KINGSTON, RI – September 4, 2009 — The University of Rhode Island will greet new and returning students to all of its campuses during the first full week of September. In fact, President David M. Dooley and his wife, wife Rev. Lynn-Baker Dooely will personally welcome students and parents on campus during move in days.
Here’s a preview of enrollment at the University and a few of the activities and events that will be happening, including URI’s “First-first Night,” followed by First Night, first summer common reading initiative, the honors colloquium series with top-notch speakers, and the big Family Weekend event featuring comedians Jimmy Fallon and Steven Wright. In addition, there are also a few improvements being made in facilities on the Kingston campus. Classes officially begin Wednesday, Sept. 9.
With the well-publicized alert regarding the H1N1 virus, the University will use its full suite of communication tools – from e-mails, social networking, posters, and even classroom syllabi– to spread the word and update the community about flu information as needed. Much of the information is available from www.uri.edu.
About the Students*
• The University’s Office of Admission received and reviewed more than 16,000 applications for enrollment, which represented a more than one percent increase from last year. Transfer applications for admission (1,336) increased by nearly six percent this year.
• About 3,100 freshmen have paid deposits for enrollment at the University. In addition, 576 transfer students have paid deposits, which is an increase of nearly 20 percent over last year.
• About 250 veterans or members of their families will attend classes this fall at URI’s Kingston or Providence campus, thanks to any version the GI Bill. A URI Supports Student Veterans Committee formed two years ago to ease the transition from the battleground to the classroom. Among its many initiatives is a new Veterans Office at URI’s Feinstein Providence Campus, veteran information on admission and enrollment websites, designated advisors and more.
• About 51 percent (1,579) of the freshman class is from out of state. Consistent with trends nationwide, 57 percent of the class students are women and 43 percent are men. There are 480 students of color among the freshman class, which represents a nearly 8 percent increase over last year.
• After Rhode Island, the top states represented in the freshman class are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire. Combined, class members represent 30 different U.S. states.
• In total, there will be about 13,300 undergraduates (including pharmacy and other professional degree-seeking students) and about 3,000 part- and full-time graduate students attending URI this year.
• About 4,300 undergraduate students, including 2,700 freshmen, live in the 23 residence halls on campus and in on-campus apartments. Nearly 750 students live in the 17 sororities, fraternities and specialty houses on campus.
Fall Highlights
• September 5 Kick-Off: First game of the season, URI vs. Fordham. A new policy was announced that allows tailgating with alcohol at home football games, including homecoming, for athletics donors and the general public. This game will be the first at which the new policy will be in effect.
• September 5 First-First Night: To provide the least congestion and best service to incoming students, about half of the freshman class will move in from 8 am – 4 pm. At that time a resident assistant will escort each student to his or her new room. Following the day’s move-in activities, about 2,200 freshman and 800 upperclassmen are expected to enjoy dinner at Butterfield dining hall, followed by a drive-in style blockbuster movie at the Weldin-Barlow Amphitheater.
On Saturday, President Dooley plans to stop by at Tucker, Merrow and Heathman halls to help out and greet entering and returning students. On Sunday, he will visit Browning, Barlow and Wiley halls.
• September 6 First Night: After the remainder of the freshman village moves in, all students on campus will participate in First Night activities. The events kick off a series of “Welcome Week” activities that are planned for all on-campus residents. Upperclassmen are schedule to move in on Sept. 7-8. In total, more than 5,000 students will live on campus this year.
• Building New Bonds: To introduce first-year students immediately to a campus culture focused on academic engagement and learning, Provost Donald H. DeHayes introduced a Summer Common Reading Initiative for incoming students and the broader URI community. The book selected was the Pulitzer Prize winning, Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, and all students received a copy of the book and their reading assignment at orientation. To further build a sense of community and common bond among incoming students, the University created a blog for readers to exchange reactions to the various stories. Ms. Lahiri participated in the blog exchange and each of the deans has shared their thoughts about one of the stories. The book ties into the topic of the fall honors colloquium, “Demystifying India.” The blog is at uricommonreading.blogspot.com.
