The Rice Thresher | Wednesday, October 18, 2023

VOLUME 108, ISSUE NO. 8 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

RICHARD LI / THRESHER (below) Students gather to hear speakers at the “Vigil for Israel” hosted by Chabad at Rice and Houston Hillel in Ray’s Courtyard Oct. 11.

Chabad at Rice, Houston Hillel host ‘Vigil for Israel’

aloud “On the Slaughter,” a Hebrew poem by Israeli poet Hayim Nahman Bialik, written in 1904 but still relevant Ray’s Courtyard saw nearly 200 today, he said.

Gal Kadmon, an international Will students, staff and administrators convene Oct. 11 for an evening event Rice College senior from Israel and titled “Vigil for Israel.” Rice President a member of the women’s track and Reggie DesRoches, Provost Amy field team, led the vigil in a recitation Dittmar and Dean of Undergraduates of Psalm 121 from the Torah. Sid Bridget Gorman were all present at Richardson College junior Arielle the vigil held by Chabad at Rice and Hayon, a member of the swim team Houston Hillel, two Jewish groups who represented Israel at the 2023 LEN European U23 Championships last affiliated with Rice.

At the beginning of the vigil, summer, followed suit with an English attendees were encouraged to light translation of the prayer. “[Over] the an arrangement last couple of of candles that days, it felt to formed a Star many of us that of David on [Over] the last couple we’re alone, the courtyard isolated,” Slonim ground.

Rabbi of days, it felt to many said. “We have to Shmuli Slonim of us that we’re alone, know that Rice from Chabad at isolated. We have is committed Rice then invited as ever for us Rice community to know that Rice is to be Jewish. members to share committed as ever for us Not only our some words to be Jewish. physical safety, in front of the Shmuli Slonim but our mental attendees. or emotional or Former Rice CHABAD AT RICE RABBI spiritual safety. president David Leebron was in attendance and opened Each one of us should be comfortable the vigil by sharing his thoughts on walking around campus with a kippah. the broader response to the Israel- We should be comfortable putting up Hamas war. Fighting broke out Oct. a mezuzah on our door. We should be 7, when militants from Hamas — the comfortable wearing … a Star David U.S.-designated terrorist group ruling necklace and we should be comfortable the Gaza Strip — breached Israel’s telling our friends ‘Yes, I’m Jewish.’”

Israeli student Yasha Zemel, a Martel border walls, attacking nearby towns and taking dozens of civilians hostage. College senior, offered a story about In response, Israel declared a “state of his friend back home, a commander war” and launched military operations. soldier who died Oct. 7 while fighting Since Oct. 7, more than 3,000 people Hamas.

“What I want to share with you guys have been killed in Gaza and more than 1,400 in Israel, according to The Wall today is the letter that he left with his parents,” Zemel, a member of Rice’s Street Journal.

“Recent evil deserves no excuse and men’s tennis team, said. “He said earns no context,” Leebron said. “This that if he had a chance [to] go back is not to deny that there’s a broader in time and change anything, he said set of issues to be addressed … that he wouldn’t change anything. He was demand our attention and compel our proud to defend Israel … In order to desire to help better the lives of both remember him well, I think we should Israelis and Palestinians. There will be all stay strong.”

Perry Gilberd, the president of a time … this time, and in this place, Chabad at Rice, performed a recitation you must acknowledge pain and fear.”

After Leebron’s remarks, students of a poem he had written about his Star with various connections to Israel of David necklace. To end the evening, took turns offering their thoughts. Tom the crowd joined in as Gilberd chanted Shamrakov, an international student “Am Yisrael chai,” a Hebrew phrase from Israel, finished his service in that means “The people of Israel live.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been the Israel Defense Forces the summer before he entered Rice. Shamrakov, cut off for print. Read the full article at a McMurtry College freshman, read ricethresher.org.

RIYA MISRA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RICHARD LI / THRESHER (above) Students light candles arranged in the shape of the Star of David.

‘All out for Palestine’ protest sees 2,000 at Houston City Hall PRAYAG GORDY & MARIA MORKAS with the people of Gaza as they face

unrelenting violence by Israel,” Salah said. “We call on the United States to end Rice Students for Justice in Palestine, their $3.8 billion-a-year check to fund the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Israeli military’s violent bombing other groups led a protest in support campaigns against Gaza.”

Anna Rajagopal ’23, a representative of Palestine at Houston City Hall Oct. 14. More than 2,000 demonstrators with Rice Students for Justice in attended, according to the Houston Palestine, gave a speech at the protest.

They criticized the Oct. 11 “message of Police Department.

The protest began at 2 p.m. at support to the Rice community” from Hermann Square in front of City Hall, President Reggie DesRoches and other where organizers started chants and administration officials. “[Rice] released a statement this gave speeches. Many protesters brought their own posters and Palestinian flags, week about the events in Gaza, yet they made no mention while others of the Palestinians borrowed from being murdered by the organizers of Israel, they made the protest. no mention of the Almost two We’re gathered here ongoing Nakba hours into the today as Houstonians to [catastrophe] event, protesters that has taken left the park, say that we stand with place over the marching in a one- the people of Gaza as last 100 years on mile loop through they face unrelenting Palestinian land,” d o w n t o w n violence by Israel.

Rajagopal said in Houston.

The her speech. rally ended after Fouad Salah The Oct. 11 d e m o n s t r a t o r s PALESTINIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT message from Rice returned to City ORGANIZER referenced the Hall around 5 “horrific and inhumane terrorist attacks p.m.

The “All out for Palestine” protest by Hamas in Israel” and the “ongoing came as the Israel-Hamas war entered turmoil in Israel and the Palestinian its second week. According to the territories.” It also mentioned that Associated Press, “The war that began “Rice’s diverse community includes Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Israelis and Palestinians as valued Gaza wars for both sides, with more than members” and condemned the violence.

“As we noted in our communications, 4,000 dead.”

Rice Students for Justice in Palestine Rice denounces the violence in both Gaza announced the protest on their and Israel,” DesRoches wrote in a later Instagram account Oct. 8. The other statement to the Thresher. “Many among groups affiliated with the protest, us have family, friends and colleagues according to the logos on the flyer, enduring the deeply distressing conflict, were the Palestinian American Cultural turmoil and uncertainty in the region.

Center of Houston, the U.S. Palestinian The ongoing situation in Israel and Community Network, the Palestinian the Palestinian territories resonates American Council and the University of in many ways within our campus and Houston chapter of Students for Justice community, and we anticipate that this pain will persist in the coming months.” in Palestine.

Multiple current Rice students “We call on our community to join us in honoring our martyrs and the struggle attended the protest, but none were of our people against colonialism,” Rice willing to be interviewed on the record Students for Justice in Palestine wrote by the Thresher.

Rice Students for Justice in Palestine in the Instagram caption. “It is our duty to echo the calls for liberation of our hosted a sign-making event Oct. 11 at homeland and our people, from the river Rice’s Multicultural Center. Students and community members painted to the sea!!!”

Fouad Salah, an organizer and media posters and banners inside the MCC and representative with the Palestinian in its courtyard.

Spring Chenjp contributed reporting.

Youth Movement, spoke with the Editor’s Note: This story has been Thresher at the protest.

“We’re gathered here today as cut off for print. Read the full article at Houstonians to say that we stand ricethresher.org.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ASST. NEWS EDITOR

CAMILLE KAO / THRESHER (below) A protester holds a colored smoke device while another holds a sign reading “Save Gaza.” Demonstraters gathered for the “All out for Palestine” protest Oct. 14.

CALI LIU / THRESHER (above) A child holds a Palestinian flag in front of Houston City Hall during the protest.

2 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

THE RICE THRESHER

Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice releases final report was expansive in its effort to assess the history of both slavery and segregation at Rice.

McDaniel and Byrd said assessing Rice’s The Rice Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice released history and entanglement with slavery is its final report and recommendations for critical to Rice’s ability to handle issues the university after four years. Originally today.

“The way of taking the history of the commissioned in 2019 by then-President David Leebron, the task force has conducted university most seriously is being open to historical research, hosted webinars its consequence in the present,” Byrd said.

President Reggie DesRoches said the and updated the Rice community on its report will help guide policies for the endeavors.

In its final report, the task force ongoing effort to make Rice more inclusive.

“Rice’s commitment to diversity is strong found that the university’s founding was inextricably linked to slavery, and unwavering and particularly important as we adapt to the segregation and Supreme Court’s racial injustice. recent ruling on The process of affirmative action,” desegregation DesRoches wrote was a slow The way of taking the in an email to the tr ansformation, history of the university resisting change, most seriously is being open Thresher.

The report and the university also focused on still has much to its consequence in the desegregation in work to do in present.

Texas broadly, terms of promoting highlighting how inclusivity, the Alexander Byrd VICE PROVOST FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY pivotal events such report said. as Heman Sweatt’s A l e x a n d e r AND INCLUSION lawsuit against the Byrd, the vice provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion University of Texas at Austin took place in and co-chair of the task force, said the this state.

For the future, the task force gave report relied heavily on members of the Rice recommendations to the university such community.

“A remarkable group of students, staff, as promoting socioeconomic diversity, faculty and alumni provided leadership for investing in the Center for African and this endeavor over the last four years,” Byrd African American Studies, commissioning a group to improve diversity in the said.

According to W. Caleb McDaniel, the residential college system and continuing Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Humanities to study Rice’s historical entanglement and co-chair of the task force, the research with racial injustice. According to Byrd,

PRASI DESAI

FOR THE THRESHER

these recommendations will take time to implement.

“There are no quick fixes to the issues that we’ve raised in this work,” Byrd said.

Now that the task force has concluded its research, the chairs said they look forward to seeing the impact on the Rice community.

“This conversation is opening up beyond the group we assembled in our steering committee,” McDaniel said.

Chase Brown, a co-president of the Black Student Association, said the task force did a good job analyzing the history of the university, which Brown said should be included in the Critical Dialogues on Diversity workshop for first-year students.

“I think that’s really important to show and let people know that this is the institution that we’re building off of,” Brown, a Wiess College senior, said.

Angelina Hall, a former Diversity Facilitator Coordinator and copresident of BSA, said she was impressed by the solutions recommended by the task force. In particular, Hall said she supports having a Black cultural space and has seen a need for more tenured Black professors.

“I’ve been here for eight semesters now, and I’m just now having my first Black professor,” Hall, a Brown College senior, said.

Brown said that she has seen some improvements in making Rice more welcoming to people of color as a student fellow at the Multicultural Center.

“I’ve noticed an increase in [diversityrelated] events and a desire to attend events,” Brown said.

DesRoches said that students should take the time to reflect upon the task force’s report.

“One of the lessons for all of us,” DesRoches wrote, “is that we all have the opportunity to make our mark on history and help shape it.”

NDIDI NWOSU / THRESHER

HACER turns to members to rebrand with name change

WILLIAM LIU / THRESHER

RAHUL SANTHANAM

FOR THE THRESHER

The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment is changing its name to better reflect the diversity of the Rice community, according to club Co-President Valeria Aguirre. HACER will invite students to suggest a name, with a $50 cash prize for the contest winner.

This move follows the Hispanic Heritage Month planning committee’s decision to host “Our Heritage Month” with similar rationale. Aguirre said that a name change was proposed in the spring of 2022 due to member concerns that HACER was very Mexican-oriented. “[The term Hispanic] excludes a lot

of people that are not thought about when the name Hispanic pops up, like Indigenous people, et cetera,” Aguirre said.

Luziris Pineda Turi, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion associate vice provost and an HACER faculty advisor, said that the name change helps to highlight the diversity of identities within the Latin American community.

“Spanish-speaking countries or countries colonized by Spain were lumped together by the U.S. census, and Mexican/Cuban/Puerto Rican were the dominant categories, with everyone else being ‘etc,’” Turi wrote in an email to the Thresher. Turi said that the term “Hispanic” then broadly generalized a diverse group of people.

“As time went on and higher education grappled with the nuance of the varied experiences of folks of Latin American heritage,” Turi said. “There was a push for Chicano/Mexican American centers and departments to expand their purview through curricular and name changes.”

Co-President of HACER Melissa Cantu said that the organization’s name has changed over time. “[HACER] wasn’t the original name 50 years ago when the club was first established. It was actually RAMAS, which is the Rice Association for Mexican American Students,” Cantu said. “But it was changed to HACER to

make it more diverse.”

Cantu said that she expects some According to Cantu, there has been disagreement among club members some consensus around the gender- and faculty over the name change. inclusive term “Latine” for HACER “Some people are a little bit weary meetings. just because they realize that there’s “At least in the younger generation, no one term that will satisfy everybody. that is the term that is usually being I think that’s something that’s seen thrown around at Rice,” Aguirre said. nationwide, not only here at Rice,” Cantu also said that the “-e” suffix Cantu said. helps make the term feel more natural Both Turi and the HACER coin Spanish presidents said compared to they hope that this Latinx, which name change will can feel more be a conversation a w k w a r d We’re not going to just among the entire for Spanish change the name without Rice community. speakers.

According to telling anybody and just In response Aguirre and to the proposal, have it up to the E-board.

Cantu, the name students and This is something that’s suggestions faculty have going to be involving the HACER receives responded will be starting differently to the community as much as we points for club name change possibly can. discussions. and on what “We’re not Valeria Aguirre term to use when going to just generalizing to HACER CO-PRESIDENT change the name Latin American without telling people. Giann Ruiz, a Baker College anybody and just have it up to the freshman, said she is more ambivalent E-board. This is something that’s going toward the name change. to be involving the community as much “For me, I use [the terms] Hispanic as we possibly can,” Aguirre said. and Latinas interchangeably,” Ruiz While there is no due date to submit said. “I know that doesn’t work for names for the club, HACER leadership everybody. Like, Brazilians are not said they expect multiple rounds of typically Hispanic, and Spanish people voting and a finalized name by next are not typically Latinas.” year.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 3

NEWS

Louis Brus ‘65 wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry AMY LI

“I’ve been amazed,” Brus said. “It’s been a long time now since 1982. Nobody and none of my collaborators in 1982 Rice alumnus Louis E. Brus ’65 thought at all that the field would develop was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in to this extent.”

Chemistry on Oct. 4. Brus, a professor Brus attributes his interest in research emeritus at Columbia University, shared to his experience at Rice, emphasizing the distinction with Moungi Bawendi, the influence of his courses in chemistry, the Lester Wolfe physics and Professor of mathematics.

Chemistry at the Brus credits Massachusetts Zevi Salsburg, Institute of The more important thing a chemistry Technology, and is to work hard and to professor who Alexei Ekimov work persistently and studied statistical of Nanocrystals m e c h a n i c s Technology Inc. not to give up ... To be and taught the for research successful in research, physical chemistry on quantum science has to be your class Brus took dots, which are a junior, as hobby as well as your job. as semiconductor being particularly particles so It was a pleasure to go to influential. small their size work on Saturday morning Though he said determines their because the building Rice was difficult, properties. said that would be empty and other Brus T o d a y , the education he quantum dots people would not be there received helped have a wide variety and you could focus on shape him into a of applications trying to accomplish what budding scientist. in nanoscience Brus initially and materials you were doing. attended Rice science, ranging Louis E. Brus on a U.S. Navy from quantum dot NOBEL LAUREATE IN CHEMISTRY scholarship and LED technology was commissioned for computer upon graduation, monitors and television screens to and he said he was always interested in guiding surgeons removing tumor tissue. science and research. Despite this, he However, when he first began research “never really thought [he] had the native on quantum dots at AT&T Bell Labs in ability to earn a Ph.D. or have a scientific the 1980s, Brus said he had no idea his career,” he said in a statement delivered research might end up affecting the lives when he received the 2008 Kavli Prize in of people around the world. nanoscience.

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“I was always interested in research, trying to basically figure out how nature works,” Brus said.

“You’re lucky if you can find a job that will pay you a salary in order to do that. And so I was lucky.”

B r u s e n c o u r a g e s students to pursue research if they enjoy it, and described his own enjoyment of research.

“As far as personal qualities go, it’s not necessary to be a genius … to do good research,” Brus said. “The more important thing is to work hard and to work persistently and not to give up …

To be successful in research, science has to be your hobby as well as your job. It was a pleasure to go to work on Saturday morning because the building would be empty and other people would not be there and you could focus your mind on trying to accomplish what you were doing.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Rice in 1965, Brus earned a Ph.D. in chemical physics at Columbia University in 1969. He then served at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. until late 1972, when he joined AT&T Bell Labs.

Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Rice’s executive vice president for research, met Brus while working at Bell Labs. He

COURTESY LOUIS E. BRUS echoes Brus’ sentiment that research is more about enjoyment than anything else.

“Research is fun,” Ramesh said.

“Doing cutting edge research is really what’s exciting. And if you can change the world, that’s even better.”

Ramesh hopes that undergraduates will be inspired to follow in Brus’ footsteps as a Rice alumni.

“I think Louis Brus getting the Nobel Prize … validates the fact that [Rice is] capable of doing the fundamentals or creating the people,” Ramesh said. “What you did … as an undergraduate here can have a huge impact on your career. Brus is not the only example. It’s amazing how many Rice undergrads have gone on to do spectacularly well. I think we need to be saying: Look, go aspire to change the world. You are being trained to change the world here.”

Rice Votes hosts candidates at Houston Mayoral Forum Affairs, questions the present candidates would like to ask the absent candidates FOR THE THRESHER and the candidates’ views on Proposition Rice Votes and the Greater Houston A and B, which will also be voted on Pachyderm Club jointly hosted the non- during the Nov. 7 general election Proposition A would allow three partisan Houston Mayoral Forum at the McMurtry Auditorium Oct. 14. The talk councilmembers to add agenda items was moderated by Mark Jones, a political during City Council meetings and science fellow at the Baker Institute and Proposition B would withdraw the City professor in the department of political of Houston from the Houston-Galveston Area Council unless the council adopts a science.

Candidates included Councilmember population-proportional voting system.

Nina Wallach, a freshman from Martel Jack Christie, Councilmember Robert College, attended Gallegos, Gilbert this event and said Garcia and Lee she will be voting Kaplan.

While for the first time all candidates this fall. were invited, I love coming to a college “It’s cool to C o n g r e s s w o m a n campus and I love seeing actually hear Sheila Jackson Lee young people. The reason from candidates and state Sen. John in person rather Whitmire did not is this is really your city and y’all need to get than just reading attend. their websites,” Although the involved. Y’all need to Wallach said. event was hosted in participate. Y’all need to Not all students collaboration with attended with the the Pachyderm learn the issues. It’s about Club, a partisan empowerment because this intention to vote.

