OP-ED p. 3 A&E P. 9 SPORTS P. 12 The power we give words True Grit worth losing arm over Freshman fab four Eric Harrison argues that censoring Huckleberry Finn will only Even though Clint Eastwood fails to make an appearance, Women's basketball led by freshman phenom's four C-USA help racists and that the idea of race must be done away with. the Western lives on in True Grit Freshman of the Week awards.

thVOLUME XCVIIIe, ISSUE NO. Ric15 STUDENT-RUe N SINCE 1916 FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 East servery opens, serves crepes Coffeehouse to BY HALLIE JORDAN duce higher quality meals and keep expandto BRC THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF food costs lower," Senior Project Manager Kathy Jones said. BY BROOKE BULLOCK The completion of East Servery Jones College junior Michael Mat- THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF and the Brockman Hall for Physics thews said the physical aesthetic of and Astronomy marks an end of a the servery seems to be its best quality. Coffeehouse will bring its busi- construction era at Rice, which start- "I think the architect did a good ness to the Bioscience Research Col- ed in 2007. job creating a nice space with gen- laborative early this semester. A cart Planning for both of these build- erous natural light and interesting featuring almost the entire Coffee- ings began in 2008. East Servery structure," Matthews said. "But it suf- house menu will be stationed in the opened on Monday and move-in fers from the same problem as West in BRC. Coffeehouse General Manager to Brockman Hall is scheduled for that it has a poor layout for actually Christine Cooper said that the cart Feb. 14. getting food." will tentatively be open the first week The servery's opening also marks East has enough space for three of February and will serve coffee and an end to the wave of south college kitchens and is designed so that the other treats from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and construction that has been ongoing Sid Richardson College Commons 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the past several years. could easily be expanded and at- Cooper, a Baker College junior, "It was a really great opening," tached to the servery, Jones said. said that the BRC was built with a Director of Residential Dining Da- "It is designed so that we don't space for a cafe but was still look- vid McDonald said. "The students have to spend a lot of money and ef- ing for a vendor when Coffeehouse seem to be very happy. It is just fort to expand later on," Jones said. was approached last semester. beautiful; it opened on time and Soon after the project was origi- Opening a second location for Cof- there is nothing more we could pos- nally started, it was put on hold be- feehouse is something that has not sibly ask for." cause of the economic recession in been done before but Cooper thinks Since Monday, the servery has 2008. In addition, the idea to make it is a great idea. served around 1,100 people per day, enough space to possibly include "Coffeehouse is in a really small McDonald said. This is about the Sid Rich in the future arose but was space but we've got lots of ideas and number that was expected based on too costly to pursue immediately, love [for it]," Cooper said. "It will be the population of Lovett College and Facilities, Engineering and Plan- great to put things we stand for out Will Rice College, whose commons are ning Communications Manager Su- there." attached to the servery, and the antici- sann Glenn said. The branch will be run 'much like pated interest from students at other However, recession-induced de- the Coffeehouse in the Rice Memorial colleges. creased prices allowed the project Center. Coffeehouse will continue to "We prepare for an average and to be funded, including the three- support fair trade and eco-friendly then have backup items; we didn't kitchen space, for the same price as 4 XAI HE/THRESHER business. Some of the current Coffee- run out of food or anything like the original two-kitchen plan. house staff will also move over to the that," McDonald said. "A few extra "Usually, annual construction Lovett College junior Tejus Mane scoops food onto his plate at the new- BRC but applications have been sent 100 people per meal doesn't make a inflation is about 18 percent, but, ly opened East Servery while others wait in line behind him. Construc- for anyone interested in joining the huge difference." since the recession, it has been tion on the servery was completed over winter break. team with shorter working hours. North and West Serveries each close to zero," Project Manager Erik One hope for the new branch see around 1,400 people per day and Knezevich said. is that it will bring together people South around 1,000. The Lovett Commons received a few the same, but the college received out construction," Glenn said. "They working in the BRC. New kitchens were necessary be- renovations, such as an expansion of several new additions with the rest helped us work out a construction "Having a Coffeehouse would be cause the old ones had poorly func- around 300 square feet and a renovated of their renovations. time table and are such an accom- a great step forward to bringing to- tioning equipment. PDR with adjustable skylights. "Lovett really beared the brunt of modating group. We have a respon- gether people working at the BRC and "Now the kitchen staff can pro- The Will Rice Commons stayed inconvenience and noise through- ds see SERVERY, page 6 O see COFFEE, page 6 H&D closes colleges, savings less than predicted

BY ELLEN LIU prediction about money saved dur- ing winter break. THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF JV/NTE*. However, Chaszar noted that CAPVTM. Closing the residential colleges H&D is still calculating the actual for the second year in a row in an amount saved. //OUSW* improve*aevvts effort to save money, Housing and According to Contract Man- Dining once again offered alter- ager Carol Claverie, last year, H&D native winter housing for the 23 used the money saved from closing days of the break the colleges were the residential colleges to cover a closed, this time at a Holiday Inn, portion of the cost of subsidizing to any students who could not go winter housing. This year, the util- home. Twenty-seven students, both ity savings and additional funds international and regular, utilized gained from not providing subsi- this option. dies will be put to other uses. H&D estimated that utility sav- "The savings can be spent in a ings alone were around $40,000. number of different ways to benefit In addition, Rice did not subsidize current students and those who the hotel stay this year, increasing will join the Rice community in the expected savings. next several years," Claverie said. Housing Operations Manager Before finalizing the alternative Mark Chaszar said H&D measured housing option, H&D conducted COLLECT ~$81,0W* anticipated utility savings by us- discussions with the Student As- ing a software program called In- sociation's Student Life Committee. BY CLOSING COU.KR& cuity to track utilities by analyzing Committee Chair Ben Chou said he the history of usage from previous began meeting with H&D in Octo- * NEGOTIATED DOWN FROM years while compensating for bad ber and saw that the only winter USUAL NIGHTLY RATE OF $143.19 PER PERSON FOR A weather. The program allowed H&D lodging statement they had made DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM BY to observe utility usage trends dur- was one line in a contract stating HOUSING & DINING SERVICES ing the year to make an accurate O see HaD, page 4 GRAPHIC BY DAVE ROSALES

Got a photographic memory? Stressed already? I wonder if it's BYOB... INDEX Opinion 3 Tomorrow is the last day to return textbooks We are. Luckily, Monday is Martin Luther The Student Association is hosting an open News 4 to the bookstore, so we recommend buying King Jr. day. No classes, just extra time to discussion about Rice's alcohol culture and policy Arts & Entertainment 9 a bunch today just in case you feel like doing sleep, get over that cold and finish up the Wednesday night from 8-9. There will be a panel Sports 12 some light reading tonight, then returning year's first problem sets. Also, if you're brave including both administrative and student repre- Calendar 15 them tomorrow. Please don't just make copies enough to venture out into the cold, go eat sentatives present to help answer questions. Backpage 16 of the books you need. Please. some crepes at East Servery. Yum. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 2 EDITORIAL THE RICE THRESHER

fitA* BooV-S e Rice (Threshe: presets r\"*Y * GSA not a residential college V Diversity and inclusion. Unity and togetherness. Rice prides itself on its "one big happy family" philosophy. The attitude is actually a w /ill good one that promotes a pretty positive campus culture. But a line needs to be drawn. Quite simply, the Graduate Student Association needs to become a more independent institution. It is not and never will be a residential 0 college, so there is no need to continue the charade. There is no need to include the GSA in the traditions belonging to residential colleges such as intramural sports and Beer Bike. l?v m The primary problem with having GSA participate in intramural * sports is the competitive advantage that the graduate students pos- sess. They are often four to five years older and thus often have the advantage of having four to five years of extra experience in a given sport compared to an undergraduate counterpart. The graduate stu- dents who participate in intramurals include individuals who are for- Prospect of healthcare repeal baffling mer collegiate athletes or alumni of Rice sports. This advantage is ap- Party politics is a funny, and often minted 11th Congress sworn in, the Re- Obama administration as a whole, parent with the GSA powderpuff championship team, which includes frustrating, phenomenon. It's a peren- publicans, buoyed by their resounding but there is no reason to believe that multiple former undergraduate powderpuff players. A matchup that nial tug-of-war, really, a back-and-forth victory in the 2010 midterm elections, a repeal of this bill is at all demand- pits rookie powderpuff players against six-year powderpuff veterans struggle for ideological supremacy, have vowed to dismantle President ed by, or in the best interests of, the Barack Obama's health care legislation. American people. is not a fair matchup, as evidenced by the GSA powderpuff champi- often at the cost of sound policy. Some- times it seems that the Republicans ?erhaps significantly, the Repub- What else then possibly justifies onship victory this past season against Lovett College. and the Democrats are destined to go at lican legislators have argued that the imperative to repeal the act? Cost? Furthermore, GSA's membership exceeds that of a normal residen- it forever. their successes at the polls in Novem- Can't be: As alluded to above, the bill tial college by huge margins. This advantage allows GSA a greater ber signify the American populace's significantly reduces the deficit. Ris- ing premiums? Nope: According to pool of athletes to draw from. Even if relative GSA involvement in in- disapproval with the Affordable Care Act — that the Republican triumph the nonpartisan CBO, the Affordable tramurals is low, their overall pool of interested athletes still exceeds in the midterm election lends them a Care Act will actually slightly decrease that of a residential college. The bottom line is that intramurals are democratic imperative to repeal the premiums for employer-based insur- about peers competing in athletics against peers. The GSA is not a bill. Taken at face-value, this convic- ance. Kills jobs? Negative again: An- peer to the residential colleges. If anything, allow the GSA to compete tion almost seems reasonable, per- other recent report by the Congres- sional Budget Office indicates that the in a league of their own, forming teams along departmental lines. haps even called-for. Rahul Rekhi But truly, how many Americans fa- legislation will have a negligible effect Rice's graduate programs are respected by all as academic institu- vor giving insurance companies near- on unemployment. tions that keep Rice competitive nationally. However, GSA's contribu- But every once in a while on Capitol monopolistic market power? Support I can't tell you the true reason for tion to undergraduate life has extended a bit too far. Graduate stu- Hill, you see a bill come along that is os- adding billions (and eventually, tril- which Mr. Boehner and his colleagues dents had their time in college, now its ours. tensibly above reproach, progressively lions) of dollars to the federal deficit? seek to annul the reform bill; however post-partisan, universally appealing Celebrate the pre-existing conditions unlikely, it is possible that I've missed — a bill so undeniably sweeping in its clause? How many American citizens some key motivating factor. What's scope, so unyielding in its reform, that are OK with being uninsured when more, this is not to say that the health Break closures excessive one expects sheer force of reason to, for unemployed — having no health insur- care bill is perfect; certainly the 1,000- once, crack the monolithic gridlock of ance coverage when least able to pay page legislation is not without its Housing and Dining continued its baffling tradition this past win- partisan bickering. Or so 1 thought. their medical bills? flaws. That being said, the call for re- ter break of further limiting access to students' residences. While But when legislation that pro- Even the most vehement critics pealing health reform sure appears to some sort of campus closure over break is necessary for security and vides health insurance coverage of the health care bill would be hard- be all about party politics. And that is something that I — nay, the American resource conservation, the remarkably tight window left for students' to an additional 32 million Ameri- pressed to, in good faith, find anyone cans, grants small businesses against any of these individual provi- people — simply won't stand for. arrivals back on campus is unacceptable. Students were told to not $40 billion worth of tax credits, sions. The GOP may have capitalized arrive on campus until 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, the Saturday before classes creates state-based free-market on voter discontent with the sluggish Rahul Rekhi is a started. insurance exchanges, reduces economic growth, or perhaps the Sid Richardson College sophomore. The establishment of this ultimatum gives students fewer than 48 prescriptiondrugcosts forseniors, re- hours to arrive on campus, get settled, prepare for the semester and incentivizes primary and preven- Last issue's online poll results: tative care, provides thousands of begin classes. This short time period leaves students scrambling to dollars of scholarships and loan What do you think about the ongoing release of government finalize preparations on the eve of the semester. The crunch is even repayments for medical students diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks? worse for international students, who are reeling from journeys that willing to work in primary care, It's great that we can find out more about our eclipse 24 hours and from the jetlag that inevitably ensues. The 48- and ends coverage denial based own country's foreign policy, even if it does strain foreign relations. hour time period for international students is remarkably brief. on pre-existing conditions, all while cutting the federal deficit by Those cables were confidential for a reason, H81D saved approximately $40,000 by closing down over winter and they should have stayed that way — it's $143 billion over the next decade irresponsible for WikiLeaks to release or break; only a minimal amount of the savings would be sacrificed by and $1.2 trillion over the following publish any of them. opening three to five days before the beginning of classes. Further- one — when a bill like that is be- m| The government should have contained more, by moving up the move-in date, students would have the luxu- ing put up for repeal, I, as both a • the leak and kept WikiLeaks from student and a citizen, am not only releasing any of the cables. ry of purchasing cheaper weekday airfare. dazed, but baffled. WikiWhat? 105 RESPONSES RECEIVED There is simply no reason to not afford students the opportunity Sure enough, however, that's ex- Should the Graduate Student Association continue to compete against the residential to move in a bit sooner that H&D has allowed in the past. The Thresh- actly what's happening: With the newly colleges in intramurals and Beer Bike? Cast your vote online at 'Mww.ricethresher.org er hopes that, at the end of next winter break, students will be met with more southern hospitality. Anna Wilde Editor in Chief University deaths a tragedy Josh Rutenberg Managing Editor

Rice has experienced several losses over the past month. The NEWS COPY The Rice Thresher, the official student news- deaths of two Owls during winter break — Dexter Gannon, a Hanszen locelyn Wright Editor Johanna Ohm Editor paper at Rice University since 1916, is pub- Seth Brown Editor Gracelyn Tan Editor lished each Friday during the school year, College junior and Brandon Cooke, a Baker College sophomore — except during examination periods and holi have left a hole in our community. The Shepherd School of Music has Hallie Jordan Editor days, by the students of Rice University. Brooke Bullock Asst. Editor ART also sustained several deaths this year; regrettably, Violin Professor Ruby Gee Asst. Editor Dave Rosales Creative Director letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday prior to publication and Sergiu Luca and Concert Manager Tom Littman both died in Decem- Ellen Liu Asst. Editor Rachel Marcus News Designer must be signed, including college and year if ber. This loss comes in addition to David Waters, a Shepherd School James Liu Photo Editor the writer is a Rice student. Letters should not exceed 250 words in length. The Thresher re- Trombone Professor who died in September. The Thresher extends its OP-ED Alex Moharam Photo Editor serves the rights to edit letters for content and condolences to these individuals' families and to those they touched Ryan Gupta Editor length and to place letters on our Web site. Courtney Svatek Cartoonist WEB on a daily basis. Editorial and business offices are Stephen Wang Web Editor located on the second floor of the Ley While these losses, particularly in such quick succession, are ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Dennis Qian Asst. Web Editor Student Center: tough to stomach, it is important to take away what we can for the fu- Emily Nichol Editor Tyler Siegert Asst. Web Editor 6100 Main St., MS-524 ture. While many of these sorts of tragedies are a natural part of life, it Houston, TX 77005-1892 is imperative that we as a community continue to support each other, SPORTS Phone (713) 348-4801 Natalie Clericuzio Editor Fax (713) 348-5238 especially in the most difficult of times. BUSINESS E-mail: [email protected] Jonathan Myers Editor Yvette Pan Manager Web site: www.ricethresher.org Rice offers a great array of health and counseling services, includ- Julian Yao Asst. Manager Unsigned editorials represent the majority ing the Counseling Center and the Wellness Center. When introduced CALENDAR Sean Kim Distribution Manager opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. All during 0-Week, these amenities are often ignored or deemed unim- Helen Shaw Editor Murtuza Martani Distribution Manager other opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the piece's author. portant; however, they are invaluable resources that exist for the ben- The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA BACKPAGE efit of students, staff and faculty alike. ADVERTISING and CNBAM. Connor Hayes Editor Cathleen Chang Ads Manager Furthermore, while the demands of college can often make stu- James Kohli Editor Molly Slattery Ads Manager Oats with a little Rosemary sprinkled on top dents less receptive to those around us, it is important to look out for Tiffany Kuo Classified Ads Manager © Copyright 2010 our fellow roommates and classmates. You could be the difference. Op-Ed Baker Institute Student Forum debate: America's stimulus legislation Against American Recovery and Reinvestment Act For

