VOLUME 101, ISSUE NO. 12 || WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 RICE UNIVERSITY WEEKLY NEWSPAPER STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 RICETHRESHER.ORG a tribe called after the owls rally quest election to 2-8 The classic hip-hop group’s Students and faculty Quarterback Tyler Stehling comeback album smashes a discuss moving forward leads Owls to their first long hiatus. following the election. C-USA win of the season.

see A&E p. 6 see Ops p. 5 see Sports p. 11

Hopes and fears: Campus reacts to Trump

christina tan/thresher Drew Keller president Jake Blumencranz said the Buzzard, who described himself as a Clinton, as did Will Rice sophomore for all the wrong reasons: His policy News Editor group, which voted to not endorse conservativefavoringsmallgovernment Hugh Grier, another Trump voter. means a lot less darker people within Trump’s candidacy in September, with strong national defense policies, “She is a lying, cheating, bought- these borders, whether they be illegal The morning after Donald Trump’s hoped Trump would appoint offi cials said economic turmoil in Midwestern out criminal,” Grier said. “There are immigrants or refugees,” Kowalski said. electoral victory, a palpable gloom had who would carry out conservative and industry that he attributed to Obama people in prison for doing what she did. “It doesn’t mean his policies are rooted settled over Rice University’s campus. Republican ideals. administration policies played an Electing a president that knowingly in hate. I don’t think he won any sexist Laughter was scarce; students gave “Like everyone else, we are important role in his vote. broke the law and openly lied to the votes, though perhaps he won some their friends hugs and off ered words surprised at the outcome of this election “Rural voters are disenfranchised American public would undermine pro-life votes. I’m pro-choice, and his of support. Some professors took time but we are not shocked that Trump’s — people sort of mock that term — but everything this country stands for.” policies on environmentalism bother out of class to discuss the election, message of change has resonated with people don’t generally understand,” However, both Grier and Buzzard me, but in every other respect he was while some students described an much of the country,” Blumencranz, a Buzzard said. “I’m from southwest said they supported all or most of the the superior presidential candidate.” immobilizing despondence as they Brown College junior, said. “Now that Missouri, and manufacturing and other Republican candidates over Kowalski said he wore a pro-Trump tried to go about their daily routine. the election is over and Trump is in the agriculture are part of the economy. Trump during the primaries. They said hat featuring the words “Make America Others who identify as conservatives or White House, we must come together Those issues were prominent in how we they did not support Trump’s widely Great Again” around campus the day supported Trump, however, expressed and unite as one party and one club.” vote in a rationally economic sense.” reported comments regarding women, after the election. more optimistic sentiments. Will Rice College freshmen Patrick Both Kowalski and Buzzard nor did they identify with some of his “Honestly, I feel like it was social Kowalski and Madison Buzzard both also expressed dislike for what they more extreme supporters. Kowalski suicide and winning the lottery at the A Republican victory voted for Trump, though they did described as the corruption and expressed a similar sentiment. same time,” Kowalski said. “A lot of Rice University College Republicans not expect his Election Night victory. establishment politics of Hillary “Racists would vote for [Trump] 0see REACTIONS, page 4 MECH continues push Campus organizes, shows solidarity for change at town hall in aftermath of presidential election

Emily Abdow “All our senior faculty are taking an Amber Tong engage students on their concerns, articulate your anger you can’t begin to Assistant News Editor overload. They are doing more work News Editor anxieties and questions, according to tackle it and heal it,” Clack said. than the university requires of them to OMA director Catherine Clack. Gabriela Balicas, a student diversity Mechanical engineering faculty teach these classes.” More than 150 students In addition, the OMA is setting up coordinator at the OMA, said it is and students discussed departmental The department also added gathered around Willy’s Statue in a tables in the Rice Memorial Center for important to validate people’s fears weaknesses and ways to improve the three new faculty members, Pedram demonstration of solidarity within a students to write down their thoughts. and pain, as they cannot move forward undergraduate experience during the Hassanzedah, Fred Higgs and day of Donald Trump’s confirmation Clack said Rice is trying to ensure without properly grieving and healing. MECH Department Town Hall Meeting Matthew Brake, but class size remains as President-Elect. College presidents people have resources to heal. “People are scared of harassment, organized by the Rice MECH Advisory a concern among students. Brake, who invited students to a midnight vigil “Some of us are so angry we can’t 0see INITIATIVES, page 4 Board on Friday. The four key areas of recently served as an adjunct research organized by Lovett College sophomore articulate our anger, and if you can’t focus were the classroom experience, assistant at the University of New Andrew Hadad. research experience, organization of Mexico, said Rice has made classes “As a country we stand more labs and job opportunities. smaller through what he described as divided than ever, but as a campus we Laura Schaefer, the department an unorthodox approach of off ering will come together as one united force,” chair of mechanical engineering, several lectures for core courses such the email invitation read. “We have the encouraged students to keep their as Engineering Mechanics (MECH 211). ability to hold hands across divides.” comments constructive. “What seems like it should be The vigil ended with a group hug “I understand that there is probably an easy solution, from the students’ that appeared on both student media a lot of frustration in this room, there perspective, would be to hire more site The College Fix and conservative might even be anger in this room, but faculty to share that work load,” Brake outlet Breitbart. After the gathering, please know that everyone in here is said. “But, the political aspect of it is the Rice community responded to on your side of this,” Schaefer said. that that’s a very challenging feat for the election with initiatives to spur “We want to have a better, stronger, the administration to accomplish. discussion and action plans. more resilient, more student-serving Eff orts such as these town halls go a department as well.” long way to help build a case for us to Diversity initiatives Schaefer said one major change grow the department and to have more The Offi ce of Multicultural Aff airs implemented by the department is full-time faculty available to teach.” hosted a dialogue on Friday to address that every undergraduate course is Andrew Gatherer, a member of the thosewhofeltdisillusionedorunsureof amber tong/thresher taught by a full-time faculty member. MECH Advisory Board, described the the future. For the rest of the semester, About 20 students gathered in the academic quad on Friday to protest “Those faculty members are diffi culties of getting funding directly diversity facilitators will host weekly againstclimatechangedenialanddiscussactionunderaTrumppresidency. making sacrifices,” Schaefer said. 0see MECH, page 4 tables at their respective colleges to 2 NEWS the Rice Thresher Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016 Amid Rice’s rise to 15th in the nation in US News, students question methodology, usefulness of university rankings auditing classes from total enrollment. rankings at all. While rankings shouldn’t be high school senior’s college decision. Amber Dai Additionally, institutional changes were a completely ignored, they are best used to examine “I feel like you can’t write convincing college Thresher Staff factor in Rice’s rise in the rankings, according to larger trends which can help a student decide essays if you want to go to a school only because Associate Vice Provost Shiva Jaganathan and Vice what actually is the best fit.” it’s ranked really highly or for the prestige, so When U.S. News & World Report released President for Finance Kathy Collins. Jaganathan While some believe college rankings are rankings were never a big factor of my decision of its 2017 National Universities Rankings, Rice and Collins said initiatives included targeted meaningless, the existence of the rankings where to apply,” Seballos said. University found itself four spots higher than the eff orts to increase alumni donations, improved themselves may perpetuate their own importance: For others, rankings served as a starting point yearbefore,risingfromtiedforNo.19totiedforNo. freshman retention and six-year graduation rates Academic reputation encompasses 22.5 percent of of research. 15 with Cornell University, Vanderbilt University that they attributed to Student Success Initiatives the score assigned to a university through U.S. “Once I got a baseline that these are all good and the University of Notre Dame. Two factors led and a reduction in admissions rate due to an News’ methodology. This factor is based off the schools I might have a chance of going to then, to Rice’s increase in the rankings: changes in the increasing applicant pool. opinions of peer university offi cials and high I just took it completely sideways, ignored the ranking methodology by U.S. News, in addition to school counselors. According to David Daniels, rankings, and looked at which school I would be institutional changes made by Rice. a Duncan College senior, this portion of the the happiest or would fit my personality,” Daniels. U.S. News creates its ranking by calculating an methodology is flawed. Chris Munoz, the vice president of enrollment overall score for each university based on multiple You can’t write con- “[Academic reputation is] a good thing to from the Offi ce of Admissions, said the rankings subscores in diff erent weighted categories. consider,” Daniels said. “But it may be too are useful because they help increase applications An article written by U.S. News analysts vincing college essays high because the problem is that, of course, the to Rice. identified two main changes in the updated 2017 colleges that have always been the best or always “It is flattering and marginally helpful when rankings. First, colleges were reclassified based if you want to go to a have the biggest names are going to come up the any publication gives Rice a positive ranking,” on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions most.” Munoz said. “Most certainly,U.S. News is the most of Higher Education. This did not aff ect Rice, school only because McMurtry College sophomore Saiesh Kalva influential.” however, because Rice has stayed classified as it’s ranked highly. said diversity is an important factor in college Senior Director of News and Media Relations a national university. The second change was in choice, but it is not included in the US News B.J. Almond said while rankings are something to the class size component of the Faculty Resources ranking. consider, there are other more important factors ranking factor, which is weighted as 20 percent of Anna Seballos “Diversity brings new perspectives and in deciding where to attend college. a university’s overall score. enhances the experience at Rice, or any campus, “When prospective students and others are Before this year, the ratings included class size Jones College Freshman because it gives people the opportunity to think pondering their academic goals and desired as two separate components: Classes with fewer in ways they may never have before,” Kalva said. educational experience, college rankings might than 20 students encompassed 30 percent of the Rice has historically always ranked very well, Daniels also said he feels diversity is central be helpful, but the rankings should be only one of faculty resources score and classes with more than according to U.S. News’ chief data strategist and unique to a college experience, and should many criteria that they investigate before making 50 students were 10 percent. This year, U.S. News Robert Morse. be included in the college ranking methodology. a decision,” Almond said. combined these two components of class size “Rice’s strongest ranking factors compared to “I’d say that diversity was one of the biggest into one overall class size index measure, which other schools in its National Universities ranking factors for me choosing Rice as opposed to some comprises 40 percent of the faculty resources category are its admissions data, such as SAT/ACT of the other similarly ranked schools,” Daniels Criteria & score. “This indicator is a more nuanced factor and class standing, faculty resources and alumni said. “It’s something that you’re not going to Weighting than in the past,” the website states. giving,” Morse said. experience really until college and even maybe According to data from the Offi ce of the However, the utility of rankings has been a after, but it’s very useful to gain perspective from Graduation and retention rates: 22.5% Registrar, 68.8 percent of Rice classes contain less matter of debate both nationally and at Rice. students all over the world.” than 20 students, and only 7.3 percent of classes Wiess College sophomore Walker Grimes said For Anna Seballos, a Jones College freshman, Undergraduate academic enroll more than 50 students. As defined by U.S. he believes college rankings are not helpful in college rankings do not matter much. reputation: 22.5% News, a class is an organized course taken for deciding what university to attend. “When I was choosing from the schools that I Faculty resources: 20% credit, meeting at specific times in a classroom “I’m all about finding the right personal fit,” was admitted to, there were so many other factors Student selectivity: 12.5% or similar setting. This percentage does not Grimes said. “What’s really good for one person that aff ected my decision that the rankings didn’t Financial resources: 10% include discussions, labs, independent studies or might make someone else extremely unhappy. really aff ect my decision either,” Seballos said. Graduation rate performance: 7.5% research done for credit, and excludes students This diff erence isn’t reflected in the college Seballos said rankings should not factor into a Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016 the Rice Thresher NEWS 3 Merlo seeks feedback on proposed social science reforms

