RUPD Catches Bike Culprits, Continues Anti-Theft Policy 4 • • Rjti*
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the Rice Thresher Vol. XCIV, Issue No. 16 SINCE 1916 Friday, January 18, 2008 RUPD catches bike culprits, continues anti-theft policy by Jennifer Luo THRESHER STAFF Over winter break, fifty-two bikes were re- ported stolen, the highest number of bike thefts over such a short period in eight years. The bike thefts have occurred all over cam- pus, striking the north and south colleges as well as the academic buildings. Of the 44 bikes reported stolen, 42 were locked with cable or chain locks while the two using U-bolt type locks were improperly secured to a bike rack. For many students, like Sid Richardson College sophomore Stephanie Eberhardt, bike theft can be a serious hassle. She said she was surprised to find her bike stolen when returned from break. "I was sad and mad that my bike got stolen because it suddenly made it very inconvenient for me to get around campus," Eberhart said. "Also, I was outraged because my bike was J. i old and rusted so I thought no one would ( want to steal it." Rice University Police Chief Bill Taylor said it was critical that students register their bikes. 4 • • rjti* He gave the example of a suspicious individual on bicycle outside the hedges RUPD appr cached last week. But because the bicycle was not reg- istered, RUPD could not arrest him. RUPD later was able to arrest the suspect on two charges of bicycle theft. The suspect had already stolen several unregistered bikes and ARIEL SHNITZER/THRESHER had hidden them in a bush. Bikes are kept outside of the Rice University Police Department. RUPD began preemptively taking unlocked bikes as part of an effort "Word has gotten out to the bike theft com- to prevent bike thefts on campus. RUPD Police Chief Bill Taylor said that all bikes not claimed by Feb. 11 will be given away to Houston munity," Taylor said. "I think they talk to each area non-profit organizations. see BIKES, page 4 Grant goes to EcoReps Campus projects near completion, by Jocelyn Wright rooms meeting certain environmen- tally friendly requirements, such as THRESHER FIOTORIAJ.STAFF keeping thermostats at 76 degrees The residential colleges will in the summer. future renovations planned get a lot greener now thanks to an The EcoReps will be paid eight Envision Grant recently awarded dollars an hour for two to four hours by Jocelyn Wright Coming Right Now At the end of January, a short- Students wishing to learn more an EcoRep program proposal. Start- of work per week. By making the THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF term construction project on about construction projects on ing this semester, the program will position paid and outlining specific As fences go up and come the grove in the South Colleges campus can check out the Con- receive $1,500 to pay a student in duties for it, Student Association struction Information Center lo- down across campus, a common between Baker, Will Rice, and each college to encourage recycling, Environmental Committee Chair cated on Alumni Drive between question is "What are they build- Hanszen will begin. Drainage sustainability and energy conserva- Lauren Laustsen said she hoped Hanszen and the Inner Loop. ing now?" A far less common issues in the grove will be fixed, tion. to correct for inconsistencies in Open from 9-4:30, it contains all question is "How are they paying new lighting will be installed The EcoRep will have six main du- environmental efforts from college models and schedules for the for it?" along a path through the center of ties: facilitating recycling; reducing to college. current construction projects. Rice, which has historically the grove, and trees and benches waste in the serveries; conserving Laustsen, a Sid Richardson amassed very little debt for any will be placed along the path. The energy; promoting environmental College senior, Environmental projects, is paying for two thirds landscaping project is expected common servery is planned for issues; maintaining contacts with Club Vice President Jeremy Caves, of the new construction projects to be completed in a couple of Will Rice and Lovett that will Facilities Engineering and Planning Rice Student Green Building Initia- on campus by taking on debt. months. eventually also be used by Sid and Housing and Dining and admin- tive President Alex Tseng, RSVP 'Hie other third of the funding Richardson College. There are istering the Green Dorm Initiative, Environmental Committee Chair for the projects will come from also plans to make improvements a program which certifies dorm see ECOREP, page 6 Student Housing private donors. To accommodate the 30 per- to Lovett and possibly increase McMurtry College and Dun- cent increase in undergraduate the number