linda Hamaker said Blak- event, but you can probably count on times," Hamaker said. "He was as hap- eney was hospitalized in early Novem- your hands the number of events Tom py as can be." ber, but he remained upbeat and had missed," Hamaker said. frequent visitors from Rice. "It was wonderful for him to see so many Rice people," Hamaker said. "We sent him an e-mail when he was in the hospital and asked if it was okay for him to have visitors from Wee. They RV RESORT said it's really fine for him to have visi- tors from his Rice family. His family was so pleased and at peace to learn that he had such great joy in what he did here." Rent by Day. Week, Month Blakeney was an Eagle Scout who Furnished/ kitchen fully grew up in Alvin, Texas, and graduated 10650 SW Plaza Ct. • 713-981-6814 equipped, all amenities from Texas A&M University with a de- 11991 S. Main St. • 713-723-0973 gree in economics before coming to Rice Private lake, walking track, in 1991. In addition to his work with the indoor/ outdoor, Jacuzzi, chemistry department, Blakeney also NO LEASE/ NO DEPOSIT began playing clarinet for the Marching Tom Blakeney swimming pool, exercise room Owl Band one year after arriving at Rice. Laundry Facility Lovett College sophomore Allison In addition to the MOB, Blakeney was Kipling said Blakeney was a strong pres- also an active participant in the Chemis- Free Wi Fi ence in the section. try Graduate Student Association. Ha- Minutes to Medical Center "He came to almost every game and maker said Blakeney was always grilling he was probably more dedicated than a food at every GSA and CGSA event and he lot of the students," Kipling said. always helped out with Beer Bike. RV Trailers! "He was always behind the bar at Val- Hamaker said Blakeney loved trav- (ask for details) eling with the MOB and would always halla flipping a lot of the burgers when stu- step up to be a driver if he was needed. dents had their parties." Hamaker said All Star LW Lakevlew1 Chemistry Store Manager Carlos In a statement, chemistry gradu- Cabello said Blakeney was devoted to ate alumni Anna Kelly ('06), Carly FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS 5

RSVP hosts education awareness Schedule of events BY MARIELLE SCHWEICKART "I worked with [one girl) on man- had another volunteer opportu- ISLAM STOP VIOLENCE THRESHER STAFF ual skills like squeezing a ball and nity, this time tutoring elementary picking up things," Arnold said. school students. For the event, the AWARENESS WEEK AGAINST WOMEN WEEK This week, the Rice Student Nowak, who said she had never Education Committee partnered Volunteer Program gave students heard of the Avondale House be- with One-on-One Mentoring, a Rice The Muslim Student The Women's Resource Center the opportunity to participate in a fore volunteering, was excited to organization independent of RSVP Association is hosting its is hosting its annual Stop different educational system. The see that by the end of the volunteer that pairs a Rice student with an el- annual Islam Awareness Week, Violence Against Women Week, fourth annual Education Aware- session the girl had begun picking ementary or middle school student which will run from today which will run from Tuesday ness Week, organized by the RSVP things up by herself. for tailored tutoring sessions once through Thursday. through Saturday. Education Committee, included "I learned that the amount of a week. events ranging from a trip off cam- extra time that kids with special Jackson said this allowed Rice • Today: 2 p.m., Central • Tuesday: 8 p.m., Women's pus to help autistic students to an needs need is a lot more than our students a "preview day" of what it Quad: Open Jummah Resource Center: on-campus presentation by State public education system can give is like to mentor. (prayer session). All Perspective and popcorn Representative Ellen Cohen. them," Arnold said. "Hopefully [the event) will in- students are welcome to discussion on masculinity The Education Committee is spire students to keep going with attend this weekly prayer headed by Will Rice College sopho- One-on-One, and keep volunteer- and violence. The speech u session. Free baklava more Liz Jackson and Wiess College ing, to keep mentoring and get will focus on the "tough and drinks will be served senior Mimi Arnold. I learned that the them interested," she said. guy" image and on how The goal of the week, according to The final event, held Thursday, following the prayer. this perpetuates violence Arnold, is to broaden Rice students' amount of extra time was a presentation given by State against women. awareness of educational issues. that kids with special Representative Ellen Cohen. Co- • Tuesday: 8 p.m., Grand "[We are] trying to spark discus- hen, who represents Bellaire, West Hall in the RMC: World • Wednesday: A p.m., sion about education reform, dif- needs need is a lot University, River Oaks and sections Food Fair. Students location TBD: Diane ferent types of education and how more than our public of Meyerland and Montrose, in- are welcome to come Straussman of the Women's to improve the system," she said. education system can cluding Rice University, was named experience free food and Gender Studies Education Awareness Week be- to the Texas Committee of Higher and music that is department will give gan Monday when students vol- give them. Education in the 81st Legislative representative of the a lecture on economic unteered at the Avondale House, Session, which ran from January to Mimi Arnold diversity of the Muslim a school that serves children and June 2009. violence against women. Wiess 'io world. adults with autism. Volunteers Jackson said that each of the spent time with students in their ff five major committees of RSVP, • Thursday: 8 p.m., Willy's classrooms, helping with projects including the Environmental Com- • Thursday: 7 p.m., Herring Statue: Take Back the and specific subjects. mittee, Hunger and Homelessness 100: Islam, Violence, & Night, a candlelight vigil The goals were both to educate The student volunteers also Committee, Children's Committee Terrorism: A 30-minute and rally with reading of the volunteers about autism and learned more from the increased and the Health Committee, plan an lecture and 45-minute Q8LA testimonials. to create awareness about educa- exposure to Texas-based educa- awareness week during the year. about Islam, violence, tional opportunities for disabled tional systems. These weeks include volunteer- terrorism and Muslim • Friday: Noon, Miner students, Arnold said. Tuesday's event featured a pan- ing and learning opportunities to responses in the modern Lounge: An advanced Lovett College freshman Sara el at Keck Hall with two principals increase people's awareness of is- world by Dr. John Voll from discussion on rape culture. sues and spark discussion that ex- Nowak said volunteering at the and a teacher, each of whom rep- Georgetown University, Lunch will be provided. Avondale House was an eye-open- resented different types of schools ist in each area. followed by a reception ing experience because she was in the Houston area: one from a The next awareness week will be from House of Pies. • Saturday: 6 p.m., able to work with people with dif- charter school, one from a private organized by the Children's Com- HUMA 117: A film on ferent levels of education. school for low-income students and mittee Feb. 8-12. domestic violence will be "I worked with a little girl who was one from a public school. Topics in- Students interested in volun- screened. Dinner will be probably about 7 or 8, and she had no cluded the pros and cons of varying teering can visit the Education verbal skills at all," Nowak said. types of schools, education reform Committee's calendar of events on provided. Arnold said she spent the morn- and how each type of school dif- the RSVP Web site, rsvp.rice.edu/ ing working with children on their fered from the others. education-committee. motor skills. On Wednesday, Rice students RUPD POLICE BLOTTER The following items were reported to the Rice University Police Department for the period Jan. 21-27.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 6 NEWS ====S=^___ THE RICE THRESHER II O VALUE FROM PAGE 1 Brown begins new search maintain a lower cost than many is] putting a lot of money and at- man said. "It's the nature of being other schools] is the will to do so," tention into creating new housing," part of a community like this. We Munoz said. "Rice has had a history Lovett sophomore Aurra Fellows are sometimes asked to sacrifice for replacement RAs of being conscientious about being said. "[It is] charging extra fees, like some personal conveniences for affordable for students." for fitness and recreation." the good of the comrrMnity in the Rice was also ranked first for Rice's relatively small class size same way that those who came BY JOCELYN WRIGHT happened, we were willing to take the "quality of life." eighth for "hap- and student-teacher ratio is a major before us did so that we can enjoy THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF risk," Chapman, a senior, said. piest students" and 11th for "race/ factor in the academic experience, the facilities that were here when The RA search committee consists of class interactions" by The Princ- according to some students. we arrived." With Resident Associates Kevin one student from each class, a represen- eton Review. "The small campus and small In response to the view among MacKenzie and Corina Rogge prepar- tative from Brown's college government, To obtain the "best value" rank- classes strengthen the experience," many students that West Servery ing for their departure from Brown Brown master Laura Cox and college co- ing. The Princeton Review surveyed Sid junior Megha Thakkar said. "It's has better food than the other serv- College at the end of this semester, the ordinator Nancy Henry. The committee is students and administrators at over easy to talk to the professors here. eries, Forman said that he believed search for a replacement has begun. holding a reception today from 4-6 p.m. 650 private and public colleges. The At the University of Texas, you only that the quality of food across cam- MacKenzie, a biochemistry and at the Brown College masters' house for rankings were based on a variety of get to meet with the professors three pus was the same. cell biology professor, and Rogge, a candidates interested in the position. factors in the three areas: financial days after making an appointment." chemistry instructor, have been RAs at Chapman said the committee is Others believe that professor-stu- Brown for eight years. looking for people who will fit well aid, cost and academics. Students 44 were also surveyed on issues like dent relationships make Rice unique. Rogge said being an RA was one of with the present personality of RAs, professor accessibility and class "My brother goes to Michigan the best opportunities of her life. masters and college coordinators. sizes to determine the academic State University, where the aver- Tuition has gotten a "Every year brings an opportunity to "We're looking for people who will ratings. Surveys and school data age class size is 300-400 people, so lot higher since my meet more people," she said. "Then you be dedicated to Brown and willing to determined the financial aid and there's no way for the professor to get four years to watch them transform, embrace us in all our quirkiness," cost ratings. know who he is," Alkhaldi said. freshman year. I chose to become who they're going to be, to Chapman said. Many students agree with Rice's The "quality of life" ranking Rice because it was a grow up, which is really a privilege." high "best value" ranking. is determined from survey ques- lot less expensive than Rogge and MacKenzie were origi- tions regarding campus aesthet- nally supposed to leave Brown last year 44 ics, safety, dorms, food and over- other schools, but now after finishing their traditional seven- BEST VALUE all happiness of students, among it's catching up. year-term. But since former RA Laura Brown is our family, other factors. Villafranca's tenn was also finishing "1 think [the "quality of life" Jennifer Luo that year, Brown petitioned Dean of and families some- Princeton Review's "best ranking] is indicating something Sid Rich 'io Undergraduates Robin Forman to let value" among private colleges: times do stupid things very real, and our students describe them stay on an extra year in order to and get annoying. But their life outside the classroom 99 ease the transition for Brown. 1. Swarthmore College as being a really important part While the college was searching for you still love them 2. Harvard College of what they value at Rice," Dean a new RA to replace Villafranca, an as- and if you don't love 3. Wesleyan College of Undergraduates Robin Forman "I understand the campus sociate director for admissions, Rogge 4. Princeton University said. "They talk about the residen- loves Chef Roger, and 1 love Chef said the committee found two couples them you're just going 5. Yale University tial college experience and the alco- Roger and 1 certainly understand to whom they wanted to offer the posi- to be annoyed all the 6. Williams College hol policy specifically as being ex- the disappointment that accompa- tion. Jenny and Joe Rozelle replaced Vil time, which doesn't 7. Rice University amples of the relationship between nies his move to the West Servery," lafranca last fall, and the college prom- administrators and faculty and stu- ised the vacancy created by MacKenzie work so well. 8. MIT Forman said. "But the opening of dents, relationships of mutual trust a new servery is a pretty compli- and Rogge to a couple who members of 9. Amherst College Corina Rogge and respect." cated process. It's not just cook- Brown declined to identify. 10. Wellesley College Brown College RA Nonetheless, some students feel ing food, it's assembling a team ... "To both make the members of And he's gotten the servery off to a that Rice's expansion has adversely the committee happy and to convince 99 affected the quality of life on campus. great start." these people that Brown really did "I feel like you pay less for a Rice "The food in South Servery Food may provide a commu- want them... they asked [the unnamed education than for other schools of has definitely gotten worse, and nity between all students, but Rice couple) to wait a year and then come in Brown President Jackie Ammons the same caliber," Jones College ju- money [typically used] for these still dropped to 11th in "race/class as we left," Rogge said. said the college was also looking for nior Hilary Baker-)ennings said. things have been going to the new interaction." Nevertheless, many In the fall, though, the replacement someone who was familiar with Rice. Some felt Rice's academics were colleges," Hanszen College sopho- students still believe that Rice is a RAs said they would no longer be able "We're looking for someone who's just as competitive as any other in- more Irene Mbah said. "Expansion diverse university. to commit to the position. familiar with the residential college stitution's in the country. has both positive and negative ef- "There's a good mix of students "I think that being an RA is a big de- system and who can really connect "Once you graduate, you're in fects, and Rice is definitely suffer- on campus," Will Rice College senior cision and that your own personal life to students on a personal level." Am- k the same pool, academically, as the ing for it." Randall Baldassarre said. "I have a can changc within that year period," mons, a senior, said. graduates of Harvard [University] and However, some said they believe pretty diverse group of friends." Rogge said. "1 think that both of those Rogge said the most important other Ivy League schools," Lovett Col- that the construction of the new col- Still, others feel that there is things came into play, and they are not thing is that the new RA see Brown as lege junior May Alkhaldi said. "But leges reflects the administration's not enough interaction between at the point personally that they were part of a family. you pay much less at Rice." efforts to do what students want. people different from themselves. one year ago." "Brown is our family, and families Yet others felt that the drop in "Duncan College and McMurtry "From what I've seen, there's a Mary Chapman, the head of the sometimes do stupid things and get ranking was reflective of increasing College are built as greener col- lot of similar people hanging out to- RA search committee, said no hard annoying," Rogge said. "But you still tuition costs. leges, :;o I feel like they are taking gether," Martel College sophomore feelings remained. love them and if you don't love them "Tuition has gotten a lot high- into account the concerns of stu- Kendra Brown said. "Last year we picked two sets with you're just going to be annoyed all the er since my freshman year," Sid dents" Baker College senior Ulyssa Forman said that the drop in the understanding that it would be time, which doesn't work so well. You Richardson College senior Jen- Martinez said. certain rankings is not reflective of awesome if it worked out and we end- have to see them as your family, which is not hard." nifer Luo said. "I chose Rice be- Although students on the south changes in Rice. ed up with both sets, but if something cause it was a lot less expensive side of campus have raised con- "This is not a scientific survey, than other schools, but now it's cerns about the construction, For- and I don't put much significance catching up." man said it will benefit the quality into being No. 1, 5 or 10," Forman Rice's tuition has been on the OlOO of life for students in the long run. said. "They're looking on the order FROM PAGE 1 rise for years. For instance, in 1994 "There's construction going on of 400 institutions. Being No. 2 ver- it cost $9,300 to attend Rice, while in the south which creates a set of sus No. 11 isn't that significant. It will go smoothly," Newman said. ing, and instead are more motivated the projected cost for the Class of disturbances for the students who really is an unscientific measure to Music for the event will be by friends and college spirit. 2013 was $31,430. Some believe that are living there in the same way the Rice experience." provided by DJ Tristan Clement, a "I usually stick with parties at Rice's expansion has made the cost that students in the north experi- Lovett College sophomore. Brown College to show support, of attending the school increase. enced the construction of Duncan Some students said they don't more than go for personal enjoy- "With Rice trying to expand, [it and McMurtry for two years," For- find an off-campus event that allur- ment," Brown College junior Wil- liam Garcia said. Other students, particularly se- niors, want to spend quality time with their friends before they are separated. "Since 1 am a senior, this is my last 100 days," Baker College senior Ulyssa Martinez said. "I wanted to kick off the last 100 days with my friends." Altogether, the committee is ex- pecting about 500 students to at- tend the event. "Most kids at Rice don't go to nightclubs," Newman said. "We grow accustomed to hanging out with friends on campus and being comfortable within the hedges. This is a way of bringing [us] out into a different venue."

