With the continued spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the University of Rhode Island is taking actions to ensure the health and safety of our community. At this time, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in the URI community. Below are a few changes to operations and reminders for our community members. All administrative and faculty offices remain open and operational, however, many employees are working remotely.

Please stay informed on matters related to the coronavirus by visiting the University’s COVID-19 website. The University is also operating an information hotline. Those with questions may dial 401-874-3082, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Campus activity changes

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in accordance with Executive Order 20-04 of the State of Rhode Island, all events and group gatherings with 25 or more people in attendance are prohibited through March 30, 2020, including those organized by outside community partners hosted on a URI campus. Organizers should consider offering their events via Webex or other alternative methods.

Rhody Outpost change in operations

The Rhody Outpost’s weekly hours are suspended until further notice. However, we recognize that some of our students may need access to the pantry during this difficult time. As a result, we have developed a Google form to help us package the goods you need, in advance. Please use this form to let us know which items you will need (use this inventory list as a guide).

Once you submit your form, we will package your requested items and label them for pickup every Friday between 2 and 5 p.m., starting on Friday, March 20. You must fill out the form to receive goods from the pantry. If you are unable to make the above-mentioned time frame, simply reach out to us to schedule a different time. Please note that all forms must be submitted by midnight every Thursday until we resume our normal operating hours.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email @ dsooutreach@etal.uri.edu or by phone at 401.874.5633.

Library changes

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all URI libraries on all campuses will only allow access to URI students, faculty, staff and affiliates. General public use of the library will be prohibited to adhere to Executive Order 20-04 of the State of Rhode Island related to public gatherings of 25 or more people. Should you have additional questions regarding the use of the library please visit the library website for contact information, changes to hours of operation, and resources available.

On-campus housing

• URI is committed to maintaining our daily operations and completing the semester. Therefore the residence halls will remain open and operational. Students living in undergraduate residence halls should delay their return to campus through April 3. The University understands that remaining at home may not be possible or prudent for everyone.
• We request all resident students who anticipate needing housing or who may choose to cancel their housing contract to complete a “Statement of Intent” about their plans between now and April 3. This will ensure continued access to their room and allow us to plan for services for those living on-campus. The Statement of Intent form is available via MyHousing (e-campus) under “Applications/Forms.”
• If you do return, access to university functions such as dining and health services will be available but limited.
• The housing cancellation deadline has been extended to Friday, March 20, 2020. For residents who move out, the deadline for submitting contract cancellation requests and completing all steps of the checkout process has been extended to midnight, March 20. Refunds will be issued consistent with the refund policy. With the extended deadline, the refund amount is 20%. No refunds are planned for cancellation requests received after March 20.
• Graduate student housing will continue to operate as normal with similar anticipated limited access to services listed above.

On-campus dining is operating with limited services.  We have replaced all of our dining options with take-away containers and hours have been reduced. Learn more about dining changes including menus by visiting the URI Dining website.

International travel

Students, faculty and staff arriving in the United States or who have traveled outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia since February 29, 2020 must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days from their return to the US, in accordance with Executive Order 20-03 of the State of Rhode Island. You should not return to campus until the end of the quarantine period. Travelers returning to the United States should follow the guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel site.

Students who were studying abroad and have been recalled to their permanent residences in the U.S. should not return to campus.

If you develop signs of illness within 14 days of returning to the U.S., such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath, please call your healthcare provider.

Students should notify URI Health Services. Staff in URI Health Services will then reach out to students via their Electronic Health Record (EHR) with information about self-quarantine instructions for 14 days off-campus as well as health information for monitoring the status of their health. Health Services staff remain available at 401.874.2246 should medical questions or concerns arise.