of beds. can College, for instance, cost students over seven years, new Although nothing is definite about $66 million each. Approxi- colleges are being built and oth- yet, Kirby said it is likely all Baker POTENTIAL ENERGY SAVINGS PER COLLEGE mately $30 million of funding for ers are receiving reneovations. students will move to McMurtry (assuming population of 250 students per college) each college was a gift. Vice Around the time McMurtry or Duncan during the year their President for Administration College and Duncan College college is being renovated. Dean Switch 60W incandescents to CFLs $252 Kevin Kirby said the money from are completed in summer 2009, of Undergraduates Robin For- (Compact Fluorescent Lightbubls) Housing and Dining charges renovations are expected to begin man and Adviser to the Dean Implement energy-saving programs on computers $2,500 of new students would cover on Lovett College, Baker College of Undergraduates Matt Taylor Raise thermostats 2 degrees during summers $5,700 the debt for the balance of the and Will Rice College. There are are discussing several plans plans to build a new kitchen for for Baker for fall 2009 to spring Lower thermostats 2 degrees during winters $1,200 cost, but that he anticipated no significant increase in tuition or Baker as well as demolish and 2010, including housing Baker TOTAL $9,652 Housing and Dining fees as a replace one wing of Baker to add students and part of McMurtry result of construction. some extra beds. An additional see PLANS, page 8 INSIDE earned letter grade for courses taken in Late registration deadline Quote of the Week Ask Leebron a question fall 2007, to withdraw with a 100 percent "Right now we're a bicycle thief supermarket." Got a concern you want to address with refund of tuition and fees and to drop Don't be a hobo. If you haven't regis- — RUPD chief Bill Taylor on upsurge of bicycle the president? President Leebron will con- to part-time status with a 100 percent tered for classes yet, go ahead and do it thefts, See story, page 1 refund of tuition. The first Registration duct "open door" office hours Wednesday before the deadline on Tuesday. Students Scoreboard between 3 and 4 p.m. in his office on the Add/Drop (RDA) PIN expires and who have not yet registered for classes by Swimming online registration is disabled for all this day will be charged a Late Registra- fourth floor of the Allen Center. No appoint- Texas A&M 159, Rice 95 ments are necessary. undergraduate students at 5 p.m. tion Fee. Women's Basketball UH 71. Rice 56 Message from the registrar No classes on Monday OPINION Page 3 Weekend Weather Lightbulhs and the nanny state Friday Today is the last day to add courses Thank goodness for a three-day week- A&E Page 9 Rainy, 36-50 degrees online without a fee, adjust variable end! Though it won't make up for a short Ugly guys and hot chicks Saturday credit for courses online, to add a winter break, it will provide a much-needed Mostly Sunny, 36-57 degrees course without obtaining instructor's day of rest. Celebrate Martin Luther King, SPORTS Page 12 Sunday permission, to convert a pass/fail to an Jr. Day with a day of peaceful reflection. Track and field preview Mostly Sunny, 51-60 degrees V", •• lr:" * "" ' «" '-^b ' - ' ''*>•• •' ' A - '• ' • ' ' 'V ' ' •• THE RICE THRESHER OPINION FRIDAY, JANUARY 18,2008 the Thresher %. the Rice U*iversi-fy Admin iSina-tion the Rice Thresher Mmm prss&JT , _ g "Thinking Things Bicycle responsibility Through" falls on students With the first weeks of New Year passed and a new semester STEP ONE • announce A sweeping Step two: (ho into kn unprece- begun, it seems that the Rice University Police Department "vision for the Secowp centu«V VB/JTBP AMOUNT OF VBBT IN has so far been faithful to its list of resolutions — a list includ- TWP" CAU-S FOR fWCeeflSlWG Twe OtfPER TO (3UILD %S7.1 million/ ing the well-intentioned strategy of collecting unchained bikes UNPE£Gi£APUATE PoPULAT|£>M BY 3Ofo. WOftTM OF £ESlVBKICESj across campus before they become prey for roaming thieves Trzn Keci?eatiobi facilities, pavilions, (see story, page 1). ESJROLLME rs/T ANP GiAt?D£NS. RUPD used this method of crime-deterrence last semester, most visibly by removing laptop computers from unattended tables in Fondren Library, but as we wrote then, we write now: Despite the possible benefits, preemptive stealing of student property is the wrong route to take ("RUPD: Stop Stealing," Oct. 26). While we understand the logic behind RUPD's decision — stolen bikes lead to unnecessary headaches and hours spent by both offi- cers and students—we feel that college-age students should be able to police themselves. RUPD has done an excellent job informing students of the theft problem through flyers and e-mails, but that i should be all that is necessary.