OP-ED P. 3 AftE '*WI$r' p. 10 SPORTS P. 14 Is there a zombie nation in our future? It might put you in a Wyrd funk Jazzing it up A continual humans vs. zombies battle would make for an Rice Players' Wyrd Sisters misfires on a number of Go behind the scenes with former Rice basketballer Morris entertaining school day, don't you think? dramatic levels. But that Hwel guy sure is good. Almond, as he talks about adjusting to life in at the pro level.

thVOLUME XCVI, eISSUE NO . 1Ric8 STUDENT-RUe N SINCE 1916 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2009 Sid Rich masters resign Couple leaves, citing personal reasons

BY CATHERINE BRATIC \ THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF

After four years as masters of Sid Richardson College and one year away from completing their term, masters Michael Orchard and Melissa Marschall resigned Wednesday night. Sid President Claire Shorall said they plan to take a sabbatical next year and remain at Sid as associates upon their return. The announcement was made at Sid's weekly council meeting. At the meeting, Orchard, and elec- trical engineering professor, and »gS3£S les/thresher Marschall, a political science pro- Sophomore Melissa Wittmeyer attempts a hook shot during Wednesday's game against the University of fessor, said they will remain in their Houston l, Rice o Houston. The Cougars won by a score of 66-56, but Wittmeyer and the Owls will have a chance for revenge role through the end of the semester in tomorrow evening's rematch (see story, page 15). and step down to allow new masters to take over at the beginning of the next academic year. Rice changes budget Final decision on add/

BY MARGEUX CLEMMONS from philanthropic foundations, re- AND CINDY DINH search grants and individual donors. THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF Other universities have also expe- drop deadline reached h In response to a 20 to 25 percent U BY JACLYN YOUNGBLOOD carrying no fee, and the drop dead- loss in the endowment's value, Presi- THRESHER STAFF line at five weeks. This previous pro- dent David Leebron announced a 5 Everybody's making posal had cut the current registration percent university-wide budget cut After much debate and discus- deadlines in half. on funding from unrestricted sources reductions. Nobody's sion, the Faculty Senate voted Jan. Tenney said the changes in the last Wednesday during January's ple- immune from this. 14 to make the final amendments add deadline should not affect a huge nary meeting of the faculty. to the add/drop deadlines for the portion of students, since 94 percent Michael Orchard and Melissa Deans and vice presidents will be David Leebron 2009-'i0 academic calendar. Fac- of students last fall added a course Marschall Sid Rich Masters responsible for including a 5 percent Rice University President ulty Senate Speaker Deborah Har- within the first two weeks. In Fall budget reduction individually in each ter said the final vote sets the add 2007, 76 percent of students added a academic school and administra- 99 deadline at two weeks and the drop course within the first two weeks. Orchard and Marschall's four tive division's financial plans for the deadline at seven weeks. Students Harter met with Student Asso- years as masters were eventful, Sho- 2010 fiscal year, which begins July 1. may add or drop courses during ciation President Matt Youn and SA rall said. Their term was marked The overall reduction amounts to ap- rienced a similar budget-reduction this time period via ESTHER with- Co-Chairs of the Academics Com- by controversies: Racially-charged proximately $13 million, 3 percent of trend, and Rice's efforts to save mon- out any fees. mittee Jasdeep Mangat and Varun vandalism appeared in the college the entire university budget and a $7 ey and avoid future disruption are on Previously, students had four Rajan, and spoke with a group of coordinator's office in January 2008, million increase over the budget cuts par with other comparable institu- weeks to add a course, two weeks to students at an SA meeting to discern a student filed a sexual harassment announced Dec. 1 last year. Portions tions, Provost Eugene Levy said. Lee- add it without a fee, four weeks to students' opinions. complaint in January 2006 because ot the budgets and endowment, which bron said that while Rice has not lost drop a course without a fee and 10 "The SA felt relatively comfort- of a Sid council minutes' back page, are restricted for certain uses, such as much of its endowment as many weeks to drop a course with a fee of able with the seven week drop and disciplinary action against Sid as scholarships, will not be affected other universities, it depends on its $25 per class. deadline, but they would have students who violated Rice's univer- by the cut. endowment to a greater degree. Harter said the Senate spoke with liked three weeks to add classes," sity-wide policies of remaining inside "Everybody's making reductions," The Rice endowment is currently President David Leebron to request the Harter said. during Hurricane Ike in September. Leebron said. "Nobody's immune from valued at between $3.6 and $3.7 bil- removal of registration fee penalties. Harter received a proposal from Shorall said she thought Orchard this. Deans and vice presidents may lion, Levy said. At the same time, the "All faculty were very happy to get the SA arguing for a three-week add and Marschall did their jobs admira- be deciding that there are certain pro- university budget has increased by rid of the fees," she said. deadline and a seven-week drop bly considering the circumstances. grams that need to be suspended or 37.2 percent since 2004 and stands at Registrar David Tenney said since deadline. The Faculty Senate then "They're incredible people, and I'e discontinued, faculty slots that might $450 million for the 2009 fiscal year, fees are collected by the Cashier's Of- assembled an ad hoc committee to loved working with them," she said. not need to be filled or non-compensa- according to Vice President for Fi- fice, the revenue went directly to the further discuss the final proposal, In addition to a variety of diffi- tion expenses that need to be cut." nance Kathy Collins. university and not a specific depart- taking into consideration student cult issues, Orchard and Marschall Faculty or staff salaries will not Salary increases for faculty and ment, so the Office of the Registrar preferences. had two children during their time be reduced, though departments may staff may not be possible this year, never received any revenue from fees The proposal submitted to the Fac- as masters in addition to their three have to leave positions unfilled to said Leebron, who along with Levy it charged previously. ulty Senate by the ad hoc committee other children, two of whom are meet their budget targets if they do and several top members in the Of- The final outcome differs from the suggested two weeks to add a course students at Rice. Shorall said family not have many costs outside those fice of the Provost recommended to plan proposed last semester by the and seven weeks to drop it. The vote commitments forced the masters to that are salary-based, Leebron said. the chairman of the Board of Trust- Faculty Senate's working group on on the proposal was overwhelmingly spend more time in their house and Departments have been encouraged ees that they not be given a salary the academic calendar. The proposal in favor, Harter said, with one absten- less time at the college socializing to seek additional funding outside of increase this year. that came from that group set the add tion and one vote against. with students. the Rice endowment and tuition fees, B see BUDGET, page 4 deadline at two weeks, the first week O see ADD/DROP, page 7 0 see MASTERS, page 5

Wyrd sense of humor New Orleans craves attention 100 days INDEX Opinion 2 The Rice Players' production of Wyrd Sisters ...and Hanszen is enabling it with the annual Dress "classy" for Rice's "traditional" senior News 4 opens tonight at 8 p.m. in Hamman Hall. The Dis- Mardi Gras party, tonight from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. in party next Wednesday night at 9 p.m. at "upscale" Arts & Entertainment 10 cWorld parody of Macbeth's three witches will run the Hanszen Commons. Whoever finds the baby Houston social club 26ten. Tickets can be bought Sports 13 Feb 6,7 and 12-14. Tickets are $5 for Rice students. Jesus in the cake has to buy next year's keg. for $10 in advance at the RMC Info Desk. Calendar 19 Backpage 20 2 OP-ED THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 the Rice (Ihresher Thanks for listening, Faculty Senate Last year, the Faculty Senate proposed an academic calendar that would have given students just one week to add classes with- out a fee, and only five weeks to drop classes. But after meetings +) with the SA, the Senate has decided to extend both of those dead- lines, and we have to thank its members for their willingness to W m listen to student concerns (see story, page l). While the new schedule of two weeks to add a class and seven weeks to drop is more condensed than the current sched- ule, we feel that it is a fair compromise for both professors and students. Registration data shows that the vast majority of stu- dents already operate within this time frame, so the change is merely reflecting a trend already in place. And, should a student face some sort of extenuating circumstance, he or she can still appeal to the Examinations and Standing Committee for help escaping an academic hole. Pa*GKRRA (V&pwfveJt We are also glad that professors will now have to worry less about students entering or exiting their classes long after the semester has started — a less stressed professor is good for ev- erybody. At the same time, though, professors should under- stand that students need to know as early as possible what the t workload and expectations of the class will be. The professor should provide a detailed syllabus and candid analysis of his expectations, thus giving students the chance to fully mull over their decision to enroll. This way, students will not be waiting until grades come out in week eight or nine to decide whether the class is right for them, and frantic late-semester drops will occur with less frequency. £ •, .J SA makes good choice with trayless resolution

As the evidence piles up indicating that the removal of trays VIE'VE BEE hi THOUGH T006H will result in lower water bills and electricity costs for Rice's serv- TttAfcS BEfOfcE, Hokex. VlE'LL ery system, we have to applaud the Student Association's pro- GET THROUGH THIS TOO. posed resolution supporting the measure (see story, page l). We also greatly appreciate that H&D chose not to exercise its right to act unilaterally in this decision and instead chose to collaborate CAMPUS REACTION with the student body. "The SA and Housing and Dining are looking into offering a new 10-meal-a-week plan Preliminary test-runs of the trayless program — "Wasteless for seniors and off-campus students. What do you think of the proposed changes?" Wednesdays" at the south servery — have shown upwards of a 30 percent reduction in food waste and an 11 percent reduction in water usage at each meal, and we firmly believe that any type of practical cost reduction is a welcome sign, especially in today's economic climate. For those who are opposed to the proposal, we urge you to think about the move as H&D's attempt to keep fiscally sound by any means possible other than raising meal prices. With the economic slump and Hurricane Ike both taking a toll on the serveries' coffers this year, H&D has to do something to reduce costs, and we are glad they have taken steps to do that without shifting further financial "I like the idea of more "I like the plan, because I go "I was off-campus last year burden on students. options for off-campus stu- home every weekend, so I ... [and the proposed meal dents. Bonding is done a lot lose weekend meals." plan] would have been more However, we do wonder whether there is a way to please all stu- at lunch and dinner." convenient for me." dents affected by the proposed change. Over the past few years, the serveries have been looking to phase out disposable plates and Montoya Savala Prodnya Bhawalkar Miguel Quirch cups. Rather than removing those items completely, the servery Will Rice College senior Baker College junior Martel College sophomore staff recognizes that some students still need them and instead keeps them out of sight, where they can be reached when request- ed. This has the double benefit of providing disposable items to students who need them while still cutting down on frivolous use,

