IT’s Telecommunications group provides the Rice community with real-time voice communications and messaging. Telecommunications continually seeks to provide the campus with enhanced services, while remaining respectful of the cost impact, and is committed to providing reliable and efficient telecommunication services.
Anderson-Clarke Center
This year the new Anderson-Clarke Center (ACC) opened with staff relocating from the Continuing Studies Building and the Greenbriar Building. Telecommunications installed fiber remote cabinets at ACC, providing connectivity to the main campus telephone system (located in Mudd). Staff had working telephones in their ‘old’ offices up to the time the movers unplugged their telephones. When the movers plugged the phones in the new offices, their extensions and voicemail had been transfered.
Blue Light Emergency Telephones
Telecommunications takes the safety of the Rice population seriously and maintains 95 blue light emergency telephones across the campus and in parking garages. These emergency telephones connect directly to the Rice University Police Department (RUPD). Telecommunications upgraded and replaced degrading telephone devices in 40 of these units working closely with Facilities, Engineering, and Planning’s Electrical Department regarding when blue light beacons fail and need replacement. New blue light telephone stanchions were installed near the Turrell Skyspace and the new Anderson-Clarke Center and a wall-mounted unit was installed in the basement area of Ryon Lab.
RUPD Radio Project
Telecommunications also supports a Rice University approved radio project, spearheaded by RUPD. The City of Houston recently changed their emergency radio system to a new Motorola digital 700-800 MHz system. Rice University will be a subscriber on this new system, greatly enhancing our present reception and coverage. Also participating in this project will be radio users in EMS, EHS, and BRC Security.
Uninterrupted Operations
In addition, Telecommunications replaced the UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) system servicing the main campus telephone system, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operations if power is lost in the Mudd Building. CenterPoint experienced three major power outages on campus this last year. The main campus telephone switch in the Mudd Building operated without interruption.