This message is sent on behalf of President David M. Dooley
As we approach the completion of the Spring 2020 semester, I hope you will join me and take a few moments to reflect on what our community has accomplished and to celebrate the achievements of the graduating Class of 2020. Our students, faculty, and staff have overcome great adversity this semester and achieved extraordinary results in teaching and learning, in research and scholarship, and in service to the state and nation.
As we conclude final examinations, many are eager to know what the University’s plans are for the Fall 2020 academic semester. Our strongest desire is to be back on campus this fall delivering academic programs, experiential learning, and research activities that define our Rhody community.
Kathy Collins, Vice President of Student Affairs; Mary Grace Almandrez, Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer; and I participated with URI student leaders in a virtual town hall last week, and we heard the hope and eagerness in the students’ voices to have our community together again in September. We all share that goal, as long as we can do so responsibly and in a manner that safeguards the health and vitality of our community. New information about COVID-19 is emerging every day that contributes to our understanding of this virus and what precautions need to be considered to ensure the health and safety of everyone at URI. The University will take advantage of this evolving body of knowledge about COVID-19 to inform the planning for Fall 2020.
To accomplish this, University teams are engaged in robust university-wide planning activities designed to carefully study options and strategies for achieving our desired outcomes in the fall. I can assure you they will be based on the best scientific and factual information available and will be focused on what is best for you and our community. Much of the work will be predicated on evolving state and federal orders and health guidance as Rhode Island and the nation work to re-open the economy and society.
As this work proceeds in Rhode Island, a group of leaders across campus are readying for the easing of some of the state orders that impacted University operations. Thanks to the many employees who have continued to work on our campuses, the University has been able to remain open and operational to support our education, research, and economic development missions. However, we understand the disruptions these state orders caused our students, faculty, and staff and will be focused on supporting your needs as the re-opening moves forward.
Your continued patience and resilience is inspirational and it is driving us to move quickly, but with the clear focus on providing the highest quality living, learning, and research opportunities while protecting the health and safety of our community. We will provide you with updates regularly on the progress being made to finalize plans for delivering educational programs in September.
I wish the very best to our students who are studying for and completing their finals and for the graduating Class of 2020. I’m encouraged that they have persisted with their studies under extreme circumstances and worked hard to overcome the many challenges I’m sure they have had to face this semester. Our faculty and staff have put incredible effort towards maintaining academic progress and providing support, and I’m thankful for their commitment to successfully completing this semester.
Please continue to stay safe, be well, and URI will be here to support you as we move forward together.
Sincerely,
David M. Dooley