VOLUME 101, ISSUE NO. 17 | STUDENT˜RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

TINY’S: RAISE NEW HOUSTON A BIG HIT ROOFS PREPARES New dessert location Rice should heavily invest Students help organize Super solidifes Tiny franchise in college buildings Bowl activities in Houston food scene ˜°° AE ˛.  ˜°° O˛˜ ˛. ˝ ˜°° S˛˙ˆˇ˜ ˛. ˘ RVP requests loss of blanket tax funds

E˜°˛˝ A˙ˆˇ˘ N˘ Eˆ°ˇ

The Student Association dissolved Rice Video Productions as a blanket tax subsidiary organization in a vote that was unanimous except for one abstention. The Monday vote came after Jeremy Kao, the RVP station manager, sent a letter to the SA on Jan. 23 requesting RVP no longer receive blanket tax funds, prompting the Blanket Tax Committee to recommend dissolution to the SA. RVP’s executive board requested dissolution on Jan. 19, stating it had decided its mission was not limited to serving the student body. “While we still fully intend to produce media that does entertain and inform the entire cam- pus, it is not our only mission and therefore we feel we should no longer receive priority access to blanket tax funds,” Kao, a Hanszen College senior, wrote in his letter to the SA. In February 2016, RVP came 19 votes short of losing its blanket tax subsidiary status in a general election referendum, when 65.1 percent International Iranian students face of the student body voted to remove RVP but a two-thirds vote was required for removal. The Blanket Tax Committee had recom- mended RVP’s removal following a 2015 Thresh- uncertainty after immigration ban er investigation into RVP, which prompted the BTC to re-evaluate the organization’s eligibility. ˜°˛˝˛ ˙ˆˆˇ˘˝˝˙˛  °˙˘˝˙ ˝ In 2016, the BTC found RVP had provided inac- curate budgets to both the Thresher and the Y Hˆˇˇ he was frustrated with being caught in the cross- of hopes, you make a lot of friends here,” Amir- BTC, creating the illusion of little to no rollover Eˆ°ˇ-I-C° fres of a political battle. moshiri said. “Then, by seeing these kind of laws, funding while they had an excess of $5,344. RVP “Why should I be sacrifced because of the you feel like you are in a big, nice prison. I can’t said the budget issues were a result of miscom- Last year, Iranian graduate student Behnaz confict between two governments?” Amirmoshiri go to my country, my families cannot come to visit munication with former adviser Will Robedee. was admitted to Rice University’s electrical en- said. “I just came to study, to learn from my profes- me. It sounds like a prison.” In 2016, the BTC also found RVP had gineering doctoral program along with her hus- sors, advisors, to do a project, to contribute as a Shaghayegh Agah, a chemical engineering violated the blanket tax organization criterion band, whom she had met fve years ago at Iran’s young researcher. It’s not only me, [it’s] any other doctoral student who has studied here since 2012, of benefting all students by transitioning prestigious University of Tehran. Behnaz began student. You cannot even fnd something illegal in describes herself as one of the “luckiest” Iranian from flming student programming events and her studies at Rice last semester, but her hus- their driving records, let alone terrorist attacks.” international students with a single-entry visa, cultural shows to creating original short flms, band’s visa didn’t process in time. Prior to Presi- because she managed to travel to Iran in 2014 and without polling the student body. dent Donald Trump’s executive order banning ‘A big, nice prison’ have another U.S. visa reissued within a month. SA Treasurer Maurice Frediere presented the immigration from seven countries, including Iran, Though the Iranian graduate students inter- “I decided to take this risk because it was very BTC’s 2017 recommendation to dissolve RVP at for at least three months, the couple was hoping viewed in this piece all pointed to what they de- di cult for me to tolerate being separated from the SA meeting on Monday prior to the SA’s vote. his visa clearance process would fnish in time for scribe as discriminatory visa policies against Ira- my loved ones,” Agah said. “Even before this ex- A student body vote is not needed to dissolve him to join Behnaz. Now, these hopes are dashed. nians over the past years, Trump’s executive order ecutive order, there was lots of discrimination to- RVP, because this year the organization has cho- Behnaz, who wished to only be identifed by on Friday has cast even greater uncertainty and wards Iranian students without even being guilty sen to dissolve themselves. In addition to RVP’s her frst name, isn’t sure if she wants to continue disarray over their futures. of doing something. The time I went back, I felt it letter, Frediere said the BTC’s recommendation with her doctoral degree, as the new restrictions “If a student from Iran wants to come for a was a blessing to have my parents close to me. No- was infuenced by a decline in content produc- won’t allow her to see her family and her husband Ph.D, he’s going to need at least fve years [to com- body can understand how valuable that is, unless tion and a failure by RVP to spend its blanket in Iran or for them to come visit her. She is consid- plete the degree], which means he’s not going to be they are separated by a rule like this.” tax allocation last fscal year. ering pursuing a master’s degree instead, and per- able to get back to his country and see his family According to Frediere, RVP produced at least haps applying to universities in other countries. for at least fve years,” Amirmoshiri said. “And after Community responses 20 videos during the 2011 to 2012 and 2012 to 2013 According to Rice President David Leebron’s f ve years, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Is In response to the executive order, Dean of academic year, but in the last 10 months they email sent in response to the executive order, Iran it going to be possible for us to apply for a green Graduate Studies Seiichi Matsuda and Associate produced three. In addition, from July 1, 2015 to is the only country of the seven a ected that has card? To fnd a job position here? [The executive or- Vice Provost Adria Baker of the OISS sent emails June 30, 2016, RVP spent less than 40 percent of students enrolled at Rice. The latest numbers pub- der] has made everything very complicated.” to Iranian graduate students to express their sup- their blanket tax allotment; every other blanket lished by the O ce of International Students and Hamed attended Sharif University of Technol- port, in addition to Leebron’s email to the commu- tax organization spent at least 64 percent. Scholars indicate that in fall 2014, 30 international ogy, Iran’s top-ranked engineering school. He is nity rea rming his commitment to immigrant and “These factors made the decision to graduate students were from Iran. Until 2011, Ira- one of few Iranian graduate students who risked undocumented members of the Rice community. recommend RVP’s blanket tax status be nian students were only eligible for single-entry returning to Iran with a single-entry visa in Feb- “Absent legal compulsion, we will not reveal dissolved relatively straightforward,” Frediere, visas, unlike students from other nationalities. ruary 2015 for his mother’s funeral. However, his the immigration status, citizenship or national ori- a Duncan College sophomore, said. Once single-entry visa holders leave the United visa reapplication process took four months, caus- gin of any student,” Leebron wrote in the email. “I However, Kao said there has not been a sharp States, they are not necessarily guaranteed a re- ing him to miss a semester of his studies at Rice. have asked our general counsel to develop a plan decline in video production: RVP is projected newed visa to return. In 2011, then-Secretary of Hamed was granted a rare multiple-entry visa in to provide legal assistance to any student or em- to produce 10 videos, which is consistent with State Hillary Clinton announced that Iranian stu- June 2015, and prior to the executive order, intend- ployee detained upon entry because they are from production level in past years. dents would become eligible for multiple-entry vi- ed to return to Iran this summer before his visa ex- one of the seven countries. The plan will include “There has been a negligible decline in video sas, though only a fourth of Iranian students who pired. He and his wife, another Iranian graduate the creation of a fund to support such assistance production between this year and past years,” applied for these visas received them. student at Rice whom he had met at Sharif, were when volunteer legal services are not readily avail- Kao said. “We do not upload all the videos we “Going outside of the U.S. is the equivalent of planning on having a full wedding ceremony with able or su cient.” create to our YouTube channel due to copyright giving up your Ph.D.,” Hamed, a third-year electri- their families in Iran. Now, this seems unlikely. Outcry over the executive order extended to a issues with putting full performance recordings cal engineering doctoral student at Rice, said. “To summarize my feelings, it’s a combination national petition signed by nearly 15,000 academ- online, but we have remained productive as a When the news of the executive order frst of being shocked and feeling insulted,” Hamed ics, including more than 50 from Rice, condemn- video production organization.” broke on Friday, many Iranian graduate students said. “I feel really sorry for whoever is thinking ing the ban. One of the signees, bioengineering Kao also said the lack of spending in that expressed disappointment, sadness and doubt. like this, banning an entire country and labelling professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum, emphasized time period was not the fault of RVP. “Every time I wanted to continue to read a pa- them. It’s not right and it’s not fair. There are so the importance of immigrants in academia. “During the July 2015 to June 2016 fscal year, per, do my project, do my homework, I couldn’t many Iranian students in the U.S., and having the “We need diverse perspectives to solve com- a large amount of our blanket tax money went concentrate,” Reza Amirmoshiri, a second-year right to go and visit their families, and for them to plex global challenges,” Richards-Kortum. “This unspent due to issues with our old faculty advi- chemical engineering doctoral student, said. “I come here and visit them, all of them should have is true across many disciplines — all six of the of sor,” Kao said. “We have since changed faculty was just on Facebook, CNN, Fox News, what’s this right. Otherwise, it’s like being imprisoned.” the American Nobel Prize winners in economics advisors and have been able to spend the proper going on? What’s going to be next? You cannot Amirmoshiri expressed similar sentiments. and science announced in 2016 were immigrants!” amount of the money budgeted for us.” neglect this news. It’s a ecting me, and there are “You try so hard, you apply for a well-known Amin, a chemical engineering doctoral stu- Furthermore, Kao said RVP has no present many students just like me.” school in the U.S., you get admission, you enter dent in his last year of studies, said he fnds these need to make large purchases. Amirmoshiri, who has a single-entry visa, said the United States for a brighter future with lots 0see VISAS, page 3 0see RVP, page 3 ˜ NEWS ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  NEWS IN BRIEF

