KINGSTON, RI – August 26, 2011 — The University of Rhode Island will welcome new and returning students to all of its campuses during the first full week of September. Here’s a preview of enrollment at the University, a few of the fall activities and events, and a summary of construction in progress.

The 2011 Honors Colloquium series will feature top-notch speakers like inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil considering the question: “Are You Ready for the Future?” Of course, to ensure that all will be “fit” for the future, fitness guru and creator of the world-famous P90X workout program Tony Horton will “Bring It” for a community workout at Keaney Gymnasium. The big Family Weekend event later in the fall will include comedian Dana Carvey.

Starting this fall there are new academic majors for students to consider: The Health Studies major prepares undergraduates for various non-clinical careers in the health services field; the new Chinese major offers students in any field a distinct advantage worldwide; and the Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Program offers graduate degrees in neurosciences to educate scientists and professors for private and public sector research. In addition, in January URI will welcome international students to the new A.C.E. Language Institute to help them improve their English fluency before being enrolled as full-time students at URI.

About the Students*

• The University’s Office of Admission received and reviewed more than 21,000 applications for enrollment, which is the largest number of applications ever considered.

• About 3,160 freshmen and 540 transfer students have paid deposits for enrollment. About 54 percent (1,706) of the class is from out of state, regional and international.

• The incoming student population includes about 677 students of color. Consistent with trends nationwide, 57 percent of the students are women and 43 percent are men.

• After Rhode Island, the top states represented in the freshman class are respectively, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. Combined, the incoming freshman class represents 27 U.S states and 16 nations.

• In total, there will be about 13,250 undergraduates (including pharmacy and other professional degree-seeking students) and about 3,000 part- and full-time graduate students attending URI this year. As of August 11, the student body includes students from 45 different U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico and 58 nations. Sixty-three percent of the students are from Rhode Island.

• About 5,600 undergraduate students, including 2,800 freshmen live in the University’s 24 on campus residence halls, suites and apartments. An additional 750 students live in the 17 sororities, fraternities and specialty houses on campus.

Fall Highlights

• Freshmen Move-In Days, Sept. 3-4: To provide the best service to incoming students, about half of the freshman class will move in Saturday, Sept. 3 and half Sunday, Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. At that time a resident advisor will escort each student to his or her new room. Upperclassmen move in Sept. 5-6. A series of Welcome Week activities are planned to welcome freshmen and all campus residents.

• 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 No Impact Man by Colin Beavan. The author and subject of the book, Beavan will visit the Kingston Campus on Sept. 22. Community members participate in a blog discussion about the book at http://uricommonreading.blogspot.com/.

• Honors Colloquium Begins, Sept. 13: The University’s Fall Honors Colloquium, “Are you ready for the future?” will explore the astonishing technological advances expected over the coming 20-30 years and their impact on humankind. Leading speakers will include inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil; author and futurist Peter Schwartz; Hugo award-winning science fiction author Vernor Vinge; biological engineer and brain-cognitive scientist Ed Boyden; and cyber security expert Richard Clarke. Find more information at: http://www.uri.edu/hc.

• Alumnus Tony Horton to “Bring It”, Sept. 19: To ensure that the University community is really fit for the future, fitness guru and creator of the world-famous P90X workout program Tony Horton will present a community class at Keaney Gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. Find more information at: www.uri.edu/news/releases/index.php?id=5901.

• Football Kickoff, Sept. 24: First home football game of the season, URI vs. Fordham.

• 14th Annual Diversity Week, Oct. 3-7: Events 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 numerous activities. The week is brimming with dozens of workshops, arts, music, film and other activities. Most events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule visit www.uri.edu/mcc.

• On Stage, Oct. 13: URI Theatre begins its fall season with Marat Sade, Oct. 13-21. View details at www.uri.edu/theatre.

• URI’s Open House, Fall: Thousands of high school seniors and their families will attend one of the University’s Open Houses that will be held Oct. 15, and 30. 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 http://www.uri.edu/admission/.

• Homecoming 2011, Oct. 21-23: Homecoming on the Kingston Campus includes reunions, college- and department-based gatherings, 5K race to benefit URI student scholarships, music, food, entertainment and more. The URI vs. University of Delaware game starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Meade Stadium. That evening, the 6th annual URI Distinguished Achievement Awards celebration will be held.

• Distinguished Achievement celebrated, Oct. 22: The University will hold its sixth annual URI Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremonies. 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. Find more information at: http://advance.uri.edu/programming/default.htm

• Family Weekend, Nov. 5-6: This annual program brings thousands to the South County area. This year, Dana Carvey 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. Find more information at: http://www.uri.edu/familyweekend.

