Thank you in advance for your time and interest in covering the University’s 128th Commencement, May 17-18.
Our (Commencement) website provides all the basics about the events, but to provide you with the best access to the activities, here’s some information we thought would be most helpful:
o Our office has moved to the second floor of the Alumni Center.
o You must register and pick up your URI Media Pass at our office.
o Your standard press pass will not grant you access.
WHAT HAPPENS & WHERE
Undergraduate Commencement includes the University-wide, main ceremony on the Quadrangle that starts at 12:30 p.m. More than 3,000 undergraduates will attend the formal proceedings. No tickets are required for this ceremony unless the rain plan is implemented.
• The day also includes individual ceremonies for each of the eight academic colleges — four held in the morning and four in the afternoon at different indoor locations. Based on requirements from the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office, tickets are required and were provided to students for these ceremonies.
REGISTRATION: Members of the media must register for the ceremonies. Please contact our office this week (401-874-2116) to let us know who will be attending. There will be eight checkpoints to gain entry to the Quadrangle for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. You must have a URI Media Pass to go through any of these checkpoints. You will receive your URI Media Pass at our office on the second floor of the Alumni Center at 73 Upper College Road. Your standard press pass will not grant you access.
Media bringing bags into any of the commencement sites will be asked to have them checked by security upon entry.
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Please be advised that a great deal of traffic is expected due to commencement and the R.I. National Guard Open House and Air Show taking place on the same day.
Enter the University on Upper College Road from Route 138. Turn right at first stop sign onto Briar Lane. Turn left into parking lot after the campus police station. This lot is closest to our office.
ARRIVAL TIME: On Sunday, it is recommended that members of the media plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m.
SNACKS: As in previous years, before and/or during the ceremony, reporting crews are welcome to use our office as their headquarters on campus. Snacks, soda and press information will be available here. We are located on the second floor of the Alumni Center.
LIVESTREAM: The University will stream the main undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies at URI Live!.
CAMPUS BUILDINGS: The academic and residential facilities not in use for the ceremonies are closed to the public during commencement.
RAIN PLAN: On Sunday, if the rain plan is activated, the main commencement ceremony will be held at the Ryan Center. The decision will be made by 7 a.m. and information will be posted on the , URI homepage, on phone lines (874-7669, and 874-1000), and our social media sites Facebook and Twitter.
If this happens, media should go directly to the Ryan Center’s media room (room 117, first left after entering the Center via the North Lobby) for a URI Media Pass and seating instructions. Parking will be available in the lot opposite Meade Stadium. Staff from our office will be at the Ryan Center.
Rain or shine, if you have any questions on Commencement Weekend, you can reach us at 874-2116 or by cell phone at 401-862-0879, or 401-465-4291.
Our Commencement website provides all the news and information about the event, including any schedule/location changes.
For more information, contact Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-4500; Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862 or our department at 401-874-2116.