White supremacist group American Vanguard posts fyers on campus Drew Keller, News Editor Flyers supporting a white supremacist months in what appears to be an attempt organization were posted around the to gain attention, with its Twitter account edge of campus over the weekend, Rice retweeting o cial responses and news University Police Department Acting Chief media reports about the fyers. According of Police Clement Rodriguez confrmed. to the Washington Post, the organization A group calling itself American claims about 100 members nationally, and Vanguard claimed responsibility on its its posters have also been found at the Twitter feed for posting the fyers, which University of Maryland, Emerson College, contained messages such as “Protect Purdue University, the University of the family: Reject degeneracy” and Central Florida and others. On Sunday, the “Take your country back!” The group’s associated Texas Vanguard Twitter account manifesto on its website reads, “White posted a picture of similar fyers at Texas America is under attack. The true enemy State University. is within our walls, destroying our nation and opening our gates to the millions of outsiders who want to take all that our forefathers have created.” Rodriguez said RUPD removed fiers near the Greenbriar parking lot on Friday night and an additional fyer from the corner of Main Street and University Street that was found on Sunday. “Rice has a policy that prohibits solicitation on campus without permission, so our o cers removed two fyers that had ˜°˛˝˛˙ ˆˇ˛˘ ˝˝˝ˇ been attached to trees,” Rodriguez said. The images above were taken from a Twitter post by Vanguard Texas, a white supremacist group that The organization has been posting claimed responsibility for posting fyers on Rice campus over the weekend. Its parent organization, fyers on various college campuses for American Vanguard, has posted fyers on several other college campuses over the past few months. ˜°˛˝˛ ˆˇ˛˘ ˛˘˛˙ ˝˜

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Lowitt said. “You’re just like, please don’t do this, statements from university ocials to be “heart- everyone is watching. Look, I’ll get you some water warming.” if you just stop touching people’s hair.” “It’s good to see people are saying, ‘We love The Hanszen Fellows Planning Committee, Iranian students, they are of very great value to which consisted of seniors Tahir Malik and us,’” Amin said. “I think it would be really nice Hanszen President Kenny Groszman as well as to see them, especially impactful people and of- juniors Joey McGlone and Yuna Choi, selected fcials, make ocial moves to let those people Lowitt as the speaker specifcally because he was who are in charge hear their voices.” a comedian. “We chose Lowitt because he represents a side An uncertain future of academics that doesn’t get focused on enough: On Monday, Reuters reported the Trump ad- public speaking and the humanities,” Malik said. ministration is drafting an executive order that Lowitt spoke for approximately 30 minutes could change procedures for issuing H-1B visas about his comedy career. He said he aspired to to immigrant workers. According to Agah, the work for the Daily Show as early as his freshman current uncertainty over Iranian students’ visas year of college in 1998, but did not become an extends to the job market as well, as she feels intern until 2001. that employers may be less inclined to hire Ira- “I would go onto the Daily Show’s website [in nians due to the recent developments. 1998] and there was a number there to call if you “I came here to not be discriminated,” Agah were interested in an internship and I would just said. “I accepted some of the discrimination be- stare,” Lowitt said. “I wouldn’t call, I would just cause I thought, OK, it’s going to be gone after look at the number every once in awhile, like it fve or six years when I apply for a job or when was some girl I was afraid to ask out.” I apply for a green card. But I didn’t have any ˜°˛˝˙˛ˆ ˇ°˘/˝ According to Lowitt, he began as a post- idea that it would even become more dicult Daily Show writer Adam Lowitt performed standup comedy at Hanszen College on Thursday. production intern and was hired four days after after this.” his college graduation. He has been working at Amin also expressed concern that changing the Daily Show for 14 years. attitudes towards immigrants in the U.S. may af- E˝ ˛˜° Rˇ˝˙° of Rice’s residential college system. Lowitt said the Daily Show had a special fect his post-graduation plans. Aˇˇ˝ˇ˜˜ N˛ ˇ E˘˝˜ ˆ “What is Lovett’s deal?” Lowitt said. “No responsibility in the Trump administration. “I am worried about what society will look windows? So it’s a prison? We have Hanszen, Will “It feels there is a microscope that needs to like after this,” Amin said. “So far I had a good Approximately 100 attendees gathered in Rice, and that is Guantanamo Bay over there. Is be put on politicians and the administration and experience in Houston. Houston is a really cool Hanszen College commons on Thursday to hear there anyone from Lovett in the audience? So we would be abdicating our responsibility if we city with very respectful people. They’re all very Adam Lowitt, writer and executive producer of you’re not on parole, is that what you’re saying? didn’t,” Lowitt said. “Not relenting is the mission. friendly and I like them, but sometimes you get the Daily Show, talk about everything from Rice How is the sunlight a ecting you, is it okay?” We’re trying to be silly, but also keep focus on, like, scared. When you see how people are reacting, University’s residential college system to President During the event, Lowitt joked about an crazy guy.” you see that maybe things are changing, maybe Donald Trump. unexpected Amber Alert that occurred during He follows a long line of Hanszen speakers people’s minds are changing.” He spoke by invitation of the Hanszen his set. including Ronald Reagan and Ken Jennings, While Amirmoshiri is also uncertain as to Academic Fellows Society, which maintains a “I have never seen this many people so according to Malik. what the future holds for him, he refected on tradition of asking speakers to the college. ambivalent about a missing child,” Lowitt said. Lowitt ended the event with life advice. the original reason for why he sought an educa- Lowitt spent half of the hour-long speaking Lowitt also covered being Jewish, shushing a “The thing that I’ve noticed over my years is to tion in the U.S. engagement doing stand-up comedy and the cop and parenting a toddler, among other topics. work really hard and don’t be an asshole,” he said. “America is the land of opportunities,” other half answering questions from the audience. “When your kid is crying in public, it’s kind This article has been condensed for print. Read Amirmoshiri said. “We came here for a brighter In his set, he incorporated what he had learned of like hanging out with your drunk girlfriend,” the full story online at ricethresher.org. future and that was the only goal.”

“[RVP] caused us a lot of trouble last year want- physical assets, which includes a drone, a creative she supported RVP’s decision. 0 ing to be a blanket tax organization and now they video flming kit, professional recording equip- “While the club obviously produces media RVP come around saying they don’t want it anymore,” ment and accessories like lighting equipment, be that can beneft the entire community, campus- FROM PAGE 1 Yun, a senior, said. “We worked with them to re- reallocated to the Oce of the Student Media. wide service wasn’t their frst priority anymore, so structure and help them out and it just felt like a “The students at Rice University have invested they didn’t feel comfortable accepting blanket tax “We have used our blanket tax funding over big waste. I wish they’d tried a bit longer at least. blanket tax money into that equipment, and we funds any longer,” Callaway said. the past few years to build up a collection of high- It hasn’t even been a full fscal year so it was a lot would like it to still be accessible to groups who Kevin Li, RVP’s programming manager, said quality recording equipment,” Kao said. “Due of, ‘C’mon, let’s try a little bit harder,’ you know?” will serve the student body and to individuals RVP will continue flming creative projects and to our careful curation and maintenance of this As a result of the dissolution, Frediere said the seeking to develop new skills,” Kao wrote. covering Rice community events despite its loss of collection, we currently do not have any immediate BTC will repossess RVP’s cash and equipment. Kao also said if the equipment were given to blanket tax funding. need for further equipment purchases that would Cash will be returned to the blanket tax general the Oce of Student Media, RVP would continue “As RVP continues to grow and take on a larger normally be funded by blanket tax money.” fund for reallocation and the BTC will decide to work with the equipment as a student media role in the student community, we will reconsider The one abstention in the SA’s vote on Monday whether to sell the equipment or transfer it to other organization. our need to be a blanket tax organization,” Li, a came from Peter Yun, the Hanszen senator who student organizations with the input of RVP. Director of Student Media Kelley Callaway, who Wiess College sophomore, said. last year served as SA internal vice president. In his letter to the SA, Kao requested RVP’s also serves as RVP’s adviser and BTC member, said Kelley Callaway is also the Thresher adviser. “Rainbow building” lit again C˛ˆ  W˙˛ were minimized,” Harrison said. Joe Lee’s Barber Shop F ˆ ˜°˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ Eventually, the lights became too degraded 1926 Milan St. 713.662.3886 to run at all. They were shut o , and the search The lights of the Memorial Hermann Medical for alternatives began. For months, di erent Plaza, colloquially referred to by Rice students as solutions were explored until fnally, a set of LED the “rainbow building,” have come back on after light bars was settled on. months of darkness. The cause of the darkness The new lighting system is an upgrade, was simple: old age. o ering a brighter glow and more colors. HOURS OF OPERATION According to Property Manager Robin “The lighting levels produced by the new mon.- fri. 9 am - 6 pm Harrison, the lights on top of the decade-old confguration are about twice what we had with sat. 9 am - 5 pm building were susceptible to burning out. the original fxtures,” Harrison said. “The lights “The original roof lighting began to degrade run on an astronomical clock that uses local sun.10 am - 4 pm over time just like any LED fxture would,” sunset and sunrise times as the trigger for starting Harrison said. “Replacing components like the and stopping the shows. We are pleased the lights emitters would have also proven problematic in are back on and hope our neighbors at Rice enjoy Sunday Special Weekdays terms of maintaining their watertight condition.” them once again.” 10 am - 12 pm mon. - wed. 9 am - 10:30 am Harrison also said the light shows that are a Some students may enjoy the lights more than hallmark of the building are actually a by-product others, but most can agree that they are a positive Haircut and Shave $35 Hot Shave $18 of this degradation. presence in the Houston night sky. “We attempted to combat the degradation “I am a huge fan of the lights being back Haircut $18 by running shows that included color-changing on,” Brown College freshman Jared Beshai features so that the negative visual e ects of said. “Especially with the lights changing and Haircut $17 certain fxtures being o or in partial operation everything. Oh yeah, it’s dope.” first time rice student ˜

Letters to the Editor: ask Resist policies steeped in How is Jan. ˜° backpage satire? merri hatred and racism & To the Editors: been frequent targets of the Backpage. But even webster with these expectations, we’re scratching our For many of us, it can be easy to pretend our The Thresher’s Backpage assures its readers heads as to how this backpage piece operates lives are removed from daily political battles. that it’s satire, but let’s pause for a moment as satire. Forward? Nope. Better world? Nope. I end up comparing myself to other However, Trump administration’s most recent to consider what that means. Satire has What a missed opportunity. people at Rice and feel like no matter how actions have struck closer to home, visibly historically been a powerful tool of the press: well I do, it’s never good enough. How do I impacting the Rice community (see p. 1). To that Writers and cartoonists have always relied upon Margaret Beier, McMurtry College Master start thinking di˜erently? end, the Thresher supports President Leebron’s exaggeration, humor and ridicule. Satire’s aim is Bridget Gorman, Will Rice College Master promise to not reveal students’ immigration actually pretty simple: It points forward, with a Mikki Hebl, Chair of Psychology Merri: This is actually one of the most status or origins and to provide legal assistance desire to change the world for the better, making Vivian Ho, Professor of Economics common problems I’ve heard Rice students to those barred from returning to Rice. us laugh in the process. Rachel Kimbro, Professor of Sociology worry about — so I hope it’s comforting to The ban against immigration from We, members of the “Posse of the Positive,” Melissa Marschall, Professor of Political Science know you’re far from alone. predominantly Muslim countries is against our referenced in the terrifc article by Yasna Carrie Masiello, Professor of Earth Science First things frst, everything is going to nation’s values. A true fact, not an alternative Haghdoost on the front page of the Thresher Maria Oden, Professor in Practice of Engineering be fne. I know that’s not the most satisfying one, is that not a single person in the U.S. has last week, share that ambition: We want to help Barbara Ostdiek, Associate Professor of Finance answer, but the frst step to feeling secure in been killed in a terrorist attack by an immigrant point forward. We’re employing advocacy, but we Annise Parker, Former Mayor of Houston what you do is to remember that everything is from the seven prohibited nations. The same encourage all forms of discourses, satire included. Sandy Parsons, Assistant Teaching Professor of going to be okay. Especially at Rice, it’s easy ideology that panders to fear informs the But we’re fummoxed by the Backpage Psychology to feel like you’re not doing enough, missing proposed creation of a wall with Mexico and send-up of the Women’s March that was Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Director of Rice 360 opportunities, or just not performing up to the potentially impending end of the Deferred specifcally targeted at Lisa Zollner, director Libby Vann, Director of Programs Center for Civic par; but we’re all going di°erent places at Action of Childhood Arrivals program. of Student Judicial Programs. We’re all used to Leadership di°erent paces, and even if you’ve made a As people who have the privilege of higher the Thresher’s tendency to a more crass form of Marcia Walker-McWilliams, Associate Director, mistake or doing your best is just too much to education, we can examine the U.S. historically satire than one would fnd in, say, Aristophanes Programs for Center for Civic Leadership ask for some days, the world is, many times, and understand the context of this ban and or Mark Twain. And Rice administrators have Sarah Whiting, Professor of Architecture more forgiving than we often predict. More the proposed wall. We have a responsibility to opportunities will come, and the ones you ask: How has our nation, even before Trump, choose will be your own. allowed othering to thrive? How is hatred There are countless paths to success, and woven into this nation’s history, and how did we Jan. ˜° backpage dismaying this is success that ultimately you defne create an environment in which such policies for yourself. Again, not the most satisfying can exist? To the Editors: proclaiming that the page is “in honor of answer, but remembering that only you — The frst step, especially for those who are the Women’s March” while simultaneously not your parents, professors or classmates — unscathed by recent policies, is to listen and We were dismayed to read the content of “satirizing” Lisa Zollner in ways that imply ultimately know what success will look like learn from those who are su°ering. Beyond the Jan. 25 edition of the Thresher Backpage. that the judicial decisions she makes are for you is crucial to carving out your own path listening, there are concrete actions to make As college masters we are familiar with the based on her gender, and that she would and being happier and more self-assured in an impact, both within Rice’s hedges and difficult and important job that Lisa Zollner, get drunk and proposition a student, is the long run. I know for a lot of Rice students outside them. A wide variety of events, from director of Student Judicial Programs, disrespect woven more around her identity it’s just easier to gauge your success on a lot PAIR week, which is making welcome kits for undertakes on behalf of our community as a woman in charge than a person in of seeming tried and true paths to success refugees, and Rice Stands with Refugees, to the every day. History has shown that, time and charge. She deserves more respectful that always seem to have fast-approaching Moody Center’s Green Light exhibit that draws again, women in highly visible leadership treatment than this, and members of the deadlines and di˝cult benchmarks to reach. attention and provides donations to refugees positions are criticized for their work in Thresher staff can certainly write better, and But just because those paths are well-trodden and migrants, are accessible ways to become ways that are different from men in these be funnier, than this. doesn’t mean those paths have to be yours. involved. Consider donating to the ACLU or positions. Certainly, those previously in Keep track of your own accomplishments community-based organizations. Above all, charge of SJP have been the target of send- Michael Reed, Will Rice College Master and take the time to celebrate them, even stay engaged, and don’t give up. ups in the Backpage over the years. But by José Aranda, Brown College Master if they seem small or ordinary. Share your accomplishments with friends and mentors who support and validate you, and share in their accomplishments too — your frst instinct might be to feel jealousy or anxiety at others’ accomplishments, but I’ve found that the more you practice appreciating others’ successes by supporting and encouraging them, the easier it gets to support and encourage yourself. And of course, remember that these are just a start. Unlearning bad habits and relearning how to feel good and secure about yourself doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and kind with yourself; it’s okay to take breaks, and contrary to popular belief you don’t have to be working at your 100 percent best all the time. You made it this far — you’re doing what you can, and that’s just fne.

Webster: Stop comparing yourself to people who are doing well, and start comparing yourself to people who are doing very poorly. For example, if you have thus far in your life managed to not: throw up in a makeout partner’s mouth, drop your phone in the Grand Canyon or attempt to eat a literal cactus with spines, I’d say you’re doing pretty good.

°˛˝˙ˆˆˇ ˘ ˇˇ˝  ˛ˇ ˛ˇ˛ ˛ˆˆ˙ “Ask Merri and Webster” is an advice column authored by two Thresher editorial sta° The fres of Mordor are spreading. members. Readers can submit their questions online at ricethresher.org.

