The Rice Thresher: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Student newspaper}}

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{{for|the grain threshing machine|Threshing machine}}

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| colspan="2" style="padding: 1em 0; text-align: center;" | [[Image:Thresher_masthead.gif]]

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{{Infobox newspaper

| '''Type'''

| name = The Rice Thresher

| weekly [[newspaper]]

| school = [[Rice University]]

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| logo = Newthreshermasthead.png

|'''Format'''

| weeklytype = [[Student newspaper]]

| 11x17 [[tabloid]]

| format = [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|Tabloid]]

|-

| chief_editor = Kathleen Ortiz and Sarah Knowlton

|   |

| founded = 1916

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| [[Riceheadquarters University]],= [[Houston]], [[Texas]]

| '''Founded'''

| website = {{URL|ricethresher.org}}

| 1916

|}}

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

'''''The Rice Thresher''''' is the weekly student newspaper of [[Rice University]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]. It was first published in 1916.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ricethresher.org/site/about.html |title=Rice Thresher - About |accessdate=2015-07-12 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It has an estimated circulation of 3,000 and is distributed throughout the university and its surrounding areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/43/2397/5878 |title=Rice Thresher - newspaper in Houston, Texas USA covering Houston university news at Mondo Times |publisher=Mondotimes.com |accessdate=2014-08-07}}</ref>

|'''Political&nbsp;position&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''

| n/a

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| '''Headquarters'''

| [[Rice University]], [[Houston]], [[Texas]]

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| '''Editor-in-chief'''

| [[Julia Bursten]]

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| '''Executive Editor'''

| [[Evan Mintz]]

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

| '''Managing Editor'''

| [[Stephen Whitfield]]

|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"

|'''Website'''

| [http://www.ricethresher.org www.ricethresher.org]

|}

The ''Thresher'' has won numerous awards from journalism organizations like the [[Society of Professional Journalists]],<ref name="Spj.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=661 |title=Society of Professional Journalists: SPJ News |publisher=Spj.org |date=2007-01-04 |accessdate=2014-08-07 |archive-date=2014-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812193851/http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=661 |url-status=live }}</ref> Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the College Media Association (CMA), and the [[Associated Collegiate Press|Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)]], including Best Newspaper for a 4-year University under 5,000 from CMA (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022),<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.collegemedia.org/contests/apple_awards/2016_apple_award_winners/|title=2016 Apple Award Winners|publisher=Studentpress.org|accessdate=2017-02-05|archive-date=2020-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920105204/http://www.collegemedia.org/contests/apple_awards/2016_apple_award_winners/|url-status=live}}</ref> two All-American ratings from ACP (2009–2010, 1995–1996), and four Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist Awards (2018, 2017, 2003, 2000).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.studentpress.org/acp/winners/dc05bs.html |title=ACP - Contest Winners |publisher=Studentpress.org |accessdate=2014-08-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810163614/http://www.studentpress.org/acp/winners/dc05bs.html |archive-date=2014-08-10 }}</ref> In 2019, the ''Thresher'' was named the 2nd best college newspaper in the United States by the Princeton Review, up from 3rd best in 2018 and 12th best in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-college-newspaper|title=Best College Newspaper|access-date=2018-08-14|archive-date=2017-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116171653/https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-college-newspaper|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''''The Rice Thresher''''' is the weekly, student-run newspaper of [[Rice University]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]. It was founded in 1916, the year of Rice University's first matriculation [http://ricethresher.org/]. It has an estimated circulation of 6,000, given on-campus distribution, subscriptions and off-campus distribution at area businesses, including Kahn's Deli in the Rice Village and House of Pies.<ref>http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/43/2397/5878</ref><ref>http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=9408&SnID=899546570</ref>

The ''Thresher'' has won several awards from the Associated College Press, including 2007 Best in Show for a tabloid weekly.<ref>http://www.studentpress.org/acp/winners/m07bs.html</ref>

The ''Thresher'' runs on a six-figure annual budget, employs over 100 staffers, and is distributed each Wednesday of the school year with the exception of examinations periods and holidays. The paper is separated into six sections: News, Opinion, Features, Arts and Entertainment, Sports, and the satirical Backpage.

== SectionsHistory ==

''The Rice Thresher'' was the first student publication to be formed at the Rice Institute despite it appearing in the fourth academic year (1915–1916). In the fall of 1915, three literary societies - the Elizabeth Baldwin (female), the Owl (male), and the Riceonian (male) - elected three members each to serve on a committee to organize the paper. The committee then selected the founding editorial board, composed entirely of committee members plus two additional students. On Saturday, January 15, 1916, the first issue of the then-bi-weekly ''Thresher'' was published under the guidance of editor-in-chief William M. Standish.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Editorial: History of the Thresher|date=January 15, 1916|work=The Rice Thresher}}</ref>

The ''Thresher'' is separated into five sections: News, Sports, Arts and Entertainment, Features, Opinion and Backpage. The Backpage is satire and not published on the Website.