and perhaps the same measure can be adopted with trays. Dylan Farmer & Lily Chun Editors in Chief But all in all, we think think this resolution is a great idea. The Rice Thresher, the official student news- Wednesday shouldn't have a monopoly on wasteless anymore. paper at Rice University since 1916, is pub- NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY lished each Friday during the school year, Catherine Bratic Editor except during examination periods and holi- David Rosales Editor days, by the students of Rice University. Margeux Clemmons >4ssf. Editor Ariel Shnitzer/lssf. Editor New physics building Cindy Dinh Asst. Editor Lauren Schoeffler/*ssf. Editor Letters to the Editor must be received by Jocelyn Wright Asst. Editor 5 p.m. the Monday prior to publication and Zach Castle Designer WEB must be signed, including college and year if will bring prestige Nick Morales Designer John Michael Cuccia Editor the writer is a Rice student. Letters should not Stephen Wang Asst. Editor exceed 250 words in length. The Thresher re- OP-ED serves the rights to edit letters for content and The new Brockman Hall for Physics, slated to be completed length and to place letters on our Web site. Amanda Melchor Editor BUSINESS Neel Shah Cartoonist in December 2010, should be heralded as a welcome addition to Sarah Mitchell Manager Editorial 8i business offices are the Rice campus (see story, page 4). Although the construction Yvette Pan Payroll Manager located on the second floor of the Ley Stu SPORTS Jessie Huang Subscriptions Manager dent Center: may hamper our peace and quiet, the resulting building will Natalie Clericuzio Editor Gustavo Herrera Distribution Manager create the perfect amount of peace and quiet that our physicists Yan Digilov Editor Sergio Jaramillo Distribution Manager 6100 Main St., MS-524 Charlie Ary Distribution Manager Houston, TX 77005-1892 require to conduct their experiments. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Phone (713) 348-4801 Julie Armstrong Editor Fax (713) 348-5238 The Physics and Astronomy Department may already com- ADVERTISING E-mail: [email protected] Joe Dwyer Editor mand much of the administration's attention, but Rice should Joseph Ramirez Ads Manager Web site: www.ricethreslier.org Thomas Yeh Ads Manager do everything possible to ensure that its achievements attract COPY Cathleen Chang Classified Ads Manager Unsigned editorials represent the major- more focus outside the hedges. Rice's physicists have already Nick Schlossman Editor ity opinion of the Thresher editorial staff. Ryan Stickney Editor BACKPAGE All other opinion pieces represent solely garnered praise for their research, and their move to the state- Anna Wilde Editor F.ric Doctor Editor the opinion of the piece's author. of-the-art of Brockman Hall will allow them to pursue ever more Timothy Faust Editor CALENDAR The Thresher is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. Fruit maggots. ambitious experimental goals . At the very least, Rice will have a Timothy Faust Editor new recruiting tool, since the building will be attractive to both © Copyright 2008 potential students and potential faculty, and that, of course, is a very good thing. Op-Ed Assault calls for refined communicationRPC should bring back LAST WEEK THERE was a sexual as- has been used in the past to alert of rob- addition, spreading multiple accounts sault on campus in the Humanities beries on campus. The system works in- of one incident caused confusion. Assassin, but zombie-style Building, which is in itself truly fright- credibly well, with text messages going Secondly, although posted bulle- ening. What is almost equally frighten- out only minutes after incidents, and tins were a helpful way to alert the Rice As A SENIOR reflecting on my time at tion, and at a small campus like Rice, ing is the fact that very few people knew we at the WRC laud RUPD for the sys- community, the locations of the bul- Rice, I often reminisce about the usu- the game would be even more enter- about it, which put them in danger of tem's inception but question why it was letins — on doors in heavily trafficked al fun memories: Orientation Week, taining. The basic rules are relatively similar attacks. As a coordinator for not utilized to alert the campus of this areas — were not quite as effective. Put- Dis-Orientation, Screw Yer Room- simple and similar to those of Assas- the Women's Resource Center, I would assault. We feel it is absolutely neces- ting bulletins on doors makes it difficult mate, Beer Bike. But one of the mem- sin. Everyone registered for the game like to take this opportunity to offer the sary that events of this kind be reported for people to read them, as the doors are ories that stood out most was the fun begins as a human with the exception WRC's condolences to the victim of the on the Emergency Notification System, constantly being opened and closed. tradition of Assassin, an annual cam- of one randomly chosen person who attack and suggestions to the Rice Uni- and we urge RUPD and the Rice admin- Why not put the bulletins on walls next pus-wide game organized by the Rice becomes the Original Zombie. This versity Police Department on how they istration to be vigilant that the system is to doors or on bulletin boards in build- Program Council that ended in 2007. zombie then has 48 hours to "bite" can better keep us safe after such an utilized when necessary. ings? These locations get just as much The game is overdue for a perma- (meaning "tag") a human player, or attack. In general, the attack calls for a The day after the assault the omi- traffic, but allow for the Rice commu- nent return to campus but for various the zombie dies. Humans can defend wider and more timely dissemination of nous red-bordered bulletins appeared nity to actually take time to read them. reasons — including fun — it should themselves from attack with either a information without disparities. on buildings. In general, this is a good Lastly, since the time of the incident be conducted in a different, zombie NERF gun or rolled up socks to use as strategy to alert the public to incidents. there has been no follow-up on whether oriented format. grenades. In addition to the humans' However, there are some ways to im- or not the perpetrator has been caught, advantage of weapons, the zombies prove the system, especially in regards nor has there been any information as are prohibited from movement within to the recent assault. to what steps RUPD and the Houston the game for 15 minutes after being Police Department are taking in regards struck with a NERF dart or socks. to the assault. RUPD must keep the Rice Besides the obvious novel twist, 44 community informed of what steps are the game retains various advantages being taken in cases like this that affect over the current Assassin setup. Un- The attack calls the whole community. like Assassin, Human vs. Zombies al- Julia Lukomnik There exists a need for more com- lows players — both human and zom- for a wider and prehensive and timely information re- Amanda Melchor bie — to be visibly distinguishable by Let's start with immediately after more timely garding incidents like the assault that other players and non-players alike. the assault, which occurred on a week- occurred last week. In addition to more The game, sponsored by RPC usu- Players wear some kind of colored day night in the center of campus when dissemination of complete and quick information, the ally in late March or early April, was bandana, usually yellow because it's it was almost certain that many people administration should also consider pretty simple: First, a player received the most visible color, around their were out and about. As the perpetrator information. installing lights in some of the darkest the name of another randomly-se- body to show that they're active in was not detained by RUPD, it is con- locations on campus (and to speed up lected player in her campus mailbox. the game. While zombies wear the ceivable that students and faculty in 99 installation of lights around the Outer Then, she had to "eliminate" that per- bandana around their heads, hu- the area were in danger of encounter- Loop). I would also like to remind stu- son with a water gun. The rules were mans wear the bright cloth around ing him. To keep members of the Rice dents, faculty and staff alike to make fairly open — a target was eligible for their arm or leg. If players feel that community safe, RUPD should have Firstly (and this may have escaped use of the RUPD night escort service. "assassination" anywhere but his or a wearing a bandana is a bit annoy- initiated a system for instantaneous general notice), there were two versions Again, on behalf of the WRC I offer our her room. The player who acquired ing (a bandana isn't really a flattering notification, allowing people in the of the bulletin — one that characterized consolations to the victim of this assault the most names at the end of the accessory) or if the game extends for area to retreat to safe locations or do the incident as a sexual assault and one and hope that with the proper informa- week of play won a prize — along with longer than a day or weekend, this whatever they thought necessary to that classified it as simply an assault tion and the proper precautions, Rice glory and bragging rights — awarded rule could be modified by dif bent protect themselves. and gave significantly fewer details. will be able to avoid further incidents in by RPC. colored bandanas for humans and Luckily for us, a manner in which The disparity in information between the future. The entire event was especially zombies which could be displayed on to notify Rice members of exactly this these two bulletins is a mistake that excellent because it was designed for a backpack or bag if not on the body. type of incident exists — it's called the should not be repeated. Students and lulia Lukomnik is a Baker the whole campus, not just one or two By distinguishing players with a dis- Emergency Notification System, and it faculty have the right to the full story. In College junior. residential colleges. Players could and tinct colored bandana, people who would solicit help from their friends are uninvolved in the game do not at other colleges or even professors to have to worry about being mistaken find a target, introducing camarade- for an actual player. Rice needs to fix rec center, not ignore itri e to what was otherwise just a rather competitive game. Those who weren't 44 As SOMEONE WHO makes use of the lack enough machines to accommo- need to do, in spite of the lovely pros- directly playing could even get in- Autry Recreation Center often, I can't date the student body, many of them pects of a new Rec Center, is to begin volved by helping or hindering their help but notice the deteriorating state constantly malfunction. The last time improving Autry now. Besides, after friends' efforts. The game was a great There is a version of the facility. Conditions at the Rec I checked, two of the five treadmills the new Rec Center opens, Autry will way to meet new people while still Center have always been lackluster, were out of order, and had been so for still be in use by the varsity athletes. having some competitive fun, particu- of Assassin that but after a section was closed off due at least a couple of weeks. I'm not sure We are throwing all of our focus onto larly for the non-athletically inclined. RPC could host to the construction of the Tudor Field- what causes the machines to break the construction of the new Rec Cen- Imagine a real-life GoCrossCampus, house and Youngkin Center, we lost down, perhaps it's the doing of some ter and not paying enough attention to played by more than just two or three this very year... practically half of Autry, including the careless Rec Center users, but I would the old one when it really needs it. people at each college and with real Humans vs. old weight room, and consequently a like to see them fixed, and I'm wonder- people participating. lot of our exercise opportunities were ing why it's taking so long. Though in my first and only week Zombies. cut short. Sadly, I am reminded of this And it's not just the cardio room 44 of play I made an extremely poor as- every time I follow the ominous signs that's flawed: Although I am not an sassin (I didn't last past dinner of the 99 leading to the temporary entrance, and avid swimmer myself, I have heard We are throwing first day of the week-long game), it upon entering, I am greeted with Au- countless complaints from my fellow was fun to try to acquire my target and try's currently dismal conditions. students that the indoor swimming all of our focus help other people acquire theirs. But One of the great rules about Hu- pool currently available to us is, well, as I looked forward to another (and mans vs. Zombies is that any attack never available. It seems like half the onto the construc- perhaps longer) game of Assassin, on a non-participant results in the time, the pool is closed to recreational tion of the new an event happened that changed the player being banned from the game. swimming, seeing as it's always oc- way many universities — including Players can safely play the game with- cupied for swimming classes, water Rec Center and not our own — operate: the April 2007 Vir- out involving innocent bystanders polo, and swim team practice or Life- paying enough ginia Tech shootings. Because of the and innocent bystanders can enjoy n • time Physical Activity Program class- attacks, RPC rightfully decided at the watching their classmates get pegged es. While I wholeheartedly support attention to the time to cancel the annual competition with socks and NERF darts, which, the pool being used for these activi- out of respect for victims and to show unlike water, leave no visible traces Christine Pao ties, it's hard for students who want to old one. our support for the survivors. Spon- on players (or unintended targets) to swim for recreation or exercise to find soring a game titled Assassin would or from class and events. obviously be disrespectful after those On more than one occasion, I have a time slot when the pool is open to fit 99 Humans vs. Zombies is also per- journeyed across campus only to find within their schedules. events, and this unease probably fect for its adjustable game duration 5 • that all of the cardio machines are al- These are all reasons why I am still resonates for some at the mere and simple player organization. The ready in use. As a result I am forced to more than thrilled for the opening the In order to correct the problems thought of students even playfully play period can extend anywhere wait in the corner, staring down the new David and Barbara Gibbs Recre- that Autry is facing, we don't need to pretending to shoot each other with from a day to a week to a year-round users of each machine in hopes that ation and Wellness Center. While Au- completely renovate the facility — A water guns. event. And unlike Assassin, play- someone will finish in a reasonable try's current state is discouraging, the few additional machines in the cardio Last year, the game resurfaced ers do not have to worry about "as- amount of time — yet several times, new rec center's features sound quite room would better accommodate the once again, but perhaps due to lack of sassinating" a specific player and I have waited upwards of 20 minutes promising. With two new outdoor student body; speedier repairs would advertisement (and the one year an- RPC doesn't have to go through the ensure more equipment is available niversary of the massacre), the event hassle of designating targets for 4 • for a cardio machine to free up. That's pools, one for competition and one not really a long enough time to in- for recreation, tons of new indoor and at any given time; and implementing was poorly attended and virtually each player. The other various and cite me into an angry protest, but it outdoor courts, and weight and car- more time slots for recreational swim- nonexistent. And although the game customizable rules can be found is a considerable block of time that 1 dio rooms, I am hoping that the new ming would solve the availability is- in its past incarnation may never be on the game's official Web site could be using to do more productive Rec Center will be able to give us what sue. If Rice wants its students to lead played again at Rice (and understand- http://humansvszc-mbies.org. things. Let's face it: Nobody wants to Autry cannot. healthy, balanced lives, it needs to ably so), a similarly large, all-encom- So put away your water pistol and wail in line for exercise, an activity But again a problem with time provide them with adequate, readily- passing game should be considered. bring out your NERF gun and best thai arguably many people view as a arises, since the new Rec Center is availableexercise facilities, and, while There is a version of Assassin that (and heaviest) pair of tube socks. It's •f • tedious responsibility. If I'm willing on schedule to open this coming fall. building an entirely new Rec Center is RPC could host this very year to bring time to reinstate a fun tradition at to make the ridiculously long, peril- What are we going to do until then? commendable, renovating the old Rec this great tradition back to campus: Rice. but. you know, with NFRF guns ous trek from Martel all the way to Continue enduring the poor condi Center is just as important. Humans vs. Zombies. and zombies. Autry, I expect to be able to get a de- lions at Autry? Wait until next fall to Essentially, it's tag with zombies. cent workout without delay. restart our exercise routines? Neither Christine Pao is a Martel This is a popular game that has Amanda Melchor is a Hanszen Yet despite the fact that we already of these options makes sense. What we College freshman. been played at colleges across the na- College senior and opinion editor. 1 • I FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 4 NEWS THE RICE THRESHER New building will foster collaboration, not vibration man Hall was the minimal amount BY JOCELYN WRIGHT nial Campaign of an undisclosed for the landscaping and exterior de- longer meet the demands of mod- of physical and acoustic vibration THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF amount from the A. Eugene Brock- sign have not yet been finalized, but ern experimental physics, Mat- at the site. Senior Project Manager man Charitable Trust. outdoor collaborative spaces and a thews said. Patrick Dwyer said approximately More construction fences will Brockman Hall will be composed water feature such as a fountain are "I think what happens over time 10 sites were analyzed, including crop up on campus in the coming of two wings — a south wing on the under consideration. is you get irrational uses of spaces Old Wiess Field, before the loca- week as preparations begin for ground with state-of-the-art labo- Buchanan said the raised north on campus," President David Lee- tion north of George R. Brown was a new physics building north of ratories located underground and wing of the building will form a bron said. "We're a small university selected. George R. Brown Hall: the Brock- a north wing that will be above the new Science Quadrangle, which that should be bringing people to- man Hall for Physics. The build- ground and allow for landscaping was designated the "Court of Sci- gether rather than separating them. In order to further minimize vi- ing is scheduled to be completed underneath the building, Facilities, ence" in the earliest master plans This building will give them [the brational interference, the laborato- in December 2010 and was made Engineering and Planning Project of campus. The raised wing will Physics and Astronomy Depart- ries will be located in the basement possible by a gift to Rice's Centen- Manager Joe Buchanan said. Plans also preserve the view from Ham- ment] a way to communicate with of the building atop a 2-foot-deep man Hall across campus to Sid one another in a way that's much slab which will absorb ground-borne Richardson College. more productive." vibrations. The basement of Brockman Hall Brockman Hall will also bring "If you were on a moving train will be devoted to laboratories, the the Physics and Astronomy depart- and you were trying to thread a Interested in being an Urban first floor will house a large lecture ment together with faculty doing needle, the movement would inter- hall and a smaller seminar class- related research from the Electrical fere with your capacity to do that, Immersion Student Coordinator? room, and the second and third and Computer Engineering Depart- whereas if you were on a very still floors will host additional labo- ment, facilitating faculty interac- table and threading the needle, it ratories and offices, former Dean tion, Physics and Astronomy Depart- would be much easier to do," Mat- Imagine having a real opportunity of Natural Sciences Kathleen Mat- ment Chair Barry Dunning said. thews said. "(The new laborato- thews said. "The new building and Herman ries] simply provide from a vibra- to inspire incoming Rice students to become The observatory currently in the Brown are right next door, so the tion standpoint the capacity to do, community-oriented individuals. parking lot next to the construction consolidation should improve fac- measure and manipulate things on site for the David and Barbara Gibbs ulty interaction enhancing the in- a scale that's not possible in a high Recreation and Wellness Center will tellectual ferment and the cross-fer- vibration setting." be moved to the fourth floor of the tilization of ideas," Dunning said. Dunning said the architects, en- building to minimize interference "It's going to be a very stimulating gineers and steering committee for from the lights of the future Recre- environment. It's going to bring the building visited several physics ation Center. people together not just from our laboratories around the country to When the building opens, the department but also people with analyze different approaches. Physics and Astronomy department closely related interests." "We learned what does and does will be relocated from Albert and Dunning said physicists are cur- not work so we don't repeat their mis- Ethel Herzstein Hall to Brockman rently forced to do any experiments takes," Dunning said. Hall and Herman Brown Hall. The requiring sensitive measurements Each laboratory will have precise fate of Herzstein Hall is yet to be and precise control of the environ- humidity and airflow control as well determined, but Matthews said the ment, such as operating super-stable as clean power, which will keep ex- physics teaching laboratories will lasers, very late at night when there periments being done in one labora- For more information about the Urban Immersion remain there. is no interference from people and tory from impacting another, Mat- program, Coordinator responsibilities and to apply The building is the product of traffic. thews said. visit the Community Involvement Center's website nearly a decade of campaigning by "Experiments have to run through Dunning said Brockman Hall Matthews. Currently, experimen- the night because that is the only would allow Rice to recruit top re- f http://www.rice.edu/servicel. tal physicists are spread over five time things are stable," Dunning searchers in physics. buildings — Herzstein, Herman said. "The new building will enable "It will be an enormous additive Applications are due by Wednesday, Brown, Dell Butcher Hall, the An- us to do these kinds of experiments in recruiting," Dunning said. "We can derson Biological Laboratories and throughout the day." offer state-of-the-art labs and give February 25 at 5:00 pm. the Space Science Building — and One of the primary factors in them facilities as good as any univer- have to work in facilities that no selecting the location for Brock- sity, which was not the case before." • BUDGET FROM PAGE 1

Typically, decisions have already the institution." been made around this time to allo- Leebron also mentioned that cate 2-3 percent of the total payroll to revenue from the impending growth the pay-raise pool, which is then al- in the undergraduate student body located to deans and vice presidents will boost the budget. However, he to offer pay raises to faculty and staff said that scholarship costs will be based on merit and promotions, Col- increasing rather than decreasing lins said. because of the more lenient schol- In addition to the budget changes arship cutoffs that were introduced and the delay on the decision con- last month. cerning pay raises, the staff hiring "Although in some ways this is freeze imposed in late November was a time when we need more money lifted last Wednesday. from tuition because tne endow- "We ended it because the deans ment's down and because there are and vice presidents really need to only so many sources of funding, we be responsible about hiring for their realize that a lot of peoples' families ill schools and divisions because it af- are in worse financial circumstanc- fects how they manage the five per- es than they were before," Leebron cent reduction," Collins said. said. "So it's actually cjuite difficult INTERWEBS! Hanszen College sophomore Will to cut the cost in scholarships. And Randall said lifting the hiring freeze although there will be some tuition is a good thing. increase, it's probably not a time "It gives Rice a competitive ad- when we can have an extremely vantage in recruiting new professors large tuition increase." Where you can crash and get and staff that would otherwise likely Randall said that although he your news at the same time. be recruited by Ivy Leagues or other understands there are going to be universities with money to burn," sacrifices and supports the admin- Randall said. "We should be able to istration's decision to give most of Register online now and get the pull in a better crop of researchers the responsibility of budget cuts to and professors." news right in your in box. it's like deans, he finds it strange that tuition Baker College junior Aurelia is increasing at all during such eco- expforinq the universe from the Chaudhury added that because the nomically difficult times. His father's comfort of your own home. student body is increasing in size, small business was hit by the strain gradually increasing the number of on the markets, he said. faculty in tandem is important. leebron mentioned that his own Leebron said that although the office will be making small changes to university will be exceeding its tar- save money, such as double-sided print- get endowment spending for the ing and turning off computers at night. year, between 4.5 and 5.5 percent, "The only good side of an eco- surpassing the absolute boundary nomic circumstance like this is it tm /Jt of endowment spending at 6 per- forces changes that are desirable msmmmm cent is not an option. Additionally, for other reasons that people might decreasing growth in endowment have not even known were neces- spending is a general priority that sary," he said. the university will continue to pur- Still, Leebron said that additional 4HMf.RICETHRESHER.ORG sue, he said. steps might be necessary if the econ- "There's some good news out omy continues to decline. there," Leebron said. "As of the end "One thing that makes me ner- of December, our annual fund was vous is that the financial markets up over 15 percent. Our applica- haven't settled down, so this could News. Everywhere. The Thresher. tions, right now, are up 14 percent, get worse," Collins said. and so those are important indica- m* • "Or the markets haven't settled up tions of the strength and health of yet," Levy added with a chuckle. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS O MASTERS New meal plans proposed FROM PAGE 1 "It's been very taxing on them to really got to know them realized what raise a family while being masters," great people they were." she said. Given such demands on their time, for 0C students, seniors Sid junior Chris McClure said a lack most Sid students viewed Orchard and of communication probably played the Marschall's tenure in context. JOSH RUTENBERG ald said he also hopes to increase beneficial to a large number of biggest role in their resignations. "I'd say that they've tried really THRESHER STAFF awareness about the current five seniors who have responsibilities "The barriers that they've cre- hard to be good masters," Sid sopho- meals per week plan offered to off- such as jobs that require them to ated between them and the stu- more Mishal Thadani said. "I don't Seniors and off-campus stu- campus students. be off campus often. He said he dents this year were too big to be think there will be hard feelings." dents may soon see another op- Student Association External also feels that the addition of the removed in a year, and ... the only A committee has already been tion on the list of meal plan choic- Vice President Nicholas Muscara new plan might attract seniors thing left to do was move on," Mc- formed to search for a new master. es if barriers to planning such a lauded the increased options that back on campus. Clure said. Shorall said that Sid hopes to find a drastic change can be overcome. Housing and Dining would be of- "Typically, it's hard for OC stu- Shorall said that many misinter- replacement within six weeks, an ex- The new plan, a joint effort dents to return to the servery," preted the masters' withdrawal from pedited schedule. between the Student Association 44 Muscara said. Sid affairs. Once a new master is chosen, and Residential Dining Director Muscara said he hopes that by "A lot of tension arises from the Orchard and Marschall will get a David McDonald, will explore the Our goal is to offer making the meal plans more conve- fact that they weren't that visible chance to step back and take a need- feasibility of a meal option that nient, seniors will have a more sig- within the college," Shorall said. "A ed break, Shorall said. would allow seniors and off-cam- students a choice. nificant presence in their colleges' lot of people viewed that lack of vis- "They're going to make awesome pus students to purchase a yearly ibility as a lack of interest when that associates," Shorall said. "I can't wait Nicholas Muscara day to day lives. package of 10 meals per week. wasn't the case at all. Anybody who to see them when they have free time." Martel 'n However, the proposal has Currently, students living on- seen significant obstacles since campus have only one meal plan ft its inception. McDonald said that option: 19 meals per week. Off- adding the new plans is a num- campus students currently also bers game: rising gas prices, sub- have the option to purchase the fering. sidizing prices for students after RUPD POLICE BLOTTER 19-meal plan, a five-meal plan "Our goal is to offer students Hurricane Ike and the recession The following items were reported to the Rice Univer- or not to purchase a meal plan more of a choice," Muscara said. have all threatened to hold up the sity Police Department for the period Jan. 28-Feb.4 at all. The newly proposed plan The project began last semester new meal plans. To make matters would be available to seniors when Muscara, a Martel College worse, food prices have increased RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES and fifth year students, as well sophomore, and Selim Sheikh, a an average of 7 percent across the Jones College Jan. 30 Theft as all off-campus students. Martel Senator, investigated ways nation, and freezes in the north- McDonald said the current to change the meal plan options. east have resulted in diminishing OTHER BUILDING meal plan arrangement discour- At the time, Sheikh, a sophomore, food quality, he said. Tudor Field House Jan. 30 Theft ages many off-campus students was pushing for more options for "In the 22 years I've been in the from eating in the serveries. Muslim students during Ramadan. food business, I've never seen food PARKING LOTS "Not a lot of off-campus stu- After he talked with McDonald, the rise by as much and in as such a dents eat here at lunch," McDon- plan began to form. short period of time as it has this Greenbriar Lot Feb. 1 Burglary of a motor vehicle ald said. "Off-campus students Muscara said he has spoken past year," McDonald said. would be paying a lot [morel with with the SA senate about the addi- Nevertheless, McDonald is OTHER LOCATIONS a larger meal plan than with tetra tional meal plan options and has hopeful that the plan will be met Rice Village Apartments Jan. 28 Theft points at the door." received an overwhelmingly posi- with success, if not this year then Off Campus Jan. 30 Theft In addition to adding the 10 tive response. Muscara pointed in the near future. By 2010, when Entrance 8 Jan.31 Failure to stop and render meals per week plan, McDon- out that the new plans would be the new residential colleges are aid fully inhabited, McDonald predicts Off Campus Feb. 1 Driving while intoxicated the plans will be able to be imple- Entrance 23 Feb. 2 Harrassment mented. Before then, if the com- STUDENT ASSOCIATION MINUTES Off Campus mittee accepts the plan, it will also Feb. 3 Harrassment The following were noted at the most recent meeting of Laboratory Road Feb. 4 Warrants; Criminal Arrest the Student Association on February 2. need to be approved by the Dean of Undergraduates.

