VOLUME 104, ISSUE NO. 17 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 2020 VISION baseball seeks a return to glory days read more in our baseball insert, p. 7 - 10

NEWS Pub reopens Concerning the coronavirus: with new Rice suspends sponsored travel to China security measures

BRIAN LIN SENIOR WRITER

To prepare for its reopening this past Monday, Willy’s Pub implemented a camera and ID scanner system at the bar’s entrance. Pub was closed for the first few weeks of the semester following Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission violations in December at the “Last Pub of the Decade” event, according to Frank Rodriguez, board president of Valhalla & Willy’s Permits, which oversees the licenses of Pub and Valhalla. According to a press release by Pub, any further citations from TABC against Pub will likely force Pub to shut down permanently. TABC conducted an investigation of Pub on Dec. 6, the last day Pub was scheduled to open in the fall 2019 semester, and prompted two charges, the first ever made against Pub — one for selling alcohol to a minor and another for permitting a minor Illustration BY chloe Xu to possess or consume alcohol on the premises, according to Rodriguez. RACHEL CARLTON days before, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for “[TABC] gave Willy’s as SENIOR WRITER Systems Science and Engineering. 99.1 percent of the cases have an establishment what they been identified in Mainland China; 11 cases have been confirmed call administrative citations,” Due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, Rice in the United States, none of which are in Texas. Rodriguez said. “We’re still Crisis Management suspended all university-sponsored travel On Jan. 30, the U.S. Department of State, which issues travel waiting for TABC to get back to China by faculty, students and staff on Jan. 29, according to a advisories to help people stay safe while abroad, moved the travel to us and let us know if there universitywide email. The email also stated that there were no advisory for China from a Level 3 to a Level 4: Do Not Travel, the are going to be fines and what confirmed cases at Rice or in Texas at the time. Department’s most severe designation. The Department of State those fines are going to be.” According to Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman, the recently urged U.S. citizens in China to stock up on food and stay The ID scanner, which university has been paying close attention to the evolving situation. home as much as possible. resembles a Rice servery “We’re evaluating what different groups who are really Although there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus at scanner, can skim the magnetic knowledgeable about disease spread and epidemiology in general Rice, about six Rice community members who have traveled to strip on the back of driver’s are saying and it seems like a reasonable precaution [to instate a China in the last 14 days but have not yet developed symptoms licenses and Texas state IDs for travel ban],” Gorman said. are self-isolating, according to Kevin Kirby, the vice president of a person’s age and date of birth, As of Tuesday evening, there were more than 24,000 confirmed administration. None of the six members are students. according to Julia Robinson, a cases of the virus worldwide, an increase from over 800 cases 12 SEE CORONAVIRUS PAGE 2 McMurtry College junior and Pub’s finance manager. “We asked Willy’s after the [TABC investigation] to come up with upgraded procedures ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT that would improve the way we check IDs,” Rodriguez said. “It’s obvious that fake IDs are a Shepherd School professor Robert Simpson talks Grammy win problem here, you know, and people are always trying to IVANKA PEREZ wanted to conduct secular rather Houston Chamber Choir in 1995, waiting to hear [the] name of a game the system.” FEATURES EDITOR than religious choral music — the and Simpson has been the artistic conductor. I was hoping I’d hear Although the ID scanner kind of music he couldn’t perform director ever since. 25 years later, “Ro… Robert,” but what we heard can determine the authenticity Although Billie Eilish may the choir has won its first Grammy. was “Duruflé, Complete Choral of a scanned ID, it cannot have been the star of this year’s How are you doing? Works.” It didn’t register with me identify if someone used Grammy Awards, the ceremony Simpson: I’m doing really well. for a second until my wife next to someone else’s genuine ID was a success for another, more I’m doing Still floating — from the Grammy, me started to scream, “We won! to enter Pub, Robinson said. local musician: Robert Simpson, of course. We won!” And then I came out She said in most cases she a Shepherd School of Music really well. Still What was it like to win a of the fog and the rest was just encounters people using other professor who won Best Choral floating — from Grammy? magical. people’s IDs, rather than fake Performance for his role in the Grammy, of It was surreal […] We were After giving my acceptance IDs, to bypass Pub rules. conducting the Houston Chamber about an hour and a quarter speech, they presented me with “I think the issue is more Choir’s recording of “Duruflé: course. into that ceremony and then all the Grammy that I thought was that people have IDs that aren’t Complete Choral Works.” Robert Simpson of a sudden, here comes “Best our Grammy, but as soon as I got [theirs],” Robinson said. “Like Simpson began his career SHEPHERD SCHOOL PROFESSOR Choral Performance.” They listed offstage, they whisked it out of my an ID of a sibling or a friend that as an organist before slowly [the nominees] on the screen hands. I looked heartbroken, [but might be a legitimate ID. And I transitioning to choral conducting. in the cathedral. After discovering and announced according to someone] said, “Oh, you don’t think those are mainly the ones After moving from Atlanta to work a team of talented singers, the conductor, so there was that want this one. This is just a prop.” I’ve seen that I’m like, I won’t at the Episcopal Church cathedral Simpson and his wife Marianna moment when [they say,] “And accept this.” in Houston, he found that he Parnas-Simpson founded the the Grammy goes to …” and I was SEE GRAMMY PAGE 13 SEE PUB PAGE 2 2 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS FROM PAGE 1 21 purchase drinks and discreetly hand them off, according to Duffus. PUB “Historically if we see people who were underage drinking here, we just Pub staffers will continue to counteract reprimand them a little bit and take their this form of fraud by comparing the drink,” Duffus said. “But [now] we’re not photograph on the ID to the person comfortable having people in the bar carrying it and being familiar with the who we don’t think are working in our clientele, according to Robinson. interests, and we’ll just make them leave.” Pub also repurposed an existing Rice Pub has also revised their back door Memorial Center security camera to security to ensure no alcohol is brought capture the faces of people entering the out of the bar into the alcohol-free RMC, bar, according to Rodriguez. The line into according to Robinson. During the last the bar will now wind around a table at few weeks of the fall 2018 semester, Pub the entrance so that customers entering was shut down over reports of alcohol Channing Wang / Thresher Pub staffers will now use an ID scanner to verify the validity of presented IDs. These changes the bar will briefly face the RMC camera, found in an RMC conference room, which follow Pub’s being found in violation of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s policies. Rodriguez said. violated the Rice Alcohol Policy. “We wouldn’t pull it for any other “The back door [security] has to open In the past, Pub staffers would draw an TABC violations. In Pub’s press release, reason other than if TABC questioned us or the door for people leaving to make X on the hands of minors using Sharpie staffers urge students to refrain from wanted to see data of a certain person that sure that there aren’t people leaving marker before they could enter Pub, drinking underage in Pub, handing off was charged with underaged drinking,” with drinks because that’s a problem,” Duffus said. drinks to minors or presenting staff with Rodriguez said. “And Rice might ask for Robinson said. “The RMC’s dry. Whereas “The Sharpie was really easy to rub fake IDs. information on that as well.” we’re allowed to have alcohol here, off, and people would trade wristbands,” “If being closed for three weeks at Although minors are permitted inside there’s not allowed to be any alcohol [in Duffus said. “Now with the two wristband the beginning of the semester is the Pub, they are barred from ordering the RMC].” system, I think it’s going to be easier for difference between us being open after alcohol, according to Emily Duffus, a Pub will also require those over 21 to us to make sure everyone in the bar has a that or us being closed, literally, forever,” McMurtry junior and the general manager wear one color of snap-on wristbands and wristband identifying their age.” Robinson said, “I think we’re all willing of Pub. Minors have been able to skirt those underage to wear wristbands of a Robinson said she hopes students will to be closed the first three weeks of the this restriction by having someone over different color, according to Robinson. cooperate with Pub to prevent further semester to figure it out.”

CORONAVIRUS FROM PAGE 1 “We don’t know how much serious this disease can get, which can potentially lead Kirby said it is uncertain whether to more aggressive, negative responses,” university measures, such as the travel Sun said. “Some students may have been suspension and advised self-isolation, will targets of such racism remarks and feel be increased. victimized [or] helpless.” “It could be quite different a week from President David Leebron will send out N THE now,” Kirby said. “At the moment, we don’t a message on the matter later this week, RADAR anticipate any changes, but we don’t know.” according to Kirby. If there is a serious escalation in the Gorman said that no magisters have number of confirmed cases within the U.S. reached out to her about this particular and the significant presence of the virus in issue. Gorman added that there is no Houston and at Rice, the university would reason for xenophobic behavior, and Power Women Panel be further affected, according to Kirby. that it is important to pay attention to February 6 @ 6 p.m. // Farnsworth Pavillion “It’d have a dramatic effect on the specifics of what is known about the everything we do,” Kirby said. “Not just disease. Rice’s American Association of University Women will host a panel admissions, but everything [such as] study Erykah Pedro said she was planning of five women who are leaders in their fields to discuss their career abroad, people being able to come here, on applying to a study abroad program paths and their passion for women empowerment. The panel graduate students being able to come here in China, but that her best option now is members include Mana Yegani, immigration attorney, Rose Mary for interviews, our ability to do research to apply to the program in an alternate Salum, founder of an award-winning bilingual journal and publishing collaborations in other countries.” location or for a different term. house and Karen Lu, the head of the gynecological oncology and Some students, like Jiayi Sun, have “Rice still isn’t sponsoring China reproductive medicine department at MD Anderson Cancer Center. family in China to worry about. Sun, programs, so if I send in my application I’ll The event is free and will provide Thai food. who was born in Wuhan, the city at the probably still not be able to go,” Pedro, a epicenter of the outbreak, said her entire Jones College sophomore, said. family is from the region. At the moment, there are no Rice “My parents were in contact with my students participating in the Center extended family and friends who are still for Civic Leadership’s international SpoCo commits crimes against hilarity in Wuhan and I hear about how they live programs in China, according to Fatima February 7 @ 7:15 p.m. // Herring 100 everyday in fear and isolation, which is so Raza, assistant director of programs and heartbreaking, especially when there are partnerships. The Department of State Spontaneous Combustion, Rice’s only improv comedy group, will host people who are using this situation as an travel advisory has also affected the their first show of the semester this Friday. The event is a criminally- opportunity to be racist and spread rumors future circumstances of various programs, themed show “that’ll surely go down on our permanent records.” It is about my birth town and China in general,” including the Fulbright scholarships, the free and open to the public. Sun, a Lovett College senior, said. Wagoner Fellowship and the Loewenstern TIME magazine recently reported on Fellowship, Raza said. increasing concerns of xenophobia and “We’re trying to work with the students hateful rhetoric directed towards those of to see if they’re able to come up with an Asian descent. alternative regional location to do the How to make a crossword workshop Sun, who is the president of Asian programming since we do have to abide by February 9 @ 1 p.m. // Thresher Office Pacific American Student Alliance, said State Department travel advisories,” Raza her club plans to host a discussion about said. “Student safety is really our number Come learn how to write your own crosswords from the Thresher’s xenophobia and stereotyping. one priority in terms of our international “I’ve heard people [say to] avoid programming.” two experts and regular puzzle-makers, Sam Rossum and Grant Lu, at Chinatown because ‘it’s dirty & disease- According to Caroline Levander, the vice the Thresher’s first crossword workshop this Sunday. The workshop filled,’” Sun said. “I understand why president for global and digital strategy, is a good opportunity, whether you’re interested in taking over their people are fearful because this is a limited travel to China or possibly other roles next year or just want some insider tips on solving puzzles dangerous virus, but don’t fear and blame countries affected by the virus will not faster. This event is free and open to the public and will serve tacos an entire race.” have a long-term effect on Rice’s ambitions and coffee. According to Kirby, the administration for international engagement. received reports of some cases of similarly “I think it’s important to remember that xenophobic behavior in the campus [a travel ban] doesn’t stop our faculty from community. Kirby did not comment on the collaborating through remote means, or nature of the incidents, but said that they our students,” Levander said. “Our ability Civic Data and Tech Careers Panel were very few in number. to be wise and thoughtful and respectful of February 5 @ 3 p.m. // Miner Lounge “We take [those cases] very seriously,” all of our members [is] very important in Kirby said. “There’s no place at Rice for these times. We all need to treat each other This panel will engage professionals who use technology and data that kind of behavior. So when we find out with great compassion and respect.” in a variety of ways to impact our communities. Panelists have used about it, [the leaders of the university] take Editor-in-Chief Christina Tan contributed or created civic technology to support social service delivery and to action.” to this report. increase citizen engagement and empowerment. Sun said she thinks Rice should make a Editor’s Note: The Thresher plans to statement against racism and xenophobia publish an in-depth feature on campus-wide in support for Asian students at Rice, in reactions to coronavirus in the upcoming particular international students. month. INFOGRAPHIC BY dan Helmeci and Anna ta NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 • 3 Women’s Resource Center offers pregnancy tests HAJERA NAVEED THRESHER STAFF

