Frequently Asked Questions

If you're feeling sick, believe you have been exposed, or have tested positive, please visit this page: /sick-exposed-positive

If you don't see your question answered here, reach out to one of the groups listed below:

Campus-Wide Policy Questions

Q. What is the university's face covering policy?

A. This policy can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies. Please check this page regularly for updates.

Q. What COVID policies apply to campus visitors? Do they need to be tested or vaccinated to come to campus?

A. Visitors to campus must follow all campus COVID policies in place at the time, which are listed here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies.

COVID Testing Questions

Q. What do I do if I feel sick, have been exposed to COVID, or have tested positive?

A. Please visit /sick-exposed-positive for the most current information on what to do.

Q. What type of COVID-19 test does Rice administer?

A. COVID home test kits for the Rice community are available to the Rice community while supplies last. These kits can be ordered, while supplies remain through the end of the Spring semester 2023.

To pick up a test, you must do the following:

  • Sign up using this link: HTTPS://VEOCI.COM/V/P/DASHBOARD/ZSG7KM4VPD
  • Bring the QR code with you to pick up your test package. (The code will be emailed to you after completing the sign-up, you can show it from your phone or print it out (just as you would for a testing appointment).

COVID home test kits for the Rice community are available to Rice students, faculty, and staff. These kits can be ordered for on-campus pickup; each test package contains two testing kits). Faculty, staff, and students may order two antigen test kits monthly (four tests total).

Q. My at-home antigen test kit has an expiration date that is expired. What should I do?

A. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the test manufacturer can contact the FDA to request that the FDA authorize a longer shelf-life.  When a longer shelf-life is authorized, the expiration dates will be extended. You can check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date. The testing kits the university supply have received this authorization. To read the letter, please click here.

Q. Where can I go near campus to take a COVID PCR test?

A. If you would like to take a COVID PCR test, there are several testing centers near campus:

  • Houston Methodist Smith Tower - 6550 Fannin, Smith Tower, Suite 630, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m until 4:00 p.m. More information is available here
  • CVS Pharmacy - Kirby at Bolsover - 713- 522-3983
  • Walgreen's Pharmacy - Medical Center - 6400 Fannin - 713-799-2459
  • Baylor Family Medicine Express Care Center - 6620 Main St., 12th Floor, Suite 1250 - 713-798-9355 - Check your network
  • Kelsey-Seybold Clinic - 2727 W. Holcombe - 713-442-0000
COVID Vaccination Questions

Q. Where can I get a vaccination or booster near campus?

A. Click this link: https://rice.box.com/s/p5p9upf5ywu6ahso640v4lj21ecznpt4 to find locations to get your COVID vaccination or booster.

Q. Who do faculty and staff reach out to with questions regarding the university vaccine mandate?

A. The following resources are available:

  • General questions about the vaccination policy should be addressed to Human Resources or HRBP/Supervisor (people@rice.edu).
  • Religious accommodations or questions should be sent to the office of Access, Equity, and Equal Opportunity, Richard Baker, 713-348-6405 aeeo@rice.edu.
  • Medical exemptions or questions should be addressed by the Disability Resource Center, Alan Russell - 713-348-5841 adarice@rice.edu.
Who to contact if you still have questions

CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

If you have additional questions not answered here, here is the contact information for the office that may be able to help.