• Student Life Committee Co-Chairs Kyle Clark, a Will Rice College Junior, and Nicolas Feltman, a Will Rice sophomore, reported on the success of the Wiess College/Jones College picnic and an- nounced plans for a following picnic to be organized by new stu- dent representatives. They will conduct a poll on late-night food options in early February in addition to existing plans for Coffee- house to serve food. • Environmental Committee Chairs Patrick McAnaney, a Brown Call and you could save College junior and Sara Hartnett, a Hanszen College junior, an- nounced that outdoor recyclers can be requested for outdoor events and that plans are underway to acquire a set of outdoor recyclers for each individual college. The Environmental Commit- Class dismissed. tee is currently collecting a survey of recycling in the academic buildings and distributing stickers to remind people to turn off lights when leaving rooms. The committee is additionally working with Information Technology to put all computers in public areas on standby when not in use and secure discounted printing fees for those who print double-sided at the University Copy Center satellite in the Rice Memorial Center..

• New Student Representatives Melissa LoPalo, a Baker college freshman, and Ruchir Shah, a Brown freshman, announced that Convenient local office there will be a clothing drive running Feb. 1 - Feb. 13. Donation boxes will be available in the commons. Money-saving discounts Low down payments • External Vice President Nicholas Muscara, a Martel College soph- omore, wrote a proposal addressed to Athletics Director Chris Del Monthly payment plans Conte expressing concerns regarding the relationship between 24-hour service and claims athletics and students. The letter includes a proposed varsity sports liaison program and hierarchy of communication between Coverage available by phone athletics and students.

• Director of Elections Timothy Faust announced that six or seven organizations are applying for portions of the blanket tax fund, including RTV5, Rice Review, University Blue, RPC and KTRU. Each Local Office application will be considered separately.

• SA members further discussed the proposed resolution on tray- less serveries.

• Senators Kristina Butler, a Will Rice sophomore. Leticia Camara, a )ones sophomore, and Ryan Fleming, a Sid Richardson sophomore, GALL FOR A FREE RATE QUOTE. shared their prior discussion with the Rice Provost Eugene Levy to implement a marketplace for recorded lectures on iTunesU. Geico Direct

• Brown Senator Carl Nelson, a sophomore, and Hanszen Senator 5-iOS Bellaire Blvd. Will Randall, a sophomore, reported that, thus far, 465 students Houston, I X """401 have taken the holiday and break shuttle poll. 713-665-4667 • Wiess College Senator Rory Hatch, a junior, proposed a signed Sour discounts covcraiics. payment plans, ami tabm £»•' not jvaitaWt #1 -ill sidles 01 in oH utICO uwpjnws. Government tmptcyiv. resolution of appreciation, to be given to the family of former Insurance Co. GCICO Genual insurance Co Of ICO lixlnnmtv 1 0. GCCO C.tsi.i;ts (. Those t >* ' . t» 0 The r * ;'> TOI* C>. K <: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 6 NEWS THE RICE THRESHER Debate considers pros, cons of public service academy

BY HALLIE JORDAN Levy said the problem with govern- higher paying jobs in private sectors, FOR THE THRESHER ment jobs lies within the bureaucratic sys- would continue to attend top universi- tem since low paychecks, small chances ties already in existence. The academy, The United States has five universi- of promotion and no glorification make then, is not the answer for filling govern- ties dedicated to military service but government jobs unappealing. ment jobs but rather for fixing the exist- none for public civilian service. Advo- ing bureaucratic system. cates of this idea, Chris Myers Asch, co- "The bright, eager student can say founder of the U.S. Public Service Acad- 'I can serve the country with a job no- emy, and Philip Levy, an economist at body wants or I can go to a top quality the American Enterprise Institute in The message we [cur- institution [already in existence] and get Washington, discussed the pros and rently] communicate great training which gives me a lot of cons of the creation of such an academy options,"' Levy said. "We need to fix the in a debate held in the Rice Memorial to young people is problem of retention and make the gov- Center Tuesday. that somehow work- ernment more attractive." Asch, who worked at a summer pro- ing in the public sec- The debate presented both sides to gram in a poor public school in Missis- the argument for audience members to sippi, quit his job and began campaign- tor is beneath you. mull over. ing for a United States Public Service Chris Myers Asch "Before today I really thought that Academy. He said having a school de- Co-founder of the U.S. we should have a service academy, c voted to public service would help fill Public Service Academy but after today I don't think this is government jobs and put people with right for our country," Martel College better educations in them. 99 sophomore Rhodes Coffey said. "The Subsequently the United States point that was made that most of the would have a stronger bureaucracy, positions that would be offered would more capable of dealing with nation- A survey conducted in 2006 with be positions that others don't want wide crises such as the Sept. 11 attacks 32,000 undergrads reported that, changed my mind. However, 1 really and Hurricane Katrina. when given an option of what kind of admire both points and I really thought "The mission statement is to edu- work they were interested in, 17 per- it was a great idea." cate, develop and inspire young people, cent — the largest percent — chose After reading about Asch's idea, Sec- with a focus on character, intellect and government and public service. This retary of State Hillary Clinton created a service," Asch said. "It is unlike any data suggests that interest and spirit is bill in Congress supporting the academy ARIEL SHNITZER/THRESHE mission statement you have seen for fairly high among students. The prob- that has 123 House members backing it any other school." lem lies with the retention of workers along with seven Cabinet members. Wiess College freshman Mike Izuchukwu loads up a tray at the South Asch said the academy would make due to dissatisfaction. For Asch, the government can be Servery. If a proposed SA resolution passes, trays may be gone from the government be viewed as cool. He "The problem is you get young peo- made more attractive via an improve- serveries for good. said he feels the negative way in which ple who come to the government, and it ment in inspiration and interest with an people generally view government jobs can be frustrating for them," Levy said. academy providing a good education could lead to disinterest in participating "People who are really talented get job and a strong focus. in the military service. offers from other places who say: 'You "If we can create this very unique "We need to attack perception," want to be a mover and shaker, don't culture and atmosphere that says lead- Serveries may drop trays Asch said. "The message we [currently] waste time in bureaucracy, come to pri- ership development, public service, communicate to young people is that vate sector and we'll pay you more.'" sacrifice and duty and honor are going BY MICHELLE JIN "Dining Services has to find a way THRESHER STAFF to work within a fixed budget in order somehow working in the public sector A public service academy, he said, to be the sole mission of this place, we to save money from the rising food is beneath you. Most want to work in a would not attract the highest qualified think we are going to attract a fantastic Away from home and their moth- costs," McDonald said. "If our costs private sector or for a nonprofit." students, who, knowing they could get student body," Asch said. ers, some Rice students are not eat- increase during the course of that ing everything that's on their plate, year, we have no way to recoup those I and as food costs rise, Rice is looking costs like a regular restaurant would. to keep down costs by encouraging A restaurant would raise the prices students to avoid taking more than on their menu to recover the rising they can eat. food costs, and a lot have, but we are In October, the South Servery in- unable to do that. So we are looking troduced Wasteless Wednesdays - a for creative ways to save money." day when trays were prohibited Several factors have led to Hous- as part of a class project sponsored ing and Dining's tight budget this by Director of Sustainability Rich- year: Rising fuel prices last spring ard Johnson. The benefits of these led to rising food costs; then, when Wasteless Wednesdays included a Hurricane Ike hit last semester, the 30 percent reduction in food waste, serveries offered meals to many more and not washing the trays saved 11 students than it usually served; and percent in water and chemical usage around the time of the hurricane, the at every meal. economy took a steep downturn and Student Association President Matt food prices continued to rise. Youn proposed a resolution to the SA Many other colleges across the last Monday in support of Housing country have already gone trayless. and Dining's plan to phase out trays University of California at Berkeley, from all serveries, provided H & D con- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and tinue to seek student input. State University, Texas Tech Univer- Having the serveries go trayless sity and the University of Houston Bring your Rice HedgeHopper card by the could greatly reduce food waste by have all removed trays from their caf- limiting the amount of food stu- eterias to reduce food waste and save W. Alabama Mission Burrito any day from now dents can carry out of the servery. It water, McDonald said. would also result in energy savings Some students see the negatives of thru the Spring 2009 semester and receive because water, soap and electricity going trayless as well as the positives. would no longer be needed to wash "it'ii definitely save some water [in hundreds of trays every day, accord- dishwashing]," Lovett College sopho- ing to Director of Residential Dining more Sean Zeng said. "I think there David McDonald. are two sides to it, though. If people The responses to Wasteless can't get everything on a tray, it's an Wednesdays were mixed, as were the inconvenience. Then people might 25% OFF YOUR responses to the resolution to remove try to pile too much on one plate, and trays from all the serveries. it will cause food to spill out and cre- Some students are supportive of ate more of a mess. We won't know ENTIRE PURCHASE! the resolution and see it as a way to until we implement it." (Alcohol excluded of course) limit the amount of food that people McDonald acknowledges that will carry out of the serveries. despite the serveries' buffet-style "I think it's generally a good setup, people will generally take all idea," Baker College freshman Ari their food at one time rather than Berlin said. "You definitely take more taking one plate and going back food with a tray as opposed to just multiple times to get more. How- with plates." ever, he believes that putting silver- Others believe that changes need ware and napkins in the commons 0 MISSION to be made to the serveries if the plan areas will make the transition to go- to go trayless is implemented. ing trayless easier. 00 "It's a really important and good "It would be a great thing if the BURRITO idea," Hanszen College junior Kristi student body would pass and ap- 11a Miller said. "But the servery needs prove the resolution to go trayless," to fix things, like putting drinks out- McDonald said. "That says a lot. Richmond side." McDonald believes that going Most universities across the country Soutnwesl fwy. 2245 W. Alabama trayless is a great way to combat the go trayless when the dining director Houston, TX 77098 • 713.529.0535 rising food costs, which have gone says 'We're trayless.' And I do have up almost 7 percent in 2008 and are the power to do so, but I don't want to mi8sionburritos.com projected to rise between s - 9 percent do that. I would love to work with the this year, he said. student body on this together." % FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS

LEEBRON Q&A • ADD/DROP FROM PAGE 1 Beginning this week, the Thresher wilt conduct a monthly interview with President David Lee- bron to ask him about current events, university issues and anything else of interest to the Rice Harter said if students have a per- example, looked at a student's Rice student body. To submit a question for Leebron, email [email protected] sonal problem that prohibits them transcript in the fourth week, they from meeting the two week add couldn't be sure that student was go- deadline, they can petition the Com- ing to complete all of the courses they Q: What is your fa- mittee on Examinations and Stand- were registered for. vorite movie of the ing to register for the course. Tenney Regarding the add deadline, Har- said students can also petition X&S ter said there was a range of opin- moment? if they need to drop a course after ion. Some faculty preferred a longer the seventh week. A $75 fee will be La Vie En Rose: I think the add period to encourage students to charged in both cases. First-semester story of Edith Piaf, who I love as a "shop," but the majority of the fac- freshmen may still drop a class until singer, the adversity she faced in ulty felt the four week add deadline the last day of classes, but they will her life and what she overcome, made it difficult for them to begin be charged $75 if they do so after the their courses. is really very powerful and one of seventh week. the best acting performances I've "There was too much flux in the seen in years. Harter said some faculty would early weeks," she said. have liked to preserve the five week Overall, Harter said she thought the drop deadline of the original propos- final decision was well-discussed and Q: What is your al. A longer deadline makes it hard the best option for the largest majority. favorite pie from to solidify classes, especially those Mangat, a Brown College senior, with group projects, when students agreed, saying the deadlines were a House of Pies? are leaving eight weeks in, as they great compromise, even if some stu- could with the previous 10-week dents would have liked longer periods It has to be something with David Leebron Rice President drop deadline. for both. Mangat said he found Harter chocolate, maybe chocolate C "The long deadline was extremely to be very responsive and open to the mousse pie. children a dog, why we couldn't ence. While I believe expanding difficult for the registrar," Harter said. concerns of students in his meetings also have a dog. She's only been the university 30 percent is impor- "[He] is required to report figures on with her. Q: How did you lobbying for four years. My daugh- tant to the success of the univer- class sizes as soon as he can, and it Harter expressed similar senti- ter is a very effective lobbyist. sity, I don't believe we can have an [the long drop deadline] has caused ments of her own. meet your wife? expansion much larger than that. lots of problems for him." "[The SA leaders] were incredibly In terms of having a law school, Harter said the 10-week drop helpful," Harter said. "They were This is complicated. She was Q: Are you plan- while I do think it would be ben- deadline was also detrimental to extremely articulate at our meetings applying to law schools, and ning on any inter- eficial, I've got enough things to students. If another institution, a and they did a really fine job of repre- she had been admitted to both worry about. It's not on the imme- professional or graduate school for senting the student body." Columbia and NYU, and I was a national trips after diate agenda. professor at NYU. As an admitted your two recent student she was sent to talk to r me because I advised potential trips to Beijing and Q: How do you feel students, and my job was in Iran? part to make her come to NYU. I about President failed at that job; she graduated There will be a trip to Mexico Obama and the The 2005* International Alternative from Columbia in 1988.1 went to before the end of the semester for inauguration? Columbia in 1989 and ultimately the second consortium of Mexican accepted a permanent position. universities, and there are tenta- I feel very excited about Spring break to 5oruca, Costa Rica Ping and I were never professor tive plans for traveling to Brazil, Obama's inauguration and elec- and student in the same institu- among other locations. China, tion. It's kind of odd when you're would like to thank the following, tion let alone in the same class. Latin America and India remain top living history. For many people the priorities. election of Obama has been a sign Q: What is your of hope and progress and on the organizations for their generous Q; What is the best other hand we're faced with these favorite color? fairly horrendous economic situa- support: t major? tions. One thing I care about, one Red. thing I don't think a lot of Ameri- I* I'm going to refuse to answer cans care about is how we are per- Q: What is your fa- the "best" question. There are ceived abroad. It's sent the world /The some majors I think are interest- a message that we as a nation still vorite sports team? ing; one of the most interesting have a great fidelity to the values ( Princeton - Dat/i'aij/ ones is linguistics. What interests that we profess: values of oppor- Review My favorite sports team would me about linguistics is under- tunity and values of equality and be a Rice sports team, and I standing how humans express values of the rule of law. I'm very Houston don't know that I want to get into themselves and interact with one LOT 8 exited and optimistic about it. I trouble by picking. I like watching another, the relationship between do have to say I really loved the Rice sports more than any other language and culture. It seems Thresher backpage from last year college activity. very interdisciplinary. I think there that tracked our parallel careers, are a lot of majors like that, and including the fact that we both Q: What is your some of them are overlooked. married way above our heads. Baker Si. favorite residential 1 think the most important PuljMirill thing about a student picking a Q: What are you §.»V- college? major is that the student have a passion for that and pursue it doing, if anything, Hanszen, because I've now at a deeper level. 1 wish a larger learned how to spell it. percentage of our students wrote to stay visible and something equivalent to a senior connected to the thesis ... Out of everything I did, I Q: What is your only remember two papers I wrote undergraduate favorite Rice build- in college. Especially when stu- population? National Engineers Week dents get to the end of their time ing? at Rice, what's much more impor- One of the things 1 try to do is ENGINEERING COMPETITION tant than the grade you get on a get out to the colleges informally I'm very fond of the Pavilion, paper is do you feel you've fi?d to and formally, perhaps have lunch. Open to all Rice Students which is new and creates oppor- do something original, something I would like to schedule more Free Registration al www.forum.rice.edu tunities and is different. I really you've put your heart in. semiformal interactions, but 1 like Duncan Hall because it's kind leave it significantly to the colleges of different and odd and imagina- to be in touch with me about what Wednesday, February IS tive. I like Baker Hall because it's Q: is the pos- works from their point of view. such a classic building and has an 3:00 to 5:30 pm The main thing I'm trying to do is international dimension to it. sible acquisition wander around a little bit and visit Grand Hall of Baylor Med part folks where they live. Q: Has your family of a larger plan? Cash Prizes downsized due to Can you ever see Q: What did you First Prize $300 the recession? Rice having a law think of the Super Second Prize $200 In fact, we've had a slight school? Bowl? What team Third Prize $100 increase in family size which has I can certainly see it, and in were you rooting caused me to go from number four Engineerino & fact the founding president, Ed- in the family to number five: We've for? Pizza, T-Shirts, Door Prizes gar Odell Lovett, had some plans gotten a dog. Consfrucfion drawn up for the campus in which It was a great Super Bowl. It he showed locations for a medical was like a Rice game; it was full Teams of 3 or 4 will compete to solve a problem under competition Q: Was this decision school and a law school. One of of twists and turns. Some of the rules. Details til the problem will be distributed to team captains a the things I like about the possibil- ads were pretty good; some were influenced by the ity of making Baylor a part of Rice offensive. I was not motivated to few days before the competition Obamas* new pet? is it would significantly expand pick a side in this contest. student opportunity, significantly Register at www.forum.riee.edu b\ February 13. Well, I think it is. My daughter expand our presence in the world •Interviewed by Margeux The number of teams is limited. wondered why if the president of without changing the undergradu- Clemmons the United States promised his ate and graduate student experi- Sponsored In the Rice Global E&C Forum, Fluor Corp., and the George R. Brown School of Engineering FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 8 ADVERTISEMENT THE RICE THRESHER

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•Our Surcharges (ind. Fed. Univ. Svc. of 9.5% of interstate & int'l telecom charges (varies quarterly), 7C Regulatory & 85C Administrative/line/mo. & others by area) are not taxes (details: 1 888 684 1888); gov't taxes & our surcharges could add 6%-27% to your bill. Activation fee/line: $35. IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Customer Agmt, Calling Flan, rebate form & credit approval. Up to $175 early termination fee/line & other charges Certain Alltel customers not joining Verizon Wireless Mobile to Mobile available to Verizon Wireless customers now; most Alltel customers Feb 17, see alltel.com for updates & eligibility. Offers and coverage, varying by service, not available everywhere. Device capabilities: Add'l charges & conditions apply. Rpbate debit card takes up to 6 weeks & expires in 12 months Voyagei is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. used under license by Verizon Wireless Limited time offers. While supplies last. Network details and coverage maps at verizonwireless.com. © 2009 Verizon Wireless. MPSU FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS 9 Jones MBA program ranked highly again Graduates continue to fare well after their time at Rice despite effects of recent national economic downturn

BIANCA WALKER FOR THE THRESHER

The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Administration full-time Rank in 2009:53rd MBA program was ranked 53rd in the world for 2009 by the Finan- cial Times, up nine places from last year's ranking of 64th. This is the third year that Rice was ranked on Rankin 2008:64th the list. The Jones School's highest ranking was 47th in 2007 before it fell to 64th last year. The rankings are based on sev- eral factors, including the average Rankin 2007:47th salary of alumni and the percentage increase in alumni salary using the %r\!> alumni's pre-MBA and post-MBA salary information. According to the Financial Value for money rank: 84th NICK MORALES/THRESHER t ^ Times, alumni of the Jones School full-time MBA program earn an The Jones School has ranked both on the top and bottom halves of the Finandoi Time's MBA rankings. This year's ranking is close to the center, av- average salary of $109,302 three eraging out its rankings from previous years. The [ones school did not perform as well in starting salary ranking, however, earning $60,482 less than s years after graduation. This fig- graduates from the most highly-ranked program and placing 84th in that Ust. V ure is $60,482 less than that of the * ••• , . .• ' ,Y nation's top ranked program, the Wharton School of Business at the William Glick said. Since Jones "The program encourages stu- "I am surprised at how much learning process." I O University of Pennsylvania. School programs do not emphasize dents to do what they want to do," El- better we are doing on the research Although most students said Alumni of the Jones School MBA careers on Wall Street like other more said. "They [Jones School] pro- front," said Glick. they were aware of the rankings, program earn salaries that are, on MBA programs, Glick said gradu- vide the means to make it happen." Though the effects of research they said they take them with a average, 101 percent higher than ates can keep looking forward while The fact that students graduate improvements on rankings are grain of salt. Elmore said he left their pre-MBA salaries. The weight- others are looking down. with a high chance of earning dou- lagged, they stimulate excitement concerns over rankings to the ed salary for Jones School alumni, "We are opening more doors in ble the salary of when they came in for the future, he said. administration. calculated as the average alumni different directions," he said. keeps the opportunity cost for Jones The Jones School is also among "[Dean Glick] is the coach and • t salary today adjusted for varia- According to Glick, 32 percent of School alumni favorable. the top 10 schools in both percent- we are the players," said Elmore. tions between industry sectors, has MBA alumni work in the energy in- Glick said he is confident that age of underrepresented minorities "His job is contingent upon [the increased by $4,073 since 2008, dustry, with Exxon Mobil as one of the program's ranking can only im- and percentage of women in the rankings]." despite the economic downturn. the biggest employers. prove. Curriculum changes, along student body. International fac- Elmore said that the community During this same period, Wharton The Jones School has been plac- with higher selectivity in the ad- ulty are also commonplace in the spirit of the Jones School programs alumni salaries increased by one- ing greater emphasis on its own mission process and an improved Jones School. Professors from Bra- offered him more value than a rank- fourth that rate. career services program in recent research profile, will help achieve zil, France and Asia have recently ing would. • I Jones School MBA students can years. Chair of the Jones School that goal, he said. been hired. "I have gotten as good a value expect to continue to do well in the Student Association Brad Elmore The Jones School also increased "Business is global, and learning out of this program as 1 would l current economy because alumni said the economy has simply re- in rank for its research capacity, to manage in a diverse environment with any other," Elmore said. "It pursue diverse career paths, Dean quired a variation in the type of ad- which ranked 20th this year com- is important," Glick said. "Hearing is challenging but we are all in it of the Jones School of Management vice given to students. pared to 50th last year. different perspectives is part of the together." t I . :[ir.n.—. 1,1 1 'vj. ",1 ..

John Castle

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Sponsored by Leadership Rice and the Black Student Association , 5:00-6:00 pm; Sewall Hall 309 SBIIIHIIIIIIIIIIfllllllllllllllllll • # 10 .3ENIERTAINMENT Fall Leftovers • M and Springing

Forward t M One of the reasons keeping up with fashion trends is so difficult is WML A that the fashion fiscal year runs oppo- WuatKM site to that of the real world's seasons. i When autumn begins to fall, runways K l-G&t'i '-i x are showing spring things; when % M spring barely arrives, fall is already stepping out. Fortunately, designers are as clever as they are creative, and •0rs they often carry over some of the more notable fall trends into their spring w .•(.'aw**! collections. This not only helps ease their customers into the next season, « M jAj; '.ytib " but it also filters out the trendy from the tried and true. Here's the skinny on some concepts that have potential style staying power.

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BY TIMOTHY FAUST performance. The script is snappy and entertaining, as my academic transcript. THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF the actors have a wide range of backgrounds and There is one fatal flaw that undercuts every per- Deanne Nguyen experience and the technical crew is proficient and formance in the Players' production of Wyrd Sisters: Somewhere deep within the Rice Players' produc- practiced. But for some reason, the pieces just don't dialect. The show features a variety of north-coun- tion of Wyrd Sisters, an entertaining and fast-paced fit together. try British accents, and every actor in the produc- Trends from 2008 to still "Fall" for: show is struggling to break free. The actors of Wyrd Sisters do an admirable job tion tries to adopt one. Few of them can pull it off. of tackling a script so chock-full of punny wordplay The result is a barely-enunciated mess that renders Monochromatic: Nothing bolder than and fast-paced dialogue, but the entire cast could lengthy strings of dialogue essentially unintelli- simplicity use a burst of energy to propel them to the final cur- gible — and for whatever reason, Mings has cho- Remember when the mixing pat- tain. Too often throughout the show, the audience is sen not to equip his actors with microphones when terns trend was declared THE thing treated to what feels more like a guided reading than they have difficulty projecting even three rows into to do to stand apart? Well, now that an actual performance — as if the actors are waiting the audience. The performers drop vowels and con- that's been dissected twice over and Wyrd Sisters for their turns to recite their memorized dialogue in- sonants left and right, meaning the performance accepted as a somewhat fashionable stead of reacting to what's happening around them drops significant plot points willy-nilly — the audi- norm, it's time for the opposite to • • and contributing to a real conversation. ence is lost in an oceanic verbal mush. restate its case. For all of you Vogue The acting of Wyrd Sisters suffers from a general The technical side of Wyrd Sisters is pleasantly readers in the know, last season played Now Showing: Thursday through Sat- absence of reflection, gesture or pause, and the re- neutral. Visiting designer Daniel Perezvertti has up the idea of wearing only one color urday this weekend and next, 8 p.m., sulting presentation is dry. Few characters seem to created a simple and fairly elegant wide-angled, with skirt suiting — something highly in Hamman Hall. genuinely care about their surroundings, and their two-level set, which is pleasing and, in the Rice unrealistic for girls our age to pick Price: $5 interactions feel forced and stale. style, minimalist. But it doesn't really help the up. Now, the attention is diverted to There are exceptions to this observation, and production establish its varied settings. Will Rice straight-up everyday dressing: pants, their contributions to the show are tremendously College junior Michael Rog's lighting design offers skirts, sweaters, dress, the works. The welcome. As Duke Felmet grows more and more gorgeous swirling backgrounds but has difficulty il- message remains the same: A single Unfortunately, its struggle is ill-fated. Trapped by neurotic and paranoid over the course of the show, luminating the faces of taller characters when they saturated hue says unapologetically, static, repetitive staging and questionable direction a lock-kneed Desai shakes and stammers his way stand atop the set's highest point, and Hanszen "I'm wearing my favorite color and I by Brown College senior Thomas Mings, the perfor- across the stage like a manic-depressive toy soldier. junior Teresa Bayer's costuming runs the gamut just can't get enough." So if Goths are mance constantly trips over itself and never manag- Fortuna, his crueler counterpart, is a less sputtery from plain to dazzling. Desai's vibrant blood-red allowed to deck themselves out in all es to find a steady rhythm. The result is a haphazard, but equally enjoyable presence. The two don't need costume is the sort of splendid piece that shifty- black, why can't everyone else strut arduous test of audience endurance that generates to connect on a very deep level (and they don't) but eyed actors and techies, if they're shrewd, will try their stuff in whatever shade delights more awkwardness than applause. their rapport is among the show's high points. to steal after the final curtain call. them most? The play, based on Terry Pratchett's novel from Nobody steals the show until Act II, when Jones In terms of individual performances and backstage the Discworld series and adapted for the stage by Ste- College freshman Michael Paras appears as play- or booth efforts, Wyrd Sisters is fairly inoffensive. Un- S&M: Tie-me-up pretty phen Briggs, rests upon a web of light-hearted fan- wright Hwel. Paras doesn't have many lines, but the fortunately, there are two fundamental problems that The bold, fetish wear-inspired tasy threaded with wit and charm. Largely a parody audience is thankful for the few he has. Paras tack- condemn Wyrd Sisters to the bottom of this year's cam- looks of chains, leather, PVC and of Macbeth, the story offers a raucous romp through les his role with genuine enthusiasm and unique pus theater docket: blocking and scene transitions. bandage wrap are still very much on a storyline well-trodden by readers of Shakespeare physicality, and every scene in which he is featured One can only imagine what a blocking rehearsal the minds of designers. Last season or Tolkien. benefits from his performance. Paras, with Desai for Wyrd Sisters might look like: Stand in a straight they were a bit slow on the uptake, Not all is well in the land of Lancre. There, the and Fortuna, provides welcome relief from the pas- line with the rest of the actors on stage. Wait until it's and the trend was basically their way foul, ruthless Duke Felmet (Lovett College junior sivity of many of the other performances. time for your line. Keep waiting! Almost here! Now, of acknowledging, "Why, yes, being Viren Desai) and his domineering wife (Hanszen Col- The Wyrd Sisters themselves offer a mixed perfor- say your line! Stand perfectly still until it's time for hardcore does look rather cool." For lege senior Emily Fortuna) have murdered old King mance, but never develop their characters beyond a your next line. Maybe you should look downstage or at spring '09, they're continuing to churn Verence (John Marsh, Smalley Institute staff) and basic interchangeability. Hanszen sophomore Anas- whoever's talking while your line gets closer and clos- out variations, from subdued, ribbon claimed the throne for their own sinister purposes. tasia Alex, as Granny Weatherwax, is enthusiastic er. Doesn't matter. Say your line. Move over here until wrapped cocktail dresses to full-on Three haggish witches, the Wyrd Sisters themselves, and delivers her lines fluidly. Baker senior Caitiin the end of the line. Stand, either completely frozen or bondage-esque, stud-infused heels. discover Verence's orphaned son and place him in Rexses puts forth an honest effort as the ever-pru- constantly shifting your weight from foot to foot, until They seem to think we really enjoy be- the care of a troupe of traveling performers — all dent Nanny Ogg, while Baker senior Jasmine Bright, you get another line. Stand still again. Move over here. ing dominated by our clothes. in the first fifteen minutes. The Wyrd Sisters script as the coquettish Magrat Garlick, meanders into a Copy, paste, repeat for the next 140 minutes. is meant to be a hilarious, razor-sharp adventure relationship with the royal fool (Brown sophomore O see WYRD, page 12 Metallic: Feed your raccoon instincts — but in Hamman Hall its jovial, crisp clarion call Travis O'Rear) that has, frankly, as much chemistry Fall is the time when designers TWESTIVAL BRONX DARWIN Next Thursday Houston will be A Bronx Tale, the play that put one of over 150 cities around the FAHEEM writer/actor Chazz Palminteri Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. world to host a Twestival — a on the map, is playing its final the Museum of Natural Sci- festival bringing together Twit- Today at 5 p.m. is the deadline shows tonight at 8 p.m. and to- ence is celebrating Darwin Day. ter users — to raise money for to vote for Rice students Fa- morrow at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Talk with real anthropologists, Charity: Water. There will be live heem Ahmed and Anish Patel Hobby Center. Tickets start at see how different species have music from Blue Funk, Snake to be the official 2009 mtvU THE $18, and the inspiration for the evolved over the centuries and Charmers, Wayside Drive and Oscars Red Carpet Correspon- _ WEEKLY play came from Palminteri wit- how some have remained re- Red Eye Carl and the Pirates. dents. Hit up the website be- nessing a murder on his door- markably the same. Admission Admission is free and the Twes- low and vote as many times as SCENE step, so it should be good. is completely free. tival runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. humanly possible. (i - Don't miss it! Editors' picks for events HOBBY CENTER - SAROFIM HALL HOUSTON MUSEUM OF HTTP://www. MTVU. COM/ON- outside the hedges, both 800 BAG BY ST. NATURAL SCIENCE CAROLINE COLLECTIVE CAMPUS/CONTESTS-SWEEP- around Rice and in the WWW.BROADWAYACROSS 1 HERMANN CIRCLE DR. 4820 CAROLINE ST. STAKES/OSCARS/FAHEEM- F Houston area, for this week. AMERICA.COM WWW.HMNS.ORG WWW. HOUSTON. TWESTIVAL. COM AHMED-AND-ANISH-PATEL/ • # FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER A&E 11 KTRU Pick of the Week:

