Dear colleagues,
I hope you are having a great start to the fall semester. Thank you to everyone who attended President DesRoches’ Welcome Back event or took the time to watch the recording. It was energizing to hear our shared vision for Rice and see the momentum building across campus.
During the presentation, President DesRoches highlighted Rice’s expanding footprint and growing reach, while Provost Amy Dittmar shared an update on our progress toward the strategic goals outlined in Momentous. I was especially proud to see several OF&S efforts recognized, including our AI Summer Training Challenge, Total Rewards Initiative, and Fundamentals of Supervision Training.
While these are just a few examples of the work happening across our division, they demonstrate the important role OF&S plays in advancing Rice’s strategic priorities. The services we provide are integral to the university’s overall success and enable Rice to fulfill its academic mission. Thank you for all you do every day.
Turning Strategic Catalysts into Action
FY26 was an important foundation-laying year for our two strategic catalysts: Empowered Campus Culture and Responsible AI. We are now moving into a more active phase, as the work behind these priorities begins to take shape through two key initiatives: Rice LIVED and WiseOwl.
Rice LIVED provides a cultural framework to help preserve the unique identity and values that make Rice special as we grow. Our OF&S commitments define the standards of our work and the shared services we provide across campus. Rice LIVED complements these commitments by defining how we show up every day and work together to achieve those standards. Our shared values—Lead with Care, Increase our Impact, Value Excellence, Embrace Difference, and Dare to Question—shape not only what we accomplish, but how we treat one another, approach challenges, and serve our campus community. Ultimately, our culture is reflected in the everyday choices we make and the experiences we create for others. More information about the rollout and how we will incorporate it into our daily work will come soon.
WiseOwl is our university-wide initiative to advance AI literacy and encourage the thoughtful, responsible use of AI in our work. Grounded in Rice’s Responsible AI Values, WiseOwl will help us explore how AI can strengthen our work while preserving human judgment, accountability, and equitable access to the tools needed to succeed. Its four pillars—Work Smarter, Inform Decisions, Safeguard Standards, and Empower Service—provide a practical framework for putting these values into action. The cornerstone event, AI Week, kicks off next week.
Balancing Momentum with Well-being
Rice LIVED and WiseOwl will help accelerate our collective progress, and sustaining that momentum means being just as intentional about how we work as what we hope to accomplish. We cannot simply add new priorities to existing workloads without honest conversations about capacity and what matters most. Moving forward thoughtfully requires us to make space for new opportunities while continuing to support our people.
That balance starts with open, ongoing conversations about workload, resources, and priorities. Part of our new culture is to dare to question - question whether adjustments are needed - whether that’s because you’re feeling stretched, a process feels redundant, or no longer relevant. Please talk with your manager about how to begin making changes and adjustments.
Managers, I ask that you regularly assess your teams’ work, including their capacity. We need to intentionally ask ourselves whether the work we’ve always done is still appropriate and necessary for today's ambitions. If it’s not and you need help thinking through how to pause or adjust your approach, reach out to colleagues or your leader. We share a responsibility to create an environment where everyone has the support and flexibility to do their best work while prioritizing their well-being.
Ultimately, the progress we make will depend not only on the goals we set, but on how we work together to achieve them. By staying focused on what matters most, supporting one another through change, and bringing our shared values into our daily work, we can continue to strengthen OF&S and the experience we create for the Rice community.
Thank you for your continued dedication and care for one another.
Sincerely,
Kelly Fox
Executive Vice President, Operations, Finance & Support
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Upcoming Events & Reminders
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AI Week Fireside Chat — October 19 at 11:00 a.m. President DesRoches, Provost Dittmar, and I will join a panel discussion moderated by Chris Jermaine, Chair of the AI Advisory Committee, to discuss the opportunities and responsibilities that come with AI at Rice. |
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Admin Forum — October 27 Provost Dittmar will deliver a keynote address presenting a fuller report on Rice’s progress toward the Momentous strategic goals. Invitations with the option to RSVP will be sent on Monday. |
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Season of Sharing — Nominations due November 2 The Season of Sharing program is an opportunity to support members of the OF&S and Athletics community during the holiday season who have faced recent hardship. The program aims to make a difference by providing gifts and assistance to staff members and their families in need. Staff are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague. Nominations can be submitted virtually or via paper. Questions? Contact one of the Season of Share team members:
All nominations will be kept confidential. |