Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Colleges, Schools and Divisions of the University

3.10.10 The University of Rhode Island comprises nine colleges, the Graduate School, the Graduate School of Oceanography, and other ancillary research and extension services. The Academic Health Collaborative comprises the College of Health Sciences, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, an Office of Shared Services, and the Institute for Integrated Health and Innovation. #14-15-27C #16-17-21

3.20.10 The Academic Deans. The deans of colleges, schools and divisions shall be responsible for effective administration of their respective administrative units; promote the academic efficiency of those units by every approved means; give attention to the programs of study, their purposes and content, the effectiveness of instruction, the counseling of students, the supervision of the faculty and the development of an effective research environment; recommend to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs persons for appointment, dismissal or other change in status; and prepare a budget of estimated receipts and expenditures for their respective administrative units for the ensuing year and, after it has been approved, administer it. #21-22-6

3.20.11 The dean of each college may have the consultation and advice of appropriate faculty committees.

3.20.12 – 3.20.13 Removed #20-21-32

3.21.10 Department Chairpersons shall have administrative responsibility for the program(s) of their respective departments under the dean of their respective colleges; cooperate with department members in planning and developing policies and programs; evaluate the instructional, research and administrative processes of the department and make recommendations to the dean; evaluate periodically the department members and report the evaluations as required; recommend appointments, reappointments, promotions and dismissals of department members; ensure that adequate supervision, advice and training are provided to new department members and others who might profit therefrom; generally promote the welfare of the department and the University by every appropriate means; and carry out such other duties as are set forth elsewhere in the University Manual. #21-22-6

3.21.11 The College of Arts and Sciences comprises the following schools, departments, and programs:

  • Arts and Design: Departments of Art and Art History (#05-06-23), Music, Theatre
  • Humanities: Departments of English, History, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Philosophy
  • Harrington School of Communication and Media (#07-08-10):

Departments of Communication Studies, Journalism, and Writing and Rhetoric (#09-10-30)
Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
Public Relations Program
Film/Media Program

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences: Departments of Economics, Military Science and Leadership (#05-06-23), Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Africana Studies (#20-21-1B), and Gender and Women’s Studies (#20-21-1B); Criminology and Criminal Justice Program
  • Natural and Quantitative Sciences: Departments of Chemistry, Computer Science and Statistics, Mathematics, and Physics
  • Center for Non Violence and Peace Studies

#16-17-21 #20-21-29C

3.21.12 The College of Business (#17-18-26D), which also includes:

  • Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design #15-16-15D
  • Schmidt Labor Research Center #16-17-2C

#16-17-21

3.21.13 The College of Engineering comprises the following departments:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering (#05-06–28)
  • Mechanical, Industrial, and Systems Engineering (#08-09–24)
  • Ocean Engineering

#16-17-21

3.21.14 The College of Health Sciences comprises the following departments (#14-15-27C):

#16-17-21

3.21.15 The College of Nursing

3.21.16 The College of Pharmacy comprises the following departments:

  • Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (#03-04–18)
  • Pharmacy Practice

#16-17-21

3.21.17 The College of the Environment and Life Sciences comprises the following departments:

  • Biological Sciences (#04-05–10)
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Environmental and Natural Resources Economics
  • Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science
  • Geosciences
  • Landscape Architecture (#07-08-11) (#14-15-24D) (#20-21-28C)
  • Marine Affairs
  • Natural Resources Science
  • Plant Sciences & Entomology

#16-17-21

3.21.20 The University College for Academic Success. All undergraduate students who have not successfully completed at least 24 credits, except those licensed, registered-nurse students enrolled to obtain the BS degree in Nursing, shall be enrolled in this college. Students who have indicated a preference for a particular professional college before the completion of 24 credits shall be considered to be enrolled in the college as well as in the University College if professional licensing or financial support requirements make this desirable. #2013-14-12B

3.21.21 The Dean of University College for Academic Success shall have administrative responsibility for the University College (including New Student Programs and the Academic Advising program for Athletes), for non-matriculating undergraduate students on the Kingston campus (see 8.19.11) and for the following special academic programs: the Office of Internships and Experiential Education, the Learning Assistance Center, the National Student Exchange and the Office of International Education. #2013-14-12B

