Thomas, Onwenu Win SA Election

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VOLUME 100, ISSUE NO. 20 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 Thomas, Onwenu win SA election

Anita Alem and Drew Keller “A lot of things happened with campaign- Council presidency with 62 percent of the vote ed groups. Thomas specifically mentioned the News Editors ing so I wasn’t really sure what the result would against Jones College junior Iman Khan. Black Student Association, HACER, and Gen- be,” Thomas said. “I was a little shocked.” Thomas will offi cially become the president eration College as groups to engage. Griffi n Thomas will assume the position of The number of students voting in the presi- on Beer Bike on March 19. He said the first item Another of Thomas’s priorities is attracting Student Association president after winning dential election was almost equaled in the EVP on his agenda will be to engage in dialogue talented individuals to SA positions, he said. a close election against Joan Liu, while Jus- election, which Onwenu, a sophomore and with various groups on campus. “In the short term to long term, [I will] try to tin Onwenu emerged as the clear winner in a Sid Richardson College senator, won with 54 “My short-term priority is to talk to student get qualified and competent people in the SA,” three-way race for SA external vice president. percent of the vote. Wiess College sophomore groups and administrators and just seek to un- Thomas said. “The SA is an organization with Thomas, a junior finishing his term as Hannah Todd and Hanszen College sophomore derstand what is going on and what diff erent more than 100 people, so having a qualified Lovett College president, won 53 percent of the Brianna Singh trailed with 27 percent and 20 priorities are,” Thomas said. executive team is great, but you need to have 1,532 votes cast in the presidential race, which percent, respectively. According to Thomas, the SA president really good people in those other positions.” had a 40 percent higher turnout than last year. Onwenu said he felt the campaign season typically speaks with administrators includ- Similarly, Onwenu said he plans to have had been an incredibly long process. ing deans, Provost Marie Lynn Miranda, the conversations with major stakeholders “I was happy and excited, but relieved more Faculty Senate and President David Leebron. before introducing proposals. He said he than anything,” Onwenu said of the outcome. Thomas said he hopes to speak with athletes, would like to continue expanding advisory SA PRESIDENT In a third contested election, McMurtry Col- international students, first-generation college boards in academic departments and ad- lege junior Jodie Nghiem won the Rice Program students and other historically underrepresent- 0see ELECTIONS, page 2

SA EVP RPC PRESIDENT UNCONTESTED POSITIONS SA IVP KOMAL LUTHRA SA SECRETARY SONAL PAI LIU THOMAS SINGH SA TREASURER MAURICE FREDIERE 291 KHAN THRESHER EIC YASNA HAGHDOOST 723 809 CAMPANILE EIC MATTHEW CRUZ & KIRA CHEN ONWENU 532 NGHIEM votes votes TODD KTRU STATION MANAGER LEE PELTON 796 853 RSVP CHAIR KALIAN SHI 395 UCOURT CHAIR MARCELA INTERIANO HONOR COUNCIL SENIOR REP KATIE JENSEN RVP PROGRAM MANAGER KEVIN LI RVP STATION MANAGER MINOTI KALE Student funding approved for Catalyst, Rally; Pulitzer winner to RVP retains priority status by 11 votes give commencement

Anita Alem it is a huge step forward in student serves as the current station man- Drew Keller my job is to deliver [on bringing the News Editor support for Rice Athletics.“ ager, McMutry College junior Minoti News Editor choice to Rice].” Reiskind said the student body’s Kale will serve as the future station Leebron said he had never met Rice Rally Club and Rice Cata- support is evidence that they un- manager and Hanszen College ju- Sheryl WuDunn, a Pulitzer WuDunn, but his wife Y. Ping Sun lyst are obtaining priority access to derstand the important role Rice nior Jeremy Kao is the current pro- Prize-winning journalist and execu- had met her and contacted her to student funding through their new Athletics serves on campus and un- gramming director. Kale won her tive, will give Rice University’s com- help recruit her to speak at Rice. blanket tax status, granted by the derstands the necessity of support- role in the general election for the mencement address at graduation “Our students are looking for student body in the general elec- ing student-athletes of every sport. uncontested position. Gray, Kale on May 14, according to the offi ce of people who have experience — re- tion. Rice Video Productions will Reiskind said the funding will go and Kao said they were happy with Rice president David Leebron. spected voices who aren’t always retain its blanket tax status. toward two main areas. The first will the result of the blanket tax vote. WuDunn won the Pulitzer with the most famous people around,” Blanket tax referenda require a help increase the quantity and qual- “We are looking forward to work- her husband, New York Times col- Leebron said. “Our students by and two-thirds vote in favor to pass. Ral- ity of the prizes for the Rice Owls Re- ing with our new advisor, and we umnist Nicolas Kristof, for their large have been really thoughtful ly Club and Rice Catalyst received ward App. Reiskind said he hopes to are excited about the changes we work reporting on the Tiananmen and wise.” 70.2 percent and 71.2 percent of Rice Athletics having provided all of are in the process of implementing Square protests in 1989. WuDunn According to Leebron, the most votes in favor of becoming blanket the prizes over the past year. which will result in improvements and Kristof have also collaborated important aspect of a commence- tax organizations. RVP received 65 “With funding we can provide to RVP,” they said. “We will contin- on several books and other works. ment speaker is their ability to con- percent of votes necessary to lose its prizes as well,” Reiskind said. ue to film major events at Rice and WuDunn wrote for the Times as a vey a strong message to students. blanket tax status; the referendum The second, according to Re- provide support for student passion foreign correspondent in China and “We want people to help edu- was short of the two-thirds mark by iskind, is to increase the number projects.” Japan, served as an evening news cate our students, although com- 11 votes so RVP will remain a blan- and size of the tailgates hosted by Rice Catalyst posted a thank you anchor and worked as an execu- mencement is a little different,” ket tax organization. the club. Rally Club plans to have to the student body on its Facebook tive for several companies. She is Leebron said. “You pick somebody Rally Club President Jeremy Re- tailgates for all football games, two page on Sunday after the results of currently senior managing director because of their accomplishments, iskind said he is excited that the to four tailgates for all sports that the voting. for Mid-Market Securities, which fi - and you think they’ll have some- club’s eff orts to foster student sup- compete on campus several times, “Because of your help, Catalyst nances emerging enterprises. thing to say, but the success of port for Rice Athletics have paid off . and at least one tailgate for other will be able to continue publish- Leebron said WuDunn’s accom- the commencement speaker is not “I was truly excited and honored sports such as swimming, golf, ing high quality science literature plishments, global outlook and what you know about them coming when I learned that Rally Club be- track and field and cross-country. and help promote science literacy identity as the first Asian-Amer- in, it’s what you think of them go- came a blanket tax organization,” “We want to turn athletic games across campus!” the statement ican to win a Pulitzer Prize will ing out.” Reiskind, a Duncan College junior, into events,” Reiskind said. read. “Thank you to all who voted, make her an effective speaker. Leebron said he was looking said. “Not only is this a huge step As part of the RVP leadership, we really could not have done it “I think she brings so many forward to the commencement. forward for our organization, but Lovett College senior Rachel Gray without you.” different things to the table, as “I’m very excited — it’s usual somebody who’s been involved in that when we put our trust in our journalism, global affairs, busi- students, they do us proud,” Le- ness and as a pioneering Asian- ebron said. APPROVE RICE RALLY CLUB APPROVE RICE CATALYST REMOVE RICE VIDEO American woman,” Leebron said. AS A SUBSIDIARY AS A SUBSIDIARY PRODUCTIONS FROM ITS “Pulitzer Prizes are scarce things. ORGANIZATION? ORGANIZATION? SUBSIDIARY STATUS? It’s a great choice and a creative choice.” A committee consisting of undergraduate and graduate stu- NO NO NO dents, political science professor 366 353 Melissa Marschall and senior as- YES YES 418 YES sistant to the president David Vas- 861 sar selected WuDunn, according to 871 780 Leebron. “This is a student-driven process,” Leebron said. “We don’t put a financial constraint on the stu- BLANKET TAX BLANKET TAX 70.2% VOTED IN FAVOR 71.2% VOTED IN FAVOR 65.1% VOTED IN FAVOR dents, but we tell them that’s one PASSED PASSED DID NOT PASS thing they might think about. We hope they’ll find somebody who’s

