Fast Five March 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:

Hands putting together wooden cogs Wooden blocks spelling benefits

New Updates in the OF&S Transformation Journey
by Isabelle Dom

Discover how new leadership in Facilities and organizational shifts within OIT and Operational Excellence are unifying OF&S for greater impact.

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Total Rewards Initiative: Continued Investments in Staff Pay and Benefits
by Veronica Villasenor and Kathleen Fabiny

Rice continues its multi-year investment in staff pay and benefits with new FY27 enhancements.

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Cambridge Office Building Colleagues looking at computer screen

Space with Purpose: Aligning Our Footprint with the Future of Work
by Emina Begovic, Angie Chen, and Armi Cahoy

Hybrid work and a new budget model have changed the math on office space. Budget and Finance realized 'the way we've always done it' didn't fit anymore—so they created a workspace that does.

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What's New in iO Learning & Development
by Pam Minigan and Josh Hurt

From 27,000+ courses to new learning experiences, discover what's new in iO Learning.

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Students reading a tablet screen Fast Five icon

Building a Digitally Accessible Rice
by Terrence Gee

Digital accessibility is more than a regulatory requirement, it is a blueprint for clearer, more effective communication across the university. Read how Gee is leading a campus that is accessible by design.

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Missed a Fast Five?

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

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All my best,

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