URI’s Facts about Fall 2016

Incoming class brings greater diversity, academic achievement

KINGSTON, RI – August 29, 2016 — The University of Rhode Island is preparing to welcome its incoming class of about 3,730 new students, including 3,230 first-year students and 500 who have transferred. When combined with returning students, the University will be the home away from home for more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students will start to move onto campus Saturday, Sept. 3 and classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

There will be some lively discussions on campus this fall as the interdisciplinary Honors Colloquium examines “Inequality and the American Dream.” Starting Tuesday, Sept. 20, the weekly series will feature leading scholars, journalists, and more addressing questions about the influence of inequality on social mobility, the ability to seek political and social change, and across gender, race and class. The series will begin with a talk about immigration by Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto, a political analyst and professor from the University of Texas at Austin who appears on MSNBC and NBCNews.com and other media outlets. The series continues weekly through Nov. 29, with the exception of Nov. 8 and 22. Free and open to the public, the talks will be held in Edwards Hall.

This fall is the inaugural semester for URI’s College of Health Sciences on the Kingston campus, and the Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies on the Kingston and Providence campuses. The new colleges align the University’s academic resources to focus on 21st Century needs.

In addition to these changes and big events, the University will soon be setting the stage for next year’s 125th anniversary celebrations, with an opening celebration on January 25. In the meantime, here’s a preview of enrollment (along with 10-year comparison) and a few of the activities, construction highlights and more that will be happening this fall.

About the Students*

  • The University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission received and reviewed a record 21,794 applications for new freshmen. In addition, more than 1,330 applications were considered for students wishing to transfer to the University.
  • The University anticipates enrolling 3,730 new students, including 3,230 freshmen and 500 transfer students. Consistent with trends nationwide, 57 percent of the new students are women and 43 percent are men. 23 percent of freshmen and transfers have self-identified as students of color.
  • About 48 percent of new students are from Rhode Island and 52 percent are from out of state or foreign countries. The incoming class and transfers represent 35 U.S states and 15 nations. About 55 percent of the total student body is from Rhode Island.
  • After Rhode Island, the top states represented in the freshman class are respectively, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey.
  • Admitted student profile: Average GPA 3.52; SAT total 1,664/2400; ACT score 25.
  • 5,950 undergraduate students are assigned to one of the University’s 24 on-campus residence halls, suites and apartments. This is about 250 more than the fall of 2015.
  • URI traditionally houses about 94 percent of the first year class in university residence halls. About 200 more returning students applied to live on campus compared to the previous year.
  • An additional 645 students will live in the 17 sororities, fraternities and specialty houses, the International Engineering Program houses and the Women’s Center.
  • There are 11 Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) of which ten are exclusively for first-year students.
  • Top 10 majors in terms of undergraduate enrollment last fall are: Nursing, Kinesiology, Psychology, Communication Studies, Biological Sciences, Human Development & Family Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Computer Science, and Business Administration/Management. Popular majors for the incoming class are business, engineering, nursing, kinesiology, computer science, psychology and cell and molecular biology.
  • More than 300 new students will begin without declaring a major as they explore their many major and career interests with the University’s professional advisors and University College for Academic Success.
  • URI will award about $92 million in undergraduate aid and scholarships. An estimated 75 percent of undergraduate students are expected to receive financial aid and institutional support.

** Please note: Final student enrollment information will be available after the federal census for college enrollments in late October.

Fall 2016

  • Move-In Days, Sept. 3-4: To provide the best service to incoming students the freshman class will move in on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. At that time, a resident assistant will escort each student to his or her room. As part of the early move-in process, about 1,600 residents arrive during the week before to participate in organization trainings, club events, etc.
  • Welcome Home: A series of Welcome Week activities for new and returning students include First Night at the Memorial Union on Sunday, Sept. 4, and a performance by comedian Chris D’Elia on Sept. 6.
  • Grand Opening, Sept. 6: The University will celebrate the opening of the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences. Funded largely by a $61 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2010, the center is named after Richard Beaupre ’62, founder and chief executive officer of the Lincoln-based photochemical etching company ChemArt. 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.
  • Celebrate 40th year of the Endeavor, Sept. 10: URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography will offer tours of the Endeavor, the research vessel that has carried scientists and students around the world for scientific research since 1976. Free and open to the public, the tours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Narragansett Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Road in Narragansett.
  • Football Home Kickoff, Sept. 10: With head coach Jim Fleming the 2016 season kicks off at Kansas on Sept. 3, followed by the first home game on Sept. 10 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. 20: In this semester-long series, national, and international speakers will address “Inequality and the American Dream.” The colloquium begins with a talk by Dr. Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto, professor at the University of Texas and a political scientist who appears on MSNBC and NBCNews.com and other media outlets. Her research analyzes how human thought and emotion shape political behavior. The lectures will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. from Sept. 20 through Nov. 29, with the exception of Nov. 8 and 22, in Edwards Auditorium on the Kingston campus. All talks are free and open to the public and some may be streamed online. Find more information at http://web.uri.edu/hc/.
  • 20th Annual Diversity Week, Sept. 22 –30: The week will focus on the theme, “Inequality and/or the American Dream” and will present 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. 13 through 23: URI Theatre begins its fall season with Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay Abaire’s funny, edgy contemporary play Good People. Set in South Boston, the award-winning play is an insightful comedy of class and culture. View details at http://web.uri.edu/theatre/.
  • Ribbon Cutting, Oct. 21: URI’s Harrington School of Communication and Media will celebrate a move into their new home — the renovated Ranger Hall. Built in 1913, the 36,000 square foot building is located on the Quadrangle.
  • Homecoming 2016, Oct. 21-23: Homecoming on the Kingston Campus includes reunions, college and department-based gatherings, music, food, entertainment and more. The URI vs. University of Maine game starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Meade Stadium.
  • Annual Distinguished Achievement Awards, Oct. 22: URI’s 11th 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.
  • Family Weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 2: This annual program brings thousands to South County and this year, veteran comedian Jay Leno will perform 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 http://web.uri.edu/familyweekend/.
  • Open House, Oct. 15 and 29: 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 register for the program at http://www.uri.edu/admission/.
  • Public Safety: Providing a safe and secure environment for living and learning is paramount at the University. Throughout the year, new and returning students and all community members receive print, web, video and email information and training about resources available to protect them against injury, fire and other threats and to ensure that the University continues its mission in a secure environment. Visit the Department of Public Safety (http://www.uri.edu/emergency/) for details about emergency preparedness.