e m Larkin Gifford's Harmonica BY ROSE CAHALAN something new. There is nothing Thankfully, Bimstein never takes THRESHER STAFF inherently interesting in a man himself too seriously. Whimsical talking about casinos, the sound of lines like "Dice were first mentioned Today's musicians have a stagger- a chip falling on a table or a few vio- in Milton's Paradise Lost" (say it ing array of advanced technologies at lins messing around. It's only when aloud) are delivered with equal dos- % m their fingertips, ranging from every the three collide that the listener's es of whimsy and irreverence. flavor of synthesizer to Auto-Tune, ears realize something entirely new The zany mix of natural and the pitch correction software now is going on. classical sounds on Larkin Gifford's used almost universally in recording And so the album's best moments Harmonica may leave listeners feel- studios to make vocals sound closer are its weirdest ones — when coyotes ing like they've been given a glance to perfect pitch. Although the creative and oboe fuse into a frenetic mess of into the human subconscious: opportunities unleashed by comput- noise, or when a scale on Gifford's There's definitely a lot going on, er music are boundless — Girl Talk, % m harmonica is sped up so much that it but the meaning of it all is com- anyone? — there is also a growing devolves into shimmering chaos. pletely impenetrable. BY FAHEEM AHMED to stay in shape; he can barely afford back-to-basics movement dedicated THRESHER STAFF rent; his teenage daughter won't speak to making music from even the most to him and the closest thing he has to a banal sounds: everyday speech and KTRU TOP 35: WEEK OF 2.1.2009 Remember the good old days girlfriend is a stripper who doesn't date all manner of ambient noise, such as of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage? customers. Sounds cheerful. Despite an enema for your ears whirring machinery and birdsong. Throughout the early '90s, the World his bad luck and bad health, though, Background noise is foreground- Wrestling Federation reigned supreme Randy trucks on and decides to mend « m ed, usually in a blend with more con- artist album label on late night television, with soap op- his relationship with his daughter and ventional instrumentation, and the various radio myanmar (burma) sublime frequencies era plot lines and absolutely absurd to continue wrestling. result is neither organic nor artificial free radicals funk from the first 3 self-released characters like Rakishi, who smothered Rourke puts in an Oscar-worthy — but definitely musical. This tech- golden cities golden cities esotype records his victims to death with his stinky but- performance as the lead. The dude is nique has been applied in genres as catypsoul 70: Caribbean 56 years old and still ripped. Back in the diverse as acoustic folk-rock (The various soul & calypso crossover strut '80s, Rourke was considered a pretty- Books, who create catchy songs out 1969-1979 boy, but a brief boxing stint left his of obscure spoken samples) and rap menahan street band make the road by walking dunham face bloodied and disfigured. Rourke (Decomposure, who finds melodies j-live then what happened? barely breaking even definitely draws on personal experi- even in the sound of matches striking various bollywood steel guitar sublime frequencies ence for this role, and his performancc- antony and the together). Larkin Gifford's Harmon- another world secretly Canadian The Wrestler is very realistic. His character is nevt. ica, an environmental soundscape johnsons over-the-top: He is soft and sensitive, re- guitar music from the west- from composer Phillip Bimstein, group doueh sublime frequencies vealing the emotional scars of a deeply adds classical music to that list. ern Sahara • • • • troubled man. various desperate man blues dust to digital Starring: Mickey Rourke, The supporting cast is also superb: wayside drive words self-released « • Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) is ex- tobacco fucked up friends anticon Marisa Tomei cellent as the sultry yet caring stripper, thomas, james "son" beefsteak blues evidence Rated:R and Evan Rachel Wood (Across the fight bite emerald eyes self-released Released:Jan. 23 Universe) adeptly plays Randy's aban- funckarma veil vagranz n5md doned daughter. Wood's character is dj baba james the house of good juju funketabla Larkin Gifford's fulton, m., dark, tim, barely in the movie, but she dominates lopez, torn 2 minute film noir zbs audio tocks. I am not ashamed to admit 1 was her scenes with a nuanced portrayal of • i a girl who just needs a father. , Harmonica alva noto unitxt raster-notion one of the multitudes of middle school miss murgatroid & boys who watched wrestling. When we One downfall is that despite nit- hearts & daggers file under music Artist: Phillip Bimstein haden, petra weren't salivating over Trish Stratus, we ting all the right notes and eliciting Label: Starkland perry, lee 'scratch' repentance narnack were cheering for The Rock to deliver the right emotions, The Wrestler Released: Oct. 16, 2006 gossard,jason "the People's Elbow" or for Triple H to lacks an epic feel. It is just another turtle soup for the lost soul turtlestew • * "shaggy" employ "the Pedigree." But then high story of the underdog who refuses zomes zomes holy mountain school knocked, and we realized that to stay down, thus inspiring mid- eddie the rat eddie the rat edgtetone the other primary audience of wrestling dle-aged men all over the country to Bimstein is a classically-trained schwartz, markus tanbou nan lakou brooklyn self-released was fat rednecks over the age of 30. go out and fulfill their old dreams. vaudeville accordian clas- composer turned politician and en- Whether or not you think wrestling While the premise of a broken -down doktorski, henry sics: the complete works of bridge records is lame, the background of these wres- professional wrestler is an original vironmental activist. After a brief guido deiro tlers is one that has rarely been ex- thought. The Wrestler perhaps re- taste of pop stardom with the '80s dream island laughing marriage • * New Wave band Phil n' The Blanks, lucky dragons language plored in cinema. The Wrestler is a quiet minded me a bit too much of Rocky he moved to Springfield, Utah, where the complete studio record- depiction of the trials and hardships at times, which is far and away the no more records he served two terms as mayor. ings: nyc 1977-1978 experienced by one man who sacrifices epitome of this genre. eden & john's east his body just to make people cheer. Additionally, Randy's relation- His first solo release in 1996, Gar- some cold rainy day east river records land Hirschi's Cows, garnered the river string band Fans of Rocky will definitely love ship with his daughter is never attention of NPR and college radio hearts of animals cave lights artstorm records this film. The Wrestler is a classic tale of made quite clear. Perhaps director for its absurd and engaging story of lines, the flood bank acute records the washed-up underdog who rises and Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a anoushka shankar-live at • # a rural farmer and his herd — com- anoushka shankar angel rises again despite being thrown down Dream) left that up to the audience's plete with copious mooing. carnegie hall by life. Mickey Rourke (Sin City) plays interpretation, but it would've been times new viking stay awake matador Another project, Cats in the Kitch- Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a popular nice to add more closure. oculous sinister oculous sinister self-released en, is scored for "flute, oboe, meows, wrestler during the '80s, who continues With that said, however, The Wres- bimstein, phillip larkin gifford's harmonica starkland purrs, cracked eggs, buttered toast to perform at local events despite suf- tler is a solid, heartfelt film, and Rourke richard, rodger, rodney, ras- fering a long slew of injuries. He lives should walk home with the Best Actor and sizzling skillets." Though the midnight circus tus, raoul, roderick, randy, hyped2death in a trailer: he takes harmful steroids trophy at this month's Oscars. concepts are gimmicky, the execu- rupert • i tion is not — usually the sampled sounds, placed in the new context of strings and woodwinds, are nearly Rice Student Volunteer Program unrecognizable as mooing cows or SAVE 25 CENTS! cracking eggs. Instead they sound at S (RSVP) times like glitchy electronics or some C»* - alien form of percussion. .pM* SAVE THE ENVIRON Health Awareness Week Larkin Gifford's Harmonica loos- 'MENT! ens Bimstein's focus from cows or (February 9-12) cats to a hodgepodge form of popu- list storytelling. The first three tracks feature a man talking about casinos Tuesday. February 10: and gambling, along with the natu- Documentary: "Critical Condition" ral sounds of a casino — chips fall- 6:00 PM in BIOS LAB 123 • • ing and clacking together, money bills crinkling — and a wind quartet of clarinet, oboe, bassoon and flute. Want to learn more about the health care crisis in The next third of the album intro- duces listeners to Larkin Gifford, an America? Roger Weisberg's documentary chronicles elderly man who plays the harmoni- the struggles of four American families living without ca, and, in "The Bushy Wushy Rag," t f i i H 3 u: a baseball stadium beer vendor who health insurance. There will be free food! • • tells his story amidst the clamor of crowd noise. Wednesday. February 11: Finally, two longer compositions without speech are largely crafted "Sustainable Health Care in the Developing World: from landscape recordings. The best Challenges and Partnership Models in Rural Haiti" of these, named Half Moon at 7:30 PM in BIOS LAB 131 Checkerboard Mesa" after a spot in i • Utah's Zion National Park, is posi- tively catchy, even danceable an Interested in global health? Geoffrey Preidis, the amazing feat considering its primary elements are rushing water, yipping President and Co-Founder of Health Empowering coyotes and a noodling oboe. BUY A COFFEEHOUSE MUG Humanity (HEH), will speak about sustainable health Bimstein's talent lies not in his care by using his personal experience in Haiti as an choice of sounds, but in his ability « I to rearrange and meld them into example. There will be free food! 12 A&E THE RICE THRESHER FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 New in Town not all that new BY JACKIE AMMONS THRESHER STAFF

Playing on multiple cliches doesn't make a film deep or multi- faceted, it just makes the movie one big, dopey cliche with no real mean- ing whatsoever. Such is the case with Renee Zellweger's latest movie, New •V's In Town. With themes that aren't all that new, the film relies on tired sto- rylines that are simultaneously bor- ing and cheesy.

New in Town Renee Zellweger ditches her cushy office in favor of the Minnesota wilderness in New in Town.

The fundamental problem of New respectable, it is more suitable tX In Town is that it plays on trite, over- and well-received when placed in Starring: Renee Zell- used conventions. Furthermore, these a quality-produced documentary weger, Harry Connick Jr. conventions are boring, pointless and or even a more focused Hollywood Caroline Charmlingly quirky Minneapolis indie band Car- Rated: PG overwhelmingly numerous. film. Lucy's stilettos and airheady oline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps rocked ReleasedMil. : JanIan . 3~>n • The audience already knows character bar audiences from tak- Smith Willy's on Thursday night as part of Pub's new that Minnesota is cold and that ing her campaign seriously. Even Lucy probably shouldn't have worn Dolly Parton's floozy character in and concert series. Thanks to Smith, right, bassist a thong to go hunting in three feet 1980's 9 to 5 did a better job of ex- Jesse Schuster and their bandmates, "Pub had New In Town centers on metro- of snow; that concept isn't really all pressing dissatisfaction with the Good the atmosphere I'd always imagined a college bar politan executive Lucy Hill (Leath- that funny. In fact, the film's em- workplace than Zellweger's more would have: people just mingling and talking to erhead's Zellweger), who moves to phasis on the misery of the snow refined Lucy. Live great live music," Lovett senior And! Gomez said. supervise a small town factory in reflects the audience's own misery The one redeeming aspect of Jams the cold climate of Minnesota. The when watching the film. New In Town is that it has a few fun- heroine predictably falls in love with The cliche of the girl falling for ny moments, such as when Lucy's the warm-hearted union represen the guy she had previously hated is car careens into a roadside ditch tative (Living Proofs Harry Connick tremendously trite. This storyline and traps her for hours, leading her • • Jr.) and makes friends with the small quite arguably originated — or at to drunkenly tie red lingerie to the town's folk (Baby Mama's Siobhan least found widespread popular- car's antenna as an SOS. •TRENDS Fallon and Burn After Reading's J.K. ity — in the late 1700s with Jane New In Town isn't a new concept. FROM PAGE 10 Simmons). In the end, Lucy not only Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, It tries to be so many things — a Because they're fun to wear. Granted, the same thing: clothes. With a flesh- gives up her old, flashy lifestyle, but and, while it's an interesting, qual- "cause" film, a romance and a com- their designated job is to liven up tone-colored garment and strategic also helps the rural town survive the ity plotline, it should only be used edy — that it spreads itself too thin little black dresses or what-have-you, uses of layering, however, we are able mighty corporation's threats. The film in stories that deserve to use it. New and results in a mediocre story with but just imagine how it would feel to to give off the impression of a youthful makes the statement that Lucy is not In Town is not one of those stories. mediocre comedy. To get the most • * sparkle up a bad morning with some- glow and a sense of effortlessness for just your everyday heroine, but also worthwhile laugh at New In Town, While Lucy's role in the film as thing that catches your eye. It could be which stylists strive. Remember Carrie a defender of human rights ... and of the film's trailer is the best bet, as patron saint of the union and de- a silver-sequined jacket, gold-streaked from "Sex and the City"? A sundress as the secret tapioca recipe. How corny. it is quick, painless and free. fender of the town's jobs may seem sneakers or, for the daring, pewter- innocently colored as the skin you're dipped pants. Don't deny that seeing in appears carefree and natural, and • • the sunlight jump up playfully from a though it provides full cover, there's • • sartorial surface perks you up inside. also an understated allure. Why strip Shiny things just weren't meant to be when you can fake it? restricted to the holidays. New church serving the Statement pieces: Wear it like Looks to love in spring 2009: you mean it Technically I'm cheating here, One shoulder bare: Showing a since statement pieces were popular • » Rice/Medical Center area little skin there last season and even before then. But The simple, single strap or sleeve instead of just shoes and necklaces, style is like a flower blooming in the this spring, everything is fair game. spring: It's just natural to start shed- Literally every shoe, piece of jewelry, ding those winter layers away, little item of clothing, bag or purse all of by little. The one-shoulder focus is a them can be used for impact. Reces- subtle way to $tart the process, and we sion-conscious or not, most designers t + have the Greeks as well as celebrities are pushing for a bit of escapism and to blame for it being synonymous with a whole lot of optimism; the point is goddess-like elegance. Not only does that playing dress-up, regardless of the the Church it automatically make strapless more times, should still be fun. So, if you can wearable for evenings, but it also can indulge in a bit of decadence, even if spruce up any casual outfit with an it's just wearing those night-time-only in the Center unexpected flourish of the collarbone. shoes during the day or those earrings t I that are brighter than the Houston sun, Nude: The new naked go for it full-throttle. No half-assing al- The idea of appearing naked — lowed with this one! freshly delivered, with no worries .ok This week, I dare you to try at least appearance-related issues is an at- * one of these trends. And if you provide tractive prospect, and the only thing the evidence for it, you could be fea- nri a! I t o stopping us from doing so are societal tured here! See you next week! • i SL/LlCl I IZ.tr and environmental restraints. Thus, we are forced to constantly reinvent Deanne Nguyen is a Will Rice Mid-week Community Groups the wheel, but we always end up with College sophomore. OWYRD Help FROM PAGE 10 » • But the single biggest shortcom- pacing of a play. While most plays con- ing of Wyrd Sisters is one that can't be tain between two and six scenes, Wyrd Volunteer Opportunities seen: the scene transitions. They are Sisters has a staggering 23. This means complete blackouts that last anywhere that the audience gets to sit through 21 between eight seconds (which in a play pitch black scene changes and an in- is a long time to sit in the dark) and a termission while, in a perfectly sadis- Gather minute (which is downright torturous). tic move, the speakers blare repetitive t • There is no adequate explanation for snippets of fluffy fantasy-adventure these transitions. The stage isn't trans- music. The whole experience is eerily Sunday Morning Worship formed into an elaborate castle, or a akin to being trapped in an animated forest, or the metal and steam ante- movie's DVD menu. chamber of The Wizard of Oz. There is rhese are the kinds of mistakes we no elaborate prop manipulation, there expect from high school one-acts and are no big set pieces and there are few terrified novice directors. But Mings, di- costume changes. The only things that rru A | I 1 JI rector of last spring's I l.ove You, You're move during these transitions are the Perfect, Now Change, has worked in sev- Only a short walk fronr characters except for the witches' eral shows at Hir e over his career. I lope- cauldron, which occasionally appears fully his next show will better represent directions: thecitc.com or disappears. that experience. Lengthy transitions are a guaran- "I'm waiting," comments Desai's Q read more online: www.thecitc.com teed deathblow to any production. Duke early in the play. "Make me t • Without exception, they shatter the laugh." You and me both, buddy. SPORTS 13 Women's track flies to first place in five events Rice sweeps first five places in 3000, led by Lennie Waite's conference-best finish by Natalie Clericuzio enough to earn a provisional qualify- first in the mile at 4:56.13, while Pye fin- • • : bV THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF ing mark for the NCAA National Indoor ished third in 4:59.17...... Championships and is the i3th-fastest Lastly, Ince tied the personal best In two meets, senior Lennie Waite time run in the country this season. she set two weeks prior with a vault of has set two conference records in two According to Bevan, her result was only 3.95 meters. different events, first in the mile two a few seconds off the fastest time run at Bevan said he has noticed consis- weeks ago and then the 3000-meter Yeoman Fieldhouse in 12 years. tent improvement by Ince in competi- run last weekend. Bevan said he switched Waite from tion throughout the season. But she is not the only member of the mile to the 3000 this meet to see "It might not have been shown by the women's track and field team to what her body was capable of, and he the result, but she looks better," Be- find success during that span — five was not disappointed. van said. "She attacks her approach other Owls won events last weekend at "It's one of the most impressive and she attacks her plan. I'm very im- the Houston Invitational, and several performances I've seen from a Rice pressed with the way she's approach- others earned personal bests. distance runner in a long time," Bevan ing her event." b Despite their positive performanc- said. "As she gets the dividends from Even those Rice competitors who es, however, the team is certainly her hard work, more mileage and more failed to get first-place finishes still looking ahead to the rapidly- distance training, it's logical that she turned in strong performances. Fresh- approaching Conference USA Indoor can continue running fast for a longer man Michaela Reynolds led for most of Championships, which are slated period of time." the 5000m race, only to finish second for Feb. 27-28 at the University of As if Waite's impressive perfor- in 17:55.16. Every Owl weight-thrower Houston's Yeoman Fieldhouse. mance were not enough, four other garnered personal bests, and junior Ka- "There was definitely a difference Owls finished in quick succession tie Dollinger placed sixth overall with a between (our first two meets]," head behind her to secure all of the top shotput throw of 15.46m. Junior Britney coach Jim Bevan said. "We're making five spots in the 3000: junior Nicole Blodget finished sixth in the pentath- progress, but so are Houston and the Mericle (9:46.99), sophomore Al- lon, with a personal best of 3041 points. University of Central Florida. So we've lison Pye (9:49.28), junior Britany Reece finished third in the 60-meter got to make a lot of progress in a month, Williams (9:53.23) and sophomore dash, and sophomore Kimberly Stan- but we're on the right track." Becky Wade (9:53.85). ford placed third in the 60-meter hur- The women will send competitors Bevan said in order for the runners dles. The 4x400m relay also performed to three meets this weekend. Sopho- to qualify for the fastest heat at the con- well, placing second overall with a time more pole vaulter Ari Ince will travel ference meet, all of them needed to fin- of 3:50.22. to the Frank Sevigne Husker Invita- ish in under 10 minutes. The team took Because the indoor season is so tional on the University of Nebraska turns leading each other and running short, Bevan said the team cannot af- campus in Lincoln, Neb., tomorrow. as a group until the final 500 meters. ford any relapse in performance over The members of the distance medley In addition to Rice's success in the the coming weeks. relay and the 4x400 meter relay will 3000, several other competitors claimed "We're [only) two meets into the travel to the Notre Dame Meyo Invita- victories in other events. Junior Shak- season, but ... conference is only four tional in South Bend, Ind., while the era Reece won the 200 in 24.86, while weeks away," Bevan. "Basketball has rest of the squad will compete locally fellow junior Sarah Lyons took first in been playing since November and they in a smaller meet at UH. the 400, her time of 56.99 placing her have another week before their tourna- JOEL HAMN/THRESHER Last week's Houston Invitational just ahead of teammate Brittany Wash- ment. Swimming starts in October and was not scored, but the Owls appeared ington. Freshman Keltie John, running their conference meet is the same time Sophomores Allison Pye (left) and Becky Wade (right) push to the not to need any extra incentive to per- in just her second collegiate track race, as ours. We don't have a lot of meets so form well. Waite, this week's C-USA came out two-for-two in first-place fin- it's important they get some races in finish line in the mile run at last weekend's Houston Invitational. Co-Female Athlete Of the Week, won ishes, winning the 800 with a personal and they should get better every time Pye and Wade also finished in the top five in the 3000 meter run. the 3000 in 9:27.55. Her time was good indoor best of 2:14.18. Wade finished they go out."