Meredith McCain hope that it will also allow our understanding of Thresher Staff policy to really develop,” Daruka said. “Also, I like how Dr. Merlo is planning on expanding it to social Rice University’s School of Social Sciences policy, so it will apply to a variety of different work recently proposed several changes, including environments and not just the government.” an overhaul to the policy studies major, a new According to Merlo, the proposed neuroscience neuroscience major, changes to the pre-law major would be housed in the School of Natural program and a consolidation of quantitative social SciencesasopposedtotheSchoolofSocialSciences science coursework. to better accommodate its curriculum. A student Dean of the School of Social Sciences Antonio committee, NeuroX, is currently renegotiating Merlo has spearheaded the reforms and conducted the structure of the minor with cognitive science open meetings with the Social Sciences Advisory faculty, and they will decide whether to create a Board members and other students in the social neuroscience major. Regardless, Merlo said the sciences to receive feedback. cognitive science major will still exist. Merlo said the difficulties with the current Olivia Aguilar, a cognitive sciences major and policy studies program include a lack of faculty co-chair of the SSAB, said she would have been oversightandalumpingtogetherof typesofpolicy. more inclined to major in neuroscience had it The new “social policy analysis” major outlined by existed her freshman year. Merlo would include a required course on social “Cognitive sciences and neuroscience are very anson tong/thresher policy analysis and a capstone portion, in addition different, one being social science based and to the choice of an area of focus: inequality, very interdisciplinary, and the other being very Dean of Social Sciences Antonio Merlo meets with students over an informal lunch at Lovett institutions or technical policy analysis. biologically and computationally based,” Aguilar, College to discuss changes and improvements to the department. “Many students at Rice are interested in social a Baker College senior, said. “This distinction entrepreneurship and are considering pursuing naturally led to having two separate programs.” on coding R, java and python, a course on survey “There’s equal excitement coming from my careers in the nonprofit sector, so this will be An unstructured pre-law program at Rice led design and implementation and a broader course departments and from the students,” Merlo said. a structured way of gearing a major towards the Schools of Social Sciences and Humanities to on statistics for social sciences. “We want to give our students strong foundations them,” Merlo said. “This is our chance to create a team up and solve this issue. “The reorganizing of methods courses within in quantitative and qualitative research methods.” new major that will really focus and channel the One of the major pre-law reforms discussed by the school is one area that I’m very excited about,” Meghana Gaur, a Lovett sophomore and energies of students interested in certain areas Merlo is the addition of a practicum pilot that will Merlo said. “It goes hand in hand with the overall member of the SSAB, said she is satisfied with the towards their goals.” launch in the spring, allowing select students to initiative at the university level to focus on data proposed reforms and their potential to improve Manika Daruka, a Lovett College sophomore take a course, then shadow a judge or lawyer. science. This is a great opportunity to explore all the social science program. who is considering a major in policy studies, said Merlo said redesigned quantitative social the tools you need to study social sciences.” “The initiatives recognize the need to possess she was excited by the policy major reforms. science courses will deliver a wider breadth of According to Merlo, there has been positive valuable quantitative analysis skills,” Gaur “I actually really like the changes proposed information while also being higher quality. feedback from all parties when discussing these said. “Dr. Merlo and the SSAB are serious about because I think it will add more structure, and I Additions will include a computational course reforms, which could signal a beneficial outcome. improving the quality of the curriculum.” Experience with class size varies widely by department Lizzie Bjork between the provost and the deans. Miranda to have five to 19 students; any classes outside Thresher Staff said demand in one year informs funding for the these parameters require the dean’s approval. Fall 2015 next, as funding and faculty cannot be adjusted “As soon as you start increasing enrollment, Undergraduate Class Sizes According the U.S. News and World Report instantly but annually. youstartdilutingtheindividualexperience,”Dean rankings, Rice boasts a student to faculty ratio of Individual departments decide teaching of the School of Humanities Nicolas Shumway # OF STUDENTS 6 to 1. However, for some students in introductory assignments, class caps, how many sections to said. “And that, I think, is inimical to one of the courses like Mechanics (PHYS 101), with more offer and which classes will be taught. things that Rice stands for.” than 120 students enrolled in the course, this ratio Dean of the School of Social Sciences When classes fall below the five-student 2-19 20-49 50-99 100+ can seem unimaginable. Antonio Merlo said there are trade-offs between minimum, Shumway said, which happens with five Large introductory courses with more than 50 offering required upper-level courses, permitting to 10 classes per semester, the department chairs Architecture students are in fact a minority of course offerings: interested students into introductory courses must prove the class fulfills a major requirement. Just 7.3 percent of Rice classes have greater than 50 and ensuring majoring students are supported. Duncan College freshman Anna Kulma said 84.4% students, and these classes are split fairly evenly To determine this balance, department chairs her Greek and Latin classes have fewer than 20-49: 15.6%, 50-99: 0.0%, 100+: 0.0% between the School of Engineering, the School consider the faculty members available, their eight students. She said the small classes make of Social Sciences and the School of Natural strengths and the department’s needs. it easier to ask questions and allow one-on-one Engineering Sciences. According to data supplied by the Office interactions with professors. of Institutional Research, with the exception “You’d expect it to be kind of awkward, but it’s of engineering and social sciences, every other really relaxed and comfortable,” she said. 35.7% 49.7% undergraduate school has an enrollment of fewer As soon as you start For Duncan sophomore Erika Schumacher, 50-99: 12.1%, 100+: 2.5% than 20 students in at least 50 percent of their larger classes are harder for students to speak up. courses. increasing enrollment, “It’s easy for me to drift off and not feel According to Associate Vice President for accountable,” Schumacher said. Humanities Institutional Research and Analysis Shiva you start diluting the In the School of Natural Sciences, 5.7percent of Jaganathan, the undergraduate student to individual experience. classes have more than 100 students, the highest 91.9% faculty ratio reported in U.S. News is calculated percentage of any Rice schools. 20-49: 7.3%, 50-99: 0.4%, 100+: 0.4% by dividing the number of undergraduate According to chemistry department chair students (full time equivalent) by the number of Matteo Pasquali, the department faces challenges instructional faculty (full time equivalent) who Nicolas Shumway such as limited space in labs and teaching Music teach undergraduates. The U.S. News and World Dean, School of Humanities chemical engineers, pre-medicine students and Report then rates universities on the number of other natural sciences majors. 90.4% classes with fewer than 20 students and those George Zodrow, director of undergraduate Pasquali said upper-level courses are typically 20-49: 7.9%, 50-99: 0.9%, 100+: 0.9% with more than 50. studies for the economics department, said capped at 20 to 30. For lower level courses, the Office of Institutional Research Analyst Adele large lecture classes can be difficult for eliciting department tries to cap enrollment below 50 James said Rice has held fairly steady with 65 to feedback from the students. students, with the exception of Organic Chemistry Natural Sciences 70 percent of classes having under 20 students in “I teach a class that is usually 20 to 25 students and General Chemistry. recent years. James said with regard to rankings, and you can talk to the students, you can push The department also uses the flipped 56.6% 30.9% maximizing this percentage would result in higher on them a little bit to see how they’re learning,” classroom model, in which students learn new 50-99: 6.9%, 100+: 5.7% U.S. News scores for ratings on class sizes. Zodrow said. “With a really big class, you can’t material independently and spend class time in According to Provost Marie Lynn Miranda, really do that. You’re just lecturing. It’s all groups while the professor offers help. Rice is more focused on maximizing student presentation, not too much interaction.” “For a flipped classroom, you can still give the Social Sciences experience rather than the percentage of classes Lovett College sophomore Meghana Gaur said same personalized learning experience whether under 20 students. she is enrolled in three economics classes, with you have a class of 50 or 200,” Pasquali said. 47.2% 38.6% “If the 20th student is interested in the material about 40 to 60 students in each. Gaur said her Brown College freshman Dan Englund is 50-99: 8.7%, 100+: 5.5% or needs the class to graduate we should have class sizes have not posed a problem. enrolled in General Chemistry, which enrolls over those students in the class,” Miranda said. “You get to know your professors,” Gaur said. a 100 students but also employs group work and a Mirandasaidstudent-to-facultyratiosaremore “You feel you need to go to class because you’re Socratic method of inquiry. Dean of Undergraduates (FWIS, LPAP, etc.) telling of research and advising opportunities, developing a relationship with your professor.” “I hesitate to call my interactions with Dr. while class sizes instead reflect student demand. While 47 percent of social sciences classes [Lesa] Tran in this setting meaningful, but it does 84.3% Vice President of Finance Kathy Collins said have fewer than 20 students, 92 percent of make me feel a little less anonymous when I have 20-49: 15.7%, 50-99: 0.0%, 100+: 0.0% each department has a budget for faculty and humanities classes can say the same. The School my questions answered in a small group setting,” the number of faculty is continually discussed of Humanities has guidelines requiring each class he said. 4 NEWS the Rice Thresher Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016

