VOLUME 104, ISSUE NO. 2 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

FEATURES MCPLUNKETT: the college that never was

IVANKA PEREZ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES EDITOR

For the last 10 years, Rice University Rice approves gets call sign back has had 11 residential colleges. Enter McPlunkett College, Rice’s imaginary JAMES KARROUM 12th college, founded in 2019 by the new VADA THRESHER STAFF matriculating class. What started as an inside joke blew up to massive building Rice University’s student-run radio proportions, receiving shoutouts from station, KTRU, has reacquired its Rice Housing and Dining, the Marching CHRISTINA TAN former call sign of KTRU after campus Owl Band and an official Rice University EDITOR-IN-CHIEF administration sold the letters in 2011. Instagram story. But the otherwise The change is the result of months wholesome idea that brought new A building dedicated to visual and of discussion between the most recent students together actually came to one dramatic arts at Rice has been approved owners of the call sign and KTRU of them in the form of a nightmare. by the university administration, operations director Harrison Lorenzen, In the weeks before receiving her according to an email sent by Dean of the who spearheaded the recent buyback. college assignment, Jones College School of Humanities Kathleen Canning. Lorenzen said the letters cost $10,000 freshman Sarah Preston said she “I am thrilled to announce that to acquire, a sum covered in full by an was worried — especially about the we have successfully made the case anonymous donor. possibility of having communal that the student arts at Rice need From 2011 until Aug. 21, KTRU had bathrooms. When she fell asleep one and deserve a new modern facility,” been referred to as “ktru” because its night, her brain turned her worst fears Canning said. “We are excited that iconic name didn’t match the letters used into a nightmare, she said. a new building has been approved to identify the station on the air. “I had a dream that we got our which will bring together the visual “The differing call letters did confuse residential college assignments and dramatic arts in the near future.” many listeners when we would announce and I was placed in a college called In her email, Canning said that our legal ID every hour by saying ‘This McPlunkett,” Preston said. “[It was] details about the location and layout is ktru on 96.1 KBLT-LP Houston,’” really, really old, had no traditions of the new building would be available Lorenzen said. “Many people that were [and] no culture.” after the predesign process for the unfamiliar with the sale of the station by building is complete. Canning also President [David] Leebron and the Rice said that fundraising for the building administration did not know that KTRU is critical, which Kirby confirmed. was not legally KTRU on air.” “We hope to go into design later The KTRU call sign had been used I had a dream that we got this year,” Kirby said. “However, since 2011 by Grace Public Radio, a our residential college substantial funds need to be raised Christian radio station in Iola, Kansas. assignments and I was before construction can begin. We do According to Lorenzen, they were not have a detailed timeline yet.” unwilling to negotiate with Rice radio placed in a college called Canning said that the new building on a sale of the letters, but sold them to McPlunkett. will increase visibility of the humanities another entity last year. Sarah Preston both within Rice and throughout the “The new owners of KTRU were broader Houston community. willing to accept an offer to buy the low JONES COLLEGE FRESHMAN “This investment in the arts will power designation of KTRU,” Lorenzen help us implement the vision and said. “I spent about four months talking recommendations made by the VADA with various members of the board When Preston woke up, she said she external review last fall and will bring of KTRU in Kansas before they agreed did the first thing she could think of us in line with our peer schools,” with our purchase price. The Rice — texting the Rice class of 2023 meme Canning said. “The building will General Council assisted with the legal GroupMe chat. Martel College freshman significantly resituate the arts within negotiations to finalize the deal.” Stephanie Pecaut said that she and the the humanities at Rice.” When KTRU first upgraded from other active members of the group chat The announcement follows news an AM to FM transmission in 1969, the instantly jumped on the idea, and it that the Rice Media Center will be station was required to change its call became a running joke within the chat, removed by the end of 2020, according sign from KOWL to KTRU due to Federal much to Preston’s surprise. to Vice President for Administration Communications Commission guidelines, “I didn’t think it was going to blow Kevin Kirby. In April, VADA professors according to a timeline provided by radio up,” Preston said. “I thought it would in the Media Center were told to move station manager Kaarthika Thakker. be dead by 6 the same morning.” out of the building by the end of the SEE KTRU PAGE 8 Then, one week before the new spring 2019 semester, according students were slated to receive their to photography professor Geoff college assignments, the news was Winningham. leaked on Esther. Preston said she and Despite this announcement, the other students rushed to check the faculty and staff offices have where they had been placed before remained for fall 2019 with three eagerly posting the results in the courses — History & Aesthetics of GroupMe. Film, Documentary Production and After being placed in Jones, Preston Handmade Film — currently held in the said she waited to see if any of her center. Kirby said in an update that the friends from the GroupMe were also in Media Center will remain at least until Jones — but no one was. the end of the current academic year. “I was also a little bit worried Canning, who arrived at Rice in about all these friendships I’d made,” January 2018, worked with VADA chair Preston said. “[I thought I was] going John Sparagana and the Humanities to be separated from them because Advisory Board to propose the building. we’re in different colleges.” In the April 2019 Thresher article about SEE MCPLUNKETT PAGE 6 the Media Center’s removal, Sparagana said he hoped the administration would consider constructing a dedicated VADA building on the Media Center’s land that would accommodate film, photography, studio and theater. “We have great leadership in Dean Canning, terrific momentum in the arts at Rice, recognition of the consistent vitality and productivity of VADA and cognizance of student desire for a student arts building,” Sparagana said in April. “I am optimistic about the possibility of a VADA student arts building as never before.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TINA LIU illustration COURTESY OF abby hollmann 2 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS

Some Types of Qualifying Leaders: Deadlines this year: September CLUB/ORGANIZATION LEADERS Up to November $5000 February COLLEGE GOVERNMENT LEADERS in stipends for unpaid Future deadlines: student leaders on campus SA LEADERS November February INFOGRAPHIC BY TINA LIU Doerr Institute to offer stipends for unpaid student leaders SAMMI JOHNSON earn money, and so taking an unpaid Institute also collaborated with the Office “We’re in the trial phase right now,” SENIOR WRITER leadership position just isn’t as accessible of Financial Aid to make sure the stipend Chambers said. “I want the program to to them.” would not interfere with any students’ expand as much as possible and capture The Doerr Institute for New Leaders While the idea for the stipend came financial aid packages and to verify the as many people as possible, so we’re all is now granting stipends of up to from college presidents, Sullivan said financial aid information students provide working together from different angles. $5,000 every semester to financially the stipend is available to any student on their application. Students whose I think when we see the results of this, support undergraduate and graduate that holds a position at a residential family income is less than $60,000 are hopefully we’ll see more people running.” students in leadership positions. Sarah college, the Student Association, the prioritized, but the stipend is available to In upcoming years, the Doerr Institute Sullivan, department coordinator at the Graduate Student Association or any club anyone from any income bracket. will offer two application deadlines: Doerr Institute, said the first round of or activity on campus that is officially “We certainly hope that it’s going one in November and one in February. applications are due on Sept. 15, and they registered through the university. The to remove some of the emotional and Sullivan said this is intended to cover hope to announce recipients of stipends application requests information on the psychological burden of always having to positions that hold elections or appoint this semester by the end of September. student, their financial situation and worry about whether taking a leadership leaders at different times, but since they According to McKinzie Chambers, Sid the complexity of their leadership role, position is going to keep you from earning missed out on last spring, they added a Richardson College president, the idea and requires a completed leadership money you need to pay for books, supplies September deadline this year to make for the stipend originated from then- development plan. or the other expenses you have as a student sure they captured this semester’s worth college presidents Akin Bruce (Lovett ’19) “We want to assess how much that aren’t covered either by scholarships of students. and Eliza Martin (Baker College ’19), who thought and effort students put into or your family or whatever other means “I think it will help a tremendous contacted the Doerr Institute to begin the their development as leaders at Rice, you have,” Sullivan said. amount, especially with the February project. Bruce connected Chambers and what they’ve been engaged in and then According to Sullivan, a subset of the rollout date, because that one is intended Baker College President James Warner what they would like to do,” Sullivan Doerr Institute team will blind review the to capture students intending to run with Sullivan to work together to create a said. “They think through some specific applications, which will take a few weeks [for student government positions],” short and simple application. questions about what kind of leader they depending on how many applications Chambers said. “I think what we’re going “A couple of students ... very want to be, what steps they need to take they receive. Since this is the first year to find is that we’re going to have the thoughtfully brought this problem to us,” to get there, what challenges or obstacles for the program, the Doerr Institute has most qualified, capable group of leaders. Sullivan said. “There are a lot of students might be in their way and what support no set quota for the number of stipends We already have a great group, but we’re on campus who are very interested in they need.” they plan to give out, and it will depend going to be able to expand for people who having these leadership positions, but Besides working with Chambers and on budget constraints. The money for the really, really care and are going to be able because of their financial situation, they Warner to gain a student perspective stipends will come internally from the to get that financial accessibility barrier really need to have a job where they can on the stipend, Sullivan said the Doerr Doerr Institute. knocked out.”

