KINGSTON, R.I. — May 11, 2006 — The University of Rhode Island announced today that it will sponsor a full complement of its 22 intercollegiate sports programs for the 2006-07 academic year. The challenge of timing for current student-athletes to pursue both their academic and athletic goals was the key factor in the decision.

The University administration has been evaluating all of its University-wide programs, as part of its strategic plan and current financial challenges.

President Robert L. Carothers determined that due to the late date for notifying students that their sport would not be offered, all current intercollegiate sports will continue next year.

�The varied and complex implications for our current student-athletes and the limited opportunities for many to transfer in order to pursue academic and athletic goals was central to the decision that now was not an appropriate time to cut programs,� said Tom McElroy, director of athletics.

Options will be evaluated over the next few months, and a final determination made in the fall regarding a strategy for funding the athletic programs. This will include full compliance with Title IX, given the University�s requirement to achieve proportionality of intercollegiate opportunities for male and female student-athletes. The University is currently experiencing the largest enrollment gender gap since 1985, with full time undergraduate enrollment projected to be 60 percent female and 40 percent male next fall.

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