REFERENDUM RESULTS REFERENDUM RESULTS a meaningful choice to them for ALL BLANKET TAX SUBSIDIARY VOTES REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE IN FAVOR. whatever set of reasons, and then Sheryl WuDunn 2 NEWS the Rice Thresher Wednesday,F ebruary 24. 2016 Title IX student arm seeks members Limits on credit Claire Weddle The program plans to create 22 STRIVE college ing, but the Rodriguez said the two roles serve dis- For the Thresher liaisons who will be trained by the Title IX office tinct purposes. According to Rodriguez, STRIVE is hours proposed to provide support at the college level, including the first group on Rice to have a sole focus on the A new student arm of the office of Sexual Vio- hosting events. Applications opened at the end of elimination of sexual misconduct and relation- Abigail Panitz & Emily Abdow lence and Title IX Support is searching for dedicat- January, and the applicants are currently in the in- ship violence and is also the only student-driven Thresher Staff & For the Thresher ed students to help eliminate sexual misconduct terview process. initiative from the Title IX office. and relationship violence on campus. “The liaisons will provide input on how “While the RHAs are trained in general physi- A subcommittee within the Rice Commit- At the end of spring 2015, Allison Vogt, director sexual assault manifests itself uniquely at the cal, emotional and mental well-being, their train- tee for Undergraduate Curriculum has drafted of Sexual Assault Prevention and Title IX Support, different residential colleges as a way to identify ing is not focused on eliminating sexual assault or several changes to the limitations on number of and Kate Hildebrandt, Student Wellbeing spe- and change problematic aspects in each college’s relationship violence,” Rodriguez said. “The role credit hours that undergraduates can registered cialist, selected the executive committee for the respective culture,” Rodriguez, speaking for the [of the liaisons] is to act as a source of information for each semester, according to subcommittee Students Transforming Rice Into a Violence-Free executive committee, said. regarding policies and the channels by which stu- member Dorin Azerad. If approved by Faculty Environment Coalition. Jones College junior Alma According to Venkateswar, STRIVE fills the dents can report sexual or relationship violence.” Senate, starting in fall 2016, freshmen would Almanza, McMurtry College sophomore Madison need to specifically address sexual violence. STRIVE aims to eliminate sexual and rela- be able to register for a maximum of 17 credit Blattel, Hanszen College sophomore Rachel Bow- “I wanted to serve on STRIVE because I tionship violence by providing the information hours, while transfer students, sophomores, ju- yer, Jones junior Melissa Rodriguez and McMurtry thought there was a need on campus to align our and tools to create change. Vogt said she hopes niors and seniors would be capped at 18 hours junior Madhuri Venkateswar are members of the efforts when it came to sexual violence preven- STRIVE will be a long-term initiative. per semester, as opposed to the current limit of executive committee. tion,” Venkateswar said. “There are many groups “It is our hope the coalition will continue to 20 hours for all students. Vogt said the idea for STRIVE originated from a on campus who work on this issue but not one grow, adding as many students that wish to be a According to Azerad, a McMurtry College previous student, Meghan Davenport (Lovett ’15), student organization who focuses solely on this.” part of the group, so that the goal of making Rice senior, students would still have a shopping who was part of a working group in summer 2014 The STRIVE liaisons are similar to Rice Health a violence-free environment can be achieved,” period for exploring classes, as a third reform and envisioned and developed the idea. Advisors with their emphasis on student well-be- Vogt said. would allow students to register for up to 20 hours during the first week of classes. However, students would have to drop to 18 hours by the second week of classes. If students fail to drop to 18 hours, the last class they had registered O-Week changes training, college books for would be automatically dropped. She said the change could also open spaces in popular Elizabeth Myong Another change will be the creation of a uni- Finally, a change will be made to spring classes that other students could take. Thresher Staff versal O-Week book. New students will no longer training for advisors. The subcommittee also hopes to pass a pro- receive a college-specific booklet, but two sepa- “Our data shows that O-Week advisors have a posal that would lower the petition limit to 21 Every year, changes are made to Orientation rate booklets: a universal O-Week book created significant impact on new students, but we also hours, from the current limit of 24 hours. Week in response to the Survey of New Students by the student directors that is consistent for all know that they receive the least amount of for- Spencer Seballos, a Brown College senior and other student evaluations. This year’s major students and the college-specific publication mal training and support,” Landry said. and one of two undergraduate representatives changes highlight three areas: the expansion of created by the coordinators at each college. As a result, advisors will undergo more train- on the CUC, described the process as a way to academics in the O-Week schedule, the introduc- Berggren cited two important reasons for the ing, including ally and “Question, Persuade, encourage students to think more about course tion of a campus-wide booklet and the length change: It will make college coordinators’ roles Refer” suicide prevention training sessions, to registration. and content of spring training for advisors. easier by cutting down on editing time, and it improve their base knowledge, foster greater “[Taking more hours] can be permitted, but Student Success Initiatives, O-Week student will create a unified Rice experience. Solji Jung, awareness to sensitive topics and teach them students just need to explain why they are do- directors, the O-Week Advisory Board and col- who serves as co-student director with Berggren, how to help with issues that can arise later on ing it and how it fits in with their overall plans lege coordinators are creating and facilitating said that a universal O-Week book would elimi- for new students. at Rice,” Seballos said. “[This helps] them think these adjustments. nate redundant articles found in past college- Jung said she and Berggren have been very much more clearly about the class load they Chris Landry, assistant director of First Year specific booklets, allow coordinators to show mindful of the complete message they are trying plan on taking at the beginning of the semester Programs, and O-Week student director Seth what they want about residential colleges, and to convey and a focus on Rice’s values: responsi- when they are registering for courses.” Berggren said changes will be made to the O-Week explain resources on campus in a common pub- bility, integrity, community and excellence. Azerad said she was asked to join the sub- schedule in order to make students feel more aca- lication. “For a collective stance, it is important not committee because of her two years of experi- demically prepared for their first semester. “One of our main goals is to show a uni- to allow students to feel ostracized or isolated ence as the student director for Peer Academic Berggren, a McMurtry College junior, said he fied front of what Rice represents,” Jung, a because of traditions and to make it the most en- Advising. believes the changes being made to O-Week will Hanszen College junior, said. “This way, all joyable experience,” Jung said. “Often those who “For the past two years, we’ve been mak- allow students to explore their academic options students will have information presented in enjoyed O-Week are the most vocal, but we also ing a greater push for the message from the O- in anticipation of the start of the new school year. the same way.” value students’ voices that are not as heard.” Week PAAs that 15 credits is a healthy number to average your first year,” Azerad said. “[New students] assume that that message is directed to everyone else in the room except themselves 0 because the majority of Rice students who come ELECTIONS in were high achieving in high school.” FROM PAGE 1 Azerad said Brian Gibson, an associate dean and former director of the Office of Academic dressing the meal plan, as he suggested in Advising and member of the subcommittee, his platform. provided data from the Consortium for Financ- “[Housing and Dining] has been extremely ing Higher Education, which is comprised of receptive to the discussions that the senators, peer institutions including Columbia Univer- especially Todd, have started this year,” On- sity, Harvard University and Duke University. wenu said. “I hope to introduce proposals in “A lot of the students at our peer institutions, the near future by using recent survey data and even those on the semester system, were taking understanding from previous conversations fewer classes than Rice students,” Azerad said. with H&D.” According to Azerad, the proposal for cap- Thomas said he hopes students will look ping first year students at 17 credits is receiv- back on his term positively. ing support, but there has been more opposi- “I hope there’s not that sense of ‘screw the tion regarding the 18 credit cap for all other SA,’” Thomas said. “I hope [students] will re- students. However, only selective parts of the member it as a presidency that was fair, that proposal could be implemented if necessary. they felt like they had a voice in, but that also Azerad noted concerns could arise because un- had some tangible action and was productive.” dergraduates pay tuition on a semester and not Onwenu said he aims to consider the impact a credit hour basis, and also because some stu- of his actions several years down the road. dents aim to graduate in three years. She also “I want [to] address a wide spectrum of top- cited opportunities such as externships, spring ics from academic, student life and environ- break trips and summer internships which re- mental sustainability policies,” Onwenu said. quire a minimal time commitment during the “I’d like my projects and initiatives to reflect [a] semester but could raise students to 20 hours wide spectrum of interests and priorities.” and require petitioning. Thomas’ and Onwenu’s percentages of the “The way the overload petition stands now, vote were similar to that of current SA President it is nearly impossible to petition for an over- Jazz Silva, who gained 52 percent of 1,088 votes load,” Azerad said. “But with the 17- or 18-credit cast in a three-way race last year. hour cap, we would have to reevaluate the cir- This year’s voter participation rate fell short cumstances for granting overloads.” of a rerun election in 2014 that took place after The changes will be voted on later in the se- initial results were partially invalidated. How- tiffany yip/thresher mester by the CUC. For now, the subcommittee ever, according to Ravi Sheth (Martel ’15), who Alumni, community members, students and administrators gath- is focused on gathering student feedback to en- won a write-in campaign in 2014 to serve as SA Celebrating sure the proposals would help students to plan ered to remember, reflect and celebrate 50 years of black undergrad- president, the 1,636 votes cast in that rerun were healthier academic schedules, while exploring the most since at least the year 2000. 50 years uates attending Rice University on Thursday, Feb. 18. all of the opportunities Rice has to offer. 