“It’s just really frustrating that my lock was cut off and probably taken during a sweep because I didn’t have a summer sticker on it, and then just left outside for anyone to take,” Bauman said. “It’s a nice bike, so if it was just left out unlocked, someone would definitely take it.” Miles said two “sweeps” for abandoned bikes occurred during the summer. Rice Bikes employees worked alongside RUPD to tag bikes on campus that looked abandoned or in disrepair, and if the tag was still in place a month later, Rice Bikes and RUPD would cut the bike from the rack and take it to Rice Bikes, according to Miles. Miles also said he had never heard of the summer sticker. Howe-Kerr said that prior to this summer RUPD had been in sole charge of cutting and managing abandoned bikes and had kept them stored in cages. If the bikes were left unclaimed for a period of time, Rice Bikes would come to the RUPD cages and take the ones they wanted to sell or Channing Wang/ THRESHER A large pile of bikes stands unsecured outside the Rice Bikes workshop. The Rice University Police Department and Rice Bikes scrap for parts, according to Howe-Kerr. conducted two “sweeps” over the summer to tag and cut bikes that appeared abandoned or in disrepair. “The main issue with that was that RUPD was putting in a lot of effort to manage all the bikes [and] store them and [were not] really getting much benefit out of it,” Howe-Kerr said. “And so they wanted a way to cover the hours that they Bikes cut, left unlocked during summer were putting into it.” Rice Bikes also took over the process of contacting bike AMY QIN to have a summer sticker. The RUPD website does not owners, according to Howe-Kerr. Rice Bikes received a list of NEWS EDITOR mention a summer sticker, and Rice Bikes Projects Manager bike registration numbers and sent emails to the owners of William Miles said he had never heard of the sticker. registered bikes, informing them that their bikes had been A large pile of abandoned or unclaimed bikes has been “I left my bike outside of Will Rice Old Dorm with a cut and providing them with options: to pick up the bike left in an unsecured pile outside the Rice Bikes workshop. U-lock on it,” Bauman said. “I came back for [Orientation] within a week or donate it to Rice Bikes, according to Miles. Rice Bikes took charge of the process of storing and Week and my bike was no longer there.” If the owner did not respond, the bicycle was considered repurposing bikes deemed abandoned over the summer Bauman said that she contacted RUPD, H&D and Rice donated to Rice Bikes. as well as contacting the owners of bikes registered to the Bikes, and said she was told by Rice Bikes that her bike Howe-Kerr said he estimates that fewer than half of Rice University Police Department, according to Rice Bikes was not on the list of registered bikes obtained during the bikes obtained on sweeps were registered. According to General Manager Luke Howe-Kerr. “sweeps” during the summer. She said she noticed a pile of Miles, after being tagged for a month and cut, unregistered Howe-Kerr said that Rice Bikes did not secure the bikes bicycles outside the Rice Bikes workshop and was worried bicycles will be scrapped for parts or refurbished and sold. because they did not have sufficient space to store them. by the fact that they were unsecured. Miles said that the purpose of conducting these sweeps “It’s mainly a fact that we don’t have the space for it, “I said something along the lines of ‘Wait, can’t anyone is to meet a student demand for affordable bicycles. and RUPD doesn’t want to use their [bicycle storage] cages,” just come out here and take a bike since they aren’t locked?’ “It’s not like we’re maliciously looking for bikes, like Howe-Kerr, a Lovett College senior, said. “We’re looking into and they said that no one is supposed to,” Bauman said. ‘we want this’ or ‘we want that,’” Miles said. “It’s just that expanding — we have that back courtyard.” “But I mean, there are like a hundred bikes outside the office [we are trying] to expand the shop and grow what we can Tiffany Bauman, a Will Rice College senior, said her that anyone could easily take.” offer. Every shift last year, at least one person would come bike, which was registered, went missing after she left it Bauman said that although RUPD and Rice Bikes were both in asking to buy a bike. We don’t have a lot on offer. People on campus over the summer and was told by Housing and helpful, she worries that her bicycle may have been stolen want cheap bikes, which is what we sell [these bikes] for.” Dining that all bikes left on campus over the summer needed from the unsecured pile outside the Rice Bikes shop. RUPD did not respond in time for comment. NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • 3 Orientation Week SAFE talk prompts discussion, concern

SAVANNAH KUCHAR individuals feel uncomfortable,” Leal said. directors for O-Week this year, said that with what they were hearing.” ASST NEWS EDITOR According to Saralyn McMorris, the she too had issues with the content shown McMorris said that the SAFE Office is associate director of wellbeing programs during the 2016 O-Week SAFE presentation. receptive to feedback about the presentation Some students expressed concern and education, the form was for the Houston “As a New Student, I remember being and that it is improved each year based on regarding Project SAFE (Sexual Assault Free Area Women’s Center and was a requirement a bit unimpressed with the presentation,” this feedback. Environment), a campuswide presentation for one of their grantors. Falcon, a Martel College senior, said. “They “The SAFE Office spent some time during Orientation Week that addresses Reece said that he spoke to presenters had the ‘Consent: It’s Simple as Tea’ video over the summer talking with the O-Week consent and interpersonal violence. from both the SAFE Office and the Houston which I found to be a bit too casual and too [coordinators] about this presentation,” Mason Reece, who advised this past Area Women’s Center after the presentation humorous for such a serious topic.” McMorris said. “The coordinators and the O-Week, said that at times it seemed like the and was informed about the reasoning for Qi said that although the content has advisors see the presentation before the atmosphere of the talk did not match the the forms. However, he said that he was still improved with time, she is still concerned New Students and they’re encouraged to subject material being discussed. concerned about the lack of privacy afforded with the delivery of the presentations. offer the SAFE Office feedback.” “I think some aspects of the talk were by the form. “Project SAFE is one During her year as an O-Week coordinator, maybe a little lighthearted in what is a very “I certainly of those talks where Qi said that the coordinators had little say serious topic,” Reece, a Hanszen College understood their it’s about a serious over the Project SAFE presentation. sophomore, said. “I think I and other reasons, they talked to topic and the tone and “The [coordinators] have this wellbeing students understood that it was a late- us about needing it for I think there’s a different the delivery of that committee and I think that’s probably the night talk after a long day, but still trying grants to get federal time and place for joking talk really matters,” Qi most relevant committee for the Project to maintain a level of professionalism and money for their and having fun. said. “I think there’s a SAFE talk,” Qi said. “But when I was on seriousness around something as important program,” Reece said. different time and place the wellbeing committee, it mostly was as this is still essential.” “But I think there was Karen Qi for joking and having about what would the alcohol talk look like Helena Leal, an advisor and liaison for a concern on my part fun.” or what would the healthy relationships Students Transforming Rice Into a Violence- at least about it being HANSZEN COLLEGE STRIVE LIAISON McMorris, one of the talk look like. We focused mostly on those Free Environment at Baker College, said a public sheet being presenters this year, two things and Project SAFE was mostly that she thinks the lighter tone was part of passed around that you could write down said that students concerned about the tone organized by the Title IX office.” an attempt to make the environment more your gender identity, whatever that might should give this feedback to the SAFE office Qi and Falcon both matriculated in comfortable for students, but she recognized be, and then the person next to you has the and others involved. 2016 as part of the last matriculating class the possible consequences of this. opportunity to look at that and how that “Anybody who’s concerned about the not required to take Critical Thinking in “Topics are definitely still heavy, but this might be concerning for some students.” presentation should share that concern with Sexuality workshop during the first five lightheartedness demonstrates that it’s okay Karen Qi, an advisor and former the SAFE Office or any of the presenters,” weeks of school. According to Qi, who and important to talk about and engage in O-Week coordinator for Hanszen, said McMorris said. “In the six years that I’ve has been a teaching assistant for CTIS these conversations,” Leal, a sophomore, that there have been problems in the past been at Rice, we’ve regularly changed for the past two years, these classes are said. “If any student is a victim of any of with the presentation’s content being too the presentation based on concerns and better able to facilitate discussions than the situations discussed during the SAFE lighthearted and problematic. ideas from students as well as current the one-hour Project SAFE presentation. presentation it may feel bad to hear people “[For several years] there was a video research and advancements in the field of “I noticed that a lot of the being so lighthearted about it.” comparing getting consent in relationships interpersonal violence.” conversations went more in-depth and so According to Leal, another concern or hookups with drinking tea,” Qi, a senior, McMorris said she thought that the Project SAFE didn’t have to be all those during this year’s presentation was the sign- said. “I guess it’s meant to shed light on how presentation was a success. details crammed into a presentation in form passed around at the beginning, consent is used in everyday interactions, but “They were answering questions and where people who are attending the which asked attendants to give their name, I think comparing it to drinking tea and the asking questions of their own,” McMorris presentation were already really tired gender identity and email address. jokes made in that video was minimizing said. “Throughout the presentation, I from O-Week,” Qi said. “I think that CTIS “I think asking for gender identity what it meant to get consent.” noticed that many of the students were kind of shapes the tone better than the is unnecessary and could make some Gabrielle Falcon, one of two student nodding their heads as though they [agreed] stand-alone Project SAFE talk.” 4 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 NEWS

