Dear colleagues,
President DesRoches, Provost Dittmar, and I recently updated the university community about the financial and operational challenges facing higher education. This message serves as an important reminder: we must continue to be thoughtful, cautious, and strategic in how we steward our resources—especially when it comes to hiring decisions.
I want to take a moment to build on that message and share how, across the Operations, Finance & Support (OF&S) division, we are not only responding to today’s pressures—but embracing them as opportunities to reimagine how we work, serve, and support the university community.
Here are a few ways we’re doing that:
Hiring with Intentionality
We’ve refined our hiring process to be more deliberate and aligned with our long-term needs. Instead of automatically backfilling roles, we’re asking: What do we really need to deliver on our mission? How has this role evolved? Are there opportunities to combine, shift, or approach this work in a new way? Is there a place for process improvement and enhancements to enable more streamlined work? Can technology help support the community and reduce some of our administrative burden? This intentionality helps us ensure every hire supports our evolving goals and strengthens our ability to adapt.
Planning for the Impacts of VSIP
The Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) provides a moment to thoughtfully plan for the transitions ahead. As we support valued colleagues moving into new chapters, we’re also preparing for how their departures may shift workloads, responsibilities, and team structures. Our focus is on ensuring we maintain our commitment to service and excellence throughout the transition. We are committed to prioritizing continuity of services, distributing knowledge, and positioning ourselves to be more dynamic. This may mean we need to change the manner in which we do our work to achieve the outcomes we need. We will face these changes together with a commitment to transparency and engagement throughout the process.
Investing in Tools that Empower Our People
Several OF&S teams are implementing artificial intelligence and project management tools like Asana to reduce administrative burden and increase clarity. These tools help our teams spend more time on high-impact work, improve service delivery, and drive innovation across the division.
To support these efforts, the Operational Excellence & Engagement team is overseeing the university’s Asana rollout, including licensing and onboarding support. Additionally, the Transformational Technology & Innovation team is introducing new AI tools and will soon offer training sessions to help users explore how these technologies can enhance productivity and streamline daily tasks.
Supporting Transitions with Care
Beginning in late July, Human Resources will offer Transition Info Sessions for managers to help support teams through changes—whether due to VSIP or other staffing shifts. These sessions will provide guidance and resources to support knowledge transfer and ensure operational continuity.
Projects like Facilities Reimagined, IT Prioritization, and Research Administration are continuing to gain traction—all rooted in our shared commitment to operational excellence, service, and a strong community of care. These efforts are not just about doing more—they're about doing things smarter, together.
This is also a moment to innovate. If you’ve identified a process that could be improved, a new tool worth trying, or a way we could better collaborate—please share it with your manager. Your voice helps shape how we move forward.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Rice’s mission. Your work, creativity, and care are what make this community so strong, and I’m grateful to be building the future with you.
Warmly,
Kelly Fox,
Executive Vice President, Operations, Finance & Support