Izzy Ramnath, a R e p u b l i c a n is about y’all’s future. political science organization, major, attended Verónica Reyna, Gilbert Garcia the event to learn the associate HOUSTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE more about local director for the Center for Civic Leadership, said her top politics.

“I am registered to vote in my priority was ensuring the event would be hometown … I didn’t attend the event non-partisan. “[The Pachyderm Club’s] number with the intention of deciding upon a one priority is voter education and civic candidate,” Ramnath, a Sid Richardson engagement, and they approached Rice College sophomore, wrote in an email University with that mindset,” Reyna to the Thresher. “I attended to more or said. “As long as we can be on the same less gain knowledge about the election page about non-partisan voter education, process in Houston and what running a campaign looks like.” then that is … our priority as well.”

The forum ended with students The debate covered topics including crime, which is the most important speaking to the candidates one-on-one.

Hong Lin Tsai, a Brown College topic concerning Houstonians according to a survey conducted by University sophomore, enjoyed the opportunity to of Houston’s Hobby School of Public speak to the candidates.

BELINDA ZHU

“Each candidate that I’ve talked to was wonderful,” Tsai wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Councilmembers Gallegos and Garcia had a professional demeanor that really attracted us … to discuss internal and external matters with them. Mr. Kaplan and Dr. Christie, while a little construed with what we’re asking them, presented a friendly yet charming manner that we couldn’t resist taking a selfie with them. I wished Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Senator Whitmire were here since they are the front runners and most in the audience were there for them.”

Despite Lee and Whitmire — the frontrunners, according to an Oct. 10 poll from the Hobby School — not being present, Reyna believes the event went well.

“We had some candidates that had to back out at the last minute, so it was a smaller group of candidates than expected,” Reyna said. “But I think that the candidates [enjoyed it]. One mentioned that they felt this was the most fair event that they’ve been to.”

Kaplan said he viewed speaking at Rice as an opportunity, as it has educated and intellectually curious students. “ C o l l e g e students are generally well educated and intellectually curious and not everybody is in this city so that’s a plus,” Kaplan said. “[The candidates] spoke at other campuses too, but Rice is clearly the most prominent

university in the city.”

Garcia said he enjoyed speaking at Rice due to his belief in the importance of civic engagement among young voters.

“I love coming to a college campus and I love seeing young people,” Garcia said. “The reason is this is really your city and y’all need to get involved. Y’all need to participate. Y’all need to learn the issues. It’s about empowerment because this is about y’all’s future.”

Tsai said he wishes more students attended this debate as civic engagement is important.

“There was not as much exposure and advertisement throughout campus that made students aware of the event, and most I’ve talked to wished they could come,” Tsai wrote. “Civic engagement should be an important thing [due to] how much it affects us right here in Houston. As a member of Civic Duty Rice, I felt like it is my responsibility to engage in this discussion.”

WILLIAM LIU / THRESHER

4 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

Two Rice bioengineering professors win NIH Director’s New Innovator awards Ramesh Ramamoorthy, Rice’s executive vice president for research, FOR THE THRESHER said he is excited to see the scientists Jerzy Szablowski and Julea getting this recognition, as it serves as Vlassakis won the National Institutes an investment for the future.

President Reggie DesRoches said of Health Director’s New Innovator awards for their individual research that having two Rice award recipients in projects. The award, announced Oct. one year speaks to the quality of faculty 3, recognizes early-stage investigators at Rice. Last year, Rice had 13 faculty who demonstrate relevant, creative and members who won the National Science influential project proposals that align Foundation Award, and this year Rice has 12, according to Ramamoorthy. with the NIH mission.

DesRoches said these Szablowski’s research focuses on engineering released markers of activity, accomplishments highlight Rice’s new a novel method for mapping gene strategic focus of research.

“I want to see Rice elevate its expression in the brain. While surgeries were traditionally required to monitor research profile and its impact on the such processes, RMAs, which travel in world,” DesRoches wrote in an email to the bloodstream, enable a non-invasive the Thresher.

Vlassakis said the resources and approach with high sensitivity and precision that can provide information culture at Rice have contributed to the recognition of her work. on 100 cells or fewer.

“The Ph.D. Vlassakis’s students that I project studies work with have proteins in played an integral cancer cells at The Ph.D. students that I role in shaping the single-cell work with have played an the research and singleintegral role in shaping directions of the m o l e c u l e New Innovator levels.

Her the research directions of Award projects,” research aims the New Innovator Award Vlassakis said. to understand projects. In particular, “In particular, what makes my first Ph.D. certain cancer my first Ph.D. student, student, Jocie cells in a tumor Jocie Baker, helped me Baker, helped t r e a t m e n t - understand the critical me understand resistant or able importance of the 3D cell the critical to metastasize importance throughout the environment on Ewing of the 3D cell body. sarcoma [a rare bone environment on “ H u m a n cancer] biology.

Ewing sarcoma [a cells are small, rare bone cancer] around half Julea Vlassakis biology.” the width of a ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF Undergraduate human hair, BIOENGINEERING students Vidal so we design measurement devices that are equally Saenz and Ryan Wang, who work in small to reduce the dilution of proteins the Szablowski Lab, shared similar during the measurement so the proteins sentiments about the workspace culture.

“I’ve always felt welcome from the can be detectable,” Vlassakis said.

Vlassakis said her inspiration for day I joined, and have always received this project originates from her Ph.D. endless support from the entire lab,” and postdoc training in the Herr lab at Saenz, a McMurtry College senior who the University of California at Berkeley, majors in neuroscience and worked at where she developed methods for the lab during the past summer, said.

“I joined [the lab] in the middle of studying proteins, including interacting the pandemic my freshman year, and proteins, at the single-cell level. “[I] learned about the somewhat I was very fortunate,” Wang, a Lovett neglected area of childhood [and] College senior who’s worked for the lab young adult cancer research that could for three years now, added. “It [serves benefit from new tools to study protein as] a testament to the lab culture, they interactions that appear to be especially were willing to let me join the lab in the important in these diseases,” Vlassakis middle of a pandemic, as a first semester freshman, with [little] experience. It’s a said.

Szablowski was out of town and very welcoming culture and also very innovative.” unable to be reached for comment.

NEWS

Kesem hosts first 5k

ALYSSA HU

COURTESY JEFF FITLOW Julea Vlassakis (right) and Jerzy Szablowski (above) were recently awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for creative research projects in bioengineering.

AMY CAO / THRESHER

at each entrance to the campus to safely direct traffic.

FOR THE THRESHER “We also know that outer loop is a bit Camp Kesem will hold Move 4 Magic, … smaller or more narrow,” Wang said. a 5k marking the start of a three-day “We’re going to have heats in the way that fundraising campaign, on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. [participants are] starting off.”

This event will be the first race hosted by a Patel said that the 5k is not meant to be campus organization, according to Kesem competitive. development coordinator Zoe Wang.

“The premise of [the race] is to raise Kesem is a nonprofit that works with money and to … have fun and just really children whose parents have cancer, enjoy a day,” Patel said. according to its website, with a “unique According to Wang, heats will be student leader model” including college divided by camper family members, chapters.

Kesem committee members, general body Throughout the year, in preparation members and members of the public. for its three-week summer camp, Kesem Richard Chan, co-director of Kesem, fundraises and hosts events, Ridhi Gari, a said that unlike previous years, Kesem’s Kesem co-director, said.

Move 4 Magic fundraiser will also be open “Every year we fundraise [about] to the general Houston community. $80,000 to $100,000 ourselves,” Gari, a “In the years past, we’ve been doing Hanszen College senior, said. “[Move 4 Move 4 Magic, but … it’s three days of just Magic] is one of the major … fundraising running individually,” Chan, a McMurtry events we [host to reach the] goal to support College senior, said. “We really wanted to over 100 campers we support every year.” make an event where we can get the entire Kareena Patel, another Kesem community … to help support the event. development coordinator, said the event is We are trying to fundraise as much as we intended to raise greater awareness of the can to take as many campers to camp as organization’s mission. possible. I think this is another fun way of “Our vision for this event is really just to accomplishing that goal.” have a fun event where we can get everyone Participants will raise money through together,” Patel, a Jones College junior, the registration fee and by tracking their said. “We’re really trying to incorporate the miles through Strava during the three-day magic of Kesem that we usually embody at fundraising period. our camp each summer.”

“All the students, teachers, faculty and Campus Events Manager Hollie Evans anyone in the Houston community walk said this 5k is the first student organization- and their miles are matched by one of our hosted run because Rice does not typically sponsors,” Wang said. allow runs on campus.

Brown College junior Andrew Kim said “Rice does not he signed up for the host 5Ks in general event because he … because of the felt it was for a good amount of resources cause. He also said it they take and We’re really trying to was a chance to hang potential disruption incorporate the magic of out with people, run they cause to and have fun.

Kesem that we usually campus operations According to and the neighboring embody at our camp each Gari, Move 4 Magic community,” Evans summer. will also host two wrote in an email to camper families to the Thresher. “A few Kareena Patel speak at the event grandfathered runs KESEM DEVELOPMENT to highlight the that we have held for COORDINATOR purpose behind the years are allowed, fundraiser, along but we do not approve new runs.” with additional activities.

However, an exception was made for “The [families’] talk is … about their Move 4 Magic following changes to the journey with Kesem and how Kesem has originally planned events. impacted their family,” Gari said. “It’s “After discussing their plan with myself always incredibly inspirational, just a and our parking team, I made the decision reminder of why we’re doing this.” to let them move forward with various Chan said that another way the safety protocols in place,” Evans wrote. organization is trying to connect “They also canceled the bike race portion participants with Kesem is through running of their event.” bibs provided to participants.

Wang confirmed that there will not be a “On each person’s bibs, you’ll be bike race. running for a camper,” Chan said. “This “Rather, we are doing a Kesem Kup is our way of showing the real impact that where we invite all bike teams to join you’re making by attending this event. our Strava group,” Wang, a McMurtry By running for a camper, you’re directly College junior, wrote in a follow-up email helping them attend the camp … and I to the Thresher. “During the [three] day think it’s very meaningful for our campers fundraising period, we will see which and their families.” residential bike team bikes the most Kesem will also provide merchandise amount of miles and they get to win our and various forms of entertainment to Kesem Kup.” incentivize people to attend the event, When discussing safety measures, including meals, a color throw and a Wang said Kesem is planning to have bubble station. informational office hours for runners in “It’s not just like a normal 5k,” Patel preparation for the race. There will also be said. “There’s these fun activities … to numerous water stations and volunteers bring in the kiss of magic.”

HOPE YANG

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 5

THE RICE THRESHER

EDITORIAL

Rice should lead the Southern academic community President Reggie DesRoches recently told Bloomberg that Rice has been struggling to hire faculty due to perceptions of Texas and its politics. The report by Bloomberg found that many professors and instructors that could otherwise have been hired were turned away by the “conservative political environment,” among other factors.

Specifically, DesRoches said the problem is convincing prospective faculty to even visit. “If we can get people to Texas, we can get people to Houston,” DesRoches said, “and they can see how cosmopolitan it is, how diverse it is, the rich culture, the museum culture and the music culture, that we do well in recruiting people.”

Rice is a nationally-recognized institution that heavily engages with and impacts the Houston community. As new Texas laws limit the activities of public universities, Rice has to use its liberties as a private institution to lead the Southern academic community. It takes recruiting and sustaining curious and cognizant students and faculty to make a tangible difference.

A month ago, the Texas Legislature passed legislation banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public institutions, causing resources such as the LGBTQ Resource Center at the University of Houston to shut down.

In response, Rice Pride, which was not affected because of Rice’s status as a private school, extended honorary

membership to LGBTQ+ students at Texas public universities as a show of support.

As much as actions like Pride’s show how important Rice as a community regards diversity, equity and inclusion, Rice nevertheless stands to lose prospective professors and students because of valid concerns over Texas politics. Legislation regarding transgender equality and reproductive healthcare can and do pose genuine safety issues.

We urge professors considering a move to Rice to engage with the work that current professors, administrators and students have done to create a heterogenous, compassionate and inquisitive campus.

It’s also important to distinguish Texans from their politicians and separate real political anxieties from existing prejudices towards the region.

Misguided, classist conceptions based on “white trash” stereotypes about Texas and the Southern United States don’t help in convincing well-qualified faculty to continue their careers at Rice. The professors who are already here have

made great contributions to their fields.

Each professor who seeks employment elsewhere is a loss of talent that could make our university better.

As Rice goes global, admitting many international students and opening new centers in Paris and elsewhere, it’s important to be intentional about how it projects the culture of not just the Rice community, but also of Houston, Texas and beyond. Rice must cultivate and actively demonstrate an image of a student body that is well-educated and empowered to lead, learn and compete in a vast array of industries and societies. To foster this image, Rice should show that it is a university responsive to the needs of its students and the wider society by continuing to loudly commit to promoting diversity and free speech on campus.

Indeed, the recent report by the Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Justice shows Rice’s commitment to addressing the systemic racism long conjoined to the university’s history.

We urge prospective faculty to rethink their notions about Texas and the South and to give Rice a shot. Come visit, meet with students, staff and faculty, spend time in Houston and then decide. Consider the consequences of broader Texas politics, as well as the opportunity to affect change yourself. Rice must continue to show that it is a pluralistic, cognizant and dynamic university, leading the Southern academic community and attracting nationwide talent.

EDITORIAL STAFF * Indicates Editorial Board member Prayag Gordy* Editor-in-Chief Riya Misra* Editor-in-Chief Nayeli Shad* Managing Editor NEWS Brandon Chen* Editor Spring Chenjp Asst. Editor Maria Morkas Asst. Editor OPINION Sammy Baek* Editor FEATURES Sarah Knowlton* Editor ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Hadley Medlock* Editor SPORTS Pavithr Goli* Editor Diego Palos Rodriguez Asst. Editor BACKPAGE Timmy Mansfield Editor Ndidi Nwosu Editor Andrew Kim Editor COPY Jonathan Cheng Editor Annika Bhananker Editor PHOTO, VIDEO, & WEB Cali Liu Photo Editor Francesca Nemati Asst. Photo Editor Camille Kao Video Editor Eli Johns-Krull Asst. Video Editor Ayaan Riaz Web Editor DESIGN Alice Sun Art & Design Director Chloe Chan News Siddhi Narayan Opinion Jessica Xu Features Ivana Hsyung Arts & Entertainment Kirstie Qian Sports Lauren Yu Backpage SOCIAL MEDIA Michelle Oyoo Abiero Manager Priya Armour Asst. Manager Cassidy Chhay Asst. Manager BUSINESS Edelawit Negash Business Manager Korinna Ruiz Advertisement Vanessa Chuang Distribution

ABOUT The Rice Thresher, the official student newspaper of Rice University since 1916, is published each Wednesday during the school year, except during examination periods and holidays, by the students of Rice University.

Letters to the Editor must be received by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication and must be signed, including college and year if the writer is a Rice student. The Thresher reserves the right to edit letters for content and length and to place letters on its website.

Editorial and business offices are located on the second floor of the Ley Student Center: 6100 Main St., MS-524 Houston, TX 77005-1892 Phone: (713) 348 - 4801 Email: thresher@rice.edu Website: www.ricethresher.org The Thresher is a member of the ACP, TIPA, CMA and CMBAM. © Copyright 2023

CORRECTIONS In “$1 million donation establishes CAAS postdoctoral fellowship,” the acronym for the Center for African and African American Studies is CAAAS, not CAAS.

ricethresher.org

6 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

THE RICE THRESHER

Show you grow: Houston’s best plant stores MARGO GEE

FOR THE THRESHER Midterms got you seeing red? Go for green instead at these local plant stores.

Eden Plant Co. Nestled in Second Ward with an additional location at POST, Eden Plant Co. curates a selection of plants that satisfies both the seasoned collector and the total rookie. The space doubles as a coffee shop and serves as a serene study space for those who luck out with parking. Coffee, vibes and plants — what’s not to love?

Personal favorite: lemon lime prayer plant and an iced matcha latte Buchanan’s Native Plants A Houston Heights gardening staple since 1986, Buchanan’s Native Plants carries a vast selection of indoor and outdoor plants, focusing on native Texan varieties and organic gardening. They even have signs on the native plants showing insects that are part of its ecosystem. Go to Buchanan’s for a time-honored gardening experience enriched by the knowledgeable staff.

Personal favorite: purple coneflower Blessings Plants & Music Stationed right next to the resale block in Montrose, Blessings boasts an enviable collection of vinyl records and houseplants that is perfect for beginner gardeners, since they include a care card with each of your plants. Blessings also stocks an assortment of local magazines.

Personal favorite: marble queen pothos and “Forbidden Fruit” by Nina Simone Dirt Bag Dirt Bag is a cozy stop for more off-the-

radar indoor plants, including variegated cultivars of already sought-after indoor rarities. They also have a nice selection of soils so your plants are able to absorb water without drowning or drying out.

Personal favorite: monkey cup pitcher plant The Plant Project The first Black woman-owned plant store in Texas finds its home in the Montrose Collective, a luxury development just three miles north of campus. Stocking both plants and goods created by local Black and Brown artists, The Plant Project also boasts a healthy schedule of plant workshops for those looking to get their thumbs green.

Personal favorite: starfish sansevieria Tall Plants Supplying Houston with tall plants since 1977, Tall Plants keeps its greenhouse and warehouse well stocked with all the usual indoor plants but specializes in plants measuring four feet or taller, such as Elephant Ears and ZZ plants. Though it’s about eight miles away from campus, Tall Plants is still an interesting stop for those seeking greener skyscrapers.

Personal favorite: the six foot cacti Another Place in Time Part antique store, part rare plant nursery, Another Place in Time is a quirky cottage-core fantasy come true with a truly eye-popping selection of rare plants. Tucked quietly away in the Houston Heights, this quiet little shop hosts beautiful tropical flowers, rotating deals on plants and year-round Christmas decor for your perusal.

Personal favorite: staghorn fern

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Re-Leaf Re-Leaf is a plant rehoming project allowing interested parties to adopt preowned office plants at sizable discounts.

Their selection varies greatly from week to week, but they consistently stock Sansevieria and Fiddle Leaf Figs. Stop here for more mature plants at formidable discounts and staff that are more than willing to help you keep your plants green.

Personal favorite: white orchid

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Brass Tacks Though it is not primarily a plant store, Brass Tacks’ lush indoor plant selection makes it perfect for all in search of good vibes and green interiors.

The plants inside the coffee shop are all available for purchase and make it a cozy place to study and photosynthesize, and the building itself was designed by a Riceeducated architect.

Personal favorite: fiddle leaf fig and a Texas affogato

1 “Movin’ __ __” 5 2013 carjacking game, abbr.