pursue their passion without the burden of outside influence.” In the description of the project, Hawkeye said that one of their main goals was to create brand unity across the university. “In the corporate arena, branding is ruthlessly enforced,” the design firm wrote in their description of the project. “In academia, there is no such enforcement, only independence and organizational silos [of isolation within different departments].” According to Christine Church, director of marketing in the Office of Public Affairs, the changes include broadening the official color palette and introducing new typefaces, rolling out a flat version of the Rice shield and minor refinements to the Athenian owl that will make these symbols easier to use online, in print and with promotional items. BEFORE AFTER LOGO COURTESY HAWKEYE Rice University branding is Hawkeye’s most recent project. On their website, Hawkeye lists clients in education, energy and technology. In the past, they have worked with clients Brand(ing) New: Rice Updates Logo such as Houston Methodist and George Strait Reserve. RYND MORGAN for different departments across the website said. According to Church, the new logo ASST NEWS EDITOR university. The new logo features a The change to the Rice University logo is part of a larger refresh to the overall matte, dark blue for the shield as well as comes two years after a change to the brand that was launched in July. This past summer, Rice worked with a new font, Galaxie Copernicus, for the Rice University Athletics logo made in “We are also proud to say that the the Houston-based design firm Hawkeye academic schools. partnership with Torch Creative, a design owl no longer has ‘turkey’ legs, and to update the Rice logo, which had been “Hawkeye designed the new owl to studio based in Dallas specializing in now has a consistent line width. While in place for at least 12 years. retain the most memorable aspects of sports team logos. maintaining the feel of the original According to the Hawkeye website, the original design, specifically the eyes The Hawkeye website described Rice Athenian owl, the new Rice owl presents the firm was tasked with updating the and feathers around them, the engaged University as “an environment built a stronger feel of strength and pride,” logo as well as standardizing branding pose and prominent wing,” the Hawkeye around the freedom of individuals to Church said. Tetra increases to $100 SA introduces bill for alumni liaison position RISHAB RAMAPRIYAN of collaboration with the ARA board of NEWS EDITOR directors to amplify shared priorities.” According to the bill, the ARA liaison The Student Association Senate reports directly to the SA president. introduced a bill to create a new Duties of the position include sharing undergraduate position, Association of Rice updates on SA programming and Alumni liaison, to advance opportunities initiatives with the ARA and the Office for collaboration with the Office of Alumni of Alumni Relations. The liaison will Relations and the Association of Rice also be responsible for disseminating Alumni. The bill was introduced at the Aug. information about alumni programming 26 SA Senate meeting. to the student body and gathering student Channing Wang / THRESHER SA President Grace Wickerson said feedback and ideas regarding alumni On-campus meal plans now come with $100 in starting Tetra balance every semester. they created the position because they initiatives and collaboration. wanted the SA Senate to assist in improving According to Wickerson, the SA Senate SAVANNAH KUCHAR campus. Further reasons for the increase student-alumni engagement. previously had a Future Alumni Standing ASST NEWS EDITOR are the additional options for Tetra use this “I chose to create the position to provide Committee, but it was removed from the year and general price inflation. a connection between current students bylaws several years ago due to a lack of On-campus meal plans will now “We have recently added Tetra at the and alumni as well as provide channels efficacy and interest. provide students with $100 in Tetra per [BioScience Research Collaborative] and of communication between the [SA and] The SA Senate will vote on the bill on semester rather than $50. According to will be adding readers to [the] Moody the ARA board of directors,” Wickerson, Sept. 9. Applications for the position are David McDonald, senior business director [Center for The Arts] and select athletics a Brown College senior, said. “We hope open and will close on Sept. 4. Wickerson for Housing and Dining, the additional concessions later this fall,” McDonald the impact is improving student-alumni said the position will only be filled if the Tetra will be allocated to students with said. “With price inflation over the last engagement as well as providing points bill passes. meal plan A, B or C. 15 years, we have determined that Tetra McDonald said that the increased amounts will likely not ‘stretch’ far enough amount is included in the cost of the meal combined with multiple new venues in the plan but that the overall cost of the meal near future.” plan has increased by less than $50. Morgan Seay, a Hanszen College “The cost of the meal plan has sophomore, said that she is in favor of the increased $20 this semester from the change but understands some people may previous semester,” McDonald said. “This have concerns about the additional money. is a complex calculation that takes into “I really like it,” Seay said. “But I don’t consideration numerous factors and not know how other students feel about it just Tetras.” because it’s like free money, but you still pay According to McDonald, the increase for it. So other people are more opinionated in Tetra is part of an effort to increase the on it, but since I’m on scholarship, I don’t accessibility of non-servery food options on really have to think about that.” sirui zhou / THRESHER

