The Vision

William Marsh Rice stated in the University's charter that he envisioned an Institute of the first order forever free to students.

This vision is unique. Few institutions of higher education, and no institutions of Rice's caliber, are open to any student willing to learn in, and contribute to, the academic community, regardless of their, or their family's, ability to pay. Perhaps just as important, few institutions of higher learning, and no institutions of the University's caliber, strive for such a place.

The University fulfilled this vision through the 1960's. Since then, the University has charged tuition, but endeavored to keep tuition below that of most private universities, a fact that has attracted numerous students from working, middle, and professional class families.

Although below that of comparable institutions, the University's 2006-2007 student budget was $38,914. For most alumni, this is far more than they paid; for many alumni this is far more than they, or their family's, could have afforded. Undoubtedly, this is more than any student, from any economic class, can afford if their family is unwilling to provide substantial financial support.

Work an Hour for Rice, is a grass-roots idea to further Rice's vision that a top quality education should be available to top quality students. It also furthers the belief that the University's ability to be an Institute of the first order is intertwined with its accessibility to students of academic excellence regardless of financial means. For those who choose to participate it is a way to signal to the University's administration, to fellow alumni, and to prospective students, that Rice alumni belive in, and are willing to financially support, the forever-free vision.

William Marsh Rice began not only a University, but an aspiration of what the University could, and should, be. I thank all those who join me in echoing the importance of this aspiration.

- David Zetoony, Hanszen class of 2000
olive@alumni.rice.edu