0 “It doesn’t end with our campus, we have 0 elections and non-governmental organizations. INITIATIVES to talk to people who don’t know, who aren’t REACTIONS “We need to fight back, to say we will not let FROM PAGE 1 educated, who are ignorant,” Odwuor said. FROM PAGE 1 you take away our rights without opposition,” According to Pappal, students concerned Cirillo, a Sid Richardson College junior, said. about climate change are forming a new club Vietnamese Student Association president losing people they love, getting physically beaten called Texas Students for Climate Change Action. people have come up to me quietly on their own Thu Nguyen said while Asian Americans may not and this becoming normal,” Balicas said. to compliment me for wearing it. I feel like Rice directly feel the impact of the election, they must Balicas emphasized the importance of being Anthropology gathering saw it as me wearing a swastika on my arm, which support other minorities. an ally to other groups. Undergraduates, graduates and faculty is completely and utterly absurd.” “We need to fight with all of them, because in “Rice’s culture of care extends beyond the members of the anthropology department Buzzard said he mostly receives negative the end, eventually when it comes to something, alcohol policy, I’d like to believe,” Balicas said. came together on Monday for conversation, reactions to being a Trump supporter on campus. that’s our fight, they will have our backs,” “That involves taking care of the rest of the commiseration and community. Caring for “‘If you voted for Trump, you should burn in Nguyen, a Wiess College senior, said. student body as much as you can.” custodial staff, working against everyday hell,’” Buzzard said. “I’ve heard that. I’ve heard, Nguyen said she has had difficult discussions While she would like to engage Trump injustices and creating more nuanced discourse ‘If you voted for Donald Trump, you should kill with her parents, who voted for Trump in Texas supporters in conversations, Balicas said their were among the topics discussed. yourself.’ I’ve heard, ‘How can you look your primarily because of economic concerns. sense of alienation on campus makes it difficult. The goal of the gathering was to create an minority friends in the eye and tell them that you “I’ve heard from one of my family members “Most conservatives on campus feel like they unstructured space for conversation, according to voted for Trump?’ That sort of language is not that [Islamophobia and sexism are] such a big are being prosecuted by the liberal community assistant professor Andrea Ballestero. productive for conversation, not productive for part of American culture, it wouldn’t even matter because the way people talk about conservatives “It was really important to have a space to be policy, and it‘s not productive to unite America.” if Trump was voted because it’s still embedded in on campus is as if they were the worst thing on together, to experience together what for many Buzzard said he would welcome American culture,” Nguyen said. earth,” Balicas said. “That makes it harder for of us was a very traumatic event, even if not further dialogue with liberals, but for such Brown freshman Phillip Hedayatnia is the them to have a constructive dialogue.” completely surprising,” Ballestero said. conversations to occur, both sides need to listen editor in chief of RealPolitics, an online news Third-year graduate student Charlie to one another. and opinion media outlet with content written by Climate change rally Lotterman, who attended the event, said he “How can I expand outside my bubble, if all college students nationwide. Hedayatnia, a self- On the same day,around 20 students attended appreciated the solidarity. I’m greeted with are comments like these ones, described centrist, said he was happy with the an ad hoc meeting at the Willy’s Statue to reaffirm “Thesedaysmyheadisspinningindepressing instead of genuinely asking, ‘Why would you student body’s response to the election at Rice, their commitment to addressing climate change thoughts, so it is inspiring and hopeful to come vote for Trump?’ and just listening,” Buzzard where he said more people seemed willing to and to gather ideas for making an impact. together with allies,” Lotterman said. “It reminds said. “[Democrats] are not sitting down and engage in conversation than at other universities. Jones College senior Hasan Seede and Duncan me the country is not the only community I belong putting aside their emotional attachment to the College senior Ryan Pappal, who organized the to; I also have a strong community at Rice.” election, and just listening to why conservative rally, said they felt urged to action by Trump’s Ballestero said she was pleased participants voters voted conservative and why so many repeated misconceptions about climate change talked both about the immediate action and the people decided to dismiss the statements that I’ve heard, ‘If you and the appointment of Myron Ebell, a climate longer term implications for scholarship, activism Trump said for the sake of all the other issues.” voted for Trump, you change skeptic, to head his transition team at the and the way in which they inhabit the world, Buzzard said he experienced few successful Environmental Protection Agency. rather than focusing on just political strategies or conversations about politics on Rice’s campus. should kill yourself.’ “We don’t have another four years to wait for personal feelings. “The only people I’ve been able to discuss the next election to move on this issue, because Director of Undergraduate Studies and reasonably with have been a few people that this is urgent,” Seede said. assistant professor Zoe Wool said together with already personally know me as a good person, Madison Buzzard Pappal suggested writing letters to local some colleagues, she is planning a teach-in on because everyone else assumes I’m not,” Buzzard representatives and reaching out to climate Inauguration Day in January, which will be a said. “That’s a very difficult thing. But I’ve moved Will Rice College Freshman change deniers. mini conference where professors explain the past it, and that’s why I’m willing to talk, even “We need to show it will be a smooth, slow implications of a Trump presidency from an though I’m going to receive horrible backlash.” “The response at Rice was to say, ‘Let’s transition where people embedded in fossil fuels academic perspective. Duncan College freshman Juliette Turner, a support the people in our community who feel wewanttomoveawayfromarenotgoingtobeleft “I have been trying to encourage other people Trump supporter who said she had predicted a marginalized and threatened, rather than getting behind,” Pappal said. “We’re not going to rapidly to turn Inauguration Day into a national higher Trump electoral victory with Clinton winning all up in arms about the result of the election,’” change their lives but slowly invest in renewable ed day of action to help students figure out what the popular vote, said she is saddened by the Hedayatnia said. “I don’t believe that sort of energy and causes that save energy.” exactly this presidency — and the policies that labeling, hurt and fear she sees on campus and protest is effective at all.” Wiess College senior Audrey Odwuor said it might entail — might mean,” Wool said. “[We in the country. She rejected the idea that Trump is Hedayatnia, who worked with the Gary college students are in the best position to want] to look to [academia] to give us more homophobic, racist or sexist, saying he waved a Johnson, John Kasich and briefly Bernie Sanders because they will be most directly affected by the informed, complex ways of understanding what rainbow flag at a rally and his campaign manager campaigns this election cycle, said he disliked the effects of global warming. has happened.” Kellyanne Conway is the first woman to lead a election result personally but believes dialogue is successful presidential campaign. key to moving forward. “The fear people have is based on uncertainty, “I have family I worry for, as somebody whose rhetoric and beliefs that the GOP and Donald mother is Colombian and has a thick accent and Trump is ‘insert label here,’” Turner said. “We I know how many people have said to her in the live in America, my friends. We have checks and past, ‘Speak English,’” Hedayatnia said. balances. Trump does not have a free check to Jones College sophomore Pamela Ekechukwu implement any policies he wants.” said she has tried to understand why those in the Like Buzzard, Turner said she hoped for Rust Belt were more inclined to vote for Trump, increased dialogue across the partisan divide. but people who immediately advocated for peace “I encourage everyone at Rice and around between both sides overlooked the concerns of America to refrain from saying ‘person’ is ‘label,’” students who feared a Trump presidency. she said. “Let’s talk about actual policies. “A lot of people posted saying, ‘Make sure When we do, we find that we have much more you keep an open mind, don’t try to block Trump in common than we previously thought. I will supporters from your life,’ which was a very proudly wear a safety pin for solidarity, right next rational thing to do,” Ekechukwu said. “At the to my Donald Trump pin.” same time, I had issues with how people went about that because they were more concerned Anti-Trump students grieve with order than equality.” David Cirillo, president of the Rice Young This article has been condensed for print. To Democrats, expressed fear for the effect of a read faculty reactions and more, go to ricethresher. Trump presidency on the environment and org. News Editor Amber Tong and Assistant News minorities. He called for participation in local Editor Emily Abdow contributed to this article.