The Rice Women’s Resource Center began offering free pregnancy tests last week to all students. These tests are located in the center in the Rice Memorial Center, alongside other previously- offered resources like condoms, tampons and pads. RWRC Directors Jane Clinger, Jannie Matar and Reagan Borick said they hoped to give students the opportunity to get pregnancy tests at a central location on campus, and provide them for free for those who can not afford it. The center offers two different types of tests, a strip test and a digital test, both of which Channing wang / Thresher claim to be about 99% accurate. Home The Rice Women’s Resource Center began offering free pregnancy tests last week. The tests include both strip and digital forms: The digital tests, pregnancy tests typically cost between which are specifically meant for early detection of pregnancy, are available upon request, while the strip tests are laid out along with other supplies. $1 and $20 over the counter, according to verywellfamily.com. The pregnancy tests came out of the resource center’s pre- doctor, according to Student Health. The the resource. According to Matar, the Rice Village to get a pregnancy test and existing budget. center offers urine tests, similar to the pregnancy tests seem popular because also ended up spending half my monthly The digital tests, which are used ones offered by the RWRC, along with they continue to run out and are restocked budget on a pregnancy test.” strictly for early detection of pregnancy, blood tests. multiple times a week. The senior also expressed the need to are kept behind the desk and available “Regardless of how difficult it is to One senior said a discreet and have pregnancy tests readily available, upon request, while the strip tests get a test at the health center, it would convenient way to get pregnancy tests due to the limited family planning options are available to grab along with other hopefully be more convenient for would have helped them during their in Texas, which limits options for those supplies, according to Matar. Clinger said [students] to get the test at the women’s freshman year. (Editor’s note: This who do not find out that they are pregnant she recommends using the strip test first resource center,” Clinger said. student’s identity has been anonymized early enough. Texas law bans abortions and then double checking with the digital Clinger also said she believes that to protect them from possible familial after 20 weeks post-fertilization, and test if the strip test reads positive. having the tests available at the center repercussions). requires abortions after 16 weeks to be The Rice Student Health Services will grant students greater anonymity. “My freshman year, I didn’t really have performed at a surgical center or hospital. Office already offers free pregnancy Without the resource center, to get a a constant birth control form and I have MaeLea Williams, a RWRC volunteer, tests, but Clinger said she believes the pregnancy test students have to make a very religious family, so talking to them said that the cost of pregnancy tests can RWRC is a more convenient location for an appointment with the health center about buying a pregnancy test if I was be a burden on students. students to get these tests as they are or walk over to local pharmacies which concerned didn’t seem like an option,” “I am really glad that the resource open for longer hours and are centrally could make it more difficult for them to they said. “It was late one night during center is providing these tests for free,” located on campus. remain secret, if that is what they desire. my first semester here when I realized I Williams, a Sid Richardson College To obtain a pregnancy test from After a week of offering the tests, the had not gotten my period. I was really freshman, said. “Some people are Student Health, students must schedule center’s directors have said that many scared, because obviously I was not trying reluctant to buy the tests because of how an appointment and come in to see the people have been taking advantage of to get pregnant. I had to walk through expensive they are.” Y2K keeps students waiting RISHAB RAMAPRIYAN message to a McMurtry GroupMe, of which NEWS EDITOR the Thresher obtained a screenshot. “The rumor going around that we oversold for Y2K Students expressed frustration over hour- is 100 percent not true,” Chen, a senior, wrote. long wait times for McMurtry College’s annual “[Our] externals ran models ... and capped Y2K-themed public party, held on Feb. 1. ticket sales so that everyone can get in, but if Following unsafe line conditions that led to a everyone tries to ‘beat the line’ and all show student being hospitalized and Rice University up at 10 p.m., I can guarantee you that we’ll Police Department shutting down the party get shut down [like] last year.” last year, the organizers implemented a new The Murts declined to release data about wristband system for Saturday’s public. Some the number of wristbands sold and answer students, however, still reported wait times questions about the “models” used, upon exceeding two hours, deterring them from multiple requests by the Thresher. They said staying in line to enter the public. that the total number of available wristbands McMurtry external socials sold was determined by taking into account data wristbands for $2 during the week leading from other popular public flows, and that the up to the party to limit the number of socials also consulted RUPD, the Office of Risk attendees, according to a statement to the Management and the McMurtry adult team. Thresher from McMurtry President Joyce “There is a line at every popular public, Chen on behalf of all the external socials and we cannot control when people come or Summer Tuition and Chief Justice Augi Liebster. how long they stay,” they said. “With [the party’s] history in mind, we Snow was also a two-time organizer for decided to limit the number of possible Architectronica, the public party put on by Access Grant attendees via a wristband system,” they said the School of Architecture. After a shutdown in their statement. “Ticketing this year for $2 of the 2017 party due to unsafe line conditions, allowed us to hire extra RUPD officers and Snow and the organizers implemented a paid cap the number of people who can attend wristband system for the 2018 party and the public.” moved to QR code tickets via OwlNest for the Degree-seeking Rice undergraduates who qualify for Jared Snow, a Will Rice College sophomore, 2019 party. need-based aid during the academic year are said he arrived at the Y2K line at 10:45 p.m. and “For Architectronica, which is an event eligible to receive a need-based grant to was told at 11:30 p.m. by a security volunteer run in a very similar way insofar as ticketing, that he would have to wait two more hours. we only sold 25 percent over the fire code participate in summer study abroad programs “I gave up because I didn’t pay $2 to capacity of our space, and we never had a line through the Rice Study Abroad Office! wait for almost 3 hours in the cold, only to outside for more than a few minutes at a time get 30 minutes of party,” Snow said. “I was when large groups arrived and had to check disappointed when I showed up to Y2K, and it in on OwlNest,” Snow said. “I think it was appeared that they had very similar problems unwise of Y2K to sell ticket numbers clearly with capacity and line overcrowding that they much more over their capacity, knowing the did last year.” reputation that Y2K has as an event that one Doubting the possibility of a refund, Snow must arrive early to.” said he ended up returning to the party at Zain Imam said that he and his friends 12:30 a.m. and was able to get into the party arrived around midnight, but decided to at 1:15 a.m. According to Chen, everyone with leave after estimating upwards of a ninety- a wristband who waited in line got into the minute wait. public and the line was empty by 1:17 a.m. “I felt simply scammed,” Imam, a Grants awarded in the amount of up to $3000 or 50% summer program The Murts said the external social chairs Duncan College junior, said. “I was tuition (whichever amount is smaller). Limited to 15 eligible students. sold more tickets than the capacity of the looking forward to enjoying a night with McMurtry commons since they assumed my friends, but unfortunately, our hopes Interested students should consult a study abroad advisor. people would “stream in and out” during were dashed by the poor handling of Apply by March 5th—early planning encouraged. the four-hour event. Following rumors about Y2K. Why have wristbands if you cannot the overselling of wristbands, Chen sent a accommodate everyone?” 4 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 NEWS Ion Community Benefits Agreement shifts to City of Houston Oct. 2017 Feb. 2019 Oct. 2019 Jan. 27, 2020 Feb. 3, 2020 Rice Students HCEDD officially SA introduces SR#8 is Management begin to forms, asks for SR#8, in support reintroduced, Company buys organize over CBA, has first of the goal to get and HCEDD is out Sears’ concerns meeting. RMC to enter CBA replaced with land lease in about with HCEDD. RMC City of Houston. Midtown. gentrification. advises against Voting on SR#8 is SR#8. postponed.

April 2018 July 2019 Jan. 20, 2020 Jan. 29, 2020 RMC decides Turner, RMC, and Student Coalition Mayor Sylvester Turner tells to pursue Ion Student Coalition writes letter to Grace Wickerson he has Building and are present at the RMC and Board appointed Chief Development Innovation groundbreaking of Trustees Officer Andy Icken to District Project. ceremony. demanding that negotiate a CBA between City they enter a CBA of Houston and RMC. with HCEDD. Timeline of Innovation District CBA advocacy INFOGRAPHIC BY dan Helmeci

RYND MORGAN the SA Senate resolution urging them Management Company does not recognize SA can create a task force to work with the ASST NEWS EDITOR to enter into a CBA with the HCEDD. the HCEDD as a signatory party in the company while advocating for the HCEDD, Since Turner made the announcement in community benefits agreement. according to Wickerson. The ongoing fight for a community support of a CBA with the City of Houston, Turner has appointed Andy Icken, chief “They could no longer work with us [if benefits agreement between Houston President David Leebron has committed development officer for the City of Houston, we supported the HCEDD as a signatory community members and Rice Management Rice to entering a CBA with the City of to enter negotiations with Rice Management party] because we’ve chosen our side, per Company for the Innovation District project Houston, according to the new resolution. Company. In a statement to the Thresher, se, and that means the door is now closed to continued on Monday, with a Student Icken said that the city’s interest is focused on pursue future negotiation with a more open Association proposal to change language in ensuring that the benefits of the Ion project clause about who can be the signatory,” their resolution supporting the CBA — the are widely shared across our community. Wickerson said. proposal was tabled after heated discussion. “For the past four years, the city has been Duncan College SA Senator Divine Webber The SA Senate proposal, which would shift I feel like it says more engaged in an effort to enhance underserved said that if the Rice administration wants SA support from community members to about administration if communities across the city,” Icken wrote feedback from students, they do not have a the City of Houston, would be a potential us supporting the com- in the statement to the Thresher. “We will choice but to work with the SA, regardless of blow to the community members who engage them and other citizen-led efforts as whether or not the SA supports the HCEDD as form the Houston Coalition for Equitable munity causes them to we proceed on this effort.” a signatory party. Development without Displacement. not want to work with us At the SA Senate meeting on Feb. 3, “I feel like it says more about The changes to Senate Resolution #8 anymore. Wickerson and resolution writer Mary administration if us supporting the are in response Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Claire Neal discussed the changes to the community causes them to not want to work email to SA President Grace Wickerson on Divine Webber resolution. One significant change is that with us anymore,” Webber, a sophomore, Jan. 29 stating that he has instructed the while the resolution no longer recognizes said. “We’re the group on campus that is city’s chief development officer to negotiate DUNCAN COLLEGE SA SENATOR the HCEDD as a signatory party, it does made up of everyone from all the residential a community benefits agreement with Rice ask that the HCEDD is represented in the colleges, elected representatives, who are Management Company, according to a A coalition such as HCEDD can propose negotiation process. they going to work with if not with us? I feel Houston Chronicle article. additional stipulations to a CBA during “My goal is to preserve [the] legitimacy like that is a very thin threat to place on us.” A community benefits agreement, the negotiation process, whereas the City of HCEDD as a negotiating party,” Neal, Neal said she has more confidence in the or CBA, is a legally binding, enforceable of Houston would be restricted in the a Jones College junior, said. “I feel super City of Houston than with Rice to accept the agreement that calls for a range of benefits stipulations they can ask for, according to weird that we’re almost being forced to not HCEDD as a legitimate coalition. to the local community to be produced by the Assata Richards, a member of HCEDD. recognize the legitimacy of the [HCEDD], “Obviously Rice has kind of eliminated development project. “As an SA, saying that we support a even though we as a student body, that’s that, but I don’t think the city can eliminate The email from Turner follows Rice CBA between Houston/[Rice Management what we care about.” that because of their responsibility to their Management Company’s visit to the Company] is saying that we support taking The changes to the resolution are constituents,” Neal said. Jan. 27 SA Senate meeting, in which power away from HCEDD,” Jones College SA also motivated by a desire to maintain The SA will be hosting a town hall meeting representatives from Rice Management Senator Drew Carter said. a relationship with Rice Management on Thursday, Feb. 6 to continue discussing Company stated that they did not support According to Wickerson, Rice Company and the administration so that the the resolution.

Wiess College announces application process for the 2020 John E. Parish Fellowship Recipients will receive support for approximately two months of travel during the summer of 2020. The purpose of the fellowship is to enhance the undergraduate education of the fellow by broadening the range of experience via self-directed travel.

Application information can be found at parish.rice.edu. The deadline for submission of application materials is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020.