At its signing, The Ameri- no concrete proof the stimulus Both conservative econo- of Congress, coupled with the can Recovery and Reinvest- did anything to prevent a fur- mists, like Martin Feldstein, numerous earmarks needed to ment Act legislators hailed ther slowdown in the general and liberal economists, like secure votes, prevented Presi- the bill as the Keynesian fiscal economy. Paul Krugman, believed a stim- dent Barack Obama from en- stimulus needed to cure the re- What the bill has done is ulus was necessary to save the acting a stimulus bill of the cession. Yet more than a year allowed the public sector to U.S. economy from a depres- necessary size. after the Obama White House reach its dark and dreaded sion. The American Recovery While the Recovery Act was signed this "economic Viagra" claws further into the free mar- and Reinvestment Act was too small, it was, bar none, into law, the economy remains ket. While it is not incredibly Anthony Lauriello such a stimulus. The Recovery Obama's most successful ini- as flaccid and slow-moving difficult to involve the gov- Act was enacted almost two tiative. The act's unemploy- as ever. Furthermore, the law ernment with sectors of the Anthony Lauriello is a years ago and, with the mid- ment insurance provisions represents an unwelcome and economy, it's almost impos- Wiess College sophomore. term elections only a few weeks kept 3.3 million Americans out dangerous intrusion of govern- sible to get Washington to cede away, it is fair to ask whether of poverty. These were 3.3 mil- ment and has plunged our defi- control. As one example, the the Recovery Act has been suc- lion Americans that avoided cit into staggering and unprec- bill promotes many projects, cessful. Although the act was the misery and hopelessness edented depths. which involve the government constrained in size by the po- of destitution. Apologists of the stimulus directly in the energy sector larization of Congress, it was, The Recovery Act's govern- have two main arguments, the by subsidizing technology like nevertheless, a hugely success- ment expenditures created first being that we are tech- solar panels that are proven in- ful policy initiative. between 2.8 and 3.4 million nically now out of the reces- effective and prohibitively ex- The Recovery Act was de- jobs. These are more than 3 sion. This is indeed true, but pensive. By putting the "green signed to boost consumption million Americans who were the slow and sluggish recovery movement" under government which would, in turn, increase spared the wrath of American hardly amounts to any sort of control, we lose the dynamism employment. But it was simply unemployment, where there success. Rather, the dangerous and spark to create a true and too small. As respected econo- are five applicants for every tide of unemployment remains economically viable answer to mist Martin Wolff notes, "The job opening. unstopped. The current rate of our energy demands. U.S. was too cautious and not By creating all these jobs 9.6 percent could even go over Finally, we shouldn't lose bold enough." The U.S. stimu- and preventing millions of 10 percent. Sanguine projec- sight of the bill's price tag. As lus was only 5.7 percent of its Americans from falling into tions about the health of the taxpayers, we cannot accept GDP, whereas China's stimulus poverty, the Recovery Act economy mean nothing to the the government going further was 14 percent of its GDP. The boosted GDP by up to 4.2 per- millions of Americans out of into debt and sparking an in- U.S. stimulus was not only com- cent. Put differently, without work. terest payment cycle that could posed of government spend- the stimulus, economic growth Second, supporters say the ruin the nation's future. $787 ing, but also tax cuts and aid to would have been an abysmal <2? JR- bill prevented catastrophic di- billion is an incredible amount state governments. 0.2 percent. saster. However, the economic of money. It's larger than many Tax cuts and aid to local So, before we vilify Obama collapse was due to the freez- developing nations' GDPs and governments are poor stim- for not doing enough for Main ing of money and assets as in- most economists believe that uli — people invariably save Street, let's be clear: He sa ed vestors speculated on which Scrooge McDuck would drown Neeraj Salhotra money as opposed to consum- or created more than 3 million bank would fail next. The if he attempted to swim in it. ing, and aid to state govern- jobs; he helped more than 3 TARP bill passed during the With an amount so large, one ments only prevents further million Americans avoid pover- Neeraj Salhotra is a twilight of the Bush admin- would have expected positive job losses rather than creating ty and he boosted GDP growth Sid Richardson College sophomore. istration shored up the behe- results. So far all we have got- new jobs. Thus, only a frac- by more than 4 percent. As moth financial institutions and ten is more unemployment, tion of the stimulus was gov- Vice President Joe Biden would hemorrhaged the bleeding as a few solar panels and a lot ernment spending that truly say, the Recovery Act "is a capital began to thaw. There is more debt. created jobs. The polarization big f***ing deal."

Censorship of Huckleberry Finn propogates racism

As if to dash any hope that the state of education might im- she meets precisely because she no longer looks the part. the only achievement of those who push this upbeat spin on prove in the new decade, NewSouth Books announced recently All of this is undertaken, as one is constantly reminded, in the race is the prolongation of an absurdity that should long since that it will release a new edition of Adventures of Huckleberry pursuit of "progress." What term could possibly be less appropri- have gone the way of the flat Earth and the philosopher's stone. Finn with the word nigger and other "hurtful epithets" replaced ate? Craven acquiescence to the blustering of ignorant parents is The forthright use of words like nigger is a fine way to be- with "less offensive words." The reason for this change, they not progress. "Burying" words while advocating "the advance- gin rolling back this stupidity. And if hearing race discussed say, is that many school districts today refuse to teach the novel ment of colored people" is not progress. Forming silly student in its natural terms is unpleasant to you, good. It's meant to be due to parent complaints. racial associations is not progress. Marching doe-eyed freshmen unpleasant. From its earliest days, it has been used to placate through a doublethink boot camp (affirmation!) is not progress. those who thought it immoral to treat humans as property. If No, progress lies not in bathing the whore or find- strange men from parts unknown aren't quite human — per- ing pretty euphemisms for her sores, but in ditching the haps they're a sort of almost-human animal, or the descen- whore altogether; not in giving race an upbeat makeover dants of the cursed second son of Noah — then how is using or euphemizing words like nigger, but in rejecting the them for manual labor any different than using horses or cows? concept of race itself as a relic of a more primitive time This type of thinking can never be expunged so long as ra- in which humans could offer no better explanation for cial pseudoscience is treated as fact. Who can be a racist that genetic variation. does not first believe there are such things as races? Who can Eric Harrison The word nigger is invaluable precisely because it serves as enslave a category of humans that does not first believe that a reminder of how barbarically people can be made to act un- such categories exist? When faced with any such backward- What's troubling about this decision isn't just the desecra- der the delusion that there are different types of humans. Mind ness, remember: The belief in race precedes the racism. tion of a great work or the fact that complaints from illiterate To all of this, the pimps of the upbeat race myth offer an parents can get great books banned in schools, but that any a uninspired response: It would be wonderful if race could be person of even modest education can still bring himself to be dropped, but "we're not ready yet." So they continue describ- have as if there were such a thing as race at all. The concept of race has only ing themselves in colors and using ridiculous euphemisms, and What a pathetic spectacle to see people decrying a book behaving as if nothing were amiss. But it is precisely this sort of which attacks the racist mindset even as they uphold — and one side, and it is uniformly intellectual laziness and willful backwardness that allows fic- "celebrate" — the imaginary racial differences that spawned tion and pseudoscience to survive their encounters with reality that mindset in the first place. hideous — those who think they and which ensures that no one will ever be "ready" at all. And what an embarrassment it is that one can find, among can construe it in positive terms Do not count yourself among this sorry bunch. Have some the otherwise intelligent student body of a prestigious universi- dignity! Forward thinking begins not with banned words and ty like this, a dozen or more clubs specifically built around this are fooling themselves. cliches about dark hands shaking light hands, but with a feel- archaic fiction. This is to say nothing of the fact that the univer- ing of embarrassment at answering the question "what are sity itself considers this fiction in its hiring and promotion deci- w you?" with anything other than "human." Embrace that embar- sions, or that it devotes time during its orientation schedule to rassment, and do your best always to inspire it in others as well. the fatuous exercise of "diversity training." At Rice, as in the classrooms that will soon teach this bas- These farces have the common goal of polishing the you, that's not to say that the word is important because it fa- tardized Twain, a dangerous delusion of progress is reinforced race myth by raising the use of words like nigger to the cilitates discussion of the ugly side of race, as some claim. The every day, and many are being taught to think well of some- level of a crime against humanity while leaving the myth concept of race has only one side, and it is uniformly hideous thing innately evil. With crackpot publishers like NewSouth itself — and therefore the fragile identities predicated — those who think they can construe it in positive terms are and organizations like the Office of Multicultural Affairs pimp upon it — intact. So it is that "the N-word" ends up cen- fooling themselves. ing a poor man's progress, the prospect of actual advancement sored while the concept goes unassailed by supposedly Indeed, these people, these pimps to the race myth's whore, slips further out of reach every day. And like the men itching forward thinking people. are the ones who must be fought. The great danger today comes after an encounter with the freshly bathed whore, the students Any serious person should be deeply repulsed by this non- not from Klansmen or skinheads, but from the vacuous Zeitgeist indoctrinated into the anti-thought of this upbeat race myth sense. The desire to sanitize this odious little myth by stifling of finding and celebrating racial "identities." Those driving this will lose the most. certain words and leaving only celebration is the desire to trend are not the enlightened opposites of the segregationist Don't be a race pimp. bathe a diseased whore: No matter how hard she scrubs or how yokels of the past; they are the segregationist yokels. But unlike sweet-smelling a shampoo she uses, she'll be just as infectious those more obvious yokels, these yokels receive almost univer- Eric Harrison is a after her bath as before and twice as dangerous to everyone sally positive press. No matter what they think they are doing. Wiess College alumnus. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 4 NEWS THE RICE THRESHER

STUDENT ASSOCIATION MINUTES OH&D FROM PAGE 1 The following were noted at the most recent meeting of or a flat rate of $626 per person for that there would be no such hous- dition, John said she approved of the Student Association Jan. 10. two people in a double-occupancy ing provided. the winter closing because it pro- room. This room included two full- or Chou, a Martel College sopho- vided more safety for any belong- queen-size beds, two televisions and more, met with both Chaszar and ings left behind. • President Selim Sheikh said the deadline for the applica- a fully furnished kitchenette. Claverie to talk about the residen- "I wouldn't have to worry that tion to membership on the Asset Liquidation Funds Appro- According to Chou, that price tial college closings and stayed anyone who was just walking around priations Committee would be today at 5 p.m. Applicants amounted to a savings of $80 per connected with them while gather- could get into my room," John said. night, not including taxes. should e-mail [email protected] with their resumes and ing student opinions. After learning H&D's stance on "Our end result is a safety net questionnaires. Chou said that H&D had ap- winter housing, Chou said he inves- for those who were not able to peared strongly against subsidizing tigated various other options for stu- find a better and cheaper place to • Director of Technology Kern Vijayvargiya announced that the hotel stay for those who needed dents staying in town over the holi- the website http://www.textbookmadness.com is up and alternative housing. According to a days. According to Chou's research, live," Chou said. "If we didn't get running for students to buy and sell textbooks, in place of presentation about alternative win- anyone in this situation would have involved, then those students who the SA marketplace. ter housing Chou made at a senate to pay at least $129 per night to live in could not get a place in time would meeting, H&D estimated total sav- a double occupancy hotel room. have been left in the cold and pay- • Provost George McLendon, Vice Provost for Research James ings of $81,136.95 this year, includ- ing thousands of dollars for a three- week stay." Coleman and Vice President for International and Interdis- ing the $46,136.95 spent on subsi- Exchange student Matti Gralka ciplinary Initiatives Carol Quillen updated the SA on the dizing housing and the $35,000 of stayed in the alternative housing at current stage of the Rice Initiatives. McLendon initially energy savings from last year. "Our end result is the Holiday Inn for a period of time spoke with Rice faculty last summer to find out what two Claverie said H&D had origi- nally closed the colleges during a safety net for those because his parents had come to or three things could cut across the departments of all the winter break last year for three pri- Houston for the holidays. schools that Rice could be really great at. The topics that who were not able mary reasons: student safety, since However, Gralka didn't live in the resulted were Biosciences and Human Health, Energy and fewer staff members would be on to find a better and hotel for the entire break and thus the Environment and International Strategies. Now the Of- campus for support in case of an cheaper place to live. did not qualify for the room-pricing fice is seeking student input to understand how best to de- emergency, better allocation and If we didn't get in- plan H&D had initially instituted. termine the agenda and student curricula of these topics. use of funds and resources, and fa- However, Gralka said H&D still McLendon, assisted by Coleman and Quillen, opened the cilitation of maintenance without volved, then those helped him get a double room at $45 floor for dialogue. disturbing others. students who could per night, albeit without a kitchen. Overall, Gralka said that he was Claverie mentioned several ex- not get a place in time • The following responses to student questions were noted: amples of improvements which were appreciative of the hotel's ameni As there is not a lot of natural incentive for faculty to do in- made to the colleges over the break would have been left ties and the shuttle services and cultural activities Rice organized terdisciplinary research, the task forces, per initiative, will and said that H&D will apply the sav- in the cold and paying ings from closing the colleges toward for those in alternative housing. work to create new incentives. Examples are creating inter- increasing the quality of student life thousands of dollars However, he said that, had his disciplinary undergraduate programs, hiring new faculty in through matching funds made avail- for a three-week stay." parents not come to visit, he would interdisciplinary positions and investing in new facilities. able for student events, providing up still have chosen to go home for the Current curricula will not be affected by these potential to $5,000 of funding for ambiance break because the cost of a flight back Benjamin Chou changes; the initiatives will be supported by hypotheti- projects, and supporting initiatives would have been less than the $626 Martel '13 cal new resources. If those resources are not forthcoming, like campus recycling bins and the spent on winter housing. something different will be done (unspecified; initiatives Community Gardens. "I believe we all would have W possibly altered or abandoned). Student opinion will be Martel freshman Meagan John, liked it more to just stay on cam important for curricula development, as only students can who went home for winter break, pus and enjoy glorious servery food determine which subjects will be engaging to them. said she agreed with H&D's deci- The committee debated the hous- everyday like we are used to, but I sion to close the colleges down to ing issue multiple times and then guess that is not to be, understand • Further queries can be addressed by contacting the Office save money because the closing formally asked H&D to negotiate ably," Gralka said. "So I think that of the Provost at [email protected]. gave students who didn't want to go with hotels to secure the cheapest it is really nice of H&D to care about home an opportunity to explore the price possible. H&D acted according- students staying in Houston for the world during the vacation rather • Director of Elections Ronnie Ren said elections have been ly and was able to finalize a price of break at all, and even striking a than just remaining at Rice. In ad- moved up a week, and election packets will be distributed $49 per person per night for 23 nights bargain for us." next week. ,-y • Will Rice College Senator Renee Dudley announced the Al- cohol Policy Forum next Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Farnsworth Pavilion, where ideas on how to improve Rice's "culture of ENGAGEMENT! COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT CENTER care" and alcohol policy will be discussed. Food wilt be provided. Questions about the event should be sent to [email protected].

