VOLUME 104, ISSUE NO. 19 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020

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SPORTS Women’s 2020 SA ELECTION RESULTS T&F wins first

PRESIDENT indoor title in ANNA MARGARET 10 years CLYBURN MICHAEL BYRNES SPORTS EDITOR Martel College junior, current Martel president and former SA senator Last weekend, the Rice women’s track and field team won the Conference USA Indoor Championships for the first time in 10 years, and only the fourth time in the history of the program. Freshman Grace Forbes — a two-time C-USA Female Track and Field Athlete of the Week honoree this season — continued her superb indoor season with two first- place finishes in the mile and 3,000-meter SA EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS races. Forbes set a personal record in the mile with a time of 4:40.05, more than eight seconds faster than the second-place internal vice president % vote: treasurer finisher, and won the 3,000-meter by 22 seconds in 9:21.19. Over the indoor season, KENDALL VINING 67.73% JOHN COOK Forbes’ mile time ranks her No. 36 in Division I and tops among freshmen. ASHLEY FITZPATRICK 29.32% Senior Michelle Fokam, a three-time participation rate: 28.4%* NCAA All-American and the 2018-2019 C-USA Female Field Athlete of the Year, also starred for the Owls, setting a program secretary *based on most participation (RPC record in the triple jump to notch the race) eighth conference title of her Rice career, SAVANNAH PARROT and posting a second-place finish in the long jump. Fokam’s 13.32-meter jump was just over half a meter short of the all-time C-USA meet record, and came on her sixth and final jump attempt of the night. RICE PROGRAM COUNCIL RESULTS Redshirt senior Hannah Jackson led the way for the Owls’ sprint team with a victory in the 200-meter dash — her fourth career president percentage of the vote: C-USA title, and third in the 200-meter race. Jackson’s 23.57 time was her fastest of SAMANTHA McCLENDON 62.74% the 2020 indoor season. WILL LEDIG Freshman Tara Simpson-Sullivan 35.93% earned a victory and broke her own school record with a 19.45-meter weight throw. Senior Zinedine Russell took first infographic by tina liu place in the pentathlon for the Owls’ sixth individual victory. FEATURES The win was celebrated by team members on social media. Senior Khayla Patel, who finished Getting out the vote: Students prepare for primaries fourth and set a personal record in the ELLA FELDMAN Rice Memorial Center, much to the dismay of make things accessible for people who might 5000-meter race with a time of 17:03.54, FEATURES EDITOR leaders of political organizations on campus. not have transportation or might have so tweeted, “Grateful for this team and To Carolyn Daly, the external vice many classes that they don’t have the time to the opportunity to contribute to our Next Tuesday, voters across Texas will president of Civic Duty Rice, the lack of a get to the polls,” Daly, a junior at McMurtry Conference title. Outdoor here we come!!!” head to the polls to select party candidates polling location on campus isn’t only about College, said. “But it also shows that the Overall, the Owls won the conference for the presidency and several statewide and accessibility — it sends a message about county is valuing youth voters.” meet with 110 points, seven points ahead local races. They’ll be joined by voters from how much political parties value their Civic Duty Rice, a nonpartisan civic of second-place Middle Tennessee State 13 other states, making March 3 this election youth voters. engagement club, is one of three student-led University. Forbes, Fokam, Jackson, year’s Super Tuesday. However, not a single “It’s really important to have a voting political organizations that make up the Rice Russell and Simpson-Sullivan all earned one of those voters will be headed to the location on campus for students, just to Vote Coalition. The coalition, which includes First Team All-C-USA nods for their the Rice College Republicans and Rice Young performances over the weekend, and head Democrats, worked with the administration coach Jim Bevan was honored with his to organize shuttles to take students to third-career C-USA Indoor Coach of the TUNE IN TO PRIMARIES COVERAGE nearby polling locations on Thursday for Year award. early voting and on Election Day. They’ve On the men’s side, the Owls secured a 553 students responded to our primaries poll. To see also collaborated on voter registration and No. 5 finish, led by a team victory in the who people are voting for, flip to page 15 information efforts. distance medley relay featuring freshman The lack of a polling location on campus Elliot Metcalf, sophomore Keegan Why doesn’t Rice have a polling station on campus? We isn’t the only issue student organizers have O’Connor, junior Jason Bugg and junior asked the Harris County parties and Rice administration. faced regarding the primaries. Daly said Alex Topini. Civic Duty Rice has found it challenging to The men’s team will begin its outdoors Flip to page 2 shift some of the focus on campus from the season on March 19 at the Houston Spring national election to local ones. Break Invitational, while the women’s team How are students getting out the vote? To read our “It’s really important for students to be will begin its outdoor season on March 20 feature on student organizational efforts, flip to page 15 informed on more local and state issues at the Roadrunner Invitational, where the too, because those have a huge impact in men will also compete. Members of both Local elections? To read our editorial on why local students’ daily lives whether they realize it or teams could also qualify for the NCAA elections matter and how to prepare, flip to page 6 not,” Daly said. Indoor Championships on March 13 and 14 SEE POLL PAGE 15 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS On-campus primary polling location moved off campus

RISHAB RAMAPRIYAN students who had volunteered to work the NEWS EDITOR polls,” Marshall said. PRIMARY VOTING Following repeated occurrences of this Student groups are expressing concerns issue, Marshall said that Rice requested over the lack of an on-campus polling political parties and county officials keep the Transportation to off-campus voting locations: location for the upcoming March 3 primary Ley Student Center polling place open for election. These concerns follow a decision campus voters, but also open nearby polling 1. Thursday, Feb. 27 (Early Voting): From 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., an by county party officials to not hold a polling places to serve off-campus voters. early voting shuttle will run between the Ley Student Center location at Rice due to accessibility concerns Marshall said that for the upcoming and Fiesta on Kirby. for non-Rice voters. March primary, Rice was notified with “very Lila Greiner, media relations director for little advance warning” that Rice would be 2. Tuesday, March 3 (Primary Election): From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Rice Young Democrats, said the loss of the only polling site and nearby sites would a voting shuttle will run continuously between the Ley Student an on-campus polling location at the Ley be closed. Center and the nearest off-campus primary voting site at Poe Student Center, combined with issues of voter “We reminded county officials about suppression during the mayoral election last the parking problems faced by off-campus Elementary School. semester, sends a message that Rice student voters coming to Rice, and immediately infographic by Dan Helmeci voter rights do not matter. offered another additional voting site at the “Rice students are markedly less likely Greenbriar building, which has good adjacent an on-campus polling place to “pressure the efforts of Rice Vote Coalition in to vote when polling locations are moved parking for off-campus voters,” Marshall coming from the Harris County Republican providing transportation and publicity for off campus,” Greiner, a Will Rice College said. “[County officials] chose to reopen the Party,” Nisha Randle, the Harris County upcoming elections. sophomore, said. “As Harris County allows Poe Elementary polling site but not open the Democratic Party communications director, “The administration, especially Public voters to vote at any polling place, the polling polling place on the Rice campus so, from said it was due to the parking issues Affairs, have been very helpful in supporting center in the [Ley Student Center] was a combining precincts onto our campus, they mentioned by Marshall. the Rice Vote Coalition’s efforts to make wonderful resource for students and staff turned to combining precincts at a location The Rice Vote Coalition, a group started by voting more accessible for students, which alike, one that we have been robbed of this off-campus.” the Office of Public Affairs more than 20 years we’re very grateful for,” McCain, a Duncan election.” Genevieve Carter, communications ago, is composed of student leaders from Rice senior, said. “They’re providing funding for Greg Marshall, director of university director for the Harris County Republican Young Democrats, College Republicans and the shuttles, as well as helping us reach out to relations, said county election officials had Party, echoed Marshall’s concerns about Civic Duty Rice. the President’s office and other departments initially planned to have an on-campus the inaccessibility of Rice’s polling location. “When the county made the decision to on campus to get the word out.” polling location. According to Marshall, Carter noted that the county clerk requires close the campus polling precinct, despite According to Marshall, there has also been county officials limit the number of primary all primary polling locations to be shared by our offer of an additional location with a decline of trained student poll workers to election precincts by combining polling both parties and said that the Democratic immediately adjacent parking which would staff the Rice location in recent years, but locations, directing more voters to fewer Party officials had already agreed to the Poe have served the needs of off-campus voters said that the Rice Vote Coalition has begun polling places. Marshall said that the Ley Elementary location. well, the Rice Vote Coalition worked with recruiting and training students to staff an Student Center lacks convenient access to “A Rice location is incredibly inconvenient campus groups to create a transportation on-campus polling place for future elections. nearby free parking, which posed challenges for anyone who does not live on campus for option for early voting at Fiesta on Kirby and “We hope that a cadre of trained Rice during past elections. many reasons,” Carter said. “It’s extremely election day voting at Poe Elementary, which student volunteers will be available to assure “In bad weather this is obviously less difficult to find parking, there is construction all agreed was the best remaining option,” that Rice students can operate their own on- than ideal, but even in good weather, many going on, and it disenfranchises voters Marshall said. campus poll on campus for future elections, older voters, and voters with limited mobility, who have been used to voting at Poe Meredith McCain, Civic Duty Rice and that this will position us to keep the Rice were understandably annoyed by the remote Elementary for years.” president, expects student turnout to be polling site open for future primary and run- parking, and they often took it out on the Rice While Greiner attributed the lack of dampened this year, but acknowledged off elections as well,” Marshall said. Gorman approves funding for menstrual products ALINA ZHU Health Services Accessibility Committee, THRESHER STAFF was the founder of the initial project to provide more widespread accessibility for Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman free menstrual products at Rice. Selvan approved university funding for the worked with her fellow co-chair Hannah installation of dispensers of free pads and Kim, a senior at Brown, and Dr. Jessica tampons in residential college bathrooms McKelvey (Will Rice College ’93), director and major academic buildings on Feb. 20. of Student Health, to create a pilot program The funding will be directed to Housing and gather data on the demand on campus and Dining and Facilities Engineering for menstrual products. and Planning to buy dispensers for two “[Members of our committee] took turns bathrooms in each building, as well as tracking how many people use the tampons to refill menstrual products as needed. and pads in those locations,” Selvan said. Dispensers will be placed in all residential “We did that for about a month [and] colleges, Humanities Building, Herzstein Channing Wang / Thresher the data definitely demonstrated a need Hall, Sewall Hall, Rayzor Hall, Anderson Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman recently approved funding to install dispensers for for menstruation products on campus, Biological Laboratories, Herring Hall free menstrual products in bathrooms in residential colleges and major academic buildings. especially in buildings where people take and Duncan Hall, in two bathrooms per “When I came to Rice as a freshman, I menstrual products, they are currently not classes.” building determined to be highest-traffic. expected college to be different [from my widely available. Shamanna also discussed the This decision was the result of a two- high school] and for menstrual products “Buying tampons or pads is so importance of being gender-inclusive, year-long effort by members of the Student to be more accessible everywhere … but expensive, and the Rice Women’s Resource and not putting menstrual dispensers in Health Services Office in collaboration it’s still kind of hard to get access,” she Center is great but the [Rice Memorial bathrooms for women alone. with Jones College sophomore Krithika said. “During [Orientation Week] I talked Center] is not the most accessible location “[Menstruation] is definitely seen Shamanna, according to Rodrigo Gonzales- to the Jones president … I used some of for some colleges,” Lee said. “I [am] as only an issue that affects women,” Rojas, one of the co-chairs for the SA’s [our college’s fund] and bought tampons constantly having to spend money on high- she said. “[The idea that] everyone can Student Health Services Accessibility and pads and I put them in the bathrooms priced, taxed menstrual products and … menstruate regardless of what gender they Committee and leaders of the funding at Jones.” living on campus without a car makes it identify with … has been a particular part initiative. Shamanna’s passion for menstrual difficult to get access to buying menstrual of the conversation [on menstruation that] Following a meeting with Gonzales- equity also led her to write a satirical products. It’s been a major hindrance to people have not been fully aware of.” Rojas, fellow co-chair Aaron Pathak and opinion piece for the Thresher last October, both my budget and also my time to not Gorman said she was happy to see the Shamanna, Gorman agreed that this where she compared the need for menstrual have easy, cheaper access.” increasing engagement and discourse funding was necessary to increase equity products to the need for free toilet paper. Shamanna said a lack of available surrounding menstruation and the actions at Rice. “We see toilet paper as super necessary, menstrual products can sometimes pose a students at Rice are taking towards “If some of our students are having which is why none of us carry around barrier to education. achieving menstrual equity. difficulty being able to afford these products rolls of toilet paper whenever we go to the “In one of my classes, one of my friends “It always really pleases me when I and it’s interfering with their schoolwork bathroom,” she said. “Menstrual products was like, ‘Do you have a tampon?’ [But] I see students come together and work and their social life and their ability to should be the same thing because the didn’t have one with me,” Shamanna said. on something they feel is going to make function and thrive on campus, I don’t want reasoning for providing toilet paper is that “[She] had to go back to [her] dorm and the Rice experience more equitable for something like this to be getting in the way it’s necessary for a biological need.” missed the first half of class. It was a huge everyone,” she said. “We’re seeing [the of that,” Gorman said. “So for those reasons Other women at Rice shared similar time constraint too because [she had] to go discussion of menstruation] become alone, I’m happy to support it.” sentiments regarding accessing menstrual all the way back to like her room and get it more mainstream. I think it means that Shamanna described how upon coming products on campus. and come back. It took like 30 minutes and [individuals who menstruate] are in a to Rice, she had immediately noticed a According to Jasmine Lee, a Brown it was a 50-minute class.” position to be able to talk more openly need to provide students at Rice with better College sophomore, although there are Bharathi Selvan (Hanszen College ’19), about their bodies in a way maybe we access to menstrual products. some resources at Rice that provide free the previous co-chair of the SA’s Student haven’t previously seen.” NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 3 College elections plagued by errors and violations