Name this font. News will give you /THRESHER a cookie.Ski Beer (Bike) debates Beer Bike Coordinator Brian Henderson spoke to Monday's SA meeting about the proposed changes that would And a job. move the Beer Bike parade from the Inner Loop to a field near the football stadium this year. thresher-newsQrice.edu FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS • OWL FROM PAGE 1 'Lift' rises in Rec Center

Wyatt, a Lovett College junior, "I think it will skew the perspec- BY JACLYN YOUNGBLOOD model of the sculpture that drew in- need someone to speak about [them]," said anyone interested in intro- tive of Rice, even if they only stay until THRESHER EDITORTAI. STAFF spiration from solar flares and planet Hubbard said. "We're trying to work ducing a new class of prospective 5 p.m.," Hanszen College sophomore formation. After reviewing Robson's across disciplines." students to Rice should consider Stephanie Herkes said. Your heart rate is not the only thing proposal, the committee commis- The committee is also trying to coor- volunteering, though those busy Wiess College Master Mike Gus- that will rise on your next trip to the sioned her to create the piece for the dinate a collaborative project between with tests may not have the time tin said he was surprised at the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation Rec Center. Robson and students with the hopes of necessary to serve as good hosts. choice of days. and Wellness Center. "Lift," an other- installing an additional piece of art out- However, even given enough volun- "During the last day of classes, worldly installation piece by New York a side the Rec Center, Hubbard said. teers due to a high level of interest, on which there is a College Night, the artist Aurora Robson, commands at- Martel College senior Maggie Mur- the number of visitors staying in activities on campus are not going to tention, drawing all eyes upward upon phy, who frequents the Rec Center as McMurtry and Duncan Colleges may be typical," Gustin said. "It might not entry to the building. It's a solar system in she trains for a triathlon, said she be- be limited due to the space con- give them a representative view." The sculpture, which hangs above an alternate universe. lieves including students in the process straints of single rooms. But even if it is not entirely repre- the Rec Center lobby, is comprised of It feels like a planet of art acquisition and installation will "It's a little bit crazy and cha- sentative, that does not necessarily a large central orb, which Robson calls foster pride in the art. otic, but there should be order so mean it will be in vain. Associate Di- "Big Boy," and several smaller struc- that formed... and "Rice is traditionally so focused long as there are enough volun- rector of Admission Laura Villafranca tures made of recycled bottles and now it's cooling down. on its students, and if we bring that teers," Wyatt said. said Owl Days and Admit Days are bottle caps held together by thousands Life is about to start level of concentration to the art This year's Admit Days fall on important because they give prospec- of rivets. University Art Director Molly sphere, students may be inspired to the last day of classes, coinciding tive students the opportunity to craft Hubbard said the artist drew inspira- there, but we don't take a more active role in on-campus with the College Nights of Han- a better idea of what Rice is like. tion for the piece from solar flares. know what kind of life. art," Murphy said. szen College and Wiess Colleges "College is a long-term invest- "It's a solar system in an alternate The piece is the first to be funded by and on the following Monday. SAC ment, and it's important to visit," Vil- universe," Hubbard said. "[Robson Molly Hubbard the "one-half of one percent" program Event Volunteer Recruitment Chair lafranca said. said] it feels like a planet that formed ... University Art Director that is being applied to all new con- Wharton Wang said 100 prospective She said the Rice community does and now it's cooling down. Life is about struction and renovation projects. Hub- students are expected to attend the a good job of going out of its way to to start there, but we don't know what 99 bard said this program, which fulfills Friday session, and 60-70 are antici- sell itself to visitors, with professors kind of life." one the goals of the V2C, sets aside one- pated the following Monday. often being especially accommodat- The piece is designed to rotate and half percent of the budget of a construc- "We didn't want to have it right af- ing on visiting days and students light up, but at the moment, it is sta- After spending four months work- tion or renovation project for art. ter Owl Days," Wang, a Brown College showing themselves to be unpreten- tionary. Hubbard said funds for a solar ing on the piece, Robson drove the Rec Center Director Tina Villard said junior, said. "This way, people will tious, approachable people. panel component, the portion of the artwork from New York City to Hous- she finds tne artwork an integral piece have more flexibility." As for the possibility of extending sculpture necessary to power the rota- ton and arrived on campus Friday, Jan. of the new gym because of the addition- Although Wang says he doesn't Owl Days in the future, Villafranca tion and illumination, exceeded the 8. The sculpture was installed from al layer it adds to the building. believe the coincidence with the Col- said it would be difficult given the budget allocated to the University Art Jan. 9-11, during which time about 20 "It's important for students to get lege Nights will be an issue, especially large number of attendees. Committee. She said funds are also be- people met with the artist, including that background [in art]." she said. given that students will only be stay- "It's hard to get undergrads to ing sought by Project Director Joe Buch- donors, Art Committee members, fac- "If we didn't have this [piece] here, it ing on campus until 5 p.m., others ex- give up two nights, and we need good anan to fund the additional piece. ulty, staff and students. may be something they would never pressed concern. hosts," she said. From the beginning of construction The installation of the piece was get to see." on the Rec Center, Hubbard said those not without its flaws, and Hubbard said Hubbard said the art committee has on the University Art Committee knew it was plagued by several mechani- been working to find suitable artwork MKgg they wanted the open space in the lob- cal problems. The lift used to raise the for some of the newest buildings on by filled by a ceiling sculpture. Hubbard structures to their suspended location campus, including the Bioscience Re- said Robson — whose exhibit, "The malfunctioned numerous times, delay- search Collaborative. Duncan College, Great Indoors," was on display at the ing completion until 3 a.m. on Jan. 11. McMurtry College and the Brochstein Rice Gallery from September to October The piece, which was previously Pavilion. Each of these buildings quali- 2008 — visited the space last April and unnamed, earned its name from the dif- fies for the one-half percent program, collaborated with the building architect ficulties, Hubbard said. Hubbard said. Additionally, the com- are we. to foster creativity. "[Robson] said, T was in the car mittee is currently narrowing down five Hubbard said Robson made a and thinking [of] all the problems artists to commission a piece for Brock- In*" •>'' -j @threshernews and what happened with the lift - mann Hall, she said. the lift! Of course, that's the name!"' Villard said the installation has Hubbard said. been a conversation starter, adding that A formal opening reception for the student reaction has been overwhelm- piece is on hold, pending the acquisi- ingly positive. tion of the necessary funds for the so- "Most people [come] in and are lar panel component, which Hubbard in awe," Villard said. "Most people hopes to secure by March. Pending really enjoy the fact that it is recy- Chicken receipt of the funds, there will be a re- cled material." ception for the public that will feature Murphy, a self-proclaimed Life- 1 comments by the artist, an education time Physical Activity Program en- Kitchen program about the piece and a poten- thusiast, said her frequent trips to tial presentation on solar flares by How- the Rec Center have been enhanced www.chickenkitchenhouston.com ard Hughes Provost Eugene Levy, also a by the installation. professor of physics and astronomy. "[Rice] invests in having state-of- Bringing academic and extracur- the-art buildings, like Duncan and Mc- ricular departments together through Murtry, but we don't invest the same art is an emphasized goal of President amount into a space that is aesthetically David Leebron's Vision for the Second pleasing, with a vibrancy that matches Century, Hubbard said. that of Rice's students," she said. "This "When [Levy] saw the solar flares, piece will become a visual hallmark for 1 he said. 'I'd love to talk about that if you the building." m I

