Rice University benefits

Research university in Houston, Texas.

29 recorded benefits. Record edited: Sun Oct 04 2026 23:38:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time).

Recorded work model: Most staff are expected to work on campus; some suitable functions may be approved for remote or alternative schedules..

Health insurance

Health benefits continue during approved short-term disability leave for up to 1 year

Eligibility & sources

The leave-continuation provision requires approved short-term disability leave and is limited to 1 year from the original leave date. · Rice employees; leave continuation covers benefits-eligible faculty and staff.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Short-Term Disability Pay Continuation

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:09.456Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff with qualifying non-work illness, injury or pregnancy; payment and maximum periods depend on class/service.

Dental insurance

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Vision insurance

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Life insurance

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Disability insurance

Partial-salary continuing disability payments may be approved after short-term disability

Eligibility & sources

Medical leave and continuing disability payments require approval. · Benefits-eligible tenured and tenure-track faculty.

Sources & dates

Short-term disability benefits

For approved non-work illness, injury or pregnancy leave: 100% of base pay for the first 8 approved weeks, then 80%; maximum payment periods vary by employee class and service.

Eligibility & sources

FullTime, PartTime · Staff have a 5-scheduled-workday elimination period; available PTO pays at 100%, otherwise the period is unpaid. Faculty coverage begins on day 1. Professional staff receive no benefit under 6 months of service, up to 65 days at 6 months–3 years, and 130 days at 3+ years. Technical/support staff receive no benefit under 6 months, up to 520 hours at 6 months–3 years, and 1,040 hours at 3+ years. For faculty, the maximum at each service tier is '½ Academic Years Salary'. Part-time amounts are prorated. Payment requires approved non-work illness, injury or pregnancy leave, required application/medical certification, and return-to-work clearance. Employee must be in paid work status; most 9-month salary schedules are not eligible during unpaid summer, subject to the limited funded-faculty exception. Aggregate maximum is 26 weeks in 5 years for employees with under 10 years of service and 52 weeks in 5 years for employees with over 10 years. · Benefits-eligible faculty and staff with an approved absence for a non-work illness, injury or pregnancy.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Short-Term Disability Pay Continuation

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:09.456Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff with qualifying non-work illness, injury or pregnancy; payment and maximum periods depend on class/service.

Employee assistance program

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Wellness programs

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Health screenings

Seasonal flu shots and health screenings.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Gym / fitness benefits

On-campus recreation and wellness center.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Parental leave

Up to 8 paid weeks (320 hours for full-time staff); part-time amounts are prorated

Pay
Paid
Duration
8 weeks
Parent / leave type
birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent required to adopt, spouse or registered domestic partner of a birth parent, spouse or registered domestic partner of an adoptive parent, spouse or registered domestic partner of a foster-to-adopt parent
Eligibility & sources

FullTime, PartTime · Regular or term-limited staff in positions requiring at least 20 hours/week and 1,000 hours/year, after 6 months of continuous employment; temporary-only staff excluded. Qualifying events affecting the employee or their spouse/registered domestic partner are birth (including surrogate birth), adoption of a child under 18 other than a stepchild, or foster placement required for adoption. Up to 8 weeks in a rolling 12-month period regardless of multiple qualifying events; complete within 12 months of the event. Intermittent leave requires supervisor approval in blocks of at least 2 weeks. Both eligible Rice parents may each use the full allowance. PPL and short-term disability cannot be received concurrently; if receiving short-term disability after childbirth, complete that leave before PPL. Supplemental qualifying appointments run concurrently, not additively. · Paid Parental Leave policy for benefits-eligible Rice staff; part-time leave is prorated.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Paid Parental Leave — Staff

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.422Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible regular and term-limited staff; temporary-only staff excluded; part-time leave is prorated.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.854Z

    Source context

    Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty; one full semester at full pay under the source's qualifying-event, timing and nondivision rules.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:10.130Z

    Source context

    Separate instructional and research/service non-tenure-track full-time faculty variants; exact contract/service/rank gates differ.

One full semester at full pay.

Pay
Paid
Parent / leave type
birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent required to adopt, spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent
Eligibility & sources

FullTime · Tenured or tenure-track faculty. Qualifying events include birth, adoption of a child under 18 other than a spouse's child, or foster placement when the employee is required to adopt; a spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent also qualifies. Leave must be completed by the end of the second full fall/spring semester after the event. One entitlement; it cannot be divided. · Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Paid Parental Leave — Staff

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.422Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible regular and term-limited staff; temporary-only staff excluded; part-time leave is prorated.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.854Z

    Source context

    Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty; one full semester at full pay under the source's qualifying-event, timing and nondivision rules.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:10.130Z

    Source context

    Separate instructional and research/service non-tenure-track full-time faculty variants; exact contract/service/rank gates differ.

Up to one semester at full pay.