ˆ ˇˆˇ °ˆ  The Rice Thresher, the o˝cial student newspaper Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Mitch Mackowiak* Editor Jasmine Lin Editor at Rice University since ˙ˆ˙ˇ, is published each Thresher editorial sta°. All other opinion pieces represent STAFF Wednesday during the school year, except during solely the opinion of the piece’s author.  ˆ˝˙ ˘˛° ˛ Andrew Grottkau Editor Riley Robertson Editor examination periods and holidays, by the students of Yasna Haghdoost* Joey McGlone Editor Rice University. Editorial and business o˝ces are located on the second ˛˝˙ & ˇ˙˝˙˛ˇ ˇ˙ Editor in Chief foor of the Ley Student Center: Lenna Mendoza Editor ˘ˇ ˆ ˝˛˙ˆˇ Letters to the Editor must be received by ˘ p.m. ˇ˙ Main St., MS-˘ Anita Alem* Shannon Klein Ads Manager ˇ the Friday prior to publication and must be signed, Houston, TX ˘-˙ˆ Managing Editor Sarah Evans Distribution Manager Christina Tan Director including college and year if the writer is a Rice Phone (˙) -˙ Jennifer Lee Ad Design Manager Juan Saldana Sydney Garrett News Designer student. The Thresher reserves the rights to edit Email: [email protected] Sara Lopez Marketing Manager Business Manager Katrina Cherk Sports Designer letters for content and length and to place letters on Website: www.ricethresher.org Ellie Mix A&E Designer ˆˇ ˇ its website. ˇ  Jennifer Fu Illustrator Charlie Paul Editor The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and CMBAM Drew Keller* Editor © Copyright ˙ˇ Emily Abdow* Editor ˆ˙ˆ Anna Ta Asst. Editor Sirui Zhou Editor *Editorial Board member Elizabeth Rasich Asst. Editor Charlene Pan Asst. Editor W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ OP-ED ˜

Invest in college facilities R2 RICE WRITES I am the alumnus who wrote a one-line and No. 9 for best quality of life. Rice also critique of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders competes for the same applicants as other top- under the Thresher’s Jan. 20 Facebook post 20 schools who have more modern dormitories: Editor’s Note: The Committee loved “Changing Tides” as it captures the exhilarating and regarding the decaying state of the colleges: Vanderbilt University, Duke University, highly personal experience of a writer. Profound but also relatable, the piece speaks well to “At least we have the $50M Doerr Institute to University of Chicago, Stanford University, the January prompt, “New Beginnings.” teach us about leadership though.” 146 others et al. have announced or debuted new living -Lily Wulfemeyer, R2 Monthly Contest Committee Chair gave it the thumbs up. For the class of 2020, quarters within the past fve years. Of the top Rice admitted 325 club/organization presidents, 20, Harvard University and Yale University also Changing Tides 197 student government members, 18 class have residential college systems like Rice’s. by Blaine Schmidt presidents and 18 student council presidents. We Harvard is in the midst of the renovation of have a lot of leaders. Maybe the Institute and I their 12 houses while at Yale, over $1 billion was Midnight blue ink voyages gracefully along see two dierent schools. To me, the Institute’s invested in their 12 colleges’ renovations, and the loose-leaf sheets: continuous, fuid, purpose remains mired in nonsensical verbiage another $600 million was spent on the creation certain. Composed of delicate curves and and has had mixed reviews about its e cacy. of two new colleges. contours, the cursive font seeks to forecast $50 million for a vague end goal seems daft, “A coherently planned campus … can be the forthcoming year in silent declaration, especially if we consider that a $30 million and a very special place,” architect Robert A.M. attempting to predict where the imminent $32 million gift helped build Duncan College and Stern writes in “On Campus,” “a physical waves will collide with the solid earth. McMurtry College, respectively. When 78 percent setting for a community sharing a common Crumpled papers remain scattered across of undergraduates live on campus and have to be ideal of scholarship and sociality.” No such the mahogany desk, tallying the myriads kicked o one year due to a lack of space, that deep consideration seems to have been given of drafts, keeping time with the passing money could do a lot of good elsewhere, namely to the colleges’ as evinced in the pattern of hours. “This one’s mine,” the restless writer in investing in the colleges. slapdash fxes. whispers, intently penning each intention My goal was not to take aim at the Institute per Rice’s plan has been a patchwork of with the desperate hope that each rewrite se, but question if donors are paying attention to improvements when (and often after) might serve as a small step towards the list’s what true needs are (see the 2012 donation of an buildings hit their crisis point. This haphazard fulfllment. Each list enumerates unfnished owl statue in front of the Rice Memorial Center approach results in aesthetically disjointed, thoughts and disconnected phrases, words which is not even the right species as our mascot). programmatically questionable, and out-of- of insecurity, of individuality, of utmost scale architecture including Will Rice College’s integrity. Gripping the pen, he grasps the and Baker College’s new new sections and frst rung of an uncertain ladder, beginning Seibel Servery. the uphill climb towards an unknown It is long overdue Like Harvard and Yale, we should embark end. “Courage” becomes “confdence” on a similar ambitious campaign to reform the becomes character, words changing and that the colleges stop college system, which turns 60 this year. churning like currents, unyielding and being regarded as an Rankings and living conditions are but one uncontrollable. Beneath the vast, vacant facet of college decisions, but at Rice, where the undertow, the innermost feelings struggle afterthought. colleges play a large part in student life, they to fnd the surface, bubbling and bleeding may not be a convincing beneft in their current with unbridled momentum across the white state. Everyone deserves to live in safe, sanitary pages. Self-discovery, self-refection, and I am coming up on my fve-year reunion. But conditions at the very least. self-loathing shape the crooked triangle the Rice I attended is not today’s Rice. Anyone who Citing endowment dierences is an of resolve, the balance shifting, receding, is not part of the Board of Trustees, in boardroom intellectually lazy excuse that could technically resurging with indecision and unrestraint. discussions with President Leebron or sitting be used to thwart any capital campaign project. The cycle repeats as it does and as it must with Facilities Engineering and Planning has If and when such a campaign is undertaken within these fnal hours, resting soundlessly no idea what plans, if any, exist to address the (take note University architect), there are a slew on the boundary between the end and the future and prosperity of the colleges. However, I of frms rooted in classical architecture who I beginning, between termination and the was on the Hanszen New Section Advisory board am sure would be up to the challenge of doing liberation. At its furthest depth, the buoyant in 2012 where we met with trustees to illustrate Ralph Adams Cram justice: Robert A.M. Stern, routine was nothing more than a senseless the necessity for a new New Section because of Peter Pennoyer, Demetri Porphyrios, Allan gamble, for even the purest wishes fall far its state of disrepair. It is concerning that things Greenberg. from the constellation of shooting stars. And have (seemingly) remained unchanged. It is long overdue that the colleges stop yet, beneath those scribbled lines, there lies My hope is that this paper’s reporting begins being regarded as an afterthought. the purest essence of one’s humanity, the a productive dialogue about the condition of our panoramic recognition of hamartia, of joie colleges. As undergraduates and alumni know, de vivre, and all that lies between. Perhaps they are places where we live, eat, play, sleep, Travis San Pedro, crossing this vast ocean of polarity demands study. They are incredibly intertwined with and Hanszen ’12 and erasure beyond the cruel winds of the direct much of our undergraduate experience. Yale University, tempestuous storm, requires one to dive past They are inextricably linked to university history works in the crash of the year’s merciless waves. Even and its culture at large. So why do they continue so, between these lines there lies the paste to not be taken seriously? architecture to seal the widening cracks, the fortitude to This year, the Princeton Review ranked forge onward towards those new frontiers, Rice No. 15 overall, No. 1 for happiest students past the changing tides. Sparks emanate from the resolutions’ purity; though feeting, they fying with the limitless potential to create, to kindle the inextinguishable fre from within. As the clock ticks forward, its rhythmic heartbeat indicates the looming tide of a Invitation of Chevron speaker new beginning, its two arms pointing boldly towards the fnal document of absolved regrets, the frst declaration of impassioned disrespects oil company victims resolve. Petroleum is undeniably the lifeblood of this is not the kind of passion that we believe the modern economy, but the fnite quantities should be invited, nor encouraged. Between those lines, there lies infnity. and poisonous consequences of continued use To be clear, we at the Environmental Club make its long-term future a literal impossibility. understand the importance of fossil fuels in The Center for Career Development has invited today’s industry and appreciate the strides Janeen Judah, a prominent member of Chevron, Chevron has made toward corporate social and to proclaim all there is to love about the oil environmental responsibility. While we would industry. She touts the “Big Risk. Big Reward. not deny the role oil plays and would welcome a Big Money.” of the oil industry, though she will talk on the diverse and evolving role that dierent no doubt neglect to mention that these risks are types of energy will play, we do not condone her taken and fortunes made at the expense of the message of loving the oil industry for the money health and well-being of vulnerable populations made and risks taken at others’ expense. and ecosystems worldwide. Regardless of consequences to your health, We as Rice students will have a choice upon you may smoke as many cigarettes as you graduation: put our skills and energy towards want. Regardless of the eects on your family’s responsibly contributing to society, or perpetuate fnances, you may gamble as much as you desire. and enlarge the unsustainable behemoths that And regardless of the infuence to impressionable desecrate resources and incessantly lobby for children, it is your prerogative whether or not to control of our government. For reference, of 167 expose them to carcinogenic and destructive oil companies, Chevron is the fourth-largest lifestyles. But to instill an insidious disposition to spender when it comes to lobbying for political something as harmful and destabilizing to future favors, passing o over $112 million to lobbyists generations as fossil fuels is unethical. Inviting in the past decade alone. According to a recent Ms. Judah to speak is at odds with the values we survey, 3/4ths of millennials would take a pay cut ought to hold as leaders of the next generation, to work at a responsible company — a mindset we as her perspective can only negatively infuence should embrace and encourage, not undermine. our ability to make a positive impact in our To love the oil industry is to belittle the plight imperiled world. of staggering numbers of climate refugees, to R2 September Winner - Art ignore the pleas of the people of Ecuador where Travis Kwee is “On the Subway” by Miao Zhang Chevron has escaped legal custody of thousands president of the Rice of unlined toxic waste pits, to harden your heart to Environmental the sight of oil slicks smothering entire coastlines, marine creatures and people’s livelihoods and to Club and February Monthly Contest: sit smugly in the security of an executive o ce a Baker Want to see your writing and/or art here next month? Submit your work to our February and know the externalities of your business will College contest! Email a short story or poem up to 400 words in length to r2ricereview@gmail. pass uncontested onto the people and planet they com. Word or Google doc for writing, and jpg/png for art. Winners will receive 5 free will hurt. Ms. Judah may love the oil industry, but junior Coffeehouse drinks! Submissions due Monday, February 20. ˜ New Tiny’s branch o˜ers cold treats and cookies