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———— ^ENTERTAINMENSENTERT T

0i* mm It's a hard day's night for Twenty-four hours. Twenty-eight playwrightspeople. One master plan. A

Kensey King

Mix it all together and you've got the Rice Players' The 24 Hour Plays. It is re- markable to think that a group of Rice students can write, direct and act an entire production, all within the span of a day. And it's even more remarkable to think that a feat this imposing could actually turn into the enjoyable, memo- rable event that it became. an mmm Last Friday night around 9 p.m., i all the participants — writers, actors, Another week's end can oniy hint of trouble. Delicious chips and had the bar remained at IHOP level, gation and passed by Dona Maria's directors and even registered audi- mean another trek into the Taco Dis- salsa were on tap with a tasty toma- the disaster that was on the horizon taqueria, a smile ran across his face, ence members — met up to begin the trict for the Thresher's most coura- tillo sauce, whetting our appetites for could not have been avoided. for I knew we would soon venture grueling and daunting process. Each geous tiuill-seekers. In the second the delights to follow. Two tacos quickly arrived, await- into these parts again to complete person, regardless of title, brought a installment of their culinary adven- To start, Ben and I shared a ing their sole purpose in life — to our quest. prop to provide the writers inspira- tures, Yan Digilov and Ben Lopez, shrimp and halibut ceviche, a citrus- pack my stomach with unholy nour- tion. The writers then commenced our lovably scruffy duo of tacologists, marinated mix of jalapenos, tomatoes ishment. But the tortillas that were to pump out a 10-minute play while head for the western frontier to the and avocados. It was my first experi- birthed right before my eyes at the trying to incorporate the wide selec- ageless outpost of the Original Ninfa's. ence with this unique Mexican dish, front of the restaurant were too flaky. tion of colorful props that lay in front and though it worked to hold me off The proportions of the filling were of them. for a tew minutes, my heart and soul uninspiring. Top that with a flavor- After the writers finished around longed for the taco du jour. less scoop of the Spanish rice, a blase 6 a.m., the directors came in to choose The tacos stand alone on the Nin- side that would have made Uncle the play they wanted to direct. One fa's menu, with the restaurant open- Ben's seem heaven sent, and you've Ben's Take hour later, the actors arrived and began ly flaunting its gourmet variety of got a problem. learning their lines and blocking for bacon-wrapped shrimp, redfish and Clearly, something had gone ter- The second journey in our ex- their big debut, which now stood mere Yan'sTake even BBQ salmon. But the options ribly wrong at the old Houston favor- ploration of Houston's Taco District hours away. Around 8 p.m. that night, come at a hefty price — none less ite. A hint of light was shed on the took us to the historic original Nin- the curtains finally opened and, ready than $10 with beans and rice. And issue through conversations with the fa's Cafe, a local Tex-Mex institution or not, the show began. Looking back at that Saturday's most importantly, we hadn't stopped restaurant's staff. Always a sucker boldly claiming to be the birthplace This year there were a total of four trip to the Original Ninfa's, located by to be sidetracked by these color- for friendly conversation, I chatted of the fajita taco. Since its opening plays performed on the night of the on 2704 Navigation Blvd., everything fully dressed taco distractions. We with our waiter about the history of in 1973, the restaurant has survived show. The style and topic of each play seemed to begin so well. I was feel- wanted the real things, the classics at the place. He had been there for de- a few ownership changes, and today differed wildly, from a college comedy ing good, feeling right, so 1 find it the heart of any quality taqueria. cades and had seen the restaurant's is no longer operated by the original to a romance-gone-awry between two astonishing that what began as such With my meatless options limited, transformations after founder Mama Laurenzo family nor associated with detectives. The costumes were nothing a wonderful experience finished with I ordered up a plate of tacos con hue- Ninfa's death in 2001. other Ninfa's establishments across extraordinary, but that never hindered me begging Ben not to do something vos — a classic potato-egg-'n'-cheese Somewhere between being a hole- Houston. Despite the tumultuous the plays from amusing the expectant he would forever regret. dish — and asked them to hold the in-the-wall joint and a regional chain, past 10 years, Ninfa's still draws the audience. The props also added fan That morning, I had just com- chorizo. I was also convinced to the quality and reputation of Ninfa's likes of stars like Muhammad Ali and tastically humorous elements in them- pleted a letter to the editors of People add an order of chilaquiles rojos, a had fallen. After the chain's branches Jose Cruz, and is regarded as a major selves, giving the writing even more magazine criticizing their coverage mainstay of any Mexican kitchen, had kicked the Original Ninfa's on player in the balance of power in the bizarre twists. of Heidi Montag's 10 plastic surger- to my order. Navigation Blvd. to the curb, it failed Taco District. Of all the plays, two especially ies when my mouth began watering The chilaquiles came out first on to attract the attention it was used to, When I found out we would be shined with their witty writing and ri- — not from Montag, I assure you — a piping hot plate. A layer of freshly so it decided to pull a Heidi Montag of traveling to a restaurant with as diculous acting. The first play, titled and 1 realized it was time to head to made soft tortillas sat covered in red its own. Like the famous-for-nothing much history and reputation as "Croquet" and written by Wiess College the Taco District. guajillo sauce — a chili pepper com- ditz, Ninfa's was now concerned with Ninfa's, I anxiously wondered what senior Sarah Cook, set the bar high with Maybe 1 should have been tipped monly used in Mexican cuisine — maintaining its pop star image in a awaited us. Surely, some aspect of sparkling dialogue and mesmerizing off by the free valet parking, or per- and topped with fried eggs, authentic city full of topflight Mexican cuisines, Ninfa's must set it apart from the acting. The story made the audience haps by the ornate decorations white cheese, onions, avocados and hiring a gourmet chef to churn out fierce Taco District competition, 1 told chuckle as one roommate, played by surrounding the place, but 1 never sour cream. Never before had I tasted the casual, distinctly non-gourmet myself. Yet after only a few minutes Martel College senior James Bookhout, suspected that Mama Ninfa's award- a breakfast item that, though made Tex Mex favorites. inside the restaurant, I arrived at an retold his "interesting" night with Cru winning original precepts had long with such common ingredients, re- But that's not what the Taco Dis- unpleasant realization. ella de Vil (Baker College sophomore been forgotten. sulted in such exquisite taste. trict is about, and it's not what Heidi I guess I should start by restating Erin Dahlstrom) to his disbelieving In fact, the meal began without a The chilaquiles raised the bar, but — er, Ninfa's — ever stood for. And the original goal of Taco Trek — to friend, portrayed by Hanszen College though I could survive knowing that find the most delicious and wonder- sophomore Spencer Boucher. Ninfa's had just moved on to serve a ful tacos in the Taco Distrtict won- Likewise, "Badass Juliet" also suc- more refined customer, it was hard to derland. Ninfa's made this task most ceeded in winning over the audience as HOUSTON'S TACO DISTRICT deal, emotionally, with taco sellouts. B see TACO, page 10 Facebook and a new love triangle were My partner seemed to experience introduced to the classic story. Martel the same exact sentiments, and for a senior Joe Sy pulled off his outfit and THE ORIGINAL NINFA'S few moments I was worried that Ben ON NAVIGATION the role of Mercutio, now known as was serious when he said he could 2704 NAVIGATION BLVD. the man in love with Romeo, as well as never come back to the Taco District O see 24 HOUR, page 10 again. But as we drove down Navi- "Can't stop the signal, Mai." Sure enough, this weekend's Midnight Movie at River Oaks is Serenity, the movie cap- stone to Joss Whedon's be- Are playing the Portland Trail loved Firefly TV series. Lights Blazers tonight at 7:30 p.m. at VILLA ARCOS dim at 11:55 P.m.. tickets Toyota Center. Take pictures will run you $9.50 and the of the final scoreboard if the movie will be playing tonight Rockets win and send them v and tomorrow night. Shiny? 1-10 - to thresher-arts(p)rice.edu so I «, I reckoned so. can wallpaper Casey's office. Joe's picks for events Many thanks in advance. / outside the hedges, both RIVER OAKS THEATRE •3? * around Rice and in the 2009 WEST GRAY TOYOTA CENTER Houston area, for this week. WWW.LANDMARK 1510 POLK Special abbreviated edition! THEATRES.COM WWW.ROCKETS.COM Previous Taco Trek reviews can be found at ricethresher.org FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER A&E 9

