Not sure where to go?
Find the Right Dean’s Office
It’s common to get confused about where to go — especially when you hear “the dean.” Many mistakenly reach out to the Dean of Students Office for things that are actually handled by their Academic Dean. This page is here to help you figure out who to contact, so you can get the right support without delay.
Signature and form requests are common, but where you send them depends on the purpose.
Examples include:
- College reports for transfer or graduate school
- Background checks (e.g., for jobs, internships, clinical placements)
- Dean’s Certification for Law School or professional programs
- Student conduct clearance
- Letters confirming conduct history or disciplinary standing
Examples include:
- Add/Drop requests
- Study abroad course approvals
- Declaration or change of minor
- Credit overload approval (Summer Session)
- Academic petitions or appeals
- Grade Change Requests
Attendance, Participation & Absences
We want to support your success while recognizing that illnesses and unexpected situations can happen. Here’s what you need to know:
- Class Attendance & Participation:
Each course has specific expectations for attendance and participation. Be sure to review each instructor’s syllabus for reference. - If You’re Feeling Sick:
Please let your instructor know before you miss class, an assignment, or an exam due to illness. Proactive communication helps us support you and maintain fairness for everyone. - Making Up Missed Work:
The syllabus will detail an instructor’s approach to making up missed classwork or exams.
📅 Need an Excused Absence?
Absences due to serious illness or traumatic loss, religious observances, military service, or participation in a university-sanctioned event may be considered excused absences. Students are responsible for work missed during an excused absence, but will not be penalized by grading or assignment/exam make-up policies. Students should notify faculty in advance of absences due to religious observance or university-sanctioned events, and as soon as possible for other absences.
The University Manual sections 8.51.11-8.51.16 detail specific processes and the right office to notify depending on the reason for your absence.
📘 Contact the Dean of Students Office 📘
👉 for absences related to health, personal hardship, or disability. These types of absences often require coordination with multiple offices and may include documentation.
📗 Contact your Academic Dean 📗
👉 for academic or short-term personal absences. These are typically brief absences that are beyond a student’s notification or an instructor’s discretion.
- Health/medical emergencies
- Disability-related reasons (in coordination with DAI)
- Hospitalization or recovery
- Bereavement (death of a family member or close relation)
- Ongoing personal crisis
- Undergraduate Leave of Absences
- Short-term illness (cold, flu, etc.) with a provider’s note
- Military duty or National Guard service
- Religious observances
- Jury duty or civic obligations
- University-sponsored travel (e.g., athletics, conferences)
- Undergraduate Withdrawals
Restarting Your Academic Journey?
If you’re planning to return to URI after taking time away, the right place to begin depends on why you left and what support you may need to return successfully.
📘 Contact the Dean of Students Office 📘
👉 for personal, medical, conduct, or mental health-related withdrawals. We’ll help assess your readiness to return and support your transition back to campus.
📗 Contact your Academic Dean 📗
👉 for academic withdrawals or dismissals. Your Academic Dean and/or Admissions oversees decisions about academic standing and eligibility to resume coursework.
- Medical or mental health reasons
- Hospitalization or extended treatment
- Personal or family crisis
- Conduct-related separation from the University
- Coordination with Disability, Access & Inclusion (DAI) or Counseling Services
- Academic standing (e.g., dismissal or probation)
- Voluntary leave of absence or withdrawal
- Non-enrollment for a semester or more
- Time away without a formal medical/personal withdrawal
| Find Your Academic Dean by College | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| University College for Academic Success | 401.874.2993 |
| College of Arts & Sciences | 401.874.2566 |
| College of Business | 401.874.2337 |
| Feinstein College of Education | 401.874.8100 |
| College of Engineering | 401.874.5985 |
| College of the Environment & Life Sciences | 401.874.5026 |
| College of Health Sciences | 401.874.2125 |
| College of Nursing | 401.874.2766 |
| College of Pharmacy | 401.874.5842 |
❓ Still not sure where to go?
That’s okay. Reach out, and we’ll help connect you to the right office. It’s better to ask than guess.