Federal Actions Updates

The University of Rhode Island is committed to supporting our community, and to our vital mission as a land- and sea-grant public research university and our foundational values, which remain unchanged. The University is actively assessing the potential impacts of recent executive actions and other federal developments.

A Leadership Team on Federal Actions has been appointed by President Parlange to track federal developments and coordinate activities across the University, and officials are engaging with the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, other elected leaders, and national education and research associations.

Updates can be found on this page.

University Messages

All Federal ActionS MESSAGES

Research Funding and Compliance

During the 2024 fiscal year, URI received more than $131 million in federal research funding (81% of $161 million in total research funding). This significant federal funding directly supports the University’s land- and sea-grant mission and advances the University’s commitment to driving transformative change for the state, nation, and world. The Division of Research and Economic Development is providing regular updates regarding guidance on federally funded projects.

International Students and Scholars

The Office of International Students and Scholars supports international students, scholars, faculty, staff, and family members in immigration regulations, practical matters, cultural adjustment, and making connections in the campus community.

Guidance Regarding Visits or Inquiries by Government Agents or Law Enforcement Officers

This guide outlines steps for the URI community to follow if non-URI law enforcement officials come to campus. This guidance is offered to ensure URI’s compliance with the law and to support the rights of the URI community including students, faculty, and staff.

URI’s practice is to verify the purpose and legitimacy of all requests when a non-URI law enforcement officer is on campus requesting information about a community member or to access facilities, including as part of routine agency investigations.

The University of Rhode Island supports visa holders (such as F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.). Due to our international programming, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may visit URI campuses as part of their routine inspections, including to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the enrollment and employment of foreign nationals. The visits may involve reviewing records, verifying the status of international students, staff, and scholars, and ensuring that URI adheres to the requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and other relevant immigration laws.

The following are guidelines for URI staff, faculty, and students if non-URI law enforcement officials come on campus:

  • In any URI building, residence hall, or other space, if a non-URI official requests access to university facilities, students, faculty, or staff, please immediately call URI public safety (911) and request that the non-URI law enforcement officer wait until URI Public Safety arrives. (Be sure to tell the 911 dispatcher that the call should be transferred to the URI on-campus emergency switchboard for response.)

    If you are approached by an outside law enforcement officer:

    1. Politely request identification and agency affiliation; and

    2. Inform the outside law enforcement officer that URI Public Safety must be notified and onsite for their inquiry to proceed. URI Public Safety will work directly with the outside law enforcement officer. Key contact: Public Safety Immediate Response: dial 911 (Be sure to tell the 911 dispatcher that the call should be transferred to the URI on-campus emergency switchboard for response.)

    3. Do not block or physically obstruct building entries or access points if the outside law enforcement officer attempts to enter or proceed further into a building without URI Public Safety present.

    URI police will not ask individuals about their immigration status. URI police will not detain individuals solely on the basis of civil immigration violations.

  • Any verification requests or questions surrounding immigration status or records for international students, faculty, staff, or visiting scholar should be directed to Melissa De Jesus, director of the Office of International Students, Scholars, and Immigration Services: 401-874-2543.

    The Global Initiatives Office maintains a 24-hour phone line: 401-874-4100.

  • Student academic, financial, and other records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Enrollment Services serves as lead contact for URI’s FERPA compliance and manages any requests for records review and release.

    For questions regarding FERPA, contact Jack Humphrey, Senior Associate Director Registration and Records: 401-874-4479.

URI is a public institution with common spaces available to public access, including outside law enforcement personnel. The guide below demonstrates areas that are public-access areas, as well as limited-access areas that require permission to enter.

Public access areas are those open to the public without entry restriction. These areas include the library common areas, Memorial Union common spaces, hallways in academic buildings and dining areas open to the public, unrestricted access buildings and outdoor spaces.

Restricted or limited access areas that require permission to enter include locked doors, areas that are monitored to maintain safety or privacy, and spaces like classrooms, faculty and staff offices, which may be unlocked but are non-public due to their use or function. These restricted or limited access areas also include student rooms in residence halls, administrative offices, restricted research laboratories, and classrooms in session.

URI community members should be aware that:

  • They do not have to answer questions about their immigration status.
  • They do not have to consent to be searched.
  • They have the right to remain silent and secure individual legal representation.

For more information regarding the community’s rights, please refer to resources that are available to the campus community.

Additional University Resources

We encourage you to learn more about the numerous departments and organizations that support, affirm, and represent the various needs and identities of our community.

Partner Organization Statements

Executive Orders and Federal Agency Guidance

Federal Agency Directives/Memoranda: