Getting Started with IT for Faculty and Staff

The information below provides the steps for getting started with the different resources that are available for faculty and staff. Using this document, you can activate your NetID, connect to the wireless network at Rice, setup your email as well as learn about the various tools that are available to assist faculty and staff.

 

Welcome!

OIT can get you set up with the technology, accounts, and access necessary to work at the university. This document introduces basic services so feel free to reach out for help as you have questions or need assistance. Learn more about campus digital security (viewing requires login with Rice NetID and password).

Contents

Activate NetID  
Getting Connected: Connect to the Rice wireless network
Email: Setup your Rice email

Other Services

imagineOne: enterprise system that integrates human resources, financial services and related reporting in the Oracle cloud
Esther: self-service system for academic purposes
Canvas: Rice's Learning Management System 
Zoom: Audio and video conferencing platform
Duo Authentication & VPN: Two-Factor Authentication and Virtual Private Network


 Activate NetID

NetID is your unique login credential (Username) for Rice resources. Having a NetID will allow you to gain access to the various computing systems at Rice. A NetID could be used with Duo, a two-factor authentication, as well for systems that require additional security (Google Mail, imagineOne, and VPN).

When can I activate my NetID?

  • After you are hired and your New Hire paperwork is filed, you can activate your NetID.
  • Your Rice NetID is established within 24-48 hours in which you will receive an email that includes your Rice ID upon completion of your employment status.  
  • Make note of your NetID during the activation process.

 Getting Connected

The Rice network is the most reliable way to connect to internet while on campus. To connect to Rice Owls which is secure wireless connection open to the Rice community, you can follow the steps below. 
 
Step 1: OIT Support Staff can assist you in connecting your primary computer to the Rice network and set up Rice printers through contactless support.
 
Note: By selecting the links below you can connect your personal computer to the wireless network. Printers will vary by your department.
Step 2: Connect your mobile devices to the Rice network.
 

 Email

  • 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.
  • Email can be set up using a mail client such as Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.
  • Accessing your Rice Google mail will require Duo security authentication. 

 Other Services

Depending on your role at the university, different resources will be available to you so check with your supervisor or department coordinator as well. 

imagineOne

imagineOne is the "one system, one process, one access, one Rice" for faculty and staff for HR and Finance Services
Refer to: https://imagineone.rice.edu/

Support for Human Resources Service Center and Finance Service Centers: https://imagineone.rice.edu/io-support
 
Esther
For academic purposes, such as course roster and course-related processes.
 
To the top

Canvas
Canvas is Rice's Learning Management System (LMS) for all course-related curriculum needs. Some Rice training for staff may be presented through Canvas while instructors use this platform frequently as a digital learning environment.

Zoom 

Zoom is a cloud video and audio conferencing platform that will be used by instructors to hold virtual lectures or office hours. Each Rice faculty or staff are given Zoom License accounts that lets them sign into zoom using their NetID.

What is VPN?

Setting Up VPN

Installing AnyConnect VPN Software

Duo Authentication

Need help?

What is VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and its purpose is to provide additional digital security. Rice's VPN system allows secure transportation of data between the university network and a remote computer connected to the Internet outside of Rice. For security reasons, many Rice resources can only be accessed from the Rice network– either from an on campus location or using VPN. 

Setting Up VPN

You need to download the necessary software, AnyConnect VPN, for your computer (also called client). See the next section for links to download the software, which will require you to use the Duo authentication service. If you have not set up Duo previously, see the section below, Duo Authentication.

Before you download the software, you must agree to certain conditions to using Rice's VPN software, including:

  • you acknowledge that the software and your account are for your personal use only and may not be used by any other person or entity anywhere in the world for any purpose
  • you will not give anyone access to the VPN software or your account in order to access the Rice University network.
  • that taking your computer with installed VPN software outside of the United States is viewed by the U.S. government as an export of the VPN software and may require prior government authorization for several specific countries (for example Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria). Email exportcontrols@rice.edu at the Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance for more information.

Installing AnyConnect VPN Software

Use the links (campus login required) below to access information about how to install and use the VPN software for specific devices:

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Windows using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Mac OS X using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for iPhone and iPad using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Android using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Red Hat Linux using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Ubuntu Linux using Duo Authentication

Duo Authentication

Duo is an authentication service (sometimes called two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA)) that can be utilized for Rice systems that require an additional layer of security such as Esther, VPN, and the online account management system, mynetid.rice.edu.
Authentication strengthens access security by requiring multiple methods (also referred to as factors) to verify your identity. These factors can include something you know - like a username and password, plus something you have - like a smartphone app to approve authentication requests. Duo helps protect against phishing, social engineering and password brute-force attacks and secures your accounts from attackers exploiting weak or stolen credentials.

To get started with Duo, read All about Duo. This document will explain how to use Duo for managing and enrolling devices as well using the authentication service while traveling.

Need help?

If you need assistance setting up VPN or Duo, contact the OIT Help Desk.

 

Proofpoint Protection

Proofpoint is a protection gateway for email to block known threats such as spam and phishing detection.  Individuals are able to create and maintain their own safelists and blocklists. Refer to: https://kb.rice.edu/71423


  Rice Acceptable Use Policy, Digital Copyright Compliance and Computer Security

In order to use computers on the Rice Network, all users must:

 Additional Resources for Faculty and Staff

IT Status: Stay informed on IT Maintenance and Events
OIT: Office of Information Technology Website - links to all resources related to technology and accounts in Rice
Software Available for Faculty and Staff: List of all the Free and Discounted Software
Teaching and Learning Tools: Canvas, Learning Spaces, Course Tools and Request Forms
Collaboration and Storage Options: Storage, File Sharing, and Collaboration Resources
 
 

OIT Help Desk

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(excluding university holidays)

Contact Methods

Phone: 713-348-4357 or on-campus extension: xHELP or x4357

Online form: https://oit.rice.edu/request-help 

Email: helpdesk@rice.edu

Remote support: BeyondTrust (Bomgar) 

All in-person services are by appointment only

 
 

See Also:



Keywords:new faculty employee NetID account activate email setup mail Google GSuite Getting Connected G Suite Google Mail Calendar Apps account docs drive sheets slides sites newfaculty new staff newstaff   Doc ID:103455
Owner:Liz B.Group:Rice University
Created:2020-06-29 18:00 CDTUpdated:2021-12-09 17:34 CDT
Sites:Rice University
Feedback:  8   8