Dynamic and Energetic Teachers wanted. Pay rate is $24 to $38 per hour. We provide all training. Email your resume to [email protected] 5 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER OPINION OPINION Alopecia Awareness Month: Support those affected September. To many people this month In elementary school I would wear my disconnected from my Blackness. I wore Anybody can be affected by alopecia; it is marks the beginning of a new semester, wig to school on weekdays and wear my mainly straight-haired wigs my whole not genetic, and the cause is unknown. No but for me it is Alopecia Awareness Month. favorite pink Nike bucket hat or Adidas life, but I saw my brother’s curly hair cure exists and there is very little research. This month should be one of learning, baseball cap on the weekends. I was a and wished I could just have my natural There are treatments; however, they often empowering, celebrating and destigmatizing little girl, unashamed and unaware of the hair back. In my mind, the one part of come with low success rates and high risks. what comes with being different. cruel world around me. I didn’t know that my Blackness that would be visible to the When I was first diagnosed, my mom tried I have alopecia universalis. people would treat me differently because world — my textured hair — didn’t exist every treatment available — corticosteroid When people ask me what this is, I tell of my baldness. anymore. shots, retinoid cream, emu oil and so many them that it is an autoimmune disease in Throughout my childhood, people often Every day is a battle against society’s others. Nothing led to sustained hair growth which my own immune system attacks confused me for a cancer patient or a little perception of what is beautiful, and there for me. The reason for Alopecia Awareness my hair follicles. What I don’t tell them is boy. On numerous occasions, I was asked, are some days that are especially difficult; Month is that there are so many people this: My alopecia comes with rheumatoid “How is chemo however, I work on affected by this incurable disease. arthritis, fatigue and sudden and prolonged going?” I didn’t loving myself a little Happy Alopecia Awareness Month! illnesses. My alopecia comes with know how to process bit more every single Education is the key to destigmatizing. questions. It comes with embarrassment. It this, and I felt badly day. Today I am ready Although I have found strength in writing comes with shame. about it. Why did The only way to combat to own who I am, this piece, the fight doesn’t end here. September. This is the month to tell my the woman at the the stigma around alopecia and all. I am My alopecia has been one of the most story. grocery store call me women’s baldness is to ready to change my challenging things in my life, but it has also This piece has been a work in progress “mijito,” when I was redefine femininity. narrative, own the word shown me the beauty of being different. my whole life. I have always wanted to a little girl dressed “bald” and embrace my Remember that those of us with alopecia write something about this particular in all pink? I grew reality. We must end don’t want your sympathy. We just want part of myself, but my fears have always up feeling the need to compensate for my the stigma around baldness, and the only you to love us for who we are — with or stopped me from publicly addressing baldness and I did this by wearing mostly way to combat the stigma around women’s without hair. something so personal. pink and always wearing earrings. There baldness is to redefine femininity. I want When I was 2 years old, the hair on my head were times when I hated myself for not people to understand that alopecia is so began to fall out. Then I lost my eyebrows and having hair. I hated myself for not feeling much more than just hair loss. There is not EMANI BROWN my eyelashes. By 5, all my hair was gone. I was girly enough. I hated myself for being bald. one day that goes by for which I am able to JONES COLLEGE JUNIOR devastated. Everywhere I looked, I realized I Bald. I used to hate this word. It just forget about it. Every time I look in the was different; even SpongeBob SquarePants reminded me of who I, for so long, tried mirror, I see it. Every time people talk about had eyelashes. To me, beauty was everything to hide. I have been bullied, ridiculed and their hair, I remember the lack of mine. It that I did not have. It was long, curly hair, like humiliated for this part of my identity. looms over every situation in my life. It isn’t Beyonce’s. It was long, curled eyelashes and On top of struggling with my biracial something that just goes away and there is perfectly shaped eyebrows. identity, losing my hair made me feel more no explanation for why or how it happens.

STAFF EDITORIAL VADA building important for campus read more online: For years, students on campus and resources fairly and is equally supportive of the Thresher editorial board have been all its departments, not just its most popular. petitioning for more visual and dramatic This is a major step for student art on The Hoot’s Chick-fil-A ban: Food for thought arts support — in space, funding and campus, which suffered significantly in recognition. With Tuesday’s announcement past years. Previously, VADA programs “As Rice students who share a campus, we should ask of a new, dedicated VADA building in the have been divided between Hamman Hall, ourselves a simple question: Should we only patronize the upper floors of Sewall Hall and the near future, there is finally hope that all businesses that we agree with politically? I submit three of these requests will be fulfilled. Rice Media Center. Additionally, the 2020 that the answer should be a resounding ‘no,’ The Thresher editorial board applauds the expiration date for the Rice Media Center efforts of Dean of the School of Humanities threatened to reduce the already limited regardless of your political beliefs.” Kathleen Canning, VADA chair John space for VADA, compounding the overall TOMAS JONSSON Sparagana and the Humanities Advisory lack of student exhibition space on campus. WILL RICE COLLEGE SOPHOMORE Board as well as the countless student voices A new building can serve as a hub for that have been petitioning for increased students, faculty and alumni of different VADA attention for years. The editorial artistic disciplines to interact, collaborate board also applauds the administration for and support each other. Trump’s toxic rhetoric is taking its toll its openness to the idea and commitment to However, without significant funding, fundraise for the project. this building may never materialize. Rice is most widely recognized for its Potential donors should realize the value “The impact of Trump’s racist rhetoric goes far beyond the posters reputable and expansive STEM academic that the arts have on campus — without we recently saw on campus, though they should serve as a signal programs. As a result, humanistic them, Rice’s education lacks the liberal to our community that it is well past time to take action against the disciplines such as VADA tend to fall into arts well-roundedness that has been so president’s hate speech.” the background despite their active role in critical to its students’ success. While we campus life. A new building will not only at the Thresher are more than happy to LILA­ GREINER better accommodate current VADA students finally write a positive editorial surrounding WILL RICE COLLEGE SOPHOMORE but will also indicate to prospective students Rice’s treatment of the arts, we’ll hold our LUKE CANTU and their families that Rice dedicates its applause until the end (of construction.) BAKER COLLEGE SOPHOMORE

Correction want to write your own opinion? we take submissions through The article “Arts 101: Guide to exhibitions on and off campus” was written by staff email at [email protected]! writer Lily Wulfemeyer, not A&E Editor Katelyn Landry. STAFF

Christina Tan* Editor-in-Chief SPORTS ONLINE The Rice Thresher, the official First copy is free. Each additional Michael Byrnes Editor Ryan Green Web Editor Anna Ta* Managing Editor student newspaper at Rice copy is $5. Madison Buzzard* Editor Priyansh Lunia Video Editor University since 1916, is published NEWS Eric Barber Asst. Editor Rishab Ramapriyan* Editor DESIGN each Wednesday during the school Editorial and business offices are Amy Qin* Editor BACKPAGE Tina Liu* Director year, except during examination located on the second floor of the Rynd Morgan Asst. Editor Simona Matovic Editor & Designer Dalia Gulca Designer periods and holidays, by the Ley Student Center: Savannah Kuchar Asst. Editor students of Rice University. 6100 Main St., MS-524 PHOTO BUSINESS OPERATIONS Houston, TX 77005-1892 FEATURES Channing Wang Editor Mai Ton Social Media/Marketing Manager Letters to the Editor must be Phone (713) 348-4801 Ivanka Perez* Editor Jackson Stiles Distribution Manager received by 5 p.m. the Friday Email: [email protected] COPY Karoline Sun Business Manager prior to publication and must be Website: www.ricethresher.org Vi Burgess Editor ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT signed, including college and year Katelyn Landry* Editor Bhavya Gopinath Editor Phillip Jaffe Senior Editor if the writer is a Rice student. The *Editorial Board member Thresher reserves the rights to edit The Thresher is a member of the OPINION letters for content and length and ACP, TIPA, CMA and CMBAM. Elizabeth Hergert* Editor to place letters on its website. © Copyright 2019 6 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER FEATURES Returning home: Former Wiess magisters return to Lovett “It takes me a little longer to know the “A residential college [is] actually not students than it does [Gustin], because he exactly the best fit for everyone,” Gustin memorizes names before they come,” Klein said. “There are some people who think, said. “But I have to talk to them, find out ‘It's a little too fishbowl-like to me. I don’t where they’re from, what their interests are, want people to know my business so much,’ and that’s how I do it.” or whatever. But having said that, as an Gustin said that a couple students have overall average, there is a very high level already approached him with passion of engagement with how the college works pitches; his own ideas vary from inclusivity [here at Lovett].” to a new bowling alley in the basement. Klein and Gustin said that they believe “We’re trying to represent what the that the president acts as the head of the administration wants and what the college, not the magisters. students want,” Gustin said. “We’re trying "We have a really strong president in to empower students to experiment and try Chloe Oani,” Gustin said. “To have such things and have their own agency.” great leadership in college and to come into Gustin said that engagement occurs at a situation where you’re warmly welcomed, Professor of Biosciences Michael Gustin and pharmaceutical professional Denise Klein served every level, including in response to his you can’t ask for more.” as Wiess magisters from 2006 to 2011. pitch for a new bowling alley. Gustin said Klein said that she believes the high PHOTO COURTESY michael gustin that he came up with the idea while Lovett level of engagement among students ANNA TA the same capacity at Wiess College roughly President Chloe Oani was showing him is partly because of how the college MANAGING EDITOR eight years ago. For their second term, around the basement, and it snowballed government is structured. they recognize that plenty has changed — from there. According to Gustin, Beth “What we’re finding is that they have a Lovett College saw plenty of new faces including the title of the job to “magister” Leaver, operations director from Housing committee for everything,” Klein said. “Which this school year, but not all the new kids from “master” — and they’re more than and Dining, told him she overheard is great, because everyone's involved.” on the block were students. August marked willing to experiment. students in the Gibbs Recreation and Those committees range from social the beginning of Michael Gustin and Denise “You know, this is not Wiess,” Gustin, a Wellness Center talking about the potential event coordinators to a committee dedicated Klein's first school year as Lovett magisters, professor of biosciences, said. “This is a very Lovett bowling alley. to maintaining a pile of bananas in their after being associates at the college for 18 different culture, so we’re also looking for “In my own sort of creative process, I try commons. Gustin said that while the years. They live with their shy black labrador ideas from students, what kind of events they to come up with peak experiences, slightly magisters are available to help advise Walter and enliven the new house by hosting would like to have.” out of the ordinary things to do,” Gustin and support students, it is the students Lovetteers for summer barbecues and But the two also said they want to said. “Crazy, but good crazy.” themselves that drive the emergent culture. "Bachelor in Paradise" watch events. reignite some of their past traditions. Klein, Last year, Hanszen College and Sid “When you come in as a magister, there's “We’ve always felt like the downstairs of a pharmaceutical professional, said that Richardson College were also both looking for no game plan, there's no manual,” Klein said. the magisters’ house is an extension of the she’s looking forward to bringing back the new magisters. According to Klein, they felt a “You're experimenting. And when we got that college, so we like to have students over as tea parties they held while at Wiess. She connection to Lovett after being associates concept down, we could figure out exactly much as we can," Klein said. said having the students over for tea or small there prior to their tenure at Wiess. how we could better support the college. Being a magister is an exciting but not groups dinners allows her to get to know Gustin said he feels that Lovett is one of Editor-in-Chief Christina Tan contributed entirely new experience, as they served in them better. the most engaged colleges at Rice. to this article.

