Campus Police, Department of Security and Safety
The mission of the Campus Police, a component of the College's Department of Security and Safety, while multifaceted, is simplistic in nature and is centered upon a single goal: to provide for the safety of life, personal and institutional property, and to enhance the educational process. The achievement of this mission relies on community partnerships built upon trust and mutual respect.
The department, located at the Welcome Center, provides 24-hour service and security to the Rhode Island College campus community. The department is responsible for the enforcement of all laws and regulations that apply to campus life, including those of the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education and federal, state and certain municipal statutes. Information regarding security and safety, campus police, parking, traffic regulations, and vehicle registration is available at campus police headquarters or on the college website at www.ric.edu.
The department provides crime prevention support and assistance including 24-hour escort service for students, faculty and staff. This service is available by calling college extension 8888. For added protection, the campus has fifty-three blue-light emergency phones – located along illuminated walkways and campus buildings – that are directly linked to campus police. Moreover, building entrances and parking lots are thoroughly lit, highly visible, and equipped with state-of-the-art security cameras. (For locations of these phones, see the on-line Campus Map).
Child Care—Cooperative Preschool
The Cooperative Preschool is a campus organization sponsored by Student Community Government. Through the cooperative involvement of parents, the co-op provides an affordable, reliable, high-quality preschool program for children ages three to five. To participate in the co-op, children must be toilet trained and be three years of age by August 31. Students, staff and faculty of Rhode Island College are eligible to enroll their children. Children of students are given first priority.
Children are enrolled full-time, regardless of the number of hours they attend. The school is DCYF licensed and employs a certified teacher and work-study students. The co-op also participates in Brightstars, a preschool quality-rating and improvement system. The curriculum is aligned with the Rhode Island Early Learning domains.
In addition to paying monthly tuition, parents work designated hours, attend monthly meetings and participate in the running of the co-op.
The co-op is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic year. Use of the co-op is limited to those hours in which the parent is performing college related activities, such as attending class, doing research, student teaching, etc.
For more information, stop by the co-op during hours of operation or access information and registration forms at: https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/cooperative-preschool
Counseling Center, The Center for Health and Wellness
The principal aim of the Counseling Center is to help students grow, develop and succeed during their college years. A professional staff of psychologists, counselors and doctoral students in counseling or clinical psychology provide individual and group counseling to students who seek help with emotional or social challenges, academic difficulties or educational and career planning. The center also offers groups and workshops on personal development matters, such as stress management, LGBTQ+, healthy relationships, and procrastination. Although friends or faculty may encourage individual students to utilize counseling, it is entirely voluntary, and most students make the decision on their own initiative. Counseling Center services are strictly confidential and are provided to any current Rhode Island College students without charge. If you are in need of immediate support for a non-emergent issue and would like to speak with a licensed clinician, please call the RIC HOPE line at (401) 456-4673. The HOPE line is available 24/7/365 for Rhode Island College students.
Cultural Activities
Graduate students can participate in a wide variety of cultural activities and events at Rhode Island College. For example, students and their families listen to a speaker at Adams Library, see a play or concert in the Nazarian Center, or attend an art gallery opening. In addition, several on-campus groups bring nationally and internationally renowned fine and performing artists to RIC. Many of these cultural activities and events are free or discounted for students and their families.
International, Immigrant, Undocumented, DACAmented and Refugee Students, Office for
The Office for International, Immigrant, Undocumented, DACAmented and Refugee Students (IIUDRS) is a physical space within The Unity Center dedicated to students that identify with the international, immigrant, undocumented, DACAmented, and refugee student experience. It embraces all students, regardless of their citizenship status in the United States, and views education equity for all as a fundamental human right.
One of its main goals is to help students develop a global citizenship mindset that helps them better understand their positionality in this world in order to better navigate it. We provide one-on-one advising, connect students to immigration services, introduce them to scholarship, internship, and fellowship opportunities, and most importantly, provide them with a caring learning community dedicated to engaging in thought-provoking conversations, no matter how uncomfortable or controversial they might be.
LGBTQ+ Office
The LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning) Office is a component of the Unity Center in the division for Student Life at Rhode Island College. The office advocates for the various concerns, both academic and personal, of the LGBTQ+ campus community and its allies. Its mission is to integrate the best practices for inclusion of gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation into all appropriate aspects of campus life. The LGBTQ+ staff assists students with processes relevant to preferred names and documentation, and engages campus constituents in understanding and implementing practices that promote safety and affirmation. In collaboration with other LGBTQ organizations within Providence and greater Rhode Island, this office works to ensure that state and federal protections provided to students, faculty, and staff including but not limited to: Title IX, hate crime and non-discrimination ordinances, are upheld to the highest level. The LGBTQ+ Office is located in the Unity Center (lower level of the Donovan Dining Center). Visit the website at https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/unity-center/lgbtq-and-gender-services
Recreational and Club Sports
A completely renovated recreation center opened in the fall semester of 2012. The complex is home to all recreational programming, including intramurals and club sports. The center and its programs are available to all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. The facility is also available to faculty, staff, alumni and the community on a membership-fee basis. For a complete list of activities and hours, which change each semester, visit www.goanchormen.com.
The 80,000-square-foot facility includes a five-lane, 25-yard, L-shaped competitive pool which was completely updated in 2020; a five-lane, 1/10-mile indoor track; three multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis; a fitness center, including cardio and strength areas; a student lounge complete with WiFi and cable television; new locker room facilities; a multimedia room; a wrestling facility adaptable for other events; a multi-use studio for aerobics and yoga with "fitness on demand" available during all operating hours; offices for coaches; and a suite to host fundraising-related initiatives. The Club Sport Program currently includes the following established club sport opportunities: men's ice hockey, women's equestrian, and ultimate frisbee. Club sports are always being evaluated for additions or deletions based on student interest. For more updated information, or if you are interested in starting a club sport, go to https://www.goanchormen.com/.
Unity Center
The Unity Center is a Rhode Island College intercultural services center and a department of the Division of Student Life. The Unity Center is comprised of the leadership and activities of the LGBTQ+ Office, the International Student Office and Interfaith Services. Its mission is to promote educational equity, academic excellence and involvement in campus life to all students through collaborative programming and fostering connections among its student affiliates, faculty, staff and the wider community. The center seeks to increase inter-group connections and dialogue by providing a safe forum for exploring issues pertaining to diversity, inclusion and social justice. The Unity Center offers information and referrals, a computer work stations, a student lounge, conference room, lending library and student employment opportunities. The International Student Office and the LGBTQ+ Offices are both located in the Unity Center on the lower level of the Donovan Dining Center easily accessible from the campus quad. Visit our web page at https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/unity-center and our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/unitycenterric/ or contact us at 401-456-8791
Veterans Resource Center - Graduate
The Veterans Resource Center serves as a bridge between off-campus services and on-campus services for military service members, veterans and their families. The VetSuccess on Campus program is located in the center. Students receive information and assistance in accessing educational benefits, exploring career options and locating other important services at Rhode Island College.