Rice is first and foremost a research university, but they frequently bill themselves as a high-quality teaching institution. It seems to us that this distinction is earned on the coattails of professors like Brent Houchens, who are then dismissed because they don't generate sufficient research. The purpose of this movement is to express displeasure at Rice's habit of dismissing professors who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching over generating research. See our letter to the administration here: [insert link] Please share this with other Rice alumni, but keep it internal to the Rice community.