Dynamic and Energetic Teachers wanted. Pay rate is $24 to $38 per hour. We provide all training. Email your resume to [email protected] NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 • 5 Rice hires ambulances for weekend nights

CHRISTINE ZHAO sometimes we get both of those things, so FOR THE THRESHER it can take 10-15 minutes to arrive. Having [HCEC] here means that we don’t have to go Following concerns that the university through those additional steps and we can was putting a strain on Houston’s resources, transport faster.” beginning this spring semester, the Harris Although HFD does experience County Emergency Corp will be hired for systemwide lags behind the National a trial period as the campus’s ambulance Fire Protection’s standards, six minutes service from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. every Friday and average versus the five minutes standard, Saturday night. the department is still performing better Channing Wang / Thresher than the national average response Rice University Police Department police Rice University has hired the Harris County Emergency Corps to provide transport services on chief Clemente Rodriguez said that although Friday and Saturday nights. Rice Emergency Medical Services (shown above) does not transport. time for ambulances of eight minutes, there hasn’t been an abnormal uptick in call according to Houston Channel 2 News and volume, these periods are typically busier for Turns out they won’t cover everything.” trends, but the weekends and evenings tend Reuters. The response centers closest to the city as well. Justin* ended up paying $300 after to be busy for us, with things like Powderpuff Rice’s campus hover around six minutes For the Rice campus and visitors, HCEC insurance for a $2000 ambulance bill. Justin* injuries or sporting events that come to average response time. transports will cost the same as normal said he is grateful and satisfied with the campus,” Basgall said. Statistics from the REMS website show transports, and ambulances are hired at an medical care they received but believes a REMS and RUPD communicated with the that the most common REMS call types are undisclosed rate according to Rodriguez and short trip to the Medical Center didn’t merit Office of the Dean of Undergraduates, Rice related to orthopedic injuries and alcohol Rice Emergency Medical Services director the cost. Student Health Services Office and the Office incidents. The Thresher reached out to Dr. Lisa Basgall. The Houston Chronicle reports “I think the ambulance helped but I of the Vice President over the course of six Jessica McKelvey, director of Rice Student that the base cost for Houston ambulance feel like someone else could’ve driven me months to introduce this program. According Health, for comment on whether decreasing transports increased 70 percent in 2019 to across the street and I wouldn’t have had to Basgall, this decision was primarily made response times through HCEC would have an $1,876.40 plus $14.36 per mile. Rice University to spend $2000,” Justin* said. “I was not to reduce ambulance response times and impact on common REMS calls but McKelvey student insurance covers 75 percent of really [worried about it] because my parents strain on the Houston Fire Department’s could not be reached by time of publication. ambulance transport costs, according to were the ones who paid for it and so they resources, though HFD raised no complaints, When Will Rice junior Priscilla Huh got the Rice Aetna portal, but Basgall said that were more worried about me than they were according to Rodriguez. concussed last year and twisted her ankle on typical insurance coverage varies widely. worried about the money. But for someone The Thresher reached out to Basgall Jan. 26, she opted to have her friend drive her Although Justin* doesn’t recall many who would be impacted more, they would for anonymized data on the variation of to the emergency room for several reasons: details from the night of their ambulance pay for an ambulance ride they didn’t even transport volumes throughout a week, but She said she believed her injuries weren’t transport, they remember receiving help from want to have.” Basgall declined to provide that information time sensitive. She knew that ambulances emergency staff and arriving at Memorial REMS, the campus’s first responder on grounds of patient privacy. The REMS were expensive and appreciated the comfort Hermann Hospital in around 5 minutes. agency, does not provide ambulance homepage reports that throughout the 2018- of having a companion nearby. (Editor’s Note: The Thresher has granted transports to the hospital as part of 2019 academic year, HFD transported 93 Most of REMS calls ending in transport, this student anonymity because of the legal their medical care. The organization has of the 650 REMS calls. The goal of having a 162 of the 262 last year, involved transport to implications of their comments related to an frequently utilized HCEC ambulances as a readily available ambulance service, Basgall the ER in a privately owned vehicle rather underage drinking incident.) supplementary transport service for special said, is to streamline the process from than ambulance, according to the REMS “I remember snippets of people trying to events such as commencement, publics emergency call to the hospital. website. help me, throwing up a little, EMS was there, and sporting events for the past 10 years, “Here on campus, REMS is the first “Unless there’s a huge spike in injuries and I was lying on the ground so out of it,” but this semester will be the first time that responder, so we’ve already sifted out which or transport needs, I don’t think people are Justin* said. “I wasn’t really thinking about HCEC’s transport services will be hired on a patients don’t need transport to the hospital,” going to choose to take the ambulance,” Huh the cost at that point, I just wasn’t feeling too weekly basis. Basgall said. “If we call 911 and say we need said. “At the ER, a lot of times you have to be good. They just took my insurance card and I “There hasn’t been a change in our an ambulance to come, sometimes we get fire there for a long time. Having someone to talk was like oh, insurance will cover everything. call volume, we’re not seeing any different apparatus, sometimes we get ambulances, to and be there with you is comforting.” 6 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 THE RICE THRESHER OPINION OPINION A call to remember what the SA is for STAFF EDITORIAL We, as active participants in the As we make this critique, we student governance provides students Y2K sets danger- Student Association Senate, feel that the recognize our own participation in with that opportunity. SA is currently operating by a top-down this cycle, and we must note that our The role of the SA Senate is broad, but ous precedent model, with the chain of communication student leaders and administrators we should not be afraid to let a lack of beginning with Rice administration do their best and truly care. We view specificity stop us from representing the Saturday night, hundreds of Rice and ending with the students. But the the erosion of student autonomy as a student body. Our mission as a senate students paid $2 to stand in line for one of intent of an organization like the SA process that has occurred slowly over is to listen to the 4,000 voices of the the most popular publics of the year, Y2K, should be the opposite. It’s not meant to time. As a byproduct, the 2019-2020 Student Association, and this term the with some waiting over two hours only be a conduit through which university SA Senate has grappled with how to students have made their voices clear: to not get in. Despite claiming that they administrators impose their opinions respond to campus events and a sense of They want big statements calling for based the number of wristband sales on and projects. We have lost a sense of uncertainty permeates each discussion action. We have set the stage for more statistical “models” that would allow entry student agency in the SA Senate, and this about how to make statements on behalf and now it is time to act. It is time for the to everyone, McMurtry College refused to is a dangerous path for the SA to continue of the student body. We suspect that SA to adapt, listen to the students and release this data publicly, leaving the logic on. The SA is 4,000 students, not just a the underlying cause of this sentiment our peers, take charge and make real and intent behind this new system unclear. few elected college representatives and is a fear of angering administration. It changes on campus. We implore future Additionally, the conflicting explanations an executive team. The SA Senate is made is important for our Rice community voting members to take to heart their given by various McMurtry student leaders up of a system of delegates for the sole to recognize and acknowledge that we role as conduits of student opinion, and have muddled the situation rather than reason of representing the student body, have lost sight of the intended purpose we ask that our fellow Rice students be clarified it. so let’s use them and listen to them. of the SA and now it is time to stop, active in conveying their opinions to their After last year’s crowded line fiasco, it Throughout previous and current reflect and change. representatives. To administrators, we makes sense that this year’s socials decided terms we have seen the erosion of The SA Senate should be able to ask that you understand and respect that to sell a limited amount of wristbands student autonomy. For example, in convey student opinion without being the SA, through its various projects and to ensure a smooth entry process while 2016, the imposition of an 18-credit delegitimized and without the fear resolutions, is attempting to reflect our respecting the limitations of the space. hour cap on undergraduates provoked that future student leaders will be views as students. Our message is clear: However, by not limiting wristband sales to a student outrage and protest. In the punished as a result of our expression We as students deserve an SA Senate reasonable amount, the socials were not only decision to build an inflatable dome, and validation of student beliefs. that can freely express opinions to the unable to fix the issue but also effectively while student opinions were collected, Our opinions are not meant to be in administration. Once Rice can develop took hundreds of dollars from students who the process was rushed and resulted perfect agreement with those of the a true system of shared governance, we were still denied entry. Simply distributing in miscommunications between the administration. We all come from can achieve a relationship founded on a controlled number of free wristbands, administration and students. We have unique backgrounds and have different trust and collaboration between the SA as suggested by McMurtry student leaders seen more restrictions placed on student perspectives on Rice issues, so it makes and Rice Administration. after last year’s fiasco, would have had events and traditions. Now, with the sense that we will develop differing Ariana Engles served as SA President the same effect of limiting entry without upcoming development of the Ion, the views. So please, Rice administration during the 2018 - 2019 year. Ashley risking the shameful result that transpired. Rice Management Company is warning and Rice Management Company, let us Fitzpatrick is the Martel College SA Furthermore, purchasing a ticket simply for the SA Senate that if we support a express those views, without threats senator. a spot in line is unprecedented for any Rice Community Benefits Agreement with a and manipulation, and listen to them public. Purchasing a wristband for Night of coalition such as the Houston Coalition from a place of respect. We coexist at Decadence or Architectronica, the only other for Equitable Development without Rice, and our ideas and opinions should publics that have charged for entry, has Displacement, a group representing be allowed to coexist as well. If Rice is ARIANA ENGLES always resulted in guaranteed admission. Houston’s Third Ward, it would truly a place where diverse ideas and & ASHLEY McMurtry social chairs should have delegitimize the voice of the SA Senate, perspectives are celebrated, then the FITZPATRICK clarified what students were paying for and and as a result the entire SA, both SA Senate should be able to present LOVETT COLLEGE they still need to clarify where that money for this project and in the future. It is those ideas to our administration and SENIOR & is now. NOD and Architectronica organizers unfair of administrators to attempt to have them be recognized as valid and MARTEL COLLEGE have publicly discussed their ticket numbers SOPHOMORE manipulate student opinion through truthful. We come to Rice to learn how and have provided reasoning for sales: implied threats. to critically think about the world, and NOD needs higher level security, and Architectronica does not have a budget from the School of Architecture. That being said, ticketed publics in general point to a developing issue of ASK THE STAFF selling entry to publics which are supposed to be open to the whole student body. While the $2 price makes Y2K the cheapest What/who is your valentine? ticketed public of the year, it’s a dangerous precedent to set, especially if tickets do not guarantee entry. A widening attendance “The fans in the Rice Memorial Center” divide between “good” and “bad” publics should not necessitate ticket sales at the – Elizabeth Hergert, Opinion Editor “good” ones. Instead, college governments should work together with the Rice “One of the triplets Rice did a senior spotlight on last year, but I mix up which one” University Police Department to make these – Simona Matovic, Backpage Editor events financially accessible — either by subsidizing extra police costs, using quotas “Anyone who guest swipes me. Find me at Baker Kitchen and it could be you ;)” or lotteries that don’t require financial buy- in or even encouraging colleges to join – Ella Feldman, Features Editor together and pool resources for joint publics. With three public parties now charging for “The Thresher crosswords” tickets, and Y2K ostensibly charging for just a spot in line, it’s time for a conversation – Henry Baring, Video Staffer about the future of public parties.

STAFF Christina Tan* Editor-in-Chief SPORTS DESIGN Anna Ta* Managing Editor Michael Byrnes Editor Tina Liu* Director The Rice Thresher, the official First copy is free. Each additional Madison Buzzard* Editor Dalia Gulca A&E Designer student newspaper at Rice copy is $5. NEWS Joseph Hsu Features Designer University since 1916, is published Rishab Ramapriyan* Editor BACKPAGE Katherine Hui Sports Designer each Wednesday during the school Editorial and business offices are Amy Qin* Editor Simona Matovic* Editor & Designer Anna Chung Ops Designer year, except during examination located on the second floor of the Rynd Morgan Asst. Editor Dan Helmeci News Designer periods and holidays, by the Ley Student Center: Savannah Kuchar Asst. Editor PHOTO Yifei Zhang Illustrator students of Rice University. 6100 Main St., MS-524 Channing Wang Editor Chloe Xu Illustrator Houston, TX 77005-1892 FEATURES Letters to the Editor must be Phone (713) 348-4801 Ivanka Perez* Editor COPY BUSINESS OPERATIONS Ella Feldman* Editor Vi Burgess Editor Karoline Sun Business Manager received by 5 p.m. the Friday Email: [email protected] Bhavya Gopinath Editor Lindsay Josephs Advertising Manager prior to publication and must be Website: www.ricethresher.org ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Phillip Jaffe Editor Mai Ton Social Media/Marketing signed, including college and year Katelyn Landry* Editor & Designer Manager if the writer is a Rice student. The ONLINE Jackson Stiles Distribution Thresher reserves the rights to edit The Thresher is a member of the OPINIONS Ryan Green Web Editor Manager letters for content and length and ACP, TIPA, CMA and CMBAM. Elizabeth Hergert* Editor Priyansh Lunia Video Editor Sarah Herring Office Manager to place letters on its website. © Copyright 2020 *Editorial Board member section designed by katherine hui PROJECTED PLAYER POSITIONS

CATCHER FIRST BASE SECOND BASE SHORTSTOP THIRD BASE Justin Collins Austin Bulman Cade Edwards Trei Cruz Braden Comeaux junior junior senior junior senior

.260 .381 .308 .305 .299 AVG AVG AVG AVG AVG 32 34 38 44 19 RBI RBI RBI RBI RBI 7 8 6 9 3 HR HR HR HR HR

* junior college stats

ALL HEADSHOTS COURTESY OF Rice athletics Owls look for improvement over last season MICHAEL BYRNES Edwards, Rice must improve in late-game “We did lose a guy in Andrew Dunlap who we’re excited to see what he can do.” SPORTS EDITOR situations to make a leap this season. was very pivotal to our offensive success last According to DeLeon, the Owls’ coaches “We were ahead in a lot of games late in year,” Edwards said. “But we’ve got plenty of have focused on pitch location and getting Last year marked a brave new step into the game that we ended up losing,” Edwards [new] guys to fill in those gaps that we may ahead in the count during offseason practices. an uncharted world for the Rice baseball said. “And that’ll change a whole season from have lost last year … We’ve gained more than “[Assistant coach Cory Barton] is having team. After 27 years, 23 NCAA Tournament success to failure. That’s probably, looking we’ve lost, I think.” us really work on locating fastballs, more appearances and one national championship back, the toughest thing we didn’t do right last The Owls’ top-end starting pitching was a specifically early in the count so you can get all under the steady stewardship of Wayne year which we’re hoping to correct this year.” bright spot for last year’s team. Then-junior ahead,” DeLeon said. “After the first couple Graham, Rice opted to part ways with the only Rice’s lineup depth was another major Matt Canterino and then-senior Evan Kravetz fastballs you can work off whatever you want; coach they’d ever achieved success under. issue. The top of the order was strong, with five combined for a 3.00 ERA and 229 strikeouts in you control their at-bat rather than falling But 2018, Graham’s final season, was a far cry starters hitting over .290: Edwards, Comeaux, 180 innings. But Rice lost both pitchers in the behind to the hitter.” from the sustained success that characterized current junior shortstop Trei Cruz, current 2019 MLB Draft. According to Bragga, filling To help with both hitting and pitching, the his tenure as Rice’s head coach. The Owls senior outfielder Bradley Gneiting and then- their roles will be tough. Owls invested heavily in technology during struggled to a 26-31-2 finish, missing the NCAA senior designated hitter Andrew Dunlap. “It’s going to be difficult; [they’re] hard to the offseason. This year, Rice has installed a Tournament for the first time since 1994. However, the rest of Rice’s batters posted a replace,” Bragga said. “[But] we’ve got what I virtual reality headset in the visitors’ locker Enter head coach Matt Bragga. Fresh dismal .209 combined batting average, failing feel is a pretty good core in terms of guys that room that allows Owl hitters to visualize off a 52-10 season piloting the controls at to provide the offensive spark necessary to are gonna get out there and perform.” themselves at the plate against opposing Tennessee Tech University, Bragga arrived support the top of the lineup. But Bragga said According to Bragga, junior pitchers. Bragga said the VR headset will be at Rice with experience, exuberance and one of the Owls’ major weaknesses last year Alex DeLeon, a transfer from McLennan hugely beneficial to Rice’s scouting. confidence that the Owls were going to turn could become an asset Community College, “[If] we’re going to play [the University of things around. this season. is poised to be Rice’s Texas, Austin], you can face Texas’s Friday So, how did Rice do in 2019? Well, the Owls “We actually have number one starter night guy,” Bragga said. “[You can work struggled to a 26-33 record, missing the NCAA some [depth this This season I think we’ve this year. Junior Kel on] getting his release point, being able to Tournament for the second time in two years. season], so that’s a Bordwine, who made recognize pitches, [working] on your two- Rather than getting better, one could argue good thing,” Bragga meshed and [we] have nine starts last season, strike hitting, all those different concepts.” that Rice got even worse. said. “I think that more team chemistry will most likely feature Rice has also installed new hitting The Owls’ shakiness in 2019 was evident actually could be one than any other team I’ve in the rotation as well. analytics technology in its batting cages. right out of the gates. Though Rice took two of our strengths this played on since I’ve been Bragga said the starting According to Edwards, it allows Rice’s batters out of three games in its season-opening year. The dropoff in pitching after DeLeon to glean new insights into their approach at series against the University of Rhode Island, production should be at Rice. isn’t set yet, though the plate. the Owls’ offense was already starting to very minimal from top Braden Comeaux the Owls have several “You can hit off the tee, live [batting exhibit the inconsistency that would plague to bottom in the order. pitchers poised to practice], off the machine, or whatever, and them throughout the season, scoring only one It wouldn’t shock me if SENIOR THIRD BASEMAN make a leap this year. [the new system] tells you distance, launch run in the first game and 15 two days later. our seven or eight-hole “[Sophomore] Blake angle, exit [velocity], all that kind of stuff,” Their defense was also skittish, committing hitter hit higher than our [five-hole or two- Brogdon right now has taken a huge step Edwards said. “It gives you instant feedback: seven errors. hole hitter].” forward; his stuff has been electric so far this you turn around, look at the screen, and you According to senior third baseman Braden This year, Rice brings back four of the spring,” Bragga said. “[Sophomore] Brandon can make adjustments from there.” Comeaux, the team never really got on track five aforementioned .290 hitters, losing only Deskins is another one: a left-handed pitcher Bragga said that Rice has also installed new last season. Dunlap to graduation. To help replace his that’s made a huge jump from last year.” technology to assist pitchers that measures “We never really meshed together as a production, and resolve the depth issues Sophomore Dalton Wood, a key bullpen spin rate, velocity and pitch location. But team,” Comeaux said. “We never really had from last year, the Owls have added some cog from last year’s team, could compete according to Comeaux, Rice has achieved that moment where we were all clicking on fresh faces to the offense this year. Junior for rotation time after recovering from his more than refinements to hitting and pitching all cylinders and doing everything right at the designated hitter Brayden Combs, junior first current injury. One other name to keep approaches during this past offseason. right time.” baseman Austin Bulman and junior infielder an eye on is senior Roel Garcia, who was “Honestly, this season I think we’ve Though Rice’s pitching had strong Daniel Hernandez all arrive at Rice as junior a regular in the Owls’ rotation two years meshed and have more team chemistry I’ve moments, it continually struggled to close college transfers, and catcher/outfielder Tyler ago but missed all of last season after played on since I’ve been at Rice,” Comeaux out the end of games. The Owls lost nine LaRue, catcher Cullen Hannigan and infielder undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bragga said. “This year we’re a lot closer; all of us are games after leading in the eighth inning Cristian Cienfuegos join the team as true said Garcia’s talent is undeniable. really good friends. We just have a bunch of or later, including all three games of their freshmen. Combs, Bulman and LaRue are “Stuff-wise, he’s elite; I mean, it’s first- determined, hardworking people on our team series against Marshall University to close the expected to slot into the opening-day lineup. round talent,” Bragga said. “[And] what we’ve this year. We all have the same common goal, regular season. According to Edwards, the Owls’ offense seen [from] him coming back from surgery so the same mindset that we’re just going to take According to senior second baseman Cade should be improved from last year. far this spring has been just remarkable. So it one game at a time and do the best we can.” PROJECTED TOP PITCHERS

1 2 3 4 5 Alex DeLeon Roel Garcia Kel Bordwine Blake Brogdon Brandon Deskins junior senior junior sophomore sophomore * junior college stats * 2018 stats 2.21 5.02 4.37 27.00 11.12 ERA ERA ERA ERA ERA 1.30 1.48 1.49 5.45 3.08 WHIP WHIP WHIP WHIP WHIP 6.62 7.79 5.36 0.00 11.12 K/9 K/9 K/9 K/9 K/9 THIRD BASE LEFT FIELD CENTER FIELD RIGHT FIELD DESIGNATED HITTER Braden Comeaux Tyler LaRue Aaron Beaulaurier Bradley Gneiting Brayden Combs senior freshman senior senior junior

.461 .187 .295 .366 AVG AVG AVG AVG 36 14 34 83 RUNS RBI RBI RBI 9 1 3 17 HR HR HR HR

* high school stats * junior college stats

INFOGRAPHIC BY KATHERINE HUI Trei Cruz: A humble and hopeful Owl BEN BAKER-KATZ “[Changing positions] didn’t bother me every amateur baseball player: the MLB draft. to win a conference championship; I want to THRESHER STAFF at all,” Cruz said. “We had Ford at short my “My whole life since I started baseball, I’ve get to Omaha. Those are the things I have in freshman year; he was a great player. And as a always thought about the draft,” Cruz said. “I mind for this season.” Every baseball player remembers when freshman, my goal was just to play, no matter don’t pressure myself with the draft, thinking As the presumptive three-hitter in the they first picked up the game. For most, it’s where it was. It could have been in centerfield, about [specific] rounds or picks, but I always lineup and the captain of the infield, Cruz is a playing catch in the backyard or hitting off of catcher, wherever. I just wanted to play and think about it. Because that’s my dream, to de facto leader of the 2020 Owls. a tee. But for Trei Cruz, junior shortstop on this get at-bats.” play Major League Baseball. And the fact that “Trei’s been growing; he’s become a great year’s Rice baseball team, his first baseball He was able to do just that, starting 58 it’s so close, it’s so surreal that it’s happening leader for our team,” Bragga said. “The guys memory is everything but normal. games his freshman year, all at second base. so soon. But I don’t let it consume me. I just look up to him, in part because he is such a “I was in Tampa Bay, my dad was with Cruz was named to the Collegiate Baseball take it one day at a time, whatever we’re good player.” the Devil Rays,” Cruz said. “We were hitting Freshman All-American Team, led the Owls working on in practice, or whatever I need to But Cruz sees his job as more than that. and throwing [on the field] before a game, that season with 40 walks and was tied for the work on that day. Whatever happens in the According to Cruz, he needs to be an example with a couple of other players and their sons. team lead with 45 runs batted in. He finished draft, happens in the draft; it’s not completely for all of the younger players, including his That was the first time I fell in love with the in my control and I’m just grateful to have the brother, regardless of whether or not he’s game; I wanted to go to every single game I opportunity.” playing well. possibly could.” If the commissioner calls his name “I definitely think I’m one of the leaders on Cruz grew up surrounded by baseball. in May, and he decides to forgo his final the team this year,” Cruz said. “There are a lot His grandfather, José Cruz, spent 19 years I’ve always been taught season of NCAA eligibility, Cruz would be of young guys that look up to me, especially playing Major League Baseball, mostly with to stay humble ... I could one step closer to becoming part of the fifth having a younger brother on the team who the Houston Astros. His father, José Cruz Jr., grandfather-father-son combination the MLB looks up to me a lot. I kind of look at everyone was a starting outfielder on Rice’s baseball be ranked the No. 1 has ever seen. as my own brother. I just want to be the guy team in the ’90s and played for nine different player in the nation, and According to Rice head coach Matt Bragga, that lifts people up, whether I’m having a MLB teams over his 12-year career. Cruz’s [I] still wouldn’t think the question is not if Cruz will play in Major great game or not. I just want to be the guy uncle, Enrique, also played at Rice; he was I’m a superstar. League Baseball, but when. that gets everyone going.” the starting second baseman on the Owls’ “[Cruz] is on a different level right now,” Individually, Cruz continues to excel. Last 2003 national championship team. Last but Trei Cruz Bragga said. “Having been around this game week, Cruz was voted the Conference USA not least on the field is his brother, current JUNIOR SHORTSTOP for so long … Trei is every bit of what a first- Preseason Player of the Year in the league’s Owl and sophomore outfielder Antonio Cruz. rounder looks like. He made a play yesterday head coaches’ poll. His name was also According to Cruz, having such close in the six-hole, you just don’t see that play mentioned on an NCAA list of player-of-the- familial ties to baseball wasn’t always helpful. that season with a .279 batting average, made. In batting practice, the way the ball year contenders at every position. Cruz said “Having my grandfather and father play, including an eight-game hit streak and an comes off of his bat is just different.” he’s set his sights high for this season. there’s almost a target on my back,” Cruz impressive .955 fielding percentage. Following his senior year at Episcopal “I want to be Player of the Year; I want to said. “A lot of kids put pressure on me, and Although his first season was a success, High School in Houston, the Houston Astros be an All-American,” Cruz said. “Every award I kind of put pressure on myself too. But I Cruz said he still focused on trying to improve selected Cruz in the 35th round of the draft. a shortstop can possibly get, is what I am learned, at the end of the day, I’m not piggy- his game. According to Cruz, his ability to This past May, Cruz was selected again, this striving to get. Just shoot for the stars, and see backing off of my dad’s or grandpa’s [career], cope with failure has grown substantially time by the Washington Nationals in the 37th what happens. And whatever awards come this is my career and it’s a completely since starting at Rice. round. Instead of entering the minor leagues, my way, I’m grateful for all of them. different thing. If you play with pressure, “Anyone who knows baseball knows it’s Cruz opted to return to Rice, you’re digging a hole for yourself. I just a game of failure,” Cruz said. “Growing up I trying to repeat his uncle’s want to play free, have fun, and so I stopped struggled with it, because I felt like I needed success and lead the Owls listening to all the outside noise about my to be perfect and to be the best player all the back to the College World family … Whatever happens, happens.” time. But over the last couple of years [my Series. Cruz spent his childhood playing a variety coaches and family have] helped me develop “I don’t want to of sports. He said he loved basketball and with the mental side of baseball and how to be consumed about golf, in addition to baseball — Cruz played all deal with failure. Because you can fail seven me and the draft; I three for as long as he could, but eventually out of ten times and still be great … Not letting want to be thinking realized that baseball was the sport for him. [failure] consume me has made me a better about where our “I could live without basketball and player.” team is, come golf,” Cruz said. “I just felt like baseball was Cruz’s sophomore season was even better May,” Cruz something I always wanted to do.” than his first. He moved back to his home at said. “I The man you see today roaming the left shortstop and rewarded the Owls with a .305 want side of the infield at Reckling Park looks right batting average, 71 hits and a .519 slugging at home, almost like he’s lived every second percentage. He also blasted nine home runs of his life at shortstop. But according to Cruz, and added 44 RBIs. In one game against the that wasn’t always the case. University of Rhode Island, he went 4-for- “I grew up as an outfielder, mostly because 6, swatting two home runs and two triples. my dad and grandpa played outfield,” Cruz The nine RBIs he amassed that day was the said. “Then in middle school, I started playing second-highest single-game total in school shortstop because we didn’t have one on my history — just one behind the Rice record of summer ball team. I made a couple of nice 10 RBIs, set in 1995 by his father. plays, and my coach told me I should play Despite his success over the past two shortstop. My dad was all for it; he would seasons, Cruz said he does not think he’s tell me, ‘You can go from short to any other achieved “superstar” status at Rice. position, but you can’t go from outfield to “I’ve always been taught to stay humble, infield as easily.’ So I started playing short, no matter what,” Cruz said. “I could be stuck with it and I love it.” ranked the No. 1 player in the nation, and I After his decision to attend Rice, which still wouldn’t think I’m a superstar. I always Cruz said was largely based on his ability to think I can be better, and I’m not in the big get consistent playing time as a freshman, leagues yet. I could be [an] all-star in the the former-outfielder-turned-shortstop was big leagues, and I won’t even think of pushed out of position again. Three-year myself as a superstar. Because even starter Ford Proctor played shortstop for Rice then, I can always try to get better.” in 2018, and so to crack the upperclassmen- Still, a player of Cruz’s caliber crowded lineup, Cruz volunteered to play at does have dreams, and he said his second base. dreams include one shared with COURTESY Rice athletics 2019 TEAM RECORD SCHEDULE

