VOLUME 104, ISSUE NO. 5 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

MOB LETS PRIDE FLY IN BAYLOR SHOW AMY QIN NEWS EDITOR

During halftime of the football game against on Saturday, over 50 students and alumni from Rice and Baylor ran onto the football field bearing pride flags. The halftime show, organized by the Marching Owl Band, was a protest against Baylor’s discriminatory stance toward LGBTQ+ students, according to Chad Fisher, the public katherine hui / THRESHER relations representative for the MOB. In late August, Baylor University President Linda Livingstone published a statement formally opposing premarital sex and homosexuality on the university official Classes canceled belatedly after flooding, storms website. The statement came days before an LGBTQ+ student group, Gamma Alpha SAVANNAH KUCHAR storm and flood conditions. across the area began to Upsilon, was denied their request for a ASST NEWS EDITOR “The fact that Rice contradicted appear. [The Crisis Management Team] charter, according to the Observer. city officials and did not cancel classes made the decision to cancel classes and “The university affirms the biblical Tropical Depression Imelda hit until hours after the city of Houston related activities at 1:30 p.m. given the understanding of sexuality as a gift Houston last week, bringing with it said not to travel is ridiculous and now serious incidents of flooding on from God,” its online statement reads. heavy rains and flash flood warnings unacceptable,” Axelson said in his campus and across greater Houston.” “Temptations to deviate from this norm starting Wednesday and reaching email. “Rice loves to tout its recent Loren Goddard, a junior at include both heterosexual sex outside of its peak on Thursday. Rice campus research on climate change, flooding Hanszen College, said that the marriage and homosexual behavior. It is remained under normal operations in Houston, and Hurricane Harvey, but university should have considered thus expected that Baylor students will not up until midday Thursday. sits back while streets in and around the effects on off-campus students participate in advocacy groups which promote Rice’s Crisis Management Team campus turn to rivers after 45 minutes and canceled classes sooner. understandings of sexuality that are contrary announced that classes were of heavy rain.” “It might be difficult for the to biblical teaching.” canceled in a Rice Alert sent to Gorman said that the initial university to know how bad the rain During the halftime show, students carried the Rice community at 1:33 p.m. decision to not cancel classes was is going to get, but as an [off-campus] eight different pride flags onto the field, Thursday. Classes were then canceled a result of an incorrect forecast and student it would have definitely been representing the asexual, transgender, non- on Friday as well, according to a Rice Imelda’s unpredictable nature. nice to know [that classes would be binary, intersex, gay, lesbian, bisexual and Alert sent at 10:35 p.m. on Thursday. “We decided to proceed with normal canceled] before I got to campus so I pansexual communities and assembled into In an email to President David operations as the information at hand wouldn’t have to worry about my safety a formation spelling out the word P-R-I-D-E. Leebron, Dean of Undergraduates at that point indicated that while rain on the way home,” Goddard said. In addition to Rice students and alumni, the Bridget Gorman, Interim Provost was likely, the storm was expected to Axelson said that his car flooded participants also included four alumni from Seiichi Matsuda and the Thresher, move away from the city and toward earlier this school year while sitting in Baylor, according to Fisher, a Sid Richardson Drew Axelson, a Wiess College junior, the north and east,” Gorman said. West Lot 4 and with the conditions on College senior. said that he was frustrated with how “However, the rain began to intensify Thursday, he was worried about this According to Izzie Karohl, who participated the administration responded to the after 10 a.m., and reports of flooding SEE IMELDA PAGE 2 in the show, running onto the field was a liberating experience. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT “The Baylor folks booed when we asked them to reconsider their policy, but that’s as expected,” Karohl, a Will Rice College Moody Center’s exhibit shoots for the stars sophomore, said. “But the small cohort of ARELI NAVARRO MAGALLON means ’s first contact According to Alison Weaver, the Rice people were cheering. My [resident THRESHER STAFF with the moon. Houston’s nickname, Moody Center not only asserts Rice’s associates] were cheering. I think that’s all Space City, exists in large part role within this historical context, that really mattered to me.” Friday’s classes may have been thanks to our university’s formative but that of the arts as well. According to Anna Conner, the vice belatedly canceled, but not even collaborations with NASA. “Moon “We hope to add artists to the list president of Gamma Alpha Upsilon, reactions Tropical Depression Imelda could Shot” greets visitors with a nod to of experts, and to complement these among Baylor students to the MOB’s halftime halt the launching of the Moody Rice’s unique legacy by displaying citywide events [that commemorate show have been mixed. Center for the Arts’ latest exhibit: an excerpt from John F. Kennedy’s the moon landing anniversary] by “Dr. Livingstone, our president, was there “Moon Shot.” Despite torrential stirring 1962 Rice Stadium speech. exploring the impact of the moon to see it, which was amazing,” Conner, a downpour, the opening reception Here, the late president lauds Rice landing on the visual and performing senior at Baylor, said. “Mostly, people have turned out a sizable crowd of visitors University, Houston and arts,” Weaver, executive director of been happy about it, but ... I’ve seen [others] eager to partake in the Moody in the same breath with his bold the Moody Center, said. complaining about it and booing during the Center’s celebration of the 50th declaration. “No nation which “Moon Shot” begins by framing performance under the pretense of them anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 expects to be the leader of other the moon landing with a familiar cheering for their sports team.” moon landing. nations can expect to stay behind in historical slant. This show is, however, by no the race for space.” SEE MOB PAGE 3 SEE MOON SHOT PAGE 8 2 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER NEWS IMELDA FROM PAGE 1 9-11 a.m. Tests scheduled for Fall Hanszen public uses copyrighted logo happening to him again. Thursday morning were not “I walked through the water moved, however. tradition at Hanszen TikTok party”, according to Ari Vilker, to check on my car in West Lot, The storm also caused the Hanzen Public’s Logo bears a that hopefully people a Hanszen freshman. and saw many students and roof of a U.S. Postal Service can continue doing “I was walking with a couple of staff doing the same,” Axelson sorting and distribution center striking resemblence to years past us.” friends and then [someone said] ‘Wait, wrote. “For many students and in North Houston to collapse, TikTok’s Lights Out Tour As the first fall public isn’t that just the TikTok theme?’” underpaid [Housing and Dining] which led to delays in the party in the last four Vilker said. “And then they showed and facilities staff, our cars delivery of packages to campus, years, the social chairs me and I’m like, it’s kinda similar.” are our greatest asset, and we according to Joyce Bald, the met some challenges all know they’re not safe from Hanszen college coordinator. setting up “Lights Out,” flooding in Rice’s parking lots.” Gorman said that she and including the use of a According to Eric Rodriguez, the administration are open copyrighted logo from I think this the student maintenance to feedback about how they video platform TikTok’s representative for Will Rice handled this situation and will Lights Out summer tour company’s not gonna College, leaks began in the Old consider it in similar situations on its merchandise and take action against a Dorm ground floor and in one in the future. According to publicity. nonprofit like Rice. of the windows in the commons Gorman, she will be meeting The logo, which is a due to Thursday’s heavy rainfall. with leadership from the Student neon-outlined broken Jeremiah Murrell Student-run businesses Association early next week lightbulb, was used in HANSZEN COLLEGE SENIOR on campus shut down. Some regarding student feedback. BRIAN LIN the Facebook post for the event, as exams on Thursday and Friday “The safety, security and FOR THE THRESHER well as in tank-tops that were sold were postponed as well, wellbeing of the Rice community as merchandise leading up to the “Lights Out” was not the only including the first General is our first priority during a Hanszen College hosted “Lights event. Although there was a copyright time a copyrighted logo was used Chemistry test, originally significant weather event,” Out: Don’t Sleep on Hanszen,” infringement, it appears unlikely on campus, according to Marcus scheduled for Thursday Gorman said. “Any time our described as a “pajama party that TikTok will act against Hanszen, Thompson, a sophomore and social night from 7-9 p.m. The test campus experiences such an don’t want to miss” on Facebook according to Murrell. chair at Hanszen, who pointed out was initially rescheduled for event, we review what happened with music from “three of the best “I think this company’s not gonna that references to pop culture are Friday, but then moved again and ask ourselves how we might DJs on campus.” As Hanszen’s first take action against a nonprofit like frequently used in Orientation Week to Saturday morning from improve our response.” fall public party in the last four years, Rice University,” Murrell, a senior, and Beer Bike merchandise, such as “Lights Out” was meant to change up said. “It’s not like we were trying to with “Beeryoncé” and “Spongebob the Hanszen party scene, according take their logo and make a billion Squarepints.” to Jeremiah Murrell, a Hanszen social dollars off it. We thought the logo was “If you look at Beer Bike themes chair and senior. cool for our party and we used it to sell and stuff like that, a lot of those that “Hanzsen’s basically a new kind [merchandise] for our party.” they make [merchandise] for ­—Baker of space, we have new magister, new After the merchandise was made [College Beer Bike] last year they were things are happening, we’re about available, Hanszenites began making ‘Drank and Josh,’” Thompson said. to get a new building. So we wanted the connection between the “Lights “A lot of that is copyright. But it’s on to start something new,” Murrell Out” logo and TikTok’s logo, making such a small scale that it’s not really Anna TA / THRESHER said. “We wanted to start this new self-deprecating jokes about “our a problem.” Various parts of campus began to flood due to heavy rains from Tropical Depression Imelda, which prompted class cancellations. NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • 3 Students attend, protest Trump-Modi rally in Houston