KAVYA SAHNI inefficiencies and lack of quick support as THRESHER STAFF needed from Owlections administration. Hu, a senior at Will Rice, said the Rice Spring elections at the residential colleges administration pushed the Will Rice program came with a myriad of problems this year, administrators to use the new system, ? following the implementation of OwlNest OwlNest, for this year’s elections, but ran voting at some colleges. Tabulation errors into problems with the system’s incorrect of ranked-choice voting by OwlNest have implementation of ranked-choice votes. pushed Will Rice College’s secretary race to Kristen Ernst, associate director of student the its college’s court. Although Jones College engagement, said that OwlNest does have the continued with Qualtrics, similar problems ability to do ranked-choice voting, but the have led to a re-election for the positions of option needs to be selected while building internal vice president and treasurer. the ballots. Baker College and Will Rice switched to The Will Rice elections committee said a new Student Activities system, OwlNest, they were initially not aware of this feature. which does not automatically implement According to Ernst, OwlNest student ranked-choice voting. OwlNest is an online, engagement consultants have been hired Rice-specific platform, introduced by the and will provide training to incoming college Rice Student Center at the beginning of the presidents, and support to other clubs. fall semester. Melinda Nelson, Will Rice sophomore, When ranked-choice voting is used, if was a member of one of the three candidate Illustration by yifei zhang someone’s first choice candidate receives the pairs who ran for Will Rice secretary. least amount of total first choice votes, that According to Nelson, after the voting period “While they did expose a flaw in the three candidates, and by a careful discussion candidate is eliminated from the running. ended, she received an email saying that she system, they did not use the proper route to between the election coordinators, the Jones Their vote is then transferred to their and her running mate had not been elected do so, as they accessed information other president and our magister, we decided to re- second choice candidate, and total votes are as secretaries of Will Rice and that the results candidates were not able to view instead run those elections to best uphold the Jones recounted. This process of eliminating the would be made public the next day. of asking [the elections committee] for the Constitution.” least-voted-for candidate(s) continues until “But no results came up. I was like, ‘Wait, break-down of the votes,” the elections Re-elections are being held for the internal there is one winner. what’s happening, it’s 2:30 and they haven’t committee wrote. vice president and treasurer positions, Kathleen Hu, programs director at Will announced who got secretary.’ And then According to Rachel Lamb, according to an email statement from Jones Rice, said that the OwlNest-based elections at at the bottom of it, it said that the election parliamentarian at Baker, OwlNest was used election coordinators, Su and Adam Subel. Will Rice caused issues during the first round for the secretaries was contested. I was for elections this year. “There was a significant, albeit of elections, which included the secretary really confused,” Nelson said. “It just went “For contested elections, I had to do unintentional, error in our Jones voting race. downhill from there.” ranked-choice calculations myself,” Lamb process that was unconstitutional and The winners of the secretary race at Will Jonathan Lloyd, another candidate on a said. “Luckily, this year the elections were therefore produced invalid results in multiple Rice were initially determined without using pair running for Will Rice secretary, said that pretty straightforward so that wasn’t a big elections,” the email reads. the correct, ranked-choice system. However, a third candidate — who is also a Will Rice problem at Baker, unlike at other colleges.” The same candidates were on the ballot, a breach in security led to this discovery, and election committee member — was allowed Other colleges, who did not use OwlNest, and no new speeches were given. According the case is now headed to its college’s court. to have access to the voting data before the also faced problems. At Jones, Qualtrics to the email statement, the decision was According to Hu’s email statement, results were made public, and did a recount election software was used. taken after extensive deliberation. Owlections — the voting system used without following due procedure. “Jones typically uses ranked-choice “[Our] number one goal as election in previous years made by Rice Apps — According to the email statement from the voting for candidates,” Jessica Su, Jones coordinator[s] is to ensure that everyone is automatically implements a ranked-choice Will Rice elections committee, this member election coordinator, said. “There was one given the opportunity they deserve to both algorithm. However, in the past Will Rice used private access to examine the OwlNest incident in which ranked-choice voting was run and have a vote in Jones elections,” Su had experienced many technical errors, voting results and information. not conducted for two elections that involved and Subel’s joint statement reads.

Meet me at the Moody Café

Your spot for sandwiches, salads and sweets. Free coffee with purchase! Now accepting Tetra Points. Operated by Salento @themoodyarts 4 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 NEWS 3 years of SA presidents speak on progress, achievements

BRIAN LIN Seibel serveries in an effort to reduce 2019 – 2020 SENIOR WRITER financial strain for students. One accomplishment of the SA this year Onwenu’s term also saw the beginning was the creation of the Financial Accessibility The end of the Student Association of student access to the New York Times, Working Group, which produced a 26-page SA in Review election season on Tuesday marked a new which is currently being funded by the report voicing improvements that could term for the SA. We asked the last three residential colleges, and to the Wall Street be made to assist first-generation and low- Justin Onwenu: presidents to speak, in their own words, on Journal, which is funded by Fondren income students, according to Wickerson, the most prominent SA accomplishments Library. the SA president for the 2019-2020 term. 2017-2018 from the past three years. In the This year, the SA also collaborated to create - Rice Harvey Action Team administrations of former SA presidents 2018-2019 the Accessibility and Opportunity Portal, - Free student access to Justin Onwenu, Ariana Engles and Grace In March 2018, the SA voted to extend the which aggregates funding opportunities New York Times and Wall Wickerson, the SA’s achievements span the Undocumented Student Support Services around campus into one website. creation of the Rice Harvey Action Team to Task Force, which created UndocuAlly On the website, students can apply for Street Journal the formation of the Financial Accessibility Trainings to reduce barriers faced by funding for career attire, funding to address - On campus Saturday Working Group. undocumented students, according to food insecurity and funding from the dinner Kristen Ernst, associate director of Engles, the 2018-2019 SA president. Residential College Accessibility Fund to student engagement, said the SA serves as UndocuAlly Training, which Engles subsidize costs for college merchandise and amplifier of student voices. said helps students and staff improve events. Ariana Engles: “If a student has a particular priority, their literacy of legal terms and cultural The SA this year has also been able 2018-2019 utilizing the SA is a great way to make sure issues surrounding immigration, was most to lower the cost of sexually transmitted that they are connected to the resources recently offered November 2019. infection testing at the campus health center, - UndocuAlly Training they need to help make that idea or concern Engles also led the creation of the reducing the cost of a test from $100 initially - Improved African see through to fruition,” Ernst said. Undocumented Student Support Services to $46, according to Wickerson. In 2018, they Presence in Academia working group to launch daca.rice.edu, co-led a task force that aimed to reduce the Task Force 2017-2018 a website that gathers campus resources cost of STI testing, and the recent Survey of - Creation of Students with In August 2017, when Hurricane Harvey and Frequently Asked Questions by All Students found that the optimal price swept through Houston and flooded undocumented or Deferred Action for students would pay for an STI test was $25 Disabilities Council various parts of the city, over 1,700 students Childhood Arrivals students. dollars, Wickerson said. - DACA.rice.edu volunteered as part of the Rice Harvey During Engles’ term, the SA voted to In April 2019, the SA held a special election Action Team to support recovery efforts. approve the Improving African Presence to vote on an amendment that would allow Onwenu, the 2017-2018 SA president, in Academia Task Force, which in October any member of the undergraduate student Grace Wickerson: said the greatest challenges in organizing last year created the Center for African and body to sponsor legislation, an idea originally 2019-2020 R-HAT were the logistical hurdles of African American Studies within the School proposed by former parliamentarian Freddy mobilizing 1,700 volunteers and the urgent of Humanities, Engles said. As of October, Cavallaro. Before this amendment was - Financial Accessibility nature of the recovery efforts. the CAAAS is working to expand the African passed, legislation had to be co-sponsored Working Group “I think the challenge was the sheer Studies minor into an African and African by a voting member in the SA Senate, which - Accessibility and scale of what we built in a day or two,” American Studies minor by offering more are college senators and presidents. Onwenu (Sid Richardson College ’18) said. classes across interdisciplinary fields. “Any undergraduate student can propose Opportunity Portal “We sent over 1,700 students, faculty and “The Increasing African Presence in legislation to the Senate,” Wickerson said. - Lowered STI testing costs staff all across the city in the drop of a Academia [Task Force] did an excellent job “And so that opened a door for people - Amendment to allow any hat, so the logistics and speed of that was in gauging campuswide interest in African regardless of whether they hold status in the student to sponsor SA certainly a big undertaking.” and diasporic studies,” Engles said. “[It] SA to propose legislation, and we’ve actually legislation During Onwenu’s term, the SA Senate raised several important questions about gotten to see that recently with the refugee pushed for the on-campus meal plan to academic privileging of some subjects over legislation that’s out and being voted on in infographic by Dan Helmeci include Saturday dinners at North and others.” the Senate this Monday.” NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 5 Senate votes to support community benefits agreement

RYND MORGAN The significant changes to the resolution one. At the town hall hosted by the SA Senate Estate Director Ryan LeVasseur said that ASST NEWS EDITOR since its original introduction on Jan. 27 on Feb. 6 to discuss changes to the resolution, Rice Management Company did not see the came as a result of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s resolution writer Mary Claire Neal said that a HCEDD as a valid counterparty in the CBA at After several weeks of deliberation and announcement that the City of Houston will community coalition was a necessary part of this point in time for several reasons. significant changes to the language of the enter a CBA with Rice Management Company. a CBA, by definition. “I also think one of those reasons is that resolution, the Student Association Senate The original language of the resolution “A CBA is a project-specific, legally they didn’t know which organizations were passed Senate Resolution 8 on Monday, recommended that Rice Management binding enforceable document between – even in the coalition. But they gave some Feb. 17, to recommend a community benefits Company enter a CBA with the HCEDD, things about longevity, the organization has agreement process for the Innovation District and the resolution that passed on Monday to have been around for a long time, will it project. states that the SA will only support a CBA continue to exist,” Wickerson said. The resolution in its final form passed for the South Main Innovation District if the SA Senate members at SA Senate meetings nearly unanimously, with the exception HCEDD “is an equal decision-maker in the I definitely think that the preceding the passage of the resolution also of Jones College SA Senator Drew Carter. negotiations process and ultimately itself HCEDD group has their mentioned pressure from Rice Management Carter said that supporting a community or its members’ organizations are equal heart and their minds in Company to stop supporting the HCEDD, at benefits agreement, or a legally binding signatories.” the threat of damaged relations between the contract, between the City of Houston and The new resolution acknowledges, but no the right direction. SA and Rice administration. Martel College Rice Management Company undermines the longer endorses the letter written by members SA Senator Ashley Fitzpatrick said at the SA goals of the Houston Coalition for Equitable of the HCEDD and endorsed by several Rice Drew Carter 2020 Election Debate and Town Hall that Rice Development without Displacement, the student groups, and instead acknowledges JONES COLLEGE SA SENATOR Management Company threatened to disown only signatory party named in the original the HCEDD as the driving force behind the the SA as a legitimate campus body if the SA resolution. conversation about a CBA. In addition, the this is the key word – between developers Senate passed a resolution supporting the “I definitely think that the HCEDD group resolution recommends forming a task force or cities and community coalitions,” Neal, HCEDD as a signatory party in the CBA. has their heart and their minds in the right to hold RMC accountable to commitments of a Jones junior, said. “So the developers or HCEDD member Assata Richards said direction. What I will say is that I feel like the transparency and openness. The SA Senate cities, you can take that as an and/or, it can be that while she was open to the city being part SA [Senate] somewhat compromised this, and bill to charter the task force was also passed either a developer/coalition or city/coalition, of brokering the deal, she did not support I feel like the best thing the SA [Senate] could on Monday after a motion to table the vote but either way it must include the coalition as allowing the city to move forward with have done is just say ‘We’re going to support did not pass. a negotiating and enforcing party.” negotiations without the HCEDD’s input. the HCEDD group ... but we’re not going to Changes to the resolution were also This is also the definition acknowledged “There is a reason for us to keep going ... say anything in regards to supporting Rice due to the HCEDD and Rice Management in the resolution. the consensus is this coalition should be a or supporting the City of Houston,’” Carter, a Company’s conflicting definitions of a CBA – According to SA President Grace part of the negotiations in the agreement,” sophomore, said. specifically, which parties are eligible to enter Wickerson, Rice Management Company Real Richards said at the meeting on Feb. 4.