HOME OVERALL RECORD CONFERENCE RECORD 26-33 14-16 AWAY conference rank: 9th/12 conference rank: 7th/12 2/14–2/16 TEXAS

Kel Bordwine: The superstitious starter 2/18 SAM HOUSTON STATE SPENCER MOFFAT obviously I want to fit in just somewhere and added another pitch,” Bordwine said. SENIOR WRITER and I want to just go out there and get outs. According to Bordwine, he added a slider Whether it is a short-stint bullpen session to his pitch repertoire, which also consists of 2/21–2/23 UC IRVINE Before each Rice baseball home game a couple times a week or a long time in the a fastball, changeup and curveball. this season, you can find junior pitcher Kel bullpen, it really doesn’t matter to me.” “Now, I put a lot of time and effort into Bordwine playing ping pong at Baker College Last year, Bordwine achieved one of his getting a slider and being able to throw 2/26 TEXAS STATE or dining at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, best performances of the season during everything for a strike in all counts,” where he always eats the same meal in a Rice’s annual three-game series against Bordwine said. specific order. But once the game starts, you the University of Houston in a battle for According to Bragga, Bordwine displays 2/28–3/1 MISSOURI STATE can expect to see Bordwine on the mound the Silver Glove Trophy. As a result of only good work ethic and leadership skills. frequently, after he finished last season with allowing three base hits in a combined 6.2 “[Bordwine] just shows up to the yard and a solid 3.69 ERA as opponents hit for a .258 scoreless innings, Bordwine was selected as does his work,” Bragga said. “He’s a leader.” 3/3 LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE average against him in nine starts. the Most Outstanding Player for the series. Bordwine has made major strides in his Bordwine said he hopes to contribute to According to Bordwine, defeating time at Rice, improving from only appearing HOUSTON the team this season regardless Houston was very satisfying. in five games out of the bullpen in his first 3/4 if he starts or comes in “Just beating [UH] at all was super sweet,” season to making 17 total appearances from the bullpen. Bordwine said. in his sophomore year with a 4.37 ERA. TEXAS TECH “For myself, I Ever since he picked up a baseball and According to Bordwine, his pregame rituals 3/6 –3/8 hope to make it started playing T-ball at the age of four, and locker room habits deserve some credit for his success. into the rotation,” Bordwine said he has consistently worked to TEXAS A&M Bordwine said. “I improve his game. However, Bordwine said “I’m very superstitious,” Bordwine said. 3/10 want to be a he realized in high school that he wanted to “I wear the same clothes to bed the night weekend play Division I baseball. before [each game] and then I eat Cane’s MARSHALL guy, but “One day [in high school] I just decided [before each game] in a certain order. I [also] 3/13 –3/15 I wanted to be good and I started throwing love to play ping pong. [The] locker room three bullpens a week and stayed after champ is Trei [Cruz], but I’m second.” MCNEESE practice for two hours a day,” Bordwine said. According to Bordwine, the expectations 3/17 Going into this season, Bordwine said he for Rice are high going into this season. has worked on two major components of his “I think the sky’s the limit for us,” PRAIRIE VIEW A&M game in order to help solidify a spot in the Bordwine said. “I think we are going to win 3/18 starting rotation. Conference USA outright, but then obviously “Besides gaining velocity, I went back we want to win the tournament.” COURTESY Rice athletics 3/20–3/22 FLORIDA INT’L

Bragga hopeful for Owl success in 2020 3/24 HOUSTON BAPTIST MADISON BUZZARD “That will be big losses when we their work done the prior year, according SPORTS EDITOR lose those guys. That is an anchor of our to Bragga. 3/27 –3/29 CHARLOTTE team, not only from the perspective of “This fall was good because last year, I In the fall of 2018, Rice Athletics faced a [being] veterans, but from the perspective was new to everyone, and they were new difficult task: hiring a new baseball head of experience, from the perspective of to me,” Bragga said. “This year, we have a 3/31 HOUSTON coach in the stead of the legendary Wayne leadership,” Bragga said. “They’ve done it. lot of returners on this team. So, you don’t Graham. Rice ultimately selected Matt They’re good. Cade had four errors all of last feel like as a coach that you are starting Bragga, formerly the coach of Tennessee year. Comeaux is a consummate baseball over from ground zero. [I’m] not. Like, when 4/1 TEXAS STATE Tech University, as its new head coach. player, great guy ... really good player. Right we go over bunt defenses, the guys already Last season, in his first year at Rice’s helm, now Trei is playing every bit of what I think know. When we go over cuts and relays, Bragga managed a team which limped to a a first rounder looks like, at shortstop.” they already know them. The fall was really 4/3 –4/5 UTSA 26-33 finish. This year, Bragga will attempt easy — easy is the wrong word [because] we to right the ship, starting the season with worked really hard — but easier because of what Bragga said is an especially formidable the experience our guys have within our 4/9 –4/11 LOUISIANA TECH nonconference schedule. system right now.” “Our non-conference schedule — I had This year, we have a Once the team has advanced past an opposing coach tell me this — our non- lot of returners on the its difficult non-conference schedule, 4/14 SAM HOUSTON STATE conference schedule, there won’t be one Bragga said Rice needs to show up against tougher in the country,” Bragga said. “We’ve team. So, you don’t feel conference opponents to enhance the got [the University of] Texas, [Austin] three like as a coach that you pedigree of Conference USA. OLD DOMINION games … we’ve got Texas Tech [University] are starting over from “We have a good league,” Bragga said. 4/17–4/19 on the road three — and they’re ranked No. 3 ground zero. “I’ve always respected Conference USA. [in the] preseason.” Florida Atlantic [University has] done really 4/24 –4/26 SOUTHERN MISS Bragga said he still feels hopeful about Matt Bragga well now for a while. This league needs the team’s chances in the upcoming season. BASEBALL HEAD COACH Rice back. In order for Conference USA “It’s a challenging nonconference to be the perennial powerhouse baseball WESTERN KENTUCKY schedule, there’s no doubt about it,” Bragga conference that it can be, Rice baseball has 5/1 –5/3 said. “But I think that’s why guys come to According to Bragga, one potential to be a factor. And that’s good; I like that. I Rice. They want to play good opponents, to area of concern for the team this season think that’s important. And we’re going to LAMAR play good baseball. If [we] go out and play is pitching. After last season, Rice lost the be. But there are some really high quality 5/6 good in all facets of the game, we’ll have a bulk of its innings pitched; former pitching opponents in this league.” chance to win all those games.” stalwarts such as Matt Canterino, Evan FLORIDA ATLANTIC Since he became the Owls’ head coach, Kravetz and Garrett Gayle were selected in 5/8 –5/10 Bragga said he has formed relationships with the 2019 MLB draft. Now, Bragga said, Rice local Texas high school baseball coaches to must find additional replacements for many 5/12 (N) HOUSTON develop recruiting pipelines. excellent pitchers who graduated, including “People always overrate [me not formerly Jackson Parthasarathy and Kendal Jefferies. recruiting in Texas], Bragga said. “[They “We don’t have a lot of [pitching] 5/14 –5/16 MIDDLE TENNESSEE say], ‘Oh wow, you’ve never been in Texas experience,” Bragga said. “We don’t have a in recruiting.’ All you gotta do is get to know ton of innings coming back — those innings people. And that’s what we do. That’s our are gone. Even the guys who didn’t get 5/20 –5/24 C-USA CHAMPS job. That’s the lifeline of our program. If you drafted — [for example], Kendal Jeffries, he can’t recruit, you’re not gonna win.” had a ton of innings last year — those have Bragga said he has gotten to know all to be replaced. We’re gonna have to do it 5/29 –5/31 NCAA REGIONAL the players on the team, especially junior with less-Division I-experienced guys.” shortstop Trei Cruz. According to Bragga, Last year, Bragga said he did not know Cruz is a great leader both by example and every Rice player, so he relied upon the 6/5 –6/7 NCAA SUPER REGIONAL by communication. Owls’ leaders to communicate with other Alongside Cruz in Rice’s infield are two players on the team. However, Bragga seniors: second baseman Cade Edwards and said he has worked hard to coach 6/11 –6/24 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES third baseman Braden Comeaux. Bragga more players individually since said the team relies upon Cruz, Comeaux and last season. As a result, the Owls’ INFOGRAPHIC BY KATHERINE HUI and Edwards for leadership. preparation this fall outshone COURTESY Rice athletics michael byrnes THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 • 11 Owls fly the nest: students discuss study abroad experiences Students discuss culture shock, homesickness and academics in their study abroad experiences. FEATURES See more at ricethresher.org Future for refugees in Texas remains unclear Governor Abbott’s rejection of refugees leaves Rice community members baffled, seeking action