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BYTHERESA BOYER of worry or distress when his work Anatsui's new installation, Gli, Anatsui believes that walls are from the ceiling, raising the "wall" to THRESHER STAFF comes thundering to the ground. He uses the same principals he mas- "something that can close you in," the very top of the ceiling. does not even assert himself, leaving tered while creating his first works though they also incite a sense of However, unlike his other works It is Monday, and a tangible sense creative decisions to those assem- with metal. However, the installation curiosity in the individual trapped in this medium, Gli retains a clear of excitement and raw creativity fills bling his work. Yet his presence per- also demonstrates the evolution of on one side of the divide. Walls titil- sense of transparency. Since the first the Rice Gallery as volunteers and meates the gallery as only the com- Anatsui's conceptual and aesthetic late the imagination and provoke the sheet is hung in front of the other, the various gallery staff work to install pany of a world-renowned artist can. vision. As a site-specific artwork, individual to leap mentally over the viewer's vision of the second sheet is El Anatsui's new piece, Gli, into the Gli was designed with the openness wall to picture what is on the other slightly obscured. Gazing through the space. An industrial elevator allows and spaciousness of the Rice Gallery side. According to Anatsui, a wall myriad flattened metal pieces forms a workers to connect large sheets of in mind. Anatsui was intent on al- reveals more than it hides, and thus slightly distorted vision of the other flattened bottle caps to fishing line lowing his piece to coexist with the it challenges the individual to use sheet. The mind quickly jumps to its suspended from the ceiling. space, highlighting the gallery's high his or her imagination to surmount own conclusions regarding the ex- Kim Davenport, the gallery's di- ceilings and broad width. physical obstacles. act composition of what is occurring rector, converses with her colleagues Gli In order to further elucidate and on the other side of the first metal regarding the proper positioning highlight the structure of the room, sheet, much like those on one side of of the sheet in relation to the over- • • • • • Anatsui turned his creative spirits a wall surmise what is happening on head lighting. The industrial logis- to the idea of a wall. Within the last the other side. Artist: El Anatsui tics that make a work like Anatsui's year, Anatsui visited Berlin, Jerusa- The inspiration for An overall textural quality en- Now Showing: Rice Gallery, 2o-foot-high installation a reality lem and Togo, noting the common hances the visual pleasure of the now through March 14 Anatsui*s latest contrast sharply with the overall aes- factor of the walls, both physical installation. Thicker dimensions of ricegallery.org thetics of the final product. and ideological, which linked the pieces... was a bag aluminum cluster in waves in the upper portions of the sheets, even- Suddenly, the sheet disconnects three locations together in spirit. In of garbage he tually tapering to a thinner, more from the fishing wire and the entire the Berlin Wall separating Western translucent form. The numerous piece comes crashing down in a ca- Anatsui is a native of Ghana, but Europe from the communist Eastern found in the metallic colors blend together in a cophony of clangs. Such an incident he has been working at the Univer- Bloc and the Wailing Wall in Jeru- homologous manner, continuously would usually incite panic in the sity of Nigeria since 1975. Throughout salem fundamentally dividing the Nigerian countryside. stimulating the eye, all the while hearts of most gallery workers, but his career, his work has demonstrat- Israelis and Palestinians, Anatsui re- avoiding distracting the viewer from the durable bottle cap medium re- ed a continual evolution in medium. alized that walls, wherever they are, 99 the overall effect. mains unharmed. Now on the floor, His first shift was from wood to clay, symbolize obstacles and barriers. the caps are surrounded by large before an eventual transition to the Additionally, and on a more per- Gli is a magnificent installation segments of aluminum refuse. This metal and aluminum he now uses. sonal level, Anatsui registered his It is easy to see this concept of a carrying a thought-provoking mes- sage. In addition to the meaning be- combination of industriousness and The inspiration for Anatsui's lat- work's connection with west African wall within Gli, which opened to the hind natural walls, Anatsui's unique garbage makes it abundantly clear est pieces, which have permanently history by keeping in mind the legend- public yesterday and will host a talk medium speaks to themes in current that Anatsui's work — and artistic solidified his place in the global art ary Togolese wall built by a tyrannical by Anatsui today at noon. The title of African art, such as globalization and mentality — are quite different from world, was a bag of garbage he found king to separate the region from Gha- the installation is actually the Ewe the permeation of Western consumer those other more controlling, fastidi- in the Nigerian countryside in the late na. Anatsui described how the clay word for wall, disrupt and story, fur- culture. But through a sense of grand ous modern artists. 1990s. After mulling over what to do wall, 12 feet thick, provided security ther reinforcing the interplay between the paradoxical qualities of physical optimism — enough optimism to en- During the general mayhem of the with the bag, which contained alu- for the king at the cost of "subjugating limitations and mental freedom con- trust the piece's installation to com installation process, Anatsui sits qui minum tops of various liquor bottles, and closing in the people" of Ghana. tained in the notion of a wall. Anat- plete strangers, in fact — it is clear etly and calmly in a corner, removed Anatsui began to flatten the tops and But though the wall formed a physical sui's installation is comprised of two that Anatsui harbors a great belief in from the group that attempts to puz- stitch them together with copper wire, barrier for the Ghanaian people they, giant sheets of connected, flattened the power of individuals to overcome zle together the "perfect" position producing a sheet that resembled a like all people, searched and "looked aluminum screw tops suspended any barrier with their imaginations. for the piece, and he shows no signs giant section of metal cloth. for ways to break the wall." TEACH for testmasters!

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Call (281) 276-7743 or email us at rice-jobsXffitestmasters:com. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER 10 A&E OTACO Relish: A taste of the 'BBig' Easy at BB's FROM PAGE 8 In a salute to the New Orleans the wait — Thursday through Satur- both traditional and unique sand- tortillas that were much less memo- Saints football team that recently day, BB's is open until 3 a.m. wich condiments made the sand- difficult. The restaurant gained the rable than the woman in the win- made it to the Super Bowl, we de- wich worth ordering again. The reputation of one of the area's best by dow seen making them any hour cided to have some New Orleans- Food gumbos were delightful and nicely starting plain and simple, as a small of the day. style grub this week at BB's Cajun We ordered an appetizer, two en- seasoned, though diners have the taco stand no larger than a typical At the end of the day, Ninfa's just cafe. And like the team's play in last trees and two gumbos — one shrimp chance to douse the food in whatever dorm room. missed the mark. Quite frankly, it Sunday's NFC Championship, our and one chicken and sausage. For Louisiana hot sauce they desire. Sadly, the Ninfa's of today is un- just isn't the place I'd think about football-inspired decision did not the appetizer, we shared loaded pol- recognizable to the small shop Mama disappoint, as BB's offered a quick, io bullets, which were nothing short Price Ninfa started in both menu offer- first thing on a Saturday morning. casual and down-home meal. of incredible. Nothing is outrageously expen- ings and exterior appearance. Upon Go there with a hangover, and you'll sive, but the food is not as cheap browsing the menu from top to bot- leave with an even worse headache, as the casual atmosphere may sug- tom, I encountered several expensive if it's just a few recovery tacos gest. The full sandwiches cost about entrees for a college student, and, you're wanting. Ninfa's should be $11 each, with the half sandwich to my disappointment, a complete recognized for the institution it cre- running about $8.50. However, the lack of an individual breakfast taco ated, and the cultural icon it once fantastically named breakfast wraps menu. Surely warning flags should was; but when it comes to breakfast BB's Cajun Cafe and sandwiches ("Heart Attack," fly when it is impossible to order an plans, there are better choices. • • "Breakfast Beast" and "Morning individual taco at the place of their Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold Glory" to name a few) are cheaper supposed birth. by $1 or so. The drinks were rela- Given the limitations of the Starring: Loaded polio tively inexpensive at $5, and the menu, which features primarily Q24 HOUR Before we get into the details of bullets, da half and half advertised specials even more so — large plate entrees and stresses serv- FROM PAGE 8 the place, it's necessary to point out sha po'boy $1.75 Lone Star and $2.50 Bud and ing rice and beans with everything, two things. First, that BB's will start Location: 2710 Montrose Miller Light everyday, as well as it took Yan and myself a little lon- one could hope. The incorporation of delivery in a few weeks, and second, www. bbscajuncafe. com Pork Chop Friday and Cajun Brunch ger than usual to arrive at an order college cheers between the Montagues the menu is undergoing a bit of modi- 713-524-4499 Saturday and Sunday mornings. that would deliver the most variety. and Capulets was superb and gave the fication, so some of the items that we It also didn't help that he wouldn't audience of Rice students an automatic sampled may not be available in the Service stop talking about some girl connection to the characters. future. Still, that shouldn't discour- Though just one waitress was serv- named Heidi. I wonder, after watching all four age you from trying out the place. This appetizer featured about ing the restaurant, the service was First up was the beef crispy plays, if any of the writers sat in the 15 golf ball-sized chunks of chicken surprisingly decent and satisfying. taco plate, near and dear to the same room while composing their Ambiance wrapped in bacon and stuffed with The sandwiches came out before the hearts of any Tex-Mex fan. To start plays, for three of them involved mis- The environment in BB's is ex- hot peppers and cheese. The variety appetizer — an odd choice, though not on a positive note, the presenta- aligned crushes or love gone awry. actly what you'd expect from a diner of flavors complemented each other altogether bothersome. tion was great, and the portion size While the writing of the play "Trash" with a Southern personality and and left a hint of heat lingering in was also pleasing, considering the was solid, its success is all due to Wiess menu. The interior was small, hold- our mouths to welcome a mouthwa- 77m's Recommendation hefty prices. sophomore Nathan Gabriel for playing such a convincing homosexual creep ing only six or seven tables, and tering taste of juicy bacon. Without a question, the loaded Once finished with my visual in- J t with his fellow male actors. there was only one waitress to hustle T m' ! entree, fish tacos, was polio bullets were Tim's favorite. spection, though, I started eating, TJ Burleson, also a Wiess sopho- the customers in a timely fashion. slightly underwhelming. The offer- Honestly, how can anything in- and began encountering the prob- more, did an excellent job of playing Upon entering, we were presented ing was bland, a little light in por- volving cheese wrapped in bacon lems. The taco shells were crispy a ghost along with a skulking, old di- with a Bourbon Street-style display of tion and extremely greasy, which be bad? and not easily broken. The beef five or so margarita and daiquiri ma- made the dish less appetizing. was filling, but it could have been rector in "Very Superstitious." The plot chines. An eclectic range of patrons, On the other hand, Mimi ordered Mimi's Recommendation triumphed by any Taco Cabana at and ending of the play, however, were 3:30 in the morning. a little bit too predictable and corny for ranging from college kids, families da half and half sha po'boy, which Da half and half sha po'boy Meanwhile, I found the borracho full satisfaction. and business people alike, frequent proved to be an excellent choice. proved to be Mimi's top choice even beans tasty, but was shocked by the The overall lighting, sound and the place to grab a quick lunch or The sandwich was palatable — and though she could only eat one-half quality of the Spanish rice. Nothing direction of the event moved fairly flu- late breakfast. We recommend com- huge, with enough food for two of it. The shrimp were unexpectedly good can be said about the rice — ently. Kudos must be given to the head ing here for lunch or late-night food people. For a small charge, it came large, but it came without the fishy it was simply ... awful. When done producer, Martel freshman Maggie Sulc when you feel like having fun or are with gumbo. The combination of taste that sometimes accompanies correctly, any style of rice can be a — tackling an event of this proportion is looking for unhealthy grub without deep-fried oysters and shrimp with fried seafood. critical and very popular component one thing, butdoingthisasa freshman is in cuisine; sadly, nothing about the extremely courageous. rice this fine morning was correct. Hopefully next year will see a I followed this unnerving disap- crop of plays equally as stellar as AND YOU NEED TO KNOW pointment with some of the break- this year's, or even better. I encour- WHAT'S UP ON CAMPUS, fast tacos Yan located on the menu, age everyone to attend when the next strangely grouped only in ordrrs opportunity arises, for it provides of three and unnaturally limited in great entertainment. Best of all, it's choice of fillings. The tacos overall free. And who knows — perhaps next were typical at best, offering sketchy year Mercutio will finally be able egg-to-meat ratios, and wrapped in to woo Romeo.