9 Disarray 13 Egg-shaped tomato 14 Hollywood Hammer 16 Leave out 17 Stork’s delivery 18 NOLA sub 19 Turning: prefix 20 _____ Inu 22 Scrabble item 23 Just a little open 24 Not so strict 25 Resistance to change 27 Munch’s Ice 29 Bird house 30 Essential items for one trendy sport 34 Mom-and-pop school org.

37 Actress de Armas 38 Tear down, as a building 39 “You bet _ __!”

40 Bad beginning?

41 Quantity/price theory 44 Member of a South Asian diaspora 45 Cambodian currency 46 Contest with rhymes 51 Arch town, for short 52 Biggest continent 53 Revered person 54 Put up with 57 Design detail, for short 58 Hemsworth of “Thor” 60 Linux ancestor 61 Time machine sound?

62 Coupe alternative 63 Ackerman of “Attack on Titan” 64 Gets a 100 on an orgo exam, say 65 ’20s art style 66 Future JD’s hurdle

DOWN 1 Shapes of 15-Down 2 The Ark-itect 3 Cord at birth 4 Revenge 5 Orthodontist’s concern 6 Neigh-sayer’s gaits 7 Scope or extent 8 It’s between treble and bass 9 A pep talk may boost it 10 Texter’s pictogram 11 Pull a chair up to 12 Bedtime request 15 Socket occupiers?

21 Figure skater’s leap 26 You might collect these at a public 27 Junk mail 28 ____ Colada 31 Rubber bands and such 32 Enchanted 33 Guac ingredient, for short 34 Oil channels 35 Small, at Starbucks 36 Adams and Poehler 41 Michele of “Glee” 42 ____ Major (constellation) 43 Attack dog, often 44 Arizona baseballers, in headlines 46 Reggae musician, perhaps 47 Meat jelly 48 Fragment 49 “Royals” singer 50 First electronic computer 55 Pop star 56 Highway sign 59 ___ Balls (Hostess product)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 7

FEATURES

Students show their appreciation for H&D spending many of them running from SHRUTI PATANKAR station to station to ensure food quality FOR THE THRESHER or going over menu details with the When most of campus is in bed, chefs.

“I get here and walk through the recovering from Pub or a late night studying at Fondren, Sandra Salgado whole kitchen from front to back, is preparing to leave her house at 4:15 checking everything ... Throughout a.m. Salgado, a cashier at North Servery, the day I just walk around and make starts her shift at 5:30 a.m. and works sure everything looks great,” Yam said. six days per week. She was previously “Before I leave, I make sure dinner is employed at a nearby warehouse and going out on time and tastes great.”

Martel College President Katelynn would visit campus during her breaks.

“I thought [the campus] was so Porras is leading an initiative to beautiful. I just wanted to sit in the recognize H&D workers by bringing them to the forefront of student life. parks,” Salgado said.

“I really wanted to do something While visiting, she heard that Housing & Dining had job openings. that was more than just a dinner, just a It’s been two years since she joined poster hung up at the end of the year,” the team, and she spends her shifts Porras, a senior, said.

A running slideshow in Martel doing everything from cleaning and disinfecting to refilling silverware and Commons now features a detailed profile food items. Her favorite part, however, on the college’s main H&D employees is swiping students into the servery with information about the languages they speak and the TV shows they enjoy during meals.

“I love when the kids come in. I can in their free time. These profiles create see their smiling faces and I’m so happy a way for students to connect with employees. to meet them,” Salgado said.

Martel is not Many workers alone in their m e n t i o n e d drive to include that the most H&D in college rewarding aspect We have posters up culture. Will Rice of their job was featuring our associates, has a seeing students and while it’s important to College banner adorned — meeting them, with appreciation hearing about honor them ... we should m e s s a g e s their lives or also honor the people that from students. watching them we see every day, meal Lovett College enjoy a particular releases a yearly menu item. after meal. merchandise North Servery’s Katelynn Porras drop from which executive chef, MARTEL COLLEGE PRESIDENT all proceeds are Sing Yam, highlighted how important student donated to the H&D staff.

“We have posters up featuring our feedback is for his job.

“I like meeting students every day. associates, and while it’s important to I’m trying to do anything to make the honor them … we should also honor the servery how [the students] want it to people that we see every day, meal after be,” he said. “I can’t make changes meal,” Porras said.

Porras also notes the importance of until students give us more feedback. I want to make North’s salad bar better, simply being considerate, from sorting for example. There’s always room for dishes correctly to collapsing boxes before recycling them. improvement.”

“A lot of people don’t know how Yam grew up in Arizona, working at his family’s Chinese restaurant. He to pick up after themselves … H&D started off as a cashier, working his way has to do more work,” Porras said. up to a cook and eventually attending “Maintaining cleanliness is one thing, culinary school. The opportunity to but they shouldn’t be having to take work at Rice appealed to him because of dishes out of the trash can.”

A critical focus of Martel’s initiative the freedom he would have in designing is not just honoring H&D, but extends to a menu.

“I love being here,” Yam said. including them within the community.

“They’re Martelians too,” Porras “There’s a lot of creative room for me.”

Like Salgado, Yam works long hours, said. “Culture of care includes H&D.”

Will Rice will plant

IVANA HSYUNG / THRESHER

NISHANKA KUTHURU

SENIOR WRITER

When wandering through campus, it’s hard not to be captivated by the verdant stretches of lush green grass, the tapestry of trees and even the occasional mushroom sprouting in unexpected corners. But amidst this panorama, there is an absence of vibrant flowers.

Beginning as a desire to turn overlooked and unused spaces into a green paradise, Alexander Cho, one of Will Rice College’s Eco Reps, has created a thriving native wildflower garden. Cho said his goal is to make Will Rice look more vibrant and lively.

“I was thinking that it would be nice to have a garden at Will Rice by utilizing the few areas where there is full sun throughout the day,” Cho, a Will Rice senior, said.

The flowers that have been sitting around Will Rice were not particularly visually interesting, Cho said.

“Around the Will Rice quad we had asiatic jasmine and liriope, which are good plants because they are resilient, they don’t look ugly and are low maintenance,” Cho said. “[But] for most of the beds, personally speaking, they were flat and a little monotonous.”

Ivana Hsyung, another Will Rice senior involved in the project, also noticed the

lackluster bed.

“Initially, it was just all bushes and the little bush area was frequently walked on, so the bed flattened over time in a very obvious area,” Hsyung said.

Another part of Cho’s motivation was the ecological impact of this project, which stemmed from an internship with Mercer Botanical Center, the herbarium collection for the Mercer Botanic Gardens.

“Part of the internship was working with native plants and that was my first exposure to native ecology,” Cho said. “I have really grown into this interest with this project. I care a lot about native Texas biodiversity.”

Drawing inspiration from the Native Plant Society of Texas list of flowers, Cho deliberately chose plants such as purple cornflower, lantana and blue mistflower for Will Rice’s new look.

“I went down the list and looked at the requirements. In the garden we have perennials, which live more than a year, enjoy full sun and don’t require as much water,” Cho said.

While Cho was away for summer break, Hsyung was on the ground in Houston, keeping him up to date.

“I would periodically send him updates every two to three weeks with photos of the garden. We’d communicate back and forth about anything I could potentially do to help with the garden, but honestly, it remained untouched and any problems solved themselves by the time I had time to swing back around,” Hsyung said.

One struggle that the project faced was overestimating the plants’ resilience and figuring out the correct placement for each type of plant.

“Sometimes the plants just die … but it was definitely a learning process for me,” Cho said.

Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. To read more, visit ricethresher. org.

Disclaimer: Ivana Hsyung is the Thresher’s Arts and Entertainment designer.

PLEASE JOIN US

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8 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

THE RICE THRESHER

Creating compassion and sand mandalas at the Moody

SAMMI FREY / THRESHER An opening ritual for the creation of the sand mandala was hosted at the Moody earlier this week. The construction of the mandala will continue all week with a dissolution ritual Friday, Oct. 20.

SHREYA CHALLA

SENIOR WRITER

Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India constructed a Tibetan sand mandala in a series of rituals Monday, Oct. 16. The opening ritual was held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, and the mandala will remain on public viewing until the dissolution ritual Friday, Oct. 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

A public lecture to accompany the exhibit was held Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Moody Center’s Lois Chiles Studio Theater on the concepts of death, bardo and rebirth.

According to Eric Huntington, T. T. and W. F. Chao Assistant Professor in the Department of Transnational Asian Studies, the creation of the mandala is taking place at the Moody Center for the Arts to showcase visual and material culture. Huntington was one of the four faculty and staff members responsible for organizing the events.

“It’s not like an artwork that goes in the museum and resides there permanently. It’s this laborious process of distributing colors on this flat surface that will take four or five monks a week to create,” Huntington said. “On Friday, there’s a dissolution

University’s symbol is the Owl of Athena, the symbol of wisdom.”

Geshe Tenzin Lekshey, one of the monks creating the sand mandala, said the monks started touring the U.S. Sept. 29 last year and will visit more than 30 states in two years.

“The world is not peaceful. We are polluted with many negative energies and interactions,” Geshe Lekshey said. “At that time, we really need mental support or something that can keep our mind more balanced with not falling into our default negative emotions.”

JENNIFER LIU / THRESHER Huntington said the role of the School of Humanities is to expose students to different cultures and ideas, and providing opportunities to learn beyond the classroom is vital.

