Rice University O-Week: Families

Frequently Asked Questions for Families

What is the residential college system?
Rice has a unique system of student life on campus, largely structured by the residential college system. Rice’s residential colleges serve not only as residence halls but also as primary centers for intellectual life, dining, studying, playing, networking, and developing leadership skills. Entering students are randomly assigned to one of nine colleges and remain a member of that college throughout their time at Rice, thus uniting diverse academic interests, extracurricular talents, and life experiences. In the Oxonian tradition, each college has a group of faculty, staff, and alumni "associates," who eat meals with students, provide academic advising, and become friends and mentors. The colleges are independent, egalitarian institutions, with their own government, traditions, rivalries, customs, and lifetime affiliation. About 71% of Rice undergraduates live on campus at their residential college.

What is the recommended course load?
The number of hours that each student should take will vary from student to student. Various factors such as intended major, Advanced Placement (AP) credit, job status, etc. may effect this decision. Generally speaking, most students will take between 14-18 hours of credit. This is not to say that students should not take more or less hours. Students will be able to better make this decision from the advice of their Divisional Advisors and Peer Academic Advisors, who they will meet with during O-Week. Please see the Academic Advising website for more general information, http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~acadadv/, and for course information for new students.

How many students are in a typical class?
At Rice, classes tend to be small. The median class size is roughly 15 students, but this is not to say that students will not encounter classes with significantly larger numbers. For more statistics, please visit: http://www.explore.rice.edu/explore/Quick_Facts.asp.

Does my student need a computer?
Students are not required to bring computers to Rice; there are numerous labs on campus, including one in each residential college. If you are planning to buy a new computer for your student, please see http://www.rice.edu/market/ for discount information. If your student already owns a computer, check out our guidelines on how to prepare it for use on the Rice campus network, which includes security and virus protection

How does my student get involved on campus?
With over 200 registered clubs and organizations, there is something for everyone at Rice. Beginning during O-Week, students will be exposed to various opportunities to get involved as they learn about a wide variety of campus resources. Whether it’s community service, student government, sports, or a personal interest, chances are there is an organization waiting for them to join. One great way for students to learn about opportunities to get involved is the Activities Fair, which takes place during the first week of school. But the best resource is other Rice students, who most likely are involved one way or another in the Rice community. For more information on getting involved, visit the Student Activities website at: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~stact/.

Is it okay for my student to have a job? Are on-campus jobs available?
Yes, many students hold jobs during their college careers at Rice. For many students, this provides some additional spending money, while teaching valuable time management skills. There are numerous jobs available on-campus through various departments. More information on campus jobs may be found at: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~fina/CampusEnrollment/JobListing.htm

Do students consume a lot of alcohol on campus?
The Rice campus is considered to be a “wet” campus. This means that students of legal age (21) are allowed to posses and consume alcohol on campus. Studies have predicted that roughly 25% of students drinks a lot, while 25% do not drink at all, which leaves the others somewhere in between. Whether or not a student drinks is a personal decision that all students must make. Those who choose to do so are personally responsible for their actions. Rice University offers no protection for those under 21 who choose to drink on campus. More detailed information on the alcohol policy can be found at: http://www.students.rice.edu/students/Alcohol_Policy.asp.

Can students have cars on campus? If so, does my student need a car?
While many of our new students do not initially bring cars to campus, and most students do not need a car, about 50% of our upperclassmen have cars. Automobiles must be registered, and there is a parking fee. Ample parking space is available in our stadium parking lot for students who choose to bring their cars with them. Please see http://park-trans.rice.edu/ for more information.

Can my student change roommates or rooms?
At Rice, the individual colleges are responsible for matching roommates. Once students are assigned to a college, student staff at each college pair roommates that they feel are most compatible. Inevitably, problems may arise from time to time. Students having roommate issues should talk with their College Masters. In very rare cases, extenuating circumstances may necessitate a roommate change at the end of the fall semester.

My insurance company needs proof that my student is a full-time student or they will cancel his/her coverage as a dependent. Who do I contact?
Students can verify their enrollment for such purposes in two ways: a) online through the Rice registration system, or b) complete a form requesting an official document. Please see http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~reg/forms/verification.html for more information.

How safe is the campus community?
Rice University is an enclosed campus located in the heart of the Houston Medical Center. The campus is closely monitored 24 hours a day by Rice’s own police department through security cameras and regular patrols. The department consists of 25 licensed and commissioned police officers and 4 security guards. In any type of emergency, students should call (713) 348-6000 to speak to a police dispatcher. More information can be found at: http://rupd.rice.edu/.

Is a counseling service available?
Yes, Rice’s Counseling Center offers individual and group therapy by full-time, licensed psychologists and counselors. In addition, the center offers consultation services for medication by a licensed psychiatrist. Appointments and limited walk-ins are available weekdays 8 am -12 pm and 1 pm-5 pm. The center can be reached 24 hours a day at (713) 348-4867. For more information, please visit: http://rcc.rice.edu/.

What if my student has a disability?
If your student has a disability that may require some type of accommodation, it is highly recommended that he/she contact the Disability Support Services Office (DSS) at (713) 348-5841. This will allow the office to utilize its resources to provide the necessary accommodations for your student. DSS is committed to providing all Rice students, faculty, and visitors with an equal opportunity learning environment by providing accommodations inside and outside of the classroom. For more information on the office, please see: http://dss.rice.edu/.

Where do I call if I have a question about Rice or about my student?
To obtain information about Rice, there are many people and departments that can be reached depending on the nature of the question. Please call (713) 348-0000 for the university switchboard. For information concerning an individual student, you can contact your student’s College Masters. Keep in mind that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits the amount and type of information that can be disclosed about students 18 years old or older. A list of important phone numbers can be found at: http://www.students.rice.edu/students/Phone_Numbers.asp.

What is the proper procedure for notifying a student in case of a family emergency?
If you need to contact your student in an emergency, please contact the Masters at your student’s residential college or the Dean of Undergraduates Office at 713-348-4996.

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