VOLUME 110, ISSUE NO. 08 | STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916 | RICETHRESHER.ORG | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
Rice students join Houston’s No Kings protest HONGTAO HU
ASST. NEWS EDITOR One by one, Rice students — numbering about 30 — filed through the shaded shrubbery and into the sunlight in front of Houston City Hall, joining the 13,500 to 15,000 No Kings protesters. Then, in the sweltering heat, and all at once, they raised their cardboard signs. “This is what democracy looks like,” they chanted Saturday. The crowd was diverse — populated with frog suits, Statues of Liberty and hot dog vendors, — but had a shared purpose: protesting President Donald Trump and his administration. They rallied behind signs such as “dump your fascist boyfriend,” “immigrants make America great,” and “elect a clown, expect a circus.” The protests mark the second iteration of the protests since Trump took office in January, occurring as the U.S. government nears the third week of its shutdown. Protests also occurred in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York City. While any organized attendance of the protest was not done on behalf of Rice Young Democrats, Rice Young Democrats organizers held a No Kings picnic the day before, a sign making event and distributed No Kings pins along with face masks. For some of the students, the protest was a way of engaging with a wider community. “As a Rice student, you kind of find yourself in a sphere of just hearing about Rice,” said Osvaldo Salgado, a Hanszen College senior. “I think that Rice students should engage with more national and international conflicts.” During the protests, students cheered on speakers condemning Trump’s actions,
BENJAMIN SADOWSKI / THRESHER Rice students gathered in front of Houston City Hall this Saturday as part of nationwide protests against the Trump administration. from the U.S. sending of military aid to Israel to the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. Abigail Zimmerman, a Sid Richardson College senior, said recent immigration policies such as Trump’s major deportation efforts motivated her to attend the protest. Zimmerman is no stranger to protesting, she said. “Right now, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to immigration policy and ICE,” Zimmerman said. “I think it’s important to make our voices heard, especially in a large show of force.”
The reason that I’m going to this protest is not because I hate this country. It’s because I think we should do whatever we can in our power to make it the best country possible. AJ Jacobs DUNCAN COLLEGE SENIOR
Familiar Seibel face to retire after 20 years AMELIA DAVIS
THRESHER STAFF
WHAT’S INSIDE
During her two decades working at Rice, Janice Robinson — or Ms. Janice, as she is better known — has been a constant presence, greeting students, giving them a compliment or asking them about exams. As she prepares to retire in December, the community must prepare to lose her. Robinson has left an impression on most who frequent Seibel Servery from daily interactions in the servery. Kumaren Anand, a Sid Richardson College junior, said this sentiment is common to most regular diners at the South Colleges. “Ms. Janice has always been very, very sweet and kind, even in the early morning or late at night,” Anand said. “She’s always a great person to see when you’re having a bad day, and she makes the whole dining experience much, much happier than it could be.” A Houston native, Robinson worked at the Williams Tower near the Galleria for 27 years before retiring in 2004 and coming to Rice in 2006. “I’ve been in management all my life — that’s probably why I know how
OPINIONS
While Democrats praised the No Kings protests, some Republicans have reacted with derision. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an ABC interview that the protests across the country this weekend were “hate America” rallies. Duncan College senior Aj Jacobs said he disagreed with that sentiment. “The reason that I’m going to this protest is not because I hate this country,” Jacobs said. “It’s because I think we should do whatever we can in our power to make it the best country possible.”
Volleyball extends win streak to seven PATRICK SHUKIS
THRESHER STAFF
JOCELYN CHEN / THRESHER Janice Robinson, affectionately known as Ms. Janice, swipes a student into the servery. to talk,” Robinson said. “I retired, but I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to go back to work.’” Robinson’s first job at Rice was on a contract with 13th Street Entertainment, a hospitality group, working in the Student Center. When the contract
FEATURES
A&E
ended, Robinson stayed at Rice and put the experience with communication she gained in management to work. She began in retail at Sammy’s, and then moved to the Whoo Deli at South Servery.
SEE MS. JANICE PAGE 9
SPORTS
Student press freedom is a necessity, not a luxury
Queer community, allies celebrate National Coming Out Day
The art of crafting the perfect party playlist
Hockey club defeated by UH in first game since 1941
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
PAGE 11
PAGE 14
Nearly 800 spectators gathered in Tudor Fieldhouse on Sunday to watch a volleyball showdown between conference opponents Rice and Wichita State University. Rice’s victory in the match marked their seventh in a row, as the Owls’ record improved to 11-8 on the season and 7-1 in conference. Rice’s most recent match coming into this contest was their 3-0 victory against Tulane University Oct. 15 in New Orleans, bringing their conference record to 6-1. This meant that the Owls were coming off a short rest for their match against Wichita State, who came into the match at 13-6 and 5-2 in conference. “We had a mid-week game on the road, and I think some of that stuff just catches up to you physically and mentally,” head coach Genny Volpe said. “It challenges the team to get through it, fight through it. That’s what championship teams do.” Wichita State jumped ahead in the first set, as a defensive effort by Rice and a few early digs by senior libero Gaby Mansfield were not enough to keep the Shockers from storming out to an early 10-5 lead. Coming out of an early timeout, senior outside hitter Taylor Preston put on the offensive pressure with three kills in a 10-point span.
SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE 14