OIT's Systems Engineering and Communications Infrastructure manages and maintains the centralized telecommunications network, including Rice telephone and voicemail service.
January 2018 note: OIT has started the campus migration from the Nortel telephone system to the new Cisco VoIP (voice over internet protocol) system. The Cisco VoIP system is being initially rolled out as a 'like for like' replacement to the Nortel system with additional features and functionalities to be added in the future. Migrations to the new system will continue building by building with completion expected in late 2018.
See: Knowledgebase information on the Cisco VoIP system
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Telecommunications Assistance and Service
Telephone service is offered on an annual fee basis to Rice departments and include voicemail, call hold, call transfer, and four-digit dialing for campus calls.
Contact OIT to set up telephone service, or to move or change your telephone service. The standard response time for repairs is 24 hours. Â Adding, changing, or moving a telephone line usually requires 3-5 working days.Â
Phone: 713-348-5555
Email: helpdesk@rice.edu
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Campus numbers can be dialed directly from off campus by dialing: 713 + 348 + four-digit extension number.Â
You can obtain help from Online Directory or simply dialing 0 from a campus phone or 713-348-0000 from an off campus phone and say the name of the person or department you wish to reach. Â
Dial the four digit extension number when you hear the dial tone.
Dial 9 + Area Code + Phone Number
Dial 9 + 1 + Toll Free Number
Dial 9 + 1 + Area Code + Phone Number
Dial 9 + 011 + Country Code + City Code + Phone Number
For telephones that have a class of service that allows international calls.
When you have the first party on the line, look for the CONF button on the set. When you press the CONF button the first conversation will be placed on hold and you will receive a dial tone. Make the second call as you would normally do (i.e. press 9 to reach an outside line and 1 if it’s long distance and dial number).  When you have the second party on the line, press the CONNECT button at the bottom of the screen. All three of lines should now be connected. You can continue to add parties in this manner up to 6 parties including yourself.
For voicemail issues or voicemail password resets, contact the Telecommunications Office (see above).
The first time you log on, you must change your password from the default password (78 plus your four-digit extension number) before you can listen to your messages. For quick reference, simply remember RU + extension.
See also:Â Knowledgebase article on Rice Voicemail
From your campus telephone:
From another telephone:
Zoom is a video and web conferencing tool that unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group messaging into one easy-to-use platform.Â
Zoom offers video, audio, and wireless screen-sharing experience across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Blackberry devices with campus-affiliated and unaffiliated users. This tool can be used by Rice faculty to remotely connect with your class via a web conference.
More Information On using Zoom >