Dear students –

News reports of the Coronavirus have caused some concern for students. This is an evolving public health issue and Rice will be sending updates as needed. Please note that we have not seen any cases on the Rice campus as of this email. However, we do continue to have Influenza cases.

We are writing today to remind you that during Influenza season, it is very important to practice preventive health measures. These would also be helpful if we had Coronavirus at Rice.

Here are a few tips to keep our community healthy.

• Get your flu shot. It's not too late! Student Health still has a limited number of shots available or you may visit a local pharmacy.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for twenty seconds – especially before eating or preparing food, after going to the bathroom and after you have been around someone who is sick.
• Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses and utensils.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it away.
• Get adequate sleep and eat a healthy diet daily.
• If you’re sick, don’t go to class. Staying in your room will help you recover and avoid spreading illness to others. If you live in one of the undergraduate colleges, contact the senior operations manager for your servery to make arrangements for your meals to be delivered so that you do not spread germs in public dining areas. Please let someone know you are ill and drink plenty of fluids.
• Contact health resources on campus for additional care
  • Rice University Student Health Service is located in the Rich Health and Wellness Center next to the Brown Magister's House near Entrance 27B on Sunset Boulevard. The service is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment, call 713-348-4966. If the office is closed, you can find a list of nearby urgent-care centers on the website. Cold packs and thermometers are available at the front desk with no appointment.
  • Rice EMS is always available for on campus emergencies, 24 hours a day. The phone number is at 713-348-6000.
• For additional information visit the CDC site for Coronavirus and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

College magisters and RA’s are also a good resource for undergraduates. Please don’t hesitate to let them know if you need assistance.

Please embrace the culture of care for each other during times of illness and stress.

Best wishes to you all for a healthy spring semester,
Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates
Seiichi Matsuda, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies