We are affinity

Following a “Diversity at Rice” discussion by Catherine Clack, associate dean and director of Rice’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the incoming Class of 2023 was invited to attend affinity group meetings in the Rice Memorial Center during lunch Aug. 20.

The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice treated freshmen to trivia (“Who is the queen of Tejano music?”) and tacos in the Grand Hall. Rabbi Shmuli and Rebbetzin Nechama Slonim of Chabad at Rice University welcomed students with a spread of bagels and lox in the Miner Lounge in partnership with Houston Hillel, which serves Jewish students and young professionals on campus.

Rice Queers and Allies hosted a mixer in the Rice Multicultural Center, while the Rice African Student Association and Black Student Association teamed up to pack Farnsworth Pavilion for an ice-breaking session. The Muslim Student Association showed students the campus prayer room in the adjacent Rice Memorial Chapel and shared upcoming activities for the semester, such as Donuts and Dua and the Halal Crawl. (Photos by Tommy LaVergne)