COVID-19 Weekly Update 11/19

In this week’s COVID-19 update, The Good Five-Cent Cigar will discuss the University of Rhode Island’s decision to end in-person classes early, testing plans before and during the upcoming break, post-Thanksgiving support for students staying on campus and what students should continue doing to ensure return in the spring.  Classes move online-only early The University…

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URI’s elementary education program among top in nation amid pandemic

Graphic by Elizabeth Wong. With few industries more affected by COVID-19 than education, the University of Rhode Island’s elementary education program had to rapidly adjust its curriculum this semester. As more schools move online as the pandemic resurges, teaching students how to teach online has become a top priority, as getting students into classrooms has…

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Honors Colloquium highlights the role of technology for those with disabilities

This week’s virtual Honors Colloquium focused on advancing technology for people with disabilities.  University of Pittsburgh professor Rory A. Cooper, a paralympian that is highly accomplished for his work with people with disabilities, was this week’s speaker. The work of people with disabilities is very important to Cooper, who is paralyzed from the waist down. …

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Addressing the opioid epidemic during COVID-19 pandemic

Graphic from uri.edu/cfrp. University of Rhode Island students and faculty are working to educate the public about another national health crisis the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated: the opioid epidemic. Last year, URI received a $1.1 million grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address the opioid crisis in rural…

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Handling global crises, building communities

The Harrington School of Communication and Media brought speakers from different backgrounds together to virtually discuss global issues and potential solutions Tuesday night. During the fifth annual “Global Resilience: Community Impact in Volatile Times” event held on Nov. 17, five different speakers gave presentations about global crises, how to handle them, how to prepare for…

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Taricani Lecture Series discusses journalism, First Amendment rights post-election


Journalists Dyana Koelsch, Katie Davis, M. Charles Bakst, Parker Gavigan and Dan Barry discussed the First Amendment at the Taricani Lecture Series. Photo from uri.edu Several established journalists discuss the media’s role in the recent presidential election during the third installment of the Taricani Lecture Series for First Amendment Rights Tuesday night. Hosted by the…

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Administration ‘pleasantly surprised’ with successful on-campus semester

Health Services prepares for potential vaccine in the future As the University of Rhode Island nears the end of its goal to hold classes in-person until Thanksgiving, administrators reflected on how they reached this point and how the next semester will proceed if a COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available. Regarding this semester’s success, Director of…

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Faculty Senate approves Africana studies program as official University department

Students participating in an Africana studies event. Photos from uri.edu. Following a unanimous vote from the Faculty Senate and approval from the Board of Trustees, the University of Rhode Island’s Africana studies program (AAF) is now officially a department. They reached this status, along with the gender and women’s studies program (GWS), last week. As…

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New social justice, civic responsibilities minor to launch this spring

Students with civic interest can minor in social justice starting next spring. Graphic by Elizabeth Wong. The University of Rhode Island will offer a new 18-credit minor in social justice and civic responsibilities beginning this spring, featuring a curriculum that spans 68 courses, 22 departments and four different colleges. Judy Van Wyk, associate professor of…

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