3 Value marginalized voices in our colleges From our first day of O-Week, we are told Rice events and incidents. Acknowledging the racism How can we bridge the gulf between our Careful consideration activelyworkstobuildinclusiveanddiversespaces in Will Rice’s fake Beer Bike theme posters, the values and current practices? Building the and a “culture of care.” O-Week coordinators invisibleexodusoflow-incomeandfirst-generation respectful and diverse community we all required before credit limit assemble their new students into O-Week groups collegestudentsfromresidentialcollegeleadership claim to value will take work, necessitating an of diverse identities and backgrounds. We view participation, the auctioning of senior girls making uncomfortable examination of our own personal Rice students often joke about how they the residential college system as a social equalizer out at college Beer Bike fundraisers and calling a biases, traditions, institutions and privileges. Just seem to be taking more classes than their and living space for all students, and espouse that Beer Bike auction fundraising a “slave auction,” because no one has raised an issue does not mean friends at similar universities, but it turns out we value inclusivity and diversity. In practice, we can see Rice is not the diverse, inclusive utopia no issue exists. Indeed, when someone stands that for many, this observation is actually true we often fail to translate these ideals into reality. to which we aspire. up and says they feel marginalized, they feel safe (see p.2). This finding, one of several by the Whether it’s college auction items for Beer Bike, What exactly about these events makes enough to constructively criticize their community Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum, dorm hall decorations or terrible yaks, a number marginalized groups feel invalidated? How can with the goal of aligning it more with its values. points to a university environment in which of issues have arisen that exclude marginalized they be off ensive if only few people take off ense? When members of your college community point students feel pressure to take a heavy course voices from the community we claim to care Eveniftheseeventsarenotovertlydiscriminatory, to experiences of marginalization, it is imperative load. While students are certainly entitled so much about. Rice students of marginalized they contain implicitly discriminatory to congratulate and respect them, as a sign of to challenge themselves, this competitive identities occupy this tense space between elements that promote stereotypical images progress.O ff erspacesfordialogueanddiscussion, culture negatively aff ects many students’ the rhetoric of inclusivity and the erasure and people in marginalized groups are trying to listen to their voices, acknowledge their identities mental health and education quality. dismissal of their identities and experiences. supersede. When you’re constantly fighting and experiences, and treat their concerns with With this in mind, the Thresher supports What does it mean to be marginalized? The these stereotypes, being aff ronted by them is merit and value. Learn to critically examine and the CUC proposal to reduce the credit hour term, often reduced or misunderstood, refers to mentally violent. For example, the Trayvon reconsider the traditions, practices and rhetoric cap to 18, and to 17 for freshmen. A lowered the reality that our society gives more space and Martin reference in the Will Rice fake Beer Bike within your college, and recognize and work cap decreases the average hours in which legitimacy to certain identities, particularly white, poster “Trayvon Martini: Shots Till You’re Dead” to disentangle your own personal biases and students enroll by allowing them to feel more middle- or upper-class, cisgender, heterosexual reduces the very real and harmful stereotype of misconceptions. Know who is and isn’t involved comfortable with taking the number of courses men. Those of us with delegitimized, persecuted, black criminality to a casual joke. Commodifying and present in your college. Reevaluate whether best suited for their abilities and less pressured dismissed or otherwise invalidated identities are two women making out reinforces the stereotype certain groups get pushed to the periphery. to approach a potentially unmanageable marginalized. At its heart, marginalization occurs that women together in sexual contexts is a hot Listen to the concerns of your peers, respect and maximum. A lower limit additionally drives when the majority fails to consider the minority. display primarily for the eyes of men. These celebrate our diverse identities, and engage in students to carefully consider their classes Being marginalized is not an individual personal stereotypes trigger dehumanizing realities the diffi cult but productive dialogue necessary to instead of loading up on courses they plan off ense or discomfort. It is the utter, systematic marginalized groups/individuals must cope work toward a more inclusive community. to drop, a good first step toward reducing the invalidation and dismissal of the core of your with and constantly try to overcome to be viewed overcrowding in many classes. being. Much of the time, it happens casually or as holistic individuals. RoshniJanakiraman,SamLoveand Of course, it is true there are often unintentionally,whengroupsareunawaretheyare Students have spoken up about a number circumstances in which a student must not taking others into account or not factoring in of these events and explained why they are Michael Robinson are a take many credit hours: A student trying communitymembersharmedbycertaindecisions. invalidating and marginalizing, yet the campus Brownwn CCollegeollege senior, to graduate early for financial or personal Rice is neither a vacuum — we all bring our own continually shuts them down and tells them they Lovett Coollege llege reasons may need to make up a course conscious or unconscious biases with us — nor a should leave or get over it if they are off ended. they failed earlier or may simply want to safe space of “enlightened” students untouched Those who are not members of the marginalized senior andnd explore outside their major. A reduction in by the problems of wider society. Just because we community cannot tell those who are how to feel McMurtrry y the credit hour cap must be accompanied are a liberal and diverse college campus does not and react to certain events. For a community that College by major changes to the appeal process mean we are all incapable of marginalization. talks about valuing its members, Rice has a severe junior for overloading above the limit, especially In our time at Rice, we have witnessed a problem with ensuring that those who do not fit considering the needs of students without multitude of marginalizing college-sponsored the particular mold are welcome. AP or IB credit. Currently, such appeals are rarely approved. The process should be made easier and more flexible, and with no unappealable maximum given that anything above 18 hours requires an appeal. Students of color should apply to advise A lower cap will be especially important for freshmen. New students are often unaware When I got my O-Week book, I was thrilled. applicants, but saddened to see only four black representative and fulfilling for as many students of a university’s academic rigor, and many It was the summer of 2013 and I couldn’t be more applicantsinapoolof48.Evenmorefrustratingwas as possible, seek out, cultivate and select diverse insist on taking more than the recommended excited to be going to Rice. I tore the package open, that only two of our 150-plus co-advisor applicants applicants. My work in recruiting and talent 15 hours. The current checks in place, such as read the letter from my O-Week coordinators and were black, and neither ended up at Brown. I began acquisition this year has taught me people want to peer academic advisors, have no real say over proceeded to flip through the book. As I got further to wonder exactly why students of color,specifically be wanted. Sure, that’s common sense, but actively how many hours new students choose to take. intoit,Irealizedmygoalwasnolongertolearnabout black students, weren’t applying to advise. I cultivating candidates increases the likelihood they Although freshmen have the freedom to drop O-Week, Brown and Rice generally; rather, I was on learned from conversations with friends and peers want to be at your college. courses until the last day of class first semester, a manhunt. Not for anyone I knew or even my own that black students who don’t see representation A lot of these points are easier said than done. taking more hours than is manageable often advisors, but for someone who looked like me. tend to not apply, and those who apply but aren’t I’m asking a subset of students to put themselves manifests in high stress and poor grades There were photos of black students seemingly chosen become discouraged and don’t re-apply in out there and be vulnerable to rejection, and before then. A limit at 17 hours signals that enjoyingRice.However,whenIlookedtothepeople the future. These feelings and actions are further asking coordinators to think and work even more a smooth transition is a priority for Rice and chargedwithacclimatingmetoRiceandonlytwoof bolstered by already prevalent feelings of exclusion judiciously than they are already asked to — but forces freshmen to reflect upon their ability 48 were black (both co-advisors) and neither were and isolation black students report feeling in their isn’t this what O-Week is about? Creating a culture before undergoing the appeals process. men, I was immediately skeptical of my O-Week residential colleges year after year. where new students feel welcome and informed These proposed changes have admirable experience. Questions flooded my mind about how I realized as a coordinator the issue isn’t just those about the academic and social aspects of Rice? intentions, but those alone are not reason advisors were selected, what it means that so few who evaluate the application pool — coordinators Where students can feel comfortable entering an enough to institute them. The Student black students were in these leadership positions, arefarfromperfect and extremelybiased —butalso unknown environment led by people they connect Association Senate must ensure that this what it must mean about their Rice experience that the application pool itself doesn’t reflect Rice or with on various levels? Acclimating new students to conversation reaches the colleges and student broadly,and most importantly and frightening: Had Rice’s ideal of how advising teams should look. So whatitmeanstobeanOwl?Ifnot,maybethere’sno body since the changes would immediately I made a mistake in choosing Rice? here is part one of my plea: To students who felt the point in writing this piece. But if there is, I hope my and significantly impact all undergraduates. Fast-forward to December 2014 when I was advising team didn’t properly mirror the diversity pleas are heard and considered. It is important to understand the reasoning asked in my coordinator interview why I wanted we aspire to at Rice, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! If you and motivation of students who have taken to coordinate. I cited various reasons, but the most don’t try to change the status quo, don’t complain James Carterer isa more than 18 hours or who have applied for important to me was to increase representation. I about the way things are. Ask people you know Brown Collegege junior above the proposed unappealable maximum spoke passionately about the importance of seeing who have advised what the interview process looks of 21, as well as the academic and personal people who look like you succeed, lead and be like, what you should do and say, and what makes outcome of their choices. role models, though at the time I had no idea what asuccessfuladvisor.Ihaveyettomeetacoordinator Unsigned editorials represent the majority it meant to actually select advisors and make a who didn’t want a diverse team, but in order to make opinion of the Thresher editorial staff . All other “successful” team. them we need diverse applicants! opinionpiecesrepresentsolelytheopinionofthe In reviewing advisor applications, I was happy Which leads me to part two of my plea: To piece’s author. to see we had a sizable number of Latino and Asian Coordinators who want their O-Week to be as