Visual and Dramatic Arts Department N THE RADAR Rice Theatre Program presents All in the Timing Sexual Agency & The Future of the and more... “Me Too” Movement by David Ives March 4 @ 4 p.m. // Farnsworth Pavillion Directed by Jack Young

Friends of Diversity is hosting Ayesha K. Faines, a feminist

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thought leader and founder of the ‘Women Love Power’

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platorm, as a speaker for women’s history month. Food will be Short plays with romance, I

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reality and monkeys

provided.

writing Hamlet

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Spring Fling at the Moody, featuring I V

The Tontons

February 28 @ 8 p.m. // Moody Center

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Join the Moody for a free, public event featuring a food

truck from Moon Rooster, complimentary wine, beer and V I cocktails, and live music by the Tontons. The entire building

will be open for guests to experience the Moody’s spring I II

exhibition “Radical Revisionists: Contemporary African Artists I I Confronting Past and Present.” Parking is $5. I

Archi-Arts: Duo March 7 @ 7 p.m. // Anderson Hall SHOW TIMES Archi-Arts is an interdisciplinary arts event hosted by the FEB 28-29 8 PM School of Architecture to celebrate creativity in all its forms from across campus. The School will be transformed into MAR 1 3 PM a display of sculpture, art, architecture, music and dance. Contributors range from student-artists to Shepherd School MAR 5-7 8 PM performers to members of the Rice Dance Theater.

Ticket Information: Call 713-348-4005 or email [email protected]. INFOGRAPHIC BY dan Helmeci hamman hall at rice university, theatre.rice.edu.

Dynamic and Energetic Teachers wanted. Pay rate is $24 to $38 per hour. We provide all training. Email your resume to [email protected] 6 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 THE RICE THRESHER OPINION STAFF EDITORIAL OPINION Primaries are here, and not just for the president Early voting ends this Friday, Feb. 28 and nomination and will likely face one of the top Increasing transparency paves Election Day is next Tuesday, March 3. If six Democratic candidates who have at least you have the privilege of being registered to 3 percent support in a Texas Tribune poll the way for change vote, get out the vote on behalf of yourself, and have raised at least $100,000: Chris Bell, Two weeks ago, for a Thresher news the only option of giving up the article and your communities and everyone who is Amanda Edwards, MJ Hegar, Cristina Tzintzún story, I read a resignation letter from a moving on. institutionally excluded from our election Ramirez, Royce West and Sema Hernandez. former custodian at Rice who was employed The dry response from the administration processes. Political apathy is rampant in this Read the Texas Tribune voter guide (linked for just six months. What I read made me immediately imposes a dead end to news country and on our campus with only 42 online) to understand where the Democratic contemplate the working conditions of the articles that require allegations to be confirmed percent voter turnout last year. But we urge candidates fall on almost every issue, watch Rice staff I see on a daily basis, but it would and credible. The lack of transparency from you to care. Our future will be shaped by the the Democratic candidate debate and read the never end up getting published due to the administration discourages me, and possibly people we elect to office and the decisions Tribune’s coverage. Rice administration. other journalists, from pursuing stories that they make regarding the issues we talk about, U.S. Representative, District 2 The former custodian alleged that his deserve to be heard by the Rice community protest for and care about. The incumbent is Representative Dan management team placed him with a but require verification from administration. Preparing to vote goes beyond being Crenshaw (R) who won in 2018 with 52.8 co-worker who rarely contributed to the My correspondence with the Rice staff informed on your choice for your party’s percent of the vote. The Republican primary daily work orders and refused to learn and faculty for another Thresher news article presidential nominee — there are 63 local and is uncontested, but three Democrats are the safety protocols for operating certain verifies this wasn’t an isolated incident. statewide races on the ballot for you to vote vying for the party’s nomination. Democratic equipment. Additionally, he wrote that When I was writing my article on the on. If you chose to register to vote in Texas, you challengers Elisa Cardnell, Sima Ladjevardian he watched his team leader feed the unequal maternity leave benefits between must also be informed on those races. Your and Travis Olsen all offer compelling reasons answers of an insurance certification test staff, tenured faculty and non-tenure-track vote will affect the surrounding community why they should be the party’s nominee in to the same co-worker in order to legally faculty, I reached out to multiple faculty and for much longer than the four years you’re an attempt to beat him.Courtesy To learn baird more campbell about operate the department’s van. Even after staff members to discuss their maternity here. Print or write your picks before entering their policies, you can look at ballotpedia.org repeatedly reporting his circumstances to leave terms. What was supposed to be a the polls — Texas typically doesn’t allow you or vote411.org. his management team, he was allegedly weeklong process turned into a monthlong to pull out your phone in the voting booth. Texas Railroad Commissioner expected to tolerate these issues as part of process as I struggled to find even one We are not endorsing candidates for The incumbent is Ryan Sitton (R), who his work assignment. As his last resort, he faculty or staff member who was willing to this election, but we hope to provide more faces one Republican challenger and four quit his job and contacted the Thresher. disclose their benefits. information on the roles of these elected Democrats vying for party nomination. However, when I reached out to the This opinion has been cut off for print. Read officials and the implications of the possible Sitton is one of three commissioners, who management team to confirm or deny these the rest online at www.ricethresher.org. ballot choices. serve for six years. The name is misleading — allegations, I received nothing but a curt Texas U.S. Senator they regulate the energy industry, including reply from the communications team for the The incumbent is Senator John Cornyn policies regarding pollution prevention, gas Rice administration: “The university doesn’t (R). He faces four Republican challengers utility rates and alternative fuels. This position respond to questions regarding individual GRACE WEI and 12 Democrats vying for the party has historically been competitive, with a personnel matters.” Without input from the BAKER COLLEGE FRESHMAN nomination. According to the Texas Tribune, Republican winning the 2018 commissioner management or administration themselves Cornyn is widely expected to win his party’s race by 53.2 percent. in order to prove his claims, I was left with

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The dangers of a single Student Association story When you’re the only media organization of the SA we want to address more fully is the this year as it has in years past. — even though the SA has over 100 formal in a given space, you have a lot of power. final one stating that the present SA does not When you erase these from our collective leaders and many partners around campus We appreciate the platform the Thresher live up to past precedent. memory by excluding them from media who often are ignored. 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And in the past, it has; Student Association Senate, we think it is implementing a composting initiative, productive and therefore isn’t worth joining. for example, in the case of maternal and important to note that the Thresher presents setting standards for student leadership The second of these points is a problem for us caregiver leave policy inequities, the Thresher information in an environment in which there eligibility, establishing campus values especially during election seasons when, after reported on non-tenure-track caregiver leave are few external checks on the narratives on academic freedom, calling for better hearing of the SA’s ineptitude, students may concerns and the SA activated to address that it creates. This can present problems for international student financial aid and be more likely to focus their energies on other them. 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Because together, we can work find ourselves in that position today due to were covered by the Thresher. and voiceless is the last thing that we want. to combat critical issues on campus while some of the ways in which the SA has been This year SA members have worked to We want our members, which include every also celebrating student work in these areas, covered this year. increase menstrual product accessibility, undergraduate, to take pride in the SA’s work creating a compassionate environment in This year’s SA Senate has been presented defined a plan for greater African presence and know that they have a space to speak in which we can use our institutional power as not caring about our “constitution or in academia, crafted a joint SA-Graduate this organization. For this reason, we have sent in a positive way. We believe that we have a [our] elections, that famously democratic Student Association resolution on diversity monthly email updates to the undergraduate responsibility to do this; our only question process,” as “lacking student engagement” and inclusion resources, stood in solidarity body highlighting student initiatives, hosted now is, do you? and as ineffective in comparison to the SA with Latinx, immigrants and refugee an SA external objectives week, organized Wickerson is the current SA president and Senate that “created the Critical Thinking members, created the guest meal swipe town halls where anyone can come to share Clyburn is the incoming SA president. in Sexuality workshop requirement.” Each sharing program, started an interpersonal their perspectives and presented regularly at of these claims is contestable: we have a violence policy committee, worked to reclaim college government meetings. However, we GRACE WICKERSON & ANNA committee dedicated to overseeing our the Culture of Care and advocated on behalf recognize that many of these channels do not MARGARET CLYBURN BROWN COLLEGE SENIOR & MARTEL COLLEGE JUNIOR election process and a Parliamentarian who of students on topics such as financial reach every student. ensures the constitution is followed; we have accessibility, academic freedom and protest The Thresher’s mission is “to provide the tasked an auditing committee with analyzing rights and sexually transmitted infection student body with up-to-date campus news and improving our organization’s structure testing8 a.m. costs. classess While some aren’t of these the projects and information.” However, when we’ve been and this year; and we processed thousands of have received coverage from the Thresher, reported on, we find that the predominant responses to the Survey of all Students as they manybiggest others problem have not, facing reinforcing the message is that the SA is either an organization pertain to our formal objectives. The critique narrative thatstudents the SA has not been as effective of one president or of 26 voting members STAFF Christina Tan* Editor-in-Chief OPINION DESIGN Anna Ta* Managing Editor Elizabeth Hergert* Editor Tina Liu* Director The Rice Thresher, the official First copy is free. Each additional Dalia Gulca A&E Designer student newspaper at Rice copy is $5. NEWS BACKPAGE Joseph Hsu Features Designer University since 1916, is published Rishab Ramapriyan* Editor Simona Matovic* Editor & Designer Katherine Hui Sports Designer each Wednesday during the school Editorial and business offices are Amy Qin* Editor Anna Chung Ops Designer year, except during examination located on the second floor of the Rynd Morgan Asst. Editor PHOTO Dan Helmeci News Designer periods and holidays, by the Ley Student Center: Savannah Kuchar Asst. 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PG. 8 - LEASING 101 AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT HOUSING PG. 9 - A LOVE LETTER TO MONTROSE PG. 11 - MEAL PLANS UTILITIES/PLANNING PG. 12 - ALONG THE METRO LINE GUIDE 2020 PG. 13 - MAP

Cover illustration by: Tina Liu

Guide design by: Anna Chung, Joseph Hsu, Katherine Hui, Dalia Gulca 8 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 HOUSING GUIDE LEASINGLEASING 101101

LEGAL TIPS FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS IVANKA PEREZ | FEATURES EDITOR

With students beginning to search for off-campus housing and anticipating the housing draws at their residential colleges, the Thresher decided to ask a lawyer about common legal rights and concerns that students might face when moving off campus. We spoke with Rick McElvaney, former clinical associate professor at the University of Houston Law Center, about the legal rights that tenants have.

What does the process of applying to What should students know about How do security deposits work? rent a house or apartment look like? their lease before they sign? When you move out, you’re entitled to get your security [Landlords often look at] your rental history, any kind Make sure you read the lease. There’s going to be deposit back, unless you have any kind of damages to of criminal history, income [to see] if you can pay for it. certain things in there — anything bold or underlined the apartment. Many students face the problem that you’re in school, — things that are legally required to be underlined and If you gave them proper notice, the place is in good you don’t have any income, so often they make someone bold to be effective, generally. condition, the landlord’s required to give you an co-sign with you — your mom, your uncle, your brother, [Landlords] usually require a security deposit to make itemization of anything they’re going to deduct from something like that — somebody will be responsible if sure there are no damages to the apartment when you your security deposit and return the unused portion of you don’t pay. Anyone who co-signs is responsible and move out, and the security deposit covers damages, that security deposit to you. They have to do both of liable to the landlord to the same extent you are if you not just normal wear and tear on the apartment. those things within 30 days. If they don’t do that, they’re don’t pay them. If you’re accepted as a tenant, they’ll You have to give the landlord notice [that you’ll be presumed to be in bad faith, and you can recover extra notify you and you’ll have to sign the lease. leaving at the end of the lease]. The typical notice damage because they’re in bad faith. You can get up is 30 days, but there’s often a 60 day notice in some to three times the amount of your deposit back if they of the leases. Whenever you communicate with the can’t overcome that presumption that they’re in bad How can tenants get their landlords to do landlord, you should probably do it with some method faith by returning that to you. But you have to give them repairs on the house or apartment? that you can prove you did it. If I call you and say I need a forwarding address of where to send these notices something or I’m moving out at the end of my lease, I and the refund. If you don’t give them that forwarding You want to look at it when you move in, do a little can’t prove I said that. So you want to send something. address, the time period [doesn’t] start until you give inventory check sheet to see what’s banged up — [if] the The best way to do it is to send it by certified mail and the [address]. window’s cracked, the door’s broken, something like that you can request a receipt that they received your notice that you’re going to leave at that time. Are property owners allowed to come into — you want to hand that in to the landlord, keep a copy of the property anytime without the it [so] that you have it. What complications can arise with rent? tenant’s permission? If you need repairs during the term of your lease, you’re entitled to get things that materially affect your health or You have to read your lease about when you have to pay They will be allowed to come in for any kind of safety repaired. So if you don’t have any water, stuff like your rent. Mostly there’s a time that says this is the time emergency or emergency repair. The lease is going to that, the lock breaks [or] there’s water coming through you have to pay, usually the first or the third. If you don’t specify when they can come in, usually. And the typical your electrical outlet — something dangerous, you can pay your rent by the first, you may be in default. There provision is when they give you 24 hours’ notice to require the landlord to try to fix that. may be some provisions in leases that say you have a come in, to look at something that needs repairs or You have to give them notice of the problem. The best grace period, but you have to read your lease. something like that, that’s fairly typical. Some of them way to give them notice is through certified mail. If you If you don’t pay by the date it’s due, you’re going to be [have] a 72-hour notice. If you’re worried about that, do certified mail with that tracking method, the landlord in default and the landlord can evict you. If you get that’s something you can negotiate if you’re doing the will have one reasonable period, which is presumed to be evicted, that then goes on your rental history, and then lease, [but] there’s no law in the property code that seven days, to come in, look and make a diligent effort when you apply for the next place, you’re going to have says they have to give you a certain amount of notice. to repair that condition. If they don’t do it at the end of an eviction on your record, and landlords aren’t going that reasonable time period, the landlord’s going to be to be really keen on renting to you with prior evictions. Are there any resources available for liable to the tenant for failing to repair. So with the failing What are tenants’ rights for subletting? students who encounter legal problems to repair, the tenant can terminate the lease, go to court, with their landlords? try to get some money awarded to them or get the judge That’s something you have to negotiate with the landlord to force the landlord to do the repair, that kind of thing. from the [beginning] … Subletting by the law is not allowed [One] resource to call is Ryan [Marquez, professor So repairs are generally the main concern for tenants. If unless it’s in the lease that you can do it. So if the lease of practice] over at [UHLC]. Ryan runs the clinic you don’t give that first notice [...] you have to wait the is silent, the tenant cannot sublet without the consent over there now, which provides free help for people reasonable time, [and] if the landlord doesn’t repair, you of the landlord. Leases may [discuss] subletting, or they if you’re accepted as a client. So if you’re a student have to give a subsequent written notice, wait another may have a different provision. If you’re concerned about over at Rice [and] you encounter a landlord-tenant reasonable time, so you’re just doubling the amount that, you should negotiate that with the landlord right situation, you call over to the UH legal clinic program of time the landlord has to do it if you don’t give it by when you’re moving in. If you don’t, as a tenant, you’re and apply for some help there. They provide free certified mail. going to end up on the short side of that issue. lawyers — they’re actually student lawyers — [but they are] under the supervision of Ryan. HOWHOW TTOO GEGETT AA HOUSEHOUSE ANNA TA | MANAGING EDITOR Congrats! You’re going off campus! Even if you’re not amped about this decision (or had the choice taken from you), look on the bright side: it’s (likely) cheaper, you’ll actually get to know the city and no one will ever come into your house and throw out your candles. Nevertheless, this can be a daunting journey (it was for me) so here’s how to get through it all without a real estate agent and not end up moving into a spare room at Hanszen College. one. finding prospective housing things to keep in mind Once you figure out who you’re living with (do this • Rent: Is it affordable? Is it worth it? How will I split first for obvious reasons), start looking for potential it among my room/housemates? properties that can fit all of your needs and hearts’ de- • Space: Do I want to live in a house or an apartment? sires. One of the easiest ways to get housing is to get it Will anyone in my group have to share a room and from another Rice student who’s already off campus and is that something we’re okay with? continued... Hopefully, the real estate agent likes you, about to come back on campus. Ask around and see if • Parking: how many spots do I get? Is it street you get there before any other interested groups any of your friends (advisors, acquaintances, that kid you parking or private? Do I need to pay for a street and they agree to lease the property to you. You had a group project with one time) who are currently off pass or does my landlord? (PS: street passes are might have to go through a few properties before campus and see if they need someone to take over their only about $30 each for an entire year in Houston) you can get to this stage. You may have to submit lease or know of anyone who does. Almost all rentable • Utilities: Are they included? Do I need to set them an application for the property, but the property’s properties around Rice are typically rented by Rice stu- up myself? real estate agent can walk you through that. In dents anyway. Even if you don’t know someone personal- • Is this place furnished? my case, the agent/landlord agreed to lease the ly, plenty of people post options on the Facebook groups • How far away is it from campus? How will I get to house to us only if one of my housemates’ dad Rice Students Selling Stuff or Rice University Housing, campus? co-signed our lease (given that none of us made Sublets & Roommates. Keep in mind that if you had • Is there an in unit washer/dryer? If not, how enough income to cover the rent individually). dreamed of taking one of the extra large Bolsover Street annoying is it to get there and will it cost money? Before you sign the lease, have someone you houses, you’re actually likely too late to the game. Most trust look over it all, whether that be a parent or of those houses will probably have already been handed two. I’m interested in this house. now what? someone with an actual law degree. There are down from current residents to their friends for next year. Cold call the real estate agents listed on prop- plenty of concerns to watch out for (read our in- But again, don’t stress, there’s still plenty of housing to erties you’re interested in. This can seem scary but terview with someone with an actual law degree go around. don’t worry — just let them know you’re interested in about these concerns) and it’s important to re- If no one you know has an available property that the property and ask to make an appointment to see member that this is an extremely important doc- you’re interested in leasing for the next year, your next it. Make sure to show up on time and try to look fairly ument for the next year of your life. steps are just doing things the old-fashioned way: respectable. Again, you might have to see several properties checking on real estate websites (Zillow, for example). At the appointment, just look around the space, or cold call a few agents before you find The You can also look up nearby apartment complexes. imagine yourself in it and ask any questions you have, One. Don’t stress too much, it’ll all work out. And Some places go actually old fashioned and don’t list like, is this place prone to flooding? Did it flood during worst comes to worst, you can always move into online at all — you can drive around neighborhoods Hurricane Harvey? What’s the parking situation? How Hanszen. you’re interested in renting in and look for For Rent signs can I start the process of applying for this property and the numbers attached to them as well. and signing a lease? Do I need someone to co-sign it with me? HOUSING GUIDE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 9 A Love Letter to Montrose A beginner’s guide to the eccentric Houston neighborhood

I have a theory that you could live an 300-acre elite university space for weeks space with Art League Houston and right cheapest entire academic year on campus without and months on end absolutely terrifying. next to Texas Art Supply, Inversion doubles and best having to leave once. Think about it. Every Whether you’re moving off campus by as a cafe and art space filled with outlets, shopping single meal is provided, and the options choice or because your name appeared on tables and natural light. Try one of their exists outside for food outside of the serveries are the dreaded kick list, taking a break from specialty drinks or homemade gelatos. of Montrose (see: numerous: 4.Tac0, The Hoot, bites from the dorms is the perfect excuse to see Honorable mentions: Siphon Coffee, Family Thrift Outlet), Coffeehouse and Willy’s Pub, snacks at more of Houston — the glorious, sprawling Mercantile, Blacksmith, Southside the neighborhood is filled the campus store. Even boba cravings can city we sometimes forget we’re a part of. Espresso with a number of strange stores suited for be satisfied on campus. We have a gym, At 2.3 million inhabitants and almost window shopping and shopping alike. laundry services, kitchens, clothing swaps, 700 square miles, Houston is a city that Take a break from Seibel. The Magick Cauldron: This witchcraft concerts, sporting events, art galleries, feels like it could swallow me whole. But With everything from pizza to pho for supply store on Mect, peculiar place for a a movie theater and even a student-run in my two years living off campus, I’ve every budget, Montrose is at the heart of study break. haircutting business. Why leave? found corners within its monstrosity that Houston’s culinary scene. Montrose Market: Located in the Some students, once kicked off feel like home. My most beloved of those Tacos Tierra Caliente: A Houston parking lots of Petty Cash and Pavement campus, don’t have a choice. Others, like corners is Montrose — the artsy, queer, classic, this food truck located on West Clothing, this flea market has jewelry, myself, find the notion of staying within a heavy with history and rapidly gentrifying Alabama serves up some of the best clothing and art. The free event features neighborhood north of campus. For those tacos, quesadillas and hot sauce in the music and beer. looking for a neighborhood other than Rice city. Grab your tacos of choice and cross Trader Joe’s: It’s only fitting that the Village to immerse yourself in, here are the street to the West Alabama Ice House best grocery store on the planet is located some spots in Montrose to get you started. for outdoor seating, ping-pong and a beer in Houston’s best neighborhood. Housed in or a Topo Chico. a refurbished movie theater, the California Satisfy your caffeine addiction. Ramen Tatsu-Ya: Originally founded in chain offers delectable and affordable If you’ve reached your Nutty Bee an effort to bring high-quality Japanese snacks and frozen meals perfect for a capacity or can’t stand one more minute in food to Austin, Tatsu-Ya is now serving college student’s diet. Fondren, Montrose is the perfect place to up hearty and flavorful bowls of ramen Honorable mentions: Goodwill, The head for a coffee shop. right off Westheimer Roadd. The quality Cottage Shop, Half Price Books Campesino Coffee House: Tucked into is comparable to other Houston ramen an adorable repurposed house, Campesino spots, with typically better prices and How do I get there? is a Latin American take on Montrose’s shorter waits. Houston is especially daunting without coffee shop scene. Come for a homey Lúa Viet Kitchen: Located in a shiny, a car. But that piece of plastic we can pick space to study and the Pérez Prado, stay sleek space at Alabama Row, Lúa Viet up for free from the Allen Center? It’s a key for un tamale y un cortadito, por favor. offers modern takes on Vietnamese to the city’s public transportation system Agora: With uncomfortable chairs, classics at a reasonable price. While it — a system not nearly as horrible as Rice unreliable Wi-Fi and the perpetual doesn’t come close to Houston’s best students love to claim. Buses are quick possibility that one of its customers Vietnamese fare, it’s an accessible spot for and fairly reliable, and the 56 and 27 are might break out in song and guitar when a fresh and satisfying meal. easy options for getting from near campus absolutely no one asked him to, Agora is Honorable mentions: Velvet Taco, to Montrose. good for one thing: ze European vibes. To Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine, UB Preserv its credit, it really nails those vibes. And, in Ella Feldman very European fashion, it closes at 2 a.m. Save Tetra, shop with cash. Features Editor ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE XU Inversion Coffee House: Sharing a While the majority of Houston’s 10 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 HOUSING GUIDE

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FEEDING YOURSELF FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN BE THE ONE IF YOU’VE NEVER LIVED ON YOUR OWN BEFORE, OF THE MOST DAUNTING PARTS OF LIVING OFF CAMPUS. JUST BUDGETING FOR LIVING EXPENSES ON TOP OF RENT CAN SEEM ASK ME, WHO LIVED ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF FROZEN MEALS OVERWHELMING, ESPECIALLY IF THE CLOSEST YOU’VE COME LAST YEAR. LUCKILY, I’VE ASKED A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO BUDGETING AT RICE IS PLANNING OUT HOW TO SPEND YOUR FARED MUCH BETTER FOR THEIR ADVICE ON EATING HEALTHILY TETRA. THE MAIN COSTS YOU CAN NEVER REALLY ESCAPE ARE AND WELL WHILE LIVING OFF CAMPUS. FOOD AND UTILITIES.

