The Department of Communications & Marketing is located on the first floor of the Alumni Center, 73 Upper College Road, Suite 100. Upon arrival to campus, members of the media should sign in to receive a commencement media pass that will provide access to the podium/press seating area. The media pass will minimize any access-related problems you might encounter as security personnel and ushers have been alerted to accommodate those wearing them.
Parking: Enter the University on Upper College Road from Route 138. Turn right at first stop sign onto Briar Lane. Turn left into parking lot after the campus police station. The lot is closest to the Alumni Center (natural shingled) and just a short walk to the undergraduate commencement exercises on the quad.
In the event of rain, the main commencement ceremony will be held at the Ryan Center. If the rain plan is implemented, the decision will be made in the early morning and information will be posted on the URI homepage, www.uri.edu, and a message will be placed on our automated phone lines (874-7669, 874-1000 and 874-NEWS, (874-6397). Members of the media should go to the Ryan Center’s media room (room 117, first left after entering the Center via the North Lobby) to receive a media pass and seating instructions. Parking will be available in the lot opposite Meade Stadium. If you have any questions, you can reach the Department of Communications and Marketing staff that day by calling 874-5426 or 714-6595.
As in previous years, we will offer mic-level audio feed hook-ups from the podium for those of you who need them.
Your reporting crews are welcome to use our offices as their headquarters while on campus, where snacks and soda are available before and during the ceremonies. If you need additional information, please call Jan Wenzel or Nancy Gillespie at 874-2116.
Visit our commencement website at www.uri.edu/commencement.