The optometrist office in the Memorial Union basement has closed, becoming the latest victim of the pandemic. Photo by Ethan Pellegrino.
After 15 years of business, the University Optometrist located in the Memorial Student Union at the University of Rhode Island has closed due to “changing times,” creating space for Student Veteran resources to expand.
Dr. Dawn O’Shea’s optometry practice provided services such as eye exams, red-eye treatments and contact lens fittings for students, faculty and residents in nearby towns. However, after a decade and a half of business, COVID-19 ultimately led to the closure of her business.
“[The optometrist] was a tenant of the Memorial Union, and they were a tenant for a number of years, and basically what happened was [COVID-19,]” Carl Stiles, the director of the Memorial Union said. “It was no longer a viable business opportunity, so she closed up her business and moved her clientele onto another optometrist that would support them.”
He said that O’Shea already had limited operations before COVID-19 due to staffing issues and the fact that medical care has become a very difficult profession to stay afloat in.
To meet the cost of living, and to afford her practice, she had taken a part-time job with another optometrist. She decided to close her practice after it had been closed for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the optometrist was certainly something to offer to the faculty, staff and the students as part of the community the closing of her practice will allow for more spaces that will benefit students at the University, according to Stiles. Most of O’Shea’s clientele weren’t students, and the University is looking into new ways the Memorial Student Union can cater to student needs with this newly opened space.
Cassie Hill, a freshman at URI, also has an understanding that the closing will affect the community more than URI students.
“I grew up in North Kingstown, and it’s to my knowledge that the University optometrist was valued by the community,” Hill said. “It’s unfortunate because that eye doctor’s office wasn’t just for URI students, but also used by the surrounding communities.”
Assistant Director of the Veteran Affairs and Military Programs Rachael Garcia said that they will be using the space vacated by the office. According to Stiles, Garcia’s office and the Student Veteran Organization Office are going to share the space, bringing both services together.
Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs Kathy Collins requested for this space to be given to the Veteran Affairs and Military Programs. This request was approved, as this location will give student veterans a public, specialized space catered to their needs.
“This gives [students that are viable for veteran benefits] a place to talk, to meet, to hang out and gives them an opportunity to meet with specialists that they may need,” Stiles said.
The veteran benefits will apply to active and retired service members and the spouses and children of active/retired service members at URI. Students who fall under these categories will have this space on campus to find support.
The space that the Veteran Affairs and Military Programs will be vacating is in the dean of students’ office suite, located in the upper level of the Memorial Student Union. The University is looking into either adding more retail opportunities and points of sale or a new space for dining.
“We will continue to look for other retail opportunities that will enhance the student experience primarily,” Stiles said. “That might be food, might be another point of sale, or it might be some other opportunity. We do look to see what’s out there that students will be interested in.”