Feb. 4, 2025
To Our URI Community,
Welcome back! As we start this spring semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the energy you bring to our campuses and the unique role you play in our community. Each of you—our students, faculty, and staff—contributes in ways that help define our University and make it a great place to live, learn, and work. Indeed, I hope you take pride, as I do, in knowing that you have helped make us the number one ranked public university in New England.
We step into this semester amid national and global uncertainty, and we are reminded daily of the complexities of the moment. But here at URI, we are part of something enduring—a community built on knowledge, dialogue, and a shared commitment to a better future. Now, more than ever, URI will stand firm as a place of opportunity and belonging. A place where ideas are exchanged with respect and collegiality, where solutions are created through research and collaboration, and where each of you plays an essential role in shaping our inclusive community and our collective future.
We recognize the rapid pace at which information is coming from the federal government, and we will continue to provide information and support to our community.
This semester we will continue to build on our momentum—momentum that is the direct result of the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff, and the achievement of our students. Across our University, we are seeing accomplishments in research, teaching, and service, as well as the creativity and passion of our students in academics, organizations, and athletics. I am looking forward to celebrating thousands of our graduating students at commencement in May, including the 5,000th graduate of our Talent Development Program.
With progress well underway on the revitalization of the Bay Campus and the Fine Arts Center and the recent bond approval for a new biomedical sciences building, we continue investing in education, research, and student success. Our campus continues to be enriched by the arts, with a new installation in Green Hall, and across our centers, schools, and programs, new initiatives and events, including many celebrating Black History Month, are offering countless ways to get involved, support one another, and enjoy the intellectual and cultural life of our University. I encourage you to get out, explore new opportunities, and take part in the many ways our community is growing and thriving. And please consider joining us for the next discussion of our Comprehensive Campus Plan. Your voice matters as we shape a URI for the future.
As we move forward together, let’s use this moment to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a community where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered. Let’s take care of our own wellbeing and of each other. In a time when perspectives may differ, acting with respect, embracing intellectual curiosity, and engaging in thoughtful, collegial dialogue is more important than ever. Allow yourselves to be challenged, to grow, and to evolve, while holding true to your values. Together, we will continue to strengthen the University of Rhode Island and our impact on the world. I am so glad to be here with you. Have a terrific semester, and I look forward to seeing you on our campuses.
Kind regards,
Marc