Construction Zone

• College of Pharmacy: Construction is well under way for the $75 million College of Pharmacy Building, the second major part of the URI Health and Life Sciences District. When the new facility opens at the end of 2011, the 148,000 square-foot, five-story structure will allow the college to accept more students in its six-year doctor of pharmacy program, its graduate programs and its new four-year bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences.

• Edwards Hall: In 2010, work began to enhance fire protection and make architectural improvements in the 900-seat auditorium. This led to the discovery of a hidden treasure, a set of Depression-era murals that were behind walls in the lobby. Funded in part, by a $1.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant, Edwards was reopened in September 2010 with some work continuing into 2011. The oil-on-canvas paintings were safely removed for conservation, and will be reinstalled during the fall semester.

• Landscapes: On the Kingston Campus, the Ranger-Green campus landscaping and beautification project will be completed in November. The $1.5 million project has included extensive infrastructure and exterior improvements and overall enhancements to turn this heavily traveled area into an attractive and accessible pedestrian green space.

• Hillside Hall: A 429-bed residential building, known as Hillside Hall, is now under construction to replace the four-building, 90-bed Terrace Apartments located on Quarry Road near the Memorial Union. When completed for fall semester 2012, the $42.7 million residence will be the most energy efficient residential complex on campus.

• Wellness and Fitness Center: A project construction contract will be awarded this fall for the Wellness Center at the former Roger Williams Dining Center. The $10 million Wellness Center will be funded entirely through private donations and auxiliary funds and will be completed in the fall of 2012.

• Carothers Learning Commons and Library: The $845,000 renovation of the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons is under way to create a technology rich student learning and resource center. The project will be completed for the beginning of the spring semester.

• Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS): Thanks to a $5.1 million grant from the R.I. legislature, work began this summer to fit-out the fourth floor of the CBLS. This project will install additional research laboratories in the north wing and complete the south wing for the administrative offices of the College of Life Sciences and the Environment.

• Taft Hall: The $1.2 million renovation project will begin this fall and be completed by the spring semester. In January 2012, Taft Hall will become home to the new Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.) Language Institute to help international students improve their English fluency before being enrolled as full-time students at URI. The Talent Development Program will also return to its home in Taft. For more information: http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=5924

• Behavioral Change Research Center: Preparations are under way on the first floor of the low-rise section of the Chafee Social Science Center for construction of the new Behavioral Change Research Center funded by a federal grant. The Chafee main lobby is getting a major facelift while other work is in progress.

• Athletics and Recreation Facilities: Numerous improvements have been or will be made to athletic facilities and grounds. These include: a new $1.5 million Field Turf surface installed in the baseball field in 2010 and this spring a new $350,000 indoor batting facility built at Beck Baseball Field. Both were constructed with private donations. The Keaney Road tennis courts were replaced with eight new top-level courts, again funded by a major gift. To continue its status as the premier A10 indoor track facility, Mackal Field House will undergo improvements, including replacement of the floor and track with a new Olympic-grade Mondo sport surface and replacement of the 20-year-old roof.

• Other Capital Projects: Using a $12.5 million federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, planning and construction began on five major fire safety projects in the spring 2011. To be completed in January 2012, these include the athletic complex, Chafee Social Science Center, Carothers Learning Commons and Library, Fine Arts Center and the Memorial Union. And there are several other projects under way to improve the teaching, learning and living spaces at URI.

A Few Simple Facts

• About 13,250 undergraduate students, 3,000 graduate students*

• About 3,160 Freshmen*

• 21,000 applications received

• About 5,600 undergraduate students now reside in University housing

• 16 to 1; student to faculty ratio

• 85 percent of faculty have doctoral degrees

• More than 103,598 active alumni

TUITION AND FEES (2010-11)

• Undergraduate Tuition and fees:

o In-state $11,366

o Out-of-state $27,454

o Regional $18,734

• Undergraduate Room/Board, $10,796 (standard meal plan, double occupancy room)

• Graduate Tuition and fees:

o In-state $11,794

o Out-of-state $24,492

MOST POPULAR MAJORS

• Top 10 undergraduate majors are Nursing, Communication Studies, Psychology, Kinesiology, Human Development and Family Studies, Accounting, Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design, Biological Sciences, Secondary Education, Primary Education

*Figures are as of August 22, 2011. Final enrollment numbers will be available in late October.