Media Relations gets URI’s stories in the public’s view. We pitch news stories to local and national media, and respond to their queries, through press releases, announcements, online communications, and/or other professional connections. We also manage crisis communications for public safety emergencies, or other incidents that could affect the credibility and reputation of the institution such as criminal activity, or problems related to the fiscal, academic, administrative and athletic elements of the University.
News and Information
Our department is the first stop for connecting with University leaders, faculty, staff or students related to any news item, 401-874-2116.
- URI Today: Provides daily University news, serving as the one-stop spot for our news, events and more.
- URI Experts: This guide to allows members of the news media to identify and contact faculty who are available to provide authoritative commentary on a wide range of topics.
- News Releases, Tip Sheets, Advisories: All official announcements are distributed to news outlets. Releases may be used at will, or contact us for more information about the person/topic of the release.
Common Requests
- Interviews: Want to interview, photograph or film people or events at URI? Please contact us for appropriate permissions and ease of access. All commercial, non-news photography or videotaping must be approved in advance by this office, 401.874.2116.
- Gallery of Professional Video: The University may provide media outlets with b-roll and other video materials suitable for broadcast and/or webcast. Such material would be furnished “Courtesy of The University of Rhode Island” and will include URI copyright notice. Samples of some footage is available on URI’s YouTube channel.
- Emergency Communication/Contacts: In a crisis situation, the department releases information and arranges interviews with the most appropriate spokesperson(s).
- Information About Students: FERPA may prohibit someone at the University from releasing certain information about a student, including even acknowledging whether they are currently enrolled. The campus directory provides information current students have approved for publication.
What’s Happening at URI?
- Events: The University’s official calendar of events.
- Speeches: Some presentations made at the University may have been captured and streamed via URI Live and later available on URI’s YouTube channel. For example, all of URI’s fall Honors Colloquia, Commencement and other major events are captured in this manner. There is no central department that collects remarks made by the speakers.
- Athletics: Information about the University’s teams, schedules, coaches and players is available at GoRhody.com.
General Information
- Fall Welcome, 2019 — An overview of our students, campus projects, and upcoming events for Fall 2019.
- University Leadership
- Our History: About Rhode Island’s flagship research university.
Contact
Dave Lavallee
Assistant Director
401.874.5862 – dlavallee@uri.edu