“Of course we offer courses on Buddhism, but it’s different hearing it from ritual where they destroy the mandala and us as instructors than it is experiencing offer the blessings again. It’s more than an bits of actual Buddhist culture from real artistic exhibition. It’s a demonstration of practitioners,” Huntington said. “Many a particular kind of ritual practice that ties people, not just from Rice but from the into Buddhist philosophy. It’s a tiny little larger Houston community, are coming to this event. It’s just an augmentation to the slice of a whole cultural complex.” wonderful education Huntington said we have at Rice to be that even though able to have these the mandala is an kinds of cultural artistic object, it is It’s more than an events to reach out also meant to be a between different tool and mechanism artistic exhibition. It’s communities.” to purify, enlighten a demonstration of a Geshe Lekshey and empower particular kind of ritual said that he hoped people. that the events this “The mandala practice that ties into that we’re asking to Buddhist philosophy. It’s a week will encourage viewers to reflect on be constructed here tiny little slice of a whole their mindsets. is a depiction of a cultural complex.

“Our purpose Bodhisattva figure, of the tour is who in Buddhism Eric Huntington the message of is the symbol ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN compassion,” of wisdom. The TRANSNATIONAL ASIAN STUDIES Geshe Lekshey said. mandala actually depicts the palace of this deity … It’s a two- “How to enhance knowledge and wisdom dimensional representation of this imagined is by working through loving, kindness space where the Bodhisattva resides and and compassion so that we can reach the can be invoked,” Huntington said. “The point that we call ultimate wisdom. That is reason we selected this is because Rice enlightenment.”

Check out Houston’s Halloween haunts Tim Burton Cabaret is where Burton’s iconic stories meet the unique form of burlesque dance. Hosted by Nikki Knockout and the Aphrodisi-Acts at Rise Rooftop, experience this unique show with sultry versions of all your favorite Burton characters Oct. 19 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

VIVIAN LANG / THRESHER

ALEENA AHMAD

FOR THE THRESHER Houston weather has just started to cool off, signaling the start of autumn.

Although midterms may be getting you down, the Halloween season is now in full swing. From costume contests to haunted houses to fun performances, put down the books and check out these can’t-miss events in Houston made for spooky season enthusiasts.

Sorry Papi Halloween Tour If you’re looking for a girl’s night

out, look no further than the Sorry Papi Halloween Tour. This “All Girl Party” gives you the perfect opportunity to take your group Halloween costume out for a test run in a supportive environment made by women for women. Enjoy the DJs and live performances, specialty cocktails, “Glam Area” and mystery merch at this reggaeton party Oct. 21 at the Bayou Music Center.

Tim Burton Burlesque Fans of Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and his other spooky works won’t want to miss this. The

Creepy Hollow Haunted House Voted one of the top 13 haunted houses in the U.S., the Creepy Hollow Haunted House is a must-see event for thrill seekers and spooky fanatics alike.

Though it’s about twenty miles from Rice, Texas’ scariest haunted house may be worth the drive. Fit with food, live shows, games, shops and three separate haunted attractions, Creepy Hollow is more than just a haunted house.

Horrifying Halloween hits: what to watch this fall HAMZA SAEED

THRESHER STAFF

What is it about this strange, freakish date of Oct. 31 that has gripped the hearts of Americans nationwide? Is it the free candy? The ability to dress up? The fact that RUPD finally can’t get mad at me for carrying around an ax?

One thing is for sure: The numerous scary movies for horror-lovers to watch in October have definitely contributed to the mysterious allure of the holiday.

The Thresher has rounded up a few horror movie classics that are sure to have your whole friend group spooked.

Fair warning, though, some of these movies are not for the faint of heart — and we wouldn’t recommend watching alone.

Poltergeist Never want to sleep comfortably in your own house ever again?

“Poltergeist” may be the movie for you. This 1982 classic horror film disturbs audiences not because of any special effects, but because of the chilling ambiance Steven Spielberg was able to create the entire runtime.

Where to watch: Max, Amazon Prime

The Descent Can this 2006 movie classic be described as an empowering feminist masterclass of cinema?

Actually, it probably can, and the all-female cast should be given massive props for that. More than anything, though, “The Descent” is a gruesome tale of a group of cave explorers who seek a way to escape reality in the aftermath of personal tragedy. Once they fully descend into the depths of the Earth, however, they discover some haunting secrets.

Where to watch: Max, Amazon Prime

The Wicker Man

Houston Scream Fest If you’re searching for thrills a little closer to home, look no further than the Houston Scream Fest. With seven different haunted houses, zombie paintball, live music and games, the Scream Fest has something for everyone.

They also have horror film screenings, a club with a live DJ and free drinks as you hop from one haunted house to the next.

The movie follows policeman Edward Malus (Nicholas Cage) as he investigates a missing children’s case on a creepy island.

He soon finds that the mysterious residents of the town have more to them than meets the eyes.

All in all, “The Wicker Man” is not a good movie, but it is a spectacular dumpster fire of a film that deserves your adoration this Halloween.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV

Editor’s note: This story has been cut off for print. Read the full article online at ricethresher.org.

Editor’s note: This story has been cut off for print. Read the full article online at ricethresher.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Meet the ACL artist: Gus Dapperton I had the pleasure of chatting with Dapperton after his weekend one performance, and I was nearly too When Brendan Patrick Rice first starstruck to speak with him and almost started making music on SoundCloud, he intimidated by his undeniably cool aura.

Though he never felt particularly gifted went by a variety of aliases. He changed these names based on the sort of sound playing instruments as a child, Dapperton he was making — everything from hip- said his first exposure to GarageBand and hop beats to classical tunes. As he came love of music from a young age solidified his interest in into his art as a making his own singer-songwriter, work. he decided he “I was never wanted a name into that felt more like I think it’s dishonest to not really [playing] music himself, and Gus let all of your inspirations that much,” he Dapperton was infiltrate your own said. “In eighth born. grade we were “Gus was just creative subconscious. able to get on a name I loved Gus Dapperton GarageBand in and I wanted to MUSICIAN a music class, give to myself,” Dapperton said. “I was just always into and that’s where I really fell in love with fashion and style and whatnot, so I producing. [Now] I’m just obsessed with wanted to call myself ‘dapper.’ I just put making music, it’s a really good way to the ‘ton’ at the end to make it sound like express yourself.”

A self-proclaimed introvert, Dapperton a last name.”

When Dapperton took the Austin said the reason he feels comfortable City Limits stage Oct. 7, it was his first performing at various festivals and venues time playing the music festival. He came is because his friends and family are on alive under the hot 4 p.m. sun with a stage with him. His younger sister, Ruby seemingly endless amount of energy, Amadelle, is even a vocalist and keyboard groovy footwork and a plethora of music player in his band.

“I used to hate [performing], it’s really that even new fans could dance along to.

HADLEY MEDLOCK

A&E EDTIOR

Lahiri talks ‘Roman Stories’ collection, translation and belonging SPRING CHENJP

ASST. NEWS EDITOR Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri read from her newest short story collection “Roman Stories” through the Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading series Oct. 15. Following the reading, she spoke on-stage at Congregation Emanu El with Rice English professor and Italian novelist Andrea Bajani, discussing the themes of immigration, otherness and translation present in her work.

“Roman Stories” is Lahiri’s first short story collection originally written in Italian, following her Italian novel “Dove mi trovo” (in English, “Whereabouts”) and poetry collection “Il quaderno di Nerina” (“Nerina’s Notebook”). After moving to Rome in 2012 to become more immersed in the language and culture, Lahiri has since said she will only be writing in Italian moving forward.

Lahiri translated her collection into English along with acclaimed translator Todd Portnowitz.

“Italian allows me to get a little closer and more directly at certain things that I, in English, haven’t gotten quite as close [to],” Lahiri said. “For example, in this story, there’s an act of racially motivated violence embedded in the story. I haven’t yet, in English, written about something like that.”

Lahiri was born to first-generation Bengali immigrants to the U.S. Navigating the culture of her parents and that of the U.S. became a central theme in her works, which often centered on the experiences of South Asian-Americans. Though “Dove mi trovo” and “Roman Stories” shift the settings of her work to Europe, Lahiri’s concern with belonging and the experience of being an outsider is present throughout.

Lahiri also spoke about her experiences

SPRING CHENJP / THRESHER

growing up speaking Bengali and English.

She discussed how though Bengali was her first language, she is much more fluent in English, which can be a source of tension between second-generation immigrants and their parents.

“I move outside to another language to … find, paradoxically, the deepest part of myself by freeing myself of that tension between the two pre-existing languages,” Lahiri said, “[and] also perhaps free myself from the strange, very muffled misgivings and emotions associated with the fact that I spoke English and learned English and functioned in English all my life, a language that I was taught to learn as an act of assimilation and survival in the United States.”

Lahiri said the title of her collection, “Racconti romani” in Italian, is an allusion to Alberto Moravia’s short story collection of the same name. She draws on Moravia’s interest on those disenfranchised by society, such as the unemployed and criminals, and extends her focus to immigrants in Rome.

“Part of my interest in calling this book ‘Roman Stories’ is to … suggest that we are in a different moment,” Lahiri said. “There is a different way to understand who is Roman [and] what is Rome.”

Lahiri described the process of translating her own work into English as deeply challenging and disorienting, reflecting the themes of outsiderness in her work. “[Translating it into English] made the book I wrote, in Italian, become a foreigner,” Lahiri said.

In an interview with the Thresher, Bajani said the shift to Italian led to a change in Lahiri’s writing style. “‘The Interpreter of Maladies’ is so full of details,” Bajani said. “Reading ‘Roman Stories’ or ‘Whereabouts,’ you can feel that there’s much more space for silence [and] for thoughts. They are in a way more vague, and more poetic as a story, as if she could be free from one idea of writing, of American writing and … do whatever she wanted in the way she wanted.”

Bajani said he has developed a personal friendship with Lahiri through their working relationship.

“She has this very quiet, gentle and listening attitude,” Bajani said. “It is a kind of wisdom without all the answers, so, a better wisdom.”

COURTESY WARNER RECORDS

not natural to me at all. I don’t think I’d be able to express myself so comfortably if it wasn’t for them up there.” Dapperton said. “Weirdly enough, [performing] still feels like an introverted thing because I’m not actually [in or] communicating with the audience. It’s still just like I’m in a safe space up on stage.”

Dapperton’s newest album, “Henge,” dropped over the summer on July 7 and is a genre-bending collection of songs, including a spoken-word track with author Ocean Vuong, that still stays connected to his musical roots. While he said the most simple term for his music is “indie rock,” Dapperton draws from a variety of styles and influences to create his sound.

“I think it’s dishonest to not let all of your inspirations infiltrate your own creative subconscious,” Dapperton said.

“I grew up listening to a lot of hip-hop music [and] synthwave and synth pop.

[I also] grew up listening to a lot of ’90s rock, grunge rock, ’60s early rock-and-roll and a lot of pop music — a lot of Britney Spears. So I try to let all those things seep into the music I make.”

Dapperton and his music don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon, either. After performing at ACL, he will continue on an international tour through December.

He said his genuine love for making and performing music is what keeps him going, creating a space for both comfort and a mental release.

“I go to therapy and do a bunch of other things for my mental health, but it’s the most therapeutic thing to me to make music. It’s just like journaling or writing, I just do it with music,” Dapperton said. “I also love it. I love the craft. I love sounds.

Review: Sivan makes us feel the rush HUGO GERBICH-PAIS

THRESHER STAFF

Listening to Troye Sivan’s new album makes me want to go down under. The Australian singer-songwriter released his newest album, “Something To Give Each Other,” Oct. 13, marking his third full-length release. Sivan gives us a blissful, eclectic album that celebrates queer culture and demonstrates that pop music can be lustful, escapist and perfect for the club.

The album opens with “Rush,” a song that puts listeners in a dancing mood with a strong, energizing techno beat.

The song is named after the eponymous poppers brand — a chemical inhalant that has been a hallmark of queer party and sex culture since the 1970s. Beyond just the party drug, “Rush” is about the anticipation of meeting a lover and the electric energy you feel once your bodies finally touch.

This sense of anticipation and release is mimicked in the song’s chorus. In the last line of the verses, the steady drum beat is replaced by piano chords. It is then quickly overwhelmed in the chorus by a strong high-hat-esque beat and a rich harmony as Sivan sings about feeling the rush.

“What’s The Time Where You Are” has softer verses and longing lyrics that mark a tonal shift towards a dreamy and more desperate moment. The song also repeats an edited sample of speech in Spanish, which foreshadows the albums fourth track, “In My Room.” Guitaricadelafuente, whose real name is Alvaro Lafuente Calvo, collaborated with Sivan to write the song. It opens with a breathy verse from Lafuente Calvo, establishing the song’s easygoing vibe. This lazy atmosphere is reflected in the song lyrics themselves, where Sivan and Lafuente Calvo sing about a lazy day in bed, ruminating about a lover.

Sivan’s songwriting and vocal talent is truly demonstrated in the album’s choruses, though. In “One of Your Girls,” Sivan’s chorus is an incredibly pleasing multi-part harmony and slightly edited to provide even more depth. This contrasts exquisitely with his verses, which feature intimate moments where Sivan is just talking to his listeners with only a guitar in the background. This juxtaposition keeps the audience engaged, and it’s easy to groove to the chorus in the afterglow

Top Track: ‘One Of Your Girls’

COURTESY CAPITOL RECORDS following Sivan whispering into your soul.

“Got Me Started” begins with heavily synthesized — and even catchier — horns, which are a sample from Bag Raider’s song “Shooting Stars.” Sivan sings about that tantalizing feeling when you realize you have fallen for someone, and the chorus features heavily distorted vocals.

Impressively, however, it retains its “singability.”

“Honey” begins with a few twanging guitar chords, which should not match the rest of the song’s aching, lustful and concupiscent lyrics yet fit right in.

Throughout the verses, Sivan’s voice glides up at the end of lines which keeps the song’s momentum and conveys his desire to get closer to that special person.

Small breaks of electronic dance music intersperse the song and ground it to the rest of the album’s sound.

“Something To Give Each Other” ends with an allusion to Sivan’s second studio album, “Bloom.” In the opening lines of “How To Stay With You,” Sivan lets us know that we can “cut [his] garden down.”

This is a striking reference to “Bloom,” the titular track of the album where Troye invites his audience, instead, to “take a trip into my garden.” Seemingly, Sivan has found someone and doesn’t care for anyone else. A vibrant saxophone solo fades in and out during the song’s last minute, which gives it an escapist and undeniably romantic feel — it’s a heavenly way to finish an album.

“Something To Give Each Other” does give something to everyone. The album fits right into the oeuvre of nightlife music but still maintains an impressive emotional depth. For every moment that you could be dancing up-and-down to these songs, Sivan also gives us space to cry or spiral alone.

10 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

THE RICE THRESHER

Soccer wins first AAC match, drop two over weekend DIEGO PALOS RODRIGUEZ

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Rice won its first American Athletic Conference game last week on the road against Temple University but lost to No. 10 University of Memphis and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, bringing their conference record to 1-5 and their overall record to 3-11-1.

Their first bout was against a Memphis team that has only lost one game this season at the hands of No. 24 Alabama.

In preparation for this game, head coach Brian Lee said he directed the team to play a lot more defensively compared to any other game this season given Memphis’ offensive strength.

“Memphis’ front line is as good as almost anybody’s in the country, especially the two wingers,” Lee said. “[Considering] the way we’ve defended so far this year, we weren’t just going to roll out in our regular setup. I thought [we] did really well [with it].”

While Memphis applied pressure

early in the game, the Owls’ defense, along with graduate goalkeeper Hannah Pimentel, kept the Tigers at bay. Memphis would strike first 22 minutes into the half with their forward dribbling past the Rice defense and slotting a shot just wide of Pimentel. According to Lee, the Owls have developed a pattern of conceding in the middle of the first half, which may be attributed to mental fatigue. “[In the] middle of the first half we were really struggling across tshe board,” Lee said. “Whether we [substitute] at that point or whether it’s fitness with the kids playing longer, we’ve given up goals in the dead middle, 22nd, 23rd, 24th minute maybe in the last three or four games. That’s kind of our target area, we get a little more mental fatigue than physical and [we] gave up a really easy goal.”

A defensive Rice continued to hold off Memphis for the majority of the game, not seeing much offensive action themselves.

While Rice counter-attacks were forming toward the end of the game in hopes of

a late equalizer, Memphis scored their second with seven minutes remaining, sealing the game at 2-0 for the Tigers and continuing Rice’s winless streak in conference.

The next two games were on the road, which Lee considered “must-wins” as the regular season winds down.

As the season progresses, minor knocks and injuries have become more prevalent, but according to Lee, the team is still developing fitness heading into the last few games of the regular season.

“We got a couple of kids with ankle [injuries], we got a couple of kids still trying to build their fitness,” Lee said.

“Hopefully that keeps growing and we’ll finish strong.”

The Owls return home to play against the University of South Florida Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. and Florida Atlantic University Sunday, Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Editor’s Note: This article has been cut off for print. To read more, visit ricethresher.org.

COURTESY RICE ATHLETICS Freshman forward Sophie Zhang dribbles the ball in a game over the weekend. The Owls won their first American Athletic Conference game this weekend, defeating Temple University 1-0 in their first win since Aug. 27.

Upset loss ushers in bye week for Rice Football ANDERSEN PICKARD

THRESHER STAFF

Turnovers foiled Rice Football’s attempt to win their fourth consecutive home game. A previously winless University of Connecticut Huskies squad stormed into Rice Stadium, capitalized on the Owls’ miscues and left the home team stunned.

Rice’s late fourth-quarter surge wasn’t enough as they lost to UConn 38-28 on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Both teams failed to score on their opening drives as Rice punted and UConn missed a field goal. The Owls went passheavy for most of the first quarter, but it was a pair of running plays that put them on the board: senior running back Juma Otoviano’s two early rushing touchdowns put Rice ahead 14-0.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren lauded Otoviano for his contributions early in the contest and was reminded of the running back’s knack for finding holes in the defense.

“He looked like the old Juma,” Bloomgren said. “That’s the Juma we can win with.”

EDITORIAL CARTOON

The Owls’ first drive of the second quarter took a turn for the worse when UConn’s defensive end sacked Rice graduate transfer quarterback JT Daniels, forcing a fumble. The Huskies recovered at the twoyard line and scored a touchdown two plays later, though their extra-point attempt was blocked by Owls redshirt sophomore safety Peyton Stevenson. Minutes later, UConn added more points off a Rice turnover as Daniels’ backwards lateral was recovered and returned by the Huskies for a 50-yard touchdown.