COMMENTARY Recruits helping men's squad by Brody Rollins for one season after averaging 27 said, 'You might want to check out THRESHER STAFF points and 11 rebounds at the United this player,' " Braun said. "[Assistant Detroit Lions major help Nations School the year before. Even coach] Kevin [Mouton] and I went to When the men's basketball team after posting lower numbers at Law- see him together. He was a player that plays the University of Houston Sat- renceville amidst the stiffer compe- had come from a winning program for college football fans urday night at Hofheinz Pavilion, tition in the Middle Atlantic Prep and he had a very competitive side to freshman guard Connor Frizzelle will League, Braimoh caught the atten- him, which we appreciated." "Lion football practice was 1 digress) and I couldn't help but most likely make the 11th start of his tion of former head coach Willis Wil- For Braun and his staff, the gam- delayed on Monday for two hours smile at the man. He has single- young career. son (Will Rice '82), who signed him ble has paid off so far. when one of the players looked handedly done more for football Not bad considering he was plan- that fall. Through Saturday's game against down and noticed a suspicious- at the collegiate level than anyone ning on attending prep school until Prior to his departure, Wilson Eastern Carolina University, Frizzelle looking, unknown powdery sub- else. Ever. mid-July. signed several players, including was averaging over eight points per stance on the practice field. He Well maybe not anyone ever, In the hectic world of college forwards Lucas Kuipers and Emerson game, leading Conference USA in alerted thecoach- but most peo- recruiting, a player capable of starting Herndon. but several others retracted free-throw percentage and playing es, who immedi- ple. How did in a collegiate game rarely remains their commitments to Rice or trans- the third-most minutes on the team ately suspended he do this, you unsigned after graduation. Frizzelle, ferred to other schools. with a disposition that brings out the practice and might wonder? a Dallas native, received offers from So, when head coach Ben best in his teammates. called the FBI to Matt Millen Army, Yale University and Texas State Braun showed up with only a few "He has a confidence about him- investigate. built the fran- University, among others, but for months to piece together the final self," Braun said. "But I don't think After a com- ^2^ chise where one reason or another found himself parts of a roster, he still needed he's cocky. To his credit, when we plete field anal- dreams go to preparing for a post-graduation year a point guard. After deliberation, took him out of the starting lineup to ysis, the FBI Nathan Bledsoe die. Matt Millen of study at a boarding school on the Braun decided to give out all twelve take a little pressure off of him [in De- FORMER EDITORIAL STAFF MEMBER determined the took a mediocre East Coast. scholarships at his disposal rather cember], I think initially it was tough white substance, team and made This path is not uncommon for than wait for what could have been a to swallow, but he took the challenge unknown to the players, was the them truly awful. Matt Millen was players either unsatisfied with the more highly-touted prospect in next to get himself back into the lineup. goal line. Practice was resumed the architect of the haunted house lack of attention they are receiving or year's incoming class. That's what competitors do." when FBI Special Agents de- we know as the Detroit Lions. faced with academic hurdles that bar Braun and his staff made contact Back in the starting lineup once cided that the team would not be Baby Lion's parents are get- their admission to universities. first with Frizzelle during the early more, this time at shooting guard, likely to encounter the substance ting divorced. When the family Sophomore forward Suleiman part of the summer during the Ama- Frizzelle has become adept at again." -http://ryansimmons.net/ goes to court, the judge asks Baby Braimoh attended the Lawrenceville teur Athletic Union summer circuit. drawing his defender close before michifun/lions.html Lion, "Do you want to go live with School in Lawrence Township, N.J., "A couple of coaches called and Osee BASKETBALL, page 18 If the NCAA gave an award for Mommy Lion?" NFL executive of the year, Matt "Oh no, I can't live with Mom- Millen would be a perennial win- my Lion, she beats me," Baby ner. Heck, nobody was more upset Lion says. than I was to see him finally let go "What about Daddy Lion, by the Detroit Lions. The man de- then?" the judge asks. CHECK US OUT ONLINE serves to be enshrined in the Col- "No way! Daddy Lion beats me For more on this week in sports lege Football Hall of Fame for the too," says Baby. tremendous work he has done. "Well then who do you want Dude's a saint. to live with?" The judge asks, ex- Golf team finishes 15th at Arizona intercollegiate Mr. Millen was actually on asperated. television Sunday night during "I want to live with the Detroit Men's and women's basketball recaps: posted minutes after every home halftime of the Super Bowl (also, Lions, because they don't beat game how was that last play not a for- anybody!" ward pass? Seriously? Oh well. Osee LIONS, page 18 ricethresher. org FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 14 SPORTS THE RICE THRESHER £

by Brody Rollins career, Pierce garnered two Sixth Man der Springs, Ca., scored fewer than THRESHER STAFF of the Year Awards and played for eight eight points per game his sophomore different teams. season before catapulting himself Unaccustomed to proper locker More recently, Mike Wilks (Sid Rich '01), to the C-USA first team and aver- room etiquette, I stood somewhere near who started his career as an undrafted aging over 20 points per game the the middle of the room and watched free agent, has played six years in the following year. as the Utah Jazz dressed for their game league and during this past offseason In his final year on South Main, against the Houston Rockets. Grinning signed a one-year contract worth over Almond averaged 26 points per game, like a fool and feeling more and more $1 million with the Orlando Magic. Be- ranking third nationally. Among his uncomfortable, 1 fidgeted with my belt fore sustaining a season-ending injury other achievements, he is the only Owl and unbuttoned the top two buttons early in the year, Wilks was pegged as athlete ever to make the prestigious on my shirt. the team's third-string point guard be- Playboy Ail-American team. As 1 waited, Jazz head coach Jerry hind Jameer Nelson and Anthony John- Sloan paced back and forth between his son. Wilks has started 11 games in his Morris in the pros 22 office and the tunnel, his head down. A NBA career and scored a career-high 22 Despite the accolades with which couple players asked for drinks, with points against the Los Angeles Lakers he left Rice, however, Almond is still iced tea and water the most popular in 2006. waiting to find stardom at the next requests. I overheard an attendant with During his days inside the hedges, level. During his two years in the NBA, Almond has experienced both highs the Jazz asking his coworker if the tea Wilks impressed fans with his ability f^r he made was better than in Dallas, and to score despite standing just 5*10" tall. and lows but remains confident that the they both agreed it was. After averaging over 20 points per game best is yet to come. W 1 was waiting for Rice alum Morris and four assists during his final season, Last season, Almond spent a signifi- Almond (Martel '07), who was making he won the Western Athletic Conference cant portion of the year with the Utah .'iJV his first trip to Houston as a member of Player of the Year Award. Flash — the Jazz' NBA Developmental Lh the active roster, confirmed by his name But Almond, whom the Jazz picked league affiliate — where he had to ad- and number taped above the locker ad- 25th overall in the 2007 draft, remains just to the lesser known and less glam- jacent to Andrei Kirilenko's. the most highly touted and "NBA- orous side of professional basketball. Jazz communications director Han- ready" player to come out of Rice in "You try to make the most of it when nah Lee had granted my request for a decades. He finished with 1,825 points, you're down there," said Almond. "I Almond looks to pass over Alando Tucker during an Oct. 9 preseason press pass the night before, but as is with over 1,400 of those coming over came to a playoff team with quite a few home game against the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz fell to the Suns 96-89. typical of any request regarding profes- his final two seasons. His career inside players at my position and that's just sional athlete alumni and access, my the hedges, which includes a Confer- the hand I was dealt." access was somewhat restricted. ence USA Player of the Year Award, will Almond wasted no time taking No, my seats would not be courtside almost assuredly go down as one of the advantage of his propitious situation. points in 19 minutes of action. Almond or football. Listening to my tape record- and no, the Jazz would not pick up my best ever in school history. Almond averaged an NBDL-high 25.6 has cracked double-digits three times er, it was hard to distinguish the differ- seven dollar buffet dinner in the press- points and broke the league scoring this year, with his biggest night com- ent voices of players trying to get into a room either. Before the Jazz record when he posted 51 points ver- ing against the Cleveland Cavaliers feature article about Almond. Very ap- The Jazz had arrived in Houston late According to Rivals.com, Almond sus the Austin Toros in just his fifth when he posted 12 points on 5-9 shoot- proachable and courteous, Almond is u the night before after winning on the received his fair share of attention from game. He would break the record ing. He also had the unfortunate job of definitely popular with his teammates. road at Minnesota and limited the day's recruiters and fielded offers from Indi- again later in the year by scoring 53 guarding LeBron James, whom he de- Due to the rigors of the NBA sched- practice to a quick shoot around. Play- ana, Virginia and Yale, before finally against Bakersfield. scribed as the most difficult player to ule, Almond has a tough time making it ing on little rest and without Kirilenko settling on Rice — a decision he said Now in his second pro year, and first defend because of his combination of back to campus during the year. During and Carlos Boozer, they were under- was mostly due to former head coach full season with the Jazz, Almond's time size and strength. the summer, however, you can find him dogs against Yao Ming and the impos- Willis Wilson's tactful recruiting. on the court remains limited, and he of- running the stairs at Rice Stadium or ing Rocket front court. "I was a decent recruit coming into ten goes several games at a time with- Remembering his roots doing sprints on the field. Rice, but I thought I was going to play out stepping on the floor. Almond maintains frequent contact "I remember it like it was yester- Owls in the NBA a lot early," Almond said. "Because 1 Still, Almond does not let the lack with those who knew him at Rice. For- day, going to NOD, Beer Bike — you Almond is not the only Owl to join didn't play a lot my first or second year, of minutes affect his demeanor on and mer teammate Lawrence Ghoram met miss those things when you're gone," the NBA's historic ranks. Guard Ricky that helped prepare me for what I'm go- off the court. Almond before the start of his freshman Almond said. Pierce (Will Rice '83) preceded Almond ing through now. [Wilson] taught me Sloan is known for waiting on his year, and the two talk about college and 10-year veteran Jarron Collins sat as the highest Rice pick in the NBA discipline, taught me to keep working young players to learn the Jazz offense, the NBA on a regular basis. next to Almond throughout the inter- draft, going 18th overall to the Detroit for any opportunity to play." a complex system of sets designed to "He tells me about the fans, com- view, and towards the end he offered Pistons. During his 15-year professional Almond, who grew up in Pow- free a single player. This can lead to lots petition, coaching," Ghoram said. "He his own wry take. of time spent on the practice court and talks about how he's really had to devel- "Morris is a good, young, educated in the video room, not exactly the wel- op a regimen and work on his defense, man with a tremendous work ethic, come young players desire. which is important on that team. He whose best day in college was his first Under Sloan's tutelage, eventual just wants to do his best when he gets and last date," he said. hall of fame guard John Stockton start- his chance, too, and realizes there's Taking it all in stride, Almond ed five, 38, and two games respectively only so much you can control." grinned. in his first three years for the Jazz before With just twelve players on an ac- "Who in here can say their school establishing himself in his fourth year tive NBA roster, the players' proximity won a bowl game? Make sure you in- as a perennial Ail-Star. to one another creates a more intimate clude that," Almond said. "Those guys Even though Almond has had lim- atmosphere than that found in baseball deserve a shout-out." ited opportunities to prove himself over the past two seasons, his success in the NBDL proved to his NBA teammates what Rice fans already knew. "He can get buckets," third-year 22.1 > guard Ronnie Price said. "All scorers ChicKen have a knack for scoring. You could put 1 him anywhere on the court and he'll Kitchen www.chickenkitchenhouston.com find a way to score. Whether it's getting to the free throw line, shooting jump shots, or going to the rim." This season has gone better for Al- mond, who saw significant playing time in late November and December. In addition to playing in front of bigger crowds, Almond has also been able to take advantage of his two-minute com- mute to Energy Solutions Arena from » his apartment in downtown Salt Lake. "It's easier than it was last year," Al- mond said. "You learn how to get your rest, eat right, learn how to manage your time. I'm definitely a lot further along than I was last year. Last year '.&0 everything was new, a transition on the court and off it." All day any regular size The biggest moment thus far in Al- Saturday chop-chop mond's career came just a few weeks ago. After an injury to guard Ronnie and drink for$5.55 Brewer, Almond was on the court for the tip-off against the Orlando Magic when you show your Rice University ID for the first time in his career. THRESHER FIL ri'n»in ^ CK RICE VILLAGE "That was big," Almond said of CK DOWNTOWN 2516 Rice Blvd his first start. "It beat my Rice record. I McKinney Place Tunnel Tel: 713-523-2323 Almond dazzles his opponents from above during his senior year, dur- didn't even start until my junior year, so 9030 Main ST Suite T-240A ing which he averaged 26 points per game, third best in the nation. you know I've been making progress." Tel-713 752 2323 He finished the game with five FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS Struggle continues for women's basketball

by Yan Digilov no idea," she said. "I am just missing. Watts said that part of their in- THRESHER STAFF 1 am hoping to get out of it." ability to communicate has come But poor shooting has not taken from their youth. "It is partly just the There simply does not seem to be just Watts hostage: The entire squad 'young team' excuse," she said. "In an answer when it comes to the ques- has averaged a meager 31 percent high school, you do not need to com- tion of what makes the women's bas- from the field in their last three municate as much. It is also just focus. ketball team tick. Though it remains games. While some shots are simply Once we get tired, we just stop talking a mystery as to who on the team will not falling, many others should have completely, and it is a problem." finish the game with two or 20 points, never been taken in the first place. The team's defense fell apart in the storylines of most of their recent "We work on these things in prac- Dallas on Saturday after the Owls, losses have been surprisingly similar. tice," senior guard Maudess Fulton the last place team in C-USA, tied "We seem to come out really said. "We work on shooting all the SMU (14-7, 7-1 C-USA), sitting atop the strong against every team we play," time. It is basically just having it car- conference standings, in the second junior guard Tara Watts said. "We ry over into the game we are having half. Concomitantly, Rice lost focus hold them down in points all in the difficulty with." on defense and offense, allowing the first half. Sometimes, it is like we The decreased offensive efficiency Mustangs to go on a 14-0 run that pro- don't play to our potential in the sec- has been exacerbated by consecutive pelled them to a 68-52 victory. ond half, and that is where we have poor performances from the team's Though the Owls have been mak- been losing it." leading scorer and ball handler, ing a habit of underachieving, the On Thursday, Jan. 29, it was fresh- freshman guard D'Frantz Smart. players know that Williams has not man forward Brianna Hypolite who Smart returned against Tulsa (6-14, lowered his expectations. S/THRESHER hit the 2o point mark when Rice (5-17, 2-6 C-USA) after sitting out for two "He expects everyone to score 20 0-9 Conference USA) went on the road weeks with a foot injury, and played points every night," Hypolite said. against the University of Tulsa. In her an ominously uncharacteristic game. "I don't go out planning on scoring Senior Maudess Fulton drives to the hoop against the University of previous performance, she failed to She had six turnovers in only 17 min- that many points. I just want to help Houston on Wednesday. The Owls' loss was their ninth in a row. score altogether and posted only two utes of play to counteract a pair of a^ Osee WOMEN'S, page 18 points in the Owls' next game against sists and only two points. Southern Methodist University. "That is one of the things about "None of us have been able to fig- injuries," Williams said. "[Players] ure that out," head coach Greg Wil- don't always come back like they left. JOHN E. PARISH FELLOWSHIP liams said. "Like she has done all She did not play at the level she had year, she will follow that up with a been playing prior to her injury in ei- for Summer Travel 'Hey, were you here?' performance ther the Tulsa or SMU games." the next night." Tulsa forced 28 turnovers in the Though inconsistent play is often game and registered a colossal 20 Wiess College announces competition for the 2009 John E. Parish associated with younger players, it steals thanks to a full court press that has not been coming solely from the the Owls could not seem to crack. Fellowship. The winner of the Parish Fellowship will receive support of freshmen members of team. Watts The team's woes have carried over approximately 2 months travel during the Summer of 2009. The purpose of began the season as one of the Owls' onto the defensive side of the court as strongest offensive weapons but has well. Williams has been unable to get the fellowship is to enhance the undergraduate education of the Fellow by struggled to score at all in the team's his players to communicate on either recent skid. Like Hypolite, she fol- side of the floor, a failing that is espe- broadening the range of experience via individual travel. All full-time lowed several no-show performances cially fatal on defense. returning undergraduates at Rice are eligible. For further information, call with a 15-point flurry against the Uni- "It is just a weakness," he said. versity of Houston on Wednesday, "I think they understand the im- the Wiess College coordinator (713-348-5743), or see the web page at, which ended up being Rice's ninth- portance of it, but getting them to www.rgf.riQe.edu/-par15h. straight loss. do it on a consistent basis has been Watts had no explanation for her something that v, '^ave been un- Deadline for application is Friday, February 13, 2009. recent dry spell. "Truthfully, I have able to achieve."

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by Tracy Dansker best time in the 200-yard individual best time in the 400-yard individu- THRESHER STAFF medley, while Mattson secured her al medley, while junior Pam Zelnick pole vault once again third place finish in the 100-yard snagged third place in the 100-yard When you face your biggest rival butterfly with a time of 57.01. Dela- breaststroke with a season-best to the NCAA Championships in March. three times during the dual-meet loye finished third in the 1000-yard time of 1:05.37. Mattson also came by Jonathan Myers The rest of the pole vault team turned season, the series can turn out four freestyle, while senior Caitlin War- back in the 200-yard butterfly and THRESHER STAFF in excellent numbers as well, with different ways. It can be entirely ner came in right behind her with a took second place. Senior Natalie junior Chris Kato finishing third and disheartening because your team season-best time of 10:18.85. Kirchoff turned in lifetime-best The University of Houston's Yeo- sophomore Garrett Stafford matching 0 m repeatedly falls short; ego-boosting Huston said he felt the team's per- 2:06.62 — her first personal record man Fieldhouse has suddenly be- his personal best of 4.61 meters. because you smash your opponent formance showed their conditioning since her freshman year. come one giant good luck charm for Redshirt sophomore Ugo Nduaguba mercilessly at each meeting; di- is on track for the conference meet. "It had been almost two and a half the men's track team. After finishing also finished first for the Owls in the sastrous if your team starts strong "Friday we were definitely off ... years since I had gotten a [personal in first place two weeks ago at the triple jump, taking gold after finish- and ends in a slump; or amazingly and then Saturday we came back record] in anything," Kirchoff said. Leonard Hilton Invitational, also ing in second at the last meet with a rewarding because your team per- and almost everyone swam well," "I looked up and thought my time held at UH, the Owls turned in some strained leg. severes until the tables are turned Huston said. "If you're [swimming] was probably wrong, like the clock incredible individual performances Despite both feeling under the 0 in your favor. was wrong, and I immediately broke on Saturday. weather, sophomore Clay Baker P It turns out that the final op- into tears of joy and gratitude." Junior Jason Colwick started the and freshman Alex Zinchenko still tion works best for the swim team. Possibly the most important weekend with a new school record managed to contribute to the team Last weekend, the Owls met the event of the two days, the 200-free- for the pole vault in indoor competi- effort as Baker finished seventh and University of Houston for the third style relay, was the last event of the tion. His vault of 5.40 meters broke Zinchenko finished 17th in the shot time this season. The Cougars took entire two day meet. Rice trailed Paul Bratloff's mark of 5.26 meters set put. Sophomore Will Meyers led the both of the previous contests fairly RICE V. UH PAST the Cougars by five points as the in 1983. Both Colwick, who was just way for the throwers, finishing fifth handily, but this time the Owls MEET RESULTS girls lined up behind the starting named Conference USA Male Athlete with a throw of 15.95 meters. Baker also had the upper hand, recording 178 blocks. The A-team of Zelnick and of the Week on Tuesday, and sopho- took seventh in the weight toss. points to UH's 169. Along the way, Nov. 6: seniors Skylar Craig, Diane Gu and more Shea Kearney tied Bratloff's mark The distance events also proved a Rice also beat the University of New Wee 121, UH 173 Carlyann Miller had a solid per- last year. Colwick now owns both the high point for the Owls. Junior Brad Orleans 263.5-65.5 and lost to Lou- formance, taking second place in Nov. 15: school indoor and outdoor records for Morris was the top collegiate finisher siana State University 246-95. 1:34.49. What made the key differ- the pole vault, as he vaulted 5.55 me- in the 5000 with a time of 15:30. Senior Head coach Seth Huston said it Rice 160, UH 187 ence, however, was the impressive ters to win the Texas Relays last April. Simon Bucknell, sophomore Michael was gratifying to finally get a win finish by the Owls' B-team of Dela- Ian. 31: Saturday's vault was the third-best in Trejo and senior Justin Maxwell each over the Cougars. loye, Bottoms and juniors Angela Rice 178, UH 169 the nation this year and was a provi- scored in the 3000m, finishing fourth, "In the fall, [UH] got us both Wo and Megan Land. Bottoms, the sional qualifying mark for the NCAA seventh and eighth, respectively. times we swam [against] them, so it relay's anchor, came from behind Indoor Championships. Senior Brett Olson took sixth in the was nice to return the favor," Hus- to secure the win over Houston's Head coach Jon Warren mile and junior Matt Hoffman finished ton said. "We ended up with a mod- A-team, giving the Owls enough (Jones '88) spoke of the difficulties nine seconds behind Olson to take erately comfortable win." overall points to beat Houston and that track and field athletes must ninth, while junior Scott Zivick placed On the first day of competition, a lifetime-best time a month before bring their record in dual meets overcome just to qualify for the na- ninth in the 800 as well. performances across the squad our peak performance meet, that's to 6-7. They next compete against tional championship. The team's performance in the were inconsistent. Sophomores a really good sign because they're Incarnate Word University on Feb. 7 "I cannot emphasize how difficult 3000 also earned provisional times for Ashten Ackerman and Erin Matt- not in a peak condition right now." in San Antonio. it is to get into the NCAA meet for in- the conference meet. son and freshmen Nicole Delaloye Warner returned on Saturday "[Incarnate Word] is a Division doors," Warren said. "If you assume "The 3000 was a very solid race, and Alison Godbe all secured third and hammered home the first of II school so what we'll probably do three people per event, per school, [since] we had three guys all run place finishes in their respective many nails in UH's coffin, winning is swim a lot of alternate events, with 300 schools, that's 900 people fast enough to make the fast heat at events. Notably, Ackerman set the the 500-yard freestyle with a career some events most of the team hasn't [competing). 15 people make it. That's conference," Warren said. best time by an Owl in the past four best time of 4:56.54. Delaloye fol- swum this year," Huston said. 1.5,1.8 percent. That's kind of like mak- Freshmen sensations Collin Shur- years in the 200-yard breaststroke. lowed close behind, taking third "[We'll] just give them a chance to ing the BCS National Championship." bet and Clayton Chaney continued Later on the same day, Godbe place. Freshman Shelby Bottoms get up and race, but not necessarily Considering that there aren't any grabbed third place and a school- took second place with a season- to focus on their best events." their success from two weeks ago on pesky sportswriters or BCS comput- Saturday. Chaney finished third in the ers to keep Colwick out of the meet, it heptathlon, finishing first in both the # looks like he has a good chance to go O see TRACK, page 18

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Free parking available UNIVERSITY EYE INSTITUTE Junior Jason Colwick defies gravity as he flips over a 5.4 meter bar, setting See the difference .... See the best H The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution a new school record as well as an NCAA provisional qualifying height. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS 17 Tragedy casts pall over Women's tennis finds groove by Prem Ramkumar Of the six singles players, only match against Texas State com- THRESHER STAFF junior Julie Chao failed to win her menced Sunday morning. Picking men's recent road trip match convincingly. The Owls' No. 1 up where they left off, the team The women's tennis team dropped fell to the hard-hitting Monika Had- demonstrated continued poise in by Casey Michel Rosa rolled over against Cory Parr in just a single team point over two vigerova 4-6, 6-4, 5-10. But freshman doubles, coming out with the early THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF a 6-1, 6-4 defeat. Miiiler put his squad matches against University of Texas- Ana Guzman made up for Chao's loss, 1-0 lead after having two of three on the board with a three-set win at Arlington and Texas State University displaying her talent and ball control matches going to tiebreakers. After seven straight victories, ev- No. 2, but losses by senior Toby Scheil this past weekend at Jake Hess Sta- with drop shots and passes as she The team followed up the doubles eryone on the men's tennis team knew and junior Chong Wang sealed Rice's dium. With six matches under their yanked Daiana Negreanu around for performance with quick wins from a loss was inevitable. But no one knew fate and Wake Forest's 4-1 victory in belts, the Owls, who are now 5-1 on 6-4, 6-2 victory at the No. 2 spot. the No. 2, 3, 5 and 6 singles spots to that the first loss would come off of the the opening round of the National the year, appear to have found a rou- "I feel great about my team, and I clinch the victory. Recovering from tennis court. Team Indoors tournament. tine that works. her tough loss the day before, Chao Not an hour before the Owls were feel that we have a lot of potential," If there was any comfort to be Rice took on UT-Arlington Satur- battled to a straight set win 7-5, 6-4 slated to face Wake Forest University Guzman said. "I have been training found from this loss, it was that Rice day and had to battle through a rough against Ashley Ellis to contribute her last Friday in Oxford, Miss., freshman really hard and setting my mind on would no longer have to face the opening round of doubles, but still point to Rice's 7-0 victory. Christian Saravia learned that his fa- things to accomplish. It's nice playing ninth-ranked University of Mississippi managed to win all three of the close ther had been killed in a car crash in at the second spot because it helps The team had a very strong show- in the second round. The host Rebels individual matches to take the early Guatemala City, Guatemala. Stunned me compete with my teammates and ing this past weekend, but the going had moved on to the second round at 1-0 team lead in the contest. and saddened by the immediacy of improve on a daily basis." gets tougher as they play 60th ranked the expense of Kentucky, Rice's Sun- "I think we played very good dou- the news, head Sophomore Jessica Jackson, ju- St. Mary's on Friday and 15th ranked day opponent in bles and I have definitely seen great coach Ron Smarr nior Rebecca Lin, sophomore Varsha Fresno State on Saturday on the road. the consolation improvement," head coach Elizabeth took Saravia to the Shiva-Shanker, and freshman Alex "Every match is going to be a bracket. Schmidt said. "All we need now is nearest airport, and Rasch all won in straight sets to give battle," Schmidt said. "I'm excited to But it turned out consistency. I would like to see more the native Guatema- Rice the 6-1 victory. Jackson has man- play these higher ranked teams. At that whatever com- energy and bounce in their step. I lan flew from Hous- s aged to keep her record stainless this the end of the day, rankings are just fort the Owls felt in would like to see us take it to our op- ton to his home in a entire season. numbers. I want to go out and play RICE VS. LSU facing the Wildcats ponent, as opposed to them taking it matter of hours to The Owls did not have much Rice tennis and show them what we was short-lived. to us, and dictate play." be with his mother time to relish the victory since their can do." WHEN Although Rice took and brother, who Saturday.1 p.m. the doubles point, are both still in the team saw Ken- the hospital. WHERE Baton Rouge, La. tucky — which All of a sud- Smarr predicted HISTORY den, no one was in would soon land Rice hosted the two teams' the mood to play a last meeting, which saw in the top 15 — game that seemed Michael Venus of then-No. take the lead with to mean so little. 26 LSU stave off two match successes against "Our hearts go points against Christoph Miii- Rosa and Wang. out to him and his ler in the Tigers' 4-2 victory. Miiiler grabbed a family," Smarr said. straight-set win "At this juncture, over Brad Cox, his tennis, on a scale eighth-straight of IOO, is about a two. When anybody win to start the season, and freshman loses a father at that age, or anytime, Sam Garforth-Bles earned a 7-5, 6-4 is brutal." triumph at No. 5. Yet losses by Scheil The game, however, must go on, and freshman Isamu Tachibana sent ami after a team meeting the Owls de- the Owls home without a win. cided to keep its promise to play over Typically, these losses would have the weekend. With heavy hearts, then- shaken the team, leading to questions No. 17 Rice showed up against the De- and a possible reshuffling of the lineup. mon Deacons and against then-No. 37 But with Saravia in mind, tennis has University of Kentucky, but the squad's taken a backseat to life off of the courts. efforts ended in a pair of defeats. "We're going to stay close to him, The team's magical start had come make sure he stays busy, and he'll play to a shattering end. Gone were the tennis when he feels like it," Smarr said. dreams of a perfect season, gone was "[The situation] puts everything in per- the top-2o ranking, and in only the spective. It can happen to anybody. On second-week of their marathon seven- the turn of a dime, your life changes." week road trip, gone were the lofty Rosa reiterated the team's solidar- expectations of momentum for tomor- ity in support of their teammate, not- row's contest against No. 16 Louisiana ing that the notion of family is not lim- JOEL KAHN/THRESHER State University. ited solely to blood. When the squad travels to Baton "You can't say too much, you can't Helping her team to a sweep against Texas State last Sunday, senior Emily Braid unleashes her southpaw serve Rouge, La., tomorrow, it will need to do too much in this moment," Rosa leave its struggles at the state line, be- said. "We not only lost a team member against the Bobcats' Amanda Alvarado. Braid dominated Alvarado, earning a quick 6-1, 6-1 victory. cause LSU will showcase a hardy sin- ... but we also lost a family member." gles lineup in front of a feverish home crowd. Leading the Tigers will be the •PMJP best singles player the Owls have seen yet: Michael Venus, currently ranked second in the nation. Mr; Rice's last matchup with LSU, in March 2008, ended pitifully for the host Owls as the lower-ranked Tigers came out on top 4-2. At No. 2, Venus bested then-junior Christoph Miiiler in three sets for the clinching point, despite the fact that Miiiler was a pair of match points away from clinching the match. Now, the roles are reversed: LSU will be hosting and Rice will enter with a lower ranking. Despite last year's precedent, Smarr said he was still uncertain of his squad's chances. "If you ever play LSU at I.SU in any- thing, it's not a whole lot of fun," he said. "We've lost to LSU the last two times we played them ... so maybe it's our turn to beat them." For the Owls to truly have a shot at rebounding, they need their top hit- ter. junior Bruno Rosa, to shake out of the funk that has fallen on his game. Although he is currently ranked 26th in the country, five losses in his first seven matches have cut his confi- dence sharply. "To tell you the truth, I just need some confidence," the Brazilian said. "I'm playing well, but I definitely need tocorrect some mistakes I'm having this semester.... The good thing about all of SwS&. this is that |MiilIer| is more than ready to play No. 1. In a worst-case scenario, we have a great player at the top." Against the 27th-ranked Demon Deacons, Rosa still held the No. 1 slot w . in singles, but after the Owls dropped all three doubles matches — the first time that has happened all season - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 18 SPORTS THE RICE THRESHER O BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 13 penetrating within 10-15 feet and Perka posted the second double- pulling up for the jumper. double of his career in the win, scor- "When I first started, it was the ing a career-high 21 points to go along speed and physicality [of the game] with 11 rebounds. that threw me off," Frizzelle said. Sophomore center Trey Stanton "I handled it pretty well, but [the added another 10 rebounds for the game] wasn't slowing down for Owls, who out-rebounded the Pi- me. Over time I got in tune with rates by seven in the game, some- it and that's why I'm back in the thing they will need to do against the ) starting lineup." up-tempo Cougars. Even with the solid play of Friz- Houston has emerged as a con- zelle and the recent emergence of tender for second place in the confer- senior forward Aleks Perka in the ence despite losing a number of play- frontcourt, Rice (7-14, 2-5 C-USA) will ers to graduation after last season. be heavy underdogs against Houston Kelvin Lewis and Aubrey Coleman (13-7, 4-3 C-USA) tomorrow. each average a little over 19 points a The Owls went a disappointing game, good for third- and fourth-best 1-1 last week against Tulane (9-11, 3-4 in the conference. C-USA) and East Carolina (11-10, 3-5 The Cougars recently gained C-USA) despite finding themselves national notoriety when Coleman up by 19 points during the first half in stepped on University of Arizona both games. forward Chase Budinger's head A last-second layup by Tulane during an overtime loss in Tucson. guard Kevin Sims cost them the However, the forced suspension game on Wednesday night, but the rest might have done him good, as team rebounded on Saturday, pull- he returned with a career-high 35 ing off a gutsy six-point victory points in a loss to the University of against the Pirates. Memphis last Saturday. • LIONS FROM PAGE 13 Freshman Kiri Kendall finished seventh in the high jump at the Houston Invita- Before I get into the meat of my got a relationship for you: Joey Har- Leap of faith Detroit-loving perspective, I'd just rington. Charles Rodgers. Mike Wil- tional last weekend. Her highest jump of 1.6 meters was the best among all Owls. like to take a moment to reflect on liams. Those other receivers. Detroit is just how bad the Lions actually are. where receivers go to die, and quarter- They actually managed to finish the backs go to cry. It's terrifying. the tall, accomplished, intelligent, love everything that makes the game *1 would like to point out that perfect season: 0-16, completely de- And it keeps players in college. prototypical professional quarterback so much more diverse and exciting James Casey is exempted from feated. That's mind-boggling. That's Sam Bradford. Tim Tebow. Colt Sam Bradford decided to return to than the professional game. I love this critique. Not only do I have no so bad, it's poetic. McCoy. Three Heisman finalists, school for his junior campaign. While complaining about the Big Ten (a.k.a. doubts he will finish his degree, but It's almost romantic, honestly, three players returning to college. 1 don't know Mr. Bradford, I can't help the Whiny Eleven) and the BCS and the fact that he spent a few years in that a team could so fully know the Who has the first pick of the 2009 but think that a paralyzing fear of be- the money that pollutes the game. the minor leagues and isn't as young concept of defeat. Over the last seven draft, you may be asking? The De- coming a Kitten had a lot to do with his And 1 love that the Kittens do every- as most college players makes his years, the Kittens have gone 31-81. troit Lions, of course. decision to return to school. thing they can to keep my game a situation unique. He has a life and Yes, fifty games under .500. In the current era, the student-ath- This is why I am such a supporter little bit more pure. a family and the longevity of his ca- Fifty. Games. Good. Gravy. lete who cherishes the commitment to of the Lions and their, urn, "execu- And as to my opinion on players reer to consider. 'But what does this have to do with getting the student aspect of his career tives." 1 am, more than most, a col- who still decided to come out early?* college ball?' you may ask. What could fulfilled is a rare breed at the higher lev- lege football fan, first and foremost. Michael Crabtree and Matthew Nathan Bledsoe is a Lovett College possibly be the relationship here? I've els of sport. People were shocked when 1 love the spread. I love the option. I Stafford: be afraid. Be very afraid. senior and former calendar editor • WOMEN'S OTRACK FROM PAGE 16 FROM PAGE 15 my team. 1 think it is just going to be As long as the spurts are there, the cially shared by many of the young 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles 400m hurdler, [but] we're still playing hard work and toughness on my part. squad maintains their commitment to players on the squad who may have portions and second in the long with whether he's a 60m hurdler or not. All those things will come with hard take on each unexpected challenge been vacillating between greatness jump portion. I think he'll focus on the quarter mile." work and toughness." with a bright outlook for the future. and mediocrity, but are dedicated to After Chaney's performance, War- Juniors Ahmad Sweeney, Chris But tough, hardworking perfor- "It is very frustrating to be in last getting the Owls back to a spot in the ren sees more potential for him in the Douglas and John Welch all per- mances have come in unexpected place," Watts said. "The pressure is standings that the younger players outdoor season. formed well in the 60m sprints, with spurts in recent weeks for the Owls. The gone that we have had in the past, but have never experienced. "I expect in outdoor, Clayton will Welch turning in a 7.09 second dash, team followed a poor practice on Tues- I would rather be winning. It is frus- "You always see hints and sparks of do the decathlon," Warren said. "He's good for tops on the team. day with an impressive performance trating, but we are here to play bas- fantastic play," Hypolite said. "When we going to be a great decathlete." In return for their efforts, the against Houston (14-7, 6-3 C-USA) on ketball. It is going to be fun no matter put it together, I think that it is going to Warren had Shurbet try the 60m sprinters will remain here in the mild Wednesday. Despite losing by a score what. Even when we lose, we have be something amazing. 1 honestly do." hurdles as well as the 200m, where Houston winter while some of the of 66-56, Rice left the expectations for times where we play really well, and Shurbet ran a quick 23.03 seconds. team, mainly those in field events, their second shot at the Cougars on Sat- that's when the game is fun." For recaps of basketball games "He's a really good hurdler," War- will venture to Lincoln, Neb., home of urday up in the air. This sentiment has been espe- please visit www.ricethresher.org ren said. "He's definitely going to be a the Frank Sevigne Classic.