• The SA observed a moment of silence for the passings of INTERNATIONAL SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES Hanszen College junior Dexter Gannon and Baker College sophomore Brandon Cook during winter recess. Loewenstern Fellowships

The SA will next meet at 9 p.m. in the Farnsworth Pavilion on Earn a stipend of up to $7,500 for a summer of international service jan.17. in Latin America or Asia! As a Loewenstern Fellow you will have the opportunity to serve in a 6-12 week placement, receiving a stipend to pay for travel to/from host country, living expenses, program fees, and other expenses. In this fourth year, up to 20 Fellows will participate in direct service work and community-based research through a variety of approved third-party providers.

www.chickenkitchenhouston.com International Service Project to Guatemala The Community Involvement Center's fifteenth annual International Service Project (ISP) will once again be returning to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala from approximately May 15-29, 2011. Join the Community Involvement Center as a participant on this amazing two- week service immersion experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE (FOR BOTH PROGRAMS): 5:00 PM - WEDNESDAY, IANUARY 26, 2011

Every day after 4pm any purchase of $6 or more FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE COMMUNITY I NVOL VEMENT CENTERS WEB SHE AT MIMV/CICRICE.I NU IE YOU HAVE ANY when you show your Rice University ID QUESTIONS. CALL (713-348-4970) OR E-MAIL (SERVICE^RICE.EDU) THE >rWhayftthoi rwtt r COMMUNITY INVOI VEMENT CENTER. CK RICE VILLAGE CK DOWNTOWN 2516 Rice Blvd McKinney Place Tunnel Tel 713 523-2323 9030 Main ST Suite T-240A Tel: 71 3 752-2323 Discover, volunteer. lead. Center for Civic: isciAtiiMtNi SSSRICE FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS New year ushers in rebuilt career services

BY JOSH RUTENBERG Hing cited developing stronger THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF relationships with current employers how to and developing relationships "be- Career services will get a make- yond the usual" with all employers as over for the new year, complete with top priorities for the CCD. a brand new name. The Center for The CCb will not only help stu- h^ho0» turn Career Development, formerly the dents with strategies in career devel- Center for Student Professional De- opment, Hing said, but will also help velopment, will shift its focus to ca- employers wuh strategies in campus reer development by increasing com- recruiting efforts. this text munication with potential employers CCD Communications Coordina- and expanding information to stu- tor Beth Jablinski said the center will dents beyond traditional aspects of help employers and students benefit professional development. through new programs. side- The CCD, which counsels stu- "It's the opportunity to go beyond dents in post-graduate planning, giving out information to students officially changed its name last Mon- and employers," Jablinski said. "Ulti- day. CCD held an open house on mately, it benefits the students." ways? Wednesday to inform students about Jablinski said the CCD will start r the recent changes, review resumes with organizations that have a strong and disperse information about up- presence at Rice, such as many com- coming events. The event took place panies from the oil and gas industry, Come at the Huff House, where the CCD is but the CCD wants to eventually be currently located. able to reach out to students and in- CCD Interim Director Jackie Hing form them of openings and opportu- said the name change occurred be- nities in all industries. work cause the center wanted to empha- In addition to changes in phi- size the change from just professional losophy, the CCD will also get a new development to career development. website, Hing said. The website will Hing said the changes mark feature an instructional media library, for the a return to services that address including interviews with Rice alumni broader needs of students' career from all types of career backgrounds. development rather than keeping a Hing said all current CSPD ser- Peter and Nancy Huff spoke at the dedication of the newly remodeled narrower focus by only developing vices will continue to be offered, and Center for Career Development, formerly the Center for Student Pro- professional skills. Thresh- the CCD will serve as an expansion of fessional Development, on Dec. 13 at Peter and Nancy Huff House. "Our changing to the Center for existing services. Career Development reflects what College representatives of the we're all about: that it's related to a CCD, known as Professional Devel- er.Vie student's career development or post- opment Advisors under the CSPD, Responsibilities of Career Advisors not to say during interviews. graduate plans, it's not just profes- will once again be called Career Ad- include helping students with re- "What we have started here is not sional development." Hing said. "It visors, as they were before Career sumes, giving interview tips and just to provide the information, but real- also reflected a change in philosophy, Services changed its name to the assisting in campus-wide recruit- ly provide instruction and education," will pay a way of getting focus back to work- CSPD in September 2008. Career ing events, such as career fairs and Hing said. "It's taking [workshops] to a ing with students and employers." Advisors will be similar to PDAs, an annual chili cook-off. deeper, more instructional level." Hing said the goals of the CSPD in that they will serve as the main Previously, the CSPD had con- While the new CCD website is not had moved away from working with liaison between undergraduate ducted a series of weekly work- yet online, information about the you. employers in recent years and that students and the CCD, former head- shops, including how to write re- CCD and the CSPD can be found at i ultimately impacted students. PDA Vivian Ban (Brown '11) said. sumes, and what to say and what the CSPD's website, cspd.rice.edu. f t ok. to mv tarns HAuy mm vmmr m> ESTABLISHED IN OMfiiESTON, H. wctf MOT F8t*o( UTWR. HY tuas jwtt r*m RUPD POLICE BLOTTER IN »9S3 TO ADO TO STUDENTS «M A LTTTVt BFTO8. THAT'S AUI I MANTIS TO The following items were reported to the Rice Univer- call rr jaaMv xwarx nm tANwmow, *vr AND GENERAL DATING AWUTY. mv Moaa iou> m to stick with coomkt. sity Police Department for the period Jan. 3-11. mi ruujks MMTtvtn i bo tt eouwart, kit I court TNNK HTMCa OP US (WOWS WHAT IT MUM. SO irrt STICK WITH TAtTY! vv; RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES Will Rice College Jan. 11 Criminal Mischief Since • • 19H3 $55° Burglary (Clery)

8" SUB SANDWICHES Ctrptrate Headquarter! Champaign II GIANT CLUB SANDWICHES ACADEMIC BUILDINGS III si ny tasty sal smtfarickes ara a fall I iaekts al My dab saadwiches hate twice tha maat ar chaata. try it kanamaie Fraack kraal. Irash «a(ftas ani the finest aa my fresh baked thick slicad 7-pain bread ar my famous Baker Hall Jan. 8 Assault —i r— naats & ckaasa I caa kay! lit* if il natters ta yen. homemade f reach bread! we slice e«aryiki«( Irask everyday in this stara. right _/^50V_ hare akare yaa caa saa it. (Na mystery meat hare!) #7 GOURMET SMOKED HAM CLUB OTHER I fall l/d paund af real applearoad smoked kam. #1 PEPE* PLAIN SLIMS"' prurelone cheese lettece. tomato. ft raal maye! College Way Jan. 8 Criminal Mischief Real applewaof smaketf ham and prtioltne cheese Jny Sak minus the «eggies and saace (ataishetf «itk lettuce, tanata. ani naya. #8 BILLY CLUB* SLIM I Ham & cheese Choice raast beef, snaked ham. provelouc cheese. PARKING LOTS #2 BIG JOHN'* SUM 2 luastleef Mien mustard, lettace. tomato, ft maye. SUM 3 Tuna salad Campanile Lot Jan. 3 Failure to stop and give in- Medium rite choice raast keef. topped with yummy maye. lettuce and tomato SUM 4 Turkey kreast #9 ITALIAN NIGHT CLUB* formation SLIM 5 Salami, capicala. cheese leal genua salami. Italian capicala. smekod ham. #3 TOTALLY TUNA* SUM 6 Duukle proieleue and praaolane cheese all topped with lattice, tomata fresh haasemade tana, allied «ith celciy. onious amen, mayo aad oar homemade Italian ouaigrette aad oar tasty sauce, then tapped urith alfalfa sprouts (Tea hai'ta order hut peppers, just ask!) cucumket lettuce, and tomato (My taaa rocks!) Low Carb Lettuce Wrap #10 HUNTER'S CLUB* #4 TURKEY TOM* 1 full 1/4 puuud el fresh sliced medium rate COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT CENTER Fresh slicad tarkay breast, tapped with lattaca. reast beef, pmaleae. lettace. teniate. ft mayo. temato. alfalfa spraats. aad auyo (The original) cMtmcaSEP J Samp ingredients and prica at the #11 COUNTRY CLUB* #5 VITO* sub or clak aithaat the bread. Fresh sliced larhey breast, applewoed smoked kam. Tha arifiaal Italian sak witk genua salami, pretalone. preraiena. aad tans el lettuce, taiaata. aad laaya! Do you have an idea for a one-time service project? capicola. amen, lettuce, toaiate. I a raal tasty Italian (I tery traditional, yot always eiteptieaal classic!) yinaigiette (Hat puppers by request) #12 BEACH CLUB* ® #6 VEGETARIAN M) (rath baked tarkay breast, praiaiuna cheese, iiacada Layers of prorelane ckaasa separated by raal Does your organization need funding for an spread, sliced cacmabai. sprouts, lettace. tomato, and mcada spread, all alia spraats. sttctd cucumber mayo! (It's the real deal, aad it aia'i e«en Californu.) lettuce, tomato, aad mayo. (Traty a gourmet sak rat tax intents. HMTTIHS. PMHTIIS! existing service program? lac legetarlaus only peace dadal) DILIVEIY 1IKIS .ill include a deilrery #13 GOURMET VEGGIE CLUB* charge el 4»c per Item (•/-tec). J.J.B.L.T.* laukta prataleae. real arecada spread, sliced cucamber. alfalfa spraats. lattace. temate. & maye lacaa. lattaca. tomato t maye. Then apply tor the: (try rt en my 7-grain whole wheat bread This reggie (The anly baiter III is mama s HI) * * JIMMYJOHHS.COM * * saadaich is warld class') COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT #14 BOOTLEGGER CLUB* • SIDES • laatt baal. tarkay hteast. lattaca. teaiatu. ft mayu. S7.SO In Imerican classic, curtaialy eat iaraatad by J.J. bat * SadaPop S1.J4/SI.4I defiaitely tweaked and fiae-tuned to perfection! T he Community Service Grant provides funding tor * fiiaat chocolate chip ar oatmeal raisin caakia ... $1.51 THE J.J. #15 CLUB TUNA* registered student organizations to support ser\ ice through * leal potato chips or lumke kosher dill pickle $171 GARGANTUAN" Tka same as ear #3 Totally Taaa eicept this ane has * Citn load el meat This sandwich was interned by a let mare. Fresh hoeseaude tuna salad, prereleae. one-time projects, on-going programs, and annual operating Jimmy John's bruthti Haey. It's huge spreats. cucumber lettace. ft tamate. * (itti cheese ar aitra arecada spread $1.75 budgets tor student service organizations. eaeagh ta lead the baagriest al all * Hat Peppers Free hamaat! Taat al genua salami, sliced #16 CLUB LULU* smeked kam. capicala. raast beef, Fresh slicad terkey breast, bacan. lattaca. taaiate. tarkay t praialoaa jammed inta ft maye. (JJ's erigiaal tarkay ft bacan clab) lOII ARM MORI ABOUT TH I COMMUNITY Si RVICF FREEBIES (SOBS S 0UI6S ONLY) ane of our humemade Freach buns then smutbeied uritk uniuus. maye #17 ULTIMATE PORKER* GRANT. AND TO APPLY. VI SIT I H t COMMUNITY Oman, lattace. allalla sprouts, mutate, mayo, sliced lettece tomato, ft eut homemade leal appleareed smoked kam aad bacan with lettace. cucamber. Dijon mustard ail ft riuegar. and eregana INVOLVE ML NT O NIT RS WEB SITE AT Italin dressing. teaiatu ft maya. what caald be better! HTTP://CIC.RICXF OU.

Spring 201 I Application Deadline: 5:00pm Tuesday, January 18. 20i i HOUSTON 2401 W. HOLCOMBE BLVD. 713.741. CK RUT Inu DISCOVER. VOUINTHH LEAD "YOUR MOM WANTS YOU TO EAT AT JIMMY JOHN'S!' fllf ONTIR FOR ClVK tN0Al.it Ml NT ma 6 NEWS THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011

