• Venues Listing.pdf
• Frequently Asked Questions – Grand Hall
• Frequently Asked Questions – Farnsworth Pavilion

RESERVATIONS

The facilities rental fee provides the customer with up to six (6) hours use of a venue, on the agreed upon date(s) of the event. Times must be clearly specified in the Facilities Use Agreement. The rental fee includes tables and chairs. Set-up and clean-up times are included in the six hours event block, but additional hours may be added to an event for an additional fee. The individual/organization is responsible for the return of the facilities to regular use in the same condition as received. All set-up requests must be made at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled event.

If you are interested in renting one of our venues, please review the following documents. Email scevents@rice.edu if you have any questions.

Facilities Reservation Documents (for any venue, excluding the chapel)

Chapel and Facilities Reservation Documents (for any venue, together with the chapel)

FEES

Facilities can be placed on hold for 5 business days. After this time, the Student Center must receive a $100 non-refundable deposit (which is applied toward the total amount) before the reservation is confirmed, and a completed Facilities Use Agreement is submitted.

Full payment is due no later than 30 days prior to the event. Failure to pay in full within the said timeline will result in the loss of the reservation and may jeopardize the individual/organization’s future use of Student Center facilities. Any additional charges assessed after the event will be due within thirty (30) days of billing.

Additional hours beyond the six allowed hours are $50 per hour, any day during the school year, except for holidays. During the summer (first Monday after Mother’s day thru last Monday of August) extra hours are $100 each. If the building needs to open before, or close after, the regular business hours, a $50 early opening and/or $50 late closing fee will also apply. This fee also applies on weekends in the summer, as we are closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Based on the actual extent of clean up required, additional clean-up charges may be assessed after the event at $35.00 per hour of service per custodian, with a minimum of $70.00. Other fees may apply.

INSURANCE

Insurance is required for all events, and the insurance fee is $135.00.

DECORATIONS

• Tape, tacks, nails, or screws, etc., may not be used to affix items to any surface in the facilities.
• Only dripless, contained candles may be used on the premises.
• Plastic or other protection must be placed under live plants.
• There may be no rice, rice bags, confetti, flower petals, or glitter utilized on the premises, including the facilities rented and on the outside grounds of the Student Center.
• There is no storage available before or after the event. Any items brought into the facilities must be removed at the close of the event

PARKING

Parking is available on any visitor lot, go here for details Visitor Parking.

The Student Center has parking validations for $8 each, available to anyone having an event in our building.

FOOD and BEVERAGES

All food must be catered and ready to serve. Cooking is not allowed on the premises. Food can only be heated with Sternos, or other type of food warmers. If serving alcohol at your event, you will need to hire security.  The Student Center needs to receive a copy of the caterer’s catering license and the bartender’s TABC license 2 weeks prior to the event.   

Caterers must have Commercial Liability Insurance.  Here is the list of  Rice approved caterers. 

SECURITY

Any event serving alcohol is required to hire security through the Rice University Police Department (RUPD).  Please contact rupdeventsecurity@rice.edu to inquire about security for your event.  Once your reservation is confirmed, go to the RUPD website and fill out their online form to hire security.

CANCELLATIONS

Event cancelled less than 5 months prior to the scheduled date 50% of facilities use fee is charged.

Event cancelled less than 1 month prior to the scheduled date 100% of facilities use fee is charged.

USE OF SMOKE/FOG MACHINES IS PROHIBITED INSIDE THE STUDENT CENTER.