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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 and learn about the various tools that are available to assist faculty and staff.

Welcome!

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) sets you up with the technology, accounts, and access necessary to work at the university. This article introduces the basic services that you will need to begin working at Rice. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please visit this link to report an issue, request service, or ask a question.

Visit this link to learn more about campus digital security (viewing requires login with Rice NetID and password).

To view a general overview of services, see Welcome: Faculty & Staff.

Contents

Setup: Connections and Email

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

Systems and Services

iO: system for employee self-service functions, human resources, financial services and reporting
Esther: self-service system for academic purposes
Canvas: Rice's Learning Management System 
Zoom: Audio and video conferencing platform
VPN with Duo: Virtual Private Network and Two-Factor Authentication 

Security and Policies

Proofpoint Protection: provides protection for email to block known threats such as spam and phishing attempts

Additional Resources


Setup: Connections and Email

Activate NetID

NetID is your unique login credential (Username) for Rice resources. Having a NetID allows you to gain access to the various computing systems at Rice. Your NetID can be used with Duo, a two-factor authentication service, as well as for systems that require additional security (Gmail, imagineOne, and VPN).

When can I activate my NetID?

  • You can activate your NetID after you are hired and your New Hire paperwork is filed.
  • 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 the internet while on campus. To connect to Rice Owls, which is a secure wireless connection open to the Rice community, you can follow the steps below. 
 
Step 1: Contact the OIT Support Staff to assist you in connecting your university-issued primary computer to the Rice network and to get help setting up Rice printers.
 
Connecting Personal Devices
Select a link below for directions on how to connect your personal computer to the wireless network. Printers will vary by department.
Step 2: Connect your mobile devices to the Rice network.

 Email

  • New accounts for Rice faculty and staff can be accessed through Google Workspace for Education which provides access to Gmail, 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 Gmail will require Duo security authentication. 

 Systems and Services

Depending on your role at the university, different resources will be available to you so check with your supervisor or department coordinator for specific guidance. Use the links below to access the systems and services that are relevant to your new position at Rice. 

iO

Employee self-service functions, such as direct deposit, employee benefit selections, and absence management are available in the iO system. Financial services and reporting are also part of iO.

Esther
For academic purposes, Esther is the system used to view course rosters and conduct other course-related processes.

Canvas

Canvas is Rice's Learning Management System (LMS) for all course-related curriculum needs. Canvas is used to provide training for Rice staff and as a digital learning environment for instructors.

Zoom 

Zoom is a cloud-based video and audio conferencing platform that will be used by instructors to hold virtual lectures or office hours. As a Rice faculty or staff member, you will receive a Zoom account that lets you sign into Zoom using your NetID.

VPN with Duo

The Rice Virtual Private Networking (VPN) system allows secure transportation of data between the university network and a remote computer connected to the Internet outside of Rice. You can access Rice's network resources while off-campus using the VPN.

Security and Policies

Proofpoint Protection

Proofpoint is an email protection gateway used to block known threats such as spam and phishing detection. Individuals are able to create and maintain their own safe lists and block lists. 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:

More

Additional Resources

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
 

Need technical support? Contact the OIT Help Desk. 

OIT Help Desk

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.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 (this link is to be used as directed by Help Desk support staff): BeyondTrust (Bomgar) 

In-person support: 

Faculty and Staff:  request in-person appointment by calling, using the on-line form, or sending email.

Students:  See available support hours in Canvas.

 
 



Keywordsnew 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 Gmail   Doc ID103455
OwnerLiz B.GroupRice U
Created2020-06-29 18:00:47Updated2024-03-26 08:42:30
SitesRice University
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