BEYONDTHE HEDGES

condition. Chief Federal Judge John cuts. The bill is expected to cut party has also lost its majority In the NATIONAL Roll, who has served on the bench about $858 billion in taxes. The South Sudan ref- Pakistan parliament recently, as the since 1991, was among the killed. bill reached Obama after a House erendum passed Muttahida Qaumi Movement walked The youngest victim was a 9-year- vote of 277-148, having previously out of their coalition. The risk of di- White House and old girl, while the oldest was a passed in the Senate with a vote South Sudan has reached the vided opposition joining together congressional 79-year-old homemaker, neither of of 81-19. Despite opposition from required 60 percent voter turnout before the next elections now poses whom were politically active. congressional Democrats and or- to pass the referendum that will al- a threat to the PPP. However, par- ties like the Pakistan Muslim League leadership Source: The New York Times ganized labor leaders, Obama low them to secede from the North. changes signed the bill, saying it would help The voting process is a part of the and the military are hesitant to take spark the American economy by 2005 deal to end a two-decade civil power while the country continues to have economic and political issues. Veteran political manager Wil- WikiLeaks found- giving money to families who will war that has resulted in the deaths Source: The Economist liam Daley, who served as com- er's court troubles spend it, helping businesses grow of approximately 1.5 million peo- merce secretary for President Bill and increasing demand and hiring. ple. The referendum could poten- Clinton, has replaced Rahm Eman- WikiLeaks founder Julian As- The bill will extend all Bush-era tax tially produce Africa's 54th nation Ivory Coast elec- uel as Obama's chief of staff. Eman- sange faces an extradition re- rates until 2012, including jobless and divide the continent's largest uel, who served as a senior adviser quest from Sweden. The extradi- aid and reducing payroll taxes by country. The national anthem and tions spark vio- in the Clinton administration, re- tion request comes after a Dec. two percentage points. flag have been chosen, but the signed to run for mayor of Chicago. 14 court adjourned until Jan. 11 Source: Bloomberg country's name has yet to be de- lence White House Press Secretary Rob- but granted Assange bail in the termined. The two regions differ The 2010 elections in the Ivory ert Gibbs resigned from his posi- meantime, a move that British au- primarily in predominant religions, Coast elected Alassane Ouattara as tion to serve as an outside political thorities appealed against. Some INTERNATIONAL as most northerners are Muslim, the new president, angering cur- adviser. While a string of economic suspect that Sweden's extradi- while southerners tend to practice rent power holder President Laurent departures has also occurred, tion request is meant to give the Christianity or traditional religions. Gbagbo. Gbagbo turned to violent Obama's former Chief Campaign U.S. more time to make their own Floods plague Source: BBC News means to retain his power after the Manager David Plouffe has rejoined extradition request. However, Queensland, Aus- 52-member African Union decided the president as a senior advisor. extradition from both Sweden to shun Gbagbo rather than attempt and Britain to the U.S. for politi- tralia Salman Taseer . Among the shifts in congressional a power-sharing agreement as coun- leadership due to a Republican ma- cal crimes is currently prevented Floods that began in December murdered in Paki- tries like Kenya and Zimbabwe have jority in the House of Representa- in individual treaties with both 2010 are still threatening Austra- tried. Still backed by the military and tives, John Boehner replaced Nancy countries. Rumors have surfaced stan lia's northern state of Queensland. the militia organization the Young Pelosi as speaker of the House, as well that a U.S. grand jury has The floods have killed 14 people Patriots, Gbagbo rejected the results while Eric Cantor became the new already been sworn in to try As- On Jan. 4, Salman Taseer was so far, and 90 people are missing. of the election. Military forces began House Majority Leader. sange for enabling the leaking murdered by his bodyguard for Already causing citizens to evacu- campaigning against a law sen- violent attacks against Ouattara sup- Source: Associated Press of secrets, a charge which would ate or stockpile food for emergen- porters on Dec. 17, including opening exclude The New York Times from tencing citizens like Christian cy, the floods are now threatening fire on them and raiding homes of being tried. However, a reason to farm worker Asia Bibi to death for the banking district of Brisbane. U.N. staff under claims of looking for Arizona shootings extradite Assange to the U.S. has blasphemy against Islam. Taseer The coal industry and infrastruc- arms. U.N. officials have also heard yet to be announced. was a supporter of the country's A shooting at a supermarket ture have been heavily affected 1947 President Muhammad Ali Jin- reports of mass graves and abduc- Source: The Economist in Tuscon, Ariz, left six dead and by the floods, and the local cur- nah's belief that Pakistan should tions of Ouattara supporters, despite 14 injured Jan. 8. The shooter, rency has been in four-week lows. be a religiously tolerant country. Gbagbo's denial of such rumors. Talk identified as 22-year-old Jared Bush tax cuts ex- The floods were expected to hit His killer, one of Taseer's own of fighting has raised fear that civil Lee Loughner, has been charged Brisbane, Australia's third larg- bodyguards, said Taseer was mur- war wilt be revived in the Ivory Coast. with two counts of killing a federal tended for two est city, yesterday and could po- dered for campaigning against the U.N. forces are currently guarding employee and three attempted years tentially cost one percent of eco- blasphemy law and for supporting Ouattara in the commercial capital of murder charges. Using a legally nomic growth — approximately religious tolerance in Pakistan. Abidjan and French forces are ready to respond in the country if attacked purchased 33-round magazine, On Dec. 17, President Barack $13 billion. His death has rocked the liberal- by Gbagbo loyalists. Loughner targeted U.S. Rep. Gabri- Obama signed into law a two-year Source: Reuters via The New minded Pakistan People's Party, of elle Giffords, who is still in critical extension bill of the Bush-era tax York Times which Taseer was a member. The Source: Time

•COFFEE OSERVERY FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 * the Medical Center and even students sibility to carry out what the admin- CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT in a social setting," Faculty Fellow Kurt istration says, but we don't enjoy Kasper, who currently works in the inconveniencing the students." BRC, said. Glenn said that although finish- Martel College senior Noemie ing this phase of construction is a I'll never get What s an Follow the yellow Levy said that to have Coffeehouse relief, it is also bittersweet. an interview I (ton t Expo. Dorothy"' brick road to the RMC? in the BRC would be very convenient "We had such a great team — it's have the heart Have courage as well. kind of sad that it is over," Glenn Tin Man' I hear 40 "1 had friends that would run to the said. "We are losing a great group organizations are attending the Expo' med center for Starbucks, but it takes of people, but it has been such a so long to get there and it's expensive," wonderful experience with them." Levy said. The next construction projects Though Coffeehouse is still coor- in the works include improvements dinating with the cart vendor, Cooper to the Glasscock School of Continu- said they are excited to open soon. ing Studies and the beginning of However, this trial run will determine the James Turrell skyspace instal- whether Coffeehouse agrees to stay in lation in front of Alice Pratt Brown the BRC the following year. Hall in late March.

We re not in Kansas anymore! FuNDlUN • \ "• L ib) a r y

Ricr UNMVrRSITY

Fondren Library Research Awards for Prepare for the Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students Do This, Not Career Expo with The Fondren Library announees the third annual research awards this interactive for students who demonstrate extraordinary skill and creativity in That ••• at the the application of library and information resources to original session research and scholarship. Career Expo Wondering how to interact with recruiters? What they The undergraduate w inner will be awarded $1,000, and the Thursday, January 20.2011 graduate winner will be awarded $1,000. An honorable mention expect? How to prepare? award of $500 will be awarded in each category. join us next Thursday! 4:00 - 5:00 pm • • * For detailed information, please see Huff House, I st Floor, Room 107 The Career Expo is Tuesday, January 25 library.rice.edu/research-avvards from 11 am - 4 pm in the Grand Hall. All undergrads, non-MBA grad students, Deadline for application: February 7, 2011 and post-docs interested in attending the Expo!

CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT FRIENDS OF 713-348-4065 | [email protected] | cspd.rice.edu FONDRFN LIBRARY FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS "Dex" was kind, thoughtful Shepherd School los- BY RUBY GEE Gannon for his continual interest in THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF listening to what others had to say, while another student spoke of Gan- A service was held Monday for es three faculty, staff non's ability to set himself to some- Hanszen College junior Dexter Gan- thing and his perseverence. BY SETH BROWN non, who died near his home in At the closing of the service, Win- THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF Ketchum, Idaho, on Dec. 31. Ap- ters read aloud an Irish funeral prayer, proximately 50 members of the Rice and asked for a moment of silence. The Shepherd School of Music lost was going to be under serious scru- two professors and one staff member tiny, but that was OK, because he did community gathered at the Hanszen At the reception, Hanszen College over the course of the past semester the same thing to himself," Ellison masters' house to remember "Dex." junior Coco Owens shared a story in - Trombone Professor David Waters said. "If anything, he held his own A math and economics major, which Gannon consoled her when she died Sept. 25, Violin Professor Sergiu standard of playing to a higher level Gannon left Rice last spring in order was upset after a sensitive meeting. * Luca died Dec. 6 and Concert Man- than anyone else." to deal with personal health issues, "He listened and offered two ager Tom Littman died Dec. 22. but planned on returning next fall cents, which were such concise words While in Houston, Sergiu also to continue his studies. of wisdom that consoled me," Owens founded Da Camera, which produces Gannon's disappearance early said. "He had a way of showing up David Waters a number of ensemble music concerts Dec. 31 prompted an organized com- at the right time and saying the right in Houston, and was a co-founder and munity search party that included things to calm people." the artistic director of Context, which Dexter Gannon specializes in presenting classical per- more than 200 volunteers. Gan- A roommate and good friend formances on period instruments. non was found dead on Jan. 4. The and, 'How can I be more supportive of Gannon, Hanszen senior Colton Blaine County Coroner ruled that and on the lookout for students in Willig expressed his great respect Houston Symphony Associate Gannon took his own life. need of help?'" for Gannon. Concertmaster Eric Halen said he was one of Luca's first university students Attendees stood silently in the Dean of Undergraduates John "I really admired the passion he at the University of Illinois at Urbana- outside area of the masters' house Hutchinson read an excerpt from had for life, whether it was exercising Champaign in 1978. Halen said that I t in a circle around a small bon- English poet John Donne's "No Man or a diet program," Willig said. "He Luca's playing and teaching both fo- fire, each carrying a small white is an Island." The poem speaks of was a very intelligent guy, very witty cused on musical originality. candle. Hanszen Master Rob Grif- mankind's interconnectedness; any [and] loved to talk." "Everybody that studied with fin opened the ceremony with his individual's death has a diminishing Rice Democrats President and him, he taught them to think for memory of Gannon, commending effect on everyone. Hanszen junior Myles Bugbee talked themselves as artists," Halen said. his keen sense of humor and thirst "Each and every one of us mat- about a time when Gannon came to "He tried to get all of us to think for for knowledge. ters," Hutchinson said. "In this time, a showing of a documentary about ourselves, try to bring something • • Counseling Center Director Mi- it is most crucial that we reach out to Obama and challenged Bugbee, a unique to every interpretation." chael Winters followed by telling each other." firm supporter of the president, about students to ask the right questions Griffin then asked students to his beliefs. Double Bass Professor Paul Ellison said that he first met Waters in 1966 in their grieving process. He empha- share their memories and stories "He started asking all of these Tom Littman when he started playing for the Hous- sized that students should seek help regarding Gannon. A number of questions ... and he really forced me ton Symphony Orchestra and that both if needed. Gannon's friends shared humorous to rethink some of my own beliefs," of them went on to be founding profes- "'Why' can never be answered," stories in which Gannon showed his Bugbee said. "That was something sors of the Shepherd School. Ellison is • • Winters said. "Instead, ask, 'What sense of wit, humor and strength I was really impressed by. ... He was now the only remaining founding fac- can I do to support grieving friends?' of character. A classmate praised just so bright." ulty member at the Shepherd School. "David Waters I considered to be a close, close friend who was always there, as all close friends are, either when there's a need, or just to enjoy Cook had love for physics each other's company," Ellison said. BY JOCELYN WRIGHT "Our shared life experiences, start- THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF was thinking." ing in the fall of 1966 in the Houston Padley said Cook wanted to be a Symphony, and then later having the Baker College sophomore Bran- physics professor. opportunity to be among those that don Cook died Jan. 7 after a year- "It was clear that was his started the Shepherd School, was en- and-a-half battle with Hodgkin's dream," Padley said. "It's heart- riched by the fact that we got to walk lymphoma. He was 21 years old. breaking, because here I am in a those paths together." Littman started working as the More than 300 people attended role he aspired to. We talked about Dean of Music Robert Yekovich said Shepherd School's concert manager Cook's memorial service Tuesday in what it was like, and he would have that Waters is succeeded by Houston 24 years ago. According to Yekovich, Tomball, Texas. been fantastic; you can just tell." Symphony Principal Trombonist Allen Littman was responsible for making Cook transferred to Rice from Tex- In addition to his coursework at Barnhill and Houston Symphony Bass programs for the approximately 380 as A&M University at the end of 2009 Rice, Cook was involved in form- Trombonist Phillip Freeman. concerts Alice Pratt Brown Hall hosts to study math and physics with a mi- ing Heart^Children, a faith-based each year, making performance cal- nor in philosophy. charitable organization that pro- Sergiu Luca endars for the Shepherd School, set- Baker Master Rose van der Werff vides health and education servic- ting up room usage schedules and said Cook had a big heart and was es to children in low-income fami- renting concert facilities to outside passionate about sports and learn- lies. He was inspired to help his organizations. Among other things, ing. She recalled Cook as a thought- parents, Heart/jChildren's found- Littman acted as a liaison between ful person whose willingness to ers, form the organization after a the Houston community and Shep- • • engage in deep conversation stood mission trip to Honduras in 2004. herd School musicians. out even during 0-Week. Brandon Cook Van der Werff said Cook returned to "Making the Shepherd School "Our days were full of conversa- Honduras every subsequent year as look professional was what he dedi- tions such as 'Where are you from?' Padley asking questions about the part of the project. cated himself to," Yekovich said. "He and very sort of light-hearted chats course and making up classes and Due to his illness, Cook was un- was a selfless employee that gave ev- with people, whereas with Bran- coursework he missed due to che- able to live on campus and thus erything to the school." don, he sort of launched into mean- motherapy treatments. Padley de- did not have as much time to be Yekovich said that while Waters ingful conversations which was so scribed Cook as an exceptional and involved in activities at Baker, but and Luca had both been ill far a time • • refreshing," van der Werff said. "He thoughtful student. van der Werff said Cook would have before their respective deaths. Lift- was very interesting." "He was the ideal student be- really liked to have been a bigger man's death came unexpectedly. Dean of Undergraduates John cause he was not just learning from part of the college. "His passing was completely unex- Hutchinson echoed van der Werff's me; I was also learning from him," "His mother told me that he pected," Yekovich said. "It has shaken sentiments, saying he was also Padley said. "I am a better faculty would liked to have really been the foundations of the school." struck by a conversation he had member for having taught Brandon." part of Baker," van der Werff said. Luca first came to the Shepherd Ellison said that Littman often with Cook. Padely recalled how Cook, who "He really wanted to really get into School in 1983, and Yekovich said aided students, faculty and staff "I came away incredibly im- also took courses in philosophy, the college and be there for us, and he was partially responsible for the with an ease that belied the diffi- pressed with his enthusiasm for would describe the connections I think he was definitely the sort school's ascent in the ranks of Ameri- culty of his tasks, and that Littman academic subjects, his passion between philosophy and quantum that would have done that had he can music schools. was a major factor in the quality of for mathematics and physics," mechanics to him. been still here, so it's a great loss "[Luca] was one of the pivotal the Shepherd School staff. Hutchinson said. "He knew his "Quantum mechanics is philos- to us." faculty members to the level of repu- "Tom was a very well-rounded time was limited, and he had de- ophy; it's physics; it's deeply math- Padley said he was lucky to tation that the Shepherd School cur- person, well-traveled, well-read, cided to spend his time engrossed ematical; and these were all things have met Cook. rently enjoys." very well-educated, far beyond in these pursuits." he was interested in," Padley said. "It's a terrible tragedy to lose him, Ellison said that asking about Luca what he actually needed to com- Physics Professor Paul Padley "He would come and we would but we're better people [because] he was like asking about the universe. plete his tasks at the Shepherd developed a close relationship with have tremendous conversations. He was here," Padley said. "I know I'm "Making music with him was kind School and was a great person to Cook while he was in his junior asked quantum mechanics ques- better for having spent a semester of like holding your own feet to the hive any kind of discussion with," quantum mechanics course. Cook tions 1 had never encountered be- getting to know him; he certainly fire — you knew when you signed on Ellison said. "I always left his pres- spent a great deal of time with fore, which shows how deeply he made an impact on my life." to play with Sergiu that your playing ence fulfilled and happy." TEACH for testmasters!