Academically Speaking

  • University Libraries: Getting ready for the new school year, the Carothers’ Library on the Kingston Campus has developed a new resource — a makerspace with space and tools to enhance collaborative teaching and learning and to foster the entrepreneurial process. The area includes a virtual reality station, collaborative computer stations and finishing tables to support the needs for creative, 3D endeavors.
  • Colleges and Programs: The University has formed the College of Health Sciences and the Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies. These replace the College of Human Science and Services and the Feinstein College of Continuing Education.
  • The College of Health Sciences brings together a range of well-established majors and programs to address the growing need for well-prepared, broadly skilled professionals focused on health and wellness. The college offers degrees in communicative disorders, health studies, human development and family studies, kinesiology, nutrition and dietetics, physical therapy, and psychology.
  • The Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies is one college with two campuses and two schools. The College is home to the School of Education, based in Kingston, and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies in Providence. The School of Education prepares future professionals in the field of education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Professional and Continuing Studies offers students flexible undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, accessible course schedules and support in an adult-focused learning environment.

In addition to these changes, URI’s new Academic Health Collaborative brings together a range of academic and industry disciplines that focus on different aspects of health.

  • Global Destinations: The doors to Cuba opened to URI students last year and it is now one of the more than 80 countries where about 500 study abroad program opportunities take place. Hundreds of students take part in these programs in addition to global internship opportunities. Increasing the number of students and faculty participants in international education is consistent with the University’s academic plan to develop students as global citizens, and create meaningful international strategic partnerships.

Construction Zone

In the last 20 years, more than $1 billion has been invested into building, rebuilding, or renovating more than 50 facilities designed to increase our cutting-edge resources for research, teaching and outreach.

This fall the University will officially cut ribbons to open the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences (Sept. 6) and the Harrington School of Communication & Media in Ranger Hall (Oct. 21).

  • Summer Housing: URI’s residence halls did not sleep for the summer. Some were used for students attending summer school, summer student employees, and 15 facilities were used to house conference attendees throughout the summer. It is estimated that 10,000 people stayed at URI this summer to attend some 50 separate conference events.
  • Residential Life: The University now provides residential options for about 6,200 students at all academic levels. This summer, major renovations were completed in Fayerweather, Gorham, Barlow and Weldin Halls. And now a new 500 bed, $80 million apartment building, sited along Whitehorn Brook is in design to house junior and senior students.
  • In Design: A new Gateway Welcome Center will be built near the Gates on Upper College Road to focus on new student recruitment efforts.
  • College of Engineering: Thanks to Rhode Island voters, plans are under development for construction of a new engineering complex. The $125 million bond referendum that voters passed in November 2014 to support Phase I of new engineering facilities will add to the construction activity already going on around campus.

Other Capital Projects: And next year, a Nursing Education Center in Providence will be realized thanks to the support and approval by the Board of Education and the State of Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island College of Nursing and the Rhode Island College Nursing Program will share this facility.

Financial Facts

Below are current rates for tuition, fees and residential life:

Tuition And Mandatory Fees (2016-17)

Undergraduate Tuition and fees:

In-state $12,884

Out-of-state $28,874

Regional $21,230

Undergraduate Room/Board, $12,300

Graduate Tuition and fees:

In-state $13,362

Out-of-state $25,772

Regional $19,260
Financial Aid (2016-17):

75 percent of students receive aid

$122M (awarded by external sources)

$92M (awarded by URI)