MCPLUNKETT FROM PAGE 1 Some of the New Students began to Plunkett. Some began to flesh out the joke, some people took it more seriously. take the joke even further, imagining that college’s social media presence, creating On a Rice confessions Instagram post that When Preston expressed her McPlunkett was a real college. They created an Instagram page, website and Minecraft was quickly taken down, a Hanszen College disappointment in the group chat, another traditions like Plunksmas and pumpkin server. freshman said that some people confessed New Student, Ashley Duong, comforted Inspired by upcoming Orientation to feeling excluded by the joke. Others her, saying, “Don’t worry, Sarah. We’re all Week, the students imagined McPlunkett’s thought the idea of McPlunkett disrespected in McPlunkett.” Feeling inspired, Preston version of the tradition. Under the theme the work that the O-Week coordinators changed her name in the group chat from NO-Week, which Preston suggested had done to make the new students feel “Sarah Preston Jones ’23” to “Sarah Preston We were just sitting at because McPlunkett doesn’t actually exist, welcome in their real residential colleges. McPlunkett ’23” and a few other students home, so we put all of one student made a McPlunkett O-Week However, for the students involved did the same. our energy into [creating] book filled with memes. Using fan art that in McPlunkett’s creation, the imaginary Soon, the meme took off. Other students some of the students had drawn, Pecaut college has become a way of making began catching on and changed their McPlunkett. made a McPlunkett NO-Week shirt, which friends with freshmen across campus. names to say “McPlunkett” in the meme Stephanie Pecaut 50 students have already bought. Pecaut said that while other New Students group chat, and some began to change MARTEL COLLEGE FRESHMAN “It was a creative output for all of us,” were worried about making friends outside their names in other group chats as well. Pecaut said. “We were super excited about of their residential college, she didn’t have Duong went as far as to screenshot her coming to Rice, but we were just sitting that concern because of McPlunkett. college assignment on Esther and edit it to carving, chose narwhals and pumpkins at home, so we put all of our energy into “It was a way for us to connect even say “McPlunkett” instead of “Brown.” to be the college’s mascots and created a [creating] McPlunkett.” though we weren’t in the same residential “It kind of exploded,” Pecaut said. fictional founder for the college — Joseph Although McPlunkett started off as a college,” Pecaut said.

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Crossword by Sam Rossum BURNT ENDS Thresher Staff 9 10

ACROSS DOWN 11 12 13 1) Neglect diversity 1) Narc’s accessory 9) Christian of high fashion 2) Did some digging 10) Adjust the fit of some jeans 3) “Parks and Rec” DJ Crazy __ 14 15 16 11) A mint may freshen it 4) Prefix with graphy and centrism 13) FedEx alternative 5) Loc. for Spokane 14) Londoner’s last letter 6) Controversial “Simpsons” 12 17 18 19 15) Part of a Q&A session storekeeper 17) Gives comfort to 7) Earth, Wind & Fire hit 20) Drinks oft served in copper mugs 8) Many mins. 20 21 22 17 23 23) “___ My Ride” 9) Popular anime, for short 24) Cuba, por ejemplo 12) Historic New Mexico town 25) ___ mate, South American 16) Honoree for a Vatican basilica 24 25 beverage 17) Kind of party 26) Ben Hur e.g. 18) Resume reviewers 27) Variables in Einstein’s famous 19) Boxing practices 26 equation 20) Stand-up comic’s need 28) German sounding potato chip 21) “My Boo” R&B singer brand 22) Peruvian pack animal 22 27 28 29) Cry from a cheerleader 25) Start of a pirate shanty 30) Surgery sites: Abbr.