taken the lab and know what the lab manual 0 wants, the revisions should be much clearer and MECH more appropriate for future students,” Feng, a FROM PAGE 1 Duncan senior, said. A second suggestion by Nicholas Sepulveda, to the MECH department. Gatherer said funds are a Weiss College junior, was to make labs more sent to the school of Engineering, where the Dean applicable to the real world and relate to the of Engineering determines how to divide funds automotive and aeronautical sectors. between departments. Justin Bernard, a Jones College junior, said “We have to stand together in response to the labs could be used as an opportunity for MECH administration to ensure that sustainable, long students to explore different career paths given lasting change is enacted,” Gatherer, a Brown the broad nature of the major. College junior, said. When discussing the topic of careers, students According to Preston Hill, a Duncan College raised the possibility of increasing the number of senior, only 20 percent of MECH students recruiters from companyies outside of oil and gas participate in research, while seventy percent of that come to Rice, citing Texas A&M, which has MECH students who have searched for research a career fair dedicated to mechanical engineers. have been unsuccessful. Dean of Engineering Ned Thomas said this Clark Zha, a Will Rice College junior and difference is explained by Rice’s smaller size, with MECH student, suggested a standardized system some companies choosing larger universities where faculty provide information about how where they can conduct hundreds of interviews. many students they are looking for and what “You want engineers, go to Texas A&M,” skills are desirable, so students can apply. Zha Thomas said. “You want engineering leaders, also suggested a program where upperclassmen you want people who are going to change your mentor freshmen and sophomores. company, come to Rice.” MECH students at the Town Hall voiced A solution Schaefer offered is publicizing discontent with the current state of labs, citing opportunities such as the Asian American that labs are often difficult to understand and are EngineeringConference,whichisopentostudents out of sync with the material learned in courses. of all backgrounds as a networking opportunity. One popular solution was to give students the Moving forward, Schaefer said the MECH opportunity to rewrite labs for extra credit. departmentwillcontinuetodiscusstheclassroom Colin Feng, a senior MECH student, said experience and undergraduate research, as well although he already finds many labs frustrating as work to increase the amount of faculty. due to the lack of an interactive component, “I am enormously proud of the MECH rewritten labs could spare students the additional undergraduates,” Schaefer said. “These students frustration of trying to understand instructions. aren’t just complaining, but are working hard to “With students writing [the labs], who have bring about positive change.” 5 Letters to the Editor: Election aftermath Momentum from election Respect all ideas Build a culture of caring should push out apathy To the Editors, To the Editors, some aberration, but rather, the result of prejudice and political disengagement that As the transition process for Donald Trump’s The result of this week’s election has Last week, as students like myself exist throughout this country and, yes, that presidency continues to unfold, students have ramifications far beyond partisan politics. struggled to cope with the outcome of exist at Rice. Our complacency will now every right to express concern over important Donald Trump’s stunning victory is a threat to the presidential election, one bright only present greater challenges for our political issues, whether they relate to the en- civil rights, liberties and discourse, as well as spot seemed to emerge in outpourings of community unless we reject reactionism vironment, reproductive rights, the status of to deeply shared values of inclusiveness and emotional support that echoed throughout and build not only a culture of care, but immigrants or aff ordable health care. The docu- tolerance. Campuses and other communities our campus. I was personally amazed also a culture of caring. We must ask mented rise of hate crimes targeting various mi- across the country are already reporting by how quickly student leaders, Rice ourselves: If we care, do we care enough nority groups is also cause for serious concern. increases in hateful speech and actions. We Health Advisors, A-Teams and random to do the nuanced work of respecting It is thus unsurprising that students on encourage the open and free exchange of ideas, compassionate individuals mobilized to our peers while still challenging harmful campus have responded overwhelmingly with even those outside the bounds of “political extend our culture of care to those fearing beliefs they hold? Do we care enough to shock, grief and in some cases, anger (see p. 1). correctness.” We want to be a place where ideas what the future might hold for them as have discussions about the experiences of Whether it is through a midnight vigil, from opposing perspectives can be engaged. We women, people of color, religious minorities, marginalized students that rise above ill- hosting events raising awareness about a social cannot, however, allow expressions of hate and queer individuals or simply human beings. informed joking about political correctness, issues, fundraising for nonprofits, marching in intolerance to go unchallenged. Our campus, Still, as Wednesday night wore on, I became or to question the priorities our school protest or perhaps just expressing frustration on city and nation must remain places where all increasingly wary of certain narratives projects with its ties to companies whose social media, we must realize that everyone is people feel safe and empowered. being offered about what the continued environmental abuses most significantly processing this event diff erently, and that they We are dedicated to exposing and role of our culture of care should be moving impact communities of color? Do we care deserve our empathy and respect. addressing injustice in all its forms via our forward. Too many times, in college emails enough to actually vote in every election To make matters more thorny, many of the research and teaching, and we will work to and at “One Rice” events, voices repeated between now and 2020? Moving forward, I current issues at stake feel deeply personal or maintain an atmosphere of civility and respect the sentiment that, if we just look past our believe we can show deeper commitment emotionally charged for many — and rightfully for all in the months and years ahead. We look differing beliefs and commit ourselves to to each other by answering such questions so. Nonetheless, now is not the time to balk forward to working with others in pursuit of shared values we have always held, we can with an emphatic “yes.” from engaging in dialogue with those whom these fundamental principles. go untouched by Tuesday’s events. we may vehemently disagree; we must strive This flawed message only propagates Carly Frieders for greater communication and understanding The Rice sociology department faculty, an image of Rice as a bubble. It ignores the Brown College whenever we can. postdoctoral fellows and graduate students fact that Donald Trump’s election was not Class of 2020 These times can be especially trying for students who are a part of marginalized com- munities, as they may feel frustrated or angry at having to continually explain their struggles to those who do not share in them. It is at times Thoughts on liberalism and compassion like these where allies are crucial in alleviating For many in our community, the results of themselves, their friends and their family. Over the heavily on everyone. In spite of this we must try to that burden; those of us who have the ability or Tuesday’s election came as a surprise. In the past week, students have reported an increase in fi n d c o m p a s s o n f o r t h o s ei i n o u r c o m m u n .tyi energy to speak up share a responsibility in pro- immediate wake of the election, it appears that harassment both on and off campus. On campus, Many who are fearful or still grieving the moting the rights of oppressed groups. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory came as a students of color have heard individuals chant outcome of the election may not be ready to find Be an ally not just in their moments of resultofconcernsaboutthee ff ectsofglobalization “Make American white again” and “Build a wall!” this compassion for others, and that is okay. distress, but in the small conversations you and a dysfunctional culture in Washington, D.C., Outside of Rice, female students and students of We should remember that half a century ago, have with those around you, where you have as well as fears about changing demographics and color have been sexually harassed and told to go Martin Luther King Jr. inspired compassion not the power to shift mindsets and elevate the the place of women, Muslims, Hispanics, African- back to where they are from. In the face of fear because those at the time necessarily felt it, but discourse. Americans and others in modern American and insecurity, these students and others across because he convinced those around him that We often hear that Rice students are as a society. the country would understandably vocalize their compassion would heal them so much more whole apathetic, but this election has proven We can and should have robust debates about frustrations and fear through protest or other than hatred and anger ever could. He encouraged otherwise. As we see our community mobilize some of the concerns that Trump and Trump’s means. civil disobedience in the face of injustice and and rally in solidarity, we are reminded of supporters raise. A large portion of Americans, Contrary to what many pundits have argued, oppression, but he did so with hope for the future. perhaps the one positive outcome of Tuesday’s especially in the economically depressed Rust these students are not privileged “crybabies.” In the coming days, weeks, and months, we must election results: We have been forced to Belt, clearly feel disenfranchised and left behind They are afraid and angry precisely because they try to summon this capacity for compassion and acknowledge the many serious issues facing by the political process. Trump was able to tap lack the privilege that could protect them. They starttheprocessofhealingwiththeunderstanding our society, issues that for many oppressed into a sense of deep frustration deserving of object to the outcome of this election not because that history bends towards justice and slowly, too groups have always been a daily reality. Now investigation, not demonization. they question the legitimacy of the process, but slowly, things will get better. the rest of us have to pay attention, too. But in a liberal constitutional democracy, we because they believe their fundamental rights mustalsorecognizecertainpositionsshouldnotbe and security have been threatened by its results. Errata respected and fall outside the realm of legitimate I wish I could say everything will be okay, but Griffin ThomThomasas is the In last week’s Nov. 9 issue, the story political discussion. While we need to be tolerant we just don’t know for sure. All any of us can do StudentAsso ociationciation of reasonable diff erences in political beliefs, we is get involved, care for one another and show “College masters recommend change to presidentan ndada title, SA seeks student input” omitted the need not tolerate positions that advocate racist, compassion. provost’s first name. Her full name is Marie xenophobic and sexist behavior. These positions In this situation, compassion may be harder LovettColleg gee Lynn Miranda, not Lynn Miranda. oppose the values of our democracy and our to pursue than we would like. I think we are all senior In the same issue, the Thresher incorrectly campus community. tired. We are tired of understanding, tired of reported Rice paid about $20,000 as a result The clear influence of these unacceptable waiting, tired of living in fear. Whether you are on of violating the Clean Air Act. The correct positions in the current election has left many the left, right or center, the past eighteen months amount of fines is about $12,000. feeling deeply fearful for the future and safety of have been emotionally taxing and have weighed