In 1918, two seminal events occurred to transform the ''Thresher'' into its modern iteration. First, a voluntary blanket tax was established for publications and sports events. The voluntary tax provided the ''Thresher'' $1.50 from each student who paid, and the now mandatory blanket tax remains the backbone of ''Thresher'' finances to this day. Second, in May 1918, the ''Thresher'' and all other student organizations were transferred under the purview of the newly-formed Student Association, inaugurating a system whereby the leadership of the paper would be elected by the student body along with the ''Campanile'' leadership and other student officers. During a divisive May 1918 election, students who had paid their blanket tax elected John T. Rather editor in chief and T. J. Burnett managing editor.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Stude Association in Finished Form: Organization in Running Order with Officers Elected and Constitution Adopted: Heated Discussions Occur at Constitutional Mass Meetings--Dodge Heads Association for Next Year--Much Interest in Election.|date=May 25, 1918|work=The Rice Thresher}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Student Government|date=May 25, 1918|work=The Rice Thresher}}</ref> However, no issues were published during Rather's stewardship, owing to a suspension of student activities until the end of World War I. Post-war, a second Student Association election was held in January 1919 and installed Joe R. Shannon as editor in chief, Paul Frederick Bobb as managing editor, and Graham Peck as business manager, resulting in the first issue of the new era on February 6, 1919. From this issue forward, the ''Thresher'' has published weekly with a few deviations.<ref>{{Cite news|title=H. L. Bell Will Head Students Association: Student Body Resumes Work Begun before Changes Made by War.: College Activities Center in Organization Which Fosters Many Rice Institutions--Election Returns Show Close Race.|date=February 6, 1919|work=The Rice Thresher}}</ref> Over the years, the sections, masthead, offices elected, page dimensions, and number of pages have fluctuated, but the modern ''Thresher'' was born in 1918.

=== News ===

''Thresher'' News focuses almost entirely on campus events.

The ''Thresher'' has stopped printing twice before: once during [[World War I]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/thresher/docs/160404thresher_centennial_5|title=Thresher Centennial Magazine|access-date=2020-04-10|archive-date=2021-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229074714/https://issuu.com/thresher/docs/160404thresher_centennial_5|url-status=live}}</ref> and once during the spring of 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], during which most students were asked to leave campus for fear of infection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/03/rice-suspends-classes-after-positive-covid-19-case|title=Rice suspends classes after positive COVID-19 case|access-date=2020-04-10|archive-date=2020-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404005237/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/03/rice-suspends-classes-after-positive-covid-19-case|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Opinion ===

''Thresher'' Opinion is usually limited to two pages, though it has been extended to three, four or even five pages given special events such as Hurricane Rita, KTRU shutdown, gay marriage debates and, most recently, the Invisible Children rally. The first page, usually page 2, contains staff editorials, letters and a cartoon. The second page usually contains three columns, one of which is written by a Rice Voices columnist. Rice Voices are four alternating writers chosen to reflect campus diversity. Columns are usually limited to students or people in the Rice community, but besides these requirements the Thresher opinion section has an open submission policy. The opinion editor often writes columns as well.

===External Sports =links==

{{Portal|Texas|Journalism}}

With Rice's Division I-A status, ''Thresher'' Sports is unusually large for a weekly paper of a small school. It also focuses on intramural and residential college sports.

| *[http://www.ricethresher.org/ www.ricethresher.org''The Rice Thresher'']

*[https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/titles/t02888/ ''The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.) 1916-current''] hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History].

==References==

=== Arts and Entertainment ===

{{Reflist}}

''Thresher'' A&E reviews campus plays, new movies, music and often contains a column by the editor or other writers.

{{Rice University}}

=== Features ===

{{Houston newspapers}}

Its existence dependent upon an editor to run it, Features deals mostly with student interest stories.

=== The Backpage ===

[[Image:backpage.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A recent Backpage]]

The Backpage was started by [[Steve Jackson (US)|Steve Jackson]], founder of [[Steve Jackson Games]], in the 1970s with his addition of Misclassifieds to the Classifieds [http://www.io.com/~sj/sjbio.html]. Misclass, as they are known, are a regular of the Backpage, started as cheap ads in which students would write embarrassing stories about their friends. Now they are funny and embarrassing quotes heard around campus. In recent years, the Backpage has taken on more of a humor or satire theme, addressing issues on campus.

The Backpage has resulted in many controversies over the years, including at November 1996 Backpage titled "Rice Women Are Like...," [http://web.archive.org/web/20000425135611/www.rice.edu/projects/thresher/issues/84/961108/Backpage/Story01.html] a Misclass concerning former Rice president [[Malcolm Gillis]]' wife, and a September 2006 Backpage [http://www.thephink.com/thethink/pdf/2006_sept_15_Rice_Thresher.pdf], all of which resulted in apologies or firings.

== See also ==

[[Rice University]]

==External links==

*[http://www.ricethresher.org/ ''The Rice Thresher'']

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rice Thresher}}

[[Category:Rice University]]

[[Category:Student newspapersNewspapers published in the United States|Rice Thresher, TheHouston]]

[[Category:Houston,Student newspapers published in Texas]]

[[Category:Newspapers publishedestablished in Texas1916]]

[[Category:1916 establishments in Texas]]

[[Category:Weekly newspapers published in Texas]]