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!

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.

Academic Department

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

Tax Department (for scholars being paid by Rice)

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)

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 ID card (https://rupd.rice.edu/id-office/obtain-id-card), and they also offer bicycle and other personal property registration services.

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's 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!