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+ SPORTS Sports is now on Twitter. Get the scoop at twitter.com/ThresherSports 11 Tigers outclaw Owls Men's tennis sweeps away Women's basketball drops match to Memphis in overtime contest season's first competition By Teddy Grodek ginning with a 12-0 run at the outset By Casey Michel THRESHER STAFF of the game. Rice's first field goal did THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF not come until almost nine minutes With adrenaline running high and into the game, and the Owls stared at Last week, junior Oscar Po- expectations continually rising, the a long road back to making it close. dlewski said the men's tennis team women's basketball team had all the But somehow, they did just that, was "foaming at the mouth" to get momentum in the world coming into and the first half ended with Rice the season underway. After a pair of its only game of the week, a weekend only four back of the Tigers. 7-0 sweeps to begin the spring slate, road match-up with University of The second half was a wild one, it's easy to see where all that foam Memphis last Saturday, an elite pro- as the Owls tied the game a few came from. The 34th-ranked Owls " ; gram in Conference USA. minutes into the half and began a rabidly tore apart Lamar University Unfortunately, the Owls (8-10, back-and-forth tussle that would last and Prairie View A&M University last 2-3 C-USA) needed just a pinch more the rest of the contest. Rice's shooting weekend, in a manner as near to per- Wrn^ momentum, as they fell 59-58 in an percentage, only 15 percent in the first fection as possible. overtime thriller that was just as en- half, kept pace with the Tigers, and the Disregard the fact that Lamar and tertaining as it was close. Owls matched up better with Memphis Prairie View A&M lack the prestige Memphis (11-7, 4-1 C-USA) con- on the boards and in turnovers. or the recruits to push them into the trolled the first half of the game, be- S3 see WOMEN, page 13 top 75, and forget the fact that these two squads were scheduled as little more than tune-ups for the unwieldy ranked foes that will soon beset Rice. These factors, if anything, should have lulled the Owls into a stupor of overconfidence. m - 1 r * But according to assistant coach Efe Ustundag (Baker '99), there was little cockiness to be found among the \ Owls, especially in No. 19 Bruno Rosa. "Sometimes teams like Lamar sneak up on you and hurt you confi- dence-wise more than anything else," Ustundag said. "Sometimes you can get in the situation where your play- DAVE ROSALES/THRESHER ers may fall asleep for a few games here and there and lengthen the Sophomores Sam Garfoth-Bles, serving, and Christian Saravia will help match. But Bruno was boom-boom- the Owls face off against 2^th-ranked Oklahoma State tomorrow. O see TENNIS, page 13 Owls split matches with Islanders, Longhorns to begin spring season

By Chris Pettijohn Of the six singles players, five little difficulty with the match, FOR THE THRESHER breezed past their opponent with Head Coach Elizabeth Schmidt saw no player losing more than three that TAMU-CC (0-1) still showed re- The women's tennis team dis- games in a set and each winning in sistance whenever possible. covered last weekend that the Uni- straight sets. Junior Rebekka Hanle "We were pushed, and when we versity of Texas is not just talented started the contest off on a high were pushed we responded to the at football; they know something note, easily winning her No. 1 sin- challenge," Schmidt said. about serving aces as well. The gles match in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Three days later, the Longhorns Owls (1-1) managed to get one point Hanle was not alone in her sin- had no trouble pushing the Owls. on the board, but their play was gles success, as four other Owls took Unfortunately, the team could not not nearly enough to take down the their matches in similar fashion: Lin respond as resoundingly as they did 3ist-ranked Longhorns (1-0), who (6-2, 6-1), sophomore Ana Guzman against the Islanders. The team's took the weekend match 6-1. (6-1, 6-1), junior Jessica Jackson only point came from Jackson, who Before the team faced off with (6-1, 6-3) and sophomore Alex Rasch upset the number 59th-ranked Van- Texas, however, it began its spring (6-i, 6-0). While senior Julie Chao ja Corovic. Jackson's win marked season with a win against Texas dropped a close three-set match, the second time in as many tries A&M Corpus Christi last Wednes- she helped the team put up points she has defeated Corovic, keeping day. Due to poor weather condi- by winning her doubles match with Jackson's perfect record against tions, the team could not play its Guzman 8-1. Jackson and junior Var- Texas intact. season opener on campus at Jake sha Shiva-Shankar also won their While Rice — which will face Hess Tennis Stadium, and, at the doubles match 8-2, and Lin and Texas State University at the LAUREN SCHOEFFLER/THRESHER last minute, had to move its match Hanle took the finals doubles match- Galleria Tennis & Athletic Club to the indoor courts at the Galleria. up 8-0. Impressively, Rice's doubles tomorrow — dropped six points, Junior forward Morgan Mayse, here attempting a jumper against But the sudden change of venue did teams won all of their matches deci- the scoreboard did not reflect the sively, collectively losing only three Marshall Jan. 15, could not help Rice take down conference-leading not throw the Owls off their game, team's play. Chao took 27th-ranked games out of a total 24. Memphis last Saturday as Rice fell 59-58 in the overtime nailbiter. and they ended up on the winning Krista Damico to three sets, win- side of a 6-1 decision. Though the team encountered O see WINLESS, page 13

OWLOOK This Week in Sports Men's Tennis at National Indoors Qualifiers Friday, Jan. 29 1 p.m. — College Station. Texas Swimming at University of Houston Women's Basketball vs. Tulsa 5 p.m. — UH Rec Center Women's Track and Field at Houston Indoor Opener 2 p.m. — Tudor Fieldhouse All Day —Yeomon Fieldhouse at UH Men's Basketball at East Carolina Men's Track and Field at Houston Indoor Opener 7p.m. — Greenville, North Carolina All Day —Yeoman Fieldhouse at UH Sunday, Jan. 31 Saturday, Jan. 30 Women's Tennis vs. Sam Houston State Women's Tennis vs. Texas State University 11 a.m. — Jake Hess Tennis Stadium 12:30 p.m. — Galleria Athletic Club

+ FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 12 SPORTS THE RICE THRESHER Men's basketball hopes to end skid this weekend After close loss to Tulsa, keeping Owls winless in conference, Braun hopes to right the ship

By Yan Digilov Braun said of the contest against duction has not been strong enough to THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF Tulsa. "We played so hard and so give them the early shocks necessary well, but you have just got to do the for competitiveness. The men's basketball team en- little things. You have to remember Back in the starting lineup, joyed a light schedule last week, that you can't just play 37 minutes, sophomore Lucas Kuipers has pro- as the team only played one game you have got to play the full 40." vided some additional firepower in during the past seven days. After Down the stretch, turnovers recent games after an ineffective dropping a tight game against the emerged without cause, and de- start to the season. conference-leading University of spite having the lead multiple times "Nobody works harder than Lu- Tulsa, Rice (6-13, 0-6 C-USA) is tak- throughout the game, the Owls could cas," Braun said. "He comes in ear- ing the time to recuperate and pre- not close out the game in the final ly in the mornings to shoot and he pare to end a seven-game losing minutes, falling by a score of 62-58. stays after practice. I am happy to streak beset with inconsistent play see him starting to find his range." and missed opportunities. With some role players coming 4* Their game against Tulsa (16-4, back into the mix, including sopho- 5-1 C-USA) proved to be one of their more Connor Frizzelle, who seems most competitive road games this to be working his way out of a long season. But just when it looked like shooting dry spell, Braun is hoping Rice might have a chance to steal DID YOU KNOW? that the squad will be able to put the a win from the conference-leading ugly streak behind them and gather Freshman Tamir Jackson Miners, that light was snuffed out. steam as conference play progresses. has scored In double fig- Not for lack of talent, though, but ures in a team-leading 12 Rice travels to play its next op- because of a lack of focus, accord- of 19 games. Fellow fresh- ponent, East Carolina University, ing to Head Coach Ben Braun. man Arsalan Kazemi has tomorrow at Williams Arena before "It is a confidence issue," Braun done the same in 11 of 18 returning for a three-game home- said after his team ran its road re- games, while starting only stand that starts with Tulane Uni- cord to 0-8. "It is about a belief that if nine of those games. versity on Wednesday. you stick to your system, it will work Recent crowd showings at Tudor at home or on the road. Good teams Fieldhouse have made the pros- don't go away from their principles." Now with some time off, Braun is pects of playing at home a more ap- Among those principles has focusing on raising the squad's confi- pealing event for the players. The been a strong attack from the low dence and shoring up a defense that, as return of the Autry Army, bringing post, continued with an excellent the season has progressed, has proven with it an estimated 550 students, performance from junior center to be their most glaring deficiency. may not have brought the team a Trey Stanton, who finished the day Fortunately, it appears that some win against the University of Mem- with 11 points and nine rebounds. progress has been made on the de- phis last week, but it has resulted Freshman forward Arsalan Kazemi con- fensive front. Rice held Tulsa to just in other benefits for the squad. tributed eight points and 11 rebounds, over 40-percent shooting, a reassur- "We had four recruits that came helping the Owls finish yet another ing statistic against a team that has here that night, and every recruit game on top of the rebound battle. been having its way with conference was talking not just about the game LAUREN SCHOEFFLER/THR£SHER However, one of the main prin- opponents all year long. but about the student support sec- ciples Braun has also attempted to in- The Owls started the game against tion," Braun said. "That was huge Sophomore forward Lucas Kuipers drives to the basket against SMU's still is that of a complete performance, Tulsa energized and playing ahead of for us in terms of locking in those Robert Nyakundi (24) and Papa Dia (42) during the Owls' 73-65 loss something that the team has yet to see their opponents. This energy is some- kids. They are excited to come to to the Mustangs Jan 20. Kuipers finished the game with 15 points. through in its road struggles. thing that has been severely lacking Rice, and I think our environment "We shot ourselves in the foot," all year, as the squad's offensive pro- had a lot to do with it." I

