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: www.ric.edu/cooperativepreschool/.
Counseling Center
The principal aim of the Counseling Center is to help students develop and succeed during their graduate studies. 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 career planning. Assessment of personal characteristics is available as needed. The center also offers groups and workshops on personal development matters, such as stress management 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.
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.
Health Services
Health Services, located on the ground floor of Browne Hall, provides confidential, primary health care to all students. Care includes physical examinations, immunizations, treatment of acute and chronic illnesses and injuries, gynecological exams, health education and, if necessary, specialty referral. On-site laboratory services include blood and urine tests, throat cultures and pregnancy testing. Health Services is open year round and is staffed by nurse practitioners, registered nurses and a part-time physician. Visits are available by appointment.
Rhode Island College offers Student Health and Accident Insurance to any student taking a minimum of 6 credit hours. Information about this policy is available at www.universityhealthplans.com.
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 swimming pool; 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.
Security and Safety, Office of
The Office of Security and Safety provides 24-hour service to the campus community in the areas of law enforcement, security and personal safety, fire safety and right-to-know laws. The office is also responsible for the enforcement of all laws and regulations that apply to campus life, including those of the Rhode Island Board of Education and federal and state statutes. Information regarding security and safety, campus police, parking, traffic regulations and vehicle registration is available in the security department or on the college website at www.ric.edu.
The Office of Security and Safety also provides a variety of crime prevention materials and a 24-hour escort service for students, faculty and staff. This service is available by calling extension 8201 or by pushing the escort button on the Blue Light Emergency Phones (for the location of these phones see Campus Map).
Unity Center
The Unity Center is a multicultural center for Rhode Island College. Its mission is to promote educational equity, opportunity and growth for all students through collaborative programming among its student affiliates, faculty, staff and the wider community. The center seeks to increase intergroup connections by providing a safe forum for exploring issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion. Located in the lower level of the Donovan Dining Center, the Unity Center offers information and referrals, a study room, student lounge, conference room, lending library, support for LGBTQ issues and employment opportunities. The Unity Center is adjacent to the Interfaith Services Center. Visit our web page at www.ric.edu/unitycenter and like Rhode Island College Unity Center on Facebook.
Veterans Resource Center
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.
Women’s Center
The mission of the Women’s Center is to cultivate a campus culture that fosters the advancement of women and inspires RIC students to discover and embrace their full potential. The Center collaborates with related campus and community organizations on various projects to promote campus awareness and understanding through advocacy and education. It also provides a clearinghouse of information related to women's health and progress. The Women’s Center connects and supports RIC students through confidential referrals to existing campus and local resources.