Pay
Paid
Parent / leave type
birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent required to adopt, spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent
Eligibility & sources

FullTime · Instructional non-tenure-track faculty on a full-time annual fall/spring contract must meet at least one of these criteria: 4 prior consecutive fall/spring semesters; a current contract of at least 4 years; or full-time Teaching Professor rank. Qualifying events are birth, adoption of a child under 18 other than a spouse's child, or foster placement when the employee is required to adopt; a spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent also qualifies. One entitlement; it cannot be divided. Complete leave by the end of the second full fall/spring semester after the event, only during contracted working time; nine-month contracts do not receive summer pay through PPL. Supplemental qualifying appointments run concurrently, not additively. · Qualifying full-time instructional non-tenure-track faculty on an annual fall/spring contract.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Paid Parental Leave — Staff

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.422Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible regular and term-limited staff; temporary-only staff excluded; part-time leave is prorated.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.854Z

    Source context

    Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty; one full semester at full pay under the source's qualifying-event, timing and nondivision rules.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:10.130Z

    Source context

    Separate instructional and research/service non-tenure-track full-time faculty variants; exact contract/service/rank gates differ.

Up to 8 paid weeks at full pay

Pay
Paid
Duration
8 weeks
Parent / leave type
birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent required to adopt, spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent
Eligibility & sources

FullTime · Research/service non-tenure-track faculty must be full-time and meet at least one criterion: at least 24 months of prior continuous service; a contract of at least 4 years; or full-time Assistant, Associate or Full Research Professor rank. Qualifying events are birth, adoption of a child under 18 other than a spouse's child, or foster placement when the employee is required to adopt; a spouse or domestic partner of a birth parent also qualifies. Leave may be split into increments of at least 2 weeks. Complete leave by the end of the second full fall/spring semester after the event, only during contracted working time; nine-month contracts do not receive summer pay through PPL. Supplemental qualifying appointments run concurrently, not additively. · Qualifying full-time research/service non-tenure-track faculty.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Paid Parental Leave — Staff

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.422Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible regular and term-limited staff; temporary-only staff excluded; part-time leave is prorated.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.854Z

    Source context

    Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty; one full semester at full pay under the source's qualifying-event, timing and nondivision rules.

  • Policy document Parental Leave — Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:10.130Z

    Source context

    Separate instructional and research/service non-tenure-track full-time faculty variants; exact contract/service/rank gates differ.

Childcare support

Childcare services and on-campus camps.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Lactation support

Mother’s rooms.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Remote work

Some suitable functions may be approved for full remote or split on-campus/remote work.

Eligibility & sources

Suitable functions require supervisor, department and school/unit approval; arrangements may be trialed for up to 3 months or discontinued. Outside-Texas or international arrangements require separate approval and are not a general remote entitlement. · Benefits-eligible staff in functions suitable for an approved remote or split on-campus/remote arrangement.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Flexible Work Arrangements

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:10.557Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible staff in suitable functions; remote or alternative arrangements are discretionary and approval-dependent.

Flexible schedule

Approved schedules may shift start/end times without changing weekly hours; options include 40 hours over 4 days or, for exempt staff, 80 hours over 9 days.

Eligibility & sources

Alternative hours or compressed schedules require job suitability and approval; arrangements may be trialed for up to 3 months or discontinued. Compressed hours do not reduce the normal weekly hours; reduced hours can reduce pay and benefits. · Benefits-eligible staff with a suitable position and approved alternative schedule.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Flexible Work Arrangements

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:10.557Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible staff in suitable functions; remote or alternative arrangements are discretionary and approval-dependent.

Retirement plan

Rice's retirement benefits continue during approved short-term disability leave for up to 1 year

Eligibility & sources

The leave-continuation provision requires approved short-term disability leave and is limited to 1 year from the original leave date. · Rice employees; leave continuation covers benefits-eligible faculty and staff.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Short-Term Disability Pay Continuation

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:09.456Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff with qualifying non-work illness, injury or pregnancy; payment and maximum periods depend on class/service.

Flexible spending account

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Vacation & time off

Full-time staff accrue 168 hours/year before 10 years of service and 208 hours/year after 10 years; part-time accrual is prorated

Eligibility & sources

FullTime, PartTime · Benefits-eligible staff; supervisor approval required. The 31-day annual allowance applies only to staff with 20 or more years of service, or in their 20th employment year, on January 1, 1993. · Rice staff.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Paid Time Off

    Read 2026-10-04T22:05:09.100Z

    Source context

    Rice staff; full-time annual accrual tiers and part-time FTE proration.

Bereavement leave

A supervisor may approve up to 4 days (32 hours for full-time staff); part-time leave is prorated

Eligibility & sources

FullTime, PartTime · Benefits-eligible staff may request leave after the death of a close relative or a loved one for whom they have substantial responsibility. Supervisor approval is subject to department chair/director approval and considers responsibilities, arrangements, travel and departmental circumstances; part-time amounts are prorated. · Benefits-eligible Rice staff.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Bereavement Leave

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:07.774Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible staff; supervisor approval is discretionary; maximum is pro-rated for part-time staff.