Visit ricethresher. Might I remind you that it was once ‘trradition’adition’ for For those who say it won’t be that bad: It’ss org/section/opinion Rice University to exclusively serve whitewhite men great that you are able to say that. You’ree to read Mahdi’s and women, and to say that it always trultrulyy served wrong. It might not be that bad for you. But, it opinion on the women is generous. will be devastating to others. masters’ title and David’s opinion on Mahdi Ferris David Cirillo the election results. SA Senator and McMurtry College sophomore Rice Young Democrats president and Sid Richardsonn ONLINE College junior

opinions copy The Rice Thresher, the offi cial student newspaper Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the STAFF Mitch Mackowiak* Editor Jasmine Lin Editor at Rice University since 1916, is published each Thresher editorial staff . All other opinion pieces represent Julianne Wey Editor Wednesday during the school year, except during solely the opinion of the piece’s author. sports examination periods and holidays, by the students of Andrew Grottkau Editor Yasna Haghdoost* backpage Rice University. Editorial and business offi ces are located on the second Riley Robertson Editor Editor in Chief arts & entertainment floor of the Ley Student Center: Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. 6100 Main St., MS-524 Anita Alem* Lenna Mendoza Editor business operations Shannon Klein Ads Manager the Friday prior to publication and must be signed, Houston, TX 77005-1892 Managing Editor design Sean Kelley Distribution Manager including college and year if the writer is a Rice Phone (713) 348-4801 Justin Park Director Juan Saldana student. The Thresher reserves the rights to edit Email: [email protected] Samantha Ding News Designer Business Manager online letters for content and length and to place letters on Website: www.ricethresher.org Katrina Cherk Sports Designer Charlie Paul Editor its website. Christina Tan A&E Designer Alex Kim Editor The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and CMBAM Jennifer Fu Illustrator news *Editorial Board member © Copyright 2016 Drew Keller* Editor photo Amber Tong* Editor Sirui Zhou Editor Emily Abdow Asst. Editor Charlene Pan Asst. Editor 6 A Tribe Called Quest returns with ‘We got it from Here’

Ali Wilt For the Thresher

Famed ’90s avant-garde hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest has just released “We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service,” their first new album in almost 18 years. Tribe impressively incorporates jazz, hip-hop and futuristic production with their signature throwback R&B sound to create a style uniquely their own. “We got it from Here” opens with “The Space Program,” a slightly surrealist call for unity that incorporates mentions of Che Guevara with Willy Wonka’s oompa loompas. The track uses the mellow jazz-infused beats Tribe is known for, but contrasts it with the bombastic lyricism of Q-Tip, Tribe’s de facto leader. Tribe’s inventive play between members is highlighted in “Solid Wall of Sound,” with a sample of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” acting as a chorus

courtesy sarah welch between Q-Tip’s and notable rapper Busta Rhyme’s traded lines. ‘VERY PLEASANT TRANSIT CENTER’: Busta is just one of many impressive contributors that Tribe recruited for “We got it from Here.” Jack White, the front man A comforting image of the future of the White Stripes, acts as producer for “Solid Wall of Sound” and “Ego,” and adds Naomi Pringle Welch’s relationship with her work is very “They all have very idyllic names, but none his signature guitar licks to “Melatonin,” a For the Thresher much about controlling the final product. She of them are very nice places to be,” Welch said. track chronicling the struggle of everyday controls her art’s creation from conception to “The name [Very Pleasant Transit Center] is life and the desire to escape. Andre 3000 The transition from sheltered university production and even owns the Risograph on an ironic joke about transit centers. But, it’s takes over on “Kids,” a plea to unify the black life to the world outside is marked with which the copies are printed. The narrative she also about finding some kind of peace within a community. Contemporary favorites Kanye considerable anxiety, as the first time many will imagines is very detailed and atypical, purposely non-place. It’s about finding a way to make an West and Kendrick Lamar make appearances feel that they don’t have a distinct next step, subverting the expectation of a driving plot, unpleasant experience pleasant.” on “The Killing Season” and “Conrad Tokyo” a plan for success. The fear surrounding this of rising and falling action. The characters are Most of us at Rice are nearing the age respectively, creating a stunning diversity is something we at Rice tend to shove aside, trapped in a rut throughout the story, continually of the characters in “Very Pleasant Transit seldom seen on new releases. but Sarah Welch, a Houston-based graphic ending up where they began. Even within the Center.” The idea of entering the “real world” novelist, attempts to bring this emotion to the series as a whole, the plot is nebulous, each is met with a feeling of both excitement and forefront. In “Very Pleasant Transit Center,” installment standing more or less alone. In trepidation. The threat of isolation is certainly the fourth installment of her comic book series this installment, Welch focuses on existing in frightening, of a world in which your closest Although ‘We got it “Endless Monsoon,” Welch captures this transitional space, neither here nor there. She friends are no longer just a few doors down. from Here’ boasts youthful state of uncertainty. depicts this in her portrayal of the characters’ “Very Pleasant Transit Center” manages at “Endless Monsoon” focuses on two female lives and the literal space of the transit center. once to both stimulate and quell this fear. The some of the best artists protagonists in their early 20s, living in an The artist pulls from her own experience protagonists experience this isolation, but exaggerated version of the Gulf Coast. They their close friendship and shared vision for the on the scene today, grapple with the emotional and economic future provide a redeeming solace. struggles of entering adulthood. Welch began “Their solidarity makes the aloneness less it can’t escape the creating graphic novels herself at the same age, ‘Very Pleasant Transit crushing,” Welch said. repetitiveness creeping influenced mainly by other women graphic Center’ confronts We are technically adults, but we still novelists that she met in art school. She pulled haven’t fully experienced the tedium described into the last half of the from this influence and from the experiences these feelings in the book, the routine of adult daily life of her friends as well as her own life in the and adult obligations. We are aware of the release. making of “Very Pleasant Transit Center.” of hopelessness threat of dormancy and stagnation even if Welch carefully frames each scene to depict it isn’t currently upon us. “Very Pleasant in detail the mundane scenes of young adult with a message of Transit Center” confronts these feelings of Politics plays a large role on “We got it life. The pacing is purposefully slow, lingering hopelessness with a message of empowerment from Here,” just in time for the shocking on the minute details of the protagonists’ empowerment that that is neither saccharine nor false. Further, events of last week’s presidential election. experiences and delineating in captions is neither saccharine it doesn’t attempt to sum up the current “We the People” mocks Donald Trump’s specific sensory detail that visual media cannot sociopolitical zeitgeist into one overarching racism with the hook, “All you Black Folks, caputre (the sense of smell, for example). For nor false. experience of youth. The work is relatable, you must go/All the Mexicans, you must go.” this reason, Welch is attracted to the graphic specific in its scope and, despite the comic’s Trump is name-dropped on album closer “The novel form, which allows her to deliberately emphasis on life’s drudgery, each moment Donald,” referencing the fear many black influence the experience of the reader. and that of friends in “Very Pleasant Transit feels ephemeral and intimate. Americans have for the mogul’s presidency. “It is similar to filmmaking,” Welch said. “I Center.” Welch herself, who has a visual Welch’s work can be read in Sewall 402 The Black Lives Matter movement, though can take full control over both the aesthetics impairment and resultantly cannot drive, until Nov. 30 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on not directly referenced, figures prominently and the story itself.” spends a lot of time at transit centers. Thursday, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. 0see QUEST, page 7

THE MOODY POP-UP ZINE FEST FLEA STYLE BREAKING WEEKLY ART SHOW POINT Zines epitomize DIY art — as If you’re looking for a shopping SCENE In preparation for the opening of small-scale, handcrafted and fix, Flea Style is a biannual Rice Dance Theatre’s fall show the Moody Center for the Arts, the underground publications. The indoor marketplace which curates features student and guest chore- The editors’ picks first in a series of pop-up art events Lawndale Art Center will celebrate hundreds of vendors of everything ography with the theme “Breaking for this week’s will take place on Friday evening, and feature zines and their creators from furniture to art to clothing. $5 Point,” as well as a performance best events. Time starting at 6 p.m., featuring student on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to entry, the marketplace will be open from another student dance to explore the performances, sound art, a local DJ 8 p.m. Admission is free. Saturday Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. group, BASYK. Shows run Nov. 17- wonderful world and more. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. of Houston. Lawndale Art Center Silver Street Studios South Servery Field 4912 Main St 2000 Edwards St Rice University Recreation Center moody.rice.edu zinefesthouston.org fleastyle.com recreation.rice.edu/rdt Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016 the Rice Thresher A&E 7 0QUEST FROM PAGE 6 LUCY ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT EMBRACES in tracks like “Black Spasmodic” and “The GROUP DINING EXPERIENCE Killing Season,” with lines like “This lack of justice got us disgusted, look at our faces/Take a bow, this might be your last Lauren Heller performance.” Thresher Staff Although “We got it from Here” boasts some of the best artists on the scene today, it can’t escape the repetitiveness creeping Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant into the last half of the release. Beats become and Lounge stale, shout-outs become overused. The Trinidadian accents that Busta Rhymes Address: 6800 Southwest Freeway and late Tribe member Phife Dawg employ Phone number: (713) 334-0000 throughout the album cleverly reference their Price range: $$ heritage, but the nasally exaggeration quickly Website: lucyhouston.com becomes annoying after one verse. Tribe fans will be more than willing to overlook these Recommended Dish slight missteps, but it could alienate new listeners. Meat and veggies special entree, $39 A Tribe Called Quest has triumphantly Yellow lentils, spicy red lentils, green returned from a long hiatus, and the group peas, cabbage, house salad, key wot, just announced they will release more new albums in the future. This new release will doro wot, beef tibs largely be seen as a bittersweet chapter in lauren heller/thresher Left to right: Injera, special entrees for the table including chicken, beef and lamb the group’s career, since prominent Tribe member Phife Dawg passed away this March In one of the most diverse cities in the and roasted red bell pepper hummus. all mixed with diff erent ingredients including from diabetes. With the group serving as country, we have the unique opportunity to Sambusas are reminiscent of Indian samosas onions, jalapeños, tomatoes and garlic. One a major influence on Kendrick Lamar’s expand our cultural horizons by eating at a but are filled with onions, green peppers, spice used for the beef called berbere — a “untitled unmastered,” as well as many wide variety of authentic ethnic restaurants. lentils and beef. The sweet chili sauce provided blend of chili peppers, garlic, ginger, basil and other jazz-hip-hop recordings today, it will Coming from a suburb, I had not been exposed a nice tang to balance the starchy sambusa. other herbs — is a key ingredient of Ethiopian be interesting to see how Tribe retains their to several cuisines until I came to Rice, The roasted red bell pepper hummus was a food. The lega tibs, or beef mixed with berbere original sound while looking to hip-hop’s including Ethiopian food. blend of chickpeas, tahini, roasted red peppers sauce, was my favorite item in the special present and future. Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant and Lounge and garlic served with slices of toasted pita. entrees, but it was a fun experience to sample serves Ethiopian dishes in a colorful setting This appetizer outshone the sambusa with its the other meats. that includes a lounge (somewhat randomly creamy texture and richer flavor. We ended the feast with ice cream and placed) in the back of the restaurant. Lucy is The next course consisted of the special baklava, which I did not expect to find in an a great spot for newcomers who are unfamiliar entrees, which are large sampler platters big Ethiopian restaurant. There were not many with the culture or food. First, they explain enough to feed a few people. There are several dessert options, so I would recommend Ethiopian terms on the sides of the menu. special entrees to choose from, are all served ordering the baklava or finding a dessert place Although I went with a large group, none of us with injera. Injera is similar to a crepe but with in nearby Hillcroft. were very familiar with the dishes on the menu. a spongier texture. We were told to unroll the Lucy is a unique, relaxed restaurant for As a result, our server graciously ordered all injera and tear it into pieces that we could use large groups, which is actually possible since the food for the table after taking into account to grab bites of food from the platter and eat it takes reservations. If you order the special our dietary restrictions and explained what with our hands. entrees for the group to share instead of was in each dish as it was served. I highly The meat and veggies combo platter individual entrees, you can sample a wide recommend going to Lucy in a group, both to consisted of yellow lentils, spicy red lentils, variety of Ethiopian dishes at a reasonable courtesy billboard maximize the amount of food you get to try and green peas, cabbage and house salad. You will price. Overall, it’s a great way to expand Members of A Tribe Called Quest before to order the special entrees. not find pork on Lucy’s menu, but you will beyond the restaurants that would normally their 18-year hiatus My group started our meal with sambusas find chicken, beef and lamb. The meats were be in your comfort zone.

