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HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR FIRST YEAR HAWK

RWU FAMILY GUIDE 2026

I wish my family knew how much distance improved my experience, I got to branch out and explore because I had to, and I got to be outside my comfort zone.

− Taylor Romano, Class of 2028

It’s okay to be worried but also give your student space to enjoy their college experience and see what it’s all about!

− Dominic Monti, Class of 2027

I wish my family knew that I was entering a space that had an ample amount of resources dedicated to my success as both a student and human.

− Michael Jones, Class of 2028

I wish they knew how much support I would receive from peers, faculty, and staff.

− Dorothy Riley, Class of 2028

I wish my family knew how many resources there are on campus in terms of tutoring, office hours, etc.

− Kaylie Richards, Class of 2029

Your student has a whole host of opportunities in front of them! Let them know to not be afraid and see what they do here at Roger!

− Matthew Maddan, Class of 2028

Dear Family Member,

Welcome to Roger Williams University! This is one of the most exciting times of the year for our community as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2030. We are truly delighted that your student has chosen to join RWU and become part of a university committed to growth, innovation, and student success.

At RWU, our Core Purpose—to strengthen society through engaged teaching and learning—guides everything we do. Your student is now part of a community that values curiosity, collaboration, and action. We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us and look forward to the perspectives, talents, and energy your student will bring to our campus.

This guide is designed to support you and your student through the transition to college life. As your student begins this important journey, we recognize the shared goal of helping them grow into an independent, responsible, and engaged individual. We encourage you to support their exploration—both academically and socially—as they discover new interests and opportunities.

RWU offers a wide range of ways for students to get involved and make meaningful connections. Whether pursuing multiple academic interests, joining one (or several) student organizations, engaging in community service, or participating in athletics, students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Equally important is helping your student find balance. College is a time of challenge, growth, and transition, and overall well-being plays a critical role in student success. Our campus provides a welcoming environment for reflection and connection, and our faculty and staff are deeply committed to supporting students every step of the way. At RWU, we care about one another, and that sense of community is central to the student experience.

College will challenge your student in new and meaningful ways—it is meant to. With your support and the resources available at RWU, they will build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Thank you again for entrusting us with your student’s education and development. We look forward to partnering with you throughout this journey.

Welcome to the RWU community.

Soar like a Hawk!

Derek Zuckerman, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students

CA MP U S M A P

Parking Permit Identiﬁcation:

Blue Permit: Administ rat ion, Professiona l St a f f a nd

Red Permit: Staff and Part-Time Faculty

Green Permit: Commuter

Silver Permit: Law, Graduate

Orange Permit: Resident (including Baypoint and Almeida)

Yellow Permit: Visitor (Lot 1 and 11)

Map Key:

1 Parking and Information

2 A lumni and Admission C enter

3 Cu m ming s Sch oo l o f Arch i t ect ur e

4 Administration Building

5 S cho ol of Engine ering, C omputing and C ons truc tion Management

6 Feinstein C ollege of A r ts and S cience s and S cho ol of Jus tice S tudie s

7 S tonewall Ter race

8 W illow Hall

9 C edar Hall

10. C enter for S tudent Development

11 Fine A r ts C enter

12 Maple Hall

13 Mario J Gabelli S cho ol of Busine ss

14 Global H eritage Hall

15. Univer sit y L ibrar y

16 T he C ommons

17 Global & C ommunit y Engagement

18 Marine and Natural S cience s Building

19 Richard L Br eady M ount H ope Bay Sailing & Education C enter

20. Bayside C our ts ( W hite cap, T idewater, S ea Br e e ze, Driftwood)

21 Mail Ro om

22 Campus Re cr eation C enter

23 EL S L anguage C enter

24 S cho ol of L aw, Education Department and L aw L ibrar y

25 Per forming A r ts C enter

26 N or th Campus Re sidence Hall

27 Per forming A r ts A nnex

28 Richard L Bready Applied Learning Laboratories

29 North Ofﬁce Building (Facilities, Purchasing, Public Safety Headquarters, and Human Resources)

30 U.S Sailing Association Headquarters

31 Intercultural Center

32 Queer and Trans Resource and Advocacy Center (QTRAC)

STUDENT LIFE RESOURCES

ACADEMIC

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

TUTORING CENTER

The Tutoring Center includes the Math, Writing, Science, Engineering & Construction Management, Business, Architecture, and Language Centers.

We offer a variety of support, including:

y Writing help for papers across the curriculum, including general education courses

y The Math Tutor in the Classroom Program which assigns tutors to specific sections of math to provide an informed resource for tutoring and review sessions before tests

y A variety of science tutoring for Biology, Chemistry and Physics classes

y Weekly group workshops in math and science developed in partnership with faculty teaching the courses

y Writing tutoring provided both in-person and online

Peer Tutoring (free) - walk ins welcome!