Witness leave

Regular pay continues when Rice requires an employee to attend court as a witness.

Eligibility & sources

Paid when Rice requires the employee to appear as a witness. For non-Rice matters, the leave is unpaid; accumulated benefit time may be used. · Rice faculty and staff required by Rice to appear in court as a witness.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Witness Leave

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:09.828Z

    Source context

    Faculty and staff required by Rice to attend court as witnesses; non-Rice matters are unpaid unless accumulated benefit time is used.

Company holidays

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Company-wide closure

Winter recess.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Employee tuition waiver

Eligible faculty/staff and retirees may take one Rice undergraduate or graduate course per academic semester.

Eligibility & sources

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff and eligible retirees; staff generally must complete their probationary period, although a supervisor may permit earlier application when both the staff member and department directly benefit. Instructor and employee-supervisor approval are required. Excluded courses include Jones Graduate School of Business, Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, Rice Summer School, individual instruction in Shepherd School of Music, and individual instruction in the School of Architecture. · Benefits-eligible Rice faculty and staff and eligible retirees.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Tuition Waiver and Auditing Courses at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:10.284Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff, their spouses/domestic partners for the separately defined audit program, and retirees under the source's separate provisions.

Course auditing

Eligible faculty/staff, spouses/domestic partners, and retirees may audit one Rice course per semester.

Eligibility & sources

Staff and a spouse/domestic partner of a newly hired employee must complete their applicable probationary period. A supervisor may permit an earlier staff application when the staff member and department directly benefit. Instructor and employee-supervisor approval are required. Excluded courses include Jones Graduate School of Business, Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, Rice Summer School, individual instruction in Shepherd School of Music, and individual instruction in the School of Architecture. · Benefits-eligible Rice faculty and staff, their spouses/domestic partners, and separately eligible retirees.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Tuition Waiver and Auditing Courses at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:10.284Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff, their spouses/domestic partners for the separately defined audit program, and retirees under the source's separate provisions.

Dependent tuition benefit

Eligible spouses/registered domestic partners and dependent children may receive 100% tuition at Rice and reciprocal institutions; eligible dependent children at other accredited US colleges receive the lesser of 10% of Rice tuition or the other institution's tuition

Eligibility & sources

Faculty/staff generally need 3 continuous years in a benefits-eligible position before the semester begins; employees hired on or before July 1, 2010 are under the prior 1-year vesting rule. Spouses and registered domestic partners must be seeking a first undergraduate degree. Eligible children must be unmarried, under age 25 at matriculation, seeking a first undergraduate degree, and be either the employee's unmarried biological or legally adopted child for whom the employee is the legally designated parent; an unmarried stepchild who is the biological/adopted child of the employee's current spouse; or the unmarried biological/adopted child of a currently registered domestic partner for whom that partner is the legally designated parent. The child must be dependent at award and in any prior 3 years of the child's life; those prior years need not be immediate or consecutive. Dependency is met by at least one policy test: tax claim at least every other year, household supplies over 50% of support, or the child primarily lives with the employee when not away at school. Grandchildren and other guardian children are excluded. Child benefits are limited to up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters; summer study, fees, books, housing and meals are excluded. The 10%-of-Rice-tuition track at other U.S. institutions applies to eligible children, not spouses/partners. · Eligible dependents of benefits-eligible Rice faculty/staff and separately eligible retirees.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Dependent Tuition Benefits

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:10.740Z

    Source context

    Eligible dependents of benefits-eligible faculty/staff and retirees; spouse/registered-partner and dependent-child conditions differ.

Tuition reimbursement

Reimburses 75% of eligible tuition and mandatory fees, up to $5,250 per fiscal year; qualifying GED preparation and testing is reimbursed at 100%.

Eligibility & sources

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff in regular, non-temporary positions; staff must complete 6 months of probation. Courses must meet job/career relevance or GED criteria. Supervisor and HR approval are required before the course; reimbursement requires payment proof and a grade of C or higher. Employees who resign voluntarily within 1 year of course completion must repay reimbursement for courses taken in the prior 12 months. · Benefits-eligible Rice faculty and staff in regular, non-temporary positions.

Sources & dates

  • Policy document Benefits Eligibility

    Read 2026-10-04T21:58:17.657Z

    Source context

    General benefits-eligibility rule applied only to benefits whose specific policies refer to benefits-eligible faculty or staff.

  • Policy document Tuition Reimbursement

    Read 2026-10-04T22:11:11.102Z

    Source context

    Benefits-eligible faculty and staff in regular, non-temporary positions; staff complete a six-month probationary period.

Group legal plan

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Learning and development

Professional and career development, leadership and career coaching, seminars and lectures.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.

Commuter benefits

On-campus transportation.

Eligibility & sources

Rice employees.

Sources & dates

  • Careers page Jobs at Rice

    Read 2026-10-04T22:00:43.403Z

    Source context

    Current public employee careers and benefits summary; existence-only corporate offers, no vacancy census, quantified coverage, contribution, price or detailed policy eligibility inferred.