(...and get paid for aii the training!) Full and Part Time Positions available now. Looking for Dynamic and Energetic Teachers. Pay rate is $18 to $30 per hour. Call (281) 276-7743 or email us at [email protected]. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 8 NEWS THE RICE THRESHER * « Duncan crest shows community, individuality

BY TINA OU inspired the oak tree symbol that sur- if THRESHER STAFF rounds the Duncan shield on the crest. Duno-Gottberg was the inspira- THE NEWEST COLLEGE CREST After two semesters of consultation tion for the college's motto, which was an explanation of the elements of the Duncan College logo and discussion among the Duncan Col- originally in Spanish: "Somos equipo. lege community, Duncan's crest has Somos familia," meaning "We are a

been finalized. Symbols include an owl, team. We are a family." Delgado said OWL an oak tree, the letter "D," a sun, and a Duno-Gottberg wrote these words in an represents wisdom; based on Rice owl motto reading "Classis et germanitas," e-mail to Duncan students following a but differentiated by its pointy ears. 0 Duncan student's injury during the col- — a Latin phrase meaning "class and OAK TREE brotherhood" — meant to emphasize lege's first Beer Bike event. According references an oak tree planted by Duncan's community aspects. to Delgado, the quote was very popular college's namesake, Charles Duncan. A committee of Duncan students, among the Duncan students and even- headed by senior Martha Cox and soph- tually was paraphrased and translated RISING SUN omores Estevan Delgado and Priscilla into Latin to become the final motto for stands for new beginnings. Leung, was formed last spring to direct the crest. Duncan's new crest design. Cox was Duncan sophomore Abby Cor- BUILDING shows overall architectural the main artist for the crest design, and rington said one of her favorite parts of geometry of the college. the official crest was first unveiled on the crest is the motto. She said the motto Nov. 19 at Duncan's dedication. Accord- embodies the teamwork aspect of Dun- ing to Delgado, members of the college can. Her main concern for the crest dur- THE LETTER D the first letter of Duncan; designed have already begun to decorate items ing the designing process had been that to appear carved into the tree. such as T-shirts, coffee mugs and shot the motto should be in Latin rather than glasses with their newly finished crest. the original Spanish. • c According to Duncan Master Luis "The Duncan crest, and especially Duno-Gottberg, the committee held the motto, represents what Duncan is open meetings for the students to share and has been, but it's up to the students their input on the new crest design. He to uphold that theory," Corrington said. LATIN MOTTO said that while a committee was formed "Upholding that theory is a great and translates to "class and brotherhood" to be in charge of the process, the final rewarding journey to be part of." crest is a collective project that is the re- Delgado said the final design is the • C sult of the accumulation of the ideas of fourth main design by students. The the Duncan community. crest design undertook drastic changes "I'm very impressed with the demo- with the influx of new freshman stu- cratic process and how the students dents and transfer students from other worked together to incorporate their residential colleges, he said. ideas," Duno-Gottberg said. "I sat down "It wasn't just our class anymore," GRAPHIC BY CHUCK ALIGBE and expressed my opinions but as an- Delgado said. "As it moved from being a DUNCAN COLLEGE • c other voice." freshman project to being a college proj- Duno-Gottberg said a lot of consul- ect, we realized we had to incorporate font and also wanted to include an gi said she thought the Duncan crest According to Duno-Gottberg, the tation went into designing the crest, everybody's ideas. The ideas got better image of the Duncan College building was unique compared to other col- process of designing the crest has also with Delgado, Leung, and sophomores as everyone got involved." with the sun; both are included in the lege crests. been the process of constructing the Louise Bentsen, Mecklin Ragan and Cox said that at first the committee final crest. "Over the past year, what Duncan Duncan community. He said he does Kelvin Pho having originally met with was looking at a traditional crest with "I saw the building as the canvas on has come to represent is embodied in not want to define Duncan in solid the Duncan family in fall 2009 to dis- symbols such as a knight's helmet, but which the Duncan culture was paint- the crest. There's a lot in Duncan about terms yet and mentioned that the image • € cuss what was meaningful to them. that the ideas evolved into new designs ed," Cox said. "It's such an iconic build- the environment and being eco-friend- of a tree is very apt for the college: Just Duno-Gottberg said the oak tree plant- and new symbols that are a modern ing that people think of it when they ly," Hanggi said. "There's also the idea as a tree grows from the roots up, the ed by Charles Duncan ('47), founder of take on a crest. She said she personally think of Duncan." of family and how we can create our- college is still growing from students' Duncan College, in front of Duncan Hall wanted the letter "D" to be an original Duncan freshman Michelle Hang- selves to be what we want to be." collaborative efforts. %

• f Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows Program

Or. • •

KICK MM UK ALUMNI WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PH.D.

Jennifer (Alvarez) Dickson. '95. Ph.D. from I diversity of New Mexico in linylish • • Kadesltia Matthews.'%. Ph.D. from John Hopkins in English VanessaHzenwa. '97, Ph.D. from Princeton University in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology* hay Yarhrough. '97, Ph.D. from Emory I niversity in History Arnutnda Levis, '98, Ph.D. from Columbia University in Hispanic Studies Michelle Nasser, '99. Ph.D. from Tulanc University in Hispanic Studies Evelyn Patterson. '02. Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania in Demography ReynaUto Romero. '02. Ph.D. from Georgetown University in Spanish Linguistics, 2009 Lindsay Smith. '02, Received Ph.D. from Harvard University in Anthropology, 2008** • • Jessica 7.uniga. '02. Ph f). from Cornell University in Mathematics. 2(K)JS Vri McMillan. '03, Ph.D. from Yale University in African American Studies Miles Rodriguez. 03, Ph.D. from Harvard University in History Tonia Venters. '04. Ph.D. from University of Chicago in Astrophysics * First Rice MMUE to receive a Ph.D. ** Rice Associate MMUE • • ARK YOU THINKING ABOUT GRADUATE STUDY LEADING TO THE PH.D.?

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows Program (MMUFP) at Rice University has three goals. First, it seeks to increase the number of minority students, and others with a demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities, who will pursue PhDs in core fields in the arts and sciences. In doing so. the program aims to reduce over time the serious under-representation on the faculties of individuals from % • certain minority groups, as well as to address Ihe attendant educational consequences of these disparities, Second, il seeks to nurture these students to be the researchers, teachers, and mentors of Ihe highly diverse college student bodies of the future. Third, it seeks to encourage stud) abroad experiences as part of their research agenda. The fields that the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has targeted for support are: Anthropology. Art History, Classics, Computer Science. Demography, F^arth Sciences, Ecology, English, Kthnomusicology, Foreign l anguages. History, l iterature. Mathematics. Musicology, Philosophy, Physics, Political Theory. Religion and Sociology

Applicants should normally be completing their sophomore year as a student ai Rice University. Selection will be based on a number of attributes including bul not limited to academic standing and potential, life experiences and interests, commitment to building bridges in • • multicultural settings, and interest 111 pursuing graduate education. Students who participate in the program receive a yearly stipend of S3.000 work closely with a faculty mentor for two years, and are also eligible for participation in summer fellowship programs at the end of their sophomore or junior years. Finalists will be interviewed. Announcements will lie made in March.

For more information and to download the application go to: http://diversity.rice.edu/mellon_mays.aspx

Application deadline is February 02.2011 • +• The University Orchestra of Latin American Instruments from the Bo- livarian University of Venezuela performed for free in the Duncan Col- CONTACT: Dr. Roland B. Smith, Jr. or (.lori.i Btan lege Quad on Dec. 4. Office of the Associate Provost, Rice I niuisih , 713-348-5688 • • • « .^ENTERTAINMENT Black Swan: disturbing, beautiful and creative EMILY NICHOL structive as the pressure from her THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF role, her competition with new company member Lily (Forgetting Swan Lake is an obvious bal- Sarah Marshall's Mila Kunis) and let to use as a foundation for a her developing sexual curiosity psychological horror film; rife escalate. As Nina is pushed both with supernatural occurrences, emotionally and physically, her identity thieves and mistaken per- imagination consumes her, cul- sonalities, it seems unlikely that minating in a dramatic opening the ballerinas participating in the night. performance could not be emo- Portman's talked-about per- tionally affected. Darren Aronof- formance is worthy of the hype. sky, known for his other dark, ce- For a long stretch of the film her rebral dramas like Pi and Requiem expression is petrified in a gaze of for a Dream, creatively emulates a pathetic fear, but Portman does a young ballerina's artistic struggle fantastic job overall, portraying with her first big part and her re- a combination of vulnerability, sulting mental breakdown in his paranoia, grace and raw ambition new film Black Swan. with a subtle intensity rare to her generation of actresses. Hershey is especially fantastic as Erica Sayers, Nina's enormously over- bearing mother, who poorly han- dles her daughter's (and her own) ANTHONY LAURIELLO Bridges) to track down her father's sion. While Bridges could never live descent into self-destruction. Also THRESHER STAFF assassin, Tom Chaney (W.'s Josh up to "the Duke," he does an excel- Slack Swan notable is Kunis' Lily, who offers Brolin) in Choctaw territory. Al- lent job filling his predecessor's • • • • • a sexy, languid counterpoint to As a general rule, I try to eschew though Mattie rejects Texas Ranger cowboy boots. Nina's perfectionism. C teen girlpower coming-of-age sto- LaBoeuf's (The Departed's Matt The greatest performance be- Although the movie does fea- ries. Yet I could not resist abandon- Damon) offer to help track Chaney longs to 14-year-old Steinfeld. The Starring: Natalie Port- ture some cliche horror film ef- ing my initial misgivings and going down for a murder committed in the relatively unknown actress holds man, Mila Kunis fects intended only to make you to see True Grit, a Western written Lone Star State, Cogburn accepts her own with some of today's big- Rated:R jump out of your seat, the film's and directed by the famous Joel and it, and the three unlikely partners gest actors and succeeds in realis- Released: Dec. 17 strongest feature is easily its ed- Ethan Coen (Fargo), and a remake begrudgingly join together and tically depicting a character who iting. During Nina's audition for of the 1969 film with a 14-year-old go off into the wild for some Old is not only uncompromising in the Swan Lake, the cinematography £ heroine. Fortunately, my fears of Testament justice. pursuit of justice but also a young was exquisite; close-ups of con- pink cowgirl boots and ribbons on The Coen brothers craft True girl with real emotions. The film de- torted ballet slippers and move- ponies quickly disappeared as the Grit with the exceptional care and pends on the juvenile thespian and Black Swan's plot very loosely ments that mirror the ballerina's young Mattie Ross ("Grand Cru"'s detail that has catapulted them into Steinfeld deserves a nomination for follows the plot of the ballet: Nina capture the beauty and violence of Hailee Steinfeld) earned her place Hollywood's elite. Like their Oscar- Best Actress. Sayers (V for Vendetta's Nata- dance. Characters see themselves r among the gunslingers of Sergio winning No Country for Old Men, With so much derivative drivel lie Portman) is trapped, not in walking down the street and ac- Leone and Tom Ford films. the movie is mostly filmed in New coming out of Hollywood's stu- a swap's body, but in an overly tors' faces blend into one another, Mexico, and the amazing scenery dios, the Coen brothers once again competitive dance company, held making the audience feel as if they of plains and mountains is given in show that movies need not insult captive by her bizarre and con- are experiencing a schizophrenic ample and appropriate time for a the intelligence of their audiences. straining mother (The Portrait of stress breakdown along with genre that is as much about setting The film not only entertains but a Lady's Barbara Hershey). Nina Nina. The film's short, disjointed as it is plot. O see GRIT, page 10 becomes increasingly self-de- O see SWAN, page 10 Carter Burwell, while certainly True Grit no Ennio Morricone, crafts a soft, piano-heavy score that works well • • • • -fr in the context of a movie that is more of a character study than a Starring: Jeff Daniels, sweeping epic. Not surprisingly, Hailee Steinfeld the Coen brothers have written Rated: PG-13 another amazing screenplay. Like Released: Dec. 22 many of their previous films, death and violence are central themes but are portrayed in a matter-of-fact, simple and unassuming way. Al- The film opens with an older ways masters of diction, the broth- Mattie narrating the story of her ers outdid themselves in the dialog father's murder as the audience of the film. The combination of so- sees his body lying in the snow. phisticated 19th-century language This is the first, and certainly with the colloquialisms of the fron- not the last, example of the Coen tier create some of the greatest con- brothers' macabre brushstrokes on versations heard in any Western. the canvas of the American West. The estimable acting of the film The story begins shortly after the also deserves attention. Veteran homicide when the precocious actors Bridges and Damon deliv- teenager heads to the frontier to er quality performances and the bring back her father's body and Academy is almost guaranteed to settle his accounts. After securing nominate the former for Best Sup- the coffin and adroitly haggling porting Actor. This is particularly with a former business partner of noteworthy, considering the fact Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a ballerina struggling with her first big role, in Black Swan. her father, Mattie moves on to her that John Wayne won an Oscar for SEX GRITSY EX Sex Please We're Sixty, a Hous- Houston's "Infamous Dub- ton premiere, recently opened step Party" is at Warehouse Artist lames Drake's solo at Theatre Suburbia and is REX Live tomorrow at 9 p.m, show, A Thousand Tongues playing Fridays and Saturdays featuring 12th Planet and Burn and Sing, at the Station at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at The Houston Museum of Nat- Bassnectar, who are stopping Museum of Contemporary Art 3 p.m. This farcical play is ural Science presents a new in Houston from their nation- has been extended until Janl.' about three menopausal wom- 1MAX movie called Sea Rex THE al tour, Warehouse is busting 30. Drake's installations, vid- en, an uptight innkeeper and 3D. A young woman travels out their "wall of bass" in eos, sculptures, poetry and their adventures with two el- the Triassic, Jurassic and Cre- WEEKLY order to make your dubstep drawings reflect man's place derly men at a bed and break- taceous periods... UNDERWA- SCENE experience more enjoyable. in nature. Admission is free. fast. Tickets are $13. TER! Tickets are $9. Tickets are $20. f Emily's picks for evenfs ... STATION MUSEUM MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCI- outside the hedges, both WAREHOUSE LIVE 1502 ALABAMA, THEATRE SUBURBIA > ENCE around Rice and in the 813 ST. EMANUEL WWW.STATIONMUSEUM.COM 4106 WAY OUT WEST 5555 HERMANN PARK Houston area, for this week. WWW. WAREHOUSEUVE. COM WWW.THEATRESUBURBIA.ORG WWW.HMNS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 10 A&E THE RICE THRESHER Classic Flicks: Adaptation presents hidden comedic gem O GRIT

also raises questions about moral- Charlie Kaufman, the screenwriter ity and death. The fascinating rela- of Adaptation (2002), is one member tionship between Cogburn and his of the sparse crowd of directors and young employer achieves a sublime screenwriters who force you to rethink level of poignancy. the limits of the human imagination. While I will not spoil the end- Kaufman bends genres, characters and ing, the closing scene of the film minds in his best films, which include shows that the two are both he- Being John Malkovich (1999), Human roes of the old West, not only be- Nature (2001), Eternal Sunshine of the cause of their "grit" and individu- Spotless Mind (2004), and Synecdoche, New York (2008). All are among the alism but also their inability to fit most complex, comedic and con- into society. It is a truly American founding films in recent history. These story and a welcome change to films are not to be pigeonholed into modern cinemas. The Coen broth- categories like "dramedy" or "romantic ers and their amazing cast prove comedy" — it is better to posit that they that movies can have mass appeal merely exist in time, space and film. without sacrificing their quality and that we still have a lot to learn and appreciate from Westerns. • SWAN FROM PAGE 9

