Dear colleagues,
The academic year is officially underway, and it has certainly been a busy start! New dining options, new colleges, a broken pipe and the subsequent power outage — we have already had plenty to keep us on our toes.
Much of the work we do in OF&S is often described as “behind the scenes” and in support of the academic mission. And that is certainly true. Our team keeps the university running every day, often solving problems that many in our campus community never see.
But our work also has a direct impact on the student experience.
Several of our teams engage with students in ways that go beyond the traditional services we provide. These efforts are a good reminder that our role is not simply to keep things running. It is also to create opportunities for students to feel supported, connected and cared for while they are at Rice.
Student-Centered Programs
Rice EMS is a great example. A student-volunteer, state-licensed EMS agency on campus, Rice EMS recently held its annual Fall Training Day for interested students. This training helps ensure student responders are prepared to provide high-quality care when their fellow Owls need it most.
Technology Support & Services (TS&S) is creating a different kind of opportunity through its new partnership with the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program (MIOP). The team is now working with MIOP graduate students who are assisting with change management-related efforts on projects across the university. The partnership gives students meaningful, hands-on experience, allows them to apply their behavioral psychology expertise in “real-world” settings, and provides an opportunity for TS&S to benefit from an incredible academic program.
Housing, Dining & Hospitality is also finding ways to support students beyond its traditional dining and meal plan services. The team recently hosted a meal-preparation demonstration for graduate students, equipping them with practical skills to manage everyday life alongside the demands of a rigorous academic schedule.
Furthering Our Strategic Plan
Together, these programs show some of the ways OF&S contributes to the student experience and what our OF&S strategic plan means in practice. By focusing on Customer Experience and Community of Care, we are not only improving the services we provide, but also creating opportunities for connection, engagement and well-being across our campus community.
As we move further into the academic year, I encourage all of us to think about our work through this lens. Who are we serving? What are we making clearer, faster or better for them? And who do we need to work with to make that happen?
Thank you for everything you are doing to keep Rice moving forward — both behind the scenes and, increasingly, right alongside the students we serve.
With appreciation,
Kelly Fox
Executive Vice President, Operations, Finance & Support