L˜°˛˝˙ H˝ˆˆ˝˛ Tˇ˛˝˘ˇ˝˛ S˜

A new restaurant joined predecessors Tiny Boxwoods and Tiny’s No. 5 in November, completely centered around the chain’s famous chocolate chip cookie rather than brunch. Tiny’s Milk and Cookies is a window on the side of the entrance to Tiny’s No. 5 that sells baked goods, ice cream and drinks like juice and coee. Before even taking the food into account, the aesthetics of this shop are cute enough to post on social media and worth the visit. There’s even a wall painted in a white and faded-blue color scheme with the Tiny’s Milk and Cookies logo that is the perfect background for an Instagram post. Two handwritten chalk boards fanking the windows inform the customers of the ice cream favors and house favorites that Tiny’s oers, while the view through the windows show what specifc baked goods are still available. The service from behind the counter is nice and friendly, and allows for shoppers to °˛˝˙ˆˇ˙˘ ˇ˘/ˇ˛˝ˆ˛˝ sample the dierent ice creams and customize Left to right: Evan Neustater, Angel Garces, Luke Connors and Sam Rossum of band Steve Cox’s Beard perform as the fnal their order. Duncan Sunfest of three acts at Duncan College’s annual Sunfest. Pickleback and Where’s Joe? also performed at the event. One ice cream favor that struck my fancy was honey lavender (among others such as roasted banana, salted caramel and milk and cookies). The ice cream was incredibly smooth with pops of lavender that would stand out from the more subtle honey notes. However, I decided this favor was a bit too strong for an entire scoop, so I opted for a scoop of Historical flms blur fact and fction strawberry jam ice cream to fll my ice cream sandwich. Let me tell you, there’s nothing Gibson uses the heroism of one individual to The fctional “documentary” aesthetic, tiny about the ice cream sandwich you’ll get Mˇ˜˝ˆ R˙˘˙ from Tiny’s Milk and Cookies, starting with F˛ Tˇ˝ Tˇ˛˝˘ˇ˝˛ anchor his flm, telling the story of Desmond Doss, weaving fction and fact into a bizarre tapestry, an American World War II soldier who refused to can blur the two for the audience. While this the price. I’m not sure how two cookies and a scoop of ice cream can be so expensive unless The idea of “truth” and factual basis has carry a weapon but managed to earn a Medal of can be used to personal eect, such as in “20th they’re plated with gold, but my order ended recently come under increased scrutiny. It’s Honor by saving dozens of soldiers during the Century Women,” when applied to national or up costing $9.74 after tax. I think there’s a no longer enough to label something true, Battle of Okinawa. While Gibson complicates his international narratives, the eects are egregious. reason that the chalkboards don’t include even with evidence, as “alternative facts” are lead’s morals, he simplifes his enemies’ image, Based-on-a-true-story thrillers, especially prices for literally anything on the menu. now given legitimacy. The blurring of the line representing Japanese soldiers exclusively as flms like “13 Hours” or “Patriot’s Day,” use between sensationalization and fact is not a frantically screaming and shooting, presenting national events to stigmatize through blatant new phenomenon, especially within political damaging images of the other side at Okinawa. misrepresentation and othering. At a time when media, but it’s something flm can also inherently #NoMuslimBan works against the normalization perpetuate. The “based-on-a-true-story” genre of political disenfranchisement and fear of racial There’s nothing tiny can become a vehicle for simplifed narratives At a time when #No- and religious groups, these larger movies exist that spread harmful generalizations. While these contrarily to capitalize on them. Through these about the ice cream fction flms are celebrated within Hollywood and MuslimBan works larger outlets, the label “true story” is heard by sandwich you’ll get among critics, they hold legitimate implications hundreds of thousands of people. and should be called out as such. against fear of specifc While much of Hollywood and many from Tiny’s Milk and 2016 flms like “Hacksaw Ridge,” about a moviegoers remain distressed at the current World War II soldier who never used a weapon, religious groups, these political climate and what has shockingly been Cookies, starting with “Patriot’s Day,” the dramatic retelling of the movies exist contrarily deemed as acceptable political action, they Boston Marathon bombing and the search for remain complicit in the segments of popular flms the price. those responsible or even “Sully,” about the pilot to capitalize on them. that attack of already targeted communities. who landed a commercial plane into the Hudson The Oscars, while garnering praise for a more The ice cream sandwich itself was massive. without any casualties, become quickly portrayed inclusive array of nominees, also honored flms The scoop was the size of a tennis ball and the as history, rarely tagged with the caveat that some The implications only get dicier through the like “Sully,” “13 Hours,” “Patriot’s Day” and cookies were thick. As a result, this made for events are fctionalized to sell. For the real Sully, inclusion of documentary footage of Desmond “Hacksaw Ridge.” Each of these flms villainize a decadent and extremely flling dessert, so no ethics committee sought to condemn him, Doss discussing his actions during World War governmental, racial or religious groups. These flling that my friend and I weren’t actually but the director constructed a villain through II. Sections of his interview are written verbatim flms also gain traction with other artists who able to fnish our sandwiches. That said, every regulation to make a compelling story that fts the in the script, playing o the flm as though it is tweet angrily and make political speeches but bite was delicious. The cookies were moist narrative. While early disclaimers stating “based a dramatized documentary of Doss’s real-life praise these flms which perpetuate the very and warm enough for the chocolate chips to on a true story” try to keep ethical issues at bay, actions. What about the moral righteousness of discrimination that they denounce. This is the melt into the ice cream. The ice cream was a flms are not perceived as fctional retelling. Doss and infammatory portrayal of Japanese same group that awarded “Argo” for American great rendition of a classic favor as it included Simply put, what is seen is to be believed. soldiers? Do these get credited as Gibson’s own bravery rather than critiquing the racial politics frozen strawberry slices that contrasted nicely The grey area between historical facts and invention, or are they seen as historical? The at play. If we’re expecting any change in public with the creamy texture. sensationalized fction is dicult to navigate. “based on a true story” label puts these aspects perception, we must frst turn to the popular However, I think ordering just a scoop of Films like “Hacksaw Ridge” use a specifc in danger of being seen as historically accurate media that feeds into the distrust of those that ice cream with a cookie on the side would moment in history for a singular agenda. Mel rather than fltered through the director’s lens. the current administration tells us to fear. 0see TINY’S, page 7