AMY QIN they are few and far between. I also have SIMONA MATOVIC NEWS EDITOR come to really treasure the time I spend BACKPAGE EDITOR & DESIGNER UTILITIES cooking.” Utilities include electricity, gas, water MEAL PLAN OPTIONS Since her housemate has a car, Pikus is FOOD and internet. Some apartments will have Rice Housing and Dining currently offers able to carpool with her to buy groceries, but Grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning all utilities included in rent, but many five different meal plans, according to their sometimes opts to use Instacart, a grocery dishes take time and money. Plenty of off don’t and most houses won’t have any website, as well as option to purchase $50 delivery service, to save time. According campus students still opt for some kind utilities included. Houses typically require to $500 in Tetra points. It’s worth noting to the Instacart website, delivery is free of meal plan to save time, especially when a lot more energy to cool in the summer that meal plans do not allow you to roll for orders above $35 for Instacart Express they don’t have easy access to a car for (and every other season) and heat in the over leftover meals into the next semester, members, and membership costs $99 per grocery shopping. It’s worth noting that winter (for the two weeks that it’s actually whereas Tetra does roll over and can be year. meals left over on the plan you choose cold) than apartments. Some internet used for servery meals (breakfast is priced Natalie Siejczuk, a Lovett College junior, do not roll over. Some plans cover certain companies offer flat-rate fees for Wi-Fi, lowest, then lunch, then dinner). See below is living off campus for her second year. numbers of any meal, while others only while others charge based on usage. My for all the options. She makes breakfast every morning and cover breakfasts or lunch. But, you can buy share of Wi-Fi (split with three roommates Andrew Feng, a Jones College junior, meal preps once a week. Siejczuk gets her Tetra to use for servery meals (breakfast is in a house) is usually up to $20 a month. purchased Plan B so he could eat most of groceries delivered from Shipt, which costs priced lowest, then lunch, then dinner) that Water, electricity and gas vary immensely his weekday meals on campus. about the same as Instacart. will roll over from semester to semester. So, based on the size of the living space, so be “I didn’t want to have to travel off “I don’t have a car, so getting groceries is if you don’t want a full meal plan but want to sure to ask whoever’s lease you’re taking campus to get food as that would be really kind of impossible on a bike,” Siejczuk said. be covered in case you’re stuck on campus over — or landlord — how much utilities inefficient, and I don’t like to bring food According to Pikus, it’s understandable for a meal that you haven’t packed, Tetra is typically cost when you’re deciding on a from home because it would require me to for a busy school schedule to occasionally a low-commitment option. place. I spend $100 a month on average. cook, and cooking also takes a lot of time get in the way of cooking, so a convenient With all of this being said, I live off Reducing utility usage is better for and energy to prepare,” Feng said. backup meal, like frozen veggie burgers, is campus with no meal plan or Tetra and it’s your wallet and the environment. These Stanley Tsou, a Will Rice College usually a good idea to keep on hand. completely feasible if you have access to a tips may seem simple, but you probably sophomore, said he chose to buy only Tetra. car. You’re going to have a lot more repeated haven’t thought much about them on “I chose this meal plan because of MEAL SWIPE DONATION meals and fewer options each week than campus. First of all, turn off your air the flexibility to dine both at the serveries INITIATIVE with dining on campus (especially if you conditioning or heating every time you and at the [Rice Memorial Center] (e.g. This semester, a new initiative was don’t split groceries with a roommate), leave. If it’s too hot for no air conditioning, Ambassador’s Cafe),” Tsou wrote. “Unlike launched that allowed students to donate but learning to plan meals and cook is an still set the temperature much higher than meal plans, in which students have to use guest meal swipes to students living off essential life skill. I spend $40 to $50 a week what you’d keep it at when home and vice all their meals by the end of the semester, campus who cannot afford meal plans. By at HEB and will have ingredients left over versa for the cold. It’s not pleasant to walk Tetra points roll over the semester. Not the time the online form to donate meal from week to week — it’s not uncommon into a warm home in the summer or a chilly having to worry about ‘wasting’ meals or swipes closed on Jan. 24, 246 people had that I decide I don’t need to shop on a given one in the winter, but it probably won’t take not having enough meals in the middle of donated a total of 615 swipes, with 2.5 week because of groceries I haven’t yet that long for the temperature to get back the semester is a huge perk for me.” swipes donated on average per person, used. I usually have frozen vegetables on to a comfortable one. Second, if you live according to Anna Margaret Clyburn, Martel hand because they’re cheap and usually in a unit with a dishwasher, it actually uses GROCERY SHOPPING College president. At the time of print, the just as nutritious as fresh ones, and then less water than washing all your dishes Lia Pikus, a Baker College junior, opted Thresher has not determined when the buy around four or five items of fresh by hand. With that being said, never run a for no meal plan this year. Pikus and her swipes will be accessible to students. produce a week. Frozen shrimp and frozen half-empty dishwasher. The “dishwasher roommate alternate cooking every day and The Pantry, another program by Student berries are good for the same reasons, as saves water” rule doesn’t apply to running do bulk meal prepping on weekends. Success Initiatives, offers non-perishable well as canned beans. Potatoes and sweet it when it’s mostly empty. Finally, always “If you bulk cook on the weekends, food, such as soup, proteins, pasta, dairy potatoes also take longer to go bad than turn off your lights. It’s extremely obvious, usually you can get through the weeks,” and nondairy milk, rice and snacks and other fresh produce, as well as alternative but the only light switch you’re in charge Pikus said. “There are the occasional PB&J- hygiene products. It is available to walk in milks like oat or almond as opposed to cow of controlling while living on campus for-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner days, but from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. milk. Also, eggs are cheap and you can eat is probably your own room. Plus, your real eggs now as opposed to servery eggs! parents won’t be around to (rightfully) MEAL PLAN C: Embrace eggs! complain when you leave the light on. $1350 (170 meals/semester, $100 tetra) KITCHEN basil/oregano, red pepper flakes, pa- prika/cumin >> 3 pans, varying size (non-stick) >> Dish soap, sponges, steel wool MEAL PLAN E: >> 1 medium-sized pot >> Measuring cup $425 (50 lunches/semester) >> 1 rice cooker >> 2 spatulas >> Metal strainer/colander MEAL PLAN F: >> 1 pair of tongs >> Drying rack $550 (85 breakfasts/ >> 1 big wooden spoon semester) >> 2 bowls/roommate MEAL PLAN A: >> 2 plates/roommate BATHROOM AND CLEANING $2220 (20 meals/week, >> Silverware >> Shower liner and curtain $100 tetra) >> 2 knives >> Bleach >> 2 cutting boards (1 big 1 small) >> Toilet bowl cleaner MEAL PLAN B: >> 1 baking pan/vessel, glass is most >> Plunger $750 (85 meals/semester, versatile >> Vacuum $100 tetra) >> tupperware >> Rags (t-shirts come in handy!) >> Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, >> All-purpose disinfecting spray 12 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 HOUSING GUIDE

ANNA TA >> ALONG THE METRO LINE Managing Editor

MCGOWEN HERMANN PARK/RICEU pitchers. While Bodegas is great for MEMORIAL HERMANN This is the stop for Midtown — which This is the stop closest to Brown College, groups looking to relax after a long also means delicious and affordable on the corner of Fannin Street and school week, if you’re looking for a place HOSPITAL/HOUSTON ZOO Vietnamese food. While you might already Sunset Boulevard. to take your date after all that art-going, This is the stop closest to the South know Pho Saigon, Les Givral’s is the place consider MF Sushi for a pricey but Colleges, across Main Street from Sid to be for a cheap rice or vermicelli plate MUSEUM DISTRICT yummy dinner. A little further away are Richardson College. A lot of quick food and an iced ca phe sua da (extremely Get off here to see some of Houston’s the chiller eateries Dak & Bop (Korean options are available, such as Chipotle, strong and sweet iced Vietnamese best (you guessed it) museums, fried chicken), Barnaby’s Cafe (decadent the Halal Guys and the newly-opened coffee). The new Cafe#13 also just including the Museum of Fine Arts, brunch) and Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill. Juiceland. opened in this plaza and has amazing Houston, the Contemporary Arts banh mis with gorgeously toasted bread Museum Houston, the Houston Natural ENSEMBLE HCC and just the right proportion of every Science Museum or take in the new Ugh, now this is Houston food. Get off ingredient. I seriously cannot recommend Glassell School of Art and its sculpture here for The Breakfast Klub (and be all of these places enough. garden. The MFAH has a great cafe prepared to wait), Tacos A Go Go After dark, those of you over 21 can also space if you’re looking to study (if you’re not tired of eating it at get off this stop for Proof Rooftop Lounge somewhere that’s not Fondren and want every catered food event at (when it reopens) and its chill vibes when to easily get off campus without a car. Rice), Diced Poke, Spicy Girl the weather is right, Mongoose versus For the less educationally-oriented folks, (Szechuan Chinese food) and Cobra for a board game night or group consider Bodegas Taco Shop, an easy Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. night out at one of the two karaoke bars. walk from the metro stop for Mexican food and great deals on margarita

*gathered from our OC survey

“There’s essentially no resources given to “It seriously made my relationship to Rice so much RANTS students when they’re kicked off campus which healthier!” can pose an especially large burden to low RANTS - Areli Navarro Magallon, Duncan ‘20 income students.” - Mezthly Pena, Duncan ‘22 RAVES RAVES “Living next to Trader Joe’s is as awesome as it “The shuttle app should be improved. It’s sounds.” - Josh Bochner, McMurtry ‘20 oftentimes significantly off which is frustrating for those of us that take the shuttle everyday!” “I just think that having your own space to go back - Rebecca Egan, Martel ‘22 to is so underrated. People are always talking about the convenience of living on campus, but “The walk to West Lot at 10 p.m. is the worst.” it’s so good for your mental health to be able to go - Natalie Goddard, Duncan ‘21 home off campus at the end of the day.” - Chris Walters, Will Rice College ‘20 HOUSING CLASSIFIEDS

Fully furnished all bills paid 1br garage apt located 1/2 7900 N Stadium Dr. #81, Houston, TX 77030 - Lovely mile from campus in Southampton. 729-sqft condo: French shutters, bathroom and kitchen with granite countertops and new cabinets, laminate wood Cable/Electric/one covered and gated parking spot floor, spacious walk-in closet, brand new AC unit, in-unit included (no large SUVs). washer & dryer, small yard, outside storage shed, covered parking spot. No washer/dryer. -Friendly complex: swimming pool, tennis courts, club Available beginning late. house, on-site manager, 24/7 security guard. May/June 2020. Single occupancy only. -Ideal Location: various transportation options No smokers, no pets. (bus, rail, bike...) Rice students preferred. -Rent: $1,050.00/month (including water, trash, cable, Email: [email protected] or Internet...) call/text 832-573-2694 -Contact: [email protected]

SUMMER AND/OR SCHOOL YEAR LEASE IN A FOUR- Furnished rooms walking distance to Rice Univ. Bills paid. PLEX IN RICE VILLAGE. BILLS PAID WALK OR BIKE TO Safe, quiet location. CAMPUS. W/D. Internet. Single rooms. Summer and school year Spacious furnished ending 2021 leasing. 1B, 1B, separate living, dining room and kitchen apart- ment $985. Rent $560.00/mo. Furnished Studio $765. Furnished room in a three bedroom, one bath and kitchen- International Students Welcome!! ette/dining area $560. Furnished room in a two bedroom, one bath, kitchenette/ Email: [email protected] dining area apartment $660. Cell: 713-703-6372 Bills paid. W/D available.

Email: [email protected]. Phone: 713-205-6681 HOUSING GUIDE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 13

ATTENTION RICE STUDENTS! HAVE YOU FOUND HOUSING YET?

LEASE WITH US AT VANTAGE MED CENTER AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 1/2 OFF ALL UPFRONT 1B1-B 737 SQ FT FEES! 281.884.3930 | VANTAGEMEDCENTER.COM EXCLUSIVE SERVICES PROVIDED: VALET PARKING & CONCIERGE SERVICES MOViE & GAME ROOM ONSITE MASSAGE THERAPIST WITH FREE MASSAGE AT MOVE-IN AQUA MASSAGE ROOM INFINITY EDGE 24 HOUR POOL WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS 3200 SQ FT FITNESS FACILITY PARTY ROOM WITH CATERING KITCHEN 7TH FLOOR AMENITY DECK WITH PERFECT STUDY SPACES CONTROLLED ACCESS COMMUNITY AWARDED THE BEST DRIVE TIMES

HIGH-RISE IN 2018 BY THE 7 MINUTES HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION 5 MINUTES 14 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 HOUSING GUIDE

HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION IN HOUSTON*

HOW DID YOU GET TO CAMPUS EVERYDAY? DID YOU SHARE A ROOM?

Walked

Biked YES (23%)

Drove self

Got driven (Uber, carpool, etc.) NO (77%) took the metroRAIL

Took the bus

Took a Rice shuttle

Scootered / long boarded *results taken from 92 respondents who said they lived off campus during their time at Rice

MONTROSE

5 percent of survey respondents live here, paying from $750 to $1000/month MUSEUM DISTRICT

BOLSOVER / CLOSE BY

39 percent of survey respondents live here, paying from $750 to more than $1000/month

BELLAIRE RICE UNIVERSITY HERMANN PARK WEST U

23 percent of survey respondents MED live here, paying from $500 to CENTER $750/month 15 percent of survey respondents live here, paying from $750 to $1000/month

NRG THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 15 FEATURES Students organize around primaries despite lack of polling location on campus

INFOGRAPHIC BY CHRISTINA TAN

POLL FROM PAGE 1 exercise their right to vote in every for resources from Rice University in election and said there is nothing in order to support a candidate will have to Maddy Scannell, president of Rice Young particular about 2020 that changes that. be denied. That means reserving rooms Heard around Democrats, said voter identification Dustin Belsha, founder of the student on campus,” Belsha said. “I totally requirements often confuse and group Owls for Bernie, thinks otherwise. understand why those rules exist, but it campus: intimidate students. “Every year, it is said that this is the has been kind of frustrating to deal with.” “A lot of out-of-state students don’t most important election ever, but I think Belsha is referring to the university’s really know what they need to bring that this year it is actually true,” Belsha, partisan political activities policy, which to vote. If you’re out of state, you can’t a Wiess College sophomore, said. “There says that Rice cannot use any resources Tulsi Gabbard is the only use your driver’s license alone. You are so many things on the line right now to support or oppose a candidate for candidate standing up against have to sign a reasonable impediment public office. declaration, which is confusing and “We don’t want to temper anyone’s American involvement in bureaucratic. You can also bring a enthusiasm for the electoral process, wasteful foreign wars. She passport, which a lot of people don’t but it’s important for all of us in the would be a great choice for have here,” Scannell, a Martel College There are a lot of people on Rice community to understand that the Democratic nomination. junior, said. “Spreading awareness that campus who would be happy increasing voting participation across you can vote — it’s just sort of harder — to help you get informed campus is different than increasing Karl Abramson is one of the main barriers.” and help walk you through turnout for one candidate over another,” JONES COLLEGE FRESHMAN This uncertainty surrounding voter this process, because I know Nathan L. Cook, director of government identification laws made it difficult for relations, said. “The university can’t some students to advocate for themselves it is hard and it’s really help turn out the vote for any particular when they were illegally turned away complicated. party or candidate, but we can help get from polls during last November’s students to the polls.” I am supporting Warren municipal election, Scannell said. Carolyn Daly Although Scannell said she is grateful because she is the best “We had no real way to get in touch MCMURTRY COLLEGE JUNIOR to the Office of Government Relations candidate to unite both wings with the county to be like, ‘Hey. This for providing the Rice Young Democrats is illegal,’” she said. “We complained that we can’t put off any longer. Climate with funding for things like shuttles and of the party, and she is the enough that we got [the phone numbers change is obviously a huge one.” event food, she also said she wishes the most qualified person for the of] election administrators so that if Owls for Bernie, a group of students administration would do more. job. She is the only candidate people are getting turned away again, we supporting Bernie Sanders’ campaign “[Funding has] been super great, truly prepared to bring the can hopefully intervene.” for president, is the most visible effort on but on the education and information structural change needed in The Rice Young Democrats will not campus to directly support a presidential end, they just don’t really talk about it,” endorse candidates for this race to candidate. (The only other effort is an Scannell said. “They’re willing to throw this country. “make sure that everyone who identifies Instagram account supporting Pete money at the problem, but there’s not Adrian Almy with the Democratic party or left of it Buttigieg that hasn’t posted in a month.) a lot of institutional, ‘Here’s how we WIESS COLLEGE FRESHMAN can share their opinions and not feel Belsha founded the group after working increase voting.’” alienated by majority rules,” according directly with the national campaign last Daly said student leaders of the to Scannell, but she says they will likely summer. He thinks the lack of other Rice Vote Coalition and other political endorse in the general election. candidate-specific organizations at organizers across campus are doing The Rice College Republicans will also Rice reflects the Sanders campaign’s their part to provide voter education and Students shouldn’t forget not endorse candidates for their primary. emphasis on grassroots organizing. information. To Daly, this mission is vital According to Thomas Keller, interim Although they’re not part of the Rice given how intimidating voting can be. about the local elections. president of the club, this is because Vote Coalition, Owls for Bernie has also “I hear from students a lot that There are a variety of hotly the Republican race for the presidential been contributing to voter registration they’re not informed enough, or they contested primaries for nomination isn’t very contested. and information efforts such as public don’t feel like their voice matters, but positions that have direct “Functionally, I would be shocked if tabling. However, due to rules the it really does,” Daly said. “There are impacts on Rice students anyone other than Donald Trump won university has regarding candidate a lot of people on campus who would [in the primaries],” Keller, a Duncan affiliation, event organizing has been a be happy to help you get informed and every day. College junior, said. “So we’re not taking little trickier for the group. help walk you through this process, Benjamin Lamb any particular action other than just “[The Office of Government Relations because I know it is hard and it’s really WILL RICE COLLEGE JUNIOR watching and seeing how it pans out.” has] made it clear that any event or complicated when you’re going through Still, Keller believes students should organizing effort which requires a request it for the first time, but it’s worth it.” 16 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 FEATURES Pursuit of improved minor unites two students

IVANKA PEREZ enjoy interacting with the professors on the FEATURES EDITOR committee outside of a class setting. “Knowing how important this is to Taylor Crain and Zubaidat Agboola have them, to us, to the community, at first it was known each other for a while. They’ve run very intimidating, but they as a whole are into each other at Rice African Student extremely fun and welcoming,” Crain said. Association and Black Student Association “Very fun. Lots of jokes.” meetings and even took a religion and hip- Crain and Agboola aren’t just inspired hop class together. But it wasn’t until the by the professors they work with — two were selected as student members of they’re also inspired by each other. Crain the African and African American Studies said seeing the impact of Agboola’s work Steering Committee that they really got to with this committee and her SA task know each other. force has inspired her to work harder for “I wanted to know [Crain] from before — the minor. when I knew she had all these aspirations “Seeing Zubaidat and all the work … so it’s nice to be in the same room with she’s done revamping a minor, kind of her [on the committee],” Agboola, a Wiess making this whole new department — College junior, said. [she’s] just taken it on, and it’s going to Agboola and Crain each took a happen,” Crain said. “It’s exactly where I different path to join the AAAS committee. want to be as well, helping and making it Agboola joined as a candidate elected better for the next generation of students by the Student Association after she and here at Rice.” Axel Ntamatungiro, co-founders of the Agboola is also inspired by the students Increasing African Presence in Academia christina tan / THRESHER who came before them — students who task force, were approached by SA Lovett College junior Taylor Crain and Wiess College junior Zubaidat Agboola are members of the took the African studies classes, completed President Grace Wickerson for the job. African and African Studies steering committee, which is currently revamping the African and the minor and made it possible for their The other position was open for African American Studies minor. committee to work toward a new and applications, so Crain filled out a short form improved AAAS minor. to apply. Shortly after, she was notified that “In my experience, there will be semesters student, considering how accomplished “Even when [they saw] that the minor she had been offered the position. with just a ton of Black classes, but they’ll be and respected they are. wasn’t as good as it could be, they were “I was invited to join the Slavery and scheduled around the same time, and then “Whenever there’s anything that has a working as hard as they could within Segregation Task Force [but] I knew there would be a semester with, like, none,” direct … effect on the students, they really the bounds of their departments and it wasn’t the right fit for me because Crain said. “If you have the time, with your want our opinions,” Agboola said. “It’s their requirement classes and the time I didn’t have much experience with requirements, to fit in those classes, you’re really welcoming.” that they have to actually make things archival work and preferred to be in a good, but if not, then you’re kind of screwed.” happen, so I’m just really grateful for role where I could pitch ideas and give These kinds of challenges are what the them,” Agboola said. feedback,” Crain, a Lovett College junior, AAAS Steering Committee is aiming to fix. Crain said she appreciates the said. “Once I heard more about the AAAS In their committee meetings, the team — Once I heard more enthusiasm her professors have shown for Steering Committee and the work Dean made up of select faculty along with Crain about the AAAS Steering projects outside of their job descriptions Kathleen Canning and [Anthony] Pinn and Agboola — is working on a certificate for and the compassion they’ve shown for were doing, I knew that that was where graduate students and an introductory course Committee ... I knew that their students. I wanted to be involved.” to the AAAS minor. was where I wanted to be “I made it a point throughout my Although both Crain and Agboola “I thought it was going to be really involved. academic career to know the other have been consistently taking AAAS intimidating at first — it’s like, oh wow, all Black faculty and [I appreciate] just how classes, neither is sure whether they will these people I’m taking classes with and Taylor Crain supportive they are,” Crain said. “I think graduate with the minor. For Agboola, admire and think are really cool are all in the LOVETT COLLEGE JUNIOR it’s already a big burden to be a minority the challenge is finding AAAS classes she room and we’re a part of the decision-making professor, but for them to take the extra hasn’t already taken that don’t have time process,” Crain said. time to get to know students [and] to conflicts with her major requirements. Agboola said she appreciated how much But the meetings aren’t all work and champion what they want to do in the Crain echoed this problem. the professors valued her perspective as a no play. Crain and Agboola both said they future … it’s pretty amazing.” NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES Crossword by Sam Rossum Thresher Staff ACROSS 1) Downstairs neighbor for the Thresher DOWN 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 8 9 10 4) *Eyeroll* 1) Doofus 7) Downstairs neighbor for 2) Symbolic speech? Abbr. 7 8 9 10 11 QWER 3) Deep feelings of love 9) Chomsky and others 4) Where Persephone dined on 12) Start of many zany pomegranate seeds, in myth 12 13 headlines, exemplified 5) Impersonate, at a Halloween by reading this puzzle’s party 15 14 15 16 highlighted answers in order 6) Ingredient in a Cuban 14) Carnival features sandwich 8) Partner of Lay in a snack 15) Siesta 18 17 20 21 18 17) Gainesville athlete food empire 18) Like “Revenge of the 10) Declaration of 19 20 21 22 Sith,” episodically Independence, for one 19) Direction for a horse to 11) ___ mail walk, vis-a-vis a bar 13) Altar affirmative 23 24 27 16) Key lime, e.g. 20) Texas shaped servery offering 17) Flying nuisance 25 26 27 28 23) ___ tai, rum cocktail 19) Powderpuff and freshman 24) Senate counterpart flag, briefly 21) The answer is AUO 25) 1940 directive for Stalin’s 29 30 hitmen 22) Aperture setting 29) Pt. of NASA 24) Start of many addresses 31 32 30) Jay-Z and Kanye West 26) Word with bachelor and song that sampled “Try a mouse Little Tenderness” 27) Disney secret agent 31) Cops at a Padres game: Possible Abbr. 28) End of an abyss? 32) Some lap dogs, Answers will be posted on ricethresher.org and on the Thresher Facebook page. informally Bolded clues and colored squares correspond to the theme. THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 17