V W V 4"»" Now seeking nominations for: Now seeking applications for: Thresher Sports Quiz Morty Rich Scholarship and ROTARY COMMUNITY Have you found a brown coat Alan Grob Prize SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP lying around campus?

2.) Do you enjoy getting paid for Do you know someone who has To promote and recognize community your original writing? demonstrated a commitment to service? service, the Rotary Club of West University 3) Or have they been a voice for those who Are your friends always tell- Place offers an annual $3000 scholarship to a ing you to join a newspaper? cannot speak for themselves? continuing undergraduate student at Rice Honor them with your nomination. Universitv. Are' you interested in joing Self-nominations are accepted. thelTiresher sports team? For more information about the Rotary Scholarship For more information about the Morty Rich Scholarship and to apply, visit the Community Involvement If you answered yes to and Alan Grob Prize, or to make a nomination, visit the Center's website Community Involvement Center's website (http://www.rice.edu/service). (http:/ www.rice.edu 'service). threster-s|K»rts@ricfcev Friday, Applications arc due by Wednesday, March 20 at 5:0(1 pm. February 25 at 5:00 pm. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2009 THE RICE THRESHER CALENDAR 19 the Calendar WEDNESDAY oO FEB. 6-13, 2009 FU USM

The Bad Plus "Golden Eagles"? Give me a break. FRIDAY The Rice Owls will assert their Da Camera of Houston hosts aerial dominance tonight as our acid-jazz sensation The Bad boys in blue deplume University Plus tonight. I've been listening OWLCON 28: THE REAWAKENING of Southern Mississippi's basket- to them since I stumbled upon ball team. Maybe, if we're lucky, OwlCon 28, Houston's premier their first album on KaZaA in Hanszen College senior and mas- gaming convention, opens today. high school, and while they're cot Richard Romeo will headbutt tmim A 'W'.' You wanna play "table-top and not perfect, they're pretty god- another referee tonight. live action role playing games damn spectacular. The show be- TTTliff? (including RPGA events)?" Go gins at 8 p.m. at Cullen Theater, and tickets start at $30, with stu- ahead. You wanna mess with I mean, actually it's 97 Days, dent rush tickets selling for $5. "miniatures games and events?" but who's counting? (We are Fine by them. So you like "his- Listen to anything from "Prog" counting.) torical miniatures, board games, to their kickass cover of "Iron and card games?" So what? It's Man." Seniors, rejoice! Approximately that Dean Forman (had) ever OwlCon! Everything goes. Save 100 days until graduation ... holy heard of Trick-or-Treating! He 50 percent with a Rice ID. It's like shit, that's practically no time. (wasn't) ready to go out yet. Willy Wonka's chocolate paradise Why don't I have a job yet? Oh, (Could) you (have) help(ed) him out? Draw a costume on our be- but with less sex. SUNDAY god, I'm going to be on the street and homeless or worse yet I'll be •a in small-town Wisconsin teach- X M I'm a college secretary. When Hitting us with the hard stuff ing at my high school and living with my parents thisisafate worse do I get a sex movie? Shepherd School's purists will thandeathohgodi'msoterrified. 7 V ' The Open movie series kicks off flinch while OwlCon LARPers

tonight with Secretary, a movie squeal as the Houston Sympho- But in other news, go party it up! 1 ^ < about (according to IMDB) a ny performs Star Wars And More Buses leave from the Sallyport "smart, quirky woman in her John Williams at 7:30 p.m. in starting at 9 p.m. and tickets are twenties who returns to her Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Street. $10 before the day of the event hometown in Florida after a brief Tickets are expensive, starting and $15 at the door. As one of stay in a mental hospital" and in the $7os, but call and see if the few under-21 members of the 0 then has crazy, depraved, he- there's anything cheaper. She'll class of 2009, and a "dedicated" / A love you forever. donistic sex with her boss. This "member" of the Thresher edito- / /\ A family flick screens at 7 p.m. in rial staff, I'll be here in this office ! \ i the Wiess College movie room. celebrating in my own special / ) way (yelling at people). I K I"" \ I MONDAY / "If you can't slam with the best, 9 then jam with the rest." - Proust THURSDAY 12 Quick! Someone call the equal If sexy secretaries aren't your £ u thing, then comedy sports proba rights sheriff! bly are. The Harlem Globetrotters Queers and Allies will screen Remember that creepy grad I (i V I will do their thing tonight at 7 Inlaws and Outlaws tonight at student from last year? Hoping p.m. at the Toyota Center. Tickets 7 p.m. in Farnsworth Pavilion. for a visit this year too. begin at $20; steer over to their This movie examines love from Rice Program Council will host site at www.toyotacenter.com. Did all sides: gay, straight, single their annual Crush Party at 10 you know that Henry Kissinger and not. Apparently it's been p.m. in Willy's Pub. Hopefully and Pope John Paul II are listed garnering accolades left and you've filled out your surveys \ i as honorary Globetrotters? Not right, so stop by Farnsworth and (a i by now. I'm glad they finally surprising - JPDubs was pretty feel all warm and fuzzy just in included purity points on it: My well known in Vatican circles for time for the Student Association top match is guaranteed to be his devastating Skyhook. meeting. easy.

SATURDAY TUESDAY 10 FRIDAY

Cameras and cookies "Excuse me, where is your This Day In History water-efficient bathroom?" RTV5 crosses into the culinary This contest technically expires Oct. Today in: 1763, the Treaty of Paris realm tonight at 8:30 p.m. in 31. 2009. You could still win the spe- Bring your running shoes and ended the French and Indian Farnsworth Pavilion with the cial Backpage prize: the libation of digital camera for the Rice Green War; in 1906, the Royal Navy of Sugar 8t Spice cookie decorat- your choice! Campus Mail it to Back- Scavenger Hunt. Teams of up to 5 the United Kingdom launched the page or find one of us in person. We ing challenge. Show up and win will compete to see who knows the HMS Dreadnought and changed don't want to pay A&E Editor Joe yet. prizes! Entry is $2 for each team most about "campus and Houston naval warfare forever; 1933, of two. sustainability." You get free dinner Postal Telegraph Company in afterward, and the winners get a New York offered the first singing "little somethin' somethin' extra" telegram service; 1967, the United I assume this is a date with resident States ratified the 25th Amend- SLOOOOOOOW BUUUUUUUURN eco-heartthrob Patrick McAnaney. ment. Happy 2/10! WILLY'S PUB Rice's premiere longform impro- E-mail [email protected], then meet by visational comedy troupe comes Brochstein Pavilion at 3 p.m. y at you live tonight at 9 p.m. in R Happy Birthday / I'm Sorry That Herring Hall 100. It's going to be i MONDAY, FEB. 9 You Died Today! unbelievable. We've played with so many new styles and fresh for- Margarita Monday! SCKfiMl Happy Birthday to Lon Chaney mats that you're going to be hit ]r. (1906, deceased), Jim Cramer with sustained scenes left and (1955) and ex-Rice Astro stand right. So potent, you'll wake up out Lance Berkman (1976). three days later safe and warm in ^ TUESDAY, FEB. 10 your own bed without any clue Goodbye to Arthur Miller (2005) how you (or I) got there. Am I bi- Jt MechE Pub Night and Jim Varney (2000). ased toward this event? Yes. HOW TO SUBMIT CALENDAR ITEMS WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 1

The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. the Monday prior to publication. Closed for 100 Days at 7 p.m. Chips & Drink Submissions are printed on a space available basis. Submission methods THURSDAY, FEB. 1 2 With purchase of anv medium Fax: 713 348.5238 sandwich or pizza Email: [email protected] RPC Crush Party Campus Mail: Calendar Editor After 3 p.m. everyday Thresher, MS-524

Show your RICE ID or Bring tflis ad in _ Note from the editor: This was a fairly half-assed week for calendar submissions, but thanks 8200 8.Maftn 713489-0011 for playing, Rice! Please note that while you cannot commission articles FRIDAY, FEB. 1 3 ' (lis -cil* ol f>»; I nH nrrti ii 110 in News, you can always commission calendar plugs! You are welcome to A Phil's Phriday: 4pm-7pm >« tests torn S*w 1 sri>r. submit Backpage requests but I will probably ignore them. 101 > Wf

Excerpt from "Grasping the Hilt of Destiny" by Doug Hazel Chapter 9 Elrond said, "Very well, the fellowship of nine shall carry the ring to Mordor and destroy it in Mount Orodruin." tessii Aragorn interrupted, "If I may, I feel the need to introduce you to a good friend of mine. His name is Doug Bluehazel, and he is the greatest swordsman I have ever seen. He has lain thrice with elven women, and he is one of my best friends. 1 believe that he would be a valuable addition to our fellowship." K2-'jz , "Very well," Elrond said. "This fellowship of ten shall carry the ring to Mordor." Chapter 14 "Oh, Doug!" gasped Arwen. She panted, and heaved her generous bosom. It swung between across her shoulders, like two kickballs in a Dwarven duffel bag. "You are so handsome! And so smart, too! You deserve some very special treatment, not a frigid middle-aged wife who has lost all of her youth and charm." 1 "Oh, well—" Doug began. "Shh, my strong and good-looking friend," Aragorn said. "Arwen is a beautiful maiden. She will never grow old and have children or make you sleep on the couch. She will do well by you. Now have you ever been curious what it feels like to lay with a man?" "Erm—" Doug stammered. "Hush, Doug," purred Arwen seductively. "Have you ever heard of what you Earth men call an 'Eiffel Tower?' Here in Middle- Earth we call it the 'Tower of Orthanc.' Now close your eyes and let us show you some Isengardian delights." Chapter 38 "Gives us the preciouses!" Gollum screamed at Frodo, leaping for the ring around his neck. A tall silhouette, long hair rippling over toned pectorals and deltoids, appeared in the volcano entrance. "Stop right there!" From today until Sunday, dozens of sweaty, overweight, bald- Doug said manfully. But Gollum had already knocked Frodo out with a rock. ing, middle-aged men (and a handful of sweaty, overweight, "It's ours! The precious is ours!" Gollum spat, wheezing gleefully. Doug's musclar arm rippled as he lunged forward and balding, middle-aged women and their unwilling children) wrestled Gollum to the ground, freeing the ring from his clawed grasp. join forces with a bunch of Martel sophomores and descend "Back from whence you came!" Doug shouted, and hurled the ring into the fires of Mount Doom. upon our campus for the 28th annual OwlCon. Hours of dice- Suddenly, Frodo came to. He slapped Doug on the back, like a brother, but not the kind of brother who would shove you into rolling, LARPing and card-swapping bring out a man's intro- your seventh-grade locker and lock it in front of the girl you liked. "Oh, Doug! You saved Middle-Earth! I'm so glad that you're my spective side, so this year's OwlCon organizers decided to of- best friend and that you're here instead of in some stuffy auxiliary office for a run-down paper company in the Northern Midwest where nobody really respects your contributions and you feel like you're drowning a sea of Excel files and the guy across the fer a creative outlet: cubicle won't stop playing Ludacris and the thermostat is always just a few degrees away from comfortable and the intern keeps R2-D2, A Literary Journal (For Science Fiction and Fantasy) eating all the chocolate-filled donuts that Thelma leaves in the break room on Fridays. Say, have you been working out?"

OwlCon, A Field Journal Trench Run o sick sweet mother Friday, 11.30 pm Two proton torpedoes 0 sick sweet mother Hess Private Dining Room Latched to the underside who thrust me into this world without considering I turn my head and see these stagnant lumps of scum around Of my X-Wing the player's manual (3rd ed.) me and vomit inside my mouth. Just a little bit. Not because Careening or the weaknesses of the human race I'm sick or because I'm hungover - I'm not. It's because I Down the trench of Your Death Star (weak against fire; middling STR) can see what's happened to my Padawan. My Baby. My Targeting computer 0! Ma! OwlCon. I've been here since 1981, since the first OwlCon. Off if only I were a half-ore! Half ore! It's amazing I'm still standing here today. These fuckers -- "Why did you turn it off?" they ask then in a fit, to praise Gruumsh (the chief orchish deity) these plebeian shitheads - leave the RMC at night. They go Use the Force 1 could punch in your brains (and Dad's) home to their wives, to their families, to their stupid smiling and leave our hut to find my destiny diapered babies. They're practically babies themselves. Ig- norant fucking children. If Steve Jackson were here, and he bam instead you force me day by day saw the depths to which we've plummeted, he'd slit his own bam into junior high, throat with a Vorpal blade. Ha! As if he could find a Vorpal the dungeon out of which i cannot cast Teleport blade anywhere in OwlCon 28. We haven't carried good rep- Great shot kid, that was one in a million regardless of my INT licas in a decade. but alas Some nights 1 go to bed safe in the UNIXy glow of my monitor B0000000000000M you can't reroll the human condition and dream of the old days. '81. '82. Even '84. The days when men were men and we knew our place in the world. When I could look into the eyes of Bill across the table and know that whatever might be in that treasure chest, he'd be there for me Asian Coffeehouse Girl The Gathering at the end of the dungeon. That he'd be by my side, in that I bought a coffee for 95 cents last year Girl, I see you sittin' there: same black AC/DC shirt with the stains on the stomach, to- and drank it at the counter Confidently poised morrow, and the next day, and all the next days until forever. (it took me fifteen minutes) with a well-balanced swamp/island pool. Then Bill got married and his balls fell off. You're running a blue/black deck. I remember [Aggro/Discard. I like that.) There just isn't any respect for a good beard anymore. the way your corset cradled your bosoms (it helps that I am tall: I wonder if thirty years from now the little kids who show up And every time you draw from that deck, sugar: with their daddies will still stand here and play with their a veritable level 40 elf ranger That kinky way you Pokemon cards. Where will 1 be? Maybe I'll go out like Rum- in a crowd of these hatfling schmucks) hold those seven cards mel, in a shower of dice and dandruff. Or maybe I'll stick and your plaid schoolgirl skirt, a Bag of Holding Makes me want to search through your library around, like one of those Civil War reenactors. While the rest filled with a treasure [Good thing I can use Grinning Totem next turn.] I have yet to find in any endgame raid of us are embroiled in adventures with half-ore vampires or I was thinking, babe: the Knights Templar these old geezers shuffle around quietly Your eyes I'll put my pebbles on my player mat in Kelley Lounge saying the same old lines they've said for two Blackrock Depths Magmus stones to indicate how much damage you've inflicted on my caster sixty years, winning or losing battles that haven't changed glanced at me briefly And wink as I roll them in my palm. since they were fought a hundred and a half years ago. I won- then quickly darted back to the register [I'm pretending they're my balls.] der how it feels to play the role of a Confederate, knowing then at the espresso machine Tap that mana. that you're going to lose and you're going to die. You could die then at the jar of biscotti Tap that ass. for real before you get a chance to try it again next year, but where they stayed until i left a five-dollar tip and left does that make any difference? I can't spelt your name Where the fuck is my sandwich. but I think I love you The Backpage is satire and is written, poorly, by Timothy Faust and Eric Doctor. Former BPE Steve Jackson, you are not forgotten! Thank you for Misdass. CLASSIFIEDS @ rice.edu PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL/STUDIO TELEMARKETER NEEDED! LOOKING for ATTENTION GRADUATE STUDENTS! HELP WANTED SEEKS student for post-production motivated, enthusiastic telemarketer ® OTHER Stats driving you crazy? Save time (Photoshop), bookkeeping (Quick- to help top-producing financial advi- and sanity! Statistical help with WEBSITE DESIGN AND implementa- Books), errands, office help, mar- sors located in the Galleria. Respon- 2007 BLUE KIA Spectra 4-DR auto- your Dissertation or Thesis. 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