What should I do if a deputy, constable, process server, or an individual from a law firm comes to my office and asks me to accept legal papers (such as citation or subpoena) on behalf of Rice or a co-worker of mine?
Do not accept or sign for these documents. Instead, direct the person to the Office of General Counsel at 360 Allen Center. Then, immediately notify the Office of General Counsel at ext. 5237, or by email to legal@rice.edu, that you have directed a person who will be serving Rice with legal documents.
Sometimes, you may receive a summons or subpoena by email, U.S. mail or fax, or inadvertently accept one from a process server. If this happens, please contact the Office of General Counsel immediately. Often, these documents are time sensitive, so a delay in responding can create serious legal consequences for Rice.
Who can accept service of process (legal papers) on behalf of Rice University?
Only an attorney in the Office of General Counsel or their delegate. However, if the document is for a Rice employee or student on a personal matter (e.g., divorce, car accident lawsuit, etc.), the employee or student must be served personally; OGC cannot accept it for them. When someone is attempting to serve papers on a Rice employee or student for a personal matter, please direct the process server to RUPD.
What should I do if a government investigator comes to my office to ask for information about Rice or an individual?
Before responding, let the investigator know you are contacting the university’s Office of General Counsel, then do so immediately. Our office will work with you to provide an appropriate response.
What should I do if I receive correspondence from an attorney asserting a claim against me (as an agent for Rice University), my department, or Rice University?
Immediately deliver the correspondence to the Office of General Counsel at 360 Allen Center, or by email to legal@rice.edu.
I’m a Rice student, faculty member, staff member, volunteer, or committee member. Am I protected against personal liability for my official activities on behalf of Rice?
Almost always, yes. For more details, please contact the Office of General Counsel at ext. 5237 or legal@rice.edu.
May I hire a private, outside attorney for a Rice matter?
No. Only the Vice President and General Counsel may authorize and contract with outside counsel to perform legal services for Rice activities. For more details, please contact the Office of General Counsel at ext. 5237 or legal@rice.edu. Often, OGC’s attorneys can provide all legal advice that you will need for a Rice activity.
What should I do if I receive a request for a student’s education records?
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), education records about students generally may not be provided without the student’s consent. For that reason, please do not respond to any requests for student records without speaking to the Office of General Counsel. For more information about FERPA, see https://registrar.rice.edu/ferpa.
How do I obtain a Participation Agreement/ Release from Liability form?
See the Forms Library link on this website.
What are the office hours for the Office of General Counsel?
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday, on days the university is open.
What is the attorney-client privilege? Are my conversations with members of the Office of General Counsel confidential?
The attorney-client privilege is a legal rule that allows communications between a Rice attorney and a Rice client to remain confidential if the communication is for the purpose of requesting and/or giving legal advice. The privilege protects only communications between Rice attorneys and individuals seeking advice on Rice-related matters; it does not protect discussions involving personal matters. If you have a question about whether the privilege may apply in a given situation, please contact any attorney in the Office of General Counsel.
How do I obtain a Power of Attorney to import or export materials or equipment?
If you are importing an item into the United States, please contact Strategic Sourcing and Procurement or the Office of General Counsel for assistance with powers of attorney. For exports, please refer to the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP).
How do I report concerns about illegal, unethical or fraudulent activity?
There are multiple avenues for individuals to raise concerns about possible wrongdoing or unethical conduct. Each is listed at this site.
Can the General Counsel’s office notarize a Rice-related business document for me?
Yes. We notarize documents related to Rice business for Rice students, faculty and staff. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 713-348-5237 or email legal@rice.edu with a brief description of the item you’d like notarized.
Before you arrive, we’ll need to see the document to ensure that all pages were filled out completely. Please bring with you a valid government issued photo identification card (like a driver’s license or passport) and your Rice identification card. We can generally schedule your appointment within 1 business day.
For personal documents, Rice offers free notary concierge services. To schedule an appointment, please visit css.rice.edu.
What should I do if I receive a Notice of Garnishment?
If Rice receives a Notice of Garnishment from a Texas court, Rice must withhold a certain amount of an employee’s wages to be paid toward a debt owed by the employee. Typically, a Notice of Garnishment may be issued in connection with child support payments, or IRS tax levies. Please send the notice to the Office of General Counsel by email at legal@rice.edu. We will work with Rice’s Payroll Department to comply with the order and notify the employee.
I need a personal lawyer. How do I find one?
If you need an attorney in Texas, please visit the Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service, a service of the State Bar of Texas, which licenses all attorneys in Texas. This service connects users to qualified attorneys for initial consultation at a modest fee. If you need an attorney elsewhere in the United States, please visit the American Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Directory.
Can the Office of General Counsel assist me with personal legal problems, such as issues with my landlord, divorce, etc.?
Unfortunately, no. The Office of General Counsel represents and advises only Rice University and its authorized officials on Rice-related matters.
Where do I get permission to film or photograph on campus?
Please visit this site for more information.
How do I get permission to use the Rice name and/or logo (i.e. in connection with any commercial activity, press release, announcement, book, article, or other outside venture)?
Please contact the Office of Public Affairs at 713-348-6280 or pubaffrs@rice.edu.
What if I want to include the name of a company or a link to a company’s website on a Rice website?
Please contact the Office of Public Affairs at 713-348-6280 or pubaffrs@rice.edu.
Who would I contact to get permission to use Rice’s trademarks on collegiate goods (e.g., hats, t-shirts, cups, etc.)?
Please contact the Rice Athletics Sales & Marketing Office at 713-348-2328.
What should I do if I receive a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice from Rice?
As required by federal law, Rice notifies students or others using Rice’s computer system that copyright infringement or unauthorized distribution of copyright material – including copying or downloading materials without authorization of copyright owners and unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing – may violate civil and criminal laws, subjecting violators to civil and criminal penalties. If you receive a DMCA notice, follow the instructions in the notice. You may contact the Office of General Counsel at 713-348-5237 for more information. Please also refer to Policy 832 and VPIT: Digital Copyright Compliance.
What should I do if a company asks me to sign a confidentiality agreement?
Normally, contact the Office of General Counsel. However, please contact:
- The Office of Sponsored Projects , if the agreement is in connection with Rice research.
- The Office of Technology Transfer, if the agreement relates to a Rice invention.
- Your personal attorney, if the agreement is for personal matters.