Federal Action Response

The federal administration has issued several executive orders and memos which could impact the work and mission of Rhode Island College. The College is actively monitoring these changes, consulting with the Office of Postsecondary Commissioner, and engaging with national education associations to inform our work. During this time, we will provide news, guidance, and resources here – for the RIC community.

Real-Time Information Sharing

We will be gathering information in real-time, meaning that it may change daily, so please continue to check your RIC email and regularly reference the content provided here. While the impact of executive orders and other federal policies is unclear, RIC is committed to providing updated and verified information.

Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Policies

The new federal administration has announced a series of executive actions in its first weeks that signal its priorities. To address this fast-changing environment, the Office of the President has convened an Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Policies to thoroughly examine any new federal policies; determine what, if any, practical impacts they will have on the campus community; and respond in a timely and thoughtful manner. The Ad Hoc Committee will post updates and guidance here, as well as sending via email. Please refer to the content here for verified information.

Email the Committee

Assistance From Institutional Offices, Services, Programs

In addition to utilizing campus offerings, these RIC documents may be of assistance: Manual of Academic Policies and Procedures, Student Handbook, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act & Disclosure of Education Records (FERPA).

The Counseling Center is always a great resource available to students.

Explore the Counseling Center

For non-business hours, the RIC HOPE Line is a 24-hour mental health support service. The number is 401-456-HOPE (4673).

Call the Hope Line

TELUS Health for 24/7 real-time support and multilingual support. Call the HOPE Line at 401-456-4673 or download the TELUS Health app. from Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Download TELUS from the App Store Download TELUS from Google Play

For assistance with things like food and housing insecurity, peer mentorship, connections to outside resources etc., Learning 4 Life is a great overall resource for students.

Explore Learning 4 Life

The Unity Center is open to all students. The Unity Center works with campus and community partners to create a climate where all students belong.

Explore the Unity Center

RIC is a public institution, largely open to the wider community. We understand and appreciate that our Rhode Island College personnel are not experts in immigration and legal rights and that the distinctions are complicated and nuanced. As such, should federal immigration authorities seek to carry out enforcement actions on college grounds, we ask that campus police be notified immediately.

Explore the Office of Campus Police

Call Campus Police

Employees can access the Employee Assistance Program. The State’s EAP is a free benefit available to employees and their immediate family members. You can reach EAP 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or online. Call the BCBSRI CARE Team and select the EAP option to reach a Carelon Behavioral Health Counsellor.

Call BCBSRI CARE Team Call BCBSRI CARE Team Local Number

Visit Carelon Behavioral Health to browse the support topics and/or schedule a counseling appointment.

Explore the Employee Assistance Program

Additional Resources

External Articles and Tools

Local Resources

Please Reach Out

While we acknowledge there may be more questions than answers at this time, the Ad Hoc Committee is committed to providing the most updated and verified information. We will respond in a timely manner.

Contact Us With Questions