Issue No. 31—Spring 2021
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A Message From Dean Gorman

Dear Rice Parents and Families,

Whether your Owls have just arrived here on campus or are home with you for another semester, I continue to admire their dedication and adaptability as we move ahead in this historic school year. In a time marked by immense uncertainty, I cannot underscore how important your support is to our students, and I encourage you and your students to take advantage of the resources available to navigate these challenging times.

There is a broad network of support for students across the university, including the residential college core teams, the Access and Opportunity Portal, Wellbeing and Counseling, Peer Academic Advisors, and the Center for Career Development. One recent example of new programming from partnerships in our office was a week-long virtual event over winter break called January Jumpstart. With themed workshops and activities, this successful event provided a way for students to discover professional development opportunities and connect with their peers.

With new events and reimagined traditions, as well as initiatives like “sprinkle days” to support student health and wellbeing, we hope to create intentional and meaningful ways to respond in real time to the needs of our Owls. I look forward to sharing more opportunities for connection and support throughout the term, and I am grateful for you and for our entire Rice community in helping to provide our undergraduates with the tools they need to make the most of this semester.

Sending my best wishes to you and your family,

Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates