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 Alumni and Visitors Center, provides comprehensive 24-hour safety and security services to the campus community. The department is both state- and nationally-accredited, adhering to all recognized best practices in public safety and law enforcement.
The Department is responsible for the enforcement of all applicable laws and regulations, including those established by the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education, as well as relevant federal, state, and municipal statutes. The department also oversees campus-specific policies related to public safety, traffic, parking, and vehicle registration. Detailed information on these topics is available at the Campus Police headquarters or via the Department's website.
In addition to law enforcement, the department provides a range of crime prevention services, including a 24-hour escort program for students, faculty, and staff, available by calling campus extension 8888. For added security, Rhode Island College has installed fifty-three blue-light emergency phones strategically located along illuminated walkways and near campus buildings. These phones are directly linked to Campus Police for rapid response.
Furthermore, campus buildings and parking areas are well-lit, highly visible, and monitored by advanced security camera systems. A detailed illustration showing the locations of emergency blue light phones can be found on the online Campus Map.
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.
Health Services, The Center for Health & Wellness
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 are available which include blood and urine tests, throat cultures, COVID-19 testsand pregnancy tests. Health Services is open year-round and is staffed by nurse practitioners, registered nurses and a part-time physician. Visits are available by appointment.
Tele-health as well as in-office visits are available by appointment. COVID-19 precautions are in place according to guidelines set by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the CDC. Please call health services (401-456-8055) prior to your arrival. Visits by appointment recommended, walk-ins allowed.
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.
Military Resource Center
The Military Resource Center serves as the central point of contact for all military-affiliated students, (veterans, reservists / guard / active duty, spouses / dependents, and ROTC cadets) with resources, services, and programs. The Military Resource Center (MRC) provides assistance with the admissions process, applying and understanding your military educational benefits and scholarships, and connecting you to the academic departments around campus. The MRC serves as a resource while you are attending RIC. Additionally, it maintains a large network within the community to refer students to organizations specializing in veteran 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/.
Student ID Card
The student ID is more than your official Rhode Island College photo identification card. It is a great way to pay for everything including food, beverages, photocopies, laundry, vending purchases, and textbooks at the bookstore. You can add value to your campus points account using the GET Funds app with a credit card. You can also add value using cash at any of the three Value Port stations; located in the Student Union outside of the bookstore, in Adams library on the reference desk level, and at the lower entrance of Browne Hall. Your student ID accounts can be managed using GET Funds. Point your browser to https://get.cbord.com/ric and register your account. Additionally, your ID card has some important non-debit uses as well. It serves as your meal card when you sign up for a meal plan, your door key for entrance to your residence halls, your Adams Library card, your pass for entrance into the Recreation Center, as an unlimited bus pass on Rhode Island’s public bus system (RIPTA), and as free entry into Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum.
The ID card consists of 3 accounts:
1. The meal plan account for Donovan Dining Center (DDC) and the Beestro. This account consists of Board, Flex Meal Points, and Vending Points.
2. The Campus Points account for use at all locations where points are accepted; DDC, Beestro, bookstore, copiers in Adams Library, vending machines, and laundry facilities in the Residence Halls.
3. The DDC commuter points account (Dining Dollars). This account is useful if you would like to designate funds for food only.
Your first ID card is free and can be obtained by coming to the Student ID office located on the second floor of the Dining Center near the bridge to the Student Union. Call 401.456.8394, email studentid@ric.edu, or visit https://our.ric.edu/department-directory/student-id-office for more information.
Student Activities
Student Activities is home to all of our student organizations, Greek life, and campus wide programming. This office works closely with Student Community Government and the RIC Programming Board to support student initiatives and student interest. We have about 60 student organizations. If there isn’t one that interests you, we can help you start one.
Student Union
Right off the quad, the Student Union is dedicated to chance encounters, a lively and vibrant student life, and student voice and governance. The Union houses our Student Community Government, all the student organization offices, Greek Life, and the student run marketing department (SA). You can get a quick bite at the Beesto on the lower level while you check out a program, hangout on one of the cozy couches, or play pool with friends - then head upstairs for our late night lounge, Student Life hub, and our bookstore. There’s a sky bridge that connects the Student Union with our Dining Hall, and diagonally from the Student Union is our campus Media Center that houses the student newspaper, The Anchor, our radio station WXIN, and Anchor TV.
Unity Center
The Unity Center houses identity-specific resources and programming for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students that experience gender discrimination, and students with compromised citizenship status. Additionally, the Unity Center offers resources around conflict resolution and restorative justice practices. It’s a warm and welcoming student-centered space that affirms and celebrates students with historically marginalized identities.