24 29 25 30 Answers will be posted on ricethresher.org and on the Thresher Facebook page. Bolded clues and colored squares correspond to the theme. ADVERTISEMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • 7 8 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT fucks, forever” and proves it with a nearly KTRU FROM PAGE 1 10-minute symphony of psychedelic synths and buzzing electric guitar, The station slowly upgraded its antenna making it her longest song to date. The over the years, and in 1991 a neighboring metamorphosis from tender, barely-there station boosted KTRU’s broadcasting melodies to soaring ballads is a prominent power from 650 watts to 50,000 and moved stylistic pattern throughout the album KTRU’s antenna to Humble, Texas. In and puts Del Rey’s vocal range front and 2010, Rice administration unexpectedly center. Tracks “Cinnamon Girl” and “The announced their plans to sell the station’s Next Best American Record” follow suit, transmission tower, FM frequency and each with their own ethereal harmonies. broadcast license, including call sign, to This album wouldn’t have Del Rey’s the University of Houston for $9.5 million. stamp of approval without a few words The sale was closed in May 2011, making for the hopeless romantics out there. Rice radio an internet-only station until Tracks “Love Song” and “Happiness Is a October 2015 when KTRU returned to FM Butterfly” capitalize on romance in a way under the call sign KBLT-LP. that Lana Del Rey has utterly mastered over The decision to sell the tower and license the years. The emotions brought out by this was unilateral, with Leebron saying that it song emerge pure, simple and painful. In was an exception and kept under wraps layman’s terms, I almost cried on public due to the confidentiality of business transportation twice while listening to dealings. The money from the deal went on these songs that so intimately prod at the to fund Rice Emergency Medical Services vulnerability of love and the devastation of initiatives, intramural field lighting and the yearning. How does one just ask someone construction of Seibel Servery. to be their “once in a lifetime?” No one but Del Rey may ever know. Rest assured, not every song on “Norman Fucking Rockwell” is a forlorn love ballad. Despite its title, “Fuck It I Many Houston natives Lana Del Rey’s ‘Norman Fucking Love You” is about Del Rey’s move to have told me that KTRU California in search of a new perspective was what they grew up Rockwell’: Album Review on life. “Doin’ Time” also exalts the listening to. carefree Californian summertime lifestyle. The single is Del Rey’s dreamy rendition Kaarthika Thakker of punk outfit Sublime’s 1997 track of the STATION MANAGER same name, which also borrows from a NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL 1935 George and Ira Gershwin show tune “[KTRU] had no say in the sale and were “Summertime.” All of the songs share the not able to work with Rice to try to keep Genre: Alternative / Indie same opening line — “Summertime and the our broadcast license with our call letters,” livin’s easy” — but none convince us of that Lorenzen said. Top Track: ‘THE GREATEST’ fact like Del Rey’s. Paired with its music Thakker said that KTRU and its video, which depicts a 50-foot-tall Del Rey antenna was a central part of the Houston stomping around Los Angeles and getting community. In 2000 and 2006, the station revenge on a cheating boyfriend, this song was selected by the Houston Press as conjures the quintessential end-of-summer Houston’s best radio station and had an cOURTESY polydor and interscope records fantasy. On an album full of melancholic estimated 24,000-25,000 weekly listeners, KATELYN LANDRY DJ Zane Lowe last year, Del Rey explained, crooning, this sunny summertime bop is according to former station manager A&E EDITOR “It’s kind of about this guy who is such a much needed and appreciated. Kelsey Yule (Hanszen College ’11). The genius artist but he thinks he’s the shit The album loses a bit of its charm station’s antenna currently sits atop Rice “Hot girl summer” has been eclipsed and he knows it and he like won’t shut up on “Bartender” and “California.” Their Stadium and reaches only a five-mile by sad girl autumn thanks to “Norman talking about it,” Del Rey said. “So often respective choruses lack a certain radius — a stark contrast to the extensive Fucking Rockwell,” the sixth studio I ended up with these creative types or refinement that would better distinguish broadcast range enjoyed by the station in album by singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. whatever, and you know, they just go on them from the rest of the songs on the the ’90s and early 2000s. With this project, the New York native and on about themselves, and I’m like, album. The lyricism is not as poetic “KTRU used to be a bigger deal for the composes an ode to the West Coast by ‘Yeah, yeah.’ But there’s a little bit of merit and more blunt, signaled by Del Rey’s Houston community when we had our old not only alluding to locales like Venice to it also. They are so good.” monotone whispering in place of her usual antenna,” Thakker said. “Many Houston and Malibu beaches, but also by adopting As both the title and opening track, vocals. While still enjoyable, these songs natives have told me that KTRU was what elements of surf and folk genres to capture “Norman Fucking Rockwell” perfectly are a little too bland and homogenous they grew up listening to. After the station a nostalgic Californian psych-rock sound. captures this blend of exasperation and with the rest of the album, making them was sold, they weren’t sure how to continue At an hour and seven minutes runtime, admiration for pretentious artists. In the ultimately forgettable. to listen to KTRU, and — when KTRU came “Norman Fucking Rockwell” paints a first of many lofty chorales, Del Rey sings With this project, Lana Del Rey asks back on air — didn’t know about the new rose-colored portrait of contemporary about the exasperation of dealing with all the right questions: “Do you want station numbers and call letters.” Americana with especially poignant a man who is too absorbed in his own me or do you not? Why wait for the best After nearly a decade, the station’s reflections on love, loneliness and youth. voice to appreciate others’. Del Rey turns when I could have you? Is it safe to just be historic name finally matches its legal Come all you foolish lovers and carefree the tables with “Mariners Apartment who we are?” The 14 tracks on “Norman designation once again. Thakker said the beach bums, muses and artists alike — Complex,” one of four singles released last Fucking Rockwell” each tread the fine change is especially significant for KTRU Lana Del Rey welcomes you home. year, and asserts her own validity as an line between hopeless devotion and alumni who were students at the time of Norman Rockwell, huh? What was artist and her ability to influence people tenacious independence and collectively the sale nearly 10 years ago. it exactly about the prolific American around her. Rather than look to another, emerge as a masterpiece — a golden “We’re hoping to host an alumni painter that caught Del Rey’s attention she boldly states, “I’m your man.” relfection of modern American musings event and campus-wide concert later this and cast Rockwell into the spotlight of her On her third single “Venice Bitch,” on love, power and growing up. Rockwell semester to honor our reacquired call latest project? In an interview with Beats 1 Del Rey proclaims that she’s “fresh out of would approve. letters later this fall,” Lorenzen said.

THE WEEKLY SCENE ZINE FEST ART LEAGUE SWEET TASTE OF HOUSTON 2019: HOUSTON EXHIBIT VICTORY: YOYO’S X BAE ZINE CUISINE OPENINGS BOOK EVENT For one month only, Yoyo’s Hot Dogs Get inspired at Houston’s annual Zine will operate a pop-up shop inside Bae, This Saturday, local non-profit gallery Rice associate professor of history W. Caleb Fest, an event dedicated to exposing local a novelty ice cream shop in the Bellaire Art League Houston is holding opening McDaniel will be reading his new book “Sweet creators of zines, comics, other forms of neighborhood. A beloved staple of receptions for three new exhibits: Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and small press and alternative media. In Rice Village, Yoyo’s serves up hot dogs “Maintenance” by local artist Charis Restitution in America” at Brazos Bookstore addition to tabling by local artists, the with a Houston twist that are famous Ammon, “Entangled” by Houston-based this Friday. The book tells the story of Henrietta festival will offer food trucks, interactive for their crunchy fried onions, sriracha artist Preetika Rajgariah, and “What Art Wood, a woman who escaped slavery and crafting sessions and artist discussions mayonnaise, curry ketchup and more. This Can Do: The Collaborative Act of Making” obtained her freedom twice, winning the about the intersection of food and art. promotion is exclusive to Bae’s Houston by 2019 Texas Artist of the Year Margarita largest slavery restitution ever awarded by an The festival is free and open to the public location and will end on Sept. 24. Cabrera. All receptions are free and open to American court. The book reading is free and from 12 - 6 p.m. this Saturday. the public from 6 - 9 p.m. open to the public starting at 6:30 p.m. Bae Lawndale Art Center 9798 Bellaire Blvd. Art League Houston Brazos Bookstore 4912 Main St. 1953 Montrose Blvd. 2421 Bissonnet St. ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • 9

HOUSTON-BASED ARTISTS YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO Christina Tan, Editor-in-Chief

Out-of-state students, listen up. It’s Beyonce Knowles-Carter Solange Knowles time to drop the pretensions about New York, halt the nostalgia about Los Does she need an introduction? Beyonce — 23- Solange might be known as Beyonce’s little Angeles and fully embrace your new time Grammy Award winner and one of the best- sister, but her musical style has earned her a seat home — the one and only Houston. selling musical artists of all time — was originally at the table (also the title of her third, critically (Dallas kids, there’s no debate here. part of Houston-based girl-group Destiny’s Child. acclaimed album). Solange’s lilting, dreamy sound Face the truth, Houston is better.) She attended the High School for Performing and contrasts with the pop-heavy influences of her Large in both population and size, Visual Arts before launching her diverse 22-year- sister and offers appeal to indie and R&B lovers Houston is home to great food, a free long (and running) musical career, which has alike. Solange’s latest album, “When I Get Home,” spanned genres from pop to R&B to hip-hop. Known references Houston artists and major streets. sweaty workout in the 100 degree for her powerful vocal range and sound coupled weather and most importantly, talent- with seemingly effortless dance routines, Beyonce ed artists across all musical genres. remains a powerhouse in the music industry. Her Maxo Kream See some of my picks below, but know latest work, “The Lion King: A Gift” brings Africa- that Houston’s talent pool only con- based artists to the forefront of the mainstream Maxo Kream, an Alief-Houston native, gained tinues to grow. (And who does Dallas music industry. recognition for his 2018 debut album, “Punken,” have again? Demi Lovato. That’s it.) which established Maxo’s storytelling rap style. His fame has continued to grow with his most recent This article has been condensed for album, “Brandon Banks,” which scored a “Best print. For the full version, see online at Megan Thee Stallion New Music” highlight from music critic website ricethresher.org. Pitchfork. “Brandon Banks” features collaborations Born-and-raised Houstonian Megan Thee Stallion from aforementioned Houston artists like Megan became one of three women on XXL Magazine’s Thee Stallion and delves into Maxo’s complicated “Freshman List,” an annual list that identifies relationship with his father. SONGS ABOUT HOUSTON rising talent in the hip-hop industry. Megan is “I put it down for the 713, and we still got love for known for her lascivious lyrics — unafraid to talk the streets” about her sexual experiences and desires, Megan DJ Screw has successfully broken into a male-dominated “713” by The Carters industry with her signature sound and upbeat The creator of the iconic “chopped and screwed” tracks. She was also the artist who coined the term style, the late DJ Screw was a hip-hop DJ based in “A little vacation, Houstonfornication” “hot girl summer,” a phrase that spread throughout Houston. “Chopped and screwed” music features “HOUSTONFORNICATION” by Travis Scott Twitter and beyond and inspired her most recent slowed-down tempos coupled with choppy beats collaboration with fellow rapper Nicki Minaj. Megan and record scratches. Screw’s influence is pervasive “Went to school in the Woodlands, and that made is currently studying health administration at Texas among Houston rappers, such as Travis Scott. Southern University. In addition to his music, Screw left an indelible ****** wanna fight me” mark on H-Town by opening neighborhood record “TOKYO” by BROCKHAMPTON store Screwed Up Records and Tapes in 1998, now famously known as the Screw Shop. 10 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS

LETTENBERGER TRAVELS TO WORLD PARA SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Courtesy Brandon martin / rice athletics Freshman swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger extends her freestyle stroke in the Rice competitive pool. Lettenberger is currently in London to prepare for competition in the World Para Swimming Championships, where she will compete in five different events: the 400 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, the 200 individual medley, the 100 breaststroke and the 100 freestyle.

