Engaging with F&A: A Guide to Building Stronger Connections

Colleagues at a work party socializing together

Interested in engaging with Finance & Administration (F&A)? There are several opportunities for Rice staff, faculty and students to get involved, share feedback, and ask questions.

The Administrators’ Forum promotes connection and collaboration through monthly Zoom sessions featuring guest speakers that often include campus leadership. Forum topics include Rice's strategic plan, innovation and research updates, benefits overview, and student leadership plans. Upcoming sessions will cover budget transformation and sustainability topics, with specific details on the forum's website. Sessions are recorded, allowing the campus community to watch and catch up on anything they might have missed. To suggest a topic or request an opportunity to share, contact Susann Glenn at smglenn@rice.edu.

Lunch and Listen sessions are another popular event offered by F&A. These in-person meetings are crafted to encourage community members to share ideas and pose critical questions. There are meetings available for both F&A departments and the broader Rice community. Participants who attend can submit questions and concerns beforehand, and each session offers lunch and a networking opportunity.

Coffee with Kelly Fox is beginning in November. These casual meetups provide an opportunity for community members to chat with Kelly over a cup of coffee. The first Coffee with Kelly is scheduled for Monday, November 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion. Be sure to stop by if you’re in the area to say hello, ask a question, or suggest an idea to Kelly!

Finally, F&A encourages the community to ask questions, share suggestions for enhancements, and/or invite a member of the F&A leadership team to an event through an online engagement form. The information submitted through the form is shared with F&A leaders directly, who are committed to considering all requests.