IT Help Desk, Support Staff, and Training

Using computers, phones, and other technologies can be frustrating if things do not work the way you want them to. Our IT staff members provide technology assistance and we offer several resources and services that will allow you to resolve problems on your own if you choose.  In addition, if you want to learn to use new software, applications, or systems --or just want to further your technical knowledge-- you can take advantage of our training opportunities.

Getting IT Help

• Email us a description of your problem, issue, or request.
• Create an online ticket for your problem, issue, or request.
• Call us with a description of your problem, issue, or request: 713.348.HELP (4357).
• IT Self-Service provides a suite of tools that allow you to independently change your NetID password, check your quotas and printing charges, etc.
• IT Tutorials is an on-line repository that contains a large library of "how-to" documents written by IT staff members.

As a relatively small university, Rice is fortunate that the majority of classes and employee meetings occur within standard business hours, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  The IT Help Desk is manned during these hours. If you need assistance after hours, please email helpdesk@rice.edu or create an online ticket. An IT support specialist will get in touch with you on the next business day.

Classroom or Lab Technology Question or Problem?

Instructors, call 713.348.4989 directly to page one of our Educational Technology (EdTech) support specialists between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Student Computing Assistance

Frequently, Rice undergraduate students need computing assistance at different times of the week than Rice faculty and staff.  Although undergrads can contact the Help Desk in any of the way listed above, they also have access to peer assistance in the form of Student Computing Consultants (SCCs).  SCCs are trained by permanent Help Desk staff members and are required to continue training and working several hours each week in the Help Desk.  SCCs are also available in the colleges and commons in the evenings and on weekends. 

Yellow Umbrella signals Help Desk Kiosk for Undergrads

Beginning in August 2009, satellite Help Desk kiosks can be found in both north and south college locations.  The hanging, upside-down yellow umbrellas make these kiosks easy to find.   The kiosks are manned with several IT-trained student workers during the busiest times of the evening. Students can bring their laptop or mobile devices to the kiosks for assistance, or request a college-room visit if their equipment is too heavy to easily transport to the kiosk.

• North Colleges: your Help Desk kiosk is in Jones South Library.
• South Colleges: your Help Desk kiosk is in the Hanszen Upper Commons. 

Note: As Rice undergoes remodeling in several residential colleges, the CCAs are being utilized in different ways based on the requests of the college masters and student representatives.  Baker and Will Rice students are encouraged to utilize the North Commons SCCs during your year in McMurtry and Duncan colleges.  Lovett students are blocked from the South commons kiosk by construction, so designated SCCs will be available in Lovett during the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.