The Owls advanced only five yards on their next drive before a short punt of 26 yards. The Huskies capitalized on this momentum and took a 20-14 lead on a 41yard touchdown pass.

The Owls moved down the field near the end of the first half, relying heavily on the ground game. Running backs ultimately accounted for 41 of Rice’s 54 yards from scrimmage on this drive. However, the Owls were not able to capitalize from the drive as junior kicker Tim Horn missed a 29-yard field goal.

Between senior Conor Hunt’s short punt and Horn’s missed field goals, Bloomgren

“Owl-American” HONG LIN TSAI / THRESHER

“I thought this was going to be a historical rivalry, not a historical loss.”

was frustrated with Rice’s performance on special teams. He mentioned the possibility of making a change at punter and kicker in future weeks.

“It was a disastrous day on special teams,” Bloomgren said.

“Personnel decisions of our specialists are going to be real conversations.”

UConn opened the second half with a three-and-out, but their ensuing punt sparked disaster for Rice. The Owls committed a penalty for running into the kicker, then fumbled the return.

UConn recovered the loose ball, declined the penalty and took over at Rice’s 41-yard line. For the third time Saturday, the Huskies converted a turnover into points when UConn’s running back found the end zone from one yard out and the Huskies added a two-point conversion to take a 28-14 lead.

A penalty flag on the ensuing kickoff cost Rice 20 yards, but they ultimately overcame the infraction. Down 14, the Owls moved with urgency on this drive. Daniels took the offense over midfield with a 38-yard completion to redshirt freshman receiver Rawson MacNeill, manufactured a key fourth-down conversion on another pass to MacNeill and ultimately pulled Rice within seven points as he found junior receiver Luke McCaffrey for a diving catch in the end zone. However, the Huskies responded with a field goal to extend their lead to 31-21.

Rice tacked on seven more points courtesy of an 80-yard drive that concluded with Daniels’ 30-yard touchdown pass to McCaffrey. However, Rice’s one-possession deficit was short-lived as the Huskies struck for a 59-yard touchdown, reclaiming their 10-point lead.

Daniels was intercepted on the next drive. His third turnover dug a deeper and decisive hole for the Owls, who would muster just three more points on a Horn field goal. Daniels finished the game 33-for49 with 362 passing yards, two touchdowns, two fumbles lost and one interception. It was his first game with more turnovers than

COURTESY RICE ATHLETICS Redshirt senior Juma Otoviano runs into the endzone in the first quarter of Rice’s loss to the University of Connecticut on Oct. 7.

The previously winless Huskies defeated the Owls 38-31 as Rice fell to an overall 3-3 record. touchdowns since the season opener at the University of Texas.

Bloomgren blamed the loss on Rice’s four turnovers.

“I knew that for this [upset] to transpire, it would have to be events done by the Rice Owls to allow it,” Bloomgren said. “That’s what you don’t want to give a team like that.

You don’t want to give them any kind of belief. You want to be able to step on their throat and end the game.”

The 38-31 defeat dropped Rice to 3-3 on the year, including 3-1 at home and 2-2 in non-conference play. Meanwhile, the Huskies, who entered Rice Stadium 0-5, emerged with their first victory of the 2023 campaign.

“I don’t think this [loss] is the story of our team this year, but it definitely is a wake-up call to show what we need to fix,” redshirt junior linebacker Myron Morrison said.

After the loss to UConn, Rice entered its bye week. They next face Tulsa on the road Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. The contest will air live on ESPN2. All-time, Rice is 8-10-1 against Tulsa and won their last meeting in 2013.

When asked about the bye week and preparing for Tulsa, McCaffrey emphasized growth and progress.

“Hopefully, as you get to the later games in the season, you can grow every week,” McCaffrey said. “That’s what our aim is.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 11

SPORTS

Andrew Sendejo talks NIL, brain health and doing his part Players will be advertising merchandise varying from mental focus boosters THRESHER STAFF to anxiety relievers and gut health At the end of the last play of his 12- supplements. According to Sendejo, these year NFL career, Rice alumnus ’10 Andrew are products he wishes were more prevalent Sendejo lay collapsed on his back at the 31- and accessible during his time on the yard line. He had just sustained a head-to- gridiron.

“While I was playing, there weren’t a head collision, knocking him momentarily unconscious, inflicting the second lot of products available that addressed [traumatic brain injuries] or concussions, concussion of his age-34 season.

After struggling to walk off the field, nor were there safe and transparent products Sendejo would be placed on the Reserve/ that addressed the ADHD symptoms that a COVID-19 list for the 2021 season’s remaining lot of guys have in the NFL have, since the three games, eventually deciding to retire. NFL is very strict on amphetamines being a According to Sendejo, this ending created banned substance,” Sendejo said. “Another of our pill products, new opportunities to the anxiety and strive for new goals. stress reliever, has “Now that I’ve ingredients to help retired from being a We wanted to make a reduce cortisol professional athlete, levels and … get I have more time product that was effective some more natural, on my hands to be for gut health, not only for studied extracts to able to give back,” the brain, but for overall help alleviate some Sendejo said. wellness. of these symptoms.”

For Sendejo, The supplements this giving back has Andrew Sendejo i n t r o d u c e primarily taken the FOUNDER OF BRAINTREE NUTRITION ingredients to form of BrainTree Nutrition, a brain health supplement the body that augment different facets company he founded with fellow former of brain health, Sendejo said, with the Owl and NFL player Scott Solomon, ‘12. science behind these ingredients vetted by In late September, BrainTree finalized BrainTree’s consulting team of Solomon’s Rice football’s first ever team-wide name, neurologist mom and anesthesiologist dad. image and likeness deal, giving student To this end, one of BrainTree’s primary aims athletes the opportunity to make money by is to emphasize and address the role that gut health plays in cognitive function. advertising an affiliate link.

“The gut is linked to a lot of degenerative “It’s a way for guys who put a lot of time into it to eat what they kill,” Sendejo brain diseases and a lot of products out said. “This way, guys that have that type of there have strains of probiotics that aren’t following can take advantage of their name, proven to be effective,” Sendejo said. “We image and likeness … I remember when I wanted to make a product that was effective was at Rice, scrapping it at Wiess [College], for gut health, not only for the brain, but for if I could’ve had an extra $100 a month that overall wellness.”

For Sendejo, giving back to his would’ve been huge, even if it’s just enough community ultimately entails more than extra to get groceries and gas.”

LANDRY WOOD

HAI VAN HOANG / THRESHER what he’s already done with BrainTree.

Since being named a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy for community service by a college athlete in 2009, Sendejo has continued to be involved, whether here at Rice in Houston or in his current home in Austin.

“I’ve always obviously given back to Rice,” Sendejo said. “When they built the new end zone complex, I donated the Andrew Sendejo Nutrition Center in the weight room, to do my part … Now that I’m done with [professional football], I have more time to focus on giving back. Even here locally in Austin, we’re able to work with the Austin Sunshine Camps … and just continue to do our part. I’ve been very blessed, very fortunate, even though I had to work very

hard to get where I went.”

Sendejo isn’t done working hard. He, along with Solomon and their coworkers, continues endeavoring to improve BrainTree’s success, always with an eye to giving back more and more. “[The NIL deal] is just a way to help Rice football however we can at this time,” Sendejo said. “As a small company, we’re not at the bar where we can just write checks outright. Obviously, we would love to do that because we know that’s what the players want, and that’s what’s going to help recruiting and help the program overall. But as a company, we’re just not there yet … We want to be examples of Rice guys coming back to Rice, helping in whichever way we can.”

12 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

BACKPAGE

“Welcome to to “Welcome my crib. crib. Yo.” Yo.” my This week on Cribs, we spoke with Rice President Reginald DesRoches on the soon-to-be-completed construction of the Wiess President’s House, and he took us through some of the highlights and biggest updates to his home.

The Bowling Alley

The Pool

Backpage: What was your foremost priority for the President’s House renovation?

RD: Did someone say pool party?

Reginald DesRoches: I heard that University of Houston had a bowling alley, and I can’t have them thinking they’re better than me. Me being, like, the university, of course. The area also doubles as an emergency bunker in case things go sideways with Paula. Now watch this strike.

DesRoches takes a moment from the interview to cannonball into his brand new swimming pool. Upon his request, we note that he then dunked first try in his poolside basketball hoop.

The Basement

The Home Gym

RD: Leebs used to use this place for storage, but I had it pimped out instead — gonna throw here soon. Pop out if you can, it’ll be litty.

Fun Fact: DesRoches’ home gym boasts the only hack squat machine on Rice University campus!

The Tie Room

DesRoches recently persuaded Pub to relocate to his basement while the RMC is under construction.

RD: When Paula’s too busy to go on a run with me in the mornings, I get to go on the hamster wheel and catch up on an episode or two of Young Sheldon.

Fun Fact: DesRoches practices his executive power poses in the Tie Room.

RD: I collect ties from the presidents of all the universities that rank above us in the U.S. News and World Report to make sure they know their place. It keeps me grounded, keeps that fire in me going.

BP: How much did all of these renovations cost?

DR: Not more than twenty or thirty students’ financial aid packages’ worth. So I’m not too upset about the whole Affirmative Action thing.

The Backpage is the satire section of the Thresher, written this week by Ndidi Nwosu, Andrew Kim, and Timmy Mansfield and designed by Lauren Yu. For questions or comments, please email dilfhunter69@rice.edu.

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