KAVYA SAHNI of the Indian American voter base, but it’s FOR THE THRESHER definitely the most successful he’s been. “Trump and Modi made very similar On Sunday morning, multiple Rice points in their respective speeches, and students joined thousands of attendees I think we witnessed a pretty strong at a rally held for Indian Prime Minister friendship forming — they literally walked Narendra Modi and President Donald out holding hands,” Ghei said. “Personally, Trump, while several other Rice students I think a lot of his border rhetoric mirrors attended a protest outside the event, which Trump’s, which is one of the reasons he’s a was held at NRG Stadium. polemic figure.” Modi spoke about the recent events Around a dozen Rice students attended regarding the Jammu and Kashmir region, the protests held outside NRG stadium. Fadeel which has been the subject of a dispute Khan, Daanish Sheikh and Alizay Azeem courtesy fadeel khan between India and Pakistan and the major were among the students in attendance focus of the protests attended by Rice at the protest. Khan and Sheikh said they Rice students joined thousands of attendees at a rally held for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and students. Modi’s speech came less than two heard about the protests through the Muslim President Donald Trump, while several other Rice students attended a protest outside the event. months after the decision to revoke Article 370 Student Association. from the Indian Constitution, withdrawing “I’m an international student from everyone in the dark about what was “I don’t see why it should have been the special status conferred on the Jammu Pakistan, so I’ve grown up looking at going to happen in Kashmir and then put given special status in the first place or and Kashmir region. everything that’s been going on between this curfew in place, and did not allow why it still had special status for such a Article 370 had provided Jammu and Pakistan and India,” Khan, a Baker College communications,” Goyal said. long time,” Singhal said. Kashmir with special rights to legislate and freshman, said. “I was always passionate Modi said that Article 370 had deprived Alizay Azeem, a freshman at Wiess, other forms of autonomy. Before withdrawing about my country but I was more passionate the people of Jammu and Kashmir from said that she doesn’t think the situation in this special status, India had sent thousands for all the humanitarian reasons, and I development. Residents of Jammu and Kashmir is getting sufficient coverage. of troops into Jammu and Kashmir, cut off wanted to use my privilege for the good.” Kashmir would now be given the same rights “Growing up in a Pakistani household, internet services and placed political leaders Shryans Goyal, a Will Rice College junior as the rest of India, according to Modi. I did know about it,” Azeem said. of the region under house arrest. from New Delhi, India, said that Modi should With regard to the region of Jammu “Especially with recent events — there’s Jiya Ghei, a Wiess College sophomore who have put the people of Kashmir first, and and Kashmir, Arav Singhal, a Will Rice been a lot of media blackout and lack of attended the event, said that this wasn’t the started by building trust. sophomore from India, said Modi’s access to healthcare [with the] government first time Trump tried to gain the support “The way [Modi] did it was he kept decision was reasonable and logical. crackdown in the area.”

FROM PAGE 1 of support and coverage through Architecture hall enters predesign phase MOB social media, including coverage by the Houston Chronicle. RYND MORGAN building or how big,” Kuo said in the presentation. Fisher said the MOB had “We heard from so many ASST NEWS EDITOR Cannady Hall will be 20,000 square feet and decided on “Star Wars” as the Baylor and Rice alumni who were has a tentative groundbreaking date of June 2020, theme of their halftime show so appreciative of our show,” Students, faculty and staff of the Rice School of according to a Rice News article from April. over the summer but realized Fisher said. “To us it did exactly Architecture met with Jeannette Kuo of the Swiss During the Wednesday presentation, Kuo during their show writing what we wanted: to celebrate architecture firm Karamuk Kuo last week to discuss said that one of the most frequent requests she meeting that they wanted to also acceptance and diversity at Rice the potential design of Cannady Hall, a future received from the School of Architecture was a address Baylor’s statement on and call attention to Baylor’s expansion on the School of Architecture currently clear connection and sense of continuity between human sexuality. lack of recognition for their housed in Anderson Hall. Anderson Hall and Cannady Hall. “We are so fortunate to be diverse campus.” Kuo spent the beginning of last week collecting “However that new building is attached to on such a diverse and accepting Diana De La Torre, who also feedback from faculty, staff and students. On Anderson Hall, [it] should be able to complement campus and wanted to leverage participated in the show, said Wednesday, she gave a presentation to the School of and enhance the activities that are happening that privilege to support those she hopes the halftime show Architecture in which she collected more feedback here,” Kuo said. who are fighting for the same on provokes thought among Baylor’s from students in a Q&A segment. On Thursday, she Kuo said the sense of community within the their campuses,” Fisher said. administration about changing met with students again and gathered more feedback. School of Architecture will also contribute to the According to Fisher, the MOB their discriminatory policies. design of Cannady Hall, saying that many students posted in the class groups on “I hope that Baylor seriously mentioned Rice’s Culture of Care in their feedback. Facebook asking for participants reconsiders their policies “The space[s] of education usually are very and donations and received an concerning LGBTQ+ students much about the collective. It’s very much about overwhelming response. and that our students at Rice how do we build a collective culture,” Kuo said in In total, the MOB received can feel reaffirmed in knowing I think that what for me is the Wednesday presentation. “Especially right now, over 70 flags for their show, all of that they have a community that important though is to really in our political climate, I think that question is an which were donated by alumni stands by them on campus,” De understand ... how to best important one, in terms of what … we cultivate in and students. La Torre, a Baker College junior, achieve that continuity in the spaces that we build, that enable a certain way “One Rice [alumnus] even said. “I have browsed through of relating to each other.” bought 32 flags for us!” Fisher said. social media and have seen the sense of an institutional Kuo also said that she would like to address staff Karohl said she learned about many Baylor alums and current continuity. and faculty concerns about the third-floor offices of the show when a MOB member students express their gratitude Jeannette Kuo Anderson Hall. posted in the Rice Pride GroupMe. towards our statement and it “I think [they are] abominable,” Kuo said. Karohl said her primary reason warms my heart that we were ARCHITECT, KARAMUK KUO “[The offices] don’t have light or air or views to the for participating in the show able to show solidarity with the outside. In Switzerland this is illegal, and I can’t, as was to show solidarity with the Bears.” The location of Cannady Hall and whether or not a responsible architect, allow that to happen in a LGBTQ+ students at Baylor, but Conner said administrative it will be physically attached to Anderson Hall is space that I will have some sort of impact on.” that it also became a personally change to recognizing Gamma still unknown, according to Kuo. Kuo said that she met with Richard Johnson, significant moment for her. Alpha Upsilon as an official “I think that what for me is important though the director of the Administrative Center for “It was kind of thrilling to club could make a world of is to really understand ... how to best achieve Sustainability and Energy Management, as be out in a space [that] I care difference to some LGBTQ+ that continuity in the sense of an institutional part of the design process. According to Kuo, about,” Karohl said. “I grew students at Baylor. continuity,” Kuo said in the Thursday meeting. her background in Swiss construction and her up in Houston. My annual “As a club, we don’t exist to try According to Kuo, the predesign phase of Cannady observation of the impacts of past construction will school rivalry game was in Rice to change anyone’s mind or shake Hall will last until late February 2020, with monthly contribute to incorporating sustainability into the Stadium, and the church I grew up the status quo,” Conner said. visits to present to a committee which includes design of Cannady Hall. up going to is adjacent to Rice — “We’ve existed since 2011 and School of Architecture faculty, Facilities Engineering “Those are things that are ingrained in the way we’d park in Greenbriar Lot. To us gaining official recognition & Planning staff and administrative figures. we have to build in Switzerland, it’s already part of come back to this place where would change nothing for the Kuo said that all possible sites around Anderson regulated practice there,” Kuo said in the Thursday I’d been closeted [and] ashamed majority of students on campus. Hall would be analyzed as potential locations, meeting with students. “That’s also one of the and now be joyfully running But for the few people that need and that Cannady Hall may contain gallery space, things I understand we need to shine a spotlight around the field with a pride flag us and don’t know we exist or fabrication space and work space. on, especially in this country, I think the standards was an unbelievable transition.” don’t feel safe enough to come to “We’re not at that stage of design yet where we are relatively low, in terms of what sustainability After the show, Fisher said us yet, that change would mean know exactly what it’s going to be, even what type of means.” the MOB received an outpouring the world to them.”

