Changes to campus building access

March 24, 2020

The University of Rhode Island remains open, delivering classes remotely, during these challenging times. The University continues to strongly recommend employees telework, if it’s a viable work option. Given the reduced workforce on URI’s campuses and to enhance the security of facilities, most university buildings will operate on their weekend schedules. Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 beginning at 6 a.m. most university buildings will operate under a “card or key access only” model.

All buildings, with the exception of the buildings listed below, will need to be accessed with URI identification cards or physical keys at all times. Only physical keys or URI IDs with appropriate permission(s) will provide access to these locations. All URI community members should have their IDs with them whenever they are on campus.

If you need access permission or a key to a specific location, please contact your supervisor, dean, or director to request access. They will contact the building manager or Access Control in Facilities Operations on your behalf.

Building managers are encouraged to post notices at the main entrance of their buildings with a number for people to call should they have a question about immediate access needs or package deliveries. Mail Services is prepared to accept deliveries of packages and delivery personnel can be redirected to 6 Rhody Ram Way. Mail Services will then call the recipient, and can arrange either for the recipient to pick the package up at Mail Services or deliver it to the recipient or the building manager at an agreed-upon time.

Access to residence halls continues through ID card only.

The following buildings will remain open with changes in hours noted:

Kingston Campus

  • 85 Briar Lane (Police Station)
  • Automotive Garage 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Brookside Apartments
  • Butterfield Dining Hall
  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station
  • Hope Commons
  • Memorial Union
  • Potter Building
  • Sherman Building 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • 210 Flagg Road 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Narragansett Bay Campus

  • Horn Laboratory
  • Watkins Laboratory
  • Coastal Institute Building
  • Center For Atmospheric Chemistry Studies (CACS)
  • Sheets
  • Middleton/South Lab

Changes in operations at URI libraries

To comply with Executive Order 20-09 of the State of Rhode Island and to ensure that URI’s libraries can continue to offer critical services, all URI libraries will move to a quasi “closed stacks” model of services. This applies to the Carothers Library and Learning Commons, the Pell Library on the Bay campus, and the library at the Providence campus. This service allows for library resources to be provided remotely and via curbside (or lobby-based) pick up of materials ordered in advance or by text message for those who arrive in the lobby. For further instructions on obtaining information and resources at URI libraries, please visit this website. Access to the libraries will be reassessed by April 3, 2020 and any changes to this policy will be announced.