MISSION

To facilitate URI Community conversations regarding the practice of ethics and to foster university engagement in public service throughout the State of Rhode Island.

ABOUT THE CENTER

Since its inception in 1994, the John Hazen White Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service has sought to integrate best practices in ethics with the practice of public service, especially at the level of state government. The John Hazen White Center sponsors several signature initiatives, including those that explore institutional dimensions of ethical practice, encourage student service learning, and foster public service broadly construed.

RECENT SIGNATURE INITIATIVES

Institutional Dimensions of Ethical Practice

  • Commissioned a White Paper on Integrating Ethics Across URI
  • Sponsorship of Summer Institutes on Ethics Across the Curriculum for URI Faculty
  • Ongoing sponsorship of an annual John Hazen White Sr. Center of Ethics and Public Service Lecture as part of the URI Fall Honors Colloquium
  • Investment in curricular development around indigenous culture and language as well as future curatorial content for the Tomaquag Museum
  • Organized and provided faculty support for the ‘Future of the Humanities at URI’ faculty workshop

Student Service Learning

  • Annual sponsorship of a Student Ethics Fellow with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission
  • Support for Alternative Spring Break service projects for undergraduates, such as building housing for low-income families
  • Support for student participation in Winter J-term Study Abroad courses to Cuba and the Dominican Republic
  • Underwriting student service fellowships for targeted individual projects 
  • Investment in curricular innovations that integrate ethical practice with service to the public

Foster Public Service

  • Created and support two student academic year internship programs with Rhody Outpost and with the URI Government Affairs team in the Office of the President
  • Organized the 30th Anniversary celebration of URI’s John Hazen White Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service in Fall 2025 with a week-long series of events highlighting the opioid epidemic in New England. These events brought together public health professionals, film makers, faculty, and students culminating with a film screening of the award-winning documentary “Silence on the Streets” and panel discussion featuring the film director, Sharece Sellem-Hannah.
  • Commissioning a White Paper on Integrating Public Service at URI
  • Sponsor visiting practitioner and public events featuring professionals in government and public service
  • Developing an Awards program to recognize excellence in public service among members of the URI community (staff, faculty, students)