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Madison Flavin and executive music producer, “Trolls” contains For the Thresher a plethora of funky foot-movers that know how to create lasting smiles. Along with classics our 2016 has not been a jolly good time — more parents grew up with, like Simon and Garfunkel’s like angry, depressed and anxious. For some, “The Sound of Silence” and Lionel Ritchie’s happiness feels like a cruel, outdated joke. Within “Hello,” the soundtrack includes original music this context, Dreamworks’ “Trolls,” an animated by Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and Ariana Grande. adventure musical with Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake’s own song of the summer, “Can’t Timberlake voicing the leads, seems like a strange Stop the Feeling,” is one of those songs where choice for this point in the year. In a cinematic every listen demands unapologetic dancing atmosphere increasingly in favor of the dark along. Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” becomes the and gritty, “Trolls” celebrates those who choose film’s anthem, and said song’s greatest cover, in happiness, no matter what life throws at them. a ferociously tear-jerking centerpiece scene that Once upon a time, the optimistic Trolls, led by easily ranks as one of the year’s greatest film King Peppy, fled their homes to seek refuge from moments. the Bergens, for whom the ingestion of Trolls provides temporary happiness. Twenty years later, King Peppy’s daughter, the sunny Princess In a cinematic Poppy, throws a wild anniversary party, which attracts the attention of the Bergen Chef and atmosphere results in the abduction of her eclectic friends. Eager to rescue her friends and save her kingdom, increasingly in Poppy turns to Branch, a Troll of drab colors who, for reasons unknown, has spent most of his life favor of the dark in a heavily fortified survival bunker. Opposites and gritty, ‘Trolls’ clash and attract as the duo risk everything to turn their world around . celebrates those who The sugar-sweet Poppy and the bitterly paranoid Branch represent opposing ends of an choose happiness, optimism-pessimism spectrum. Beautiful voice work by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake no matter what life illustrate the complexities and contradictions throws at them. of both characters, making them more fleshed out. Kendrick convincingly conveys Poppy’s somewhat-naive cheerfulness but also displays For its entire 90-minute running time, the her painful process of realizing that, as Branch film’selectriccolorpaletteexplodeso ff thescreen, puts it, “the world isn’t all cupcakes and creating a world that can’t be turned away from rainbows.” She finds the possibly psychotic side for fear of missing out on something wonderful. of Poppy’s happy-go-lucky attitude but doesn’t The crisp 3-D, a surcharge well worth the price of punish her for it, even when it looks like the admission, adds a tactile feel to the characters, character has lost hope. Timberlake steals the which look like scrapbook felt creations come show as Branch, whose sarcasm masks a truly spectacularly to life. It’s as if the walls of the heartbreaking source of pain and paves the way cinema have floated away, transporting the for an emotionally moving journey of rediscovery. audience into the world of the Trolls. His performance is fully invested in Branch’s While animated films may be made with metinee ding/thresher trajectory, with those contagious spirits of belief, children and families as the target audience Architectronica tech team controls lights and music while partygoers dance below. love and imagination driving curiosity about who “Trolls” is an animated film where even childless the character really is. adults won’t want to come down from its heavenly With Timberlake also acting as songwriter happy spell.

courtesy collider ‘Into the Inferno’ tackles human fascination with fire

Michael VerMeulen its inclusion of Herzog’s now-iconic voice as Thresher Staff narration. Gorgeous shots of the three volcanoes in the world with visible magma are overlaid with Werner Herzog is one of the most daring operatic music to create a hauntingly beautiful filmmakersofalltime.Fromdraggingasteamboat eff ect. Combined with the poeticism of Herzog’s across a mountain to forging shooting permits to narration and the almost-madman intelligence hypnotizing his actors, Herzog will seemingly pouring out from his voice, the documentary has do almost anything for the sake of his art. In his moments that truly astound in their power. These newest documentary “Into the Inferno,” which moments simultaneously show both the beauty was recently released on Netflix, the now 74-year- and destructive force of the planet, a remarkable old director demonstrates that he has not lost any visual feat that only Herzog seems to be able to of the ambition or nerve that made him famous. pull off with such regularity. Made in collaboration with volcanologist Clive There are segments of the documentary Oppenheimer, Herzog’s “Into the Inferno” studies that don’t feel entirely necessary, though they the belief systems that have formed around are interesting and would certainly fit well in volcanoes rather than focusing on the volcanoes other documentaries. In their visit to Ethiopia, themselves. Herzog, while obviously fascinated Oppenheimer and Herzog embark on an with the great power of the volcanoes, cares more archeological dig of a 100,000-year-old hominid about the human relations to the fiery mountains. with an eccentric professor from the University Traveling across the world to Indonesia, Ethiopia, of California, Berkeley. Few connections can be Iceland and — most shockingly — North Korea, made between this portion of the film and the the team of Herzog and Oppenheimer interview greater theme of volcanoes. The other portion of fascinating people. The most interesting, relevant the film that does not feel completely cohesive subjects to the film’s greater topic were the is the North Korean segment. While Herzog and interviewed Indonesian tribal chiefs who spoke Oppenheimer do ask about the significance of about their tribes’ volcano-based religions. a certain volcanic crater considered to be the Beliefs in spirits living within the volcano traditional birthplace of the Korean people, much or an American Christlike figure who will one of this segment also highlights the propagandist day emerge from the volcano are only some of image the North Korean government crafts. While the interesting tidbits from their findings. The the topic is fascinating it does not entirely fit. world’s most heavily volcano populated nation, Overall, “Into the Inferno” is another in a Indonesia retains these volcano-based belief long line of compelling documentaries from systems despite the country’s predominantly Herzog. Though it does drift in focus, the Muslim identity. exploration of volcanoes incredible power as Some of the film’s other greatest strengths well as their eff ect on diff erent peoples makes were its stunning cinematography as well as this feature worthwhile. 9 Baseball prepares for historic trip to Cuba

Michael Kidd Thresher Staff

Two pieces of exciting new apparel just arrived at Reckling Park in anticipation of Rice University baseball’s trip to Cuba on Nov. 23. Just last week, the team received customized Rice baseball caps with the American flag and Cuban flag intertwined and proudly stitched on the side. The team has also received new custom-made jerseys that will be worn once the squad touches down in Cuba. Staying ever true to Rice, the jerseys read “Los Buhos” (translated to “The Owls”). Two cultures are set to collide over one common passion, as baseball is a key fixture not only to Rice University but also to Cuba. The Owls will visit Cuba for 12 days, beginning on Nov. 23 and ending on Dec. 4; they will be the first college baseball team to do so since President Barack Obama helped restore diplomatic relations between the two countries. Rice will play multiple exhibition games against professional teams from the Cuban Baseball Federation. The games will serve as their fall exhibitions, tune-ups before the lull between fall ball and spring preseason preparation. Rice will face some tough competition abroad. Recently, players who have transitioned from the Cuban Baseball Federation to Major League Baseball in the United States have seen great success. While not all of their opponents will play at the level of major leaguers, the Owls are prepared to face stiff competition.

We’ve been told the competition will be strong and the games will be dynamic.

Brent Schwarz Sophomore Pitcher sean chu/thresher Sophomore McKay Kyle looks to hit the ball during Rice’s sweep of the University of Texas, San Antonio on Senior Day Saturday. The win earned Rice The trip also has a unique “study the No. 6 seed in the Conference USA Tournament. The Owls will face Marshall University, a team they swept earlier this season, in the first round. abroad” element to it, as the Owls are required to participate in two separate 3-credit courses to be eligible for the trip. The two courses are spearheaded by associate professor of Caribbean and Volleyball hosting this weekend’s film studies Luis Duno-Gottberg. Duno- Gottberg has been taking his classes to Cuba for eight years, but he said this year’s class has been unique. C-USA Tournament as No. 6 seed “I [pieced] together all my prior experiences of writing, researching and Craig Broadman same mistake again. said. “I really think taking one game at a studying about Cuba and shape it a slightly Thresher Staff “After last year’s loss in the first round time is something our team as a whole must different way,” Duno-Gottberg said. “I took against Southern Miss, I learned to not look focus on.” elements of my regular [Cuban culture] The Rice Owls volleyball team (18-11, McDaniel has been an integral part of class and combined it with the history of 10-4) finished its regular season on a high Rice’s success this year by anchoring the Cuban baseball.” note, sweeping the University of Texas, San defense with a conference leading 19 double- The first course, taught during this Antonio (19-7, 10-4) on Senior Day at Tudor I really think taking doubles (10.66 assists per set, 3.19 digs per fall semester, is called Trends in Cuban Fieldhouse to avenge a defeat earlier in the set). Junior Portia Okafor leads the team with Culture (SPPO 375). The second course is season. Despite the victory, a Florida Atlantic one game at a time is 1.28 blocks per set and freshman Lee Ann a combination of directed study abroad University win dropped Rice University to the Cunningham leads the team with 4.3 digs per credit, a self-reflection journal from each sixth seed in the upcoming Conference USA something our team as set while playing in every game during her player during the trip and 42 additional Volleyball Tournament, where it will play No. a whole must focus on. rookie season. hours of instruction once players land 3 Marshall University (22-7, 11-3) in the first The Owls also have plenty of firepower on in Cuba. Duno-Gottberg said he hopes round this Friday. offense. Senior Chelsea Harris has recorded a the class has given students a better Although Rice swept Marshall earlier in team high 3.45 kills per set, but according to understanding of the history and culture the season, they certainly won’t be taking Madison McDaniel McDaniel, senior captain Leah Mikesky has of the nation. the game for granted. Last year, the Owls Junior Captain been the team’s most valuable player so far. “It is important they see how baseball, were eliminated by a University of Southern “[Leah] is one of those players that beyond the game itself, relates to issues of race Mississippi squad they swept during the consistently makes clutch plays when they relations, politics, the Cold War, migration, regular season. Junior captain Madison ahead to future games, but instead focus on need to be made,” McDaniel said. immigration and more,” Duno-Gottberg said. McDaniel said the team will not make the what’s in front of us at the time,” McDaniel 0see VOLLEYBALL, page 10 0see BASEBALL, page 10 10 SPORTS the Rice Thresher Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016 The Final Kauntdown It’s time to get excited about men’s basketball I know it’s early, but wow — what Rice the most part, the team no longer needs its men’s basketball did to James Madison freshmen to perform well day in and day out University on Sunday afternoon was nothing to win games. Rather, it can rely on the other short of spectacular. The Owls faced a six main contributors in its rotation when team that competed for its conference the freshmen falter. championship last year and absolutely obliterated it. In doing so, Rice validated the preseason hype surrounding the team and gave reason to believe it can compete for the There will be plenty Conference USA title. One game will not define the Owls’ of growing pains. It is, season, but it is certainly a positive sign. after all, a very young Rice outscored the Dukes 46-40 in the first half; then, after the hosts climbed to within team. But it is also a 63-59, the Owls went on a 31-11 run to close out the game and earn a 94-70 victory. Rice very good team. shot over 50 percent for the game and forced 25 turnovers while committing only 10. On the surface, it is an impressive I know it’s far too soon to make any fair performance, but in context, it is even more judgments about where the Owls will finish encouraging. Last season, Rice’s men’s this year. This win, however, validates the basketball team lost its first four games of preseason excitement surrounding the team. the year. The Owls lost three of those games There will be plenty of growing pains. It is, by 17 points or more, including a 26-point after all, a very young team. But, it is also a loss to a University of San Francisco team very good team. Conference USA looks like that finished the season just 15-15. This it will be extremely competitive this year. year, the team opened the season with a The University of Alabama, Birmingham convincing win over a James Madison squad is the favorite to win the conference ranked in the top 150 (out of 351) of the title. Middle Tennessee State University preseason KenPom ratings, a popular metric knocked off Michigan State University, a of comparing college basketball teams. Even top 10 team for much of last season, in the better? Rice currently ranks 108th in that NCAA Tournament last year. Old Dominion metric at the time of publication. The Owls University, Marshall University and Western finished last season ranked 273rd. It’s way Kentucky University will make strong pushes too early to make any fair judgments based to win the conference championship as well. on that ranking, but a 165 spot jump is hard While the Owls are most likely at least a year to ignore. away from being one of the top two or three Last season’s team relied heavily on teams in the league, there is little reason to freshmen such as guard Marcus Evans, argue they cannot win the conference title guard Connor Cashaw and forward Marquez this year. And that is very exciting. sean chu/thresher Letcher-Ellis to carry the load. This year, Junior guard Shani Rainey puts up a jump shot during Rice’s 68-57 win over Prairie View A&M those players are more experienced and University. Rainey led the Owls with 20 points in the first regular season game of the year. mature. This showed against James Madison, Andrew Grottkau as the trio combined for just two turnovers isaMcMurtryCollege (they combined for an average of more than six per game last season). sophomoreand Women’s basketball stomps Additionally, the Owls added four Thresher freshmen who have the potential to Sports contribute immediately. Redshirt freshman Prairie View 68-57 in opener guard Chad Lott, freshman guard Ako Adams Editor and freshman forwards Austin Meyer and Corey Douglas all played over 10 minutes Madison Buzzard Rainey connected on two 3-point shots to in Sunday’s win. While they struggled for Thresher Staff expand Rice’s lead to 22 with 5:05 remaining in the third period. Prairie View A&M One year removed from losing the responded with a layup and 3-point shot first seven games of her Rice career, head from Parker to condense the lead to 14 and 0VOLLEYBALL be themselves and I believe we can win a coach Tina Langley and the Rice women’s hold a 56-42 deficit on the scoreboard. from page 9 championship,” Volpe said. “I have believed basketball team started their 2016-17 Prairie View A&M continued to cut into the that all along and I am excited to see them campaign with a 68-57 victory over Prairie Owls’ lead with a 13-6 run to start the fourth thrive.” View A&M University. period behind three steals by senior guard Tori Rice will need to go through stiff With just days before the tournament Three Rice players scored in double Carter. Rice’s off ense failed to execute as it did in competition if it wants to claim the begins, the team is making final preparations figures. Junior guard Shani Rainey led thefirsthalf,astheteamshotonly3-of-11fromthe championship at the end of the weekend. for their fifth straight playoff appearance. the team with 20 points and added eight field and 0-of-3 from 3-point range. Additionally, The tournament features three teams with McDaniel said everybody is hoping to bring a rebounds, senior forward Jasmine Goodwine the Owls committed seven turnovers in the winning percentages above .750: Marshall, championship back to Rice for the first time scored 17 points and senior guard Maya period, leading to seven points by Prairie View Southern Miss and reigning champion since 2009. Hawkins added 15 points including three A&M. It took a three-and-a-half minute stretch Western Kentucky University, which finished “I feel like at this point in the season, 3-pointers. of defensive intensity from Rice at the end of the the season with 18 consecutive victories. everyone is so inspired to play,” McDaniel Hawkins also led the team with eight game to close out the 11-point victory. Head coach Genny Volpe, however, is said. “Winning is the only option and I can’t assists and was second on the team with unfazed by the competition. According to wait to see what we are capable of.” seven rebounds. According to Langley, Volpe, who is in her 13th year at the helm, This year, Rice is hosting the tournament, Hawkins’ all-around effort was pivotal in the the team has the mental toughness to be so Volpe said she expects a big crowd for victory. They’ve been working competitive in the postseason. Friday’s game against the Thundering Herd. “Maya was a catalyst for our team with incredibly hard. It’s a “What excites me the most about this According to McDaniel, the team loves eight assists,” Langley said. “She is really team is [its] resiliency,” Volpe said. “We have playing in front of the home crowd. tough, has a willingness to work hard and very selfless group of been through some ups and downs but they “Home court advantage is an awesome possesses tremendous leadership.” always come back strong.” thing, and having energy from the crowd Rice shot well from the field as a team, young women. While Volpe said serving and passing are makes it even better,” McDaniel said. going 24-of-52 from the field (46 percent) and the biggest keys to winning, she said she Rice will play in the quarterfinals of the 8-of-22 from 3-point range (36 percent). The believes the team doesn’t have to change Conference USA Tournament on Friday, Nov. Owls also held Prairie View to shooting 23- Tina Langley anything to be successful. 18 at 5 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse against of-65 from the field (35 percent) and 1-of-9 Basketball Head Coach “In all honesty, our team just needs to Marshall. from 3-point range (11 percent). Langley said she was pleased with her team’s effort and execution. Langley said while she was disappointed “I’m really proud for our team tonight,” in her team for committing 23 turnovers, 0BASEBALL he has learned a significant amount about Langley said. “They’ve been working the Owls are capable of improving their ball from page 9 Cuban-American relations. incredibly hard. It’s a very selfless group security. “[Our class] has been introduced to a much of young women. They came out and really “We have been blessed with a more complex picture of not only Cuban- competed as a unit and got us our first win.” phenomenal scout team composed of some The hours of instruction in Cuba will be American relations but also the U.S.’s role in The game started with defensive stops of the guy students on campus,” Langley mostly instructional but will also include an Latin American history as a whole,” Schwarz by Rice on four consecutive possessions, said. “They are helping us learn how to deal Old Havana tour, visits to the University of said. “Our professors have provided an eye including two steals, which resulted in a with pressure and hang tough. We have been Havana, Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum opening reality of just how [influential] Cuba 5-0 lead a minute and a half into the game. doing really well in practice and I think we of Revolution, the playas (beaches) and the is in regard to global history. ” The Owls used the 3-point shot as a basis for will improve quickly.” U.S. Embassy. Schwarz said he is looking forward early offense, with Goodwine, Rainey and After starting all 31 games last year Books on the syllabus for the class to visiting a country rich in culture and Hawkins all connecting from downtown to as a sophomore, Rainey also said she included “The Pride of Havana,” a critically bonding over the sport of baseball. He said outscore the Lady Panthers 21-15 in the first was confident in the team’s progress and acclaimed novel surrounding the history he is excited to face elite competition from period. potential moving forward. of Cuban baseball, and “Bitter Fruit,” an the talented Cuban Baseball Federation. Layups by Prairie View A&M’s senior “We have adapted to the coaching style account of the CIA operation to overthrow the “It’s awesome that baseball is a pivotal guard Alexus Parker and freshman guard and began to implement a culture that the democratically elected leader of Guatemala, piece of [their] rich culture, and we get to Dominique Newman cut the lead to 21-19 coaches have encouraged,” Rainey said. Jacobo Arbenz, in 1954. Required reading bond with Cuban players over that common with 8:30 left in the second period. However, “Tonight showed us we are capable of and online articles covered topics ranging passion,” Schwarz said. “We’ve been told six team assists and two 3-pointers by winning and what it means to win. While it is from Marxism to wage labor to the study of the competition will be strong and the Hawkins sparked a 17-5 Owls’ run to close the a relief, we have to continue to move forward Cuban art. games will be dynamic. That’s good for us half with a 38-24 lead. and keep working hard.” Sophomore pitcher Brent Schwarz said and good for baseball.” Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016 the Rice Thresher SPORTS 11 Football scores 22 straight points to beat Charlotte Andrew Grottkau for a field goal, bringing the score to 21-3. A Sports Editor quick defensive stop and a short punt set Rice up at Charlotte’s 46 yard line to begin its next Down 21-0 in the first half to the University drive, and the Owls took advantage by scoring of North Carolina, Charlotte, it looked like the their first touchdown. Rice University football team was headed to yet Despite the momentum, Rice trailed 21-10 another blowout loss. This time, though, the at halftime. According to head coach David Owls rallied. Rice scored the final 22 points of Bailiff, the team still believed it could win the game to claim a 22-21 victory over Charlotte despite the deficit. for its first Conference USA win of the season. “If you were standing on the sidelines or in After a Rice punt in the first quarter, the locker room at halftime, it wasn’t a ‘Woe is Charlotte got on the board first with a 71-yard us’ mentality,” Bailiff said. “It was, ‘Let’s go get touchdown drive sparked by three runs of 10 this thing done.’ We just maintained a great yards or more. Off the ensuing kickoff, the attitude and had a will to win.” Owls again punted and the 49ers put together In the second half, Rice continued to chip another touchdown drive to go up 14-0, this away at the 49ers’ lead. The Owls recovered time relying on the pass. a Charlotte fumble on a punt return, and Stehling immediately converted the turnover into a touchdown on a 17-yard run. A failed two-point conversion kept the score at 21-16 The locker room was Charlotte. The teams combined to punt on the next one of joy. There was five drive before Rice took over with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. The sheer energy, sheer Owls put together a 13-play drive, highlighted by two Stehling one-yard runs to first convert jubilation to get that on fourth down and then score the go-ahead win. touchdown. The Owls’ defense preserved the win with a stop on fourth and nine on Charlotte’s ensuing possession. David Bailiff According to Bailiff, the team was thrilled to earn the win. Football Head Coach “The locker room was one of joy,” Bailiff said. “There was sheer energy, sheer jubilation The score remained at a standstill until to get that win.” midway through the second quarter. On its Stehling earned a nomination for the second drive of the period, Rice faced second Player of the Week Award from American and six from its own 37. Freshman J.T. Granato, Sports Net for his performance in the game. He playing quarterback, threw a short pass that led the Owls with 279 yards passing and one was intercepted by Charlotte senior defensive touchdown. Bailiff said he was proud of how back Terrance Winchester. He returned the Stehling performed in the win. pick 41 yards for the 49ers’ third touchdown of “That was Tyler Stehling’s most complete the game. performance this season,” Bailiff said. “He Down three scores, the Rice offense finally played with so much grit.” awoke. On the next drive, senior quarterback The Owls return home this week for their Tyler Stehling found senior tight end Connor final home contest of the season against the courtesy rice athletics Cella for a 20-yard gain to set the Owls up on University of Texas, El Paso. The teams will Rice football earned its first C-USA win of the season with a 22-21 win over the University of North the Charlotte nine-yard line. The Owls settled play at 11 a.m. at Rice Stadium. Carolina, Charlotte. Senior quarterback Tyler Stehling (10, above) led Rice with 279 passing yards. 12 BACKPAGE the Rice Thresher Wednesday,N ovember 16, 2016