Dynamic and Energetic Teachers wanted. Pay rate is $24 to $38 per hour. We provide all training. Email your resume to [email protected] 4 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER OPINION STAFF EDITORIAL read more online: Admin: stand with LGBTQ+ students Rice’s Crisis Management Team can do better The last time the Marching Owls Band counseling center, chaplain’s office and other “A university that doesn’t listen to its students, performed a halftime show at a football sources. But if the university isn’t willing to staff or faculty is not an institution that Rice game against Baylor University, they formed give LGBTQ+ students the recognition of an claims to be.” a IX on the field to call out Baylor’s cover-up official club, and the resources and funding of a sexual assault scandal — and the Rice that accompany that designation, then JUSTIN BISHOP & administration gave an official apology on how can LGBTQ+ students at Baylor trust CHRISTINA RINCON BROWN COLLEGE SENIORS behalf of the university. At Saturday’s show resources from the university claiming to during the Rice-Baylor football game, the help them? MOB again used their platform to support Instead of a statement condemning student interests. Over 50 Rice and Baylor Livingstone’s statement, President David Kavanaugh has to go students and alumni ran onto the football Leebron posted a picture of himself with her “How can a man who has been accused of field, waving pride flags to stand with on Twitter with the caption, “Always love assaulting and silencing women be the voice of LGBTQ+ students at Baylor. And the Rice meeting up with one of my favorite university the Constitution?” administration has so far been silent. presidents” before the game on Saturday. LILA­ GREINER The controversy surrounding Baylor’s In the past, the Rice administration has WILL RICE COLLEGE SOPHOMORE policies toward its LGBTQ+ students began not shied from making public statements earlier this semester, when a student concerning MOB performances as shown LGBTQ+ group was denied a charter for by their highly publicized apology to Baylor official university recognition. Nearly in 2016. In the face of the overwhelming Men need to do more to fight climate change simultaneously, Baylor President Linda demonstration of solidarity for LGBTQ+ “Being born into privilege doesn’t give you a Livingstone released a statement reaffirming students from both the Rice and Houston fast pass for screwing people over for your own Baylor’s Christian ideological foundations communities, the Rice administration benefit or ignoring the issues that affect people and prohibiting Baylor students from should make another public statement — who don’t have the cash to bail themselves out.” participating in LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. this time, in support of the MOB and students EZRA SMITH Livingstone’s statement was not only of both Rice and Baylor. Rather than default SID RICHARDSON COLLEGE FRESHMAN hurtful, but it also contradicted some of to defensive statements in fear of backlash, Baylor’s other stances on sexuality. Baylor the administration should actively seek want to write your own opinion? we take submissions through email at claims they offer support for LGBTQ+ opportunities to stand in solidarity with [email protected]! students through their Title IX office, their students.

OPINION I reported. Rice and SJP still let him graduate. Content warning: The following opinion to squeeze himself through a loophole in “Student Code of Conduct”. And then they University dealt with my rapist was worse. piece is about sexual assault. SJP’s process. He had never been suspended. let him graduate anyway. Initiating a case through SJP is already Instead, he graduated early, skipping the Students are told repeatedly that a unimagineably difficult; survivors of The last time I wrote an opinion entire spring semester, and thereby avoiding Rice degree is more than just a degree. It sexual assault shouldn’t need to be piece like this, I had just been sexually his suspension. He received a diploma, with means that you are hardworking, that you worried about the internal politics of a assaulted. I was in a terrible place, and all the rights and responsibilities that a are capable, that you are conscientious. university so consumed with protecting I stayed in that terrible place for months degree from Rice confers. It apparently, though, says nothing about its reputation that it is unwilling to protect and months, unable to break the walls whether or not you are a rapist. survivors. I will meet with anyone, I will that the sexual assault had put between Today, if anyone were to ask about talk about my case and I will fight to make me and my closest friends. what happened to my rapist, why he this process better. To the administrators After months spent feeling inadequate wasn’t around last semester, they’d find involved in the series of decisions that and worthless, I decided that my pain was When Rice handed him a out that he graduated early. Maybe they’d allowed my rapist to graduate: you fucked significant enough to justify some form degree, they handed him be impressed that this Rice student was up. The only way you can attempt to clean of retribution, so I reported my assault to a certification that what able to complete his degree requirements up this disaster is by never allowing this to Student Judicial Programs, hoping that, early. They certainly wouldn’t know that happen again. in speaking up, I might be able to prevent he had done was fine. he graduated early because he was found The last time I wrote an op like this, someone else from feeling the jumbled way guilty of sexually assaulting me. my rapist read it and mockingly quoted that I felt after the assault. If a student is suspended due to An administrator claimed that they did my own words in his statement to SJP. My SJP case dragged on for months. My circumstances of sexual misconduct, this to protect the Rice community. So, assuming that you, my rapist, are still rapist slowed the proceedings at every turn. they are not automatically readmitted to But I did what I did to protect the Rice an avid reader of the Thresher, I’d like to He asked for extensions on each statement the university after the duration of their community, to take down this man so that speak directly to you. Rice may have let that he was required to submit. He accused suspension. They are required to reapply, other students would know to stay away you off the hook, but I certainly have not. I me of sexual assault, in a retaliatory and and, to be readmitted, they must show from him, so that he wouldn’t be able to will continue to fight for my own personal ridiculous attempt to extend the timeline that they grew or changed during their hurt anyone else like he hurt me. It is both form of justice. Today, “justice” means a of the case, trying to buy himself time to time away from Rice. They must show that offensive and vile that Rice administrators very different thing from what it meant in find innocence in his guilt — the charges they recognize their wrongs. would give him an apparent cloak of November. Now, justice means fighting against me were dismissed. My rapist avoided this reckoning. He innocence and call it protection. Their for current and future survivors of sexual After months, he was found guilty was able to graduate, still believing that decision protects no one except the assault. You messed me up, and I’m still and he was suspended, starting at the he was in the right. When Rice handed him administrators who made it. working through the repercussions of beginning of the spring semester. I had a degree, they handed him a certification It always seems easier in the moment that — but I’m going to do my best to won. It was all over. I spent the following that what he had done was fine. to avoid problems, to keep them out of make sure that no other survivor ever semester in a state of bliss: finally, I Rice administrators had interrogated sight, maybe to hand over a degree and has to watch their rapist walk out of the wouldn’t see him anymore. I wouldn’t all parties involved. They read pages and sign off on responsibility. Of course, Sallyport ever again. That’s my promise break down anymore. There was one fewer pages of witness accounts. They knew the avoiding problems just creates worse to you. rapist on Rice’s campus. intimate details of my case. They decided messes later on. Editor’s Note: The author of this Or so I thought. that he was in the wrong, that he was not I’m here to create one of those messes. opinion, a Rice University alumnus, was Last week, 10 months after the decision deserving to be a Rice student, based on The way that Rice University dealt with granted anonymity to protect their identity. was made, I learned that my rapist was able the rules and expectations set out in the me was unacceptable. The way that Rice All claims are fact-checked in advance. STAFF Christina Tan* Editor-in-Chief SPORTS DESIGN Anna Ta* Managing Editor Michael Byrnes Editor Tina Liu* Director The Rice Thresher, the official First copy is free. Each additional Madison Buzzard* Editor Dalia Gulca A&E Designer student newspaper at Rice copy is $5. NEWS Eric Barber Asst. 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Ryan Green Web Editor to place letters on its website. © Copyright 2019 Priyansh Lunia Video Editor *Editorial Board member OPINION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 • 5 6 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER FEATURES Senior Spotlight: Sid Richardson College senior Jason Mendez for him. Mendez is a first-generation college his stepdad in the country. But if they fail, student, which made the college application he must move back to El Salvador. process difficult to navigate. Since his “I’ve been helping out a lot with the family wasn’t familiar with the process, he legal paperwork,” Mendez said. “Now it’s was alone in figuring it out. But ultimately, just a waiting game.” Mendez said he is proud to be the first in his Mendez’s academic experience family to go to college. also differs from most. After attending “Hopefully I’m setting a good example GeoFORCE, a University of Texas, Austin for my little brother,” Mendez said. geoscience outreach program, Mendez Being a first-generation college student entered Rice intending to study geophysics. wasn’t the only challenge that Mendez But Mendez soon found that the geophysics faced. Despite attending a college close to program at Rice was small — so small, in home, transitioning to Rice life was hard fact, that he has only ever met one other for Mendez. geophysics major, who was a few years above him, in his time here. Although Mendez takes classes that are cross-listed as undergraduate and graduate courses, he said he is always the only [Transitioning to undergraduate in the classroom. Rice life] took a while “I don’t know any other [current] CHANNING WANG / THRESHER because I’m really close geophysics majors,” Mendez said. “I think to my family. It felt really I’m the only one, unless there’s a freshman Jason Mendez, a Sid Richardson College senior, is majoring in geophysics. After college, he who’s planning on doing it.” hopes to stay in Houston to continue to support his family. weird because I [always After graduating, Mendez isn’t sure IVANKA PEREZ his childhood. Before his mom met his used to be] at home. what he wants to do. He said he’s deciding FEATURES EDITOR stepdad, she was his only family. Since between graduate school and going into their family was so small, Mendez often Jason Mendez industry to do seismic data processing, When it’s time to meet up with Jason accompanied his mom to jobs cleaning SID RICHARDSON COLLEGE SENIOR data analysis or imaging. But he’s hesitant Mendez, he’s still rushing back to campus. houses around Los Angeles, before they to join an industry that contributes to He has just come back from Katy, where his eventually moved to Houston. “It took a while because I’m really close to climate change. family lives. Mendez said some of his favorite my family,” Mendez said. “It felt really weird “[I’d be] working with companies that It’s easy to tell that Mendez’s family is childhood memories are from tagging along because I [always used to be] at home.” are known to hide that kind of stuff,” important to him. Mendez, a Sid Richardson on his mom’s jobs. His mom cleaned houses Mendez’s close proximity to home has Mendez said. College senior, visits his family about once for some of Los Angeles’ wealthy residents, allowed him to stay involved in family However, Mendez is sure of one thing: a month. Usually it’s just his mother and so he spent many afternoons in luxurious matters. Recently, the federal government After graduation, he wants to stay in younger brother, but he said he tries to visit houses. One of his mom’s clients owned a shut down the program allowing Mendez’s Houston. With his stepdad’s work permit whenever his stepdad returns from his job McDonald’s franchise, and the house was stepdad to stay in the via work still in question, he said he wants to be in West, Texas. filled with Ronald McDonald figurines. permit. Once the permit expires, the federal close to his family so he can continue to Mendez said being at Rice enables him “I remember being really excited to go to government offers workers a six-month support them. to visit home more often. their house and play with those McDonald’s grace period before they are required to Editor’s Note: This is the first “[My mom] wanted me to come here,” figurines,” Mendez said. “I always thought leave. His stepdad’s permit expires at the installment in Senior Spotlights, a Mendez said. it was fun to go work with her.” end of this month. series intended to explore the stories of Mendez’s mother, who is a huge part Although Mendez appreciates his Since Mendez’s mother is now a citizen, graduating seniors, who are chosen at of his life today, played a central role in background, he said it also posed challenges she and Mendez have been working to keep random to participate. Taste of Home: Turning the Tables

GRACE KNEIDEL don’t want to eat the same thing all the time, FOR THE THRESHER so what do you want to eat?” The first dish officially prepared through For many students, one of the hardest Taste of Home was a Jamaican beef curry. parts of coming to Rice is leaving behind According to Hardwick, a student submitted home-cooked meals. Rice may not be able the curry recipe and suggested it be served to clone your grandma (yet), but they may with coconut rice and fried plantains. Sous- be able to reproduce her cooking, thanks to chef Tony Cadaing and the team at Seibel Housing and Dining’s new program, Taste Servery prepared the recipe exactly as the of Home. student had suggested, down to the diagonal While Taste of Home has only recently cut of the plantains. Hardwick said the team been formalized, the idea behind it isn’t was so pleased with the result that they new, according to Johnny Curet, director might make the dishes again. of campus dining. For years, chefs across Mikayla Hurley, a Lovett College campus have been asking students for recipe freshman, submitted the curry recipe and ideas and suggestions. But thanks to Curet said she enjoyed having the opportunity to as well as Susann Glenn and Kyle Hardwick, share some of her family’s cooking with the getting and sharing student input has Rice community. become more streamlined. “My mom is from Jamaica and curry is a “It’s for students to reach out to us and dish that never fails to comfort and please say ‘Hey, can you make something like my family,” Hurley said. “It is one of those this?’” Curet said. “[Taste of Home] started things that makes me feel so at home and as a way for people to get to know us and to content. I texted my mom as soon as I saw make them not feel so homesick.” it being served in the servery and she was Glenn, director of communications for super excited!” administration, said she hopes the ability Students can submit recipes online or to submit family recipes through the simply talk to a chef, according to Glenn. program makes students feel comfortable Any and all recipes are welcome, and the and welcome. more detail the better: Serving suggestions, Taste of Home also helps to ensure that pictures and spice substitutions, for a variety of different foods are being served example, are all greatly appreciated. during any given week. Curet said chefs write H&D wants to create an environment their own menus each week, and the student where students feel welcome to try new input inspires chefs to test out new recipes or foods and share their inputs with chefs. play with different flavor combinations. “We want students to be happy,” “What I’ve always told the students is, Glenn said. “That’s our goal.” ‘We’re here to cook for you,’” Hardwick, Submit recipes online: http://dining. assistant dining director, said. “I don’t want rice.edu/undergraduate-dining/col- to cook the same thing all the time, and you lege-serveries/a-taste-of-home/ illustration BY Milkessa Gaga FEATURES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • 7

