Social media offers Rice University a powerful platform to tell its story—celebrating our community, culture, research, and impact. To maintain brand consistency and create meaningful engagement across all channels, communicators need to embrace the language, tone, and traditions that make Rice distinct.
This guide provides communicators with a reference for official terminology, community-specific hashtags, and best practices for authentically capturing Rice’s personality across platforms.
Why Voice and Language Matter
The language we use on social media reflects more than just information. It conveys values, personality, and belonging.
At Rice, our voice is:
- Confident but humble
- Intellectual but accessible
- Community-centered, proud, and a little witty
By aligning tone with audience and context, we foster connection, trust, and recognition—across Houston, higher education, and beyond.
Best Practices for Using Language and Voice on Social Media
- Be Consistent: Use official university names, hashtags, and language across all accounts and campaigns.
- Be Authentic: Reflect the culture and energy of the Rice community. Let students and community members speak for themselves when possible.
- Be Professional, but Approachable: Maintain Rice’s academic integrity while remaining friendly, creative, and conversational.
- Adapt for Audience: Use tone and terms that fit the audience—more spirited and casual for students, more formal and precise for external media or research audiences.
- Avoid Overuse: Use hashtags and institutional terms intentionally and sparingly. Prioritize clarity and impact over clutter.
- Celebrate Traditions Thoughtfully: When referencing events like Beer Bike or O-Week, provide a brief context for new audiences or external viewers unfamiliar with Rice’s culture.
Signature Rice Terms and Traditions
Familiarity with these terms helps communicators authentically represent campus culture and resonate with internal and external audiences.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
|
Rice Owls |
The official nickname for all Rice students, alumni, fans, and athletic teams. |
|
Beyond the Hedges |
A metaphor often used to reference life outside or after Rice, inspired by the iconic hedges surrounding campus. |
|
O-Week |
Rice's Orientation Week is a foundational student experience and key content moment each fall. |
|
The Sallyport |
The ceremonial arch at Lovett Hall is associated with entering and graduating from the university. |
|
The Rice Thresher |
The award-winning student-run newspaper. |
|
Beer Bike |
A beloved Rice tradition combining competitive relay racing, spirit week events, and residential college pride. |
|
The Mob |
Short for Marching Owl Band is known for its spirited and satirical performances. |
|
Residential Colleges |
A core aspect of Rice's undergraduate experience, each with its community and identity. |
|
Rice Village |
A nearby shopping and dining area is part of everyday life for many Owls. |
|
Fondren Library |
The central academic library on campus and a frequent study spot referenced by students. |
|
Coffeehouse |
The student-run coffee shop is a major social and study hub that embodies student culture and entrepreneurship. |
|
Valhalla |
The graduate student-run pub located on campus is a point of pride for the Rice community. |
|
Espy and Ronde |
Two major formal events are organized by the undergraduate student body. Espy is a fall formal dance, and Ronde is a spring formal event, often referenced in student social life. |
Official and Community-Driven Hashtags
| Primary University Hashtags | Houston & Higher Ed Hashtags |
|---|---|
|
#RiceUniversity (Main institutional hashtag) #RiceOwls (Athletics and school spirit) #GoOwls (Sports, pride, and wins) #BeerBike (Annual tradition and spirit week) #OWeek (Orientation and campus welcome moments) #RiceResearch (Faculty and student research highlights) #RiceAlumni (Alumni relations, spotlights, and events) #RiceGrad[Year] (Commencement and graduate celebrations) Emojis 👐, 🦉 |
#H-Town, #HTX (General community and local engagement) #SpaceCity (For aerospace, NASA, and innovation references) #TheBayouCity (Alternative nickname) #HoustonStrong (For resilience, city pride, or collective response) #TMC (Refers to the Texas Medical Center, especially in research or healthcare content) #HoustonInnovation (For Rice-related startup, tech, and entrepreneurship content) #HigherEd (For general higher education engagement) #ResearchMatters (To amplify scholarship and public impact) |
The way we communicate on social media reflects who we are. By honoring Rice's voice, which is rooted in intellect, heart, pride, and playfulness, we help audiences feel part of something bigger. Every post is an opportunity to invite someone into our story.
For guidance on tone, copywriting, or messaging alignment, contact the Office of Public Affairs at socialmedia@rice.edu.