“Health” is the interdisciplinary hot topic that sets the stage for several big events at the University this fall. To start things off, on Sept. 4, the University will celebrate the grand opening of the new $75 million home for its College of Pharmacy in the North Sciences District.
On Sept. 11, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder will open the Honors Colloquium, “Health Care Change? Health, Politics and Money”, that will magnify issues that are shaping our health for today, and for the future.
On Sept. 13, URI’s new and returning students and the entire community will celebrate the opening of the new “Learning Commons” located on the first floor of the Robert L. Carothers Library on the Kingston Campus.
On Sept. 14, a one-day symposium, “Drug Therapy in the 21st Century: Discovery and Clinical Use,” marks a new era in drug development and clinical practice. And later in September, the University will host its first international conference, “Frontiers in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Global Perspectives,” with a Nobel Laureate and dozens of international biomedical scholars.
About the Students*
• The University’s Office of Admission received and reviewed more than 20,600 applications for new freshmen, which is the largest number of applications ever considered. In addition, more than 1,300 applications were considered for students wishing to transfer to the University.
• About 3,100 freshmen and 500 transfer students have enrolled. About 53 percent of the incoming class is from out of state, regional and international and about 70 percent of the transfer students are from Rhode Island.
• Consistent with trends nationwide, 56 percent of the incoming students are women and 44 percent are men. The incoming class includes about 675 self-identified students of color.
• After Rhode Island, the top states represented in the freshman class are respectively, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Combined, the incoming freshman class and transfers represent 33 U.S states and 23 nations.
• In total, the University expects to have more than 13,000 undergraduates and more than 3,000 part- and full-time graduate students attending URI this year. The student body includes students from 45 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico and 58 nations.
• Sixty percent of the TOTAL student body is from Rhode Island.
• About 6,200 undergraduate students, including 2,803 freshmen live in the University’s 24 on campus residence halls, suites and apartments, the 17 sororities, fraternities and specialty houses on campus.
• More than 65 percent of URI undergraduate students receive some financial aid. For freshmen in 2011, this number was more than 75 percent. Of undergraduates completing their degrees, roughly 73 percent have debt and the average amount is about $26,000.
* Student enrollment information is projected as of August 2012. Final enrollment numbers will be available in late October.
Fall Events
• Freshmen Move-In Days, Sept. 1-2: To provide the best service to incoming students and their families, the freshman class will move in on Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. At that time a resident assistant will escort each student to his or her new room. Upperclassmen move in starting Sept. 2. A series of Welcome Week activities are planned to welcome freshmen and all returning students.
• College of Pharmacy, Sept. 4: URI will celebrate the opening of its new $75 million pharmacy building with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. with a speaking program in the Chafee Social Science Center, Room 271, followed by the ribbon cutting outside the main entrance on the west side of the new building. The five-story, 144,000 square-foot building is the largest academic building on the Kingston campus and has allowed the College to boost enrollment by 50 percent. The building is expected to earn a “Gold” rating in the U.S Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system.
• Habitat for Humanity Dedication, Sept. 8: This special home was built through funds raised by URI students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the University of Rhode Island. Students spent months building this home on Old North Road in partnership with Habitat for Humanity volunteers and the Stone family, the family who will reside in the house. Tour the house and enjoy refreshments. Celebrate and dedicate the Jason & Cora Stone Family Home.
• Common Reading: To introduce first-year students to a campus culture focused on academic engagement and learning, URI’s Summer Common Reading project selected the book, “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” by author Tracy Kidder. Kidder will visit the Kingston Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 11, to launch the Honors Colloquium, “Health Care Change? Health, Politics & Money.”
• Honors Colloquium, Sept. 11: Starting with the address by Kidder, local, national, and international speakers will address foundational changes in the political and economic forces shaping personal, state, national and international health. Speakers will discuss such issues as the Affordable Care Act, how equitable care and access to preventive services can be provided in Rhode Island and worldwide, and how education and advocacy can be used to effect change with pervasive issues like obesity. A complete schedule and a link for online live viewing can be found at www.uri.edu/hc.
• Learning Commons Open House, Sept. 13: An Open House will be held to introduce students, faculty and staff to the state-of-the-art research and learning space at the Robert L. Carothers Library, developed as part of a $750,000 renovation project. The new area boasts a full suite of resources including a video presentation room and group study rooms to more fully support the student learning experience.
• Football Home Kickoff, Sept. 22: With head Coach Joe Trainer, the 2012 season kicks off at Monmouth on Sept. 8 and the first home game for the Rams is Sept. 22 against James Madison. To order tickets for the upcoming season, call the Ryan Center box office at 401.874.RAMS.
• Annual Diversity Week, Oct. 1-5: Events will be held to celebrate the importance of diversity and identity in higher education, the workplace, the community and the world. The week includes more than 60 workshops, events, and seminars–this year, with a focus on health care. Most events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule visit www.uri.edu/mcc.