THE MENIL POETIC HOUSE NAVIGATION SUSTAINABLE WEEKLY NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY TAILGATE HTX NIGHT SCENE This two night event has a packed For Super Bowl weekend, the Tamale This art and fashion show features On Thursday Feb. 2, the Menil lineup of poets and musicians Festival of Houston is putting on a three- upcycled designs made with post- The editors’ picks Collection will hold an after-hours celebrating the anniversary of day arts street market, chef-driven food, consumer textiles. The pieces will be for this week’ s event with a live jazz combo and food Starving Poets. Doors open at 7 p.m. and live music. On Sunday, they will available for purchase. The show is also screen the Super Bowl. Entry is on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. best events. Time trucks. The event is free and lasts from on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4. 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. free Thursday and Sunday, and $10 on Admission is free. to explore the Saturday and Sunday. wonderful world of Houston. Mˇ˛ Cˇ˝˛ A˜°˛˝G°˙ˆˇ˛ N°˜°˝˛ E˘°˛°ˆˇ M°ˇ˘ °˛ˆ Pˇ°˘ 1533 S R˘˘ S˝. 411 Wˇ˘˝ˇˇ˙ 2800 N°˜°˝˛ B˜ˆ 908 L˜ˇ O° ˇˆ.˝˘ ˜°˛˝˙ˆˇ˘°˜.˝˘ ˇ˛˙ˆ˘˛°ˆˇ°˛ˆ˘˛°. ˛˘ˆ˜˛ˇ˛˜.˝˘ W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ A&E ˜ 0TINY’S FROM PAGE 6

have several advantages over an ice cream sandwich. For starters, it would be cheaper. It would also be less fiflling lling (so it could actually be fifnished, nished, unlike the sandwich) and a lot less messy to eat. Finally, there’s good news if you want something to bring home. Tiny’s Milk and Cookies also sells frozen chocolate cookie dough by the dozen. Say goodbye to your New Year’s resolution and budget for the month! P.S. One word of advice: While this place is adorable (albeit expensive), I would not ˛ˇ˙˝˙° ˘ ˜˝ˇ˙ ˙ recommend it as a frst-date spot if you are A strawberry ice cream sandwich is one of the going to order an ice cream sandwich. It is impossible to eat without getting ice cream desserts avaliable at Tiny’s Milk and Cookies. The and chocolate smudges all over your face. newly opened branch of Tiny’s also o˜ers co˜ee, Unless, of course, you think your date would juices and take-home chocolate cookie dough. be into that.

˜°˛˝˙ˆˇ˘ ˙˜°˝ Flaming Lips disappoints with ‘Oczy Mlody’

Kˆ˜°˝  T° ˛ˆ Ground” feels like a predecessor to some of the F ˆ T°˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ songs on 2013 album “The Terror,” but it’s obvious how the band has improved and refned its sound “Oczy Mlody” (Polish for “eyes of the young”) is since the initial experiment. I don’t think “Oczy the Flaming Lips’ new attempt at staying relevant Mlody” shows growth in the same way. I wouldn’t 34 years after the band’s inception. Miley Cyrus’s be able to tell you if “Dead Petz” or “Oczy Mlody” appearance on the album in track “We a Famly,”is came frst just by listening to them. one way in which they’re trying to remain relevant. “Oczy Mlody” feels lethargic and unimaginative But the Lips’ relationship with Cyrus extends far (ironic, because the album depict a psychedelic beyond one feature on their latest album, and the dystopia with “Faeries” and “Frogs with Demon album’s unfortunate similarities to an earlier Cyrus Eyes”). The band tries to create a hypnotic release result in the “Oczy Mlody’s” serious failing. landscape, but jars the listener with interjections In 2014, Cyrus appeared on the Flaming and fails to maintain the continuity and storyline Lips’ version of “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts that a good concept album ought to have. In “Do Club Band” called “With A Little Help From Glowy,” the lyrics “Dewy, dewy, dew/Let’s get My Friends.” You can hear the “girl with together, yeah/Drip, drip, drippy glow/Glowy kaleidoscope eyes” on an even trippier version and drippy, yeah” are repeated. This song feels of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Lips’ and like it should be a charming ode to childhood and Cyrus’s friendship continued with Cyrus’s 2015 children’s rhyming books but falls short because Soundcloud drop “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.” of how ridiculous it sounds. It feels like the band “Dead Petz” was a 23-track experimental album went to a light show under the infuence of some the duo seemed to create to show their listeners drug and decided to produce the frst lyrics they and record label that they don’t follow anyone’s wrote about the experience. rules but their own. The album may have been The album ends with “We a Famly” leaving us indulgent and (for me) hard to listen to, but the remembering relationship between the Flaming parallels between “Dead Petz” and “Oczy Mlody” Lips and Miley Cyrus. It feels like a regular pop are evident. “Sunrise (Eyes of the Young)” from song with extra distortion and mentions of Jesus “Oczy Mlody” borrows directly from “The Floyd and spaceships. The infuence of Miley Cyrus Song (Sunrise)” from “Dead Petz.” feels like a desperate and creepy attempt for the The Flaming Lips’ have always been Lips to regain their youth while Cyrus seems to experimental. For example, “I Found a Star on be seeking a break from her Disney-pop past. As the Ground” on “Strobo Trip” is literally a six- a result they’ve created two albums that seem hour track. However, they’ve kept experimental to be works-in-progress blatantly disrespecting from becoming gimmicky by continually growing everything: their fans, their labels, their pasts and and developing their ideas. “I Found a Star on the their development as artists. ˜ Super Bowl VIII: Rice Stadium’s big game Aˆ° G˙˜ˇ S˙˝ E°˛˙

This week, the Atlanta Falcons will use Rice’s football fields to prepare for Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots. Forty-two years ago, however, Rice served as far more than a practice facility. On Jan. 13, 1974, Rice Stadium hosted Super Bowl VIII, the first Super Bowl ever played in the city of Houston. On that misty, cool day, 71,882 fans packed the building to its capacity to see the defending champions, the Miami Dolphins, take on the Minnesota Vikings and their “Purple People Eaters” defense. Houston resident Steve McMahon, who attended the game, later told the Houston Chronicle it was unlike anything he had ever seen. “Back then, Houston didn’t have any professional teams that were ‘packing them in,’” McMahon said. “It was quite a sight to see a completely filled stadium.” Planning for the game had begun just two years earlier, when NFL owners voted to award the game to Houston during their annual meetings in Hawaii. Despite having the state-of-the-art Astrodome just a few miles down the road, the game was played in Rice Stadium due to its larger seating capacity. It was the first Super Bowl ever played in a stadium that did not host an NFL team. In 2004, Fred Faour, the assistant sports editor at the Houston Chronicle at the time, said the building was awe-inspiring. “Rice Stadium may be run down now, but at the time, it was like going to a football cathedral,” Faour said in an article at the time. The gloomy weather did not stop fans from enjoying themselves. Parking lots around the stadium were filled with °˛˝˙ ˆˇ˘/ˇ˛°ˇ˛ tailgaters, mostly Minnesotans who Freshman guard Chat Lott throws down a dunk during Saturday night’s victory over the University of North Carolina, Charlotte at Tudor had driven south for the game. Some Fieldhouse. Lott had a solid all-around game, fnishing with six points, four rebounds and three assists. Houstonians credit those Vikings fans with sparking the popularity of tailgating at Houston football games. Inside the building, lines for concessions were so long that people were offering to pay $10 for hot Men’s basketball shows marked dogs priced at just $1. Although the game was not as big of an event as it is today, it still captured a massive audience. An estimated 52 million people improvement from last season watched on CBS. Like today, celebrities descended upon the city. The NFL had M˜°˛˝˙ˆ Bˇ˘˘˜° “If you are a competitor, you remember are just coming into their own on the court hosted a party for VIPs in the Astrodome T˝ S˜ the last time you play a team, win or lose,” and we want to get them as much game the Friday night before the game and paid Rhoades said. “Last year, they beat us pretty action as possible.” a whopping $25 per guest. At the party, live Twenty-two games into the 2015-16 good. Regardless, I think it is more about Despite Rhoades’ effort to disperse cattle roamed the floor of the Astrodome in season, the Rice men’s basketball team how we play, not who we play. Losing last playing time, the Owls’ are likely to continue front of murals of old western saloons and sported a 7-15 record and a 2-6 mark in year doesn’t help us the next one.” to relying on the playmaking abilities of frontier towns. Conference USA. The team had lost crucial Evans, Koulechov and sophomore guard Before pregame introductions, players players in the frontcourt and backcourt, and Connor Cashaw. According to Rhoades, from both teams stood in the south end there was little hope of a Conference USA Koulechov offers Rice a dynamic scoring zone tunnel together. Vikings hall of fame crown and NCAA tournament appearance. We cannot take reps threat at forward. quarterback Fran Tarkenton recalled a Now, 22 games into the 2016-17 season, “He can shoot threes or he can loosen Dolphins defender making small talk with the Owls are 14-8 overall and 4-5 in C-USA. o˜ in practice. We up with some dribble moves and get to the him as he waited nervously. Following Head coach Mike Rhoades starts two players, have to handle losses basket,” Rhoades said. “We have so many country artist Charley Pride’s national sophomore guard Marcus Evans and junior playmakers on the team. Combining them anthem, the Super Bowl began. forward Egor Koulechov, who both average and take them as a with a versatile four-man is lethal. I wouldn’t The game itself is a mere footnote in NFL more than 18 points per game. As many as 11 want to guard him.” history. The Dolphins defeated the Vikings players are receiving valuable minutes every learning experience. Although the Owls are ripe with dynamic 24-7 for their second consecutive title. week. Enlarged and electrified crowds at playmaking and crisp shooting, several players Dolphins Hall of Fame running back Larry Tudor Fieldhouse support the team’s belief emphasized team chemistry, focus, and grit Csonka won the MVP award for rushing for that Rice can legitimately contend for the Connor Cashaw over the course of a long season. Cashaw said 145 yards and two touchdowns. Dolphins C-USA title. Sophomore Guard the team cannot aord to relax if it wants to quarterback Bob Griese threw just seven Last Saturday’s victory against the compete for a conference championship. passes the entire game, but his offense University of North Carolina, Charlotte “We have to build our chemistry and picked apart the celebrated Vikings defense. epitomized the growth this Rice men’s The Owls have been able to focus on recognize what each player can do,” Cashaw Steve Sabol, who worked for NFL films for basketball team has made. Last year, the their playing style with increased talent and said. “We cannot take reps off in practice. nearly 50 years, later said the game “might Owls lost both of their season meetings as depth on this season’s roster. According to We have to handle losses and take them as a have been the dullest [Super Bowl] ever.” well as a conference tournament showdown Rhoades, the Owls are capable of giving ten learning experience.” Even the halftime show was forgettable; the to the 49ers. This year, Rice has defeated players significant playing time. Other teammates have echoed similar performers were the University of Texas, Charlotte in both of their encounters. “I want to get 10 players over 10 minutes. sentiments. According to Evans, the Owls Austin band, Miss Texas 1973 on fiddle and Rhoades said the team is focusing more It creates great competition and morale,” must provide maximum effort and intensity. the Westchester Wranglerettes drill team. on its own play instead of its opponents, Rhoades said. “Guys like [freshman forward] “Little hustle plays can completely change While the game is often forgotten in NFL keeping last season’s disappointments in the Tim [Harrison], [freshman forward] Austin the outcome of the game,” Evans said. “The lore, it remains one of the biggest events background. [Meyer] and [junior forward] Bishop [Mency] 0see BASKETBALL, page 11 ever hosted on Rice’s campus. W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ SPORTS ˜

