Our mission is to provide URI faculty, staff, students and their families opportunities to participate in cultural and linguistic activities relevant to those found in local Chinese and other Asian American groups, or any other national and ethnic culture groups that have adopted such elements. We aim to make contributions to the inclusive and diverse culture of the campus community and to create a warm and friendly environment on the URI campus for Chinese and other Asian American faculty and staff so that they can happily stay and contribute better to the teaching and research mission of the University.

Our Statement on Supreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling

On June 29, 2023, a landmark ruling was issued by the U. S. Supreme Court, stating that colleges and universities may no longer consider race as a specific basis for granting admission. While this decision does not explicitly overturn previous cases that supported race-based affirmative action, the opinion implies that the influence of race on an individual’s life experiences may still be considered during the application review process.

In our view, this ruling should not be viewed as the end of universities’ commitments to fostering a diverse and inclusive student body. Diversity remains a cornerstone of the academic and social environment, which not only enriches our collective experiences but also stimulates intellectual discourse, advancement, and development.

We wholeheartedly endorse the sentiments expressed by Dr. Lawrence S. Bacow, President of Harvard University, who stated, “Because teaching, learning, research, and creativity that bring progress and change require debate and disagreement, diversity and difference are essential to academic excellence.” We fully support the vision of URI as an institution “that values and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion; celebrates the uniqueness of its members; and cultivates a sense of community where all members find themselves included and their work valued.”

With these principles in mind, the University of Rhode Island Chinese Culture Club (URI CCC) will continue to dedicate our efforts to promote and support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within our community. We firmly believe in the value of an environment that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to fostering such an atmosphere on the URI campus.

Let us continue to collaborate, celebrate our differences, and cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment in the face of this new challenge. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to this cause.

Prof. Ping Xu, Current President, URI Chinese Culture Club
Prof. Yan Lindsay Sun, Former President (4th Term), URI Chinese Culture Club
Prof. Li Wu, Former President (3rd Term), URI Chinese Culture Club
Prof. Gongqin Sun, Former President (2nd Term), URI Chinese Culture Club
Prof. Qing Yang, Founding President, URI Chinese Culture Club

In the News

• University’s Asian and Pacific Islander community celebrated at inaugural event

• URI launches new scholarship award for Asian and Pacific Islander community members

Our Recent Activities

• Our Club has worked with the URI Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) and just established a MSSC Ambassador Award to encourage unity, harmony, mutual understanding, and respect among different cultural groups on campus. We will provide details on how to apply soon.
• Starting in the fall semester, our weekly club gathering will start with Chinese school, academic forums, cultural activities, and more on every Saturday 6pm at the URI Multicultural Student Services Center at 74 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881.
• In response to the COVIC-19 pandemic, our Club reached out across the globe to supply face masks to Rhode Islanders in need. Check out the article from URI magazine: https://web.uri.edu/research-admin/playing-poker-for-public-safety/
• Members of the Club donated $50,000 to the local high school to set up Green Classroom and Tennis Scholarship.
• The founding Chair of the Rhode Island Chinese Scholarship  (RIACA Scholarship Committee) is a member of the URI Chinese Culture Club. The scholarship gives ten Rhode Island high school graduates going to college awards of up to $3,000 each.
• Members and families of URI Chinese Culture Club donated food and other items to the Jonnycake Center in Wakefield.