MADISON BUZZARD Pan-American Games was incredible. But Lettenberger said once a family differently, I had a really good group of SPORTS EDITOR “There is no feeling like that, sitting friend advised her to try swimming, her friends growing up that supported me on top of the podium, feeling that you just love affair with the sport grew instantly. and treated me like everybody else,” Earlier this week, freshman swimmer won gold for your country,” Lettenberger “The first time I jumped in the water Lettenberger said. Ahalya Lettenberger traveled to London said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.” I just knew I belonged,” Lettenberger According to Lettenberger, she to prepare for the World Para Swimming Born with a musculoskeletal disorder said. “In the water, I feel free. I’m free of considered several universities. But Championships, an international known as arthrogryposis my braces, free of my Lettenberger said a high school friend competition designed for athletes with multiplex congenita, wheelchair. There’s — junior swimmer Lindsay Mathys — disabilities, during which she will compete Lettenberger said she no one staring at me inspired her to become an Owl. in five separate events. began swimming when In the water, I feel for the way I walk. It’s “I first came across Rice because my “I am so excited to be going and to be open-field sports became free ... There’s no one just me and the pool. friend Lindsay, who used to swim on the representing my country,” Lettenberger too challenging. It’s my home.” same club team as me back in Chicago, said. “There’s really no feeling like it. I’m “[The disorder] staring at me for the Alongside her was going to Rice,” Lettenberger said. just living my dream.” affects me from my hips way I walk. It’s just athletic success, “Then I came to visit Rice and I just loved After competing for seven days in down,” Lettenberger me and the pool. It’s Lettenberger has it from the moment I stepped on campus. London, Lettenberger said she will shift said. “It causes muscle demonstrated I love how there’s such a great balance of her focus toward qualifying for the 2020 weakness and joint my home. academic excellence. athletics and academics. Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. restrictions, so my hips Ahalya Lettenberger She was one of only 20 Lettenberger said she hopes to Lettenberger is a veteran with are dislocated, my knees MCMURTRY COLLEGE FRESHMAN students nationwide continue competing in para swimming. regard to international para swimming only bend to about 90 to earn the 2018- “When I go to paralympic swim meets, competitions. She has already degrees and my ankles don’t move at all.” 2019 Foot Locker Scholar Athlete Award I get to be surrounded by other people participated in four such contests, “When I was younger, I used to play for demonstrating excellence in the with physical limitations, who have gone including the 2015 Pan-American Para soccer and softball. But eventually the classroom, in sports and in the community. through similar experiences to what I’ve Swimming Championships (where fields got too big and the people I was Lettenberger said she credits her friends for experienced,” Lettenberger said. “I’ve she won a gold medal) and the 2016 playing with got too fast, so I realized I enabling her to feel comfortable in school. met some of my best friends at these Rio Paralympic Swimming Trials. couldn’t keep up anymore and I had to “Even though I do look different meets, just because we connect on a Lettenberger said her experience in the find a different sport.” than everybody else, or I walk a little bit different level.”

After Army loss, football prepares for Wake Forest

ERIC BARBER Where Rice struggled was on offense year with the Owls getting beat solidly [Wake Forest] had 107 snaps [on offense] ASST SPORTS EDITOR and special teams. While the Owls gained by 32 points. Wake Forest comes into the against Utah State,” Bloomgren said. “It’s 181 yards on the ground, they struggled matchup coming off of a win, narrowly the fifth time in the last two years they’ve Fresh off their first loss of the season, through the air with freshman Wiley Green defeating Utah State University in their had over 100 snaps in a game. It will be a the football team is looking to rebound for only throwing for 62 yards passing. Despite season opener. The Demon Deacons, who challenge for our guys.” their first win of the season as they face this disparity in rushing and passing yards, play out of the Atlantic Coast Conference, In Rice injury news over the weekend, Wake Forest University on Friday night on a critical fourth down and one yard to finished last season with a record of seven Bloomgren announced that last season’s at Rice Stadium. In their first game of the go toward the end of the game, Rice chose wins and six losses, capping their season breakout running back Juma Otoviano season, the Owls fell to Army West Point by to pass instead of run, ending their hopes off with a win in the Birmingham Bowl would likely miss the first half of the season. a score of 14-7. The two teams were tied up of winning the game. Additionally, kicker against the University of Memphis. During the game against Army West Point, for a majority of the game, until the Black Will Harrison missed two field goals over Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson graduate student Aston Walter and senior Knights scored late in the fourth quarter. the course of the game, one of which signed an eight-year extension this past Nahshon Ellerbe handled the vast majority Rice had a chance to tie up the contest, but would have given the Owls the lead at the offseason to stay at the university for the of the carries for the Owls. Ellerbe, who turned the ball over on downs with under time. Bloomgren said he was pleased with foreseeable future. Clawson’s team is more spent most of last season out due to various two minutes left. graduate student punter Adam Nunez, who productive on offense than it is on defense. injuries, finished this past week with 103 The Owls can take many positives away placed four punts inside Army’s 20-yard Last week against Utah State, Wake Forest yards including a 54-yard touchdown. from the first game. They limited Army line, but Harrison will need to improve. put up 596 yards of total offense, but at the Similarly to last week, Rice enters West Point to 284 total yards, which is “The negative side of special teams same time they allowed Utah State to rack the game as an underdog; according to far below Rice’s average yards allowed [against Army West Point] was the two up 579 total yards. According to Bloomgren, Bovada, an online sports betting website, per game from a season ago, which stood kicks that we missed,” Bloomgren said. Rice’s defense will have to stop Wake Wake Forest is favored by 18. To overcome at 446. One of the few negatives on the “They were very costly. One was a chip- Forest’s offense from gaining momentum the odds against a Power Five conference defensive end of the ball was Army West shot field goal and one was a bit deeper as to slow down the Demon Deacon’s versatile opponent, the Owls will need to improve Point’s ability to put together and score on the result of a successful two-minute drive passing and rushing attack. upon their offensive and special teams long drives. Both scoring drives were over to end the half. We have to make those.” “It’s an adjustment [compared to Army efforts. The action kicks off at 7 p.m. on 90 yards and 15 plays. Rice and Wake Forest battled last West Point], when you talk about the fact Friday at Rice Stadium. SPORTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • 11

