Dear Rice community,
We are writing to give you an update on Rice’s strategic planning process and to let you know that you can learn more about the process here: https://buildingricesfuture.rice.edu/
We officially launched the strategic planning process almost two months ago and have already completed a third of our focus groups. More than 100 administrators, faculty, staff and students have spent time sharing their thoughts about where Rice is now and where they think the university should go over the next decade. The conversations have been productive, open and honest, which is exactly what we want and need to craft a unified vision for Rice’s future.
Additional focus groups are scheduled and more are being put on the calendar throughout the remainder of the semester to gain additional feedback and insight.
We also will be interviewing external stakeholders with partners in the Texas Medical Center, the energy and financial sectors, the arts community and other areas of Houston. Several peer institution leaders are being tapped for their insights as well, and a market analysis comparing certain benchmarks to our peers is underway.
And, finally, a survey will be sent to the entire Rice community (faculty, staff, students and alumni) asking for feedback about Rice’s path forward.
We are pleased with how the process has gone thus far and with the participation and enthusiasm from those who have had an opportunity to engage.
We look forward to hearing from the rest of you in the coming months and appreciate the work and support we’ve received from the steering committee, deans and vice presidents. Sterling, our partner, has done a great job as well.
What you all are doing will define how the university will focus its energy and resources to realize Rice’s vision, outline metrics that will allow Rice to measure progress against our strategic goals, and propose strategies to achieve those goals.
Thank you for your help with this important process and stay tuned for additional information on how you can participate.
Regards,
President Reginald DesRoches
Provost and Strategic Planning Committee Chair Amy Dittmar