Commuter Affairs
If you’re living off-campus or commuting from home daily, the Commuter Affairs Office within the Dean of Students Office is here to help you find housing, stay connected, and thrive at URI. Our mission is to assist URI students by providing tools and resources for off-campus living.
with nearly 50,000 visits (Jul ’24 – Jun ’25)
Graduate Village Apartments Demolition & Student Displacement
Public Transportation Changes (RIPTA)
RIPTA will implement fall service changes effective Saturday, September 27, 2025. RIPTA makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to seasonal changes and/or passenger use. RIPTA will make changes to the routes 3, 4, 6, 9x, 12x, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59x, 60, 61x, 63, 65x, 66, 68, 69, 72, 75, 76, 78, 87, 92, 95x, and the R-Line.
Who is a “commuter”?
A “commuter” is a student who does not live on University-owned property.
Students who live in the residence halls, fraternities, sororities, University Gateway, or University Village Apartments are NOT considered commuters. Usually, first-year students and sophomores will either live at home or live on campus; juniors and seniors tend to leave campus grounds and move “down the line” for their final years at URI.
At URI, we typically have two kinds of commuters: those who live “at home” and those who live independently in the community. The most popular neighborhoods “down the line” include Bonnet Shores, Eastward Look, Narragansett Pier, Scarborough Beach, Point Judith, Wakefield, Peacedale, South Kingstown, Matunuck, and Charlestown. “At home” students are students who live with their families or live off-campus year-round.
Please contact us by commuter-group@uri.edu with any questions. If you are new to the URI community or just need a refresher, tips in the URI’s user’s guide will help you make a smooth transition. From residential life and campus recreation to events and opportunities to get involved, to campus resources, we have you covered.
Location:
Dean of Students Office
302 Memorial Union
Mailing Address:
The University of Rhode Island
Dean of Students Office
302 Memorial Union
50 Lower College Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Email: commuter-group@uri.edu
Instagram: @uricommuter
URI exclusively partners with Off-Campus Partners (a subsidiary of Apts.com) to offer a database of property offerings for students, faculty, and staff in the immediate area.
- Full access
- Can search housing
- Find roommates
- List a sublet
- Can search listings
- Find roommates
- Can post rentals
- Track/review your emails
Disclaimer:
We focus on supporting students in their off-campus living experience.
The housing database (offcampus.housing.uri.edu) is separate from the Office of Housing and Residential Life (HRL) and Fraternity Managers Association (FMA).
Our office is not involved in the process of students signing leases with landlords who post properties with our service. This process is arranged between the student and the landlord.
We do not provide legal advice, landlord intervention, or resolve billing disputes.
Featured Resources:
General Information for Students
Guide for Graduate Students
Details for International Students (Match Program)
Scams and Scam Prevention
URI Alert System (Emergency Notification System)
Emergency Preparedness
Safety: Campus Police / Fire / EMS – Ambulance
Download the Rhody Connect app
Support During Graduate Village Reno
As redevelopment begins at the Graduate Village Apartments, we recognize that graduate students and their families may be exploring new housing options. There are several tools and resources to help you find a home that meets your needs.
Explore Off-Campus Listings:
* Visit offcampus.housing.uri.edu to access a wide range of rental properties, including furnished apartments, private homes, and shared accommodations near Kingston, Narragansett, and Providence.
* Search by location, rent range, or amenities
* View properties near transit routes and campus
* Use the map-based search to see what’s close to your program or lab
* Filter listings specifically tailored for graduate students, proximity to campus, and suitable amenities.
Connect with Other Students:
Use the Roommate Finder to connect with other URI students or staff looking for shared housing or to post your own availability.
Learn More About Living Off Campus:
* Visit the Commuter Affairs website for:
* Guides on lease terms, budgeting, and safety tips
* Other resources
If you’re currently living in the Graduate Village or are affected by the redevelopment, we encourage you to start exploring off-campus options early.
Visit our Graduate Guide or FAQs for more resources.
Parking in Emporium lots discouraged
Students, faculty, and staff are reminded that their University parking permits do NOT allow them to park their vehicles in the Kingston Emporium lot or its adjacent lot. These parking lots are privately permitted by the Emporium’s owner. Anyone without an Emporium permit risks having their vehicle ticketed or towed.
Should your vehicle be towed from the Emporium or its adjacent lot, please contact Express Towing 401-732-1000.
We acknowledge that we gather as the University of Rhode Island on the traditional land of the Niantic and Narragansett people in past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
