Dear colleagues,
On the eve of the academic year, welcoming the student population back to campus reinforces our focus and purpose. O-Week begins this Sunday, and the first day of classes is August 21. These events symbolize the onset of new opportunities, challenges, and accomplishments that await us.
Preparing the campus for “business as usual” is no easy task, and the tireless efforts of the departments within F&A embody our tenants of excellence, inclusion, and innovation. The following examples represent a fraction of the work performed by our division, and I applaud those who consistently provide excellent customer service to our campus community.
- Information Technology has been at the forefront, readying classroom technology, streamlining student accounts, and bolstering research support.
- Housing & Dining has focused on enhancing student experiences by preparing living spaces, curating dining options and helping to cultivate a place of belonging for our graduate students.
- Human Resources has been instrumental in recruiting staff and supporting faculty hiring to elevate and support our world-class programs and schools.
- Facilities & Capital Planning has meticulously prepared our campus grounds, cleaned and set up common spaces, and built and maintained our university's infrastructure, aligning with Rice's ambitious visions.
- Environmental Health, Safety, & Lab Operations began the process of training faculty, staff and students in chemical, biological radiation and fire safety, providing training sessions to nearly 3,000 people.
On a personal note, as I reflect on my first year at Rice, I’d like to express my gratitude to you as you’ve been instrumental in shaping this pivotal year. Together, we have begun to navigate an ambitious cultural transformation where we’ve accomplished a few of the following milestones:
- Finalized F&A’s organizational structure.
- Launched six strategic initiatives to guide us on our path to excellence.
- Engaged in a series of Lunch and Listen sessions attended by 78 F&A community members to identify areas of opportunity for improvement collectively.
- Celebrated by the Princeton Review for Best College Dorms and Best Campus Food.
- Successfully navigated and closed the fiscal year and launched the Budget Transformation Initiative focused on creating a budget model that reflects the university’s values and increasing transparency.
- Launched a comprehensive performance management program to enhance individual performance, create accountability, and establish shared expectations between supervisors and staff.
- Continued to improve and optimize the iO system for enhanced functionality and user experience.
- Made significant infrastructure investments approved by the Board of Trustees to enhance our campus facilities and support the university's ambitious goals.
- Honored with two awards at the national level for the emergency response services REMS provides to the campus community.
The dedication, creative thinking, and collaborative spirit throughout F&A have made an indelible impact on me, our division, and Rice.
I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend as we welcome the incoming class of Owls!
All my best to you,
Kelly Fox, Executive Vice President Finance and Administration