See also: Getting Started with IT for Faculty & Staff
Get up and running with the technology, accounts, and access necessary to work at the university. See also:
2024 Educational Technology Services.pdf
2024 OIT Faculty Guide to Technologyy Services.pdf
Tech Prep
- How to buy a computer with Rice funds
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OIT staff can guide you in selecting a computer to buy so that your equipment meets the university’s standards. Purchasing procedures vary from department to department so check with your area’s coordinator. We can also consult with you about special needs or setting up your new system. Reach out to the OIT Help Desk.
- Free or Discounted Software
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Certain software products are available for free or at a discounted rate to current employees. Check out the list of Software Available for Faculty and Staff. Some products can be installed on university-owned computers and some on personal computers.
- Setting up Rice Email
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New accounts for Rice faculty and staff can accessed through Google Workspace for Education which provides access to email, in addition to other tools such as Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites, Groups, Contacts, Keep, Chat, and Meet. Accessing your Rice Google mail will require Duo security authentication.
- Beware Email Scams
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No one at Rice will ever ask you to verify your NetID account or ask for your password, id number, credit card information or other personal details by email. Hackers can make these phishing scams look like they are really from Rice so be careful. If you are unsure a message is legitimate, before you respond, contact the OIT Help Desk for advice. Read more tips in the Security Awareness: Campus Guide (viewing requires login with Rice NetID and password).
- Connect to the Campus Network
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Rice has a variety of wired and wireless options available to faculty and staff that offer reliable internet access. For more information, see Networks & Connectivity.
- Remote Learning and Productivity Tools
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Rice offers a variety of tools to facilitate remote communication and collaboration. Even when classes are in-person, remote learning and productivity tools are useful. Study groups or teams collaborating on projects might find that virtual meetings and sharing online resources are an effective way to interact.
Zoom (video conference tool for courses sessions, meetings or study sessions)
Microsoft Teams (collaboration platform including video conferences)
Google Workspace for Education (email, calendar, drive, sheets and more)
Microsoft OneDrive (cloud file storage and collaboration)
Box (cloud file storage and collaboration)
Remote Learning (considerations for remote learning and interactions)
Campus Resources
- Campus Systems
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While at Rice, you will access a variety of systems, also see Accounts and Access.. To learn more about a resource, search in our KnowledgeBase at kb.rice.edu.
Email - managed by Google
Storage - use Google Drive, OneDrive or Rice Box
Canvas - academic course system
Esther - register for classes, view academic records
iO - system for employee self-service functions, human resources, financial services and reporting
Labs - computers, software, and printers - Storage Options
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A variety of storage options are available for your data and OIT can offer guidance in selecting the system that meets your needs. For more information, see Email, Collaboration & Storage.
- Protect Your Information and University Resources
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Guarding your password is an important way to protect your information and university resources. Never share your passwords. Select unique passwords for Rice systems (or use a password manager). Be wary of messages that appear to be from the university and require you to verify your account. These phishing messages are scams to gain access to Rice resources. Read more about how to recognize scams or you can contact the OIT Help Desk if you are unsure if a message is legitimate.
Multi-factor authentication with Duo, is required for accessing the online account management system (mynetid.rice.edu), Esther (course registration system) VPN (virtual private network), and Rice Google Workspace (including email) and other campus systems. Duo adds an extra layer of security by requiring your password and an additional verification method. Learn more about Duo.
In order to use computers on the Rice Network, you must:
Protect your computer, data, and university resources by following the digital security principles in the Security Awareness: Campus Guide (viewing requires login with Rice NetID and password). Adhere and comply with:
- Learn More about Tools and Resources
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Check out our web site for more information about OIT services or search the OIT KnowledgeBase for detailed how-to instructions using tools and services.
Resources for Instructors
- Canvas
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Rice’s learning management system is called Canvas. Instructional technology systems (referred to as "podiums”) are available in classrooms and computer teaching labs across campus and enable faculty to teach using a variety of digital teaching tools. Learn more at Learning Environments or see Teaching with Technology Resources in Canvas.
- News and Training
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Learning Environments Newsletter: monthly email contains tips and tricks for common technology as well as new features and reminders.
Training Center: Workshops, group discussions, one-on-one appointments and more.
Teaching FAQs: Information about Zoom, Canvas, Kaltura, and getting help.
Research Computing
- Support and Resources
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The Center for Research Computing (CRC) provides shared facilities and services for computing, visualization, data-storage, and networking designed to support the research mission of Rice University. CRC acts as the default contact for all research related service inquiries and represents researcher interests to OIT.
Technical Support
- Have questions or need advice? Contact the OIT Help Desk.
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The OIT Help Desk is the centralized contact for information technology support services including: account management, connectivity to Rice network, password reset, general troubleshooting, mobile device support, VPN configuration, and email setup. Contact the OIT Help Desk if you need computer assistance, advice, or want to ask questions. Help Desk staff will answer your questions or route your service request to the proper support staff member.
- Online Help and Tips
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Check out our web site for more information about OIT services or the detailed how-to instructions in the OIT KnowledgeBase, such as Getting Started in IT for Faculty and Staff.
- Status Updates and News & Announcements
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Use these news sources to find information about technology, changes, issues or outages:
Status Updates
The IT Status web page has notices about unexpected issues and scheduled maintenance. You can also subscribe to receive updates in specific areas.
News & Announcements
Service updates and notices are posted on the main page of the OIT Knowledgebase. This repository of information also allows you to search for information on how to use tools and services.
Phishing Scams
Check out the Phish Bowl – on this web page maintained by the Office of Information Security, you can see some recent email scams and learn tips for spotting fake email messages.