cuts alternate reality with Nina's Joseph Allencherril delusions, which confuses and excites the viewer as he or she In Adaptation, Kaufman blends attempts to separate the fiction with reality, writing himself two worlds. (or rather, a version of himself) into URTESY COLUMBIA PlOHMM Despite great performances the screenplay. Charlie Kaufman T IIM 1—11 MIL limn—Mi •Minim WIN) 111111 MI IIIII mil M 111111111111111 MIWI mil 1 IIMIIIIIM—I HI and creative editing, the film was (Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas) is Nicolas Cage plays Charlie and Donald Kaufman, identical twins and screenwriters, in Adaptation. hard to watch. The first half of a screenwriter living in Los Angeles the movie didn't have a lot of ac- who, during the filming of Being tion and strange special effects John Malkovich, is hired to write a distracts from Nina's final perfor- screenplay based on the book The tion are based on real people, but in that gives his films the attention they Kaufman "brothers" were nominated mance and the movie's ultimate Orchid Thief. Living with Charlie is name alone. Orlean really published merit is unfortunately tiny. for Best Adapted Screenplay, Donald plot, but the most negative as- his fictional twin brother Donald The Orchid Thief in 1998. (Orlean still Alas, even film geniuses can be became the first fictitious nominee not pect of the film was how stressful (also Cage), a less talented writer writes a column on "People, Places, misunderstood. For example, Synecdo- to be a cover for a real person. (In the it was to watch. The film absorbs than his brother. But the "genius" and Things" for The New Yorker). How- che, New York was neither a block- past, fictitious people, like Ian McLel- the audience into its plot too well, — as Donald calls Charlie — finds ever, the reality of the names is where buster (it gathered $4 million on a $20 lan Hunter (Roman Holiday), have won leaving the viewer feeling uncom- directly adapting the boring book Kaufman's faithfulness to reality ends; million budget) nor a popular critic's the Academy Award in lieu of politi- fortable and disoriented at the on orchids to be an astonish- the events and emotions each charac- darling. Adaptation was a moderate cally blacklisted nominees). movie's end. While Black Swan ingly Herculean task; in an effort ter feels are all completely invented. success at the box office, but of all is an edgy departure from re- to break through his severe writer's of Kaufman's films, it blends humor, Joseph Allencherril is a Will Rice cent suspense films, its lag- block, Charlie even attends one of narrative and intricacy in a way that College sophomore. Classic Flicks ging beginning and unceas- screenwriter Robert McKee's famous is off-putting to neither the lowliest of is a column reexamining and redis- ing tension detracts from its seminars. audiences nor the haughtiest of critics. covering the best that cinema has beautiful acting and cinematography. Seeing Kaufman struggle makes B Random Oscar trivia: When the to offer. this film appealing to creatively ex- hausted writers everywhere. Adaptation * c Until I watched Adaptation, I * thought that just one dull, monotonous c character existed in Cage's acting rep- Director: Spike Jonze ertoire. But he plays the Kaufman twins Released: Dec. 6, 2002 so adroitly that one can even distin- CENTER FOR CIVIC guish the mannerisms of each twin. As a knowing wink to the audience from ENGAGEMENT EARCH AND DESIGN Kaufman, Donald Kaufman is credited An idiosyncratic vein of comedy as a co-writer of the film with Charlie. runs through all of Kaufman's works. In the film, The New Yorker journal- Embrace Adaptation if you find your- ist Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep, Sophie's self laughing at the wrong moments Choice) travels to Florida to write a during movies and television shows, story on orchid thief John Laroche for it is not wrong to laugh during any (Chris Cooper, American Beauty). moment of this film. Everything is But their relationship evolves from funny. All of Kaufman's great films are Civic Research & Design Courses formal to romantic. The interweaving characterized by this creative thinking. tales of Kaufman and Orlean form the Kaufman is not known for penning backbone of Adaptation, resulting in a box office smash hits; a majority of the meditation on creativity and love. public is unsympathetic to his eccen- The central characters in Adapta- tric brand of story-telling. The audience Spring 2011

" 3?/ JOHN E. PARISH FELLOWSHIP ANTH 362: Archaeological Field Techniques (Professor: Susan Mcintosh) for Summer Travel BIOE 360: Appropriate Design for Global Health

Wiess College announces competition for the 2011 John E. (Professor: Rebecca Richards -Kortum) Parish Fellowship, A recipient of a Parish Fellowship will BIOE 452: Bioengineering Design II (Professor: Maria Oden) receive support of approximately 2 months travel during the Summer of 2011. The purpose of the fellowship is to CEVE 512: Hydrologic Design Lab (Professor: Philip Bedient) enhance the undergraduate education of the Fellow by ELEC 438: Wireless Networking for Under-Resourced Urban broadening the range of a unique, self-directed experience via individual travel. Be creative! All full-time returning Communities undergraduates at Rice are eligible to apply. For further (Professor: Edward Knightly) information, call the Wiess College Coordinator. Nancy SOCI308: Houston Sociology Of a City (Professor: Stephen Klineberg) Letness at 713-348-5743. or see the web page at www .rul .rice .edu/-parish. SWGS 201: Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender Studies Ploaco rafar tn PQTUCD frw (Instructor: Brian Riedel) The deadline for application is Friday, February 11,2011, at 5:00 PM.

DISCOVER, VOLUNTEER, LEAD, CCRD.R1CE.EDU HE CENTER ^OR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT fRICE FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 THE RICE THRESHER A&E 11 Tron: Legacy: Visually interesting, plot lacking

JOE DWYER corporation. Following a mysteri- THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF ous page received by an old friend of his father's, Sam ends up getting Don't listen to the naysayers: sucked into and trapped inside the Tron: Legacy is actually a really computer world of The Grid, where good movie. With jaw-dropping his father has been searching for a visuals, a thundering soundtrack way out since he first disappeared composed entirely by Daft Punk 20 years ago. and the revival and continuation Let's be real: The original Tron of the story of the original 1982 is not a widely mainstream film. Tron, it's just plain fun to watch. Add in the 28-year gap between the The movie comes up lacking in two films, and Legacy understand- plot — Legacy essentially recycles ably has a lot of ground to retread the original Tron's story struc- with audiences to get them all on ture, with only a couple of nu- the same page. For this reason ances — but name the last time an Legacy felt more like one of those effects-driven feature had a deep, rebooted superhero origin films philosophical storyline. that are so popular nowadays, than an actual sequel. Legacy is essentially re-laying the groundwork for what Disney hopes will be one of its pillar fran- e chises in the coming years, similar i to Pirates of the Caribbean — a Garrett Hedlund, playing Sam, and Olivia Wilde, playing Quorra, try to escape The Grid in Tron: Legacy. Tron: Legacy Tron television show, theme park expansions, graphic novels and all • • • • iir manner of movie tie-ins are in the queue, and it's a shame because the next. The computer world of The Grid acter; she possesses emotions and Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tron is not widely appealing to a Disney's business and market- is a fully realized glossy, electric- motivations of her own. Bridges' Olivia Wilde lot of people and doesn't need the ing practices aside, Tron: Legacy blue metropolis with some dirt character is a mix of Mr. Miyagi Rated: PG franchise treatment. is still one hell of a ride, especially around the edges, and the overall from The Karate Kid and The Dude Released: Dec. 17 Disney's kowtowing to main- in IMAX 3-D. As more and more design and aesthetic of the film is from The Big Lebowski, lending an stream audiences by trying to films lean on the use of computer- spectacularly cohesive. Paired with easygoing attitude to an otherwise make Legacy as widely appeal- generated effects, it's becoming super-smooth cinematography, the serious film. Hedlund's role as Sam ing as possible detracts from the harder to stand out. The original frenetic action sequences (Light is a predictably stubborn foil to film. Instead of being a smart, Tron was groundbreaking for its Cycles, anyone?) more than make his father, but he doesn't look out Legacy picks up some 20 years standalone, self-contained film, use of computer-animated visuals up for the bland attempts at expos- of place in any of the film's tense after the events in Tron. Software Legacy's plot quickly hits just the — so groundbreaking, in fact, that itory sequences. Legacy is a film action sequences. engineer, ENCOM CEO and arcade necessary high points to set up the it was refused nomination for a Vi- that truly belongs on the big screen In the end, despite my skepti- owner Kevin Flynn (True Grit's Jeff inevitable sequel before fading out sual Effects Academy Award by the in order for the audience to fully cism that Disney will drive the Tron Bridges) went missing shortly after with an ambiguous ending. The Motion Picture Academy because, appreciate all of its eye-candy. franchise into the ground with me- the events of the first film and his sense of wonder and discovery that at the time, using computers to The small cast of characters diocre sequels and side-products, son Sam (Country Strong's Garrett is felt in the original Tron as the create special effects was works very well together — Olivia Tron: Legacy is not only one of the Hedlund) has grown up to be a protagonists explore the fantastic considered cheating. Wilde's ("House M.D.") role as most visually arresting films to motorcycle-riding rebel who wants new world of The Grid is dimin- Legacy may not be innova- Quorra is refreshing because she's be released in 2010 but one of the nothing to do with his ownership ished in Legacy, as the characters tive by today's standards, but the not just a brainless "look at me, most enjoyable as well. Just don't stake in ENCOM, Flynn's software are pushed from one setpiece to visuals are stunningly refined. I'm hot" sidekick to Bridges' char- go in expecting a deep story.

c

€ Center for Civic Research and Des^ffn 1toaJ k,.-

Center for Civic Engagement Fellows Program Summer 2011

Interested in conducting an independent research or design project this summer tlaat benefits Houston?

App 1 y to the CCE Fellows program Fellows receive a $4,000 summer stipend

Visit http://ccrd.rice.edu/fellows/ for more information about the program and a copy of the application

Applications due February 11, 2011

RICE http://cce.rfce.edu Women post strong record over winter break Kuster wins four consecutive C-USA Freshman of the Week awards as Owls begin conference play

by Teddy Grodek good University of Arkansas-Little Rock going on a 13-4 run to put the score at THRESHER STAFF (10-5, 4-0) team, the Owls snapped off 53-44. The Golden Hurricane were not a three-game winning streak, moving able to respond and let the Owls out It is a good season for a fresh- their record to an impressive 8-5. They of Oklahoma with the win by a final man if she can make an immediate then fell to Lamar University (12-4), just score of 61-53. impact on the court, helping her before opening their conference sched- "It was key to get our first con- team win games. It is a great season ule against UCF (9-2,2-0 C-USA), a good ference win; it really means a lot," for a freshman if she can earn Play- basketball team with a fast offense. Williams said. "Especially because er of the Week honors and work her The Owls survived a first half we've traditionally struggled on the way into the starting lineup. It's an scoring attack to take a lead in the road, especially at a tough place to unbelievable season if she can win second, only to watch their lead play like Tulsa, we really needed five freshman Player of the Week slowly disintegrate as UCF made this one. Losing would've put us in awards; a feat only seen one other eight of 10 free throws to put the nail a must-win conference game in our time inside Conference USA. in the coffin. Rice fell 81-68 despite third of the season." With senior starting forward and Kuster and junior forward Brianna Hy- Kuster would have posted another team leader Jackie Stanley out with polite each contributing 10 points. double-double — her fifth of the sea- a knee injury, Head Coach Greg Next, the Owls traveled to Tulsa, son — with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Williams (Hanszen *70) knew that Okla. to take on the University of Tulsa Hypolite contributed 15 and senior for- someone on his roster would have (4-6 0-2) in an important game. The ward Morgan Mayse contributed 14. to fill the void. Little did he expect Owls needed to beat a bad C-USA team This next weekend, the Owls play that help to come in the form of to stay in the pack competing for a C- at Tudor Fieldhouse, taking on Mar- • I a freshman — 6'2" Jessica Kuster USA Championship berth. shall University (5-9, 1-1 C-USA) on — who is leading the team in re- The Owls did what they needed to Thursday. They then travel to North bounds and second on the team in do, getting off to a fast start by mak- Carolina to take on East Carolina Uni- points, which is just what the Owls ing five of the first eight shots to go up versity (6-9, 0-2 C-USA), one of the needed to stay above .500 despite 17-11, after sophomore guard Jessica worst teams inside C-USA. the injuries to their star. Goswitz added two free throws. Tulsa Both are extremely winnable "I was really excited the first time then turned the tide in the game, games, which, if won, have the poten- I won it; it was really an honor," said countering with 13 unanswered points tial to push Rice into the upper ech- Kuster. "But now, I just really want to to move to 24-17. elon of the C-USA standings. help our team keep winning. These Despite a 30-28 lead heading into "We have to keep playing well and ALEX MOHARAM/THRESHER awards are nice, but I just hope I can halftime, Williams was still upset with keep playing the entire game," Wil- keep contributing." his team losing the early lead and liams said. "This will be a big weekend Junior forward Candace Ashford backs down a Texas A&M defender It has been an up-and-down break hoped they would respond to pressure for us and a true test of where we sit during the Owls' 80-40 loss against the Aggies Nov. 20. for the Owls. After a tough loss against a better in the second half. They did. in the conference." • Id Men struggle against conference competition