ILLUSTRATION BY YIFEI ZHANG ALINA ZHU Instead, Norman said she suspects they believe countries like the United a Student Association resolution to THRESHER STAFF Abbott’s announcement was a politically States have a responsibility to provide indicate support for continued refugee motivated move. refugees with a chance at a better life. resettlement. Saniya Gayake and Spoorthi “[The refugee refusal] seemed like it This is why they were left baffled by The resolution was introduced on Jan. 27 Kamepalli have not had many lazy was more about drawing attention to the Abbott’s announcement. and will be voted on next week, according Saturday afternoons in the last year. As border issue than it was about refugees “Our experiences have shown what to SA President Grace Wickerson. It calls co-presidents of Houston Empowering being any kind of strain on the cities in important and contributing members on the SA to stand in support of refugee Refugees, the Baker College juniors travel which they’re relocated to,” she said. of society the refugee women [we resettlement, denounce Trump’s executive once a week to an apartment complex “It’s also just trying to play up this sort of worked with] and the [greater] refugee order and send a letter to Abbott urging in Houston’s Hillcroft neighborhood xenophobic rhetoric around refugees.” population,” Kamepalli said. “If there him to reverse his decision. and teach lessons on health literacy to Following Abbott’s announcement, were a better understanding of what To Sethre-Brink, steps like phone 14 refugee women from the Democratic there has been outcry from both sides of refugees face and what their experiences banking and the resolution are important Republic of Congo. They spend two hours the political aisle in Texas, especially from are like, I think it would be much harder so that activism doesn’t just happen in a discussing topics like child development, those who have had firsthand experiences to justify a ban like this.” vacuum, which she said is often the case mental health, physical health and family interacting with resettled refugees, Aggarwal said Abbott’s decision on college campuses. planning, in an attempt to provide the Norman said. angered him, especially in light of the “Raising awareness is good, yes. women with tools that might help them “You saw pushback from not just NGOs country’s history. But that ultimately isn’t going to solve integrate into life in the United States. but from religious leaders, from anyone “This entire country is [made up of] a the problem,” Sethre-Brink said. But the future of programs like HER has who’s ever had any interaction with lot of people who were immigrants and “It’s important to be involved and to been thrown into question following Texas resettled refugees who know that they are had been refugees escaping persecution,” understand what’s happening so that Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement incredibly active,” she said. he said. “We were all taught about the you can be prepared for when disastrous last month that Texas will not be accepting Mayflower Compact.” events like this happen and be able to new refugees this year. WORKING WITH REFUGEES take action.” The move follows an executive Rice community members like Gayake order from President Donald Trump and Kamepalli who have worked with MORE REFUGEES, LESS RESETTLING last September requiring states and refugees seem to share this opinion. The Trump administration’s most municipalities to give written consent For Vikram Aggarwal, president of the The decision to not recent policy regarding refugees is in line before refugees can be resettled. Abbott’s Partnership for the Advancement and with other actions it has taken to make move makes Texas the first state to reject Immersion of Refugees, working with accept people has very refugee resettlement more selective. In resettlements under Trump’s order and refugees isn’t just another weekly activity, implicit and explicit 2016, 84,994 refugees were admitted to reverses Texas’ history of resettling but a window into the experience of people connotations of who is the United States. That number dropped more refugees than any other state since who have been denied access to the life so worthy and who is not. to 30,000 in 2019. For 2020, Trump set the 2010. A few days after Abbott’s decision, many people around him were born into refugee admission ceiling at 18,000. a Maryland federal judge temporarily and take for granted. Meanwhile, the number of people blocked the Trump administration policy “The refugee population is much Saniya Gayake fleeing conflict is the highest it’s been — but the ruling could be overturned if the more focused on trying to better since World War II, according to the administration appeals. themselves and really take advantage of BAKER COLLEGE JUNIOR United Nations. And according to Norman, Gayake said she was disappointed by the opportunities that are given to them although international rights were Abbott’s decision. by coming here,” Aggarwal, a Hanszen TAKING ACTION outlined for refugees at the 1951 Geneva “Our community has a responsibility College junior, said. Lily Sethre-Brink, an officer for Rice Convention that followed the war, many to accept people and support people,” she Even with the struggles of integrating ACLU, decided to channel her frustration countries — including the United States said. “The decision to not accept people into a new life so far away from their home with the possibility of Texas turning away — have found loopholes to avoid their has very implicit and explicit connotations country and culture, Aggarwal said the refugees into action. In collaboration outlined obligations. of who is worthy and who is not.” refugees he has worked with say these with Civic Duty Rice, Sethre-Brink and “There’s so much discretion given conditions are better than what they faced the rest of Rice ACLU organized a phone to national governments in the name of WHY REJECT REFUGEES? before coming to the United States. banking effort to voice student objection security that they can find all sorts of ways In a letter to Secretary of State Mike “All [the Turkish refugee kids I have to Abbott’s decision by calling his office. of not accepting [refugees],” Norman said. Pompeo, Abbott said resettling refugees worked with] remember was the camp. They The event took place in the Rice Memorial “The U.S. is going to such extreme lengths placed too much of a strain on Texan don’t remember their house, their actual Center on Jan. 24. to prevent people from getting here in the resources. But according to Kelsey Norman, home country,” he said. “Their education “We got them to a point where they first place.” a fellow who specializes in refugee studies [wasn’t] present because everyone would be would just send us to voicemail as soon Aggarwal said he believes that such a at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, so busy trying to survive.” as we called because we were flooding the refusal sends people the wrong message these claims are ungrounded because Although Gayake and Kamepalli are the office for the cause,” Sethre-Brink, a Baker about Texas. after 90 days of federal funding, refugees teachers in the classroom, both said they’ve College freshman, said. “Not allowing refugees, it can really are expected to become self-sufficient or learned just as much from their students. Although on Jan. 15, U.S. District hurt the cultural landscape of Texas and rely on support from non-profits. “These women are really trying to Judge Peter Messitte overturned the new also make us seem very … intolerant “The concept that there would be any improve their situation and make the most Trump refugee policy, Sethre-Brink said towards other people,” he said. kind of drain on the economy of Texas is of what they have,” Gayake said of the she fears that much like Trump’s 2017 For Sethre-Brink, taking a stand against just inaccurate,” Norman said. “The money community she works with. “Oftentimes travel ban executive order, the judge’s this policy is not political, but a matter of that refugees use their first 90 days is federal they are fleeing from conflict and violence in decision will be overturned by the Trump supporting the Rice community. money. It has nothing to do with the state their home country, and so they want to call administration. As a result, Sethre- “At Rice, we have refugee students, we of Texas or his initial complaint that we’re Houston and the United States their home.” Brink worked with McMurtry College have students who are undocumented,” already under such strain because of the After working closely with refugees, freshman Angie Fan and Baker College she said. “Regardless of whatever political border crisis and border security.” Aggarwal, Gayake and Kamepalli all said freshman Summer Shabana to introduce camp you fall into, people are people.” 12 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 FEATURES Trimming feathers: Perch becomes home to haircutting business KAVYA SAHNI THRESHER STAFF

On the Perch, a large balcony on the fourth floor of Will Rice College’s Old Dorm which overlooks the quad and New Dorm, Dyllon Schmehl operates his business: a pop-up barber shop. Arav Singhal, one of Schmehl’s customers, described the haircutting business as the most picturesque barber shop he’d ever been to. “The Perch is a really nice place to get a haircut, especially when it’s not cold outside. When it’s a nice day, and you go in the evening, like the golden hour, it’s really nice,” Singhal, a Will Rice sophomore, said. During Beer Bike, it’s tradition for students to cut their hair and then dye it in colors that reflect their college spirit. For Beer Bike 2019, Schmehl gave his first haircut to his roommate, Reece Eberhardt. “At the time, all I had was beard trimming tools so couldn’t really give an actual haircut. We were just messing around, doing it for fun,” Schmehl, a Will Rice sophomore, said. “I ended up doing a decent job, apparently, and people liked it.” According to Eberhardt, the haircut wasn’t the cleanest he’d ever had, but it was decent photo courtesy brandon cua considering the fact that Schmehl had never cut hair before. Will Rice College sophomore Dyllon Schmehl cuts Will Rice sophomore Sean McCormick’s hair on the Perch, a balcony on the fourth floor of Will Rice’s “I was definitely a little nervous, but part Old Dorm overlooking the quad and New Dorm. of Beer Bike is haircuts are haircuts and it’s gonna grow back,” Eberhardt, a Will Rice Cua said Schmehl’s barber shop is he said he trusted me so I just went for it,” hair, it’ll be back within a couple of weeks sophomore, said. “I liked my haircut, and I convenient, considering that haircuts end up Schmehl said. and you won’t even be able to tell,” Schmehl was able to dye it exactly how I wanted.” costing $30 to $40 off campus, including the Singhal said he was impressed by how said. “But with a girl’s hair, if it’s not perfect After talking to a friend, Schmehl decided Uber and the haircut itself. professional Schmehl’s pop-up was. they’re going to be pretty mad.” to learn how to actually cut hair over the “Having Dyllon on campus giving haircuts “I was a little apprehensive, because On a typical weekend, Schmehl gives six summer and try to open up a pop-up barber has been really helpful financially, because obviously he’s not a barber at a barber shop, to eight haircuts. shop at the beginning of last fall. it’s $15 a haircut and he’s literally right across but in the end he did a good job,” Singhal said. “I try to keep it strictly Fridays and “Over the summer, I practiced cutting on from me,” Cua said. “When I went up there, it looked like he was Saturdays because I do have schoolwork and my dad’s hair, just watched videos, shadowed Schmehl said his most memorable well-prepared. He had everything — all the stuff to keep up with as well,” Schmehl said. my barbers a little bit to try to learn techniques hair transformation was the haircut he bits and pieces, the trimmers and whatnot, he Schmehl, who is majoring in economics, and improve what I was doing,” Schmehl gave Singhal. When Singhal approached even had those robe-like things that they put said that he would like to grow the business, said. “And then I decided to just go for it at the Schmehl, his hair was a little beyond around you.” but doesn’t know how much he could beginning of last semester.” shoulder length. Schmehl said that the haircut turned out expand it without cutting into his own time. Schmehl said that he doesn’t advertise “I was tired of it. It was becoming too pretty well, and Singhal liked it. “Some people have asked if I’d open beyond telling his friends and posting on the much to maintain, so I wanted to get rid of it,” “He got compliments all over campus, and an official student-run business, but I Will Rice Facebook group. Singhal said. people kept coming back to me and telling me don’t know if it’ll make it to that point,” “Beyond that, people just find out about However, Schmehl didn’t initially believe they liked the transformation,” Schmehl said. Schmehl said. “It seems like it’d be a lot of it through their friends or people that I’ve cut that Singhal was being serious. Spencer Shah said he likes the experience work. Right now I’m just doing it basically hair for,” Schmehl said. “At first I thought he was joking, because I of getting a haircut at Schmehl’s barber shop. outside my room in the balcony, because I Brandon Cua, a Will Rice sophomore, knew he’d been growing it out for over a year. “I like his music choice; [there’s] have the Perch.” said that he has told his friends about He kept saying, ‘When are you going to cut good conversation,” Shah, a Will Rice Eberhardt said he doesn’t think Schmehl’s business. my hair?’ And eventually I realized he wasn’t freshman, said. “We listen to R&B, hip- Schmehl initially anticipated the success of “Mutual friends, whenever they ask, kidding,” Schmehl said. hop, stuff like that.” his business. ‘Oh, who did you get a haircut from?’ I’ll just Schmehl asked Singhal if he wanted a The pop-up barbershop is, as of now, “I think it turned into something even remember to plug it in,” Cua said. “‘Dyllon trim, or just a little bit of the ends. Singhal exclusively for guys. Schmehl said that he’s he didn’t expect,” Eberhardt said. “It’s gives great haircuts. It’s cheap. You should said that he wanted all of his hair gone. too scared to cut anyone else’s hair. awesome, in all honesty, to be able to just check it out.’” “It felt like a lot of pressure at the time, but “On the occasion that I do mess up a guy’s pick up a skill like that.”

