URI calls off grad ceremony
University won’t hold commencement on campus
KINGSTON - The University of 5hode Island announced Tuesday it has canceled its on site 0 0 commencement because of restrictions in place to pre vent the &O9I' 1 corona virus from spreading.
³The University of 5hode Island has made the diffi cult decision to not hold the in person commencement ceremonies scheduled for 0ay 16 and 0ay 1 , 0 0,´ U5I said in a statement. ³The university is deeply committed to ensuring our prospective graduates and their families have an op portunity to celebrate and share one of their greatest life achievements. *iven the continuing guidance about social distancing and group gatherings, it is essential that the health and well being of our graduates and their fam ilies remain our highest pri ority.´
Instead, U5I is preparing to hear from upcoming grad uates about an alternative commencement celebration.
Student leaders have cre ated a survey for those who had hoped to participate in commencement to provide ideas for how the university can celebrate and recogni]e students¶ accomplishments.
The school encouraged graduates to complete and return the survey by noon on 0arch 6.
³We will continue to identify ways for us to en gage as a community, even if remotely,´ U5I said.
U5I¶s cancellation of in person commencement comes as other state colleges and universities do likewise, faced with health safety and logistical challenges that ap pear impossible to overcome in the ne[t si[ to eight weeks as much of the country re mains at a standstill because of the virus.
The state reported 1 people had tested positive in 5hode Island for &O9I' 1 as of Tuesday.
U5I reported 0arch 1 that a staff member had test ed positive for the illness.
³*iven the progression of the novel virus, it is not a surprise to discover a case in our community, but we know it will heighten an[i ety,´ the school said. ³1ow, more than ever, is the time to treat each other with kind ness and compassion. We are beyond grateful to ev eryone who has been work ing so hard on behalf of our community.´
The employee is in self isolation at home fol lowing protocols from the 5hode Island 'epartment of Health, U5I said.
³The health department is leading the effort to iden tify individuals who were in contact with the staff mem ber, reaching out to those in dividuals and arranging for their self Tuarantine,´ U5I said. ³University Health Services staff are also work ing to support potentially affected students, faculty and staff. In addition, the area in which this individual worked has been appropri ately cleaned in accordance with U.S. &enters for 'is ease &ontrol and 3revention guidelines.´
Also on 0arch 1 , U5I announced it was suspend ing all face to face classes at all U5I campuses. The classes will be delivered re motely for the remainder of the spring semester.
³We do not make these decisions lightly. The world around us is changing every day and any actions we can take to enhance clarity sur rounding this issue and the health and peace of mind of our community are more im portant than ever,´ U5I said.
The university continues to be open and operational. An information hotline is available for those who have Tuestions at 01 0 . The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 0onday through )riday. Information is also available on U5I¶s website.
*raduate and faculty re search will continue as usu al both on and off campus while following the guid ance on social distancing and large gatherings.
U5I said that it¶s likely that summer session cours es may also need to be de livered remotely. A final decision about the summer classes will be made soon, the school said.
Also, school officials are working on plans for the or derly transition of students out of on campus housing, as well as removal of their personal belongings.
0ost students have not been on campus since before spring break, which began 0arch .
U5I also reassured stu dents who need to stay on campus for personal or fam ily reasons that housing and dining operations will re main operational. *raduate student housing will con tinue to operate with similar anticipated limited access.
The university also di rected students, faculty and staff arriving in the United States or who have traveled outside the country since )eb. to follow a state e[ ecutive order to self Tuaran tine for 1 days from their return. Students who were studying abroad and have been recalled to their perma nent residences in the U.S. should not return to campus, the school added.