courtesy jon lambert / Rice Athletics

Senior defensive lineman Myles Adams shifts his momentum to tackle Army West Point quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. during Rice’s 7-14 loss at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. Adams recorded four combined tackles and three solo tackles in his debut as Rice’s defensive captain, for which he was selected by his teammates. Adams was the only senior to play defense for Rice against Army. Leading by example: Adams energizes Owls’ defense DERRICK KAGWANJA “We want to read our keys, plan what we into that same standard. We need to make team unit. THRESHER STAFF are going to do against the offense scheme- sure that we are accountable to ourselves “You know, everyone brings their own wise,” Adams said. “[Our] offense is doing and our brothers [by] focusing on unity and juice, each position group is different; As the summer wanes and the the same thing, getting their schemes ready.” diligence and everything we do.” we’re all dynamic, but we come together for unrelenting Houston sun glares on, Rice Adams said he is confident in his team, Adams had a standout game against the whole defensive purpose,” Adams said. football returned to their early season and wholeheartedly subscribes to the team’s Army West Point with three solo tackles According to head coach Mike grind during Sunday’s practice. Players motto of intellectual brutality. He said that and four assisted tackles. In his time Bloomgren, Adams was the driving force ran through various drills and game he wants to establish a winning identity at Rice, Adams has shown nothing but behind Rice’s defensive effort against situation simulations and at the heart and has taken steps both as an individual improvement. Since his freshman year, Army West Point. of it all was senior defensive lineman and as a team player to help the Owls reach he has improved in multiple statistical “His play and his leadership [against Myles Adams. Adams and the team were their goals. The efforts made by both Adams categories: tackles for loss, assisted tackles Army West Point] was outstanding,” running situation simulations to improve himself and the team have evidently paid and sacks. Adams’ pursuit of personal Bloomgren said. “I don’t think he was upon the team’s most recent 14-7 loss to off — from the 2018-2019 season to the 2019- greatness was demonstrated in his junior going to allow anybody to not keep their Army West Point. 2020 season, Rice football has moved up nine season, when he logged 19 total solo tackles. gloves up and keep swinging.” Following practice, Adams was eager to spots in total team defensive rating among He is well on pace to surpass that total , as Adams said his leadership style is motivate his team’s continual improvement. Division I Football Bowl Subivision schools. he recorded three tackles in just the first centered more on action than vocalism. Adams is the captain of the defense and is “As a player, I know this is my senior game of the season. “I’m not really the most rah-rah guy,” known by his teammates and coaching season, so I want to be able to show Adams’ presence does not only extend Adams said. “When it’s time to talk and staff as a high-energy contributor to the a little more leadership and personal to the opponents he overpowers; it is also it’s time to listen, you know what the team. Adams said he enjoys enlivening accountability to lead by example,” Adams felt by his teammates. With each tackle or role is. We need to make sure that we are his teammates prior to games in a practice said. “I [want] people to look at me and command he makes on the field, he acts as focused during the game week and during called “Mental Monday,” during which the say, ‘That’s the standard we want to hold a summoning beacon for his squad, urging our preparation so that we make sure that team makes a game plan. ourselves to and that everybody can buy them on to make plays and contribute to the we can prepare to the best of our ability.”

STAFF COLUMN KEEP GREEN AS QB Rice football fell to Army West Point 14-7 first game this season against Army West last Friday, but that shouldn’t be a reason Point wasn’t spectacular; he went 7-14 for for head coach Mike Bloomgren to make a 62 yards. But he had a nice 38-yard pass change to the starting quarterback position. to junior Austin Trammell in the second After leaving the status of the position up quarter. Was it amazing? No, but was in the air for nearly the entire offseason, it worthy of an immediate quarterback and even stating that he would be willing change? In my opinion, also no. The game to open the season playing multiple was low-scoring and run-dominated; quarterbacks, Bloomgren named redshirt Army West Point had 53 passing yards in freshman Wiley Green the opening day comparison to Rice’s 62, while both teams starter at last Tuesday’s news conference. had more than 150 rushing yards, giving The Bloomgren era is just over a year some context to Green’s performance. old, but already quarterback uncertainty The nature of the Army West Point game has become a staple of his tenure. In did not allow for a decisive determination Bloomgren’s first season at the helm, on Green’s play, and he has already he played five different quarterbacks. demonstrated his passing prowess during Shawn Stankavage, a graduate transfer his three starts last season, throwing for from Vanderbilt University, opened the 313 yards against the University of Texas, 2018 season as the presumed starter. But El Paso, going 21-37 against the University during the second game of the season, of North Texas and leading the Owls to a Bloomgren opted to provide then-redshirt win against Old Dominion University. He junior Jackson Tyner an opportunity to just needs time to meld with this iteration play instead. Although Bloomgren quickly of the Owls’ offense, creating a cohesive reverted back to Stankavage as the full-time unit. A quarterback is the head of an starter, when three blowout losses ensued, offense, and if Bloomgren keeps rotating Bloomgren put then-redshirt freshman out the head, it will only create chaos, as Evan Marshman under center to start the Owls struggle to adjust to a new hybrid against Florida International University — combination of head and body each week. and the team lost 36-17. By week eight of And reps on a practice field won’t suffice. the season, two freshman quarterbacks, Game experience is necessary for this Marshman and Wiley Green, rotated offense to unify. starting duties — Marshman started once Switching out quarterbacks after a while Green took the field first in the other poor performance is an easy fix, but a three contests. poor one. Development is hard but much The quarterback carousel should end more sustainable. Barring a sustained this year. While some level of in-team series of awful performances, Bloomgren competition is necessary and healthy, should show full confidence in his starting especially following a coaching change, quarterback. It will pay dividends in the end. playing five quarterbacks in a season should be an anomaly, rather than a pattern. The Owls’ offense needs time to acclimate to a single passer. Green JOSHUA ANIL needs to be allowed to have good games, THRESHER STAFF mediocre games and yes, even bad games, BAKER COLLEGE JUNIOR without the threat of his swift removal in favor of Marshman, or this year’s resident graduate transfer, Tom Stewart. Green’s 12 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 BACKPAGE

Dear U.S. Department of Agriculture,

We highly appreciate the $100,000 grant that the USDA Forest Service gave Rice to replace Hanszen’s “new” wing, built ever so recently in 1957. It’s very exciting that campus will have its first mass timber con- struction, but with just a little more money, there’s so much we could do. How much wood money would a woodchuck request if a woodchuck could request wood money? Here’s our proposal:

Another opera house, but wooden — One Hundred and Tree Million Dollars A big treehouse to replace Sid Rich — Tree Million Dollars When the opera house is finally finished, what will students make small talk about when they walk to and from West Lot? Rice students Ever since the treehouse in the engineer- are far from experts in casual conversation, but at least they get to ing quad was torn down last year, there guess construction timelines and discuss the whopping eight-figure has been a gap in Rice’s campus. Sid Rich price tag of the project to fill the long, awkward silence they face likes to be tall, so why not elevate it even when accessing the most popular parking lot on campus. Some op- more by putting it on stilts and wrapping tions to fix this would be to improve the average social skills of the it around the tallest tree on campus? Hot student body, and another might be to have more affordable parking water and air conditioning are difficult to spots closer to dorms, but the most feasible solution by far is to just build into treehouses, nor can you really build a second opera house when this one is done. Sure, no one add a reliable elevator. But, these ameni- would really want it, but who’s all that enthusiastic about the first ties don’t always work at Sid Rich either, so one regardless? it won’t be a problem.

An orchard of lime, black cherry and mango trees — Fifty-Tree Thousand Dollars

College kids love to consume spiked selt- zers. Rice is already a designated arbore- tum, so it makes perfect sense to expand our tree-filled campus with an orchard A wooden dome to go over the inflatable to grow the fruit central to the top three dome – Tree Hundred Thousand Dollars White Claw flavors. While some students (plus $150,000 a year for “deflating” and may push for grapefruit trees or raspber- “inflating” the structure) ry bushes, they will not be rewarded for their poor taste, as these are definitively Many students aren’t fans of Rice Athletics’ worse flavors. impending inflatable dome in the middle of the bike track. A sleek wooden dome cover for the inflatable dome won’t resolve most — or any — complaints, but it’ll be more aesthetically pleasing than the currently planned multi-mil- lion dollar tribute to the Michelin Man. Of Wooden window replacements for course, we need the bike track for Beer Bike and Jones College — practices. So, just as the dome is deflated, the Tree Hundred Dollars wooden dome will be torn down and rebuilt ev- ery year. The high annual cost associated with This past weekend Jones College broke a this is largely due to a mandatory concert by window for the second time in less than Ke$ha and Pitbull in which they repeatedly per- two weeks, so they’ve lost window privileg- form their hit “Tinder” to gain student support es. All their windows will be replaced with for the entire process, since garnering student wooden slabs that have a dual function. support based on athletics alone is unlikely. They can also serve as the only surfaces that students may touch during Baker 13, since the watered-down current version of Baker 13 rules will surely kill the tradition.

The Backpage is satire, written by Simona “no laws when drinking Claws” Matovic and designed by Simona “no rulies when drinking Trulies” Matovic. For comments or questions, please email JamesJoyce [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS WANTED

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