Crossword by Grant Lu PECK ’EM!! For the Thresher

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 ACROSS 1) well-known owl 7) frequently precedes a haw 10) govt. org. for whistleblowers 10 11 12 11) basketball court sponsor surname 13) off campus abbr., twice 14) you might strike one 15) raptor’s foot 13 14 17) Slide into someone’s DMs, perhaps 18) a drop of golden sun 19) org. for lawyers 20) the Dragon Warrior 15 17 21) protestant denomination that rests on Saturdays, abbr. 25) center of delay 27) exposure lim.s set by 10 12 18 19 28) __ tu Brute? 29) fragrant green goop 32) gift given to Billy Ray Cyrus by Lil Nas X 33) a flock of Rice students, perhaps 20 21 22 23 DOWN 1) often paired with a holler 2) boujie lettuce 25 26 27 28 3) Central Asian wild dog 4) Baylor stomping ground 6) red-orange tropical fruit 7) Beyonce’s birthplace, slangily 29 30 31 8) Weasleys’ infirm pet 9) homework shirker’s lazy excuse 12) you would get points off a presentation for saying this

20) oft-requested addition to steps 32 21) spouses, for Mario 22) she desires, in Lima 23) it goes off before class 33 26) hushed vid. 28) electronic cargo tracking notice, abbr.; 30) when paired with qué, “what’s up?” in Spain 31) OPEC nation

Answers will be posted on ricethresher.org and on the Thresher Facebook page. Bolded clues and colored squares correspond to the theme. 8 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

channing wang / THRESHER “Moon Shot” includes an innovative and diverse array of artisitc mediums including an interactive virtual reality experience, sculpture, collage and other forms of mixed media. Review: ‘Charli’ embraces its MOON SHOT FROM PAGE 1 Importantly, the art historical icons A dominant narrative entrenched featured in “Moon Shot,” namely creator’s contradictions in the collective cultural imagination, Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol, this version of the moon landing is at are not granted primacy over their PHOTO COURTESY ATLANTIC RECORDS best an idealistic expression of manifest counterparts. Though no less interesting, destiny and technological prowess. their particular sensibilities have been At worst, it reflects an insatiable canonically exhausted; the Moody JACOB TATE 2017 mixtape “.” These singles not American imperialism and romanticized Center’s successful and thorough FOR THE THRESHER only dampened down the anticipation nationalism. The Moody Center does incorporation of their voices amid a for “Charli,” but also serve as the weakest not hover here for long, however. What universe of other dialoguing artists is CHARLI moments in the album. After three could have easily remained a predictable particularly admirable. Despite not being phenomenal tracks, the sickly-sweet synths expression of “progress” and NASA name-dropped in promotional text, all Genre: Alternative / Indie of “1999” ruin the robotic and melancholy idolatry takes off in different, compelling the artists featured in “Moon Shot” carry mood the album works so hard to establish. directions. Deliberate curatorial decisions their own weight. Top Track: ‘’ “Blame It On Your Love” lands smack-dab shift the exhibition’s focus to include truly One such artist is Katy Schimert, in the middle of the album, disrupting the varying perspectives and visual iterations whose work explores lunar meaning- flow entirely. of the moon’s allure. making from a gendered perspective. The good news is that those two singles “As a source of creative inspiration, Interested in diverting from masculine are the only skips on the album. Every the moon landing affected artists of all narratives of exploit, Schimert addresses other song explores different parts of the backgrounds, and the exhibition seeks to the topic more intimately, considering After a few melancholic arpeggios Charli XCX persona in a new, creative way. reflect that,” Weaver said. the moon’s influences on the female on album opener “Next Level Charli,” On “Thoughts,” Aitchinson desperately The most striking example of this can be experience. She spoke briefly at Friday’s Charli XCX delivers the album thesis over wonders “Did I fuck it up / Are my friends found in the exhibit’s second gallery, where, public opening, reflecting on the moon’s increasingly intense instrumentation: really friends now / Or are they far gone?” from the outset, visitors are confronted symbolic parallels with women’s power “I go hard, I go fast / I never look back.” while on “Warm” she coyly sings “You with lyrics from Gil Scott-Heron’s 1970 (and lack thereof) in history. When “Charli” sticks by this aggressively gotta tell me the reason /Why we can’t song “Whitey on the Moon.” Suddenly, “The thing about being in a position futuristic promise, it thrives as another fall in love.” On album standout “White celebration becomes accusation, as the that is not dominant, but reflective, is incredible installment in a discography that Mercedes,” Aitchinson returns to her earnest song represents oft-ignored opposition to that you have ways of answering through has recently been pushing, as of late, the melancholy in lamenting an undeserved space exploration. Though it reads as a humor while being a little bit insidious,” definition of pop music. lost love that is undeserved and lost. poem and is treated as a work in its own Schimert said. “Charli,” released “White Mercedes” is right, Heron’s scathing words arguably Overall, “Moon Shot” features on Sept. 13, is difficult to listen to function as the curatorial intervention many women, again proving that an Charlotte Aitchinson’s in the way all honest that informs readers’ assessment of the art institution has much to gain — third studio album Between Aitchinson’s anthems of hurt are. art. If one begins their trajectory with specifically the reward of producing under the Charli XCX It joins the last few this piece — I highly recommend doing a nuanced, quality show — from moniker, following solo ventures and her years’ pantheon so — the cynicism expressed becomes a conscientious curation. her 2014’s pop-punk collaborations, she has of emotionally useful lens through which to complicate It is telling that a self-professed space crossover “Sucker.” finally crafted an album devastating songs the rest of the show. The details in Robert hater has run out of room in her praise But Aitchinson has that feels completely about white cars Rauschenberg’s awe-inspiring lithographic of “Moon Shot.” Several opportunities to been far from inactive (“White Ferrari,” series, for example, can then be parsed engage with virtual reality, spectacular over the last half true to herself. “White Mustang.”). through more critically. Visitors’ eyes use of color (from both artists and -decade. In 2016, she While “Charli” may be more keen to recognize the latent curators) and even a tasteful touch of made a critical decision in linking up with shows off Aitchinson’s personal songwriting trepidation in Rauschenberg’s distortion of poetry — there’s no way to fit it all in! London-based PC Music, a collective of chops, what is even more impressive is and connection between images of space What’s clear is that “Moon Shot” has musicians led by A. G. Cook that sought her ability to utilizese collaborators as a and war. brought the Moody Center one giant step to stretch the limits of pop music to means to refine her own story. Christine Interestingly, the Moody Center offers closer to becoming a leading player in the absurdity. In the last three years, Charli and the Queens provide a vocal and lyrical no overarching, introductory text in this Houston arts scene. XCX has released an EP, two mixtapes and counterplay in “Gone,” another anthem second, most populated space. Visitors “Moon Shot” will be on display at the a smattering of singles inspired by this new of lost love, while “” brings are afforded an unusual degree of liberty Moody Center until Dec. 21. The Moody abrasive, boundary-pushing music style. sad-girl extraordinaire out and trust, allowing for multiple readings Center is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - “Charli” is the natural climax of all of her musical hiatus to harmonize over such as these to flourish. Saturday and admission is always free. of Aitchinson’s work towards becoming, mutual sadness. Sivan even gets his own simultaneously and contradictorily, a redemption arc in his feature on “2099.” genuine artist and a pop music machine. Aitchinson is also content to cede the Cook’s production work on all but one spotlight, as she does in pseudo-posse-rap track creates a perfect industrial and avant- cuts “Click” and “Shake It” to Kim Petras and NOW PLAYING garde tableau for Aitchinson to express Big Freedia, respectively. What’s interesting everything from modern devotionals about Aitchinson’s collaborators, though, is Read more online: (“Silver Cross”) to hyper futuristic fantasies how often they are indistinguishable from HUSTLERS (“2099”). After a studio album that even her — Ferreira, HAIM and especially Clairo Aitchinson recognized as feeling “fake,” require a great deal of effort to differentiate Review: “Hustlers” fights stigma with sisterhood “Charli” remains true to the contradictory themselves from Aitchinson. This makes artist behind it, earning its status as a self- the album universalizing in a sense — it is “There is something powerful about the reversal of gender dynamics titled album. a collection of incredibly talented women and power roles to be reversed — for a group of women to band together The run-up to “Charli,” however, was as telling their similar stories through “Charli.” and almost succeed despite their circumstances. While “Hustlers” isn’t flawless, it is still a must-see.”— Taylor Crain messy as the raucous, futuristic production Between Aitchinson’s solo ventures and that Aitchinson has embraced in recent her collaborations, she has finally crafted an years. Lead singles “1999,” which features album that feels completely true to herself. Troye Sivan, and “Blame It On Your Love,” It is an exciting and fulfilling ride listening AD ASTRA which features Lizzo, gained commercial to “Charli,” an album of an artist finally success, but at the expense of being bland reaching the studio album potential they’ve Review: “Ad Astra” falls short of the stars compositions with awkwardly tacked- hinted at for years. Don’t judge this album on features. “Blame It On Your Love” off the singles — in fact, skip them entirely “Thankfully, the visual effects are fantastic, drawing viewers into its is especially insulting to fans, as it is a — and dive into Aitchinson’s beautiful storm otherworldly environments without calling attention to itself. The set design also aids in upholding this suspension of disbelief, making the shameless, uninspired pop reimagination of love, bling, pills and chaos. film’s vision of the future an envisionable reality.” — Michael VerMeulen of one of Charli XCX’s most innovative “Charli” is available on all major music and beautiful songs, “Track10” off of her streaming platforms. ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • 9

