Rice University Harry Carothers Wiess College Records

Wiess Hall was built in 1949 by the generous gift of the estate of Harry Carothers Wiess. Wiess was an oil tycoon and founder of Humble Oil (which later became Exxon and now Exxon-Mobil). Wiess Hall originally was built to house the growing numbers of students after World War II and consisted of 100 bedrooms and a small lobby known as the Outer Commons. It was popular for its outdoor hallways, wrap-around balconies and cross-ventilation construction in the pre-air-conditioning era.

In 1957, Rice's residential college sytem was established. South, East, West and Wiess Halls were all male, and became Will Rice, Hanszen, Baker and Wiess Colleges. Jones College was all female. Wiess received additions such as a commons, public basement area, more rooms, a library and grassy courtyards. Wiess' first Master was Dr. Roy Talmage (Biology), who insitituted formal blazers which were worn at formal Sunday dinners. Freshmen served as waitstaff during family meals and were made to wear green beanies to distinguish themselves. Wiess became co-ed in 1983. Wiess is known for its large public party, Night of Decadence (NOD), Pumpkin Carolling, its theater, Wiess Tabletop, and jacks. Wiess students engineered the most famous jack (prank)in Rice history in 1988 when they turned the statue in the academic quad of William Marsh Rice around to face the Fondren Library. The perpetrators of the jack and their exact methods are still unknown.

IN 2002, Wiess College was rebuilt. The original 1949 building had become unsafe and had foundation problems.

Excerpted in part from Wiess O-Week manual, 2002.