This summer, Finance and Administration created the Department of Campus Safety, which brought together Environmental Health Safety and Laboratory Operations (EHSLO), Rice Crisis Management (RCM), and the Rice University Police Department (RUPD). This realignment allows for great collaboration and coordination of the units responsible for protecting the campus. Under the leadership of associate vice president Kathryn Cavender, the department has identified and addressed safety risks to better protect the community.
Environmental Health Safety and Laboratory Operations
Chemical management and inventory policies have been updated, and EHSLO was key in shaping these changes. The recent expansion in lab safety enables the team to better support researchers and technicians in setting up labs and designing experiments as laboratory operations become more complex. This year, the university implemented a uniform, cloud-based software, SciSchield, enabling real-time, campus-wide tracking of chemical inventories. EHSLO and other emergency personnel can access specific chemical locations within each laboratory or building using this software. Through this process, EHSLO has implemented the following four risk mitigation strategies:
- Chemicals are now barcoded and inventoried upon arrival by receiving clerks at the BRC, Space Science, and O’Connor buildings
- Training on chemical inventory management was provided for all lab managers
- Guidelines encouraging the use of less harmful substitutes for high-risk chemicals and restricting access to lethal substances were provided to Principal Investigators
- Inventory verification will occur during yearly audits by the EHSLO team (Controlled drugs will continue to be regularly inventoried per DEA regulations)
Rice Crisis Management
In preparation for large-scale, on-campus emergencies, RCM will partner with both the Houston Police and Fire Departments, as well as campus partners, to conduct a comprehensive drill in the spring. This drill will improve campus response capabilities and enhance collaboration with Houston’s emergency responders.
Rice University Police Department
Focusing on campus security, RUPD will implement the following safety measures:
- Increase staffing for the Criminal Investigation Division to allow for 24/7 monitoring of campus security cameras
- Open two satellite offices in the upcoming fiscal year to provide a stronger campus security presence and reduce response times
- Install card readers on select exterior doors, classrooms, labs, and other sensitive areas to allow for greater access control through automation
Campus safety is the responsibility of the entire Rice community. The Campus Safety Department is committed to engaging in open dialogue and regularly uses community feedback to enhance its services. Connect with the units from Campus Safety by leveraging the contact details below:
- Environmental Health Safety and Lab Operations: ehs@rice.edu, 713 348-4444
- Rice Crisis Management: cmt@rice.edu, 713-348-6088
- Rice University Police Department: rupd@rice.edu, 713-348-6000