Welcome to Orientation
About Orientation | Getting Ready | What to Bring | Orientation Rules | What to do before and after Orientation
sample student program schedule
Congratulations on your decision to attend URI!
We are excited to meet you and have designed an action-packed and highly interactive two-day Orientation program for you.
During Orientation you will:
- Learn all about academics at URI, make your first college schedule, and register for your fall semester classes.
- Meet new friends, faculty, and staff.
- Meet one-on-one with an academic advisor in your major.
(Don't worry if you are undecided. We have a great team of advisors to help you choose a major over the next few semesters.) - Take your student ID picture.
- Create your e-mail account and learn about technology at URI.
- Participate in interactive workshops about getting involved at URI, adjusting to college life, opening minds and doors - all designed to help you be successful inside as well as outside of the classroom.
- Learn about the many resources at URI to help you have a successful college career.
- And, of course, have a lot of fun!
Getting Ready
By now you may have a vague idea of what you might be doing at Orientation this summer, but here are some helpful tips that will help you succeed at Orientation and jumpstart your next four years.
- This is a great time to meet new people.
- No major? No problem. Your Orientation Leader and advisor will help you choose a schedule while showing you the many resources available to help you decide on a major.
- Going to prom? Graduating? This is a great chance to get away from all the stress while meeting new people and getting a feel for what your life will be like in the fall.
- Be open to all the involvement opportunities available at URI. Don't think there is a student organization for you? We bet you're wrong (there are over 80 organizations).
- You'll be kicking yourself with your heels if you don't wear comfortable shoes.
- Leave your cell phones at home and come enjoy your time at URI.
- At Orientation, we like opening minds and opening doors. You'll see what we mean, but make sure you bring an open mind.
Orientation is an exciting experience, so come prepared to learn about URI, your classmates, and yourself.
- Casual clothes
- Comfortable walking shoes (athletic shoes recommended)
- Rain gear
- Alarm clock
- Towels, soap, and other toiletries
- Linens for a twin bed, or a sleeping bag
- Pillow
- A small amount of money for snacks, souvenirs, and other purchases
And what NOT to bring:
- Cell phones or pagers
- Cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs
- Pets
- Other things that may take away from your Orientation experience
Orientation Rules
Attending Orientation gives new students a special advantage, since we reserve a block of classes specifically for you. You also get a taste of campus life by staying overnight in a residence hall.
Participation
Orientation has been carefully designed just for you, so you are expected to attend all sessions and stay with the program at all times. Remember that you are not permitted to leave campus during Orientation.
Use of Pagers and Cell Phones
Because of the nature of the activities we have scheduled for you, the use of pagers and cell phones is prohibited during your two-day program. If you don't want to leave your pager or phone at home, you'll need to leave them at your residence hall. Any emergencies may be directed to 401-874-5927.
Alcohol and Other Drug Use
The University of Rhode Island believes that substance abuse is incompatible with a culture for learning. Therefore, illegal use is met with very tough sanctions. If you possess or use alcohol or drugs during Orientation, you will be expelled from the program and suspended from the University for one semester, at a minimum. Even being around alcohol or drugs can get you in trouble - if you are found in a room or outside area where alcohol or drugs are present, you will be charged through the University's judicial system and your parents will be notified, even if you weren't using.
Smoking
For health and fire safety reasons, the University of Rhode Island is a smoke-free campus. This means that smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, including residence hall rooms. In addition, there are no sales of tobacco products on campus.
When You Can Leave
You must stay on campus until the end of your session (4 p.m. on Day 2) to receive your schedule of classes and identification card for the fall semester.
- Immunizations: The State of Rhode Island requires immunizations for all full-time students –most, if not all, of which you should have already had and documented with your health care provider and with your secondary school. More specific information about the required and recommended immunizations can be found at www.health.uri.edu. Before graduating from high school, get a copy of your immunizations to forward to URI’s Health Services office with the medical history/proof of immunization form that will come in a mailing from Health Services after June 1 or you can download the form from the web address above.
- Medical Insurance: Talk with your family about medical insurance while in college: URI requires that all full-time and international students have medical insurance. You can use insurance from your family or purchase into the University medical insurance. The insurance charge will appear on your bill; however, you may waive the University medical insurance policy. After June 1st, please visit www.health.uri.edu to waive the insurance and have the fee removed from your bill. Regardless of what insurance is in place, you are encouraged to utilize the URI Health Services located in the Potter Building.
- On & Off-Campus Jobs: Introducing RhodyNet – an online program that connects students with on-campus and off-campus jobs, paid internships and even potential full-time employment after graduation. Visit http://career.uri.edu to connect with Career Services and RhodyNet.