Faculty Tutoring (free) - we recommend students make an appointment at our reception desk.

DID YOU KNOW...

If students are unsure if we have tutoring for a course, please ask us! They can email or stop in the Center. 6,000 HOURS

of tutoring were recorded during the Fall 2025 semester

REGISTRAR

Administration Building, 1st Floor | 8:30AM - 4:30PM

The registrar’s office is a resource for all students and can help answer questions related to:

y Registration

y RogerCentral

y Graduation

y Degree requirements

y Transfer credits

y Veteran Benefits: Enrollment verification processed

The Registrar’s Office protects your academic record in compliance with the Federal Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

https://www.rwu.edu/academics/resources-units/ registrar/ferpa

DID YOU KNOW...

The University Registrar’s Office is committed to providing courteous and effective service for the entire RWU community by maintaining the integrity of students’ records, protecting students’ right to privacy and using available technology to deliver efficient processes related to registration, graduation, grading, course scheduling, veteran’s benefits, transfer credit and transcript processing.

Visit the Registrar webpage for more info!

CCPD - CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Global Heritage Hall, 1st Floor | 9AM - 4PM | https://ccpd.rwu.edu/

The Roger Williams University Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) helps students translate their academic experiences into meaningful professional opportunities. The center supports students at every stage, from exploring majors and career paths to securing internships and full-time roles after graduation. Through workshops, networking events, career fairs, and access to opportunities on Handshake, students gain practical tools and direct connections to employers.

A core strength of the center is its personalized career counseling. Students can meet one-on-one with career advisors for highly individualized guidance tailored to their interests, strengths, and goals. Whether a student is unsure about their career direction, preparing application materials, navigating internship decisions, or evaluating job offers, advisors provide targeted strategies and ongoing support. This individualized approach ensures that students are not receiving generic advice, but rather guidance designed specifically for their academic background and professional aspirations.

Another key component is SOAR by Design, RWU’s structured career development framework. SOAR by Design guides students through intentional stages of career readiness, including self-reflection, application mastery, interview preparation, offer evaluation, and maintaining momentum in the job search process. Instead of treating career preparation as a last-minute task senior year, this model encourages students to continuously build skills, confidence, and clarity throughout their time at RWU.

In addition to advising and the SOAR framework, the center provides:

y Resume and cover letter reviews

y LinkedIn support

y Interview practice

y Career exploration tools

Overall, the Career Center is a proactive, student centered resource designed to help students grow professionally, make informed decisions, and successfully launch their careers after graduation.

Visit the Center for Career & Professional Development webpage for more info!

DID YOU KNOW...

All of our employer events are freshman friendly, we host roughly 6 career fairs a semester with boutique hiring events throughout the semester.

We are rated 99% for customer satisfaction from students utilizing the career center, 29 majors offer internship for academic credit, 20 require an internship to graduate, over half the career center staff are RWU alumni.

STUDY ABROAD

Global & Community Engagement Center, “The Farmhouse” | 401.254.3899 | rwustudyabroad@rwu.edu

Central to Roger Williams University’s mission is the belief that a complete college education today involves global engagement. Our message to students is simple: Go Global! Experience other cultures. Develop a global perspective. Carry the knowledge gained from study abroad into your life-long learning and careers, whatever path you may choose. The Study Abroad Office is here to help students navigate the broad scope of Roger Williams University’s program options.

Currently there are dozens of programs that students can take advantage of. These programs offer a wide variety of experiences that range from a international campus setting at one of our overseas partner universities to field based programs, giving students a hands-on experience. Students also have the opportunity to engage with

the local cultures by participating in global servicelearning opportunities, internships and other immersive experiences. We have students gaining valuable global experiences in Italy, Ireland, France, Greece, Australia, Japan, China, Spain, Argentina, and Germany to name just a few locations.

In addition to semester programs, RWU also provides short-term options that allow students to take summer and winter courses abroad on a faculty-led program. These programs allow students to engage with RWU faculty in unique learning environments affording students an impactful, credit bearing global experience.

We invite you to explore the many options that Roger Williams University has available to Study Abroad. Students can stop in or email us to set up a meeting or visit our online portal to learn more.

ISSS - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLAR SERVICES

University Library, 2nd Floor | 8:30AM - 4:30PM

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office serves as the primary administrative, advising, and advocacy resource for international students, faculty, and researchers at universities. We handle visa/immigration documents, F-1/I-20, work authorization (OPT/CPT), and cultural programming to support international members. We closely work with families, answering their questions and concerns in a timely manner before and during their stay at RWU.

RWU currently has students from over different countries! DID YOU

Visit the International Students webpage for more info!

