KINGSTON, RI – August 27, 2014 — The University of Rhode Island will be welcoming one of its largest incoming classes — about 3,650 new students, including 3,150 first-year freshmen and 500 transfer students this weekend, Aug. 30-31.
When combined with returning and transfer students, the University will be the home away from home for more than 13,000 full-time undergraduate students and about 3,000 graduate students. In a carefully scripted fashion over this weekend, about 6,000 students will move into URI’s 24 residence halls. They will be greeted by scores of staff, parking guides and plenty of programs. President David M. Dooley and other members of the administration will also be on hand at select spots. Classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Some fun facts — this year’s bright freshman class includes 20 sets of twins, a set of triplets and one incoming doctor of pharmacy student who was an America’s Got Talent contestant before she packed up for classes. Consistent with the University’s Transformational Goals, the number of undergraduates who self-identify as being from diverse backgrounds continues to increase, with the incoming class at about 22 percent and all undergraduates at about 18 percent.
Academically Speaking — The interdisciplinary fall honors colloquium “Cybersecurity & Privacy” will explore some downsides of our dependence on technology — including the loss of personal privacy. From start to finish, this Tuesday-night series may leave attendees on the edge of their seats, checking the settings on their tech tools, and looking around for any other devices they may “see” on a daily basis.
What University community members and all Rhode Island voters definitely will see and hear is a call for their support of the higher education facilities bond referendum (Question #4) on the ballot this November. This ballot question calls for $125 million to support new construction and critical renovation of facilities for URI’s College of Engineering. The current engineering structures were built in the 1950s and don’t allow for the innovative research in contemporary engineering or for growing enrollment; the college has seen a 39 percent increase in enrollment since 2003. The new facility will also accommodate an additional projected 18 percent increase in enrollment. More than 4,000 URI engineering graduates live and work in Rhode Island, and about 750 Rhode Island companies, like Toray Plastics (America) Inc., Taco Inc., and Textron, depend on a pipeline of engineers from URI for their workforce.
Here’s a preview of enrollment and a few of the activities and events that will be happening this fall.
About the Students*
• The University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission reviewed 20,900 applications for new freshmen. In addition, more than 1,350 applications were considered for students wishing to transfer to the University.
• The University anticipates enrolling one of its largest classes of new students this fall – 3,650 students including 3,150 freshmen and 500 transfer students.
• Consistent with trends nationwide, 55 percent of the new students are women and 45 percent are men.
• Together, the incoming group of freshmen and transfer students includes about 22 percent self-identified students of color. During the last 10 years, this number has increased from 11 percent to about 18 percent for the entire undergraduate population.
• About 48 percent of the new students are from Rhode Island and 52 percent are from out of state or foreign countries. About 60 percent of the total student body is from Rhode Island.
• After Rhode Island, the top states represented in the freshman class are respectively, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Combined, the incoming freshman class and transfers represent 34 U.S states and 15 nations.
• Top 10 majors in terms of undergraduate enrollment are: nursing, psychology, kinesiology, communication studies, human development and family studies, biological sciences, accounting, mechanical engineering, general business and animal science. For this year’s incoming class, the university experienced strong interest in business, engineering, and various health fields.
• URI will award more than $80 million in financial aid. An estimated 75 percent of undergraduate students are expected to receive financial aid and institutional support.
• The student profile for 2014 freshmen shows top-notch academic scores: Average GPA 3.43; SAT total 1,663; ACT score 24.
• About 5,548 undergraduate students, including 2,875 freshmen live in the University’s 24 on campus residence halls, suites and apartments. An additional 645 students live in the 17 sororities, fraternities and specialty houses on campus, 44 students in the International Engineering Program houses and 30 students in the Women’s Center.
• Overall, the University expects more than 13,000 undergraduates and more than 3,000 part- and full-time graduate students at URI this year*. The student body will include students from 45 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico and 68 nations.
*Student enrollment information is projected as of August 2014. Final reporting numbers will be available after Oct. 15, 2014, the federal census date for college enrollments.
Fall Activities
• Freshmen Move-In Days, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2: To provide the best service to incoming students the freshman class will move in on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30 and 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. At that time, a resident assistant will escort each student to his or her room. Upperclassmen will move in Sept. 1 and 2. A series of student Welcome Week activities include the Psychic Madman Jim Karol, the student organization fair, movie-night on the Quad and more.
• 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, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. The author was the highly regarded computer scientist on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2008. When diagnosed and given only months to live, he decided to create a lasting legacy for his students, colleagues, and his three young children. This fall, three Grand Challenge courses are focused on the themes of this book and many events are being planned, including a Diversity Week presentation featuring URI faculty, students, and administrators, who will offer their own “last lectures.”
• Football Home Kickoff, Sept. 20: With head coach Jim Fleming the 2014 season kicks off at Marshall on Sept. 6.The first home game for the Rams is Sept. 20 against Albany. To order tickets for the upcoming season, call the Ryan Center Box Office at 401.874.RAMS (401.874.7267).
