The Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) officially closed on September 15, recognizing the contributions of long-serving employees while also supporting Rice’s strategic investments.
As the university prepares for these departures, Human Resources has developed resources to help managers guide knowledge transfer and keep their teams supported and productive. Importantly, these tools are not exclusive to VSIP—they can be used anytime a team is navigating a staff transition.
Tools for Staff Transitions
Human Resources' knowledge transfer toolkit makes it easier to capture and document critical information:
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Guiding Documents – Interview guides and templates to document employees’ responsibilities and unique expertise
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Knowledge Transfer Forms – Desk-based and field-based checklists, plus a Standard Operating Procedure template
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External Tools – How-to guides for using Zoom recording features and the Zoom AI Companion for documenting conversations
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WorkDna – An AI-powered tool that helps employees document their specialized skills, behind-the-scenes work, and daily expertise (coming soon)
Transition Training Sessions
To further support leaders, Human Resources offered Transition Sessions to help managers understand the importance of transition planning, clarify their responsibilities, and provide best practices for developing a tailored strategy.
All tools, slide decks, and recordings of past sessions are available on the Manager Resources webpage.
By approaching transitions with intention, Rice ensures institutional knowledge is preserved, teams remain resilient, and resources are stewarded wisely—paving the way for continued investment in the university’s mission and people.