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“I became much better able to understand how I let others’ emotions affect mine, and therefore infl uence ˜°˛˝˙ˆˇ˘ °˛ˇ˙° ˜˝°˜ˆ ˇˆ ˜˛/˙˝ˆˇˆ˝ my decisions to make them happier.

A crowd of 70,000 packed Rice Stadium for Super Bowl VIII in January 1974. Today, larger- By making it a goal to become than-life posters of the players in Super Bowl LI adorn the streets of Houston. more emotionally confi dent and independent, I feel that I am becoming Students prepare as Super a better leader.” -Student Dear Ms. Ware, Bowl LI inches closer Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family. I would like to thank you for all your help in the Doerr M˝˙°˛ K˝˘˘ them are just representing the city of Houston leadership coaching and the resources you provided me. I T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ S˜ whether it’s a Super Bowl LIVE or the NFL did receive the book, and I look forward to reading it soon. experience or even airports, hotels, hospitality I learned so much about leadership and how to effectively Super Bowl LI is just around the corner, and venues or more.” the excitement is mounting all over the nation Super Bowl LIVE is occurring down at manage a variety of difficult tasks. The skills and knowledge for the biggest sporting event in the world. Discovery Green. There are live concerts, you have provided me with will be useful for my time at Rice According to Neilsen Holdings, a company that roller coasters, fag football felds for kids and and beyond. specializes in viewership and television ratings, memorabilia shops. The NFL Experience is in Super Bowl 50 was watched by approximately the George R. Brown Convention Center. It is Thank you so much again. 112 million people in the United States. Super more football-centric with activities ranging Bowl LI could very well exceed that number. from a mock scouting combine to a virtual And Rice University is making its mark. Students reality experience. Best, and sta have worked hard to contribute to Komal Luthra Houston’s Super Bowl. Internal Vice President While many anticipate a tight game, perhaps nobody is more excited for the Super Bowl than I need to be sure our Rice University Student Association those working for the Houston Super Bowl Host volunteers are where Committee. This committee, constructed over three years ago, started o as a small group of they need to be, can individuals who were given the assignment of constructing and turning Houston into the best communicate well and Super Bowl host city it can possibly be. There are Ready to get started? Great! 40 main directors each assigned a department are well trained. We are excited to work with you. and sta of their own. Former Rice Athletics marketing employee Travis Hornik left Rice almost two years ago to Pax Kaplan-Sherman Send an email to [email protected] accept a role as the coordinator of Super Bowl McMurtry College Junior LIVE, a downtown event for the public. In providing us your: addition to Hornik, many other Rice University alumni, sta and students have been granted Mai Pham, a McMurtry sophomore and opportunities to work for the committee. Each sport management major is another student of these Owls is contributing and planning working for the Super Bowl Host Committee 1. NetID di erent aspects of the Super Bowl experience. but specializes in private events. Like Kaplan- 2. Cell phone number One of these students is Pax Kaplan- Sherman, Pham has been working for the host Sherman, a McMurtry College junior and sports committee since the fall of 2015. She said she 3. Graduation year management major. Sherman said he specializes enjoys her role in the Super Bowl. in volunteer programs and helped to oversee “Private events is a great department to work and organize the nearly 10,000 volunteers who in because I help host events for the sponsors [of signed up to aid in the Super Bowl. the Super Bowl] and prevalent people around We will start matching students “I need to be sure that our volunteers are the game,” Pham said. where they need to be when they need to be Pham said she is also a diehard New with coaches and give you further there, can communicate well and are well England Patriots fan and said she can’t believe trained,” Kaplan-Sherman said. “A lot of 0see SUPER BOWL, page 11 instructions by e-mail. ˜° SPORTS ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ ,  ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ SPORTS ˜˜ 0BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 8 Otto not letting All-American honor effort players like [freshman guard] Chad [Lott] demonstrates energizes our team define his season and makes everybody excited.” With nine games left in the conference Cˆ˝ Bˆ ˘  “He has an above average fastball and said he is thankful but does not give it high season, Rice is anything but complacent. T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ S˜ arguably one of the best curveballs in college importance. Coaches and players alike emphasized baseball,” Graham said. “When he’s throwing “It’s always nice to get individual honors,” treating each game as the last of the year. As a freshman, junior pitcher Glenn Otto strikes, he’s incredibly eective, and most of last Otto said. “I felt like I’ve put in a lot of work to get Evans said his teammates should not take wasn’t sure how much playing time he would get. year, he did throw strikes.” to this point, but at the end of the day, that’s not their newfound success for granted. The Rice baseball team was stacked with talented why I’m playing the game. I’m playing the game to “In our league, any team can catch fire upperclassmen pitchers and Otto wondered if get us back to Omaha and to help my teammates no matter what their record is,” Evans said. he was going to get any innings. However, in an out the best I can.” “We have to be equally prepared for any opening day matchup against the University of If you have a bad day The road to Omaha, the site of the College opponent we face on the floor.” Texas, Austin Longhorns, Otto was called on in World Series, begins on Feb. 17 in Austin when As a coach who dreams of a gritty, relief and struck out the side of the sixth best or a good day, you the Owls take on the Longhorns to open the devoted student fan base, Rhoades is not team in the nation in his collegiate debut to season. The night before, Otto said that he will willing to accept this season’s improved prove his spot among the best in college baseball. always love the game. probably be participating in his only pregame results. Rhoades said his message is Recently named a preseason All-American, Otto ritual: eating pasta. simple: This Owls squad will always play said despite the 3-1 loss to Texas, his frst taste of “I like to always eat a lot of pasta the night with a chip on their shoulder. college baseball is his most memorable moment Glenn Otto before a game,” Otto said. “Big carb load — try to “It is really hard to win on the road as an Owl. Junior Pitcher get some energy for when I’m out there.” no matter who you play,” Rhoades said. “That feeling of being on the feld for the frst A few hours before game time, Otto said “Every team has talented players no matter time at Reckling — I got a taste of what college he will probably be listening to “Hell’s Bells” what their record. We have been a bottom- baseball was all about and how to succeed as a Otto’s eectiveness culminated in the by AC/DC or “Jukebox Hero” by Foreigner, feeder for so long and no team is afraid of pitcher,” Otto said. opportunity to play for Baseball USA’s 2016 preferring country or classic rock over hip us. We have to prove ourselves every time The native Houstonian said his baseball career Collegiate National Team. Team USA went 11-7-1 hop. True to his word, Otto’s walkup song we go out on the court.” began as a toddler when his dad would routinely overall, including 7-7 in international play, which this year is a classic country song: “Fireman” The Owls will have another chance to sit him in a high chair in front of Astros games on included series in Taiwan, Japan and Cuba. by George Strait. According to Otto, he chose prove themselves when they take the court the TV, and continued when he joined T-ball as a Although Otto had a 9.64 ERA in 4.2 innings the song not only because he likes the song, Saturday, Feb. 4 in Denton, Texas against four-year-old. pitched, he said he was very thankful for the but also because it is symbolic of his role on the University of North Texas (6-15). “I have some videos of [my T-ball days] and once-in-a lifetime experience. the team. they were pretty ugly,” Otto said. “Good thing I’ve Otto said that he enjoyed the atmosphere of “In my role that I’m in, I’m honestly trying gotten better since those days.” Cuba the best, a country where he was fortunate to put out as many fres as I can,” Otto said. Last season, Otto threw 71.2 innings and enough to return to as an Owl in late November. “I’m going to be there, try to keep the oense o 0SUPER BOWL recorded a 2.26 ERA while racking up eight “I felt like I really got a complete experience balance, and try to put out whatever fre they try saves and nine wins in a league high 33 relief over there and that’s something I’ll remember to start.” FROM PAGE 9 appearances. According to Otto, the best for the rest of my life,” Otto said. “It’s just nice Otto’s ability to put out the fre will be performance of his life came last season in a 1-0 to know what it’s like over there and how nice instrumental in Rice’s success this year, and Otto her team is coming to Houston to play in the win against University of Texas, San Antonio. we have it over here. We take things for granted. said that regardless of the results, he will keep his Super Bowl. “I came in the seventh inning [and] ended up You get back here and you start to be a lot more head down and continue working. “I can’t believe it’s happening, that my facing 10 batters and striking out eight,” Otto said. thankful for your family, the resources, and all “If you have a bad day or a good day, you boys are coming to Houston,” Pham said. “I threw a lot of strikes and commanded the zone the opportunities you get. I feel that was a huge always love the game,” Otto said. “The bad “And because of the relationship I have had really well. Spot the fastball well and throw o of blessing I was given.” days get you stronger and the good days keep with Robert Kraft, [the owner of the Patriots], I that — I felt like I did that exceptionally well.” Otto, who compares himself to pitcher you humble. Just try to keep it going as long as get to work as the Houston liaison for Mr. Kraft Head coach Wayne Graham said Otto’s Will Harris of the Astros, will look to continue I can and when God tells me it’s time to hang through the NFL’s White Glove program. I get performance last year was strong enough to his stellar performance as a preseason All- ‘em up, then it’s time to hang ’em up. But until to greet him at the stadium.” make him the team’s most valuable player of the American. He is one of only two relief pitchers then, I’ll try to compete with everybody and beat There are numerous other students getting 2016 season. nationwide who received this accolade. Otto everybody I can.” involved in the Super Bowl. Duncan College senior Jeremy Reiskind has worked on websites, social media outlets and marketing for over a year now for the Super Bowl. He reports directly to the vice president of marketing for the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee. McMurtry sophomore Ben Schragger also works for the marketing department while Whatever the Damage, Baker College freshman Taylor Scott is actively involved in two committees: community relations and operations and logistics. We’ll Make Your Car I can’t believe it’s happening, that my boys [the New England Look Like New! Patriots] are coming to Houston. We Are Car Cosmetic Specialists... No One Does It Better!

