Jan. 28, 2025
To Our URI Community,
Federal government officials in Washington, D.C., have issued several executive orders and memos that could affect our work and University community. The full impact of the measures is uncertain.
The University is monitoring executive and legislative action closely and actively engaging with the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, other elected leaders, and national education and research associations, including the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and the American Council on Education.
We recognize that these potential changes have raised many questions. The University remains committed to supporting our community and to our vital mission as a land- and sea-grant public research university.
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
The University will continue to support existing financial aid for our undergraduate students. The U.S. Department of Education announced today that a pause on federal spending does not apply to federal student loans or Pell grants. Questions regarding undergraduate student financial aid should be directed to Enrollment Services.
Graduate students will receive information directly from the Graduate School.
FUNDED RESEARCH
Research and public scholarship are core to our land- and sea-grant mission and are pillars of the University’s strategic plan. Researchers are encouraged to continue their research work and grant expenditures unless they receive specific agency guidance. The Division of Research and Economic Development will actively communicate with the research community as we receive information and will post updates on a dedicated site. General questions or questions about research proposals in development should be directed to amy.carroll@uri.edu. If you receive an official notice from a federal grant agency regarding new policy priorities (e.g. notifications related to current funding, requests for changes to scope of work, suspension of work, or termination), please contact FederalFundingCommunications-group@uri.edu.
INCLUSIVE CULTURE
For generations, the University of Rhode Island has been a diverse, welcoming, globally engaged community in service to Rhode Island and the world. The University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, people-centered culture, and to consistently demonstrating our foundational values of respecting the rights and dignity of all and prioritizing community well-being. The University will continue to serve and support all learners while positively impacting our state, our nation, and the world through our research, teaching, and outreach. For information or resources, please contact the Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The University continues to protect the rights and privacy of students, staff and faculty, and adheres to the privacy provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The University’s Office of International Students and Scholars is available to provide support to our international students, scholars, staff, and family members. URI community members with questions regarding immigration regulations, visa information, or international student support services can contact OISS at issoff@etal.uri.edu. URI also maintains a 24-hour phone line available at 401 874-4100.
Community members are also encouraged to contact URI Public Safety if they have concerns about or become aware of federal enforcement actions on campus. On campus, dial 911 for emergencies or 401-874-4910 for non-emergencies.
Thank you for your commitment to the University and our community. Our institutional values have and will continue to be our foundation, and together we will remain a leading global research university that drives positive social, cultural, economic, and environmental change by contributing and instilling new knowledge to address the world’s greatest challenges.