Bummed out about registration troubles? Sick and tired of navigating add/drop, special registrations, etc.? Still unable to shake that latent existential dread you’ve picked up ever since you started contemplating the absurdity of our existence? We won’t be able to do much for your existential dread, but we may be able to ease some of your other worries. Try this fun course registration-themed board game with some friends to let off some steam and to put the “dro” back into “add/drop.” The game is simple: You just got your schedule back, and you hardly got any classes. You need to schedule more hours to be a full-time student. Work your way through the map, and whatever player(s) finish with the most credit hours win! (Sure, you may be asking “Am I really a winner if I finish with the most hours?” In real life, no. But this isn’t real life, so shut up and play.) All you need for this game is one six-sided die. To start, each player rolls the die twice and subtracts two from the sum of the two rolls. This determines each player’s initial number of credit hours they successfully registered for. Once everyone has their starting hours, players will take turns rolling the die, advancing that many places and reading the instructions of the tile they land on. Keep track of your hours, and remember … don’t forget your graduation requirements! For added fun, this game can be easily adapted into a drinking game. Anytime a player gains or loses hours – including determining starting hours – they divide their new number of hours by two and drink for that many seconds. If you go this route, be sure to have extra Threshers on hand to use as coasters and in case of spills. No one likes a sticky floor.

WAITLIST! OPEN One of the classes you need has no one LPAP on the waitlist. Sign up (+3 hrs) and roll +1 hr MAJOR REQ’D again! CLASS FULL! Major required class is full. Roll again: an even number and you’re in the class (+3 hrs), an odd number and you must change majors. (Go back to START with half the hours you have now) LAB SPECIAL NEEDED REGISTRATION Roll again: 4, 5, or 6 and you got SUCCESS! in the lab (+4 hrs). Otherwise, move back two spaces. +3 hr and No new hours. roll again

SCORED A COLLEGE COURSE! +1 hr CREDIT HOUR CAP RESEARCH/TA If you matriculated in 2016 or POSITION later and you have more than 17 hours, cut your hours in half and You get an unexpected go back to START. If you email telling you about a matriculated before 2016, roll research/TA position. again and laugh. +2 hrs CLERICAL ERROR +2 hrs Tally your scores GET and see who has pre-REKT You just found out one of your the most hours! required courses has a pre-req. Roll again: roll a 1 or 2 and you get both classes (+6 hrs), 3 or 4 and you only get the pre-req (+3 hrs), 5 or 6 and you get diddly squat.

The Backpage is satire and written by Riley Robertson. For comments or questions, please email [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS

WANTED RICE ALUM HIRING tutors for Middle & High School Math, TEACH FOR TESTMASTERS! Dynamic and Energetic teach- Natural & Social Science, Foreign Language, Humanities, and ers wanted. Starting pay rate is $20 to $32 per hour. Flexible SAT/ACT prep. Reliable transportation required. Pay is based schedules. We provide all training, all training is paid, and upon a variety of factors. Contact 832-428-8330 and email re- we pay for travel. Email your resume to jobs@testmasters. sume to [email protected] com. OLD SCHOOL TUTORING is looking for Rice students to fill RICE ALUM WANTS TUTORING for python web scraping and open positions: Mandarin Chinese tutor and Math/Science simple data manipulation, 6 to 10 hrs/month. Can meet you tutors. Off ers schedule flexibility and starting pay at $12. on campus or nearby. Send infor about yourself and required Located across from Rice! Contact Bob Schmitt at Oldschoo- price to [email protected] [email protected]

Shannon Klein The Thresher reserves the right to refuse any advertising for any First copy free, second copy $5. Advertising Manager reason. Additionally, the Thresher does not take responsibility for the Cash, check or credit card payment must accompany your classi- [email protected] factual content of any ad. Printing an advertisement does not constitute fied advertisement, which must be received by 12 p.m. on the Friday P.O. Box 1892 an endorsement by the Thresher. prior to publication. Houston, TX 77005-1892 (713) 348-4801