• September 15 Honors Colloquium Opens: The University’s fall Honors Colloquium will explore India through a range of topics as large and varied as the country itself. The series, “Demystifying India,” explores contemporary India from multiple perspectives: economic, political, cultural, historical, philosophical, and more. These are considered through lectures, films, gallery exhibits, panel discussions and more. A complete schedule of the colloquium can found online at www.uri.edu/hc.
• September 29 – October 5. The 13th Annual Diversity Week will be held on the Kingston Campus to celebrate the importance of diversity and identity in higher education, the workplace, the community and the world. Last year’s events drew 3,800 people to a host of activities over the five-day program. The week is brimming with arts, music, dance, film and other activities and features such crowd-pleasing favorites as the Pangaea Roots Music Festival, featuring Odaiko New England, diversity video and film festival, dozens of workshops and more. Most events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule visit www.uri.edu/mcc.
• URI’s Open House. Thousands of high school seniors and their families will attend one of the University’s Open Houses that will be held Oct. 25, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. 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.
• October 16-17. Homecoming 2009. Homecoming on the Kingston Campus includes reunions, college- and department-based gatherings, a 5K race to benefit URI student scholarships, music, food, entertainment and more. The URI-Hofstra game starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Meade Stadium. That evening, the 4th annual URI Distinguished Achievement Award Celebration will be held.
• October 17, Distinguished Achievement celebrated. The University will celebrate the fourth annual URI Distinguished Achievement Awards. This event will honor four alumni who are making a big difference in the world. At the same time, the deans of each of the University’s degree-granting colleges name honorees representing their areas to receive Dean’s List Awards. More information will be available at advance.uri.edu/programming/default.htm.
• October 30- November 1, Family Weekend. This annual program brings thousands to the South County area each fall. This year, comedians Jimmy Fallon and Steven Wright 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 student, 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 Dooley. For more information visit http://www.uri.edu/familyweekend.
Construction Zone
• College of Pharmacy: A groundbreaking will be held on Monday, Oct. 5 for the $70 million College of Pharmacy Building, the second major part of the URI Health and Life Sciences District. The ceremony will be held at the Woodward Hall parking lot, future home of the URI Medicinal Gardens. For more information visit URI’s Department of Public Affairs and Programming online.
• Hillel Center: The former Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house at 6 Fraternity Circle is being renovated and re-designed to create the 7,000 square-foot Norman M. Fain Hillel Center. The center will be a central meeting point where students can celebrate Jewish life, explore both Jewish and universal issues, build life-long friendships, and enrich their personal growth. The new Fain Hillel Center is expected to be complete early next year.
On the Horizon
• Housing: The General Assembly approved a $40 million project to build a 350-bed residence hall at the site of the Terrace Apartments on the Kingston Campus. Built in 1958, the apartments provide just 48 beds in four buildings. The new residence hall project, now called “Hillside Hall,” will begin next year and is expected to be complete in two years.
• Hellenic Center Paideia: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Hellenic Center Paideia took place on June 30 and construction is underway. In an agreement with the University, Paideia is leasing the land and building a 22,000 square-foot complex. The Rodos educational building will showcase Byzantine architecture, art and history in an authentic venue. When completed, the center will also serve as home to the URI Humanities Center. Expected to open in 2011.
• Wellness and Fitness Center at the former Roger Williams dining hall is now in design. This center will be funded entirely through private donations.
A Few Simple Facts
• About 13,300 undergraduate students, 3,000 graduate students
• About 3,100 Freshmen Fall 2009*
• 16,100 Applications received
• More than 5,000 undergraduate students now reside on campus
• Beyond traditional collegiate athletics, more than 2,200 students keep fit in one of URI’s 228 intramural teams
• More than 102,600 active alumni
TUITION AND FEES (2009-10)
• Undergraduate Tuition and fees:
o In-state $9,528
o Out-of-state $26,026
o Regional $15,708
• Undergraduate Room/Board, $10,550
MOST POPULAR MAJORS
• Top 10 undergraduate majors are Nursing, Communication Studies, Psychology, Physical Education, Pharmacy (Pharm D), Human Development and Family Studies, English, Biological Sciences, Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design, Accounting.
*Figures are as of Sept. 2, 2009. Final enrollment numbers will be available in late October.