Editorial Staff opinions copy Mitch Mackowiak* Editor Jasmine Lin Editor The Rice Thresher, the offi cial student newspaper Editorial and business offi ces are located on the Julianne Wey Editor at Rice University since 1916, is published each second floor of the Ley Student Center: Andrew Ta* sports Tiffany Yip Asst. Editor Wednesday during the school year, except during 6100 Main St., MS-524 Editor in Chief Maddy Adams Editor examination periods and holidays, by the students Houston, TX 77005-1892 Andrew Grottkau Editor backpage Yasna Haghdoost* of Rice University. Phone (713) 348-4801 Sarah Nyquist Designer Joey McGlone Editor Managing Editor Email: [email protected] Riley Robertson Editor Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. Website: www.ricethresher.org art Miles Kruppa* the Friday prior to publication and must be Carrie Jiang Director Business Senior Editor Jake Nyquist Photo Editor Juan Saldaña Manager signed, including college and year if the writer is Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Jessica Kelly Asst. Photo Editor a Rice student. The Thresher reserves the rights the Thresher editorial staff . All other opinion pieces news Advertising to edit letters for content and length and to place represent solely the opinion of the piece’s author. Anita Alem* Editor arts & entertainment Shannon Klein Manager letters on its website. Drew Keller* Editor Sophie Newman Editor Andrew Ligeralde Asst. Editor The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA and Walden Pemantle Editor * indicates member of the Justin Park Designer CMBAM © Copyright 2015 Samantha Ding Designer Editorial Board arts 4 ENTERTAINMENT Kanye West opens up in ‘The Life of Pablo’ Samantha Ding Thresher Staff