“There might be a different solution for get out there to collect oil, the grease different locations. If you’re in a tropical from the restaurants,” Powers said. country that has a lot of coconuts, why “There [are] some things wrong with not use coconut biodiesel?” Gibson said. it, too. I remember one point one of the “One of the downsides of biodiesel is companies said, ‘The only place to buy that it has a gelling point that is limiting biodiesel in Houston.’ I’m like, uh, I’ve for certain conditions ... if you’re living been doing that for 20 years!” in Minnesota, you may not want to use coconut biodiesel. ” Gibson talked about a biodiesel project he made with his high school students to tackle the issue of gelling, where biodiesel The business that is coagulates when it gets too cold, which increasing is selling ended as an extraordinary field trip. “[We] came up with a device that you biodiesel to chemical can install in a fuel tank and operate like companies using an a blender and make sure those chunks environmental[ly] don’t go down your fuel line,” Gibson said. “We took that as a prototype to [the friendly base. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chris Powers which was] of course a once-in-a-lifetime experience right there.” HOUSTON BIODIESEL OWNER A screen cap from “Hot Grease” (2017), directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas, Paul Lovelace and Chris Powers (Jones College ’90), who Jessica Wolfson. COURTESY citizens’ environmental coalition runs one of the few biodiesel stations in Houston, also spoke on his business. Alicia Mein-Johnson, who works with “What you just saw is my life for the the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, past 20 years. My company ... Houston spoke about her role in bringing this film Houston GREEN Film Series Biodiesel, has been putting biodiesel in to the Rice Media Center as part of the people’s vehicles for 20 years,” Powers Houston GREEN Film Series. said. “The business that is increasing is “Every third Wednesday of the month brings biodiesel awareness selling biodiesel to chemical companies, we host a GREEN film here at the Rice using an environmental[ly] friendly base Media Center; it’s free, we sometimes BRIAN LIN carving out their niche in an industry of biodiesel, instead of diesel or kerosene.” have donuts, we sometimes have a food FOR THE THRESHER dominated by traditional petroleum. As The environmental impact of using truck,” Mein-Johnson said. “You need to the biodiesel advocacy groups raced down biodiesel cannot be overstated — come Oct. 16 [for the] Wild About Houston The Houston GREEN Film Series the halls of the nation’s capital to gain compared to running pure diesel fuel, Green Film Festival. There should be hosted a screening and a panel discussion legislative backing, biodiesel pioneers running pure biodiesel can lead to a 70 about 30 films from 30 local filmmakers of “Hot Grease” at the Rice Media Center crisscrossed the nation’s energy capital, percent hydrocarbon reduction, a 50 and we are looking for filmmakers.” last Wednesday. The documentary draws Houston, to gather used grease and turn percent net particulate reduction (which Mein-Johnson also encourages Rice attention to biodiesel, a renewable source it into fuel. are small soot particles visible as “the filmmakers to get involved. of energy that can be made from soybean After the film, a three-person panel black smoke”) and a net carbon dioxide “We want you to help us make films for oil and recycled cooking oil, that turns took questions from the audience, ranging saving of 80 percent, according to Powers. our community,” she said. “We’ll show leftover grease from deep fryers into fuel from the specifics of biodiesel performance Although Powers congratulated the them on YouTube, we’ll use them for that can power 18-wheeler trucks. to the environmental impact of biodiesel. filmmakers for how accurately they promotion at one of our local nonprofits.” Filmed in Houston, “Hot Jody Gibson, who teaches a biodiesel- described working with biodiesel, he The Houston GREEN Film Series will Grease” documents the struggles of related course at the Energy Institute noted one vital detail the film got wrong. continue at the Rice Media Center every environmentalists and entrepreneurs High School, commented on the variety of “[I liked] how accurate [the film] was, third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. trying to make biodiesel a viable fuel, feedstock that can make biodiesel fuel. how it really portrayed what it’s like to Screenings are free to the public.

“Often I’ll take a particular theme as a KTRU 101: point of departure, such as work, or food, or space or the year 1963 — the final moments before Beatlemania,” Johnson said. Profs on the air Stephen Bradshaw, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, is the NAOMI WENTZ host of specialty show Cool Britannia. THRESHER STAFF After he finished his term as Baker College resident associate, Bradshaw was When you hear the word KTRU, you may encouraged to join the station by KTRU’s imagine the radio station’s iconic yellow then-operations director Rachel Bui. He and black stickers adorning laptops, had his first general shift in 2017. In spring eclectic music tastes and quirky on-campus 2018, Bradshaw began hosting “Cool concerts like the annual Outdoor Show. Britannia” which currently airs Thursdays While KTRU is steeped in undergraduate from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. In his words, definitely student culture and primarily run by no Coldplay and no Ed Sheeran. them, the radio station is also an outlet for “As its name suggests, I play music faculty members to support the Houston from across the pond that I enjoy and has music scene and celebrate often-neglected most heavily influenced my life in some music genres. way,” Bradshaw said. He primarily plays Richard Johnson (Will Rice College ’92) music from the late ’80s and ’90s, which is the director of the Administrative Center includes Madchester, baggy, shoegaze, for Sustainability and Energy Management rave, Britpop and other dance genres. at Rice and host of his own KTRU show. Both professors were thrilled with the As an avid music lover, he began return of KTRU’s original call letters, which listening to KTRU in high school and it had been sold in 2010. Johnson expressed was one of the main reasons he wanted to his excitement that KTRU is thriving. attend Rice, where he eventually earned “Beyond the call letters, it really does his bachelor’s. When Johnson moved back feel as if KTRU is back and relevant again. to Houston in 2000 when his wife began Ninety-nine people applied to be trained working at Rice, a student encouraged him as new DJs this fall, which is a level of to become a part of KTRU again. He now interest that I’ve not seen since probably runs the “Americana” show on Wednesdays 1992,” Johnson said. “For students, KTRU from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. offers the opportunity to become a leader “The ‘Americana’ show explores the or entrepreneur in a cultural organization roots and history of American music across with over a half a century of history. How a broad spectrum of genres,” Johnson said. cool is that?” Johnson said his favorite part of the This article has been condensed show is the ability to curate and share for print. To read the full story, visit unique sets with his audience. ricethresher.org.

stephen bradshaw richard johnson 10 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE RICE THRESHER SPORTS COURTESY maria lysaker / RICE ATHLETICS ‘FAST, ATHLETIC, EMOTIONAL’