THE CAMPUS STORE

PRO TIP

The Campus Store is your one stop shop for Course Materials and Hawks gear. For Course Materials, we are a hybrid location meaning textbooks can be purchased on our website and sent to the store for free in-store pick-up. Due to being a hybrid location, course materials should be ordered prior to moving on to / coming to campus for classes. Upon your order’s arrival in-store, you will receive an email that your order is ready for pick-up, which could be multiple emails. Please come as soon as possible to pick up, to ensure success in your course(s).

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Every purchase at your campus store directly benefits your campus community. From student scholarships to new programs, your dollars make a difference in shaping a brighter academic future.

TECHNOLOGY Tech Accessories Browse our vast selection of

TEXTBOOKS & COURSE MATERIALS

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Textbook Format

We work with the instructor community to ensure we have the right course materials, in the right quantities, each term. We are also a great resource to answer any questions you may have about your materials. Sign up for our emails list, and we will notify you when course materials are available to order each term.

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Textbook Format Options

Drop or change classes? No problem. Full refunds are available during the designated drop/add timeframe.

We source digital, new, used and rental textbook formats to provide you with options to help save you money. [QR Code] Did you know?

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Monday - Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Saturday 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Sunday Closed

Select courses are part of a program in which materials are included in your course charges/tuition. If you selected a course that is part of this program, you will see a checkmark book icon next to the title when shopping online. You do not need to purchase this item. Contact the store for details.

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Please review the store website, as hours are subject to change.

ADVISING & PEER MENTORSHIP

University Library, 2nd Floor | advising@rwu.edu | peermentors@rwu.edu | 8:30AM - 4:30PM (Mon-Fri)

Advisors

Professional advisors in the Advising & Peer Mentorship Office take a comprehensive and holistic approach to academic advising and support. Advisors work closely with students and faculty to prepare academic plans and to assist students in identifying resources that will promote their success. First-year advisors are also assigned to support new students in the development of their academic plan, providing guidance on choosing the right major with an emphasis on undecided students and students who are questioning their major, understanding the general education curriculum, and navigating their academic experience during their first year. Staff also assist students with navigating academic policies and procedures and provide referrals to other campus resources.

Peer Mentors

The Peer Mentor Program support to help them meet their academic and personal goals; including taking first year students on tours of campus prior to the first day of classes. Peer Mentors:

y Work to assist students in transitioning successfully to RWU

y Make referrals to campus resources

y Provide consultation on study strategies, time management, and other academic tips

y Host various workshops to support topics for first year students including time management, how to study effectively, and midterm prep,

Visit the Advising & Peer Mentorship webpage for more info!

CAMPUS

CAMPUS RESOURCES

OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

How to Prepare for Student Loan Payments: studentaid.gov/articles/prepare-for-payments/

Helpful Tips for Securing Your College Financial Plan:

www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/admission-aid/ helpful-tips-securing-your-college-financial-plan

Academic Excellence Grant

Administration Building, 1st Floor | 8:00AM - 4:30PM of new students receive financial aid!

Returning students who earn a 3.6 GPA or higher are awarded the Academic Excellence Grant. This is a $1,000 award applied to each year of qualifying performance that can result in up to $6,000 in additional grant aid during a four-year program.

RECOMMENDED SCHOLARSHIPS

Roger Williams University recommends the following search engines:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-forcollege/scholarship-search

https://www.campuspride.org/nationalscholarship-database/

https://www.fastweb.com/

https://finaid.org/scholarships/

https://www.fc2success.org/programs/ scholarships-and-grants/

https://scholars.horatioalger.org/

https://www.internationalstudent.com/ scholarships/search/

https://mydocumentedlife.org/category/collegescholarships/

https://www.rischolarships.org/

https://scholarshipamerica.org/students/ browse-scholarships/

https://www.scholarships.com/scholarshipsearch

https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/financialaid/scholarships/

https://uncf.org/

Roger Williams University provides the information and links for the following scholarships as a courtesy to our students. However, the University has no direct affiliation with these entities. Therefore, any issues or concerns regarding these scholarships should be directed at the awarding organizations.

Apply Early and Often

 Many scholarship opportunities go unclaimed each year simply because the award didn’t receive the perfect applicant. Don’t let free money go un-awarded!

Pay Attention to Deadlines and Details

 Deadlines are important and are used to help narrow the pool of scholarship contenders. Make sure you abide by all posted deadlines so you don’t miss out!

 Make sure if your application requires a letter of recommendation or an essay that you be sure to include this. You don’t want your application rejected simply because it’s missing required information.

Don’t sign up for every scholarship search service –you’ll just overwhelm yourself. Focus on 1 or 2 search engines and narrow your choices from there. The more specific the scholarship criteria, the better chance you have of being selected as a winner!