Crossword by Sam Rossum E-I-E-I-O Thresher Staff

1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 4 5 DOWN 1) Schedule planner 2) Cold War concern, abbr. 7 8 8 9 10 3) Baja tourist city ACROSS 4) Kooky 11 12 13 1) Insta upload 5) The Galleria, e.g. 4) 1-Across alt. 6) Mongolian hot spot 7) Obamacare, for short 13 14 9) Java holders 8) Watts of “Mulholland Drive” 11) “Mamma Mia” basis 10) “The way I see it...” in texts 15 15 15 16 14) 2016 Best Picture winner 12) Old Gmail competitor 15) Nice article? 13) Sex ed subj. 17 18 19 16 20 21 16) Lay down the lawn 17) Telecom giant 17) Tuchus 18) Toothy tools 20) Likely format for 11-Acrosses 19) Stash away 22 23 24 25 26 24 22) Material for some sleeves? 20) Red____: lobsterbacks 27) Poker pair 21) When doubled, a small 29) “Speak Now” country singer 27 28 antelope 30) Ornamental fish 31) Fear for a tampon user: Abbr. 23) “Awesome,” for Brooklyn 21 29 22 30 32) PC file extension Nine-Nine’s Peralta 24) Has someone sleep with 24 31 30 32 the fishes 25) Air Force 1 carrier? 26) Fort with a fortune Answers will be posted on ricethresher.org and on the Thresher Facebook page. 28) Yahtzee component Shaded squares correspond to the theme. THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 • 13 ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

FROM PAGE 1 town or there’s a baby and there’s no longer GRAMMY the time that the chamber choir takes, then we audition and add somebody into the You’re going to get a much better [one] — choir, but the singers really do take that it’s handmade and it’ll come in six to eight new singer under their wings and give them weeks, so don’t worry about it.” a sense of what the ensemble is all about. Did anyone else help with the recording Several of the elite choirs in the United that you submitted for the Grammy? States are comprised of singers from around There were two outstanding Shepherd the country. They all come into a central School faculty members who played on our location, rehearse, give the performances CD — Ken Cowan, the professor of organ, and then they go back home. But the was extraordinarily important because two chamber choir is a resident ensemble. We’re of the major pieces on the CD were for choir all Houstonians. We all live within at least and organ. We recorded it in the Edythe a tolerable drive to downtown, and we Bates Old Recital Hall, and Ken Cowan just start together in the late summer and sing played brilliantly. And there’s a movement together every week throughout the course photo by jeff grass photography / courtesy houston chamber choir in the Duruflé requiem that calls for a cello of the season, so we really get to be good line, and Norman Fischer was our cellist, so friends. kind of piece for electronics, but you can generations and composers will continue to I feel very, very lucky to have the great talent The singers have a sense of exactly how also use the human voice, which is so subtle find fascinating, and I’m thrilled to see all of of the Shepherd School faculty represented their fellow singers are going to phrase and so varied in its timbres, to great effect that happening. on this CD. or when they’re going to make a dynamic as well. Does the Houston Chamber Choir have What is it like to work with the singers increase, how it’s going to go, so they get I think choral music is an important part any events coming up? in the Houston Chamber Choir? to know each other very, very well and as a of a much bigger sphere. The fact is that [We’re going] to New Zealand in July, They’re fabulous. These are all consequence, it’s really a family. classical music has got to make a case for where we’ve been asked to sing for the professional singers who have trained their Where do you see the direction of itself, and within that, choral music needs International Choral Symposium. 150 voices just as others train to be violinists and choral music heading? to make a case for itself. And I think choral choirs from around the world applied and instrumentalists. They’re selected through I think choral music really is having a music can do it as well as any because it’s 24 were accepted, and we’re one of the 24, a very competitive audition process, and renaissance right now. The young composers direct communication from a person to so we’re going to be taking music from Rice many of them, once in the choir, as long as like Nico Muhly and great composers under another person, there’s no instrument in composers with us to New Zealand. family circumstances don’t change, they just 40 are writing a lot of choral music, so I the way. And there’s a text, there’s a story stay with the choir, as many of the singers think that there is a growing sense that you that people can follow and listen to and This interview has been edited for clarity have been with me 10 or 15 years. When can have it all. Yes, you can write a violent be drawn into. So, I think choral music is and condensed for print. Read the full there is a change, either people move out of concerto or you can write an off-the-wall definitely something that future musicians, interview at ricethresher.org.

photos courtesy of a24 Anna Ta Oscar? Never heard of him Managing Editor I’m not sure why we still care about critically acclaimed works of Alma in this anxiety-ridden rollercoaster an awards ceremony that continues Har’el (“Honey Boy”), Lorene Scafaria directed by the Safdie brothers in a to be #sowhite and once gave “Lord (“Hustlers”) and Celine Sciamma ingenious display of Sandler’s true of the Rings” 11 Oscars (the same (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”). In a talent. In “Uncut Gems,” Sandler number of nominations that “Joker” year of masterpieces directed by plays Howard Ratner, a high stakes somehow received this year) — but Martin Scorsese and Bong Joon Ho, I gambling addict who is just as sleazy here we are! As “Green Book” taught understand women not sweeping the and still a horrible husband, but this me last year with its unexpected win category. But getting completely shut time he’s not doing it for laughs — in for Best Picture, there’s no point out? Unconscionable. (But god forbid fact Ratner doesn’t care if you hate in trying to predict this year’s big we miss out on giving “The Joker” him, because you’re still going to root winners ahead of the ceremony, another nom!) for him. which will air this Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. So, I’ll settle for pointing out the ACTING CINEMATOGRAPHY most painful snubs instead. Awkwafina in “The Farewell” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” Adam Sandler in “Uncut Gems” In one of the most memorable DIRECTING I know. Listen, I didn’t expect to opening sequences this year, “The Women. hear “Awkwafina and Adam Sandler” Last Black Man in San Francisco” This is my most widely recognized in a sentence together in my lifetime, underlines and buoys a love letter to and readily accepted take for a nor did I expect to have it followed by one of America’s most unequal and reason: Women were directing some “deserved best acting nominations,” unforgiving cities with a gorgeous of the year’s most compelling, original but here I am, personally sending original score, soaring it above and and poignant films. Greta Gerwig hate mail to each and every member sending it careening down the hills of accomplished the nearly unheard of the Academy for snubbing some of the Bay Area. As the main character, of feat of successfully adapting a the most brilliant performances of the Jimmie Fails, pours love into his beloved classic, “Little Women,” year. Just kidding, of course hate mail long-lost family home, the film also Lulu Wang wrote and directed “The is not okay (and the Thresher gets pours love into every shot, with Farewell,” a heartbreaker warmed enough of it for me to make that joke). thoughtfulness and attention to the by the softness of stifled grief and Everything you hate about the color and light filling each frame. Olivia Wilde flipped the script of the stereotypical Adam Sandler role raunchy high-school-carpe-diem of him schlepping around, being This story has been condensed genre with “Booksmart.” That’s not a garbage husband and general for print. Read the full story at even mentioning the less mainstream incompetent sleaze is weaponized ricethresher.org

THE WEEKLY SCENE HERB MEARS AMOR ETERNO OSCAR NOMINEES: LOW KEYS & SHORT FILMS EXHIBIT OPENING APOLLOS WINTER Celebrate Valentine’s Day early at Amor Foltz Fine Art will celebrate the opening of Eterno, a heart-themed art show featuring Before tuning into the 92nd Academy CONCERT “Herb Mears: Memoirs of a Mid-Century work by renowned Mexican folk artist Awards on Sunday, judge the pool of Oscar- Master” this Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. The Listen to Rice’s all-female and all-male collective and family La Familia Lorenzo nominated short films for yourself at the 50-year retrospective will explore Mears’ a cappella groups perform hits by Billie among other Mexico-based and local artists. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston this weekend. legacy as one of Houston’s most prolific Eilish, the Beach Boys and more this The show is free and open to the public and Visit mfah.org/calendar to view showtimes figures of the 20th century. This event is Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. Stick around until will be open from 2 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. for animated, live action and documentary free and open to the public. the end to hear the Low Keys and Apollos 8. short film nominees. Tickets are $9. join ranks for a special joint performance.

Foltz Fine Art This event is free and open to the public. Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 2143 Westheimer Road 241 W 19th St. 1001 Bissonnet St. rice memorial chapel 14 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT HOMECOMING: AFRICAYÉ TO RETURN IN NEW LIGHT

SANVITTI SAHDEV “Last year, I tried to create a skit that SENIOR WRITER defines what Afrofuturism is through a dialogue between a father and a Hosted by the Rice African Student daughter,” Ntamatungiro said. “This year, Association, “Africayé 2020: Coming to I wanted to establish the background and Africa” will immerse the Rice community context which the theme was based on: in the sights, sounds and tastes of ‘Coming to Africa.’ Why are we coming? African culture this Sunday. The annual Because we left Africa to begin with.” showcase will feature music, dance, In addition to the skits, there will be fashion, comedy, skits, food and a newly multiple musical performances including added art gallery. an Eritrean and Ethiopian Habesha RASA Event Coordinator Anu Ayeni dance and a band playing Highlife music, and RASA President Chidera Ezuma-Igwe a jazz-influenced genre of traditional said they both got involved with Africayé Akan music that was popular in mid- during their freshman years because of century West Africa. The language act, PHOTO BY DANIEL DAVIS / COURTESY RICE AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION the opportunity to showcase their culture where performers speak the same line in and bring the Rice community together. (From left to right) Hanszen College junior Jolisa Brown, Baker College sophomore Ruth Young, Martel various African languages, and a fashion Ezuma-Igwe, a Jones College senior, College junior David Karngba III, Brown College junior Anu Ayeni, Martel College senior Selase Buatsi and show will showcase the wide diversity said that Africayé presents an opportunity Muna Uzodike (Martel ‘19) perform at “Africayé 2019: Afrofuturism - The Future is Africa” on Saturday, of the continent’s cultures. During the Jan. 26, 2019. to flip the narrative on what people show’s intermission, visitors will enjoy understand about Africa. and we want people to be aware of the junior, will perform a self-composed skit Ethiopian coffee and baklavas inspired by “These are a group of people who are progress that the continent is making.” exploring yet another interpretation of traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. often represented in a negative and harsh While still building on the theme of the theme. Ntamatungiro said that his According to Ayeni, while Africayé can light,” Ezuma-Igwe said. “All the news development introduced at least year’s skit centers on the experience of African be a learning experience for attendees, likes to focus on in Africa is some dictator, showcase, “Africayé 2019: Afrofuturism,” immigrant parents, in which they reflect it is also an opportunity to create a safe some this, but there’s so much more — the show will have a more lighthearted on the contexts that motivated their environment for students to express there’s music, there’s art, there’s people. tone compared to previous years’, journey to the U.S. themselves. I think the most educated group of people according to Ayeni. This year’s concept, “I feel like even here at Rice, in the U.S. are Nigerian Americans.” “Coming to Africa,” was inspired by sometimes we’re not really afforded the In a similar vein, Ayeni said that she the 1988 film “Coming to America,” a opportunity to just be ourselves,” Ayeni wants people to know that there’s more to romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy said. “At home, you’re probably not Africa than what is dominantly reported as an African prince looking for love. The afforded the opportunity to be yourself, on and taught in the West. topic of the show’s main skit reflects the Africa isn’t what the being around parents. It’s definitely just “Africa isn’t what the Western media film’s playful influence. Western media reports a time for people to express themselves reports it to be,” Ayeni said. “That’s not “The skit we have every year is usually it to be. That doesn’t the way they want, through fashion, everything. That’s not all of us. That something focusing on a serious issue,” through music, through dance and to just doesn’t define the continent. Africa is Ayeni said. “Last year, it was interracial define the continent. let loose.” more than what you think it is.” relationships and the year before that, it Africa is more than what “Africayé 2020: Coming to Africa” Ayeni said that this year’s theme stems was the journey of a son leaving home, it you think it is. will be held in the Rice Memorial Center from last year’s focus on “Afrofuturism.” was more faith-centered; that was more Grand Hall this Sunday, Feb. 9 from 5 - 8

“We wanted to continue the notion of a religious performance. This year, it’s Anu Ayeni p.m. Ticket sales will take place in the of focusing on Africa’s development,” this funny song about an artist trying to Grand Hall this Wednesday, Feb. 5 and Ayeni, a Brown College junior, said. “I find her man.” RASA EVENT COORDINATOR Friday, Feb. 7 from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets feel like that is definitely overlooked Axel Ntamatungiro, a Duncan College are $10 presale and $12 at the door.

