The
last week was an eventful one for the University of Rhode Island. In many ways we were much more
fortunate, by virtue of our location, than many of our sister institutions of
higher education in the northeast.
We also benefited substantially from the careful and thorough planning
by our emergency management team, the leadership and staff of our Housing and
Residence Life unit, the communications staff, academic staff, and, especially
the dedicated people of URI’s Facilities and Grounds unit.
Thanks
to all these people, the University of Rhode Island and our community came
through the storm and its immediate aftermath extremely well. See http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=6448
for a summary. We didn’t do
everything perfectly, and some parts of campus still are without power, but all
of us can be thankful for the efforts of those at URI who worked in advance of,
and then throughout the hurricane itself to protect our students, staff, and
the campus.
Our
students handled the storm and its aftermath extremely well, although some of
our students living off campus are still without power, as are some of our
staff. But we must remember that the University of Rhode Island community now
extends across the United States and the globe. Many of our students come from parts of the northeast that
suffered severely in the hurricane. Our hopes and prayers go out to all those
who suffered damage to, or loss of, their home or business, or, more
tragically, injury to or loss of a family member or friend..
Collectively
these events again remind me of the value and importance of community: of
working together, supporting one another, grieving together, and celebrating
together. This year, Halloween (which can often pose some minor challenges)
coming immediately after the hurricane, provided a much-needed time for our
students to unwind and enjoy themselves. The LGBTQ Center and Uhura Sasa
sponsored a party and eXposure another. Both were well attended and reportedly
enjoyed by all. It is worth noting,
I think, that all of these student groups were founded to foster and support
diversity and community on the campus.
I am also aware that our faculty, advisors, and support staff are
reaching out to students to offer their support and assistance in dealing with
the toll of the storm and its aftermath.
Building community together, developing friendships and relationships,
and experiencing the joys of both giving and receiving support, are some of the
most valuable parts of an education at the University of Rhode Island. We recently celebrated some of our most
distinguished alumni in our Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremony. All of them spoke eloquently of the
importance of the friendships and relationships formed at URI that had made,
and still make, a difference in their lives. When we calculate the value of a college education, we
should not forget the enormous and tangible positive contributions that being a
part of a university community really makes.
