The Rice Thresher, Vol. 98, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, March 18, 2011 Page: 2 of 20
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EDITORIAL
the Rice Thresher
FRiday, March 18,2011
the Rice flhresher
Beer Bike successful
despite setbacks
Kudos is due to Matt Sawyer, the university-wide Beer Bike coor-
dinator, and the Beer Bike coordinators from each college (see story,
pg. 1). Beer Bike came and went smoothly, safely and too swiftly.
The Beer Bike leadership was met with a multitude of challenges
never seen in the past, and each problem was addressed with
great success.
Alcohol responsibility was a necessity for this Beer Bike much
more so than for any in the past. The Rice student body enjoyed a
Beer Bike which included minimal to no hospital transports for over-
intoxication; furthermore, the students exhibited strict adherence to
the newly revised conduct policy, which prohibits hard liquor con-
sumption in private or public gatherings. Champagne, malt liquor,
wine and beer were prevalent on campus, representing a Beer Bike
which included both great times and responsible drinking.
Another unique problem presented to the coordinators of this
year's Beer Bike was the drop-out of many truck rentals. The coordi-
nators smoothly executed the movement of the trash cans and every
college was prepared for the balloon fight. Furthermore, this was
the first year that the parade system was changed. The lengthy me-
andering of the Inner Loop was replaced with a cheer battle which
was was perfectly spontaneous and brilliantly spirited. The lack of
parade also allowed for fighting access to all colleges and ensured
that more balloons were available for the actual battle. The fact that
the fight ended earlier than usual likely encouraged more students
to make it to the race, as attendance was exceptional with the grand
stands full.
A final alteration was necesitated by the dangerously windy rac-
ing conditions plaguing the track. Heavy winds caused 11 injuries be-
fore Sawyer prudently called an "all-stop" on the track. After a quick
conferral with the college coordinators, a decision was made to
convert the race to a running competition. The Beer Bike leadership
preserved biker safety while not depriving the audience of a winner.
To no fault of the coordinators or bikers, the numerous acci-
dents that occured over the course of the three races are definitely
a cause for concern, and moving into the future, it may be wise to
take proactive precautions. First, reducing the total number of rac-
ers from ten to five or seven would ensure that a greater majority
of competitiors are skilled bikers. Some of the more apathetic col-
leges are often forced to pull racers from the crowd who may lack
the safety training and experience necesary for them to be apt rac-
ers in a very fast and very competitive arena. Secondly, the racers
need to be more thoroughly monitored to ensure that they complete
all necessary safety training prior to being permitted on the track. A
racer should not be allowed to help fill out a team if they did not go
through the tutorials during Willy Week.
All in all, the Thresher commends the 2011 Beer Bike co-
ordinators for adeptly adjusting to unique circumstanc-
es and putting on an extremely successful Beer Bike.
ALFA rec's overly specific
The ALFA committee has concluded its survey process and made
its recommendations to administration (see story, pg. 6). Unfortu-
nately their recommendations were influenced by a meager 24 pro-
posals. Out of the over 3,500 students at Rice University, a remarkably
small proportion of us as a student body contributed to the process.
The ALFA committee has made several solid recommendations
such as endowments for EMS expenses, rock wall and improvement
of IM field conditions and lighting. The EMS budget not only sup-
ports a student organization, but in turn helps all students since
EMS is a service available to all students. The rock wall and IM field
improvements also enhance and expamd recreational opportuni-
ties for all students to enjoy.
However the ALFA committee also included recommendations
that benefit only small subsets of the student population. For ex-
ample, funds for expansion of the Oshman Engineering Kitchen
or creation of an Architecture society would only affect certain stu-
dents on campus. Furthermore, some improvements that are sug-
gested by ALFA are items that administration should pay for in the
first place. An allotment is included for sexual harassment and rape
education; however, there is no reason that students should pay for
this program through funds garnered from its own student orga-
nization. The administration, as an institution that cares about its
students, should take the initiative to pay for this sort of program.
Furthermore, the ALFA proposal includes allotments for RMC and
Visial and Dramatic Arts building. It is incontrovertibly the universi-
ty's responsibilty to ensure that students have proper facilities and
buildings on campus.
It is imperative that whatever projects administration ulti-
mately selects affect the greatest possible majority of the cam-
pus. It is the Thresher's hope that students will have a final say
in which projects are selected, and if so, that we will come to-
gether as a student body to voice our opinions in unison.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR thresh^
To the Editor:
In an article in last week's
Thresher ("Tuition increases for in-
coming Rice students," Mar. 11), it
was noted that tuition for next year's
incoming class will increase by 5.4
percent. This is in spite of the fact
that, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the C.P.I, for 2010
only increased 1.5 percent. Over the
same period, the S&P 500 increased
12.6 percent (Yahoo Finance) ex-
cluding dividends. This substantial
increase likely reflects the increase
in Rice's endowment, which is the
largest revenue source for the uni-
versity. The university estimates
that the endowment is around
$4 billion.
It's difficult to justify this increase
in light of the above even if, as Presi-
dent Leebron says, the university is
facing some potential losses of state
and federal funding. He also said,
"It is important to note that based on
both tuition charges and financial
aid, Rice remains one of the most af-
fordable private universities and col-
leges." It won't remain in that group
for long if it keeps raising tuition at
a rate over three and a half times the
rise in prices.
President Leebron noted, "We
have maintained our commitment to
generous financial aid and a lower
tuition price even in the midst of the
present economic environment and
our endowment losses." What loss?
According to the university itself, the
value of the endowment increased
by $180 million in the last fiscal
year (ending June 30th) and it esti-
mates the increase to be $310 million
this year.
Tuition increases far beyond the
rate of inflation is not only a strain
on next year's students but injurious
to the future of the university.
Roy Loya (Parent '15)
Last week's online poll results:
What do you think should count as 'hard liquor'?
□ Anything not beer, wine, champagne or ale.
HI Anything 40 proof (20% alcohol by volume)
or stronger out of the bottle.
Anything 40 proof or stronger after mixing.
ilc<
What did you think of the stationary water balloon fight?
Cast your vote online at *nvw. ti.;ethresh rr
□ Any frozen alcohol.
This week's poll:
*
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The Rice Thresher, the official student news
paper at Rice University since 1916, is pub-
lished each Friday during the school year,
except during examination periods and holi-
days, by the students of Rice University.
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and CNBAM. FRIDAY FRIDAY FUN FUN
©Copyright 2011
J I
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Rutenberg, Josh. The Rice Thresher, Vol. 98, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, March 18, 2011, newspaper, March 18, 2011; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth398524/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.