3.21.22 In carrying out these responsibilities, the Dean shall have appropriate administrative assistance including an Associate Dean and an advising staff composed of faculty members from the various URI colleges who shall serve part-time as special area advisers and an advising staff composed of faculty members from the various URI colleges who shall serve part-time as special area advisers. Nine hours a week shall normally be considered a part-time advising load. Advisers shall be assigned to this activity by the dean of their permanent college after approval by the Dean of the University College for Academic Success. No faculty members shall be required to act as adviser either as part of their regular load or as an overload without their consent. Appropriate adjustments in the individual’s University responsibilities shall be made to permit effective performance of the advising function. The dean of each undergraduate college in consultation with the department chairperson shall provide the University College with sufficient advisers to cover all areas of undergraduate concentration offered by that college. #2013-14-12B, #21-22-6

3.21.23 The advising staff as described in 3.21.22 shall comprise the voting faculty of the University College for Academic Success. #2013-14-12B

3.30.10 The Graduate School. The University offers programs leading to Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (ABM), Master of Arts or Science degrees, professional master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree, in cooperation with the colleges. Degree requirements are described in the Graduate School Manual. #16-17-18 #20-21-37

3.30.11 The Dean of the Graduate School shall have primary responsibility for administering the policies and procedures of graduate study.

3.30.12 The Dean is a member of the Graduate Faculty per 4.70.10 and shall be a non-voting ex officio member of the Graduate Council. The Dean shall be the executive officer of the Graduate Faculty. #19-20-30

3.30.13 The Dean shall transmit to the Faculty Senate actions of the Graduate Council and/or Graduate Faculty, as specified in Sections 5.65.30-5.65.37, requiring its approval; administer and enforce regulations pertaining to the conduct of graduate student work and the granting of graduate degrees and certify to the Graduate Council the names of students who have satisfied requirements for degrees; administer the executive office of the Graduate School, maintain appropriate records, prepare the annual budget, make regular reports to the President and to the Graduate Faculty on the condition of the Graduate School; and perform other related duties necessary for the effective functioning of the Graduate School. #19-20-30

3.30.14 Early in each academic year, the Dean shall update the list of the Graduate Faculty members, per 4.70.10, and shall coordinate and administer University graduate fellowship and scholarship programs. #16-17-18, #19-20-30.

3.30.15 In carrying out these responsibilities the Dean shall be assisted by the following (see 3.30.16):

3.30.16 The Associate Dean of the Graduate School shall perform the duties of the Dean of the Graduate School during the absence of the Dean and such other duties as are delegated by the Dean.

3.30.17 The Associate Director of Graduate Enrollment Management shall develop recruitment and retention initiatives to attract and provide support for a diverse population of graduate students and collaborate with departments and colleges to facilitate graduate student success. #16-17-18   #23-24-10

3.30.18 Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (ABM). Application and Admission. Students applying for admission into ABM must do so through the URI Graduate School admission system. Applicants must have earned at least 75 credits before they are eligible to apply. Students will be enrolled in ABM after they have met all Graduate School admission requirements, and completed 90 undergraduate credits.

3.30.19 Credit Requirements. Only students accepted into the ABM program will be able to double count credits towards both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The total number of credits that will be allowed to be double counted is up to one-third of the total credits required in the master’s program. Only 500-level courses and 400-level courses designated for graduate credit are eligible to be double counted.

3.30.20 Credits Taken Outside of a program or from another department. Students can transfer credits between URI programs and departments. Only credits earned at URI may be counted toward the master’s portion of the ABM.

3.30.21 Time-to-degree Limit. Students must complete all graduate degree requirements for ABM within the time limit designated by the Graduate School.

3.30.22 Proposals for New ABM programs. Proposals for new ABM Programs should be submitted to the Faculty Senate Curriculum and Standards Committee after securing approval from the College in which the ABM will be housed. Upon approval of the Curriculum and Standards Committee, the proposal will be forwarded to the Graduate School. The New Program Committee of the Graduate Council will review the proposal and make a recommendation on its merits to the full Graduate Council. If approved by vote of the Graduate Council, it will be submitted to the Faculty Senate for review and approval as a joint Curriculum and Standards and Graduate Council report.

