“The Union is the community center of the college, for all members of the college family – students, faculty, administration, alumni, and guests. It is not just a building; it is also an organization and program. Together they represent a well-considered plan of the community life of the college.”
(quoted in a Memorial Union history document, no date)

“In honor of our alumni and students who fought for their country and as a living memorial to those who died in its service, this building is presented to the University of Rhode Island with humility and gratitude by alumni, students, faculty, and friends.”
(quoted in the Rhode Island Memorial Union Dedication booklet, November 13, 1954)

Mission and Values:

Dedicated to promoting a supportive and vibrant campus environment, the URI Memorial Union offers all members of the University of Rhode Island community:

• A unifying and engaging campus environment for cross-cultural exchange
• A community space that honors individuals and values inclusion
• Opportunities for experiential learning, critical thinking, leadership, and skill development
• Services, resources, and programs to the entire community
• Experiences that foster enduring loyalty to the URI community

Supported by the University Cornerstones and the core values of learning, inclusivity, and a caring community environment, the Memorial Union is seen as a welcoming space, a “living room” for the Kingston campus, which is centrally located and offers a wide variety of services, activities, and opportunities for individual and groups to interact and engage on campus.
As early as 1943, a Union was a priority for members of the university community, whether housed in the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity House or five free standing Quonset Hut structures. Dedicated on November 13, 1954, to honor the 187 alumni, students and faculty who died in World War II and the Korean War, the presently located Memorial Student Union building has been a campus hub for students, faculty, staff, and alumni for more than 60 years.

With amenities that have included a bowling alley, a pub, multiple food vendors, and increasing student organization and expanding enrollment, the Union’s first addition was completed in 1965. In 1992, as URI was celebrating its centennial, the University again expanded and renovated the entire facility. The students needed more space, especially for student organizations, so rooms and offices were added and the bookstore, expanded. The renovations allowed for more multi-purpose space, expansion of the URI bookstore, improvements in accessibility, and enhanced dining amenities in the Ram’s Den.

Ramses I (also known as Rhody the Ram) stands in front of Memorial Union. The sculpture was a gift of the Class of 1958.
The presently Memorial Union strives – through its collective services, educational initiatives, programs, departments and resources – to foster a unifying sense of belonging within the URI community. A home to over 130 student groups, the Office of Student Involvement, the Center for Student Leadership Development the Dean of Students Office, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Ram’s Den eatery, the URI Campus Store, and multiple vendors, the current Memorial Union unifies a multitude of campus stakeholders within its 133,828 square foot space.

Through the programs and services offered within the Memorial Union, our employees in partnership with our student employees, seek to further serve URI by putting the University’s Transformational Goals into practice as a foundation of our work. Specifically, the functional areas that comprise the Memorial Union seek to:

• Create a 21^st Century 24/7 Learning Environment: The registered programs and services prepare students to excel and to lead. To enhance these learning opportunities, the Memorial Union has recently invested in its lounge and programming spaces, participated in efficiency and feasibility studies, worked to propose innovative strategies for the use of technology for programming, advising, and course instruction (EMS, Four Winds, Campus Labs, Gallup and others) and proposed strategies to enhance services and student learning.

• Build a Community at URI that Values Equity and Diversity: Building a community at URI in which every member is welcomed, supported, and valued is essential to the mission of the Memorial Union.

• Map a Student Success Culture: The Memorial Union is poised to be a model for cross-departmental investment in supporting student success, both inside and outside of the classroom. Through efforts to revitalize the existing Memorial Union facility, engaging in campus and national assessment efforts, and proposing innovative methods to close existing data gaps and lead in the area of tracking and enhancing student engagement, student success remains the primary focus of our shared work.