• Family Weekend, Oct. 12-14: This annual program brings thousands to South County. This year, comedian Wayne Brady will entertain at the event for families and community members. Families of undergraduate students have the chance to participate in numerous activities including attending classes with their students, learning about programs on the Kingston and Narragansett Bay campuses, attending a football game and more. The weekend will end with a brunch with President David M. Dooley. For more information visit www.uri.edu/familyweekend.
• On Stage, Oct. 11-21: URI Theatre begins its fall season with Marvin’s Room, a comedy by Scott McPherson, which is presented as part of the 2012 URI Honors Colloquium on health care. View details at www.uri.edu/theatre.
• URI’s Open Houses, Oct. 20, 28: Thousands of high school seniors and their families will attend one of the University’s Open Houses that will be held Oct. 20 and 28. The programs provide potential students with a chance to learn about the admission process, financial aid, scholarships and more. Visitors can register for the program at www.uri.edu/admissions.
• Homecoming 2012, Oct. 26-28: Homecoming on the Kingston Campus includes reunions, college and department-based gatherings, music, food, entertainment and more. The URI vs. New Hampshire game starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Meade Stadium. That evening, the annual URI Distinguished Achievement Awards celebration will be held to honor alumni who are making a big difference in the world.
• URI Distinguished Achievement Awards: Oct. 27. Annual awards program honors those individuals or corporations who personify the University’s tradition of excellence in professional achievement, leadership contributions, and/or community service. Newport Mariott, Reception, dinner, and awards program.
• 50th Anniversary of W. Alton Jones Campus: This year, the University celebrates the 50th anniversary of the W. Alton Jones Campus in West Greenwich. Various events will be held throughout the year to honor the rich history of the campus, as the University community celebrates “Big Moments in the Woods.” www.uri.edu/ajc/50th/.
Construction Zone
This past year has been the busiest construction cycle in the University’s history, with more than $300 million in construction and renovation contracts underway.
•Housing: Hillside Hall Residence Hall, $42 million project, 120,000 square feet, five-story structure will house 429 students in double rooms, each with 9-foot-high ceilings, built-in closets and the newest technology. Hillside Hall will be the most energy efficient residence hall on campus with up to 30 percent of its domestic hot water needs supplied by rooftop solar collectors. No taxpayer funds will be used to pay for the new housing complex. Many of the building materials will have recycled content, and the building will also feature naturally ventilated spaces, a vegetated roof, heat-recovery equipment, indoor bicycle storage, and building energy monitors in the main lobby.
• Behavioral Change Research Facility: The first floor of the Chafee Social Science Center is being transformed into a centralized facility to support faculty, researchers and students who are developing and evaluating new approaches to behavior change. Expected to be complete next semester, the project is funded by a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• LGBTQ Center: To be located at the present site of the Ruggles House at 19 Upper College Rd., the LGBTQ Center will be new construction. LLB Architects of Pawtucket, has begun the design process for the new center in keeping with the road’s residential style.
• Student-Athlete Development Center: This $3 million facility will be located in a renovated and expanded area of the east gym of the Tootell Physical Education Center. It will be a comprehensive athletic performance and student-athlete enhancement center with classrooms and meeting rooms. Private donations and University resources will fund the project.
• Butterfield Dining Hall: When Hillside Hall opens, there will be about 6,200 students living on campus, so the need for additional dining space is critical. Design is under way to expand this dining facility in the heart of the Freshman Village. Cost for the project is estimated at $3 million, with a tentative completion date of September 2013. Student dining fees will finance the improvements.
• Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences: The design work by William Wilson Architects of Boston is complete for the $70 million chemistry building to be constructed in the North Science District, specifically in a portion of the Chafee parking lot between the Chafee Social Science Center and White Hall. Construction is expected to begin during the spring semester. Of the total project cost, $61 million is being funded through a bond issue approved by Rhode Island voters.
• Other Capital Projects: There are several other projects under way to improve the teaching, learning and living spaces at URI. These include: Planning for future renovations of the College of Engineering buildings and the Fine Arts Center; ongoing improvements to buildings across campus, such as the new windows in East and Washburn Halls; first floor renovations and utility upgrades of Ranger Hall for the Harrington School of Communication and Media are in design; and the Flagg/Plains Road extension.
A Few More Simple Facts
Tuition and Mandatory Fees (2012-13)
• Undergraduate Tuition and fees:
— In-state $12,450*
— Out-of-state $28,016*
— Regional $20,610*
• Graduate Tuition and fees:
— In-state $12,920*
— Out-of-state $24,994*
— Regional $18,686*
*If $1,676 Accident/Sick Insurance fee is waived. See complete details at Enrollment Services.
• Undergraduate Room/Board, $11,160
• Top 10 undergraduate majors are Nursing; Communication Studies; Psychology; Kinesiology; Human Development and Family Studies; English; Accounting; Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design; Political Science; and Biological Sciences.