MADISON BUZZARD joy and pride all to my advantage. Channeling SPORTS EDITOR my emotions into every play makes it really easy for me to get pumped up, and to pump For her groundbreaking play during up my teammates in the process.” the first four weeks of the season, junior Off the court, Lennon said she sometimes outside hitter Nicole Lennon has been struggles to balance academics with named Conference USA Offensive Player of athletics, due to Rice’s rigorous practice and the Week four times. No other player in Rice game schedule. history has earned that award four times “I think what a lot of non-athlete students in an entire season. According to Lennon, don’t know is actually how much commitment staking her claim in Owls history creates an our sport requires,” Lennon said. “We usually evolving challenge. have at least two hours of practice a day, and “I have been very fortunate to have earned that is not including at least two more hours accolades throughout my volleyball career in of treatments, lifting, film-watching and recognition of the hard work I’ve put in during more. During season, we are on the road four both practice and competition,” Lennon days or more of every two weeks. I have no said. “To know that my constant training is time to squeeze in any extracurriculars, if I paying off ... makes me feel really happy and want to sleep.” appreciated. Overall, though, the best thing Lennon is currently pursuing a double about earning awards for my performance major in economics and psychology, and is that they motivate me to beat my own said she aspires to earn a doctorate in personal best.” clinical psychology. Last season, Lennon earned C-USA Player “I have never wanted to be a professional of the Year. Lennon entered this year ranked volleyball player,” Lennon said. “While I No. 3 in Rice history in kills per set (3.76), but really love the sport, I think my calling in she is on pace to climb the Owls’ leaderboard. life is to help people. I plan to … become Lennon ranks No. 8 nationally in kills per a clinical psychologist so I can help make set (5.12) after Rice’s 11-1 start to the season, people happier.” and has helped the Owls to their first top-25 According to Lennon, good study habits ranking (No. 22 in the American Volleyball are helpful both on and off the court. Coaches Association poll) in team history. “I look a lot at statistics, because I’m a nerd Lennon said her athleticism provides an like that, so I am always trying to improve advantage when she attempts to kill the ball. my kills per set, digs per set, aces, blocks “The words I would use to describe my and more,” Lennon said. “Overall, I want to play style are fast, athletic and emotional,” achieve these things so I can make things Lennon said. “Something that gives me, and easier for my team to achieve our goals as a my teammates, an edge over our competitors whole, like winning [C-USA].” is our ‘fast arms,’ which means we follow As she moves into the last half of her through on our swings so fast that the career as an Owl, Lennon said she appreciates opposing team has trouble defending them.” her classmates’ support. Conference USA Player of the Year When it comes to challenging her “Even though I don’t have a lot of time opponents on the court, Lennon said to socialize on campus, it is reassuring to adrenaline fuels her game. me to know that I have people at Rice and 6x C-USA Offensive Player of the Week “Something that I think separates me from in my college — Baker Comes First! — to a lot of volleyball players is the emotional help me out if I need it,” Lennon said. “I am aspect of my play style,” Lennon said. “Each very fortunate to go to a school with such play of the game affects my emotions a lot … I supportive people, especially when those No. 3 in Rice history in kills per set (3.96) am able to use my anger, excitement, sadness, supportive people show up at our games.” Stayin’ Alive: Trammell continues to excel Trammell’s on-the-field performance during Trammell’s love for football was ingrained Whenever he is off the football field or SPENCER MOFFAT his sophomore year, he was named team in him during his youth. According to not in the classroom, Trammell, a sport SENIOR WRITER captain this season. Trammell, he began playing flag football at management major, said he likes to relax. Versatility is a theme that Trammell has a very young age and started playing tackle “I like to watch Netflix and hang out with The 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound player not only embraced on the football in third grade. my girlfriend,” Trammell said. “Out of season, you see receiving footballs on kickoffs and football field, but also “I began playing football as soon as I I play a lot of golf.” running full speed into opposing players demonstrated was born and I guess I realized sophomore for the Rice football team is none other during his or junior year of high school that I was than junior wide receiver Austin multifaceted good enough to play at the Division I level,” Trammell. Though he may be smaller athletic career Trammell said. It’s kind of better if you in stature than most football players, in high school. During Trammell’s freshman season, he Trammell has been a kick punt As a baseball garnered All-Conference USA honors as a kick don’t think and just go. returner for the Owls since player in returner despite Rice winning only one game. I’m trying not to get his freshman year. But high school, That year, Trammell averaged 7.8 yards per killed. Trammell’s talent isn’t he gained punt return, which was the highest mark for just limited to special recognition by a Rice football player since 2011. Austin Trammell teams. Last year, being named Kick and punt returns tend to be high- JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER Trammell was the 2016 15-6A injury plays due to the speed at which players also the team Newcomer of the Year after run when defending or receiving a kickoff. While the team captain has to be a serious leader in hitting .543. Trammell said When preparing for kick and punt returns, leader for the rest of the football team, receptions that for a while, he wasn’t Trammell said he prefers to rely on instinct. Trammell said that there is another side to and sure which sport he would “It’s kind of better if you don’t think and him that people don’t often see. receiving play at the collegiate level. just go,” Trammell said. “I’m trying not to “I like to goof around a lot more than yards. “The summer before my get killed.” people would think,” Trammell said. “I feel After junior year [of high school], While Trammell defined himself as a like most people view me as pretty serious I had to kind of choose if I kick and punt returner his freshman year, just because I am normally pretty locked in.” wanted to play he stepped up to the role as Rice’s most Trammell will have to maintain the serious college prolific receiver on the team the following attitude to go even further in football. After season. He went from having only four Rice, Trammell said he hopes to continue catches his freshman year to catching 62 playing competitive football. balls his sophomore year. As a result of his “It’s always been a dream [of mine] to improved play, Trammell was awarded the play in the NFL growing up,” Trammell said. football 2018 George R. Brown Offensive Award as “It definitely is a goal for anyone playing or college Rice’s top receiver. This year, Trammell has college football.” baseball, which was really hard,” continued where he left off, leading the Rice football fans can watch Trammell Trammell said. “It took me a couple months team with 18 receptions and tallying 231 continue to pursue his dreams of playing in to figure it out, but I ended up going with receiving yards through the season’s first the NFL Sept. 28 at 6 p.m., when Rice faces off football because I just love football more.” four games. against Tech University. COURTESY DAVID S. ELDER SPORTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • 11

SOCCER scores win over CHARLOTTE

ALLEN SELLERS / THRESHER

Sophomore midfielder Delaney Schultz delivers a penalty kick into the net past University of North Carolina, Charlotte goalkeeper Abby Stapleton to provide Rice with a 1-0 lead. Schultz’s penalty kick took place with six minutes left in the match, which the Owls won, 1-0. The kick was Schultz’s second goal and first converted penalty of the season. Schultz has started every game for Rice this season.

