Welcome to the Fast Five with OF&S! In this special calendar year-end edition, we’re highlighting some of our greatest divisional achievements. Here are the five things you need to know about OF&S from 2025:
Rice University’s Building Momentum Together (BMT) initiative is improving how work gets done across campus— simplifying processes, strengthening collaboration, and identifying cost-saving opportunities that support university priorities. By enhancing administrative tasks, service delivery, and campus operations, BMT is helping Rice work more efficiently and remain adaptable to future needs.
Phase One launched in 2025. Here’s how BMT is taking shape across key projects:
- Research Administration: Rice is simplifying research processes, clarifying roles, and upgrading tools like iO. The new STARS training program is standardizing service across departments and giving faculty more time to focus on research.
- Facilities Reimagined: A new zone model enables facilities teams to support assigned buildings more quickly and personally. Investments in custodial training, equipment, and workflow improvements are helping staff work more efficiently and improving service quality.
- Strategic Sourcing & Procurement: New software and service agreements expanded travel and hotel discounts and introduced tools such as Asana and CounseLink to support project management and contract processing.
Even amid uncertainty, Rice continued investing in its people through enhancements to compensation, benefits, and workplace support. Through the Total Rewards Initiative, the university stayed competitive by providing market-based pay increases to eligible staff and lowering the costs of medical and dental coverage for employees.
Rice also advanced initiatives that improve the broader employee experience. The updated performance management system provides clearer expectations, more consistent feedback, and structured evaluations. The one-time voluntary separation incentive program honored long-standing staff members who are considering a new chapter.
Commitment to Operational Excellence
Operational excellence focuses on improving service delivery, increasing efficiency, and strengthening financial performance. This year, OF&S supported this commitment by expanding access to digital tools and training that help employees work more effectively and adapt to changing needs.
New and Expanded Tools
These tools reduce administrative burden, improve collaboration, and support smoother day-to-day operations:
- Asana - Helps teams stay aligned and on track with project management and collaboration tools
- Gemini & Notebook LM - Offer AI support for drafting, research, and information organization.
- WorkDNA – Guides users in discovering and documenting their specialized skills, hidden contributions, and daily expertise.
- Zoom AI - Generates meeting summaries and notes to reduce administrative workload.
Training Programs & Workshops
- AI Workshops - Introduced practical AI skills for daily work.
- Rice AI Trainings - Provide ongoing support for responsible and effective AI use.
- Supervisor Training Program - Strengthens fundamental supervisory skills for line managers.
In support of Momentous and Rice’s long-term strategic ambitions, OF&S is stewarding campus resources to ensure the university’s physical environment keeps pace with its growth.
This year, the Real Estate & Facilities team advanced several major buildings and improvement projects, including:
- Arc at Ion - Expands Rice’s presence in the innovation district and strengthens external partnerships.
- Chao College - Supports undergraduate growth and enhances the residential experience.
- Gateway Project - Improves Rice's presence and connectivity to Rice Village.
- Moody Center Complex for Student Life - Creates new spaces that promote student engagement and well-being.
- Rice Business Expansion – Provides space for student growth and evolving school needs
- RUPD Headquarters - Provides upgraded facilities to support campus safety.
- Sarofim Hall - Advances the arts at Rice with state-of-the-art spaces for visual and dramatic arts programs.
- Administrators' Forums: Hosted 7 sessions with a total of ~1800 participants and a record 418 participants in October.
- Lunch with Leaders: Five sessions brought 80 community members together with Kelly Fox and OF&S leaders for dialogue and feedback.
- Free Drinks for Feedback: Engaged 60 participants in informal conversations on campus needs and ideas.
- Fast Five Newsletter: Published 12 editions, reaching more than 2,600 readers each month.
- OF&S Intern Program: Hired four interns to support initiatives within OIT, Budget & Finance, Real Estate & Facilities, and Operational Excellence.
- Season of Sharing Program: Supported 34 staff members and their families experiencing hardship with gifts, essentials, and grocery support during the holiday season.