Onboarding

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 check-in with OISS, as well as from your academic department, but here are some additional resources to help you navigate the various onboarding steps.

Campus Map

Both interactive and printable campus maps are available at https://www.rice.edu/campus-maps!

Academic Department

Make sure to connect with the department coordinator at your academic department! They are an amazing resource and here to help you!

Human Resources (for scholars being paid by Rice)

Human Resources (https://people.rice.edu) is located in the Cambridge Office Building. If you are being paid by Rice, you will need to visit them in-person before or on your first day of employment to complete the Form I-9.

Payroll (for scholars being paid by Rice)

The Payroll Office (https://controller.rice.edu/payroll-home is located in the Cambridge Office Building. If you are being paid by Rice, you will need to visit them approximately 2 business days after completing the Form I-9 with Human Resources.

Payroll will set up a Foreign National Information System (FNIS) account for you, which will help determine any tax treaty benefits that may apply to you. You can also sign up for direct deposit, where your pay will automatically be deposited to your U.S. bank account.

Rice University Police Department (RUPD)

RUPD (https://rupd.rice.edu) is located just inside Entrance #8 (University Blvd at Stockton Street). For emergencies on Rice campus, call 713-348-6000 (or dial 6000 from a Rice on-campus phone) to request for assistance from RUPD or the Rice Emergency Medical Services (REMS).

RUPD will issue your official Rice ID card (https://rupd.rice.edu/id-office/obtain-id-card) and they also offer bicycle and other personal property registration services.

NetID & Rice Email

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.

Living in Houston Support

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 license, taxes, and more!

Additional Resources

Here are some more helpful online resources!

Rice University Policies (including Standards of Ethical Conduct)

OIT & Helpdesk

Rice Parking

Rice Shuttle Bus

Recreation Center

Campus Post Office

Houston Metro Rail and Bus

Maintaining Immigration Status

We are so happy to have you here at Rice!