MADELINE WEST of the field and took a shot from outside the in the first half,” Lee said. “It wasn’t an effort occurred after sophomore midfielder Delaney FOR THE THRESHER box, which went over sophomore goalkeeper problem ... It was the structure of how we Schultz tangled with a Charlotte defender as Bella Killgore’s outstretched arm to rattle the were set up versus how they were set up.” she received the ball and chipped it over the Rice soccer edged its way past the crossbar. In the 18th minute of play, Charlotte Even though Charlotte’s pressure defensive line. University of North Carolina, Charlotte 49ers hit the crossbar again following a corner kick. remained high in the second half, Rice’s “I flicked it over the [Charlotte defender’s] with a successful penalty kick to give the Quick, fluid passing and long balls up offense picked up the pace, with the first head, and I thought she fouled me so I was Owls a 1-0 win this Sunday afternoon in their the field allowed for the 49ers to out-shoot shot of the half coming from Rice midfielder on the ground,” Schultz said. “I didn’t really Conference USA opener. Rice nine shots to one by the 21st minute of Lianne Mananquil. see what happened after that, but I think The match was hosted at Rice’s Holloway regulation. By the end of the half, Charlotte With Rice’s new structure in the midfield, she thought — the ref said play on — and she Field. Following the victory, the Owls’ record had put 11 shots up on the Owls defense, who both offenses were creating scoring thought the ref called a foul so she picked it is even at four wins and four losses. has allowed just 14 shot attempts per game opportunities: By the 54th minute of play, up in the box.” According to head coach Brian Lee, Rice this season. both teams had an equal number of shots. Following the handball, Schultz stepped came into the game knowing it would not be A joint effort by Rice’s defensive back line But in the next 10 minutes, Charlotte began up in front of the goal, took a few steps back an easy win. and Killgore — who tallied a season-high to control the flow of the game. Charlotte and fired the ball into the left side of the net. “Charlotte’s going to be right there at six saves — kept the score 0-0 at halftime. outnumbered Rice’s shots six to two, the Owls The goal was Schultz’s first penalty kick the end of the season competing to win the However, the Owls’ lack of consistent passing had racked up five fouls in the half and junior during her time at Rice and her second goal conference championship,” Lee said. “We and possession upfield resulted in only two center back Trinity King was carried off the of the season. knew that coming in ... that it would be a big, shots for Rice during the first half. field with an injury. Despite Charlotte’s continued efforts to big challenge.” Lee said he made an offensive adjustment With seven minutes left in regulation, find the back of the net, Rice held on for the Rice felt that challenge from the time the at halftime to create more attacking the scoreboard still read 0-0. Both Rice and 1-0 win, putting them in a six-way tie for first whistle blew to begin the first half. Early in the opportunities for Rice. Charlotte were exchanging attacks with no place in C-USA. game, Charlotte’s high energy put pressure “We made a subtle little adjustment to result. However, in the 84th minute, Rice Rice next faces Middle Tennessee on the Owls’ defense. In the 14th minute of our midfield shape because Charlotte was was awarded a penalty kick following a State University on Thursday at 7 p.m. in play, the 49ers ran the ball up the left side really the better team for [those] 45 minutes Charlotte handball in the box. The handball Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Men’s club lacrosse integrates women into team BEN BAKER-KATZ Jones College junior and team captain of the adjustments required of female players don’t know what it’s going to be like when FOR THE THRESHER John Townley added that there are usually and they try to address them. the season actually comes. We might just one or two women that express interest, so “We play in a league of men’s [lacrosse] get trucked.” The club lacrosse team is not vastly the current numbers indicate an increase in teams,” Nelson said. “So we play by men’s But Waite also said the talent discrepancy different from the various other club teams female participation. rules, using men’s equipment. We do our best between male and female lacrosse players is Rice has to offer. They’re a team that competes According to McMurtry freshman Cindy to make sure that the ladies that do join the not quite as large as one might expect. with other schools and continues to grow in Sheng, one of the biggest challenges she team have an easy time acclimating over that “I think women’s lacrosse is a more size. But one way in which this team is unique faces is not only joining a club sports team difference in the rules and the equipment.” technical game, so we’ve built up those is the make-up of the 27 people on it. As of made up of mostly According to Sheng skills, and that has allowed us to be able the first two practices, six women have either men, but learning a and Waite, the captains to hold our own in practice,” Waite said. showed up to a practice or expressed interest new game. are doing well at getting “Setting up around the cage, basic passing in joining the team, making club lacrosse one “I feel like they’re Everyone is huge; it’s the female players and technique definitely carries over [from of the only mixed-gender team club sports. totally different sports acclimated to the team. women’s lacrosse].” Rice went undefeated in division play last sometimes,” Sheng a little intimidating ... “I didn’t expect Nelson said that size doesn’t really factor season and earned wins over teams from said. “In women’s I don’t know what [will to commit to [the into the decision of playing time. , Louisiana Tech University lacrosse there’s happen] when the season team],” Sheng said. “I would say [playing time] is more and State University. They lost in basically no contact actually comes. We might “I thought they [determined by] skill level than [being] male the Lone Star Alliance championship game to allowed, but men’s probably [wouldn’t] or female,” Nelson said. “If they’re good, State University. lacrosse is more just get trucked. want women on they’re gonna play.” “As a program, we’ve been getting contact-based.” Cindy Sheng the team because it Looking toward the future, Waite said she steadily better over the past six years,” team In addition to might be a hindrance. is interested in starting her own women’s captain and McMurtry College senior Davis the added contact, MCMURTRY COLLEGE FRESHMAN But the captains are lacrosse club team, but does not want to start Nelson said. “We’re really excited about the the equipment is really great at being one right now. upcoming season.” different for men than for women. For one, inclusive. They made everyone feel like “The adjustment to college is hard, and The team’s growth in size in recent years men’s lacrosse requires a chest protector. they belonged.” we would have to train the team ourselves, we has been substantial. Though the group had Additionally, the pocket of a women’s Still, Sheng said increased physicality would have to schedule everything ourselves, around 14 people four years ago, they have lacrosse stick is shallow, whereas a is going to be one of the hardest parts of it’s a lot of work,” Waite said. had 27 players show up to their first practices men’s pocket is deeper. Sheng said men’s her transition to playing under men’s Sheng said she will attempt to play on this fall. According to Duncan College senior equipment makes catching the ball easier lacrosse rules. the men’s lacrosse team before she pursues and team captain Brendan Matthews, the but throwing the ball harder. “Everyone is huge; it’s a little creating a women’s lacrosse team. team welcomes all newcomers. “[The men’s stick] also has more torque, intimidating,” Sheng said. “I think “I want to see how things run with the “It’s not a strange thing for us to have so that you can shoot it a lot faster,” Baker sometimes [the men] might be a little guys,” Sheng said. “But in the future, if we girls on the team,” Matthews said. “If anyone College freshman Rachel Waite said. bit afraid to touch us because we’re a lot could make our own team that would be wants to play, they’re more than welcome to.” Nelson said the team captains are aware smaller, so they don’t want to hurt us. I really cool.” 12 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 BACKPAGE

The Purity Test has historically served as a segue from O-Week to true college life at Rice. But it’s families’ weekend, and it’s time to segue from true college life to the college life you pretend to have around your parents. In case you’ve forgotten how to act around your family, this test will remind you. Check off every item you’ve done/you’re going to tell your family you’ve done.

1. Held the arm of an elderly person non-romantically to help them cross the street? 2. Been on a completely platonic study date? 3. Refused to enter a relationship to focus on your studies? 4. Danced at EOE, leaving room for Jesus, instead of going to NOD? 5. Kissed up to your professor? 6. Kissed up to your professor in her office? 7. French studied? (i.e., studied for a French class — any other foreign language is also acceptable) 8. French studied in public? 9. Given or received a Wiki article edit? 10. Kissed up in office hours for more than two hours consecutively? 11. Seen or been seen by another person in an academic context? 12. Math debated? 13. Math debated with a non-participating third party in the room? 14. Math debated with an inanimate object handy? (e.g., a calculator or perhaps, an abacus) 15. Gone through the motions of a presentation at the CAPC while fully dressed in order to prepare for it? 16. Showered with concern for the environment in a timely manner? 17. Fondied or had your homework Fondied? (i.e., studied at Fondren or solved your homework at Fondren) 18. Had an organism due to someone else’s manipulation? (i.e., got roped into pet-setting for your A-team) 19. Sent or received a formally written email or instant message? 20. Engaged in job recruiting activity over video chat? 21. Ingested someone else’s snacks that they brought to share with you? 22. Used a toy to play fetch with an A-team member’s pet or child? 23. Spent every night in a bed that you remembered to make every morning? 24. Ingested water in a non-thirsty context, purely out of commitment to hydration? 25. Played a thinking game? (e.g., flash cards before an exam, or an intellectually stimulating trivia game) 26. Had severe memory gain due to going over your notes after class? 27. Used ibuprofen? 28. Used a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug other than ibuprofen? 29. Used antihistamines or antibiotics to avoid distracting your classmates from your sniffling and coughing? 30. Been sent to the office of a professor, dean or other authority figure to receive congratulations and praise for your academic and/or extracurricular achievements? 31. Gone public speaking? 32. Seen the Big Dipper? 33. Committed an act of volunteerism? 34. Traveled 100 or more miles for the primary purpose of spending time with your family? 35. Attended an orgy orgo review? 36. Had two or more distinct exams within 24 hours? 37. Been photographed or filmed by student media or Rice media for a feature on you or your work? 38. Had a pregnancy scare, in that you saw a pregnant woman standing on public transportation and gave her your seat out of a concern for her health? 39. Paid for sex ed? (e.g., CTIS, a mandatory class that your paid tuition covers) 40. Engaged in besties-ality? (i.e., found lifelong friends at Rice)

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