Fast Five February 2026

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the Fast Five with OF&S! This campus-wide monthly publication highlights the latest updates on our key initiatives. Here are the five things you need to know about OF&S this Friday:

Rice University Speaker Event Manager speaking to his employee

How Rice Plans Security for High-Profile Speakers
by Lt. Thomas Hudak

Rice’s interim chief of police shares how planning, partnership and preparation keep high-profile events safe — and conversations open.

Read More

How Performance Impacts Pay at Rice
by Naina Choudhry and Pam Minigan

As merit season begins, two HR leaders share how performance, funding and institutional priorities come together during merit season.

Read More

Colleagues gathered around a table Fondren Library

VSIP Roundtable Overview
by Kelly Fox

Kelly Fox shares what VSIP means for our workforce today — and how we’re building momentum for tomorrow.

Read More

Hidden Rice: Library Resources
by Angela Lipari, Isabelle Dom, and Wendy Herrera

From courses to cameras – find out all Fondren has to offer.

Read More

Victoria Langlais Fast Five icon

Rice Journeys: Victoria Langlais
by Isabelle Dom

Hear how Victoria Langlais built her career at Rice and what advice she has for those looking to grow.

Read More

Missed a Fast Five?

Revisit all Fast Five articles on the OF&S website.

Read More

All my best,

Kelly Fox, Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, & Support