Complete a B.S./B.A. and M.S.back-to-back in 5 years Rodeo Houston: Acts to see MORGAN GAGE a must see at this year’s rodeo if you want Apply to one of Rice’s Science Master’s programs THRESHER STAFF to see a show packed with upbeat dance during your junior year numbers and flute solos. In honor of Black The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Heritage Day, Lizzo will take the NRG offers more than just rollercoasters, mutton stage Friday, March 13. Tickets go on sale bustin’ and fried twinkies — this year, Thursday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. 1-year program Corporate the world’s largest rodeo returns with an Must Listen To: “Like a Girl” and for Rice internship impressive lineup of musical performers. “Jerome” undergrads From homegrown hitmakers like Lizzo and Willie Nelson to international sensations KANE BROWN like K-pop boy group NCT 127 and Latin Playing March 11 chart-topper Becky G, this year’s star- After becoming the first artist to top Corporate studded lineup boasts diversity in genre as all five Country Billboard charts in 2017, Integration of advisory board well as its performers. Out of the 20 major Kane Brown remains one of country’s science education artists headlining NRG Stadium from March most popular new voices. He rose to fame with business 3 - 22, here are two of five that are definitely online after successfully auditioning for not to be missed (the rest are online). the X-Factor in 2013 but left once producers practices SUBSURFACE attempted to corral him into a boy band. Management and LIZZO Since then, Brown has seen considerable GEOSCIENCE Playing March 13 chart success and has released genre- entrepreneurship Lizzo, who is coming off her three recent bending collaborations with fellow Rodeo Grammy wins, was confirmed as a Rodeo Houston headliners Marshmello and Advanced science Houston headliner, along with Chance Becky G. Let’s see if either artist makes a SPACE the Rapper and Marshmello, on Tuesday surprise guest appearance at Brown’s NRG and engineering at her alma mater, Elsik High School. The concert on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:45 courses STUDIES Networking Houstonian’s smash hit “Truth Hurts” p.m. Resale tickets start at $25 and are on opportunities was arguably the song of the summer and sale now. broke records for being the longest number Must Listen To: “Lost in the Middle of one Billboard Hot 100 song to chart by a Nowhere (feat. Becky G)” and “What Ifs” solo female rapper. A champion of body This story has been condensed for print. positivity and a stellar performer, TIME To read the full version, see ricethresher. Communication Solid magazine’s 2019 Entertainer of the Year is org. and leadership ENVIRONMENTAL employment enrichment ANALYSIS record BEST OF RODEO HOUSTON 2020 BIOSCIENCE & HEALTH POLICY To read more and listen to our Spotify playlist of must-listen tracks by Rodeo Houston headlin- ers, visit ricethresher. profms.rice.edu courtesy sony music latin org. THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 • 15 SPORTS Niche sports provide unconventional experiences for students CHRISTINA TAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On any given Saturday, Jorge Zepeda can be found working up a sweat. But instead of hitting the gym or getting on the field, Zepeda has chosen a different way to exercise: Dance Dance Revolution. Zepeda is just one of many students at Rice who find their exercise, stress relief and mental agility in sports not found on traditional college rosters. In order to practice their unconventional sport, Loren Young and Carter Walker, members of the Rice sailing team, leave campus almost every weekend. After driving for 35 minutes down to Clear Lake, Young and Walker practice sailing at the Lakewood Yacht Club for around five hours before stopping by the Seabrook Waffle Company for a snack with the rest of their team. While Young and Walker are in Clear Lake, members of the equestrian team are in Fresno, where they take weekly lessons at the Southern Breeze Equestrian Center, according to team captain Celeste Biltz. This past weekend, the team hosted their own horse show there, inviting schools like Louisiana State University to compete. CHRISTINA TAN / THRESHER “As the show hosts, we provide all the Wiess College freshman Ethan Boniuk (left) fences with a guest fencer from another club during a Thursday night practice. As a club sport, the ingredients that make the show run: horses, fencing team practices twice a week and competes regularly in regional tournaments. judges, the location and volunteers to run the show,” Biltz, a Jones College senior, said. “We Zepeda (Sid Richardson College ’18 without being covered in at least one layer of Young said that many members of the had about 70 riders from 10 different schools, and a current graduate student), said that dust,” Tiblier said. “The horses at our barn are sailing team are also introduced to the which required us to organize about 30 horses DDR is also similar: a balance between really great, but accidents can happen. I think sport while at Rice. He said that while many and 40 volunteers.” physical ability and mental requirements. we’ve all at some point had toes stepped on or people think sailing is hard, he’s been able Lina Tiblier, a member of the equestrian DDR, a music video game originally found fingers nipped at.” to teach people how to sail in under an hour. team, said she finds riding physically and in arcades, features platforms with arrows Within these unconventional sports, some “It’s a tactical sport when we race as you mentally difficult, but rewarding. pointing forward, backward and to each students are pushing convention even further. need to know how to read the wind and “Not only do you have to focus on your side. Competitors must tap their feet in Although fencing allows people of all genders where to position your boat to go the fastest, own movements, but you also are reading and intricate patterns to match the arrows seen to compete, Jeannie Lee said she and her but those are skills you pick up the longer analyzing the horse’s movements and making on screen, all while keeping with the rhythm roommate, Grace Wei, are the only women on you sail; when we’re just lounging around, quick decisions on how to respond,” Tiblier, of the music. the fencing team. just have a good attitude and you’ll be able a Brown College sophomore, said. “I think “It’s a great form of exercise, at least for to vibe really well,” Young, a Martel College the hardest but most rewarding thing about cardio,” Zepeda said. “At the same time, junior, said. “Because in the end you’re on a riding is finding the strength to overcome fear. you’re also listening to fun music that gets you boat on a sunny day taking a mental break No matter how many times you’ve fallen off up and moving … and if you ever reach that from homework, so relax and chill out.” or made mistakes, nothing beats the feeling state of flow, which you can do really fast, it’s No matter how many Zepeda said the opposite is true about of when you finally master a new skill — it’s super great for stress relief. You just zone out times you’ve fallen off or DDR — while it’s easy to pick up, it takes a incredibly empowering.” and you just look at the screen and go.” lot of practice to become good at it. Walker, the sailing team captain, said As president of Rice DDR, Zepeda plays made mistakes, nothing “You think it’s a weird sport, but it’s that sailing requires more mental ability DDR every Saturday with his club members beats the feeling of when also a video game, so it’s the middle over physical strength, with the exception of in the Graduate Student Association lounge. you finally master a new ground that anyone can come and have sailing on high wind days. Claire Skinner, a Sid Richardson senior, skill — it’s incredibly some fun, and even if it’s being laughed “There’s a massive amount of tactics and said she started playing DDR on the Nintendo at by your friends — but I guarantee your strategy that go into racing, and one bad Wii when she was little, but reignited her love empowering. friends won’t be able to do much better,” decision can often doom your race,” Walker, for the game during a Sid Rich DDR session Zepeda said. “At the same time there’s a a Martel College senior, said. hosted by Zepeda. Now, Claire Skinner has Lina Tiblier ridiculously high skill ceiling, so you can Richard Appel, captain of the club fencing recruited her sister Colleen Skinner, a Sid Rich BROWN COLLEGE SOPHOMORE just do it for years and still have people team, said he feels similarly about his sport. freshman, to play with the club. better than you.” Fencing involves two players who duel with “It’s a rhythm game, so it uses your brain. Lee, who has fenced for six years and who Zepeda has also carved out his own epees, or needle-like swords. Contact with an But it’s exercise — it’s cardio. So it’s like the qualified for USA Fencing’s Junior Olympic space in the DDR world, which he and opponent sets off a sensor, which alerts the best of both worlds,” Claire Skinner said. Championships while in high school, said Claire Skinner say mostly exists online. duelers when one of them is hit. Sometimes, mental fortitude extends that she will be the only woman competing The club plays the game through an open “So much of fencing is how you make a beyond the sport itself. Tiblier said that while at an upcoming fencing tournament. Lee said source program, which is run by fellow plan — learning, studying your opponent people see riding as a glamorous hobby, that the unequal gender distribution comes DDR enthusiasts. Zepeda’s contribution, and making a plan to best fence against many aspects of the sport are less appetizing from inherent advantages that come with standardizing the rating system for DDR them,” Appel, a Lovett College senior, said. than others. greater height and arm length. dances, draws on his academic background “So that’s something we focus on when we “On a regular basis we are scooping poop, “As a woman, you might feel like you’re — electrical and computer engineering. train, both aspects of that, the physical but cleaning muddy horses and moving heavy more disadvantaged, but … it’s pretty cool “The difficulty rating system is wildly also the mental.” jumps or poles. I have yet to leave the barn how I can also show that women are capable inconsistent,” Zepeda said. “I was like, let’s of doing this sport,” Lee, a Baker College try to objectify the field a little bit. I made a freshman, said. program that essentially looks at the charts Wei said she admires Lee’s persistence, and tries to figure it out.” and started fencing solely because of Lee’s Through their different sports, all of encouragement. these athletes are figuring it out — practicing “I’ve loved fencing, not because I’m what they love with limited resources, space good, but because I get to spend more time and time. with [Jeannie],” Wei, a Baker freshman, “[My favorite song to dance to] is called said. “She’s taught me how to embrace my ‘99 Red Balloons,’” Claire Skinner said. “It aggressive side.” was from the Wii version back in the day, so I Wei is not alone as a newcomer to fencing played it when I was like 6 or something and — most of the team started fencing in college, I was really bad at it. But now, I can actually according to Appel. He said that their team do it. I do it every week.” serves both as a practice space for experienced Graduate student Nicole Sevilla said fencers and a training ground for new fencers. horse riding gives her a break from her With that comes a responsibility to dismantle academic life. misconceptions and teach safe practices. “For me, as a Ph.D. student conducting “A lot of people, when we say ‘fencing’ research, I am always faced with failed ... they kind of freak out, swords and all,” experiments and unanswered questions,” CHRISTINA TAN / THRESHER Appel said. “But it’s actually a very, very safe Sevilla said. “This sport grants me Sid Richardson College senior Claire Skinner (left) plays DDR with her sister, Sid Richardson sport. We always say, in the Olympics, fencing something to look forward to at the end of a freshman Colleen Skinner (right) during a weekly dance session. actually has fewer injuries than badminton.” long work week.” 16 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 BACKPAGE

Hundreds of people who bought wristbands for Y2K didn’t get in at all to the party or had to stand in line for hours — or both! Despite McModeling with this, McMurtry College insists that a gross overselling of tickets could not have been the issue. This is because their “externals ran McMurtry models” on ticket sales to ensure admission for everyone who paid. Spelling has never been “McMurty”’s strong suit, so modeling must be! We were so impressed with their infallible forecasting that we asked them to do some forecasting on other numerically sensitive issues on campus. Welcome to McModeling 101.

Like Y2K’s line, the SA elections have had their kinks in the past. The first step to learning from prior mistakes is recogniz- ing mistakes have been your Spring Break plans Spring Break your made. The second step? Sorry, McModeling isn’t on briefing them when parents The GPA you approximate for your your for approximate you The GPA equipped for that yet! Your GPA going into Midterm Recess Just make some changes run an election and hope for the best — Overestimation? Impossible! It’s basic you’ll probably see huge McMath. Whether your goal is approval to go The SA’s ability to smoothly smoothly to ability The SA’s improvements and the to South Padre or maximally profiting off of problem will be fixed, just wristbands, a little number crunching (The Years like they were fixed at Y2K details of which are McIndustry Secrets, this year. sorry!) can get you there.

If people just staggered their arrival times more, there would have been zero capacity issue at Y2K. That’s why venues for real world timed events, like concerts, rely on a constant staggering of attend- ees to ensure no overcrowding issues. It’d be a huge problem if peo- ple showed up at concerts at the same time or in a few main waves — say, the times the opening acts went on and the time the main act started. Luckily, this never, ever happens. Real-world venue manag- ers definitely rely on over half of the attendees leaving well before the main event. Pub’s ability to stay open stay to ability Pub’s

Attempts to use fake IDs at Pub

Accountability? Lame. It’s true that Pub management, staff and everyone who cares about Pub are all begging students not to use fake IDs. But, the McMotto of McModeling is, “Meh,

times at a venue times what’s the worst that can happen?” Even if, say, hundreds of students waste their time and money not getting into a Concentration of arrival of arrival Concentration public or a 40-year-old student-run business gets shut down, who can really link these things to specific actions? Some The literal maximum capacity of a may call it selfish and negligent. Whatever! With McPatented venue McModeling, you can brilliantly cancel out any causation.

The Backpage is satire, written by Simona McMatovic and designed by Simodel Matovic, who actually got into Y2K and had a great time. For comments or questions, email [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS WANTED

TEACH FOR TESTMASTERS! Dynamic and Energetic teachers wanted. Starting pay ADVERTISING Cash, check or credit card payment rate is $20 to $32 per hour. Flexible sched- We accept display and classified ad- must accompany your classified ad- ules. We provide all training, all training is vertisements. The Thresher reserves vertisement, which must be received by 12 p.m. on the Friday prior to paid, and we pay for travel. Email your re- the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. Additionally, the Thresher publication. sume to [email protected]. does not take responsibility for the factual content of any ad. Printing an Lindsay Josephs RICE ALUM HIRING TUTORS for Middle & advertisement does not constitute an Advertising Manager High School Math, Natural & Social Sci- endorsement by the Thresher. [email protected] ence, Foreign Language, Humanities and P.O. Box 1892 Display advertisements must be SAT/ACT prep. Reliable transportation re- Houston, TX 77005-1892 received by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to (713) 348-4801 quired. Pay is based upon variety of factors. publication. Contact 832-428-8330 and email resume to [email protected] First copy free, second copy $5.