The university is committed to the overall well-being of each faculty and staff member. While Rice provides a supportive community of professionals, we recognize that employees in need will experience a wide range of emotions, behaviors, and reactions, including extreme anger, frustration, fear, loss of control, and helplessness, on occasion. It is helpful for the supervisor to acknowledge these feelings and direct employees toward resources that are available to them.
Employee Assistance Program- SupportLinc
- About the Program
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SupportLinc is a free and confidential benefit offered by your employer. The program provides expert guidance and valuable resources to help you strengthen your mental health and overall well-being.
SupportLinc is separate from your other benefits, so even if you aren’t covered by your employer’s benefit plan, you’re still eligible for the program.
- How it Works
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The SupportLinc employee assistance program (EAP) is a confidential resource that helps you deal with life’s challenges and the demands that come with balancing home and work. SupportLinc provides confidential, professional referrals and up to ten (10) sessions of face-to-face counseling sessions for a wide variety of concerns, such as:
Anxiety • Depression • Marriage and Relationship Problems • Grief and Loss • Substance Abuse • Anger Management • Stress • Financial Assistance • Legal Assistance • Family Assistance
You can contact and access the program anywhere, anytime. Reach a licensed clinician 24/7/365 by phone, email, live chat or text. Your program offers in-person and video counseling, as well as personalized coaching, text therapy, virtual group support sessions, and other helpful online resources.
- Contact Information
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You can call SupportLinc at 1-888-881-5462 or visit their website at supportlinc.com
Group Code: riceuniversity
Emergency Loan Program
- About the Program
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Rice University established the Emergency Loan Program in 2000 to provide eligible staff and faculty with limited, short-term financial assistance when they experience an unexpected health or welfare emergency. The program is administered by Human Resources in coordination with the Bursar’s Office.
Assistance is provided as a loan and must be repaid through payroll deductions in accordance with the terms of the employee’s promissory note.
- Program Eligibility
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Employees must meet the following requirements:
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Be a benefits-eligible faculty or staff member.
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Have completed the six-month probationary period.
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Be in good standing with the university.
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Have no outstanding balance from a previous emergency loan.
Paying off an existing loan does not guarantee approval of a new request. Each request is reviewed independently and is subject to the required approvals.
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- Types of Emergencies
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The following are examples of emergencies that may qualify for assistance. Each request is reviewed individually based on the employee’s circumstances and supporting documentation.
Health
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Unforeseen health emergency of the employee or an immediate family member, including a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child
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Limited funeral expenses for an immediate family member
Welfare
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Loss of housing, including an impending eviction, due to extraordinary circumstances
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Past-due utility bills resulting in water or electricity being disconnected or facing disconnection
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Unexpected and necessary repairs to the employee’s primary residence, such as a broken water heater or air-conditioning system, burst pipes, roof damage, or damage caused by an accident, severe weather, or a natural disaster
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Urgent repairs to an essential vehicle, particularly when it is the employee’s primary means of transportation to and from work
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- How does it work?
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Request and Approval Process
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Submit a request: To begin the process, email people@rice.edu. A member of the Human Resources team will follow up to discuss your circumstances, better understand your needs, and explain the documentation and next steps required for consideration.
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Provide documentation: You will be asked to submit documentation supporting the emergency and the requested loan amount.
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Receive the required approvals: All eligible loan requests must be approved by Human Resources and the employee’s supervisor. The reason for the request will not be shared with the employee’s supervisor unless authorized by the employee. The supervisor’s approval also acknowledges the department’s potential financial responsibility. If the employee separates from the university before the loan is fully repaid and the remaining balance cannot be fully deducted from the employee’s final paycheck, the department will be charged for the outstanding amount.
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Complete the loan documents and receive the emergency funds: If a loan is approved, Human Resources will work with the Bursar’s Office to process the approved funds. Before the funds are distributed, the employee must sign a promissory note provided by the Bursar’s Office.
Loan Repayment
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Loans are typically repaid through payroll deductions within one year. The employee’s repayment amount, repayment schedule, interest rate, and other loan terms will be confirmed in the promissory note provided by the Bursar’s Office.
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The interest rate is based on the Applicable Federal Rate in effect when the loan is processed. The rate is fixed for the duration of the loan, and interest accrues as a percentage of the amount borrowed.
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Employees may pay off their loan early at any time by visiting the Bursar’s Office.
Bursar’s Office
Allen Center, First Floor, Suite 110
Phone: 713-348-4946
Email: bursar@rice.edu -
If an employee separates from the university before the loan is fully repaid, the remaining balance will be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck. If the final paycheck is insufficient to cover the full balance, the employee’s department will be charged for the outstanding amount.
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- Information for Supervisors
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A supervisor’s approval is required before an eligible loan request can proceed.
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The reason for the employee’s request will remain confidential and will not be shared with the supervisor unless the employee authorizes Human Resources to do so.
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By approving the request, the supervisor acknowledges that the department may be financially responsible for any loan balance that cannot be fully deducted from the employee’s final paycheck if the employee separates from the university.
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Because departmental budget structures and approval processes vary, supervisors may consult with the appropriate department leader or budget authority before approving a loan request. Any discussion should be limited to individuals directly involved in the department’s approval or budget oversight. Supervisors should protect the employee’s privacy, share only the information necessary for that review, and avoid discussing the request with colleagues who are not involved in the approval process.
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Supervisors or department administrators should notify Human Resources at people@rice.edu as soon as they become aware that an employee with an active loan will be separating from the university. This allows Human Resources to ensure the appropriate final deduction is processed by Payroll.
For additional information or questions, please contact people@rice.edu.
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Wellness Programming
Rice University’s vision for employee well-being is that we model a visibly healthy culture that promotes and facilitates well-being as an integral part of the institution’s identity and value proposition.
Rice’s mission is to foster a healthy and supportive environment and provide access to convenient and high-quality programs and services aimed at enabling faculty, staff, and their families to pursue physical, social, and emotional well-being, to inspire people to participate.
- The Rice Recreation Fitness and Wellness Program
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The Rice Recreation Fitness and Wellness Program supports the Rice community in achieving a healthy, balanced lifestyle by offering inclusive, integrated programs and resources that promote overall well-being. Explore our faculty and staff offerings by visiting the Fitness and Wellness page.
- Staying Active
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Visit the Rice Rec Center!
Membership to the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation Center is available for purchase to faculty, staff, retirees, and graduate students of Rice University as well as to their spouse/domestic partner. Summer memberships are also available for additional fees to graduate and undergraduate students. Membership to the Recreation Center for undergraduate students is included with their semester payments to the University.
To activate or modify your membership, log into iO > Me Tab > Rec Center > Join.
- Stress Relief and Mindfulness
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The Recreation Center offers services, classes, and workshops throughout the year that are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through healthy practices of all kinds. If you are interested in learning how to improve your "health-span" and build a community of support and connection, please check out one of the following options:
- Recovery and Rejuvenation
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Rice University’s Recovery & Rejuvenation Services support physical and mental well-being with stretching, massage, breathwork, and more—helping you recharge, recover, and perform at your best.
Visit the Stretching, Mobility & Recovery Service page for more information.
Additional Services
- Seasonal Flu and COVID Shots
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Rice provides on-campus seasonal flu and COVID vaccines to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff in the Fall. For dates/times and additional information, please visit our Announcements page.
- Weight Watchers
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Rice will subsidize half of the cost of in-person meetings for benefits-eligible faculty and staff for either the online Weight Watchers Program or local community meetings (at this time, we no longer have enough participation to hold meetings on campus). The program is now on a month-to-month basis.
To enroll, visit http://wellness.weightwatchers.com and use the following employer ID and password under the "New Registration" box:
- Company ID = 28327
- Company Passcode = fyPMoVnL
Once you log in, you will enter your information exactly as it is listed with Rice (specifically, your name, birth date, and "Unique Id, which is your person number in iO). To locate your person number in iO, go to "me", then "employment info", and the person number is located in the bottom right of the assignment box.
For instructions on how to use the Weight Watchers portal, please call the Weight Watchers helpdesk at 1-866-204-2885 or at wellnesshelp@weightwatchers.com
The cost of the program is $39.95 per month (or $19.97 per month with the 50% subsidy).
You may enter the program at any time (at a prorated cost) — simply go to the portal above or one of the scheduled meetings for more information.
- Outside Resources
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- Disability Support Services
- Domestic Violence
- FEMA
- HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines
- Houston Area Women’s Center
- Houston United Way
- Identity Theft
- Reporting Illegal or Unethical Behavior
- Reporting Concerns with Rice Compliance
- Worker’s Compensation
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Rice University Crisis Management Team
If at any time you feel you or any member of the Rice community is in danger, please contact RUPD at x6000. Don’t try to handle it on your own – call for help.