If “Yeezus” was a compilation of Kanye West’s most intense and angry beats yet, “The Life of Pablo” could be said to reveal his innermost fears, hopes and struggles. A self-reﬂective and thoughtful collection of both melancholy and triumphant songs, “TLOP,” when closely examined, gives listen- ers insight on the mysterious life of Kanye. The most poignant lines from the new album shed light on a few serious topics.

Social justice Kanye has touched on the issue of racism and inequality before in “Yeezus” in “New Slaves,” “Black Skinhead” and “Blood on the Leaves.” He returns to this ever-pressing issue in “TLOP” in “Feedback,” where he evokes similar symbols: “Rich slave in the fabric store picking cotton.” In “New Slaves,” he proclaims, “They wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton my- self,” alluding to his 2011 fashion collection that was harshly disparaged by fashion critics. In his new album, Kanye takes it a step further by referring to himself as a slave to the industry even though he is a wealthy individual. West also al- ludes to the tumultuous events of the past few courtesy ht2ff film festival years later on in “Feedback”: “Hands up, we just doing what the cops taught us / Hands up, Amy Hobby and Qubilah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, promoting Hobby’s film ‘What Happened, MissSimone?’ atTake 2 Film Festival. ‘What Happened, hands up, then the cops shot us,” commenting Miss Simone?’ follows the life of Nina Simone, acclaimed jazz musician and civil rights activist. Hobby championed the film, nominated for Best Feature on the shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Mis- souri. “Hands up, don’t shoot!” has become the Length Documentary at this year’s Oscars, for bringing strong black female voices into public life at a time when few recognized films do so. rallying cry of many protests, and Kanye brings to light the frustration of black activists in their conflict with the police. Kanye affi rms that even Rice alumna produces Oscar-nominated documentary the rich and powerful population among the black community can feel disempowered. Ryan Lee when this happens, the density in material production company and community builder Thresher Staff becomes a re-enactment of a Wikipedia page. for films by women.” The company runs the Religion The film commits neither crime, tethering Juice Fund, a means by which supporters can “TLOP” opens with the euphoric “Ultralight A documentary that neither Netflix the plot to consistency while unpackaging donate money to help women directors find Beam,” heavily reminiscent of gospel music. viewers nor Oscar voters can ignore, “What Simone’s character for the audience. To the a home for their vision. These efforts have He describes his current fame and success as Happened, Miss Simone?” weaves through film’s benefit, the “talking heads” are mainly helped advance the careers of filmmakers, a “God dream” and compares it to being on the life and music of jazz legend and civil limited to her daughter Lisa Simone Kelly including Caryn Waechter and Stacie Passon, an “ultralight beam,” a biblical allusion to a rights activist Nina Simone. As one of the most and her guitarist and musical director Al and continue to level the playing field today. heavenly beam of light. Kanye seems to be tap- recognizable African-American voices of the Schackman. Kelly’s complicated relationship ping into his religious side, harking back to his 20th century, Simone laid her fingerprints with her mother and Schackman’s brotherly spiritual stance on “The College Dropout” in on the culture of many generations. Directed affection for his collaborator allow for the contrast to Yeezus’s comparisons of himself to by Liz Garbus and produced by Rice alumna narrative to strike a deeply personal tone. a god. He has even described “TLOP” to be a Amy Hobby (Will Rice ’86), the film has been While it is common for a biopic to drag gospel album, though this is inaccurate to say nominated for Best Documentary in the through a musician’s “Greatest Hits,” this I saw a woman the least. Chance the Rapper makes a signifi - upcoming Academy Awards. documentary takes advantage of the fire of intensity and cant appearance on this track, referring to his During her time at Rice, Hobby found her inside Simone’s performances that completes recent song “Sunday Candy,” which is dedi- place in the Rice Media Center. She fell in love her characterization. complexity and that’s cated to Chance’s own love for God: “I made with the relatively young film program and “Miss Simone” stands out from its fellow Sunday Candy, I’m never going to hell / I met thrived in its small classes. Three decades Oscar contenders in two ways. One is in its what drew me to the Kanye West, I’m never going to fail.” The verses after graduating from Rice, she found herself high profile of addressing the racial politics strongly evoke “Sunday Candy” vibes. fascinated by Nina Simone’s story. of the country, which is fitting given the idea instantly. “I had worked with director Liz Garbus Academy’s lack of diversity over the past Kim before and she called me to talk about two years. The other is that, of the five “FML,” unexpectedly, is an endearing dedi- doing the film on Nina,” Hobby said. “I saw nominated documentaries, “Miss Simone” is Amy Hobby cation to his wife Kim Kardashian West. The a woman of intensity and complexity and the only one helmed by female filmmakers. Producer of ‘What name of the song invokes a double meaning, that’s what drew me to the idea instantly.” In a Variety piece on the well-known gender Happened, Miss Simone?’ standing for both “fuck my life” and “for my “What Happened, Miss Simone?” paces disparity in the Oscars, Garbus talks about lady,” both of which are phrases used by Kanye through Simone’s childhood training as a being treated unfairly in another project and The Weeknd in the song. He reveals his classical pianist, her unexpected transition by a male colleague. To address the gender commitment to Kim, saying, “God, I’m willing / to jazz, her outspoken participation in the bias in the film industry, Hobby founded To make this my mission / Give up the women / civil rights movement, her self-imposed exile her company Tangerine Entertainment with “Our next project is Rose McGowan’s Before I lose half of what I own,” coming a long from the public sphere and her eventual fellow filmmaker Anne Hubbell. feature film debut called ‘Synesthesia,’” way from the call “We want prenup!” in “Gold return. Garbus and Hobby succeeded in “We met one day after one of these Hobby said. “And we are in talks to launch a Digger.” He continues to remain faithful to his creating a film that belongs unequivocally to meetings and she said, ‘I want to work with few things that will give women a way to easily wife even though critics “wish [he] would go Simone. They successfully navigate the trade- more women directors,’” Hobby said. “We take action to support women storytellers.” ahead and fuck [his] life up.” Kanye also makes off between narrative structure and attention looked up the statistics and boom! We found “What Happened, Miss Simone?” is an interesting analogy in the somber “Wolves,” to detail. Especially in the documentary something we could get behind.” currently available for streaming on Netflix. comparing Kim to Mary, suggesting the possibil- world, the all-too-convenient storyline often The mission statement on their website The 2016 Oscars Awards ceremony will take ity that Mary could have acted immorally before comes with the subject’s own caricature, but includes the tagline: “An innovative place on Feb. 28. 0see KANYE, page 5

THE CHRISTIAN FILM SNOW QUEEN HIP HOP FEST ANIME MATSURI WEEKLY Didn’t know Christian ﬁlm was a Looking for frosty fun this week- This Saturday, hit up Warehouse 1,500,000 square feet of “an- genre? Been waiting for this festival end? Check out the AD Players’ Live for Houston’s biggest annual hip ime, concerts, speakers, celebrities, SCENE all your life? Either way, the Bethany production of Hans Christian An- hop festival. Headliners include Phar- workshops, fashion, cosplay” and Church welcomes you to its fourth an- oahe Monch and Houston locals Def more. What more could you want? The editors ’ picks dersen’s “The Snow Queen.” The nual Christian ﬁlm festival. The festi- fairytale play follows Gerta as she Perception and Genesis Blu. On top This comprehensive convention for this week’ s val includes titles such as “90 Minutes searches for her kidnapped sister. of that, b-boy ciphers, dance compe- features the best of anime and Japa- best events. Time in Heaven” and “Where Hope Grows” The show runs through March 12 titions and open DJ competitions will nese culture. Tickets start at $65 but to explore the and admission is completely free. and tickets are only $12. be held with big cash prizes. for three days, the cost can’t be beat. wonderful world of Houston. Bethany Christian Church Grace Theater Warehouse Live George R. Brown Center 3223 Westheimer Road 2710 W. Alabama 813 St. Emanuel Street 1001 Avienda de las Americas txcff.com adplayers.org warehouselive.com animematsuri.com Wednesday,F ebruary 24. 2016 the Rice Thresher A&E 5 0KANYE from page 4 WHAT’S HIP RIGHT NOW by kaylen strench she was visited by God. He acknowledges that ART: TV: TECH: Kim was “clubbin’ / Thuggin’, hustlin’ before #Elevated ‘Love’ Nervana headphones [she] met [her] husband,” undoubtedly referring to her infamous sex tape with Ray J. Again, Kanye refers to himself with a biblical reference.

Trust and fame The most somber track on the record is “Real Friends,” in which Kanye laments his hectic life- style and how he often forgets friends’ birthdays and to call them, leading him to lose many of his real friends. Due to his fame, he feels that all the friendsthatsurroundhimarenotreal,butinfact fake friends that only “want [their] tickets when it’s game time.” He remembers an incident where he “had a cousin that stole [his] laptop,” leading to Kanye paying “250 thousand just to get it from him,” referring to a 2015 incident in courtesy youtube which Twitter user @kanyelaptop threatened to courtesy netflix leak a song from his laptop for $100,000, some- In a phrase: Live stream of Shia LaBeouf in courtesy shutterstock thing that obviously hurt Kanye, reflected in his an elevator. In a phrase: “Girls” as a romantic comedy voice as he sings this line. Kanye returns to this Where to find it: bit.ly/Elevate-YouTube but a bit worse. In a phrase: Nirvana headphones (as topic in the “No More Parties in LA,” in which Where to find it: Netflix. opposed to Nervana). he samples his own lines from “New God Flow.” If you haven’t had enough celebrity Where to find it: Should go on sale at the narcissism this week (cough, cough, Kanye Millennials love quirky shit. We love beginning of March. Public image West) then you won’t want to miss Shia electronic indie rock, Urban Outfitters Upon first hearing “I Love Kanye,” one LaBeouf’s latest contribution to the art world. clothing not offi cially from Urban Outfitters, How these puppies have not gotten might be turned off by its over-the-top self-ref- The #ELEVATED project, which took place acceptance of smoking weed (even if we don’t more media attention, I will never know. erential quality. But Kanye is surprisingly self- from 9 a.m. Feb. 19 to 9 a.m. Feb. 20, was a do it), people working at record labels and Florida-based tech company Nervana has aware, and this thought is exactly what he is 24-hour livestream of Shia LaBeouf, Luke radio stations. I’m not saying it’s bad to be into done something amazing: They have created addressing in this song. He makes a mockery Turner and Nastja Sadde Roko (LaBeouf’s any of this stuff , but it’s certainly predictable. headphones that can get you high — I’m not of our characterization of him through Inter- performance art group) in an elevator — or Netflix’s newest rom-com series “Love” just talking about “high on great music,” either. net memes and phrases like, “I love you like really, the outside of said elevator. capitalizes on millennial quirk fetishism. The When you put these fairly standard looking Kanye loves Kanye” by saying them himself. That’s right, the footage itself includes male lead is nerdy-hot and loves watching old headphones on, they deliver a low-power Coming out of his mouth it sounds much more nothing but a stationary, closed elevator movies on Blu-ray (so much more retro than electrical signal to your brain, stimulating ridiculous, which he makes clear by his self- door, though you can hear a lot. LaBeouf streaming). The female lead works at said radio your vagus nerve and causing a release of deprecating laugh at the end of the song. Most and the rest of the gang invite visitors to station and wears high-waisted shorts and dopamine. For you non-cognitive science folks, may not listen to this skit on a regular basis. It come in and discuss various topics — some flannels. The show is hipster porn. That said, that means you get really, really happy. is more of a statement than a song, but it pro- philosophical, some personal and others while “Love” is a far cry from really creative Critics who have tried them out report vides a humanizing look at Kanye’s perception just kind of stupid (for example, La Beouf’s comedies like “Broad City” and “Girls,” I would that during the first hour of use, it’s almost of his public image. favorite animal, the hippo). In the portion be lying if I didn’t admit that it is intensely impossible not to smile or laugh. The eff ect Whatever “The Life of Pablo” may mean, I watched, LaBeouf describes his view of watchable and often hilarious. In fact, it fades, but is said to last in some respect all day. to stop speculating about the name of the al- God: “I’m not saying I believe in God, but I would’ve been downright cutting edge if it came Though the tech hasn’t been peer reviewed, and bum allows us to delve deeper into the mean- do believe in magic.” I wouldn’t set aside a out five years ago. So, I’d say don’t get your hopes the headphones cost a steep $299, these initial ings of individual songs that provide unex- day to watch it, folks, but I also won’t say it up, but “Love” is a hip enough distraction while reports are very promising. Early birthday pectedly interesting and deep introspections wasn’t really freaking weird. you’re waiting for your true favorites to return. present, guys? of Kanye West.

For prompt evaluation and treatment for ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and addiction issues, call the queer agenda Ivan C. Spector, M.D. PAID FOR BY THE QUEER RESOURCE CENTER events 3100 Weslayan Suite 350 Early Voting for Texas primaries! Regular voting for the Texas primary is on Feb. 16 March 1. If you are registered to vote with your Rice address and will be out of Houston, TX 77027 to town for spring break, you must early vote! You will need to bring a passport Feb. 26 or a Texas issued ID. Check harrisvotes.com for locations and hours! LGBT Volunteer Round-up. Find out more about various LGBT organizations in Feb. 27 Houston that need your help! 11 am – 3 pm at the Montrose Center. Mar. 2 Houston GLBT Political Caucus Meeting. 6:30 pm at the Montrose Center. Call (713) 963-0769 to set up an

Mar. 4 The Guy Debord Club of Houston Study Group Meeting. For more info email appointment [email protected]. 7:00 pm in the Montrose Center.

fact of the day art from the community

ode to a past self by Anonymous

then i realized that i was cold. the people i was with were strangers, we had never met. Gender identity is an individual’s they were friends with someone i internal sense of gender, which may once knew or may not be the same as one’s and even once was. gender assigned at birth. Some i left them behind and went on gender identities are "woman," my own way. "transman" and "agender" but there to where? who knows are many more. Since gender identity i cant even say is internal it isn’t necessarily visible to others. Additionally, gender identity is often conﬂated with sex, if you want to be featured in the Queer but they are separate concepts! Agenda, please submit your art piece to –Gender Equity Resource Center [email protected] 6

courtesy rice sports information Rice head coach Wayne Graham shakes hands with University of Arizona head coach Jay Johnson before the Owls’ season opening game against the Wildcats on Let the games begin Friday evening. The Owls lost the first two games of the three-game set to the Wildcats before earning a 4-3 victory on Sunday to put their record at 1-2. Men’s basketball culture sees changes The Final Kauntdown Aaron Shi According to Rhoades, he has been actively Thresher Staff trying to address the apathy from students, If you’re reading this it’s too late: and it has been working. After a dominating victory over Florida Inter- “My big thing is, I go around to the colleges The life and times of a sports fan at Rice national University on Saturday afternoon, Rice and into the serveries and tell everybody head coach Mike Rhoades marched off the court that once or twice a week during basketball If you’re reading this it’s too late: You are a grieving moan to close a loss. You appreciate and waved a gracious “thank you” to the student season, put your books down, come over to already invested in Rice sports, and there the sacrifice of thousands of people screaming section as he’s done after every home game this the gym for an hour and a half and just go is no need for me to convince you that they so loud that they lose their voices just to distract year. The excited Rice crowd cheered in response crazy cheering on your fellow classmates and are worth your time. You have deemed that the opposing team’s free-throw shooter. to Rhoades, stomping and clapping in the stands. help us get this program going and be a big this column is worth your time. Well, maybe I wish I could tell you about the feeling It has not always been this way.Three seasons part of it,” Rhoades said. “You see a lot of new you’re reading this because you saw the first of bliss I get after watching my favorite team ago, men’s basketball averaged only around 25 faces each and every game, and that’s how line and thought I was writing about Drake. win. And I want to pretend that I don’t get studentsagame.Now,itenjoysover200pergame. we’re going to get it going.” Sorry about that, I’m not. a pit in my stomach after a loss. Naturally, This year, Rice basketball has seen multiple near This change of culture is reflected through I can’t. You know that would be a lie. At the sellouts. We are witnessing a shift in basketball the new system of basketball Rhoades brought end of the season, those feelings intensify. A culture here at Rice, and gradually, little by little, to Rice. The fast-paced, pass-heavy off ense championship victory puts a close on a season Rice is becoming a basketball school. coupled with the eff ective rotational defense There is nothing I can you will cherish forever, and a postseason loss According to junior center Andrew Drone, has made Rice basketball fun and exciting to destroys a team you once loved. the new energy of the crowd is infectious. watch, allowing players to truly shine. Young do that will change your I could tell you about the friends I’ve “A lot of times over the years, we’ve had to standouts Marquez Letcher-Ellis, Marcus connected with because I’m a sports fan. try to make our own energy without any fans Evans and Egor Koulechov are prime examples mind because you already I can describe all of the times I have sat here,” Drone said. “It just helps us so much of the successful system. care about sports. with them for three hours to watch a game. mentally for the game whenever we can come According to Rhoades, this style of play is Of course, you know watching the game out and see so many people here, cheering and essential for attracting big crowds. is hardly a passive experience. Watching yelling, and see our friends out in the stands. It “You have to put a good product on the involves critiquing every decision the coach just helps us out a lot.” court,” Rhoades said. “If it’s a good fun style, a makes, debating the quality of each and every The hectic atmosphere can be traced back to fun atmosphere and a fun way to play through I don’t need to tell you about the player who enters the game, and every once the arrival of Rhoades two seasons ago. According building our program, as we get better and excitement I felt on Friday evening when I in a while, jumping out of your seat and high- to senior guard Max Guercy, the transformation better, more and more students will want to be went to Reckling Park for Opening Day. You fiving everyone within arm’s reach. stems from Rhoades’ enthusiasm. a part of our rise.” already understand the serenity of sitting There is nothing I can do that will change “It all starts with coach Rhoades,” Guercy Instead of the season-long struggle to under the dark sky and watching the ball your mind because you already care about said. “He’s out there trying to promote our promote basketball games like previous years, explode off of the pitcher’s fingers and slap sports. You know how it feels to put down your games, doing all these things to get our fans in. Reiskind said he believes that the increased into the catcher’s mitt. It is not easy to explain work and become lost in a game, to distract Last year and this upcoming year, we’ve had attendance is becoming more natural. the silent chess match that is a baseball game, yourself from everything else going on in life the most fans we’ve ever had. It’s a real change “Now, it’s becoming more of this intrinsic but I don’t have to. You see it yourself. for a few hours by watching sports. If you’re of culture he’s really brought.” thing, where somebody will come to a game, I want to tell you about the rush of reading this, it’s too late. You know all of this. Jeremy Reiskind, president of Rice Rally they’ll have an amazing experience because adrenaline I get every time a football game Club, which just won blanket tax funding from the games are fun,” Reiskind said. “They’re enters the fourth quarter. The stress of Andrewew GrGrottkauottkau the recent Student Association election, said he fast-paced, there’s good energy, and [the watching that clock tick down toward zero as agrees with Guercy’s appreciation for Rhoades. students] are going to want to come back and the off ense desperately tries to get into field isaMcM MurtryCollegeurtryCollege “It all changed when coach Rhoades came,” bring their friends.” goal range, the agony of seeing the final Hail freshmmanandanand Reiskind said. “He sparked my interest. By Despite being plagued by injuries this Mary pass crash to the turf, the helplessness Threshersher having a personal connection with him, I season and sitting at a 6-8 conference record of sitting in the stands as the coach drops his wanted to help him out with whatever way I and a 11-16 overall record, the team overcame headset and walks dejectedly to the center of sports could because I knew what he was going to be much adversity and laid a solid foundation for the field — you know all of that. editor doing with our school, with putting a product its rebuilding process. With a newly energized The swish of a basketball net is music to you. on the court, it would only be more beneficial fan base, a strong core of young talent and And the screech of the referee’s whistle is like for him if we could help by putting energy into Rhoades’ fast-paced system, Rice basketball nails on a chalkboard. You know the buzzer the student section and energy in Tudor.” boasts a future brighter than ever. can be a celebratory cheer to end a victory or Wednesday,F ebruary 24. 2016 the Rice Thresher SPORTS 7

Upcoming Games: Kidd’s Korner: The Unwritten Rules of Baseball BASEBALL Back in 1986, Baseball Digest Magazine ballgame are also generally noted and observed baseball is meant to play hard and with passion published an article explaining how to play the by fans of a game. In Rice’s 4-3 victory on Sunday but there is always a line that needs to be drawn as vs. Dallas Baptist game of baseball “the right way” or in a manner afternoon, the Owls took advantage of numerous to where it gets too much and too forward. Feb. 23, 6:00 p.m. that preserved and respected the great history of strategies to help lead the comeback. For instance: For example, sliding with your cleat spikes Reckling Park what has become known as “America’s Pastime.” “Never make the first or third out at third.” Dane upward into a base trying to break up a double Titled “The Book of Unwritten Baseball Rules,” Myers had two triples on the afternoon but each play is considered hard-nosed by some but also vs. Texas State the article covered rules that you would not find time he needed to be 100 percent sure he could extremely dirty because injuries often happen Feb. 24, 6:00 p.m. in an MLB or NCAA rule book but rather those that make it to third because making the first or third following these slides. Other ways to incite the are generally known or in some cases, not even out at third is frowned upon and a huge negative opposition are to continue cheering boisterously Reckling Park spoken of. This week I wanted to describe these for a team trying to score that inning or especially and arrogantly with a sizeable lead, which was the rules in general and their application to the games mount a comeback. Another strategic move is case when Arizona boisterously cheered a leadoff vs. Arkansas that occurred over the past weekend against the intentionally walking an individual to set up a walk on Friday night with the game out of hand. Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m. University of Arizona. I feel that there are three more favorable matchup for the pitcher. Arizona’s Additionally, stepping on the pitcher’s mound or Minute Maid Park primary ways to see these “unwritten rules”: as pitcher, a righty, intentionally threw four balls to arguing with an umpire on the strike zone when traditions, strategies and baseball etiquette. Connor Teykl, a lefty, to put him on first base with the game is out of reach are frowned upon and are vs. TCU also included in the code of “unwritten rules.” Opening Day, which took place this past one out. This set up a potential double play and weekend, is one of the greatest traditions in also brought up a right handed batter in Jeff eries The “unwritten rules” of the game, however, Feb. 76, 7:00 p.m baseball. Typically, both teams participating as who was then substituted for Fox, a lefty. This are for all to participate it because I feel like Minute Maid Park well as the coaching staff s, the groundskeepers, matchup game came about because a righty facing everything finds a way to balance itself out. There the home fans and fans of baseball everywhere a lefty is a more favorable matchup for the hitter. is the positive, the potential negative and the vs. UI Lafayette have an extra ounce of adrenaline running in their Other “unwritten rules” that Rice followed in the neutral. With the positive is the traditions that all Feb. 28, 6:00 p.m. veins. On Friday, it was pleasant to have strike seventh and eighth inning of the game included fans participate in as a unit which promotes a fun Minute Maid Park one thrown out by Blake Fox echoed by fans and not trying to steal while behind by one or two runs, time and respect for the game. Conversely, with dugouts of both teams cheering the start of a new sacrificing a man to third base with one out to put some of the baseball etiquette that can or cannot season and that baseball is back once again. And him in prime position to score, and not preparing be followed, comes animosity and more “fuel vs. Sam Houston State as head coach Wayne Graham says every year, the “stopper,” or top reliever, to come out of the to the fire” of what are often three-game series. Mar. 2, 6:30 p.m. “Life starts on Opening Day.” bullpenuntilsecuringaleadandtryingtocloseout This hostility separates the two dugouts and Huntsville While the hustle and bustle of Opening Day the game. Again, baseball is a very strategic game fan bases and can make things more negative, died down over the course of the weekend into the and these are a few things that were executed well. opposite of the friendly traditions. But ultimately, Saturday and Sunday matchups, other traditions Lastly, the rules of baseball etiquette that the strategic part of the game is up for grabs and Results were welcomed back and greeted by the entirety dictate the ways in which one should conduct the team who executes better through pitching, of the ballpark. Right before the games begin, the themselves on a baseball field. There are many hitting and defense is going to win the ballgame vs. Arizona “First Pitch” is tossed out by a special community debates about whether or not these rules are for and that cannot be disputed as good or bad. This Feb. 19, 6:00 p.m. member or a longtime Owls fan and is caught by the benefit or harm of the game but that is up for is because competition between two sides always Score 1-8 L each individual to decide for themselves. In my has a winner and a loser … and the game itself will one of the Owls players. Following the first pitch Attendance: 3,368 is the national anthem where cries of “Play ball” opinion, there are some things that you should figure that part out. echo in the stadium. As the hot dogs, peanuts not do and one of those is to show up the opposing and sunflower seeds are cracked open, the game pitcher after a home run by standing and admiring vs. Arizona begins. Fans never shy away from heckling or your hit. This rule was not broken by second Michaelael Kidd Feb. 20, 4:00 p.m. criticizing the umpires. I am guilty of this too, baseman Grayson Lewis when his solo home run isaLove ettCollegettCollege Score 2-6 L and this too can be seen as an “unwritten rule” or tied up the ballgame at 3-3 on Sunday afternoon junior anandd Attendance: 3,145 tradition. During the middle of the seventh inning, because after his swing he immediately ran down fans are encouraged to take part in the “Seventh the line and then realized that the ball had left the managerger of Inning Stretch” and sing “Take Me Out to the park. If Lewis had stayed to admire his hit, one of the Ricee vs. Arizona Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m. Ballgame!” These traditions and many more all his teammates may have seen retaliation in the baseballll contribute to the atmosphere that surrounds a trip form of a fastball directed right towards him in Score 4-3 W to the ballpark and makes them memorable. that inning or in a subsequent inning. Rice would team Attendance: 2,752 Moving away from the traditions of a baseball have most likely retaliated and if things escalated, game, the strategies that go into winning a a brawl or fight may have ensued. The game of 8 BACKPAGE the Rice Thresher Wednesday,F ebruary 24. 2016

