The Access, Opportunity & Inclusion Gift Fund supports discretionary funding requests that can include (but are not limited to) diversity and cultural programming, or financial support for low-resourced students (for example, internship related expenses, test preparation, travel to advanced degree interviews, textbooks, course fees, financial emergencies, commencement regalia, tickets to Rice events, medical co-pays). Many of the student requests supported by this gift fund are submitted through the Access & Opportunity Portal.
If alumni and friends are looking for ways to support students who are facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19, gifts to this fund will provide financial assistance for students who face additional hardships because of the pandemic (e.g., travel assistance, technology needs related to a remote learning format, help with medical expenses).
The Center for Teaching Excellence provides pedagogical resources for faculty to expand and enhance the teaching and learning experience at Rice, to build community around teaching excellence, and provides pedagogical training to graduate students as future faculty. This year the CTE’s programming focuses on adaptive teaching to prepare instructors for the changing context of teaching and learning in higher education.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs strives to coordinate and implement comprehensive educational, cultural and social programs designed to emphasize inclusiveness, while promoting intercultural dialogue, awareness and respect for diversity. OMA helps students understand and appreciate racial, ethnic, gender and other differences, while creating opportunities for students to challenge prejudice and to expand their cultural knowledge and appreciation. OMA utilizes its programming and support systems to provide an optimum developmental environment where all members of the University community may reach their potential in an atmosphere free from harassment and bias, thereby ensuring Rice’s standing as an intellectually and culturally-vibrant community.
The Rice Emerging Scholars Program combines a rigorous six-week academic summer bridge program with personalized and comprehensive mentoring and support during at least the freshman and sophomore years. The mission of RESP is to ensure that low-income and first-generation students in STEM persist, thrive, and graduate at the same rate as their peers, and that these students achieve their academic and professional aspirations as scientists and engineers.
The Student Wellbeing, Rice Counseling Center, and the SAFE Office provide critical prevention and awareness programming to students at Rice. The offices also attend student programming, groups, social events, College specific meetings, Student Association town halls, and much more.
The Urban Immersion program is a one-week pre-orientation opportunity for incoming first year and transfer students to learn about Houston through a critical-service and civic engagement lens. The program is run by student coordinators who, after substantial training, plan and implement the week of workshops, community partner engagement, and reflection grounded in core social issues and overarching concepts of social justice.