3.31.10 The Graduate School of Oceanography. Instruction in this school shall be limited to graduate study. The research program shall include both basic and applied studies in the several disciplines of oceanography and marine biology.

3.31.11 The Dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography shall be responsible for the administration of the school.

3.40.10 The Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies is a two-campus college that shall provide educational opportunities for traditional students direct from high school and adult students who have had some or no college experience with undergraduate courses, and students currently in the workforce who want to retrain or enhance their skills through graduate and certificate programs. It comprises the following units:

  • School of Education (Kingston campus)
  • School of Professional and Continuing Studies (Providence campus), including the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Office of Strategic Initiatives (both Kingston and Providence campuses) #15-16-15D

#16-17-21

3.40.11 removed #18-19-34

3.40.13 The Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies shall be the administrative authority for offerings of any approved course in the college, including all courses for credit such as seminars, special problems and workshops and including conferences, institutes, short courses and in-service courses off-campus. Professors are not authorized to make individual arrangements for special courses without the approval of the academic deans of colleges concerned and of the Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies. The Office of Enrollment Services shall not accept nor record grades for students in any course not previously authorized by the academic dean concerned and of the Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of College of Education and Professional Studies. #15-16-15D, #16-17-21, #18-19-34

3.40.14 The Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, in cooperation with departments shall determine lists of the college’s offerings. The Dean shall, in consultation with the appropriate department chairperson and college dean, and the Office of Enrollment Services, determine time and place of offerings and establish minimum enrollments for continuing education classes. Immediately upon cancellation of under-enrolled classes, the Dean shall notify departments of such cancellation. #15-16-15D, #16-17-21, #18-19-34

3.40.15 The Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies shares with the Interdisciplinary Studies Faculty academic responsibility for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program. The Dean shall review all proposals approved by the BIS Curriculum Committee for (1) the creation, modification, or abolition of BIS concentrations; (2) the modification of the general education component of the BIS program; and (3) the creation, modification, or abolition of BIS courses. The Dean shall consult with affected departments before forwarding curricular proposals to the Faculty Senate Curricular Affairs Committee. The Dean shall consult with the appropriate college deans concerning proposals which have staffing or course scheduling implications. #15-16-15D #16-17-21

3.40.16 The Dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies shall appoint General Faculty members as instructors for special BIS courses with the approval of the appropriate department chairperson and college dean. The Dean shall appoint temporary lecturers for special BIS courses upon recommendation of the BIS Special Faculty Committee. The Dean may reappoint temporary lecturers for the BIS Pro-Seminar. #15-16-15D, #16-17-21, #20-21-36

3.40.17 removed  #18-19-34

3.40.18 removed  #18-19-34

3.41.01 removed  #18-19-34

3.41.02 removed  #18-19-34

3.42.10 The University Libraries shall provide a maximum of effective service in advancing the academic interests in instruction, research and extension for all of the University’s faculty and students.

3.42.11 The Dean of University Libraries shall be responsible for the effective administration of the University Libraries administrative unit; promote its efficiency by every approved means; give attention to the effectiveness of instruction and the supervision of faculty; recommend to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs persons for appointment, dismissal or other changes in status; and prepare a budget of estimated receipts and expenditures for the University Libraries academic unit for the ensuing year, and, after it has been approved, administer it. #21-22-6

3.43.10 The Office of Information Technology Services shall provide leadership and a coherent framework for information services and technology strategies and standards. Its mission is to provide systems and services for the effective, efficient, and timely use of information in support of teaching, research, and service. Units within the Office of Information Technology Services include: Community Service, Administrative Applications, Teaching and Learning, Research Computing, Networking, Infrastructure, Innovation, and IT Security.  #January 27, 2022 Informational Report,   #21-22-43

3.43.11 The Chief Information Officer shall be responsible for the effective administration of administrative units within the Office of Information Technology Services; promote their efficiency by every approved means; and prepare budgets of estimated receipts and expenditures for ITS academic units for the ensuing year, and, after they have been approved, administer them. #21-22-6

