OISS is committed to environmental sustainability in accordance with Rice's sustainability policy. These are some of the green initiatives in our office.

Recycling

OISS is proud to recycle in accordance with Rice's policies: https://sustainability.rice.edu/recycling

We encourage everyone to recycle off-campus as well. Information on recycling in Houston is available on the City of Houston website.

Paperless Processes

Except for certain immigration documents that must be printed or issued in hard copy, OISS operates as a paperless office. I-20 and DS-2019 immigration forms for F-1 and J-1 visa holders are issued electronically as permitted by the U.S. government. This allows students and scholars to print the form themselves, eliminating the need for domestic and international shipping of paper forms.

Plant a Tree Campaign

Since 2019, OISS has organized a Plant a Tree campaign as part of International Education Week (IEW). By participating in select virtual IEW programs, members of the Rice international community can help plant trees through American Forests. So far over 100 trees have been donated in celebration of International Education Week at Rice University! Learn more at https://oiss.rice.edu/iew.

Community Garden Volunteering Opportunities

OISS has organized several events where the Rice international community has volunteered at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Hermann Park and the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden on Rice campus.

International Environmental Superstars

In the OISS Newsletter we occasionally feature members of the Rice international community who have a passion for the environment. International Environmental Superstar articles can be found in the following issues:
• Fall 2022: Dr. Zhuoya He
• Spring 2024: Aanchal Thapa

Read the OISS Newsletters at https://oiss.rice.edu/news.