Visit

Travel and Parking

The main campus of the University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, Rhode Island, 30 miles south of Providence and 80 miles from Boston.

Car Travel

For more detailed directions to the URI campus, visit the University’s Maps and Directions page.

Air, Train and Bus Travel

General Parking

  • Ryan Center 
    General Parking is available in Plains Road Lot (Lot 25) for ceremonies being held at the Ryan Center. 

Food and Lodging

On-campus Dining

Refreshments will be available for purchase at The Ryan Center. 

Local Dining and Lodging

As South County is a tourism destination, we recommend that you make your lodging and dining reservations early. The following websites can assist your visit to Southern Rhode Island:

Here are some lodging options located throughout Rhode Island. 

Crown Plaza Hotel & Holiday Inn Express, Warwick
Hampton Inn, Coventry
Hampton Inn, Warwick
Hilton Garden Inn, Warwick
Hyatt Place, Warwick
NYLO, Warwick
The Beatrice 
The Preserve

Jewish Sabbath/Shabbat

Spring Commencement 2024 coincides with the Jewish Sabbath/Shabbat (sundown on Friday to an hour after sundown on Saturday). Work and travel restrictions may apply to those who observe Shabbat. 

Those whose level of observance necessitates having lodging within walking distance to the Ryan Center or who have other logistical needs due to Shabbat, are invited to call or email Amy Olson, Director of URI Hillel (401) 874-2740, amyolson@uri.edu, to discuss their needs and how they might be accommodated. The University of Rhode Island will make every effort to make graduation accessible to all.

Disability Accommodations

The University has a host of services available to ensure that all people enjoy Commencement to the fullest.

General Disability Assistance and Information

The Ryan Center feature wheelchair-accessible guest entrances and accessible seating options.  Preferred seating for persons with visual and hearing impairments is available upon request.  Assistive listening devices and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services are available upon request.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services will be available for each ceremony. 

Additional questions regarding accessibility requests can be directed to the Office of Disability, Access and Inclusion (401.874.2098 or dai@uri.edu) or the Ryan Center (401-874-7267 or in-person at the Ryan Center Box Office).   More information regarding the Ryan Center’s ADA accommodations can be found here. 

Only Certified Service Animals are permitted on campus during Commencement exercises. Pets and Emotional Support Animals are not allowed.

Accessible Seating

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to find appropriate seating for themselves and their families.  All accessible seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Ryan Center

The center features accessible seating and companion seating at all levels.  For large parties, every effort will be made to seat additional members of the party close to the accessible seating area.  Should you have questions regarding your accessible seating please call 401-874-7267 to speak with a ticket representative.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available at the ceremony. Reserved seating will be provided for the person requiring the interpreter.   
  • CART/Captioning will be available through the live stream of all ceremonies.
  • Assistive Listening Devices are available at the Accessibility Requests/Disability Services table located at the venue entrance or drop-off location. To ensure that the devices are promptly returned, a major credit card or a driver’s license is required to use the devices.

For those planning to attend a commencement ceremony that are in need of any of the previously mentioned services, please complete the Spring 2024 Commencement Accommodations Request Form.

Drop Off & Parking

The Ryan Center
Disability accessible parking is located on a first-come, first-served basis in the Ram Parking Lot (Lot 23) for those who have an ADA Parking Pass. Additional ADA parking is also available in the Plains Road Lot (Lot 25).
For those guests with limited mobility or using scooters or wheelchairs, a disability drop-off is available at the North Lobby entrance off Plains Road, however vehicles must be parked in the Plains Road Lot after dropping off guests.

Wheelchair Rentals

Attendees requiring wheeled mobility aids are strongly encouraged to reserve necessary equipment through the many medical equipment rental companies in the local area. Wheelchairs, walkers and scooters may be rented from local vendors in the area that provide short term loans for a fee. Please contact individual vendors to confirm prices and availability. The University of Rhode Island provides this information as a service and is not responsible for vendor performance.

Mobility Equipment Recyclers of New England
6802 Post Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 294-4111
Rents power wheelchair, manual wheelchairs and scooters
https://powerchairrecyclers.com/

Alpha Surgical Inc.
1894 Smith Street
North Providence, RI
401-353-9090
Rents manual wheelchairs only
www.alphasurgical.com

Grad Gifts 

Grad Gifts at the URI Campus Store

The URI Campus Store will be open, offering a variety of Rhody merchandise, including tassels,  available to purchase. Hours TBD.
Flower vendors will also be on-site. 

The Rams Zone store (located in the Ryan Center) will be open as well, offering a variety of Rhody merchandise.

  •  

If you had a senior portrait taken, and ordered your yearbook when you made your senior portrait appointment you are all set.  Yearbooks will include pictures from Commencement and will be mailed in late fall 2024 to the address you provided when the book was ordered. For more information, contact the Renaissance yearbook staff at 401.874.5897 or uriyearbook@gmail.com. To order a yearbook use this link. Deadline to order your book will be announced for late June 2024.

Portraits & Announcements

Formal photographs taken during your ceremony may be ordered from Grad Images (800.424.3686). Personalized printed announcements are available from Jostens; please allow 4-8 weeks for printing.

Rings

Information on commemorative graduation rings is also available from the URI Campus Store. During graduation and other advertised dates, representatives from the ring company will be at the store to display ring samples and take orders. To order please email Bruce Rock at bruce.rock@balfour-rep.com.

Diploma Frames

Don’t forget to frame it! Diploma frames can be purchased through the Campus Store and online at ramszone.uri.edu.
For more information, call 401.874.2722, or visit the URI Campus Store.

Security

Security screenings will be taking place at all entry points to the URI ceremony. Please be advised certain items are NOT PERMITTED, including but not limited to:

  • alcoholic beverages
  • bags, coolers, or backpacks larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″
  • balloons
  • coolers
  • drones or remote control toys
  • irritants
  • pets (please see the policy regarding Certified Service Animals here)
  • selfie sticks (hand-held extension poles for cameras and mobile devices)
  • strollers larger than 31″ long and 51″ wide
  • tripod stands or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack
  • weapons of any kind or object that appear to be weapons (toy guns, toy blasters, squirt guns, etc.)
  • wrapped gifts (all gifts must be able to be opened for inspection)

Smoking is not permitted.

Bag Check Policy

Attendees are encouraged to not bring bags and personal items to the ceremony. All bags and persons are subject to random search upon entry and/or any other time during Commencement.  A clear plastic or vinyl bag that does not exceed 12”x6”x12”, or one clear drawstring bag not to exceed 12”x12”, or one, one-gallon clear plastic or zip-lock bag is permitted. A small clutch no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” may also be carried in addition to one clear bag.

Diaper bags (with child) and bags approved for medical needs will be permitted after a search by security personnel. All other bags, backpacks, totes, and coolers are strictly prohibited. To expedite the security screening process, we encourage attendees to leave bags in their secured vehicles. Patrons with prohibited bags and articles will be turned away at the entrance and items will not be held for patrons, so please plan accordingly.

Attendees are reminded to keep possessions on their person at all times. Unattended packages and bags will be examined by security personnel and secured. Anyone who observes anything suspicious should immediately contact Campus Police at 401-874-2121.