In addition to completing the immigration check-in and orientation process with OISS, there are a lot of steps you may need to complete before you can start your program at Rice! You will receive a lot of information from your international orientation with OISS, as well as Rice's general orientation, but here are some additional resources to help you navigate the various onboarding steps.
- Campus Map
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Both interactive and printable campus maps are available at https://www.rice.edu/campus-maps!
- NetID & Rice Email
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You can manage your online account at https://mynetid.rice.edu. Rice OIT also has an online resource to help you navigate your NetID: Complete Guide to NetID.
For more information and resources, please also see https://oit.rice.edu. - ESTHER
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ESTHER (http://esther.rice.edu) is Rice's account system for students, and it is where you maintain your address information, complete your course registration and much more. For helpful FAQs, please see https://registrar.rice.edu/students/esther_FAQs.
- Academic Department (for Graduate students)
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Make sure to connect with the department coordinator or graduate administrator at your academic department/program! They are an amazing resource and are here to help you!
- Human Resources (for students being paid by Rice)
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Human Resources (https://people.rice.edu) is located in the Cambridge Office Building. If you are being paid by Rice for on-campus employment, you will need to visit them in-person before or on your first day of employment to complete the Form I-9.
For more information about student employment, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/studentwork. - Tax Department (for students being paid by Rice)
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The Rice Tax Office will set up a Sprintax Calculus (Calculus) account for you within one week of your hire date. Calculus will determine your tax residency status and possible tax treaty eligibility. Failure to complete this process may lead to incorrect tax withholding and potential penalties when you file your tax return with the IRS.
The Tax Office can help answer questions about Calculus, your U.S. tax residency status, tax treaties, or tax withholding on your paychecks. If you have questions about your tax status, please contact ForeignNationalTax@rice.edu.
Questions about your pay schedule, payslips, updating your direct deposit information, or other similar questions should be directed to the Payroll Office. - Rice University Police Department (RUPD)
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RUPD (https://rupd.rice.edu) is located just inside Entrance #8 (University Blvd at Stockton Street). For emergencies on the Rice campus, call 713-348-6000 (or dial 6000 from a Rice on-campus phone) to request assistance from RUPD or the Rice Emergency Medical Services (REMS).
RUPD will issue your official Rice Student ID card (https://rupd.rice.edu/id-office/obtain-id-card), and they also offer bicycle and other personal property registration services. - Bursar's Office
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The Bursar's Office is located inside the Allen Center and bills tuition fees for enrolled students. There are online and in-person payment options available to pay billed tuition fees. International tuition payments can be made online through Flywire.
Students are encouraged to set up an Electronic Refund method within the Account Summary - Bill Payment Suite in ESTHER for receiving financial aid or other student account refunds to a U.S. bank account. Overpayments made via Flywire will be refunded back to the student through the same method used for payment. If no Electronic Refund method is established, a paper check will be mailed to the student's current Mailing Address in ESTHER.
To request a student-discount Metro Q Fare Card from the Bursar's Office, please complete the online request form. - Health Insurance
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All students at Rice are required to have health insurance for the full duration of their academic program. Most international students can select between two available insurance options: Aetna (Rice's Student Health Insurance Plan) or Wellfleet (Rice's Approved Alternate Health Insurance Plan for International Students on F or J visas).
For more information, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth. - Living in Houston Support
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Our website has an entire section dedicated to resources that will help you navigate life in the United States! Click on Menu in the top right corner and select "Living in the U.S." (or visit https://oiss.rice.edu/usliving).
The pages in this section include information about banking, housing, getting a driver's license, taxes, and more! - Additional Resources
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Here are some more helpful online resources!
Rice University Policies (including Standards of Ethical Conduct)
Student Code of Conduct
OIT & Helpdesk
Rice Parking
Rice Shuttle Bus
Student Health Services
Wellbeing & Rice Counseling Center
Recreation Center
Campus Post Office
Houston Metro Rail and Bus
Maintaining Immigration Status