by Ryan Glassman 30 lead at the 16-minute mark. the rim before falling in to give THRESHER STAFF Southern Miss began to chip away Southern Miss the lead with 30 at the deficit behind the lead of seconds left. Stone missed the fol- Playing in front of a predomi- Gary Flowers, the senior forward lowing free throw and Rice took a nantly absent student section over and NBA prospect who entered the timeout to diagram a play with 24 the winter break, there was no lack game as the second leading scorer seconds left. of drama in Tudor Fieldhouse for in the conference. With the clock running down, • I € the men's basketball team. After Kazemi scored his first Frizzelle could not get an open look After a 2-2 showing at the 2010 field goal of the game with seven in the corner and passed the ball to Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic minutes left in the game, Flowers Jackson at the top of the key. Jack- that earned Owls' sophomore for- responded for the Golden Eagles son, who finished with 19 points ward Arsalan Kazemi C-USA Player with a three pointer to cut Rice's and shot well from behind the three- of the Week honors, Rice returned to lead to four points. The Owls sur- point line throughout, beat his ini- campus to take on Louisiana State rendered the lead with under three tial defender and got into the paint • C University Dec. 29. Led by a 19-point, minutes left, the first lead of the but was whistled for an offensive 17 rebound effort from Kazemi and half for Southern Miss. After a free foul with just three seconds left, clutch free throw shooting down throw from Kazemi to tie the game, much to the dismay of the stunned the stretch, the Owls fought off a the Golden Eagles responded with Rice crowd. The turnover sealed the late LSU comeback to earn a 74-68 a deep three pointer from sopho- fate of the Owls, as Southern Miss victory over their SEC foe. more guard LaShay Page to take hit two free throws to seal their 81- Rice followed up its perfor- the lead with 1:21 left. 78 overtime victory. mance with a 70-61 win over Texas After the teams exchanged bas- "[Jackson] did some very good Christian University on Jan. 2, getting kets, the Owls inbounded the ball things tonight, but 1 know he would 30 points from bench players to con- trailing by three with 27 seconds like to get that turnover back," clude their non-conference sched- left. The play went to senior center Braun said, adding that he did not ule with a record of 8-6. The eight Trey Stanton, who set his feet from get a good look at the game-decid- wins match the win total from all behind the arc but had his attempt ing foul call. "We just have to cut of last season for Head Coach Ben blocked. Stanton won the ensu- down on the turnovers. We're play- Braun's squad, who enter confer- ing scramble for the loose ball and ing at a high level, but I don't want ence play with wins in five of their passed across the top of the key to to see us play at a high level. I want ALEX MOHABAi&/j£gESHER last seven games. Frizzelle, whose shot extended over to see us win at a high level." Action continued at Tudor Field- the outreached arm of Flowers and At 0-3 in the conference and 8-9 Senior center Trey Stanton shoots a jump shot from the elbow against St. house on Jan. 5, but the outcome hit the bottom of the net to tie the overall, Rice heads to El Paso to was not as optimistic for Rice fans. game with 18 seconds left. As South- take on UTEP tomorrow for a 9:05 Gregory's, who Rice defeated 75-58 on Nov. 21. The Owls face UTEP tomorrow. The team dropped its C-USA opener ern Miss brought the ball down p.m. tip-off. to Tulane University, 85-81, despite court, the boisterous Rice crowd 40 combined points from Kazemi held its collective breath when and fellow sophomore, guard Tamir Page was left open for a jumper at Jackson. The Owls then traveled to the buzzer. Page was off the mark, the University of Tulsa Jan. 8 and however, and the game headed to were unable to overcome a 14-point oveiiime deadlocked at 68. OWLOOK halftime deficit, losing 75-64 to the Rice fed off the momentum of This Week in Sports Golden Hurricane. the crowd to jump out to a 77-70 Off to an 0-2 start in the confer- lead following a three ball from Friday, Jan. 14 11 a.m — lake Hess Tennis Stadium ence, the Owls played host Wednes- Frizzelle and four consecutive free Swimming vs. North Texas Sunday, Jan. 16 day night to the University of South- throws from Jackson. But South- ern Mississippi in front of a raucous ern Miss fought back again behind 2:30 p.m. — Rice Aquatic Center Women's basketball at ECU crowd of students back from break. Flowers and Page, cutting the Men's and Women's Track at Leonard Hilton 12p.m. — Greenville, N.C. Rice got off to a sluggish start, as Owls' lead to just one with a min- Memorial Invitational Kazemi was forced to sit with foul ute left. Tuesday, Jan. 18 All Day — Yeoman Fieldhouse trouble just seven minutes into the Holding onto the ball and a slim Women's Tennis vs. TAMU-CC game. But the team rallied around lead, Rice's Jackson drove into the Saturday, Jan. 15 2 p.m. — Jake Hess Tennis Stadium Jackson and junior guard Connor key but was stripped of the ball by Men's Basketball at UTEP Frizzelle, whose back-to-back three senior Sai'Quon Stone. Stone took 8:05 p.m. — El Paso, Texas Thursday, Jan. 20 pointers capped a 12-0 run that gave the ball on the fast break straight the Owls a 34-25 halftime lead. to the paint, where he was fouled Men's Tennis vs. Lamar/PV A&M Women's Basketball at UTEP 8:05 p.m. — El Paso, Texas After jumping out to a 43- and his floater bounced high off FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS 13 RICE TRACK & FIELD 2011 Women look to recapture first place from UTEP; men need strong performances in pole vault and heptathlon

by Natalie Clericuzio Fieldhouse, the meet will feel akin to a home THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF meet to the Owls, who compete in several in- door meets at Houston. Rice will be largely The first week of classes: a week of limbo, where competing against a mix of Southland Con- days are spent floating from class to class, picking ference schools and of course, Houston. and choosing which seminars will be interesting While Bevan does not plan to bring the full enough to make those three hours fly by and delib- j squad to this weekend's meet, the bulk of the erating which lectures will b intriguing enough to Owls will be competing. Luckily, the team is encourage regular attendance. A week that brings healthy on the whole, which should allow for the elusive luxury of being at college without any a strong showing by Rice to open the season. real responsibilities. A week to ease slowly back The largest meet the team will attend in into the grind of papers, tests and projects. the indoor season will be the Texas A&M For some Rice students, however, the first Challenge on Feb. 12, hosted by Texas A&M week of classes looks very different. For exam- University and featuring schools from the Big ple, the women's track team competes in its first 12, Pac 10 and Southeastern Conferences, as meet today. The first week of classes for the track well as C-USA. The meet will provide a strong team was a final chance to tune up after a full se- test for the Owls, according to Bevan. mester and winter break spent training, because, "The A&M meet will have some of the best come this afternoon, they are back in competi- NU PHOTO/THRESHER teams in the United States," Bevan said. tion. Now it counts. The season will culminate at the C-USA Championship meet, held again at Houston's Fresh faces/team leaders Junior Sophie Peeters competes at last year's Leonard Hilton Memorial. The Owls will look to Yeoman Fieldhouse Feb. 25-26. The Owls are At the front of the pack will be a bevy of defend their meet title today at Yeoman Fieldhouse facing teams from around the region. at an advantage again thanks to the proximity of familiar faces this season. Seniors Tina Rob- the meet, and the team aims to return to the top inson (throws), Ari Ince (pole vault), Sarah of the podium after placing second to the Uni- Agara (jumps), Allison Pye (distance) and the indoor season in 2010. Agara also marked her left by the graduation of sprinter Shakera Reece versity of Texas-El Paso in 2010. redshirt junior Kimberly Stanford (hurdles) personal bests in the triple jump at the Conference (Will Rice '10), distance runner Britany Williams "We definitely expect to win conference, both all trained well during the fall, according to USA indoor and outdoor meets. Pye returns to the (Will Rice '10) and jumper Shannon Moran (Wi- indoor and outdoor," junior distance runner Ma- Head Coach Jim Bevan. indoor arena for the first time since 2009 after ess '10), among others. rie Thompson said. "Outdoor conference is here "When we did our testing in early December, redshirting for the 2010 season. After transferring The team also will be bolstered in the outdoor at Rice, so we have a home advantage and we're right before everybody went home, you could see to Rice from the University of Iowa, Stanford has season by a few seniors who have exhausted in- really looking forward to that. the amount of work, the hard work that was done steadily improved her marks in the hurdles. door eligibility but not outdoor. These include "We're just in a different position this this fall," Bevan said. "I am very impressed with The seniors and other returning members distance runner Nicole Mericle, sprinter Brittany year. Instead of being on top [coming off where those seniors are relative to where they will be bolstered by an influx of new faces to the Washington and sprinter Sarah Lyons. These three straight C-USA championships] we're were a year ago. All are national caliber, and they squad. The crew includes sprinter Simone Mar- three will be sure to contribute for the second in an underdog scenario, which is a different have the ability to do well at the conference level tin and sprint hurdler Michelle Young, both from season of track this spring. perspective. We want to regain it so it's more and to oe in the discussion about nationals." Canada, middle distance runner Elle Moody and of a wanting to get back on top rather than ince comes into the season looking to defend 400- and 800-meter runner Sidney Cauthorn, Looking ahead to the schedule fending people off." two indoor and two outdoor pole vault conference both from Austin, and Meredith Gamble, a dis- This weekend's meet, the Leonard Hilton Me- Bevan expects several other C-USA teams titles from 2009 and 2010. Robinson has steadily tance runner from Houston who competed for morial, will largely serve as an opportunity for the to have potential for greatness in 2011, including improved throughout her career at Rice, throw- the cross country team in the fall. These new fac- team to shake off any rust and finally return to the the University of Central Florida, UTEP, University ing a personal best in the shot put at the end of es will hopefully help to fill the gaps in the team track. Held at the University of Houston's Yeoman Bsee WOMEN, page 14

by Jonathan Myers championship experience that will THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF be great," Warren said. Continuing with the field events, I . When canvassing the roster for the long and triple jumps return a 1^ € the next season, a head coach is few members along with a green- first inclined to look for the voids horn in freshman Justin Gross, who left by departed athletes. With Ja- was a three-time all-state member son Colwick (Martel '10), Simon at his Maryland high school, in ad- Bucknell (Martel '10) and Chris dition to being a member of the U.S. Kato (Martel '10) all having gradu- World Youth Team. Warren plans to ated, it's clear Head Coach Jon War- use Hayes in jumps occasionally If j if ren (Jones '88) will seek to get re- again, while senior Ugo Nduaguba sults from newcomers or returning will look to improve on his fifth- stars to fill their spots on the men's place finish at last year's confer- track team. While the gaps exist, ence championships. Sophomore it takes a very small leap of faith Ikechi Nnamani will contribute in to realize that athletes like senior both the triple jump and high jump, outdoor Ail-American decathlete where he is joined by fellow sopho- and heptathlete Philip Adam, long more Tyler Wiest. They will com- • ( distance runners redshirt junior pete without defending conference Michael Trejo and redshirt sopho- champion redshirt sophomore Jack more Gabe Cuadra, sophomore de- Spinks, who will sit out the begin- cathlete and heptathlete Clayton ning of the season as he recovers •« A v \ , , - Jtv \ \ - Chaney and senior hurdler Connor from a broken leg. • * ' ' - - \ {i — . Hayes will continue their impres- The throwers return senior Will '•-W* sive campaigns, which helped lead Meyers, junior Alex Zinchenko and • < the Owls to a fourth-place finish at redshirt freshman Nick Williams. the Conference USA Indoor Cham- Meyers finished 10th in the shot put FILE PHOTO/THRESHER pionships last year. at last year's conference champion- ship, and Zinchenko will look to "We've lost a few guys in the Junior Alex Zinchenko prepares to throw the shot put at last year's Leonard Hilton Memorial. Zinchenko and [pole] vault and a couple in dis- improve his consistency, according senior Will Meyers will anchor the shot put and weight throw events for the Owls in indoor track and field. tance, but we've got the ability to to Warren. ~ have guys come in and bring the "Alex has a ton of potential, and W | ( same effort," Warren said. "I feel he really started throwing well at like we have the potential to im- the end of outdoor [track] last year, finished second among Owls at the jump between high school track would compete this season, but ju- prove from last year." so we really think he can contrib- Texas A&M Challenge. Trejo has and indoor track." nior Pete Navarra could see some Starting with the pole vault, ute," Warren said. competed well in the 3,000- and The 400-meter dash proved to be time in the sprinting events. seniors Shea Kearney and Garrett Turning to the track, it's clear 5,000-meter events and looks to a strength for the squad last year, The heptathlon will perhaps be Stafford, along with sophomore Alec that, although the distance run- finish in the top 10 in both, while as sophomore Donte Moore and the strongest event for the Owls Hsu, will look to somehow equal Col- ners will not compete at the Leon- Cuadra finished near Trejo in both junior Collin Shurbet turned in im- with the All-American Adam return- wick's gold and silver medals claimed ard Hilton Memorial Invitation events as well. Juniors Matt Carey pressive results on the short indoor ing, along with redshirt sophomore in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Indoor at the University of Houston to- and James Llamas also provide track. Shurbet transitioned well to Clayton Chaney, whom Warren was Championships. While the greatest day, they will still provide a solid great depth to the group of long running the event in addition to his especially hopeful for. pole vaulter in school history may source of points, especially in the distance runners, and sophomore hurdling duties, and Moore had a "Clayton has a great shot to not be taking the vaulting runway in mile and 800 meters. Junior Dan Sammy Abuhamra comes in as the season-best of 49.35 seconds last make nationals this year," Warren a Rice uniform anymore, the three Sloat has asserted himself as one only Owl with experience in the in- year. The sprinters lost stalwart said. "He's really improved in all of helped Rice boast the best vaulting of the top 800-meter runners in the door mile run. John Welch (Hanszen '10) and will his events, especially the shot put, unit in C-USA, with Stafford finish- conference after finishing third in "The biggest thing for our new look to two other Hanszenites in and I feel confident that we can ing fourth and Hsu taking fifth at the the conference championship last distance runners is how they re- sophomore Kenny Jones and fresh- get a 1-2 finish at conference in the 2010 C-USA Indoor Championship, year, and senior Jacob Owolabi act to the shorter track in indoor," man Will Beasley. Jones ran in only heptathlon with him and Philip." and Kearney competing at last year's is primed to return near the top Warren said. "We've got guys like one meet last year in the 60-meter Freshman Ben Pressley was a NCAA Outdoor Championships. of the conference as well. Sopho- John Cavallo, Travis Roberts, Tony dash, but Beasley should be able regional qualifier in six different "Alec and Garrett will help us more Alex Weinheimer will look to Urbanelli that rarely ran indoor to help, especially in the relays. Ju- events in high school and has ex maintain that spot in the confer- build on his impressive freshman meets, if at all. Those guys and the nior Sam McGuffie is an unknown perience in the sprints and jumps, ence, and Shea has that national campaign last year, in which he throwers tend to have the biggest factor, as Warren was unsure if he O see MEN, page 14

+ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 SPORTS THE RICE THRESHER • WOMEN Swimming looks to UNT FROM PAGE 13 of Tulsa, Houston and Southern Meth- "Obviously we want to be able odist University. to maximize our performance at the after Owls capture three Each of these schools has its own conference meet in six weeks," Be- unique strengths. UCF had a standout van said. "We want to compete for a season in 2010, taking the conference's conference title, and, beyond that, top honors in the Outdoor Champion- we would like to get as many people of four Florida meets ship. UTEP, on the other hand, came out as we can to go to nationals." on top the Indoor Championship of last While the conference promises to by Christine Jeon for the 200-free relay. Rice finished strongly in the dis- season. In addition, Risper Kimaiyo of test the Owls' abilities this season, right o THRESHER STAFF Fong, who now holds the team's tance events, with Delaloye posting UTEP placed fourth in the nation at the now Rice has one focus: compete at its best times for the 50-, 100- and a season-best time of 5:06.48 to win national cross country meet. highest level, which will likely be at an Recording more losses than 200-freestyle this season, was the 500-freestyle and junior Alex Tulsa's distance squad will also be even higher level than in 2010, according wins thus far, the swim team had named Conference USA Swimmer O'Brien taking the 1,000-freestyle formidable, as it had an impressive cross toBevan. elicited skepticism from their devo- of the Week the next day. win in 10:26.11. country season, qualifying for nationals "The nice thing is we've got a lot of tees by the end of 2010. However, Two weeks later, Rice furthered The highlight of the meet came for the first time in school history. Hous- people who are going to be able to show three dual-meet wins and a stack their momentum to win 10 of 14 from the foursome of sophomore ton traditionally has always had strong that they've improved since last year," of season-best times later, the Owls events against Florida Interna- Stephanie Wei, Steinhouse, Gean track teams, and 2011 appears to be no Bevan said. "A lot of hard work and dedi- have weathered a demanding start tional University, claiming the dual and Fong in the 200-freestyle relay. different than the past. cation a lot of the time equates to im- to the season against elite compe- meet Dec. 17 with much breath- Fong came from behind to sprint to Regardless of the level of competition provement. So we're looking forward to tition. Additionally, the team went ing room. Bottoms continued her the end, allowing Rice to tie with from other schools, the Owls' season being able to show how much we have through their usual rigorous win- season success with a win in the the University of Denver. The tie al- goals remain unchanged: to win. improved in a year's time." ter training in south Florida to be 200-backstroke (2:07.95) and the lowed Denver to slip past Rice by a up and ready for the remainder of loo-breaststroke (1:05.83); the lat- marginal victory of 146.5 to 141.5- the season and the Conference USA ter was the the junior's first time to Rice beat the University of Cincin- Championship Feb. 23-26. swim the event this season. Adding nati 184-110 and Florida Atlantic OMEN Still, the Owls had business to to the Owls' points was Fong, who 181-99. FROM PAGE 13 finish before they embarked on said won the 200-individual medley Head Coach Seth Huston gave credit winter training. While many stu- (2:08.31) and her first 500-freestyle to his swimmers' effort, as some of them which could see him place well in stered by their heavy emphasis on dents were carefree on the last day of at the collegiate level (5:05.93). have been battling injuries. the heptathlon as well. the distance events. The University school on Dec. 3, the swim team was Junior Nicole Delaloye racked "I was pleased with our team As for the conference outlook, of Memphis finished only 12 points busy preparing themselves for a clash up another individual win in the performances at [Florida Interna- Houston still reigns supreme with behind Rice at the conference meet against eighth-ranked Texas A&M 200-freestyle, with a season-best tional] and [Florida Atlantic]," Hus- faur straight conference champion- last year, and they have a reputa- University at the Rice Aquatic Center. 1:56.22. Sophomore Danielle Spence ton said. "Nicole [Delaloye] stepped ships in the indoor meet. The Cou- tion for having the top throwers in Despite losing to the Aggies 157- won the 1000-freestyle by 0.8 sec- up and raced great. Chelsea Fong gars generally dominate all short C-USA. Rice has little choice but to 106, the Owls posted some impres- ond to post a season-best 10:36.93, and Shelby Bottoms dominated distance and jumping events, with get better results from their throw- sive times and won four individual and Steinhouse won the 50-free- their events. It has been frustrat- strong performances in the throw- ers and sprinters, while continuing races. Junior Shelby Bottoms came style with a time of 24.61. ing to have so many injuries and so ing events leading them to large solid performances in the distance back from a back injury to win the Rice added its finishing touches to much sickness to date." margins of victory. and jumping events and maintaining their place at the top of the heap of 200-yard individual medley with a the meet by winning the 400-freestyle The Blue and Gray will get The University of Texas-El Paso pole vaulters and heptathletes. time of 2:06.49. Freshman Chelsea relay (3:34.43) after taking the top two their first chance to compete com- and the University of Tulsa are bol- Fong was 0.7 second shy of breaking spots in the 400-medley relay. pletely healthy today when they her pool record for the 200-freestyle To cap the calendar year, the take on the University of North (1:51.88). Sophomore Kylee Talwar Owls claimed two of three meets Texas. The Mean Green rank 12th Tweetin' live from H-Town tomor- won the loo-breaststroke (1:04.89), at Florida Atlantic University in the CollegeSwimming.com/CS- and sophomore Kim Steinhouse Dec. 18, finishing first in seven CAA Mid-Major Poll and defeated row night as the men's basketball posted a season-best 24.04 for of 14 events. Bottoms did not dis- the Owls in their meeting last sea- the 50-freestyle. Steinhouse later appoint, as the Houston native son, 152-110. The head-to-head team looks to get out of El Paso teamed up with freshmen Fong, Mi- touched in first for the 100- and matchup between these two Texas chelle Gean and Karina Wlostowska 200-butterfly with times of 58.05 foes will start at 4 p.m. at the Rice to post an Owls' season-best 1:35.84 and 2:05.68, respectively. with a win. @ThresherSports Aquatic Center. <

THE

w w W FST EXPECT/GREATER THINGS West U Baptist Church invites you to worship, the study of Encounter God's Word and fellowship. Join us for our new contemporary Sunday worship service, Encounter @ 9:30 AM as well as a college-level Bible study class at 11 AM that is attended by many Rice University students and taught by Dr. Jim Tour.

1 •*

• t A Contem

>*' >* !;H • < Dr. Roger Patterson Doug Page '% Matt Brouwer ' Gary Chevalier Senior Pastor Campus Pastor Worship Leader Worship Leader

We're located two miles directly west of campus at 6218 Auden between University and Rice. Free round-trip shuttle service is provided each Sunday morning leaving at 9:15 AM on the loop in front of Rice's Allen Center. A return bus leaves the church at noon. See www.wubc.org for details, or call 713-668-2319. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 THE RICE THRESHER CALENDAR 15

MONDAY HOW TO SUBMIT CALENDAR ITEMS the Calendar The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. the Monday prior to pub- JAN. 14 - 20, 2010 Huzzah for equality lication. Submissions are printed on a space-available basis. It's Martin Luther King Submission methods follow us 24/7 at twitter.com/threshercal Jr. Day! Three cheers for Fax: 713.348.5238 three-day weekends. This E-mail: thresher-calendar@rice. edu is a university holiday, so Campus Mail: Calendar Editor there are no scheduled Thresher, MS-524 FRIDAY classes. Sleep in, lounge 14 I SATURDAY 15 around all day in your pa- jamas and do whatever it is Something's coming... Keep your receipts you do when you have free something good time. You could try and get For Once in my Life Today is the last day to a head start on your read- Looking for something to return your books to the ing, but who are we kid- TUESDAY 18 Catch the screening of do this weekend? Why not bookstore for a refund, for ding? No one is going to this uplifting and heart- go see the touring produc- those of you that either actually do that. warming film as part of tion of Broadway's ever- changed your schedules or Eggs, milk, orgo, swgs ... the Houston Public Broad- popular hit West Side Story, are one of those moochers Will sing 4 cookies casting System Community The second week of class Cinema, about the Spirit rolling through Houston that buys the book to read and shopping period starts until Jan. 23. The show rep- until you get it used from The Rice Light Opera Soci- of Goodwill Band, made ety is having auditions for today. Browse around, up of 28 musicians who licates the original chore- the Internet (Ever heard of drop in and out of classes ography by Jerome Robbins the library, bucko? That's their spring musical, The have severe mental and Sorcerer by Gilbert and Sul- to figure out what exactly physical disabilities. The and includes all the classic what they are there for.) you want to take, but make songs like "I Feel Pretty," In any case, if returning livan, today and tomorrow film, playing at 7 p.m. in from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Band up your mind, because, the Film Auditorium of the "Tonight" and "America." books is on your to-do list, come Friday, you will have Tickets are upward of $28, you'd better do it before Hall. Come prepared to sing Rice Media Center, offers a to finalize your schedule. glimpse into the behind- available from Ticketmas- the bookstore closes at a song in English of your the-scenes workings of the ter, and the show plays at 4 p.m. today. choice, and your bravery will Four strings attached band, the personal strug- the Hobby Center for the be rewarded with a cookie gles of the musicians and Performing Arts. and (if you're lucky) a part The Miami String Quar- in the production. Check out tet performs tonight with concert footage. SUNDAY the Facebook group for more soprano Arianna Zuck- Carnage is hilarious information about being in- erman in Stude Concert The 49th State volved backstage or in the Hall of Alice Pratt Brown The Tony-award-winning The ultimate waffles pit orchestra. Hall from 8 to 10 p.m. The Rice professor Douglas comedy that took Broad- program includes Schu- Brinkley will discuss his way by storm, God of Car- What better way to sup- Start off the new year bert, Schumann, Ginas- book, "The Quiet World: nage, about two couples port a campus organiza- with good intentions tera and Respighi. Ad- Saving Alaska's Wilderness who argue after their sons tion than by eating? This mission starts from $19 Kingdom 1879-1960," today get in a fight at school, morning, Miss Red, the by going to the Student As- with a limited number of at 7 p.m. at the Museum of opened on Wednesday at campus women's ultimate sociation's weekly meet- complimentary tickets for Fine Arts' Brown Auditori- the Alley Theatre. If you're Frisbee team, will be sell- ings. Stay informed about Rice faculty, staff and stu- um. The book is an account a student, tickets are only ing waffles with chocolate what's happening on cam- dents. For information, of the 80-year struggle over $13 and you can get student chips, whipped cream and pus, be in the loop about call 713-348-5400. the development of Alaska I c rate tickets almost every syrup for only $3-3.50 and events and opportuni- and its natural resources. day except Monday on the other wholesomely deli- ties and make your voice Alley Theatre's website, cious breakfast goodness heard; if that's not enough, alleytheatre.org by clicking for less than $1.50. You can there's free food! Meetings WEDNESDAY 19| THURSDAY 20 the "promotions" tab and find them in West Servery are every Monday at 9 p.m. < typing "student." from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in Farnsworth Pavilion. What do streaming This day in history was video and public school more interesting than have in common? today. Find out today. The CEO of Historically, Jan. 20 has Netflix, Reed Hastings, will been a very interesting 3 speak today at 6:35 p.m. in day. In 1265, the first Eng- I the Shell Auditorium of Mc- lish Parliament conducted Nair Hall about difficulty its first meeting. In 1502, sustaining excellent school present-day Rio de Janeiro districts, followed by a dis- was explored for the first cussion with Hastings and time. In 1783, Great Britain Terry Grier, the superinten- signed a peace treaty end- dant of the Houston Indepen- ing the American revolu- dent School District, who has tionary war. In 1885, the said he wants to make HISD roller coaster was patent- the best public school district ed and in 2009, President in the nation. The event is a Obama was inaugurated. joint effort by Rice Education However, this year, at least Entrepreneurship Program at Rice, apparently noth- and Houston's Knowledge is ing of note is happening. Power Program. Better luck next time.

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3704 Main Street near the HCC/Ensemble Light Rail Stop This sudoku was created and tacosagogo.com | (713) 8Q7.TACO (8226) designed by Helen Shaw. 16 BACKPAGE THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, JANUARY 14,2011 Today on The Backpage:

Rice Gets Real )) When Houston rapper Bun B made headlines worldwide earlier this year by announcing he had become a trillionaire and thus the single richest person in the history of the world, it seemed there was nowhere left to go. But having conquered the world of rap, Bun B decided to conquer the world of our hearts by teaching RELI157/311 Religion and Hip-Hop. We assume his teaching career will leap to a similar level of notoriety as his musical career relatively quickly, so we got to thinking, "What's next?" And then this Backpage was born.

PRESIDENT BIG MAN FOR THE HEAT

2011 begins

Was anybody else as ctushingly disappointed bv the fact that 2011 only has one zero in it, so there were no giant novelty glasses on New Year's Eve? And these ones don't ac tually count because they're stupid.

east servery opens

Rice isn't allowed to build any more serveries, because we've run out of directions. Also because last time they built one they sold It's safe to say that Bun B might do well if he were to take a cherished student institution in his talents to South Beach. He was even spotted on court t order to pay for it. in a Heat jersey sometime last week. I repeat, this is not The Republicans love religion and the Democrats love Photoshopped. hip-hop. It's an obvious choice. CSPD changes name again m I've never been hired to work in career services, but even I know it's a bad career move to continu- allly change the name of your business. It's a little thing called name recognition.

first week of classes

And last semester of school. I wish I had taken an LPAP before now. I also wish that last sentence was a joke.

nfl playoffs begin

Cowboys aren't in it. Texans aren't in it. Seahawks are on a roll. It's ok to cry, Texas citizens. 'a •• '>' • *• • Soon after this picture was taken, Professor B confided my birthday to us that this was the happiest day of his life and that he secretly wanted nothing more than to be best friends It was James Kohli's birthday Wednesday (the 12th). If you with us forever. So maybe one day soon we'll become a With rappers like Ludacris, Mos Def and LL Cool J making see him you should give him a common sight, hanging out in the parking lot and cheer- the jump from rhyming to acting, it only seems natural celebratory slap on the assi ing on another Rice victory in the stadium. I'm so happy for Bun B to try his hand at Hollywood. Rumor has it that right now. he'll star in a remake of Doris Day's The Thrill of it All set in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas.

The Backpage is satire and is written by James Kohli and Connor Hayes. Bun B, if you read this, omgomgomg be our friend. @mebymemusic @fanofnaps CLASSIFIEDS @rice.edu WANTED a Rice student might have a person- free TextbookMadness.com and save ONE BEDROOM, ONE Bath. Two blocks in the bedrooms. There are lots of ality and attitude like mine. We pre- money! from Rice (Rice Village). Washer and kitchen cabinets and a dishwasher. fer a light-eyed Caucasian, but will dryer on-site. Rice Shuttle pick up. Two walk-in closets, track lights and TUTORS WANTED. LEARNING squared, consider all. No travel required; we RICE GRAD BUSINESS. TFW. Sehale $685.00 per month, one month de- a private tutorial service, needs part- built in bookshelves. There is on site will use an acclaimed Houston fertili- Computer Sales and Service. Ludi- posit. All previous renters Rice gradu- time tutors in Mathematics, Biology, laundry, reserved off street parking in ty clinic for a Rice donor. The process crously low prices on reconditioned ate students. Cell 713-385-7512. mar- Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, Eng- a gated lot and a pool. Cats okay with takes 2 weeks: one screening, moni- desktops and gaming PCs! 2017 S [email protected]. lish, Economics, and Finance. Flex- an extra deposit, but no dogs please. toring visits and an egg retrieval. I'm Shepherd 713-526-2200 ible hours. Excellent pay. No house $775. Call Diane Monday to Friday offering $5,000 +expenses, nego- calls. Office located close to campus. Two BEDROOM ONE bath apt avail- from 9am to 5:30 pm. at 713 524 3344. tiable. All correspondence is confi- 713-528-7085. able now at 1301 Richmond Ave. The Andover. Ask about our graduate stu- dential and handled through a local, unit has central a/c, hardwood floors dent special. reputable reproductive attorney (or HOUSING in the living/dining room and carpet COME TEACH FOR testmasters! No ex- donor agency if you prefer). Please perience necessary as all training is email if interested or with questions: provided. Full and part time positions [email protected] ADVERTISING available. Dynamic and Energetic CLASSIFIEDS SUBSCRIPTIONS We accept display and classified advertise- 1-35 words $15 Annual subscription rates: teachers wanted. Pay rate start at ments. The Thresher reserves the right 36-70 words WANTED: STUDENT TO tutor 5th grader $30 $60/year domestic $i8-$3o/hour. Call 281-276-7743 or to refuse any advertising for any reason. 70-105 words $45 $125/year international via First Class Mail (mainly with math and science) 1 hr/ Additionally, the Thresher does not take email [email protected]. day Mon-Thurs., West Univ. Family on responsibility for the factual content of any Cash, check, or credit card payment must Non-subscription rate: ad. Printing an advertisement does not con- Buffalo Speedway Email Jason.lori@ accompany your classified advertise- First copy free I'M A RICE educated career woman stitute an endorsement by the Thresher. ment, which must be received by 5 p.m. Second copy $5 reterra.com or call 713-665-3963. Pay on the Tuesday prior to publication. who waited until after 40 to settle will be $15 / hr Display advertisements must be received by down. I recently celebrated my 1st 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to publication. The Rice Thresher The Rice Thresher wedding anniversary. My husband Attn: Classifieds Attn: Subscriptions CHEAP USED TEXTBOOKS @ Textbook- Cathleen Chang, Molly Slattery P.O.Box 1892 and I now want a child, and to do so we P.O. Box 1892. Madness.com. Built by a Rice grad. Advertising Managers Houston, TX 77005 1892 Houston, TX 77005-1892 need an egg donor (age cutoffs make Buy used textbooks from (and sell 713-348-3967 Phone 713-348-3974 Phone 713-348-3967 [email protected] Fax 713-348 5238 adoption difficult). We are seeking them to) other Rice students at the Fax 713-348-5238 someone similar to me, and feel that