• Honors Colloquium, Sept. 9: In this semester-long series, national and international speakers will address how the dependence on modern technology is not without its downside. Cyber threats pose serious economic and national security challenges. Moreover, corporations and government agencies track user’s online activities, purchases, and even their locations. The lectures are free and open to the public and also will be streamed online. Find more information at Honors.
• Annual Diversity Week, Sept. 28 through Oct. 3: 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 dozens of workshops, events, and seminars. Most events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule visit http://web.uri.edu/mcc/
• On Stage, Oct. 9 through 19: URI Theatre begins its fall season with the Rhode Island premiere of Seminar, an edgy, contemporary, comedic play by Theresa Rebeck, a widely produced playwright and television writer. Seminar played on Broadway in 2011-2012 and was nominated for a 2012 Drama League Award for “Distinguished Production of a Play” and as “Best Play” by the Outer Critics Circle. View details at Theatre.
• Community Celebration, Oct. 18: A special event will be held to honor the life and work of the late Leo F. DiMaio Jr, retired director of URI’s Talent Development Program from 1980 to 1998. Proceeds from the event will benefit the DiMaio/Forleo Endowed Scholarship fund.
• Annual Distinguished Achievement Awards, Oct. 25: URI’s annual event at which President David M. Dooley, Provost Donald H. DeHayes, and the college deans honor alumni and others who personify URI’s tradition of excellence in achievement, leadership, and service. The event is a formal celebration to launch Homecoming weekend.
• Homecoming 2014, Oct. 24-26: Homecoming on the Kingston Campus includes reunions, college and department-based gatherings, music, food, entertainment and more. The URI vs. University of Delaware game starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Meade Stadium.
• Open House, Oct. 18, Nov. 2: Thousands of high school seniors and their families will attend one of the University’s Open Houses this fall. The programs provide potential students with a chance to learn about the admission process, financial aid, scholarships and more. Visitors can click here to register for the program.
• Family Weekend, Nov. 7-8: This annual program brings thousands to South County. This year comedian Seth Myers will entertain at the event for families and community members. Families of undergraduate students may 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. For more information visit Family Weekend.
Construction Zone
The hard hat is back in style on the Kingston Campus this year as work is under way to improve the teaching, research, learning and living spaces at URI. Below is a snapshot of the work in progress:
• LGBTQ Center: The new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center is under construction at 19 Upper College Road. A grand opening will be held in February 2015. Designed by LLB Architects of Pawtucket, the new building is in keeping with the main campus roadway’s residential style. Currently located in Adams Hall, the Center provides a range of programs and services to create and maintain an open, safe, and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community members and friends.
• Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences: Thanks to support from Rhode Island voters in 2010, the $70 million Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences is now under construction. The facility is being built on a portion of what was the parking lot between the Chafee Social Science Center and White Hall, and is expected to be open for classes in September 2016. The Center will serve more than 7,000 URI students who take chemistry each year; about 40 percent of all URI degree programs require at least one chemistry class. The new building designed by William Wilson Architects of Boston will provide chemistry instruction to approximately 1,400 students a day. Of the total project cost, $61 million is being funded through a bond issue. Follow this link (http://tinyurl.com/urichemistry) to a live construction site feed.
• Butterfield Dining Hall: To accommodate the 6,000 students now living on campus, URI Dining Services recognized the need for an expanded and renovated dining facility in the residential area. Vision 3 Architects of Providence completed the design for the $8 million project to expand the current facility that’s located in the heart of the Freshman Village. Project construction is being done in stages and completion is expected by September 2015. Named for former President Kenyon L. Butterfield, (URI 1903 – 1906), Butterfield was built in 1950 as part of the residence hall at the same site.
• Other Capital Projects: There are several other projects under way to improve the teaching, research, learning and living spaces at URI. These include: fire protection engineering work on Kingston campus facilities, planning for future renovations, and ongoing improvements to instructional labs and buildings across campus. In addition, the first floor renovations and utility upgrades of Ranger Hall for the Harrington School of Communication and Media are in design by Durkee Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects of Providence.
And for the 2016-17 academic year turning the abandoned South Street Power Station into a state-of-the-art Nursing Education Center where URI and Rhode Island College will share facilities – is a strategic use of this long-neglected space. Located at the junction of the state’s major hospitals, the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, and Johnson and Wales University’s physician assistant program, the center will catalyze existing teaching and research, create new synergies, and foster productive collaborations. The opening of this 133,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility is an important step in creating a health care hub for the region.
Simple Facts
Like last year, there is no tuition increase for 2014-15. Below are current rates:
TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES (2014-15)
• Undergraduate Tuition and Fees:
o In-state $12,506
o Out-of-state $28,072
o Regional $20,666
• Undergraduate Room/Board, $11,752
• Graduate Tuition and Fees:
o In-state $12,974
o Out-of-state $25,048
o Regional $18,740