Whether you’re new to URI or returning home, a warm Rhody welcome awaits you this September. From the nuts and bolts of move-in weekend to the big picture stuff, we’ve got you covered.

You can relax and focus on the important things: community, classes, and scoping out campus hangouts with your friends. And with help from resident advisors, volunteer moving crews, and events like First Night and Welcome Week, you’ll feel right at home in no time.

More than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students make up the University of Rhode Island community, which includes 3,730 new freshman and transfer students.

This year, 5,950 undergraduates are opting to live in our 24 on-campus residence halls, suites, and apartments. Approximately 650 students will reside in 17 sorority, fraternity, and specialty houses, the International Engineering Program houses, and the Women’s Center.

While you’re getting comfortable, consider exploring the many ways to get involved in campus life, such as community service, internship, and research opportunities or one of our more than 100 student clubs and organizations. This is your time to be true to yourself—and to branch out, try new things, and meet new people.

Our events calendar has the scoop on campus happenings (where you can bond with new friends over free food), show your Go Rhody! spirit by attending a game, or check out activities at the Memorial Union. In between you can relax on the Quad or work out at the Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center. Plan on broadening your horizons this fall as well with our annual Honors Colloquium, a lecture series that brings academics, writers, scientists, and artists to campus to talk about topics of interest to the University—and the community. This year’s theme is Inequality and the American Dream. The series begins September 20 runs through the end of November.

While it’s common to experience a bit of stress while you’re settling in, don’t sweat it. We’ve got that covered, too. Freshmen can benefit from the guidance of their URI 101 mentors, resident advisors ready and eager to help, and our University College for Academic Success, which offers a full range of services from tutoring and peer mentoring to career and experiential learning advice. And definitely don’t underestimate the power of getting to know your professors. They’re also here to help. Stop by during their office hours and introduce yourself. You’ll want to take full advantage of studying with some of the biggest thinkers in the world.

And before you know it, when you’re fully settled in as a member of the URI family, it’ll be time to reunite with your own family—invite them to your home away from home for Family Weekend, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.