The University of Rhode Island has just announced that it will not resume “face-to-face, in-person” instruction and that courses will be delivered remotely for the remainder of the spring semester.

Of course, this will impact students’ need for on-campus housing and dining, with the assumption that most students will want to cancel their Housing and Dining Agreements and move out. We will be providing you additional information shortly on that process but can share that based on these unusual circumstances, for students who cancel their agreements and complete all checkout processes, we will be refunding or crediting 25% of the room and board fees, rather than the 20% outlined in the agreement. This includes students who canceled their housing agreement after March 6, 2020.

We recognize that for some of our students, on-campus housing and dining will still represent the best option, even when courses are taught remotely. Therefore, we will continue to provide those services to students who need them. We will also be sharing information about how these students can indicate their need to remain on campus for the duration of the semester. These students will be consolidated into 1-2 buildings to more effectively deliver services, but also ensure appropriate safe social distancing.

Do not come to campus yet to get your belongings. We cannot have crowds in the halls as we continue to practice social distancing. We will keep you informed as we create our new plan check-out plan. This will include that you first complete a form to let us know when you plan on returning so that we can plan logistical and staff support, but also ensure appropriate social distancing. For safety reasons, please do not return to campus until this additional direction has been provided. Students with roommates will be asked to coordinate with each other to avoid moving out at the same time.

At this point, we anticipate Sunday, April 5, as the deadline for students to remove their belongings and check out and complete the move-out process according to the guidelines and restrictions necessary to ensure compliance with public health guidelines. We will provide information soon on how students can request either additional time due to travel restrictions or arrange to have a proxy pick up their belongings. We appreciate your compliance and understanding to ensure your safety and the other members of the URI community.

We understand this will prompt many other questions, which we will answer in subsequent emails and postings on our website, but we wanted to get some key information to you as quickly as possible, namely,

1. The University will only be delivering remote instruction for the remainder of the Spring Semester.
2. We assume most students will cancel their housing agreement, but we will accommodate all who want to continue living on campus.
3. The refund amount will be 25% of the student’s room and board fees for the Spring Semester.
4. Students who are canceling will need to complete a few steps, including indicating their return date, adherence to checkout guidelines or restrictions, and removing their belongings by April 5, or making other arrangements with us ahead of time.
5. More details on specific processes, forms and deadlines will be communicated shortly.

Again, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to meet the needs of our URI community during this unprecedented international situation. If you have questions, feel free to contact us (customerservice@housing.uri.edu , 401.874.4151), check out URI’s Coronavirus webpage, or call the Coronavirus Call Center 401.874.3082 (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.).