Review: ‘Miss Anthropocene’ Grimes returns with cacophony of sound prophecizing artificial intelligence and apocalypse. ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT See more at ricethresher.org ‘Perhaps, there is no sequel’ invites us to consider futurity SANVITTI SAHDEV social fronts, political fronts,” Rasheed said. used in a creative writing workshop with hesitant to follow the instructions, others SENIOR WRITER When confronted by the text while Rice students led by Rasheed on Sept. 1. abandoned them to come up with their passing by Brochstein, you may have kept “I wanted to construct opportunities for own actions. Four bright yellow billboards walking without reading, or you may have people to actively be involved in thinking The pair ended the performance materialized in the center of campus last slowed down to consider it. How public art about something, writing about something, together with a series of actions including week. Located in the lawn on the west incorporates the body, changes the path of responding to something,” Rasheed said. clapping, snapping fingers and sighing, side of Brochstein Pavilion, the first of walking and breaks up movement across The opening reception for the with Jawwaad curling his hand into a fist them spells out a startling message in campus is exactly what Rasheed wants to installation took place outside Brochstein in front of his chest as a final gesture. In delicate black script: “a committee made an explore. “I’m interested in the choreography on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and featured a her closing statement, Rasheed asked the announcement: a better future awaits us.” or dance that someone does with the work,” collaborative performance between audience to allow uncertainty into their Thoughts about futurity and inclusivity Rasheed said. Rasheed and Houston-based trumpeter, movements and lives. inform this new installation titled “perhaps, A former high school teacher, Rasheed composer and hip-hop artist Jawwaad. “Perhaps, there is no sequel” will be on there is no sequel,” an invitation for the said her interest in movement is influenced The two began the performance by making view in the west lawn adjacent to Brochstein public to unfold upon the layered meanings by her background as an educator. “I had sounds with their bodies by kicking the Pavilion through Sep. 1. of each of its components. Created by artist a very short attention span in school and ground, thumping their chests, clapping, This article has been condensed for print. and educator Kameelah Janan Rasheed, so I think about that a lot when I make snapping fingers and breathing heavily. As To read the full story, visit ricethresher.org. it is the third iteration of Rice Public Art’s my work — what it means for someone to the sun set, Jawwaad’s trumpet resounded “Platform” series. do something with their body — which across a darkening campus, eerie and The second of the banners poetically means that I’m interested in space and beckoning at the same time, as spotlights plunges into the complications of the architecture, and thinking about movement kept a steady glow on the yellow banners. statement asserted by the first, while the as a mode of learning,” Rasheed said. “By Rasheed and Jawwaad then invited the third defines each word in terms of its moving across space, having an experience audience to collaborate with them and the limitations in thinking about a shared where your body remembers something, attendees obliged, clustering around five future. The last banner repeats the phrase, and through that moving process, you’re microphones set up on the lawn in front “a better future awaits us,” which can now learning something.” of the installation. Participants were given be more expansively considered. Rasheed’s highly interdisciplinary work a sheet of prompts, and contributed to the Rasheed said that she is interested in also involves the use of cards dispersed performance by making sounds with their inciting thought about the premise of her across the campus in locations such as bodies, reading from excerpts and making statement, including who “us” includes, serveries and Rice Coffeehouse. They sentences based on given words. what we mean by the future, who is actually contain various prompts, such as those to The collaborative performance created going into this future and whether the write the time without using numbers or moments of palpable intensity, notably future we imagine includes everyone.“A lot language that describes numbers, draw when Rasheed took up a refrain of “How channing wang/thresher of that has been inspired around discourse images that represent a notion of the future much longer?” and when the audience of climate change, but also just mounting and repurpose words in a given statement joined her in counting to 60 years. While Houston-based hip-hop artist Jawwaad disasters on all fronts — ecological fronts, to create something new. The cards will be some participants were confused or performs at the opening reception of “perhaps, there is no sequel” on Feb. 18. Review: King Krule gets comfortable with chaos on ‘Man Alive!’ old Archy Marshall — known by his stage Face” each carves out its own space on the the unknown, embrace the strange and stop name King Krule — has reigned with a silver album through aggravated dissonances and trying to make sense of it all. tongue and an enigmatic fist. As a counter- visceral imagery evoked by Marshall’s lyrics. Unlike on his earlier albums, there aren’t cultural figure he’s been largely reclusive, but The arrival of the album’s fifth track, “The really any tracks that are explicitly pleasant to as a lyricist, he’s one of the generation’s best. Dream,” a gentle interlude laced with loopy listen to, and discomfort is not a sensation that But Marshall is far more than a poet. He’s a guitar and keys, paves the way for a softer naturally captures the attention. Even on the post-punk howler, a soulful crooner and a remainder of the album. Tracks like “(Don’t mellower tracks, Marshall still leans heavily skillful guitarist. His musical influences, Let The Dragon) Draag On” and “Underclass,” on dissonance, warped instrumentation ranging from jazz to hip-hop to gothic rock though still largely dissonant, are and eerie soundscapes to create music that and new wave, culminate in a brooding contextualized by moments of consonance even at its most tame feels like it was pulled and nuanced style that by its very nature and lyrical intimacy, serving as glimmers of straight out of a fever dream. If you go into transcends genre. light that pierce through the Krulean twilight. the album expecting the agreeability of “Man Alive!,” Marshall’s newest album Yet, only in its final seconds does the Marshall’s earlier work, you probably won’t COURTESY true panther sounds/matador released Feb. 21, is a complex and conflictual album’s true brilliance reveal itself. “Please enjoy the uneasiness that takes its place. entwining of his creative impulses. While Complete Thee,” the final track, ends with an However, if you’ve ever been holed up MAN ALIVE! the album offers a more transparent window escalation of harmonies that build upon one inside with only a lamp for light in the late into Marshall’s psyche through a newfound another to create a cacophony of electronic hours of the evening and then, finally, look Genre: Alternative / Indie lyrical accessibility and overall softening, noise. In place of a sweet conclusion, the final up at the night sky, all you’re going to see is the frightening and discordant nature of the taste left in our mouth at the end of “Man a thick slab of black. Yet let your eyes adjust “Stoned Again” Top Track: music itself creates an album comprised of Alive!” is of utter and complete chaos. and, bit by bit, as your eyes forget to expect some of his most anguished work to date. This feels like the heart of what Marshall the warm glow of a lamp, a whole blanket of The album begins with a flurry of electronic is aiming to get at through the course of the stars will suddenly appear above your head. noises reminiscent of a tuning orchestra with album: a truthful exploration of the chaos that If you approach “Man Alive!” expecting Marshall’s voice coming in over a bed of gritty accompanies being. In life’s absurdity, there’s the golden light of day — or even the dingy LIA PIKUS bass and steely drums. During the album’s no harmonious piano to sweep us off our feet glow of a lamp — you’ll surely come out FOR THE THRESHER artistic incubation, Marshall developed and place us squarely back into an evenly disappointed. But if you let yourself just a fascination with electricity, specifically ordered world. Even the most beautiful parts experience the 41 minutes of inky, dreamy If you ever a) were an angsty teen or b) pylons — an obsession which takes a central of being a person such as growing up, falling night that Marshall has imagined, you hung out around other angsty teens, there’s a role in the freakishly-animated music video in love and having a kid — all things Marshall might find yourself seeing starlight you good chance that at some point you’ve head- for “Cellular,” released only days before the experienced while creating the album — never expected. bobbed contemplatively as you pretended to album. “Cellular” is only the dreamy primer, require making peace with a certain level of “Man Alive!” is available on all major understand one of King Krule’s cryptic lyrics. however, for the grotesque surrealism that mystery. By creating an album full of both streaming platforms. Since his ascension to his throne with his 2013 develops in the album’s next three tracks. musical and emotional dissonance, Marshall This article has been condensed for print. album “6 Feet Beneath The Moon,” 25-year- “Supermarche,” “Stoned Again” and “Comet is inviting the listener to get comfortable with To read the full story, visit ricethresher.org.

THE WEEKLY SCENE ART DAY VAGINA SPRING FLING ALL IN THE TIMING MONOLOGUES IN THE PARK This Friday from 8-10 p.m., visit the Moody Gather with Houston artists and art lovers Rice University Theatre will present “All The Rice Women’s Resource Center will Center for the Arts for its annual Spring Fling alike this Sunday from 12 - 5 p.m. in Menil in the Timing,” a collection of six short present its annual “Critical Approach to featuring live music by local indie rock band Park to celebrate the life of late Houston comedies written by David Ives and the Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 27, 28 and the Tontons, food from Moon Rooster Food artist Cecilia Ingrid Johnson. The annual directed by Jack Young. Shows will run on March 1 at 7 p.m. Presale tickets are $5 and Truck, complimentary wine and cocktails public arts and crafts event welcomes all Feb. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., March 1 at 3 p.m., may be purchased with cash or Venmo and the opportunity to tour the Moody’s forms of musical, visual and performance and March 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 (@VagMo20) online and in the RMC Feb. 24- “Radical Revisionists” exhibit. This event is art, so bring your own supplies and get for general admission. 26. Tickets will be $7 at the door. free and open to the public. creative!

hamman hall sid richardson college moody center for the arts menil park basement 1405 branard st. 18 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT New Winningham exhibit resurrects Houston’s ringleaders 170 rolls of film. Though Winningham admits really written about it or photographed it or solidarity, evident in the racial and this first edition didn’t sell particularly well observed it for what it is,” Winningham said. gender diversity of the crowds captured among the wrestling community, the book “It’s, in my mind, a folk theater where people in Winningham’s photos. While the received immediate critical acclaim in the art come to experience a dramatic presentation, phenomenon of local wrestling is gone for world, earning a special six-page spread in a spectacle in which good goes against evil now — effectively dismantled by the rise of Life magazine titled “The Rousing Rebirth of and doesn’t always win, but is always worth a national market for dramatized, televised ‘Rasslin.” Since then, the work has come to cheering for.” wrestling — Winningham’s work has adopted be considered a cornerstone achievement the role of the Coliseum itself as a site where of contemporary American photography; people can gather and remember a deeply six photographs from “Friday Night at Houstonian and American tradition. the Coliseum” concluded the American This is not ‘fake sport.’ The exhibit is a celebration of two 50th Federation of Arts’ 1973 publication anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the “Masters of the Camera,” a collection of the This is serious, grand Media Center and the 50th anniversary of most important American photographs of spectacle. Winningham’s tenure as a Rice professor. the 20th century. His return to Rice after graduating in the The exhibit coincides with the release Geoff Winningham mid-1960’s coincided with the construction photo by geoff winningham of the second edition of “Friday Night at of the Rice Media Center the following year, “Mil Mascaras leaps from the ring post in his PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ‘Flying Body Press’ against Toru Tanaka” from the Coliseum,” a remastered collection of and since then the photographer’s legacy has “Friday Night at the Coliseum,” 1971. the project. The edition features previously been intimately entwined with the history of overlooked photos and omits photos The contorted faces and bodies of grown arts at Rice. KATELYN LANDRY Winningham no longer likes. He also includes men in the pain of defeat or elation of victory “I hate to see the building go. I’ve worked A&E EDITOR quotes from writers who offer illuminating decorate the walls of the Media Center gallery. here all of my working life. Not only that, perspectives on the often misperceived nature In addition to the action shots, many of but I love the building,” Winningham said. In a city as sprawling and teeming with life of professional wrestling. A quote from French Winningham’s black-and-white photographs “The Media Center has always been, from as Houston, crowds have an energy, a vitality critic Roland Barthes introduces the second capture the palpable anxiety and anticipation the beginning, a place where Rice met the and a gravity of their own. Photography edition of “Friday Night at the Coliseum” of the audience, suspending the excitement community. So the place has an important professor Geoff Winningham (Baker College and adorns the Rice Media Center gallery noticeably plastered on the faces of young history, and of course it’s personal history to ’65) knows this. He’s known this since 1971, wall: “What is thus displayed for the public fans swarming to get a fighter’s autograph in me as well. It feels great to have [the exhibit] when the young photographer found himself is the grand spectacle of suffering, defeat and one photo. In others, it seems that the spirit of here. I’m showing it at home. This is where caught in the gravitational pull of the Houston justice. Wrestling presents man’s suffering ferocity spills outside the ring, infecting older it belongs.” Coliseum. There really couldn’t have been with all the amplification of tragic masks.” women with an emboldened fearlessness as Through the exhibition at the Media a more fitting title for the arena where men “I don’t like to ever suggest to somebody they shake their fists and shout at the men Center, Winningham has chosen to house performed Roman-esque choreographies of in advance how they should look at my twice their size. In a black-and-white video his first comprehensive exhibition of his combat, bathed in light and enveloped by photographs,” Winningham said. “But recording displayed on a small television in most famous work at Rice as opposed to a the shouts of supporters and slanderers alike. it does help to have such a learned and the corner of the gallery, an old woman raises museum. His choice emerges as a poignant Now nearly 50 years later, wrestling fans and thoughtful idea about it before you get to her arm above her head, threatening to lash presentation of an artistic endeavor come full photography enthusiasts alike are able to get the pictures. This is not ‘fake sport.’ This is out at the giant lumbering past her. circle, and a heartfelt goodbye to the place another look into the ring with the opening of serious, grand spectacle.” “When [the fighters] were in the ring, they that started it all. Winningham’s exhibit, “Friday Night at the When Winningham saw masked were god-like,” Winningham said. “But when “Friday Night at the Coliseum” is on view Coliseum,” the first comprehensive gallery men flung through the air and heard the they were coming into the ring and when they now at the Rice Media Center central gallery exhibition of his internationally renowned passionate shouts of wrestling fans on those were coming out, they came right through until March 22. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 body of work. electric Friday nights, he knew he was about the crowd, and the crowd could touch them. p.m., Monday through Friday, and entry is The work in the exhibit, which opened last to capture something special. “It was one of These guys were touchable gods.” always free. Saturday, was originally published in 1971 in those subjects that I thought okay, I’m not sure The act of going to the Coliseum for a This article has been condensed for print. book form and contained photos from over anybody’s ever seen this properly, has ever wrestling match was an act of community To read the full story, visit ricethresher.org.

