Sept. 8, 2023

Dear Rams,

I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to URI! Whether you are a first-year, transfer, or returning student, we are extremely excited that you are part of the URI community.

The past several days have been a whirlwind. We’ve had a terrific start to the semester, welcoming many of our newest Rams to campus and catching up with returning students both on and off campus, and classes have commenced for an exciting new academic year.

Team members across Student Affairs, and from departments across the University, are here to support your success and ensure you have an amazing campus experience. I encourage you to take full advantage of all that URI has to offer. Join a club or organization, explore campus job opportunities, volunteer through community service—there are so many ways to be involved and to positively challenge yourself while you are here.

I am sure that many of you are settling into your classes and your daily routines. As we approach the first weekend of the semester, I want to make sure that you are aware of a few important items:

If you live “down the line” or are planning to visit there this weekend, please be aware that the Narragansett and South Kingstown police departments, in partnership with other local and state law enforcement agencies, are planning for strict enforcement of laws and ordinances to prevent potentially dangerous situations for the community.

Please keep in mind, under the Off-Campus Jurisdiction Policy of the URI Student Handbook, if you are cited or arrested for any offenses off campus, and local or state police notify the University of those violations, the University will investigate and take appropriate action. We have NO desire to negatively impact the beginning of your academic year, but we have a duty to enforce the policies outlined in the Student Handbook.

For students living off campus, you are joining a broader community and have a responsibility to be good neighbors and community members. Please be mindful of the impact your behavior has on the residential neighborhoods you are now living in, and always remember that you represent the University of Rhode Island. Members of the Rhody Ram Family look out for each other—on campus and off. If you go together, leave together. Friends don’t leave friends behind.

As a reminder of the consequences for disruptive behavior in the town of Narragansett, there is a $500 fine associated with violations such as disturbing the peace, being a public nuisance, consumption of alcoholic beverages in public, and serving or providing alcohol to minors (social host violation). In addition, we ask that you remember that many neighborhoods have new parking restrictions, and some are tow-away zones. Please be sure to read and abide by all parking signs to avoid costly tickets and towing.

Again, welcome back! Thank you in advance for socializing responsibly. We are so excited to have you here and to help you have a successful semester.

Go Rhody!

Dr. Ellen M. Reynolds
Vice President for Student Affairs