KINGSTON, R.I. — February 18, 1999 – – A recent donation from American Power Conversion (APC) headquartered in West Kingston will help keep computers at nearby URI connected in the technological world. APC, a leading manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) devices, which temporarily power computers and other related equipment in the event of a power disturbance, has donated more than $350,000 worth of equipment to the University. In addition to the nearly 600 UPS devices, APC’s gift also includes five NetShelter enclosures that house and protect rack-mount computer equipment. The donated equipment will be placed in classrooms, laboratories, offices, and residence halls throughout the University. “APC’s gift will protect the tremendous investment the University has already made in its technology infrastructure,” says Paul Gandel, vice provost of Informational and Instructional Technology and dean of the URI Library. “The equipment will be used to protect our central computing servers, our critical network components, the equipment in our student labs, critical departmental servers and key desktop devices throughout the University. We are most grateful.” “Information technology is playing more and more of an essential role in today’s academic environment,” said Rodger B. Dowdell, APC’s president and CEO. “By providing URI with reliable power protection, APC can do its part to help keep the University of Rhode Island up and running. We are proud to give this gift, particularly since it is aligned with our commitment to education.” Commented Paul Witham, URI associate vice president for development: “Gifts of equipment have a powerful impact on our teaching, research and service missions. APC’s generous gift demonstrates this magnificently. We are deeply grateful to Roger Dowdell for his ongoing commitment and investment in the University.”