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WoodsEdge.org - Houston FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS 13 O WOMEN FROM PAGE 10 Swimming lurches out of gate After grasping to a lead within while Smart recorded another the final minutes, sophomore guard game-high of 19. Carter, the confer- Team unable to maintain fall's momentum against SMU, UNT D'Frantz Smart made a pair of free ence's leading scorer, contributed throws with 44 seconds left to give 22 for the Tigers. By Floyd Ray this time by a score of 152-110. first and second, respectively, in Rice its largest lead of the night, a Smart was visibly and rightfully THRESHER STAFF Not exactly the best way to con- the 200-yard back stroke times of five-point advantage with time wind- upset after losing such a close game, tinue from a fall season that, for all 2:37.71 and 2:06.62. ing down. a game key to the Owls' standings in- Although the swim team closed intents and purposes, had exceeded With each meet, according to However, Memphis regained its side conference. out 2009 with a win at the Delta expectations. Wei, the inexperienced Owls have composure enough to find its lead- "We just didn't finish," Smart said. State Holiday Invitational, the team Head Coach Seth Huston says the improved in one area or another. ing scorer, Brittany Carter, who hit "We were up five with up 20 seconds could not carry over its winning team will try to find a positive in the "We are a young team compared a clutch jump shot and drew the left. We just lost focus. We missed ways into the new decade. Rice losses to help them bounce back. to our opponents," said Wei. "Our foul to bring the Tigers within three. some key free throws and some re- (3-4) dropped its first two meets "Losing never feels good," Huston team has improved over the course Memphis would go on to miss the bounds. But we're definitely going to of the season over the past week, said. "We evaluate every loss to find of this season with the experience free throw but gain the offensive learn from this. It definitely should falling to No. 18 Southern Method- out where we can improve our team." we have gained." rebound and convert on the subse- have been a win for us." ist University and the University of This philosophy must be work- The Owls will next get a chance quent possession, cutting the Owls' After the near-miss, the Owls had North Texas. ing, as the team has continued to to show off that experience in a lead to one. a rare weeknight game with South- Last Friday, the Owls traveled to compete at a high level of intensity double dual meet, hosted by con- Smart was then once again fouled ern Methodist University coming into Dallas to take on conference rival SMU despite the losses. Senior Pam Zel- ference rival University of Houston, when the Owls regained the ball, only Houston Thursday evening. The Mus- (3-3) in their first Conference USA dual nick, sophomore Alex O'Brien and running today and tomorrow. The to miss both free throws and hand the tangs (14-4, 4-1 C-USA) are currently meet of the season. The Mustangs are a freshman Stephanie Wei all won in- two-day meet will pit Rice against ball back to the Tigers with 13 seconds second in C-USA and have won eight perennial national power, having dom- dividual events at the SMU confer- both Houston and Louisiana State remaining. Five seconds later, senior of their last 10 coming into the game. inated C-USA for years, so it was not al- ence meet. Zelnick won the 50-yard University. guard Tara Watts fouled Memphis The University of Tulsa will then fly together surprising that they bested the freestyle with one of her top marks "Each meet is a learning expe- guard LaToya Bullard, putting her on into Houston Saturday in search of its Owls 129-89. of the season, while O'Brien swam rience for the younger members the free throw line with the game on first C-USA win. The Golden Hurricane Following that loss the team a 2:23.20 to win the 200-yard breast- of the team," Huston said, noting the line. (6-10, 0-5 C-USA) should provide a re- competed the next day in a non- stroke and lead a 1-2 finish in the the overall youth of the squad. Bullard missed the first free throw prieve for a Rice squad that has been conference dual meet against North event with junior Ashten Ackerman. "The older members of the team but bounced in the second one, push- battling the conference's toughest foes Texas. The meet, held in Denton, O'Brien also teamed with se- know what it takes to compete in ing the game into overtime. for weeks now. Texas, was, unfortunately, all too nior Karen Gerken to take second this conference, and our rookies In overtime, Memphis jumped If the Owls plan on competing for similar: Once again, the Owls were and third place, respectively, in the are learning what the veterans al- out to an early lead and never gave one of the four byes for the C-USA tour- on the road, and once again they 1,000-yard freestyle. Meanwhile, ready know. They impress me with it up. The Owls slowly chipped nament, it is crucial that they capture encountered a disappointing loss, Wei and junior Kait Chura finished every meet." away at the Tigers' lead, cutting it both of these important games after to one with 50 seconds left after a the slip-up against Memphis. Watts three-pointer. The Owls re- "There's a fine line between win- gained the ball once again in the OWINLESS ning and losing, and our players FROM PAGE 10 game, but a shot by junior forward have seen this the last few games," Morgan Mayse missed the mark to Head Coach Greg Williams said. ning the second set 6-4 before fall- pletion and poor weather condi- unexpected and inopportune times. leave Rice looking up at the score- "The two games this weekend will ing in the final frame. Also, the tan- tions. The team faced tougher "The ball would be right in front board in defeat. probably be very similar. SMU is dem of Chao and Guzman defeated competition from the Longhorns of you and then it would just shoot to Sophomore forw-'d Jackie Stan- coming in, and 1 think they're the Texas' 22nd-ranked doubles team than from TAMU-CC, as Texas the right real quick," Schmidt said. ley scored 14 points for the Owls, best team in the league." of Damico and Amanda Craddock. fielded three nationally-ranked Schmidt decided to schedule the However, to earn the doubles point, players. In addition, both teams match against Texas toward the be- Rice needed to win two out of three faced strong winds during the ginning of the season to provide an O TENNIS matches, and thus received no boost match, which brought about mis- early test for her team. FROM PAGE 10 on the scoreboard from the win. takes from both sides. "I think we learned a lot from The reason for the loss stems Schmidt described the effect of this match, and it was a good mea- boom. He was on target the entire Player of the Year award. As improb- from a combination of tough com- the wind on the team, which came at suring stick for us," the coach said. match and took care of business and able as it may seem, this will be the got off the court quickly." second time in four matches that Rosa, a senior, paced the Owls Rosa and the Owls will have faced with his brilliant play, losing only the No. 1 player in the nation: Rosa one game over the two-match span. dropped a straight-set show with After an up-and-down junior year, it the then-top-ranked Arnau Brugues Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows Program is easy to see why the senior is cur- of the University of Tulsa in last rently ranked 19th in the nation. year's C-USA finals. The veteran player ran off the If the Owls manage to get past f_ Or. 8»ijarn»i Meyt court quickly enough to watch the the Cowboys, they will play the next rest of his teammates follow his lead. day against the winner of Saturday's A trio of matches went to three sets Texas A&M University/Fresno State in the bout with Lamar, but sopho- University contest. mores Isamu Tachibana and Andy When asked about who he would Wang and freshman Jonathan Chang rather face Sunday, Ustundag was all came out on top when the final nothing less than blunt. RICE MMUF ALUMNI WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PH.D. scores were tallied. Against the Pan- "Oklahoma State is not easy thers, however, Rice put on its most enough of an opponent for me to com- Jennifer (Alvarez) Dickson, '95. Ph.D. from University of New Mexico in English dominant performance in years, win- ment on that right now," he said. "We Kadeshia Matthews.'%. Ph.D. from John Hopkins in History ning every set they met on their way have to take care of Oklahoma State. Vanessa Ezenwa. '97, Ph.D. f rom Princeton University in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology* to victory. If we do, it'll set up a nice match." Fay Yarhrough, '97, Ph D. from Emory University in History "[We] played hard, and that was But the possibility of overconfi- Armanda l

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+ •S v! •v 'A 14 FEATURES THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 A Fighter's Paradigm Rice MBA student opens mixed martial arts gym geared towards spreading the emerging sport through Houston

BY YAN DIGILOV cultures often found in the city, but THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF also highlights the pervasion of the sport into varying settings through- Just a few years after the climax of out the country. baseball's steroid era, in the wake of a The history of Paradigm itself constant flow of NFL players through also parallels the development of federal prison and amid constant al- the sport. After finishing his degree legations of officials' game manipu- at UC-Davis, Shelger came to Rice lation in the NBA, the integrity of University for his MBA, and imme- America's Big Three sports has never diately looked for a way to extend been under more scrutiny. As such, it his passion for wrestling. Shelger is little wonder that many fans have was introduced to Gordon Oehmig begun looking to alternative sports to and George Parker, who were both feed their competitive sides. assistant wrestling coaches at Hous- But while disc golf and bocce ball ton's Episcopal High School, and are still on the outside looking in, together they opened the Houston mixed martial arts has taken the na- Amateur Wrestling Association. tion by storm, generating a wave of The non-profit organization excitement and bringing an incred- gave free wrestling instruction to ible blend of varied martial arts into local kids out of a closed-down the living rooms of millions. YMCA. But as a non-profit, Shelger The Ultimate Fighting Champion- and his partners were limited finan- ship, Strikeforce and World Extreme cially, and the trio decided to take a Cagefighting are, if not already house- chance and open Paradigm in the hold names, then quickly on the way heart of residential Houston. there. And while the epicenter of the "I have an entrepreneurial bug, K*.' • N mixed martial arts movement in the and I had the opportunity," Shelger United States still lies on the West said. "I spent my entire summer in- Coast, the tide is moving into the ternship working on the gym while neighborhoods of Houston and, re- some of my classmates where doing COURTESY PARADIGM TRAINING CENT markably, Rice University. investment banking or working for big corporations." Paradigm kickboxing instructor Gulled Ahmed, known to students as Coach G, left, works with a student at Par- An ultimate competitor With a solid group of experi- adigm Training Center. Coach G is a former U.S. Open featherweight champion in kickboxing and has trained Reed Shelger is one of the millions enced wrestlers, the business team and competed in San Shou, Muay Thai and Full Contact Rules kickboxing. disenchanted with the traditional Big decided to extend the gym to in- Three sports. clude training for mixed martial "I don't get excited about tradi- arts, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Division I wrestlers, the gym's "For us that are used to a more chess unique way to be more than just a tional sports anymore; it is all about Jitsu — an obvious extension from ability to incorporate high qual- match-like, analytical game, there is gym for its members. But Shelger is money," he said. a business point of view, but an ity wrestling with an emergent an advantage that we have to master quick to point out that those with It is not an uncommon criticism. unfamiliar introduction for the sur- MMA culture has set the Para- the sport." backgrounds aren't the only ones But it is a sharp one when one consid- rounding neighborhood. digm crew apart from other gyms It is an emphasis on the ana- welcome in the gym. ers that Shegler, a Rice MBA student, in town. lytic aspects of the sport that Para- "It takes a little bit of courage to has been the co-owner of the Para- "We didn't want to have a tradi- digm uses to flesh out the brute overcome the stigmas attached to digm Training Center, a wrestling and tional MMA crowd," Shelger said. force egomaniacs from the skilled MMA," Shelger said. "To just give it MMA gym, for nearly a year. We "want to have an "We didn't want to have the tattoos martial artists. a shot, a lot of people are intimidat- A longtime fan of the sport, Shel- and steroids. We want to have an en- Stewart had been trained in ed to walk in with a bunch of guys ger was first introduced to the MMA environment where vironment where everyone feels com- Kung Fu before coming across the that are going to beat them up on community in his days as a wrestler everyone feels com- fortable. We are serious about what sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2003. the first day." we do, but you don't walk into our at the University of California-Davis. fortable. We are seri- Stewart began training at Paradigm Getting people to shed those stig- It was there that he befriended fellow gym and feel like you're in prison." after meeting Shelger through the mas has allowed Paradigm to become wrestler Urijah Faber, known now in ous about what we Rice MBA program, which boasts one of the top gyms in the city. Their the MMA world as The California Kid. do, but you don't walk An emerging blend an unexpectedly quality crew of greatest feat has been to at once at- Immersed in the rich California To some, there is an obvious al- martial artists. tract top experienced wrestlers from mixed martial arts scene, Shelger, into our gym and feel lure to combining the skills needed to "Ex-athletes will have the advan- as far away from League City and Katy a 29-year-old native of San Diego, like you're in prison. snap an arm or suffocate an opponent tage of cardio and physicality, but the while drawing in the average bloke began a process that has repeated with punches and kicks to the face. great part of Jiu Jitsu is that anyone from just down the street. Merging itself countless times among mixed Reed Shelger But while what you see on the UFC can learn it," he said. "Because com- the cultures of an emergent mixed martial artists in the United States, Rice MBA Student may seem extreme or even barbaric, bat is on the ground, there is a steep martial arts scene with an ossified taking his already stellar wrestling Paradigm is a testament to the unex- learning curve. Within six months of wrestling culture is still the task that background and combining it with 99 pected accessibility that the sport of training I will see people easily domi- the sport, on a national level, is faced the techniques of submission grap- mixed martial arts has for men and nate much larger competitors that are with conquering. pling and kickboxing. The model worked and Paradigm women of all ages. new to the gym." "Other places are more geared to- This process is the way that the flourished. In a short time, the gym As an emergent sport, mixed wards just MMA or Jiu Jistu, but Para- United States has produced nearly all gained respect around the city as a martial arts exposes newcomers to Breaching the divide digm is a good balance of all of of its top-tier MMA, but with the help one-of-a-kind training facility, em- a tight-knit community, and, once Because the sport can it," Roberston said. "You meet of people like Shelger the first genera- phasizing world-class training in an exposed to the real side of the sport, be used as a form of em- a lot of different people." tion of fighters that has been trained environment that felt like home. many realize that the torturous im- powerment for women, a The conglomeration of in mixed martial arts from childhood Cody Robertson, a junior at La- ages on TV are not the best character- mental escape for mar- talent has served to place is beginning to mature. mar High School, began training at ization of MMA. tial artists or hyper- Paradigm in front of the Paradigm when it was limited to the "It is particularly great for college cardio work out, Para- MMA tide that is slowly No place like home coaches and a mat, but that sparse kids," said Ravi Stewart, another digm is designed in a making its way eastward. Paradigm Training Center lies on interior was all they needed to propel MBA student at the Jones school. But more importantly, Shelg- the boundary of the city of Bellaire, him to Team Texas, a competitive er said he hopes that his gym nestled near the corner of South wrestling club. is working to reshape the im- Rice and US-59. Surrounded by "Paradigm is age of mixed martial arts as a homes and neighborhoods, its loca- the reason 1 quali- sport open to people from all tion mirrors the complex melding of fied," he said. "I walks of life, not just the only credit them." ** •^g0wm ones looking to spend 15 minutes locked in a cage.