Mai Pham McMurtry Sophomore

As for the game itself, the National Football Conference champion Atlanta Falcons will be making their second Super Bowl appearance Demo Jr. Costa Demo in franchise history (0-1) while the New Since 1988 Since 1980 Since 1964 England Patriots are making their seventh appearance in just the last 16 years (4-4 all time). The Falcons and their star quarterback Matt Ryan defeated the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers in blowouts in the NFC playos. The Tom Brady and Bill Belichick- led Patriots went through both the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers with the Our Maintenance Program help of a pair of unlikely heroes in Dion Lewis and Chris Hogan to reach the Super Bowl. This improves gas mileage, is the third Super Bowl that the city of Houston has hosted. The frst one was Super Bowl VIII provides longer tire life and on Jan. 13, 1974, played in Rice Stadium. Super Bowl XXXVIII was played at Reliant Stadium reduces engine wear. (now NRG Stadium) on Feb. 1, 2004. Even those who are just casual fans of the sport can get involved in the Super Bowl buzz somehow and someway. Rice will be hosting the Atlanta Falcons for practices this week. Although the practices are closed to Demo’s Automotive Center the public, Rice athletics has installed a new practice feld and set up the locker room to 2438 Tangley at Kelvin in Rice Village welcome the guests. For students, Super Bowl parties are planned yearly in each of the residential colleges. In years past, the 713-526-3781 serveries have cooked up chicken wings, Free Shuttle to Home or Office (some geographic restrictions apply) nachos, burgers and even cakes with intricate Super Bowl logos on them. ˜° BACKPAGE ˜°˛ R˝˙˛ T°ˆ˛ˇ°˛ˆ W˛˘˛ˇ˘, F˛ˆˆ , 

UNOFFICIAL OFFICE OF PEER ACADEMIC ADVISING Health Professions Advising

Pre-Health Timeline Exciting news … the Career Expo is this Friday! But what if you’re not a STEM major? Don’t worry, we’re sure that everything will work out for you one day. Now what if you’re one of the 50 percent of the freshmen class who is pre-med, or the significantly less than 50 percent of the graduating class who is pre-med? What does this mean for you? Nothing. Luckily, we at the Backpage have received firsthand advice from some pre-meds, just like you (or your ambitious freshman year self) that should keep you on track to getting into the med school of your dreams. Or, ya know, at least your backup. First Year Summer Before During the Year • Find Rice students who • Make sure to sign up for di E, multi, orgo, physics and medical humanities in your freshman have been accepted to year. If you haven’t taken these, you’re behind and your PAA failed you. early acceptance medical • Declare your three majors during O-Week. If your PAAs are telling you no, they’re lying to you school programs. Friend because they don’t want you to outcompete them. them on Facebook and ask • Declare two to four minors. The more minors, the more you care. how they got in. • Sign up to volunteer at Texas Children’s Medical Center even though you fucking hate kids. • Volunteer with PAIR for one week and then quit because you don’t care about refugees, but defnitely remember to put that in your resume (even though you quit). • Also, make sure you only research cancer. Because only cancer matters. Also, start a foundation to fund cancer research because only cancer matters. • Start looking up poor African countries you can build wells for. • Buy a shovel. • Take the EMT-Basic class your frst semester freshman year because you’re a tryhard EVEN if they tell you no. Just join anyway. Second Year • Take physics or orgo or • Do a week of PAIR, again. Show that longitudinal commitment to volunteering, even anything relatively dicult though you don’t care at all. over the summer at the • If Dr. Yost didn’t invite you to her wedding, then give up now. University of Houston. • Become president of something. If you’re not president of something, start a new organization and make yourself president. If someone’s already president of something, stage a coup. If the coup is unsuccessful, give up. • If your GPA is not a 4.13 at this point, give up. Third Year • If your friends haven’t given you up already, give them up. They will only distract you at this point. • If you didn’t get a 528 on the MCAT, consider pharmacy because it’s your “safety career” and you’ve always been meh about it. If you don’t know what a 528 is why are you reading this??? / give up now • Ask your family for their most traumatic experiences and try to weave that into your personal statement as if those experiences happened to you. • Do the whole one-week thing with PAIR again. Fourth Year • Your junior year should’ve been your senior year. Why are you still reading this? • If you don’t “add diversity to the incoming class of medical students” list yourself as 1/1024th Blackfoot. • Wish others well when they go on interviews but secretly loathe them because they’re actually more deserving of it than you are but you still think you’re worth it. • You’re already defnitely applying to only M.D./Ph.D programs, but you should also think about applying to law school so you can get that very necessary M.D., Ph.D, J.D., MPH, MBA, M.S. by your name • Write 2 impassioned letters to the editor trashing some Will Rice kids and completely rek his ass • Make sure you write about how those three years/weeks of PAIR really changed your life. • Final word of advice: Lie on your applications, interviews, past experiences, everything. It’s your only hope.

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