Menil offers surrealist retrospective king krule MOSES GLICKMAN portrait, a middle-aged Black woman in a THRESHER STAFF 1400s-esque plague mask walks in front of a run-down church; in another, a younger The Menil Collection’s “Photography woman stands alone in the middle of a and the Surreal Imagination” is a work of vast, grassy lawn. profound audacity, and is better for it. The The exhibition’s greatest strength lies exhibition, held in a single, large room in its juxtapositions between disparate bisected by a central wall, sets out to form time periods. Max Ernst’s 1920 photograph, a retrospective of surreal photography “Health through Sport,” depicts a Greek over a time period spanning from 1920 to heroic statue holding a golf club and today. The result is cramped and creative, wearing a reptilian mask, an augury of displayed in a manner that seeks to draw Hamilton’s masked subjects. A small glass big-picture linkages between eras and case at the center of the gallery shows holds only lightly to chronology. A series the exhibition at its most efficient: two of collages from the 1930s is broken up by photomontages, one from the 1920s, the a time traveler from 2015; a line of modern other from over 70 years later but still both photographs on the back wall is interrupted resembling each other. by “The Demonic Tree,” a disconcerting These comparisons prevent the 1950 work by Clarence John Laughlin. exhibition’s collapse into a drab timeline In the face of such an apparent disparity while also raising fascinating questions. between the scope of the retrospective and By using a 1920 work as a barometer for the size of the gallery meant to display it, the understanding motifs featured in a 2018 exhibit runs the risk of overlooking smaller, portrait, it weds contemporary surrealism more obscure artists in favor of including to work one might consider antique — and as many titular artists as possible. Indeed, converts the present into the past with “Photography and the Surreal Imagination” disorienting speed. is packed with big names such as Man “Photography and the Surreal Ray, a photographer and painter whose Imagination” is now on view at the Menil lens captured the likes of Pablo Picasso, Collection until June 14. The Menil is open James Joyce and Salvador Dali. However, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through despite space constraints, the exhibit still Sunday, and entry is always free. manages to showcase a diverse array of contemporary work, most notably Arthur Tress’s “Hermaphrodite between Venus and Mercury” and selections from Alison Jaene Hamilton’s 2015 collection “Sweet milk in the badlands.” These are some of the best pieces of the exhibition. Tress’s 1973 portrait, showing a hermaphroditic figure standing in the middle of a lawn flanked by Romanesque statues, is beautifully tender and provides refreshingly uncoded queer representation. Hamilton’s portraits experiment in what she describes as rural Black surrealism, tapping into the power of masks — a device for cultural commentary COURTESY the menil collection that has become popularized in dark TV and film such as “Us,” “Watchmen” and Allison Janae Hamilton, “Scratching at the wrong side of firmament” from the series “The Purge” — to chilling effect. In one “Sweet milk in the badlands,” 2015. THE RICE THRESHER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 • 19 SPORTS PREVIEW After slow start, baseball hopes for a turnaround DANIEL SCHRAGER looking to rebound from a year that saw FOR THE THRESHER the most losses in program history. The Bears are led by two star players. Some players might not be old enough One, sophomore Dakota Kotowski, to remember it, but when the Rice baseball was named the 2019 Missouri Valley team faces Missouri State University for a Conference Freshman of the Year. The three-game series this weekend, it will other, pitcher Logan Wiley, earned serve as a rematch of the first game in the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the 2003 College World Series. For Rice, that Week honors with his seven-inning, two- game — an Owls win — sparked a run that hit shutout performance in the Bears’ culminated in the first and only College season-opening win two weeks ago. World Series title in program history. For Bragga said remaining confident will Missouri State, that game represented the be the key to getting Rice’s season back closest that the Bears have ever been to on track. a College World Series title. Seventeen “When you’re 0-6 it becomes a little years later, both teams find themselves in bit of a confidence thing,” Bragga said, similar situations, looking to get back to “It’s easy to begin to doubt. We have to their 2003 heights. guard from that because if we allow that The Owls experienced a tough six- [doubt] to creep in, then you end up game losing streak to start the season, in losing games that you shouldn’t lose. I which the team lost three games at home think one of the keys to this week’s game Courtesy rice athletics against the University of Texas, Austin is just gonna be can we make sure our Senior second baseman Cade Edwards prepares to swing in a game at Reckling Park against the guys are staying confident.” and three games on the road against the University of Texas, Austin. This year, Edwards has six hits and five walks in 26 plate appearances. University of California, Irvine. Now, at According to Garcia, Bragga’s message 0-6, Rice is looking to rebound against get offense going. I think we have a lot “[Pitching again was] absolutely to the team largely echoed the same a MO State team which is, according to of very talented hitters on our team and incredibly amazing,” Garcia said. “I was sentiments about confidence. Rice head coach Matt Bragga, a perennial they just haven’t found it yet, myself honestly speechless. It had been over “[Bragga] said, ‘We just gotta keep power in the Missouri Valley Conference. included, and I think today, we showed a year and a half that I hadn’t pitched our heads up, we’re playing hard, we’re Bragga said Rice knew it would be tested a little bit of life with the bats. I think ... The feeling of playing baseball and playing tough, and eventually, things are to begin the season, which started on today was a good step forward and I’m having fun again was the absolute best gonna fall into place,’” Garcia said. Feb. 14. excited for this week.” feeling in the world for me.” Only six games into the season, the “These [were] two really good teams,” Rice got some help in the form of According to Bragga, Rice and MO Owls still have plenty of time to right the Bragga said. “We knew [the beginning of senior pitcher Roel Garcia, who returned State are currently in similar positions. ship. According to Bragga, there’s reason the season] was gonna be a challenge, from injury this past week. He threw Like Rice, the Bears are also looking to to believe that they’ll do just that. and it certainly has been. We haven’t two innings on Friday night against the bounce back from an uncharacteristic “It’s been a challenging schedule, been able to get over the hump.” Anteaters, striking out two. Garcia’s losing season. Under head coach Keith we’re off to a tough start, but I still believe According to junior shortstop Trei return could prove crucial against Guttin, they have enjoyed 10 conference in these guys and I think there’s a great Cruz, it’s only a matter of time before the Missouri State, as his next outing is most championships over a span of 37 years, future to this season ahead,” Bragga said. team hits its stride. likely to come against the Bears on Friday. in a run reminiscent of Rice’s under Rice faces Texas State University “I feel good with where we’re at, Bragga said his return was an “energy longtime head coach Wayne Graham. in a single-game away matchup on and where we’re going,” Cruz said after boost” for the team. However, just as the Owls are coming off Wednesday, before hosting Missouri State Sunday’s game, a 9-4 loss to UC Irvine. Garcia said it was great to be back on of back-to-back losing seasons for the at Reckling Park for a three-game series “The biggest thing is that we need to the field. first time in decades, Missouri State is over the weekend.

PREVIEW in any diving events. But the issue is Overall, Huston said he is pleased exacerbated by FIU’s utter dominance with where the team is at this point in its Swimming seeks C-USA title atop the diving leaderboards. In last preparation for the conference meet. year’s conference meet, among the three “[The swimmers] are really in a good diving events — the 1-meter, 3-meter and place before we back off and have them platform dives — the Panthers placed at rested and peaked,” Huston said last week. least four divers in the top five for each For the seniors on the team, the event. In the platform dive, they swept the C-USA championship meet will mark entire top five. the last time they take the water against opponents they have consistently faced throughout their four years at Rice. Huston said he believes the seniors on the team are in a very good position for We know we are capable their last C-USA Championships. of competing with [FIU] “[The seniors] all are carrying themselves really confidently,” Huston said. “They look top to bottom ... the one really good in the water right now.” thing we don’t have any Some of Rice’s first-place finishes at control over is diving. the First Chance Meet against UH were also season bests. Parish and freshman Seth Huston Zoe Spitz, who took the top two finishes in the 200-yard backstroke, both set season SWIMMING HEAD COACH records, and Vance and Qian added bests of their own in the 200-yard breaststroke and courtesy rice athletics Outside of the total team score, at 400-yard individual medley, respectively. Junior swimmer Rebecca Brandt extends her arms behind her back during a butterfly stroke. the C-USA Championships Rice will According to Huston, the meet against Brandt specializes in the butterfly and also competes in the individual medley. also have an opportunity to qualify UH serves as a strong indicator of how the individual swimmers to compete in team has improved thus far and how the SPENCER MOFFAT over the Panthers this week. the NCAA Championships. In the team can improve further before the meet SENIOR WRITER “We know we are capable of competing team’s last meet against the University this week. with [Florida International] top to of Houston, nicknamed the “First “We use that meet as a measuring stick In each of the past five years, Rice bottom,” Huston said. “The one thing we Chance Meet” as a preparation meet for of what we want to do over the next 10 days swimming has lost the Conference USA don’t have any control over is diving … we conference championships, several Rice to prepare,” Huston said. “If they were first place title to Florida International don’t have diving and they do, so that’s a swimmers put together strong individual swimming faster at the First Chance Meet University. This week, they hope to really big asset for them.” performances in the short course and than they were back in November at the break this streak at the conference Last year, Rice lost to FIU in the long course. Sophomore Marta Cano- Phill Hansel [Invitational], that’s a really championships, hosted in Atlanta. conference championships by 63 points. Minarro posted the fifth-fastest 200-yard good sign.” In the teams’ dual meet this past However, FIU scored 242 points from butterfly in school history (1:59.17) for a The C-USA Championships begin on October, Rice eked out a two-point diving events alone, meaning Rice handily first-place finish, accompanying junior Wednesday and will last through Saturday. victory. According to head coach Seth beat the Panthers in the swimming events. Ellery Parish, sophomore Erin Vance, The meet will be held at the Georgia Tech Huston, though the Owls are at an It’s a twofold problem: The first, of course, senior Sarah Nowaski and freshman Swim Center in Atlanta, and the final three inherent disadvantage, they still have an is that Rice has no diving team, so it’s Virginie Qian in winning at least one days of competition will be televised on opportunity to come away with a victory impossible for the Owls to score points individual event on the day. C-USA TV. 20 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 BACKPAGE

Leap Day: Everything to do with your 24 extra hours

This Saturday is a very special day that happens only once every four years: Feb. 29. If you’re not sure how to use this rare resource, don’t worry. The Backpage has a step-by-step schedule, so you don’t have to leap to any conclusions on your own about what to do with Leap Day. It’s in military time for maximum clarity, and so that your friend who studied abroad and now insists on having their phone set to a 24-hour clock doesn’t get confused.

00:00 to 01:59 You have a long day ahead of you. Kick it off with a midnight snack — any nutritional damage you do to your body doesn’t count since Feb. 29 isn’t real. If you’ve exhausted all of the on-campus late-night food options available on the weekend (stale snacks left over from events in your college’s commons AND your roommate’s cups of cereal taken from the servery), you can leap beyond the hedges for sustenance. 02:00 to 03:59 Bars have last call at 2 a.m., so this is a great time to collect any upperclassmen that may have gone out and rally them for the remainder of the 29th. The next planned activity is going to require as many hands on deck as possible, so take as much time as you need to gather people for a common cause. If anyone is coming from Midtown’s Howl at the Moon, they’ll be in the perfect mindframe for the task to follow. 04:00 to 06:59 In his classic “Sicko Mode,” Houston legend Travis Scott once said, “Now it’s 4 a.m. and I’m back up popping with the crew.” We suggest that you get back up popping with the band, instead. A “band” is what you call a group of coyotes and, as Rice University Police Department let everyone know, there are plenty of bands playing on campus. This is the perfect time to seek them out and tame them before sunrise. It took generations for humans to breed wolves into dogs, but Saturday is essentially 2/29/17, 2/29/18, 2/29/19 and 2/29/20 all in one — four years in just a day! Getting rid of the coyote problem is difficult and potentially inhumane, but training them gets Rice a new, stronger, equally nocturnal mascot. 07:00 to 09:59 The sun is up, but you have to prove your loyalty to the coyotes. Sleep among them for a few hours both to bond and to get your energy levels back up to 29 out of 28. 10:00 to 11:59 Coffeehouse opens at 10 a.m. and you’re going to need the nation’s most socially acceptable drug, caffeine, to power through the day. But, you’re going at opening time on a Saturday, so go ahead and block off a couple of hours to secure your sweet, liquid upper. 12:00 to 13:59 Serveries are open for lunch and you definitely need some food by this point. Help yourself to the Saturday specialties at Seibel (those little circular pizzas and Water Chicken) and at North (those little circular pizzas and Athlete Chicken). 14:00 to 17:59 Saturday’s weather is supposed to be beautiful. Make the most of every last hour of sunshine with what Leap Day is all about: play leapfrog with your friends for four hours to really prove you’ve got each other’s backs and because you’re riding a sleep-deprived wave of hyperactivity. 18:00 to 20:59 Now that you’re energized, you’re in the perfect state to take on an extensive workload: manually double-checking the SA election results. Do you really trust that everything just ran smoothly this year? Not even Leap Day Luck can guarantee that. 21:00 to 21:59 It’s 9 p.m., an acceptable time to drink. Celebrate with a Power Hour. 22:00 to 23:59 Realize it is basically March and enter a miniature existential crisis. Remember those assignments and exams you have in the weeks leading up to spring break? These are the weeks leading up to spring break.

The Backpage is satire and written by Simona “top coyote” Matovic and designed by Simona “coyote being leapt over” Matovic. For comments or questions, please email [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS WANTED

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