Rice MBA can- didate Reed Shel- ger clenches a fellow member of Paradigm Training Center in a skillful armbar. Shelger has found much success in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including two first-place fin- ishes in the Atama Open and the North American Grappling Associa tion Tournament.

ARIEL SHNITZER/THRESHER • v - ,-n

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29,2010 THE RICE THRESHER CALENDAR 15

Groundhog Day! Volcano. Does this mean the vol- TUESDAY cano is simply undergoing some Go to ricethresher.org, click "Old Ar- natural changes in its structure, or chives" and do a search for Ground- is the thing going to blow its stack the Calendar hog Day. Sample quotation from my and kill us all? To find out, listen JAN. 29~FEB. Zf, 2010 OH MY GOSH AMAZING old op-ed: "Groundhog Day could to Poland's talk in 100 Keith-Wiess MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD be... a giant drinking game." Yes! Geological Labs at 4 p.m. My pre- diction: Kilauea Volcano explodes follow us 24/7 at twHter.com/threshercal Drop by the RMC Grand Hall at ferociously on December 23,2012. 8 p.m. for the World Food Fair, featuring food brought to you by WEDNESDAY 3 the Muslim Student Association, Terrorism and free pie FRIDAY '29 I SATURDAY 30 Black Student Association, Turk- Georgetown University professor ish Student Association and RUZ. How to take over the world John Voll is giving a talk in Her- The food is all free, as is henna with robots Open Jummah He's pulling out all the stops artwork if you're feeling like be- ring Hall 100 at 7 p.m. He'll be dis- Mark Spong, from the University cussing the relationship between Join Rice's Muslim community for ing a canvas. Master's degree candidate Brian of Texas at Dallas, is here to give a Islam and terrorism and answer- their weekly prayers at 2 p.m. in Nelson will perform a recital of or- lecture on "Synchronization and ing questions about the religion's the Rice Memorial Center's Kelley All your Brahms are belong gan music by Bach, Franck and Vi- Coordination of Multi-Robot Net- attitude toward violence. After the Lounge. There will be baklava! to us eme. Knowing how cool the organ works." You can find out how to get lecture, there will be free pie from in Alice Pratt Brown Hall sounds, the renowned House of Pies. It's an all-Brahms program at all of your robots to work together I'd guess this concert will be awe- It's only a model the Shepherd School of Music and devise a plan for using your some, or at least really, really loud. robots to dominate the globe. Also, ArchiArts 2010 is entitled MODEL tonight, as faculty members play Free beer stein for seniors The free concert is at 5 p.m. in the "Spong" is a really cool name. The and you are invited to dress as some of Brahms' chamber music. Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall. lecture is in 128 Mechanical Engi- Whoops! Actually you have to either a fashion model or a scale The free concert is at 8 p.m. in the neering Building at 4 p.m. donate $10 to get your free beer model of a building. The party is Duncan Recital Hall. Or, if you're not into organs stein. Donate at Rice Annual in the Sewall Hall sculpture court- Fund Senior Pub Night, in Willy's yard at 10 p.m., so pray it doesn't Rainey Weber is bringing her viola Order something on the rocs Pub at 10 p.m. rain. The complicated pricing to the Duncan Recital Hall stage for The Rocbar is home of this year's THURSDAY l\ scheme is as follows: $10 to buy a free concert at 8 p.m. She's playing 100 Days, the graduating class's Mr. Potatoe Head tickets in advance, S15 at the door, music by Walton, Enescu and some attempt to console themselves by $18 for a ticket and a T-shirt and, Happy birthday to Dan Quayle random dude named Bach. drinking and dancing to loud mu- WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE if you want the social acceptance (1947), who inadvertently described sic. Head over to the bar, located of attending ArchiArts without Mike Poland, research geophysi- himself when he said, "People that Happy birthday, Mom! at 530 Texas Avenue, at 10 p.m. actually attending, S10 for a shiny cist at the Hawaiian Volcano are really very weird can get into Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 T-shirt but no ticket. Congrats on turning 29. Again. Observatory, has noticed some sensitive positions and have a tre- at the door, and drinks are extra. unusual activity in the Kilauea mendous impact on history."

