KINGSTON, R.I. -- March 27, 2002 -- Members of the University of Rhode Island are looking to put their spring cleaning skills into action around Narragansett neighborhoods.

On Sunday, April 7, at 11 a.m., members of the URI/Narragansett Town Coalition will take part in a Neighborhood Clean Up in Narragansett. This is the first year for the project and members of the community are welcome to participate in the event.

The Eastward Look, Bonnet Shores, and Point Judith neighborhoods, primarily where URI students live, will be the focus of the clean up. The University has been working with the Coalition for the past year and a half to address the concerns of the Narragansett residents, URI students, Narragansett Police, realtors, and neighborhood associations.

"A few members of the coalition proposed the idea for the clean up. It’s our hope that by bringing people together to clean up the neighborhoods, it will improve community relations between our students living down the line and their neighbors," said Lorrie Miller, assistant director of Student Life at URI and chair of the clean up.

It is truly a team effort. So far the Lion’s Club has donated garbage bags and gloves, and the town manager has offered to have trash picked up from specific locations after the clean up. Other contributions include a dumpster provided by Narragansett Rubbish Removal for the Bonnet Shores area, along with coffee and doughnuts donated by some of the local realtors.

Other sponsors include URI’s Office of Student Life, Commuter Housing Office, Debate Team, Student Senate, Judicial Board, Diversity House, Peer Advocates, Women’s Center, Greek Leadership Class, Zeta Beta Tau, Alphi Chi Omega, Eastward Look Neighborhood Association, Chi Omega, Point Judith Neighborhood Association, The Narragansett Lions Club, URI Peer Advocates, Ram Choices, Sigma Kappa, and Delta Zeta.

Student Life is printing "Clean-Up" t-shirts that lists the names of all the sponsors. "Everyone who participates will get a t-shirt," said Miller.

The URI Office of Student Life works with students, staff and faculty to build a civil and safe community and encourages adherence to community values by setting and maintaining clear behavioral standards.

Anyone interested in participating may contact the Office of Student Life at 874-2101 or lorriem@uri.edu.
For Information: Lorrie Miller, 874-2101, Jan Wenzel, 874-2116, Stephanie Paquette, 874-2116