3.50.10 The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation (URIRF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation affiliated with and in service to the University of Rhode Island, charged with supporting the development of scientific research, technology, the commercialization of intellectual property and such other work as necessary to develop, promote and enhance scientific research and technology at the University of Rhode Island and within the state of Rhode Island. The URIRF also is charged with advancing the university’s external-facing economic development efforts, in service to the community and state.  #21-22-35

3.50.11 The URI Research Foundation shall aid and assist the University of Rhode Island in the establishment, development, and fostering of scientific research and technology, which shall further the learning opportunities, programs, services and enterprises of the University and of the State of Rhode Island and shall promote, encourage, and foster the education and training services, scientific investigations, technology development, and technology commercialization at the University. The URIRF manages the State of Rhode Island’s manufacturing extension program (MEP), and engages in activities to enhance partnerships between the university and commercial entities, all with the intent to grow capacity and opportunities (e.g., workforce development, entrepreneurship).  #21-22-35

3.50.12 The Research Foundation shall pursue, obtain and protect intellectual property rights (including patents, trademarks, tangible materials and copyrights) in and to all valuable intellectual property flowing from or belonging to the University of Rhode Island and to administer such intellectual property in conformity with applicable state and federal laws.

3.50.20 The Board of Directors shall manage the business and affairs of the Research Foundation. The membership shall comprise thirteen (13) persons and shall include the following ex officio members: the President of the University of Rhode Island; the Vice President for Research and Economic Development; the Vice President for Administration and Finance; and a full-time general faculty member of the university, nominated by the Faculty Senate. The remaining nine (9) members of the board of directors shall be appointed to their initial terms by the President of the University of Rhode Island on a staggered basis with approximately one third of the terms expiring each year for the first three years. Thereafter, these positions will be self-perpetuating by the board. #21-22-6   #January 27, 2022 Informational Report #21-22-35

3.50.21 After the initial appointments members shall be elected for three-year terms at the annual meeting of the board. Vacancies other than from expiration of term may be filled by the remaining members of the board at a special meeting called for that purpose. An outgoing director shall not be permitted to vote on their successor. A director may be re-elected for up to two (2) additional three-year terms. Each director, other than the ex officio directors, shall hold office for the term for which elected and until a successor is elected and qualified. The board chair is held by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, who is charged with ensuring that the URIRF’s goals and activities are consonant with those of the university. #21-22-6  #21-22-35  

3.50.22  The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate will nominate between 1 and 3 full-time members of the general faculty as candidates for a position on the Board of Directors (BoD) for the URI Research Foundation (URIRF). These nominations, along with current CV’s of the individuals being nominated, will be forwarded to the Chair of the Board for the URIRF. These nominations will be reviewed by the Governance and Membership Committee of the URIRF Board, and then one individual from the slate of nominees will be voted onto the board, by the full board at its next regular meeting (URIRF BoD meetings are held quarterly). At the discretion of the board, a vote may be held electronically between regular meetings. 

The faculty member chosen will be invited to serve for a three (3) year term, and this term may be renewed once at the discretion of the board – for a maximum of 6 years. At such time as a term expires and is not renewed, or the faculty member retires or resigns their membership on the board, a new faculty member will be elected following these same procedures. The faculty member elected on to the URIRF BoD will have full voting rights and all privileges and responsibilities (fiduciary and otherwise) as all other board members.  #21-22-35

3.51.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.52.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.53.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.58.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.59.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.60.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.61.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.62.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.63.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.65.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.68.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.69.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.72.10 – 3.72.12 Removed #20-21-32

3.75.10 – 3.75.12 Removed #20-21-32

3.81.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.83.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.84.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.85.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.86.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.87.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.90.10 – 3.90.12 Removed #20-21-32

3.91.10  Removed #20-21-32

3.95.10 – 3.95.11 removed #17-18-23

3.96.10 – 3.96.13 Removed #20-21-32

3.96.20 Removed #20-21-32

3.97.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.98.10 Removed #20-21-32

3.99.10 Removed #20-21-32

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