THRESHER CROSSWORD: SPOILER ALERT! HOW TO SUBMIT CALENDAR ITEMS 22. I'm the Calendar editor, which means I'm pretty low The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. the Monday prior to publication. on the Thresher pole Submissions are printed on a space-available basis. 23. Sid Rich rules / death from Submission methods 24. What the ancient mariner did Fax: 713.348.5238 26. Enemy of a Kosovar Email: thresher-calendar@rice. edu 29. Everybody's blood group Campus Mail: Calendar Editor 32.Thorny bushes Thresher, MS-524 34. Honorific title for a Turk 35. A feeling that might prompt you to solve this puzzle BE THE NEXT CALENDAR EDITOR 37. Carps 38. 39-down drank himself to Do you love the Thresher Calendar's unique mixture of events, events, an early events, zany jokes, events, zany jokes and events? Do you like it so 39 . Allan Poe much that you wish you could write it? Here's your chance! 41. Harvard's archenemy 42. j vemos! I'm graduating this May, so we need a new Calendar editor. The job 47. Bush, Dern, Linney and consists of surfing Facebook, surfing the rest of the Internet, writing Ingalls Wilder snarkily topical jokes and foisting upon readers your own taste in 49. You would not be surprised books, music, movies and campus events. In other words, it is totally to learn that this word awesome. I loved (almost) every minute of it. So will you. means "plate" 51. Dostoevsky wrote about If you think you've got what it takes to be the next Calendar editor, one; Green Day sang about write to [email protected]. The vetting stage is rigorous, an American one; a new including full background checks, a four-hour comprehensive writ- Bollywood movie features ten exam, "Survivor"-style activities on the Lovett College roof and a three sudden-death beer pong match against Backpage editors Kyle Barn- 52. Beethoven's, Schubert's or hart and Cristina Tortarolo. I'm just kidding. There's not even any haz- "Theme"clues are italicized. 56. What is Rocky, at the end of Atterberg*s last symphony ing, for Pete's sake. Send an e-mail to the address above and I'll be in the first movie? 53. A poem composed entirely ACROSS touch. Oh, and did I mention this job is paid? 58. Rachel Dawes / of quotes from other poets. 1. Luke, I am your_ 59. A stupid person's way of In other words, artistically 7. Singular form of a famous saying "immoral" permissible plagiarism. pond infester - S\ ' 61. Holiday or Days Or maybe it's the written 11. Who is the One? 62. What this clue ain't equivalent of a remix r^rTr* fir 14. How you say yes to a sea 66. Mel , Giants slugger who 54 . kills Dumbledore! ID captain hit 511 home runs and had 8 55. Tom who's running for gov- 15. What 11-across has to save straight 100-RBI years ernor of Minnesota 16. Irish terrorist group (abbr.) 67. The of the neck 57. Spanish lentil stew 17- Apologetically 68. Soylent Green is 60. What the hillbillies do to 19- Where a scene is filmed 69. Shakespearean contraction their visitors in Deliverance 20. Cavity around your lungs for "though" 62. An adorably obscure hoofed 21. The company that makes Pi- 70. You should send me your animal cante Sauce name and password! 63. The part of your computer 22. Ankle bones I won't do anything suspi- that does all the hard work 25. Catholics in England cious with it, I promise! 64. Ginger or India Pale 27. Sash in a kimono 71. Followed (like chaos might) 65 . Zeppelin 28. Its season ended this month happy? with a defeat to MIN DOWN •>—— 30. Beltran, Pelfrey or Wright 1. Near and 31. WhatAida gets sealed in? 2. Half of 14-across This crossword puzzle was 33- Super-repetitive name alert: 3. "Get" backwards designed by Brian Reinhart, There is actually a dude 4. Instruments of choice for with assistance from a com- whose first name is Bob and angels puter program with a built-in whose last name is this 5. It's like a lenscap for people dictionary fond of excessively 36. Blue Parkway 6. Gladiator's net fancy words. The solution will 40. Who committed the murder 7. Sexy way of saying blue appear next week. on the Orient Express? 8. Lovely light purple flower 43- "Blame the liberal " 9. Who drops the One Ring into (Bush-era rallying cry) Mount Doom? 44- Scientist's scope or Greek's 10 . way you want it, that's cut of meat the way you need it If you are a puzzlemaker and tea 45- According to Urban Diction- 11. Month in which Moses' exo- would like to see your work friday, February 5 9.00 ^ to 12:00 PM ary, heroin dus from Egypt began appear in this space, e-mail 46. My Loving (Beatles) 12. Build [email protected]. 48. Mind-reading ability 13. Hall and ('8os band) All bralnspraining puzzle 50. Longoria Parker on "Desper- 18. One-fifth of a mile types are welcome. ate Housewives" 21. Paved decks behind Visit fasfroa.com! or call 713-838-9855 for more details and to RSVP! 51. Went up people's houses 16 BACKPAGE THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, JANUARY29,2010 rice in Rice ascends Princeton Review ranks I review week of #6 jan. 24 student association #154 SA President Patrick McAnAnEy j r- •——;—"TT—| decrees that if 's misquoted f Jk, ¥l and misrepre- Rice University has been painted $55/hour subscription fee. The Re- making steady gains in the Most Kid- tration's reaction to the latest col- \ t'. sented in the with strange, forced smiles since The view compiles these results annually Friendly On-Campus Bar category. lege rankings. "Rice University has Llfe' H MSl Thresher one Princeton Review released its annual because universities are known to Willy's Pub bartender Harry Warbles the happiest, most well-fed students gfeflfc more time, he ranking of U.S. colleges this week. change dramatically during a given attributes Rice's current number in the tri-state area," Foreman said. •K* f| will smother "We've improved in every cat- year. According to the Web site, Rice four position to recent changes in "We recently opened a new Rec- Hi, Editor-in-Chief egory that matters," quipped Direc- has moved into the Top 10 position Pub's policy. reation Center, complete with two Casey Michel to tor of News and Media Relations BJ in several coveted categories. "We've banned drinking games pools and motherfuckin' racquetball death with the Almond. "Thanks to President Lee- and stepped up our nighttime se- courts. They have see-through win- itchy wool cloth of the Thresher For example, Rice is now the dows! Wait, what was the question blanket tax. bron's Vision for the Second Cen- number two supplier of biologi- curity in order to transform Pub's tury, our relative placement among cal and chemical weapons to state image," Warbles said. "In just a few again? Oh, right, the Princeton Re- the nation's top universities is fi- sponsors of terrorism. years, Pub has gone from a wretch- view. I'm really proud of our future save misclass nally where it belongs." When the "We have been engaged in a ed hole of scum and villainy to the leaders!" Backpage asked Almond if Rice's next Chuck-E-Cheese. We're even Meanwhile, the Princeton Re- Okay, listen: We know you're profitable trade of anthrax-for-nan- all too young to appreciate the rank fell in any categories, the Direc- otubes with our partners in North trying to secure funding for a ball view's latest round of academic reck- rich, 20+ year tradition that is tor pulled a sawed-off shotgun from Korea," President David Leebron pit, though I can't make any prom- oning has elicited a mixed reaction Backpage Misclass. That's okay. under his desk and replied, "I think said. "We hope to strengthen these ises right now." Valhalla declined from the student body. The point is that we really need that's enough questions for today." ties with the Far East in the coming to comment but did it in an old and "I heard we jumped up a few you to start sending your Misclass The Princeton Review's online years and bring forth a new world creepy way. spots in the Least Amount of Medical to us instead of posting it on the database of college rankings is order, I mean new era of prosperity The Backpage then sat down School category," reported sketchy "Overheard at RU" Facebook pajj*e, available to neurotic parents and and student quality of life." with Dean of Undergraduates Rob- Martel senior Nick Martinez. "But After all, Overheard at RU just a/ college administrators for a meager Since 2005, Rice has also been in Forman to discuss the adminis- how does that get me laid?" blatant rip-off of Overheard aNilf, which is itself a crappy facsimile of the original Backpage Misclass. If you love traditions and your Owl Days Slated for April 20 university and whatever, please resume sending us the stupid shit The Student Admission Council's There will be an unusually large your roommate says. Sleepover Committee has approved number of on-campus events to dis- new dates for this year's Owl Days tract and confuse prospective students Now, on with... (known as Owl Weekend before 2008 during Owl Days, according to As- and Get Wasted And Screw Yer Pros- sistant Dean of Undergraduates Matt pies Weekend prior to 2004). This year, Taylor's top secret campus calendar. misctass Owl Days will start on April 20. The Office of the Registrar has gra- thresher office edition "We wanted to pick a day when stu- ciously moved the last day of classes to dents would be at their highest level of April 20 for the sake of this joke. Of "Come out of the closet involvement and attentiveness," said course, this means that Hanszen and already!" Michelle Duckly, head of the SAC Slee- Wiess Colleges will be throwing their "No, I'm farting!" pover Committee. Duckly was recently respective Spring College Nights on released from St. Luke's hospital after April 20. Every residential college ex- "I mean, how can you sustaining massive head injuries in cept for Will Rice College will also be 'abuse' prescription a freak campus tour accident. "April throwing an Owl Days Keg Standoff; drugs?" 20 is already packed with the sticki- Will Rice will be hosting a Disney Prin- est of campus activities for our green cess Look-Alike Fashion Show instead. "The masses don't have a prospies. I personally think it's a great Conversely, Wiess' College Night will say, because the masses choice for Owl Mayonnaise Days Days involve terrifying drunks in rabbit cos- 4 don't know anything!" Days. Wait, where am I?" tumes. For over a century, Rice has invited Local shamans and historians "I'm pretty sure this porn prospective students to visit campus have objected to this year's Owl and engross themselves in activities, Days schedule. An ancient Tonkawa isn't actually happening in student life and pints of tasty beer be- prophecy states that the "arrival of real time." fore making the obvious decision to at- the spoiled and carefree" on "the day tend a Princeton Review Top 10 private of the stoned" during "the second university. Owl Weekend became Owl year of Barack Obama's presidency" THE BACKPAGE REIGNITES THE RIVALRY Days in 2008 when the Office of Stu- will result in "the beginning of a mil- backpage@rice. edu dent Admissions decided that week- lennium of suffering." Despite these ends at Rice were about as wholesome vague superstitions, Houston Mayor OR TEXT TO 850.319.9823 Annise Parker (Jones '78) has given OR DM TO @ THRESHERBKPG and academically enlightening as a semester abroad in Amsterdam. Rice the go-ahead to hold Owl Days as A starry-eyed prospie has her dreams of quiet, academically-minded planned. "Dude, let's get wicked pis- The Backpage is satire and is written by Kyle Barnhart, Cristina Tortarolo, and Jack's higher education shattered in this artist rendition of Owl Days 2010. sah wasted," Parker said. Raging Bile Duct. You know this because Tyler knows this. CLASSIFIEDS @ rice.edu TUTORING POSITION AVAILABLE. Look- an extra deposit, but no dogs please. ence. Can tutor Math and Science sub- HELP WANTED ing for dependable, caring academic $750. Call Diane Monday to Friday BOTHER jects to students, call 832-310-8665. tutors to work with students grades from 9am to 5:30 pm. at 713 524 3344. COME TEACH FOR testmasters! No ex- 1-12 one-on-one in their homes during Andover. Health Insurance is offered thru Cigna, HOME-BASED DAY CARE in the Texas perience necessary as all training after school hours and possibly on BCBS, Humana, United, Aetna. Popu- Medical Center. Open Monday - Satur- is provided. Full and part time posi- weekends throughout the 2009-2010 BRIGHT ONE BEDROOM apartment lar dental plan only $15.50 p/person, day from 6am - 10pm. Registered with tions available. Dynamic and Ener- school year. Hourly rate is $25/hour. available now at 4001 Greeley. The p/month immediate coverage, no wait- Texas Child Care Licensing. 281-888- getic teachers wanted. Pay rate start Please contact Alyson at At-Home Tu- unit has hardwood floors in the living ing periods please open link. Interna- 7863 www.charleeslittleangels.com at $i8-$3o/hour. Call 281-276-7743 or toring Services for more information room and new carpet in the bedroom, tional health plans available thru IMG. email [email protected]. at 713-572-3533 or email hometutor- a large walk in closet and on-site laun- Phone: 8322125842, email:giorginab@ TEXTBOOKS BOUGHT AND sold, new 81 [email protected]. dry. 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ADVERTISING Great amenities 24hr doorman. 832- CLASSIF1EDS SUBSCRIPTIONS We accept display and classified advertise- 1-35 words $15 Annual subscription rates: FAMILY IN WEST University is looking 588-7833. ments. The Thresher reserves the right 36-70 words $30 $60/year domestic for Reliable and Kind after school to refuse any advertising for any reason. 70-105 words $45 $125/year international via First Class Mail Additionally, the Thresher does not take help for their two children, 11 and 13. Two BEDROOM ONE bath apartment- responsibility for the factual content of any Cash, check, or credit card payment must Experience is preferred. Car required. Non subscription rate: for rent at 1301 Richmond Ave. The ad. Printing an advertisement does not con- accompany your classified advertise- First copy free Tel: Kristine, 713-444-9700 or email: unit has hardwood floors in the liv- stitute an endorsement by the Thresher. ment, which must be received by 5 p.m. Second copy $5 [email protected] on the Monday prior to publication. ing and dining room and carpet Display advertisements must be received by in the bedrooms. There are lots of 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to publication. The Rice Thresher The Rice Thresher ARGINTINE TANGO IS Hot. Female need- kitchen cabinets and a dishwasher. Attn: Classifieds Attn: Subscriptions Cathleen Chang, Molly Slattery 6100 Main St.MS-524 ed for professional dance lessons and Two walkin closets, track lights and 6100 Main St. MS-524 Advertising Managers Houston, TX 77005 1892 Houston, TX 77005 1892 7PM-9PM Friday nite group practice. built in bookshelves. There is on site 713-348-3967 Phone 713-348-3974 Phone 713 348-3967 Bellaire area. Dance experience helpful laundry, reserved off street parking in thresher [email protected] Fa* 713-348 5238 but not required. Brain 713-298-8783. a gated lot and a pool. Cats okay with