Greetings Owls,
Welcome back to campus! I hope everyone had a great summer and you are all ready to hit the ground running this semester, strive for excellence in all you do and inspire others to do the same.
As we begin a new academic year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for what lies ahead. This is a momentous time to be at Rice University, and I am thrilled to share with you some of the key developments that are shaping our future.
Importantly, we will unveil the university’s new strategic plan Oct. 1. The plan is a bold vision that will guide Rice into the next decade. This campuswide initiative is the result of extensive collaboration across our community, and it reflects our commitment to excellence in research, teaching and service. It sets ambitious goals for enhancing our academic programs, growing our research profile, expanding our global footprint, and fostering a more inclusive and diverse campus environment where leaders are prepared to address the world’s most challenging problems. I am confident that, together, we will achieve these goals and propel Rice to new heights.
As we look to Rice’s future, we also are celebrating a series of historic milestones this academic year including the 50th anniversaries of the Jones Graduate School of Business, Shepherd School of Music, George R. Brown School of Engineering and Wiess School of Natural Sciences. OpenStax is celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research is marking its 15th anniversary and the Doerr Institute for New Leaders is celebrating its 10th year. I look forward to recognizing these entities’ vibrant history of service and impact to Rice and the world.
We are pleased to provide an update on several significant construction projects that have been completed or are currently underway. These endeavors are transforming our campus and providing state-of-the-art facilities for our students, faculty, staff and the broader community. Among the highlights is the newly redesigned Academic Quadrangle, one of the university’s most iconic spaces. Thoughtfully reimagined into an area for gathering, studying, relaxing and reflecting, the quad will be completed this month and open for use in September. An opening celebration for the entire Rice community will be held Sept. 12. To attend, please register at this link. A student-centered event will follow the celebration. Registration for that event can be found here.
William T. Cannady Hall, a 22,000-square-foot building that serves our renowned School of Architecture, is complete. An event dedicating the building and celebrating other major renovations to the school’s existing infrastructure will be held in December. The Jones Graduate School of Business broke ground in the spring on a new $54 million building that will support the new undergraduate business program and the school’s growing student and faculty population, and progress is being made on the stunning Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall, Rice’s new arts building on the west side of campus. Construction on two new residential colleges will begin this fall and a groundbreaking for a new student center will be held next year. The new colleges and student center will serve as vibrant hubs for student life and activities.
As we pursue our ambitions, our community continues to grow and thrive. This year, we welcome an outstanding cohort of 94 new faculty members who bring leading perspectives and expertise. We are also welcoming one of the largest and most diverse classes of new students in our history. These talented individuals will contribute to the rich tapestry of ideas and experiences that make Rice a dynamic and innovative place to learn and grow.
I’m excited to share that we have made several key investments in our employees, who are the backbone of all of our efforts on campus and help make Rice the wonderful place it is. Learn more about these investments in staff careers, employee pay, health benefits, tuition benefits, staff paid parental leave and employee well-being here. Rice is committed to caring for our employees and will continue to find ways to foster a supportive and rewarding work environment.
I want to stress that at the heart of all these developments is our enduring culture of care. Rice is a place where every individual is valued and supported. Our commitment to fostering a caring and inclusive community is strong, and it will be a cornerstone of the strategic plan. Whether through our college residential system, our mental health initiatives, support services or community engagement programs, we are dedicated to ensuring that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging and well-being. The safety of our community also is paramount. Rice has policies in place that outline appropriate behavior on campus. We also have excellent partners in RUPD and EMS who help ensure the health and safety of our community.
As we embark on this new academic year together, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and anticipation for what we will accomplish as a community. Our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and care will continue to drive us forward and ensure that Rice remains one of the world’s top leaders in education, learning, research and service.
Welcome back and best wishes for a successful and fulfilling year ahead.
Warmly,
Reginald DesRoches, President