Stuck for Spring Break? It’s not too late!

You can picture it now … You, alone in your room, nothing but empty Cheez-It boxes, used tissues and downturned photos of your loved ones. All of your friends are on a beach somewhere, reveling in their youth. You, on the other hand, are wallowing in your poor planning and inadequate facial hair. “No, not this year,” you tell yourself. “I’m going to actually do something for spring break this year.” Does that sound like you? Well, don’t worry! There are still plenty of spring break opportunities available to those with low enough standards. We have included some of the particularly cockamamy options here:

Marketing — Externship with Nigerian External Affairs

Hello Rice undergraduates — I am Charles Okoye, and I am an honored member of the Treasury of Nigeria. Having worked closely with your esteemed President Leebron, we have been able to establish a last-minute Owl Edge externship, but you must act quickly because we have many applicants. Hey, Give that Back(page)! ASB: We are looking for an eager, teamwork-oriented Rice undergraduate for social Getting to Know Dishonesty and Fraud media work. You will be working closely with his eminent Majesty, Prince Robert Mbogo, to help manage transfer of large sums on an international scale. We live in a crazy world today. At every turn, malicious people are Knowledge of webmail services and communication skills are required. You will waiting to dupe you and take your money, or worse. Even on campus, it’s be able to establish contacts all over the world and understand the success and not hard to see people trying to swindle unwitting students with things strength of the Nigerian economy at its core. like “leadership seminars,” “Alternative Spring Breaks” or “tuition.” It’s We will pay you 1,000 naira for every day of work, depending on the quality like lambs to slaughter — tragic. of your work. Once again, contact me as soon as possible at okoye.hooray@ya- If there is one thing that Rice students should be able to take away hoo.com for a position. from their time here, it is the ability to spot a scam. That’s why the Backpage is hosting an ASB this year! Being the magnanimous people that we are, we have decided to share our wisdom and expertise with a select few for a limited time only. Over the course of the week, we will see real con artists in action on the streets. Of course, participants will have to pay for transportation for themselves and us, and they will also be responsible for covering our lunch. In fact, we’ll probably go ahead and have you guys take care of breakfast, dinner and second dinner, too. It’s part of the learning process. Then, after we’ve seen how to spot a scam, participants will have the Leebron runs out opportunity to practice real cons on unsuspecting Houstonians! After all, what better way is there to spot a scam than know the ins and outs of one of chips at Lovett firsthand? Naturally, we will be collecting 70 percent of any funds participants are able to secure during their scams. I mean, where would This past Saturday, among the sparse crowd at you guys be without us? It’s only fair. Lovett, one desperate man could be seen arguing Finally, once the week is done you’ll be free to use your powers with various dealers around the Lovett commons. however you please. You may choose to educate your fellow Rice students He goes by the name of David W. Leebron — or Mr. about the scams that surround them, or you can choose to become a con President ’round these parts. Sources indicate person yourself to make some guap on the side. In either case, stay out of that, having run out of chips, he began requesting the area between Hanszen and the Rec (including the RMC). That’s our various third-party arbiters: Abe Lincoln, turf, and it’d be a shame for us to have to make an example of any of you. Alexander Hamilton, even good ol’ Ben Franklin Participation in this ASB is only $800! showed his face (well, to be honest, he made quite a few appearances). Even by the time Lovett emptied (I think it was about 10:30), Leebron still couldn’t be convinced to leave the tables. It took nine armed RUPD officers to tear him away, while both his dough Rugby Team Seeking Student Intern and dignity stayed behind. The club rugby team is currently looking for an undergrad Owl to join them on Lucky for the majority of his family, the president only leeched into a college savings their trip to Ireland. Duties would include arranging matches with local clubs, fund, so the repercussions should not have too keeping tracks of players’ stats, organizing lodging, washing uniforms, ironing drastic an effect on their well-being. Leebron jockstraps, participating in drills (we can’t bring our practice dummies), carrying declined to comment on the incident; however, luggage, DDing, chewing food for the team (teeth are hard to come by among the Hanszen College is reportedly “waiting with open players), daily O’Specs runs, translating the native tongue, telling engaging — arms and willing to forget the past.” but not too spooky — bedtime stories, digesting food for the team (they can’t afford to retain those calories come game day), providing security deposits on all rented rooms, always having cigs and condoms on your person, wingmanning the whole team and filling up water bottles. Payment will be in the form of cash: $50 to each of the players. Airfare, lodging and meals are not included.

The Backpage is satire and written by Joey McGlone and Riley Robertson, and this week Isaac Schultz did not contribute. For comments or questions, please email [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS WANTED TEACH FOR TESTMASTERS! Dynamic and *EGG DONORS WANTED* Give a family the Energetic teachers wanted. Starting pay rate chance at happiness. Receive $6,000 per cycle. ADVERTISING Cash, check or credit card pay- is $20 to $32 per hour. Flexible schedules. We Qualify for FREE Egg Freezing & Storage. We accept display and classiﬁed ment must accompany your classi- provide all training, all training is paid, and Apply at donate-eggs.com advertisements. The Thresher reserves fied advertisement, which must be the right to refuse any advertising for received by 12 p.m. on the Friday we pay for travel. Email your resume to jobs@ prior to publication. any reason. Additionally, the Thresher testmasters.com does not take responsibility for the factual content of any ad. Printing an Juan Saldana TUTORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY! Rice Alum advertisement does not constitute an Business Manager hiring tutors for Middle & High School Math, endorsement by the Thresher. [email protected] P.O. Box 1892 Natural & Social Science, Foreign Language, Display advertisements must be Humanities, and SAT/ACT prep. Reliable Houston, TX 77005-1892 received by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to (713) 348-4801 transportation required. Pay $30/hr+ based on publication. experience. Contact 832-428-8330 and email resume to [email protected] First copy free, second copy $5.