Outside scholarships aren’t just for incoming freshman!

 Many students are under the impression that outside scholarship opportunities are limited to new incoming students; however, many organizations and agencies offer awards to upperclassmen as well. Don’t stop looking and applying just because you’re a sophomore, junior or senior!

How to KEEP your scholarship

Look Local First

 Make sure you check out all local opportunities around you. Businesses and agencies will often favor local students when selecting scholarship recipients since this helps them give back to the community.

Some scholarships may be renewable. However, renewable awards might have ongoing requirements, including:

 Submit a renewal application. Scholarships may require a new application each academic year.

 Grade point average. You may need to maintain a minimum GPA to remain eligible.

 Satisfactory Academic Progress. You may be required to fulfill academic requirements, such as completing a certain number of credits or courses within a set amount of time.

 Designated field of study. Will you lose the award if you change majors?

 Full-time enrollment status. Scholarships frequently require you to be a full-time student.

BURSAR

Administration Building, 1st Floor | 8:30AM - 4:30PM | bursar@rwu.edu

The Bursar’s Office is the place to go for financial issues pertaining to your student account; we are here to assist you with questions about tuition charges, payment arrangement and payment plans. Student are encouraged to visit the Bursars’ Office for clarification for our procedures and policy.

RWU utilizes electronic billing through the Student Account Center (SAC). SAC is one stop real time

529 College Savings Programs

Many states and financial services institutions offer 529 plans and each entity has separate rules and regulations governing how funds may be used and disbursed. Please visit your 529 plan’s website to see what information is required to support a withdrawal request. Parents and/or students must contact their 529 plan administrator directly and follow their procedures to process a withdrawal. Many plans will require a three (3) week lead time!

In most cases, you will need to contact the plan provider each semester you intend to use funds. You should inquire what documentation you will need to provide to withdraw funds from the account. The documentation normally required is a copy of the student’s semester bill. This can be accessed for students and families at: rogercentral.rwu.edu and https://secure.touchnet. net/C20013_tsa/web/login.jsp.

y We recommend that you have the money sent directly to RWU, if possible, to avoid delays. Note that you must make your transaction in time to meet the due date for the semester bill. The estimated due date for fall is July 1st and for spring is January 4th.

y Very Important:

Please ask the 529 to include the student's full legal name and 7-digit RWU student ID

website for your billing needs. The site gives access to billing statements, up to the minute account activity, and payment options including monthly payment plans.

RWU does not mail paper statements; and the student is given initial access to SAC. Students are able to grant access to family members and other authorized users.

number with the payment.

y Please allow up to ten (10) business days from the date that your provider sends payment for receipt and processing by RWU.

y Funds can be mailed via USPS, UPS or FedEx to: Bursar’s Office

Roger Williams University One Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809

y We do not recommend making 529 withdrawals using a semester payment plan. You can of course have your own payment plan unrelated to the 529 withdrawals.

y Many 529 plans require that disbursement of funds happen in the same calendar year as the term for which those funds are making payment. This means that for the Spring term due date of January 4th, the turnaround time is very tight.

y If you receive a refund due to an adjustment of charges and the refund is coming from 529 funds, please contact your fund administrator directly for how to manage that refund. Roger Williams University cannot provide guidance on refunds of 529 funds.

MAIL & COPY CENTER

Adjacent to Rec Center, close to Lower Commons |

The Mail Center has a small staff of RWU employees and is supplemented by a large staff of work study students during the school year. The work study students allow us to meet the highvolume demand during the time that students are on campus. With the continual increase of online ordering, incoming package volume has increased steadily over the last several years.

Visit the Mail & Copy Center webpage for more info!

Currently, the incoming letter mail and package volume is over

100,000

ADDRESSING MAIL & PACKAGES - EXAMPLE

Fall & Spring Semester Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Jane E. Smith - Student Roger Williams University

One Old Ferry Road Bristol RI 02809-2921 items per year!

Breaks & Summer Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Main Library, 1st Floor | mediatech@rwu.edu

The Information Technology Department strives to provide access to teaching, learning, research, administrative, and communication technologies through a commitment to excellence in infrastructure, customer support, training, and technical leadership in fulfillment of the institutional mission and core values.

Information Technology offers a onsite helpdesk, located on the first floor of the library. Additionally, FREE Microsoft Office is provided to all students.

IT hires work-study student employees for a variety of positions in the department.

Visit the Information Technology webpage for more info!

HELPFUL LINKS

Information https://it.rwu.edu

MediaTech Helpdesk

https://mediatech.rwu.edu (available 24/7/365) This portal is full of helpful articles where students can submit for help.

Hardware Recommendations

https://mediatech.rwu.edu/support/solutions/ articles/18000023034-Hardware-Standardsfor-2026-2027

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC SAFETY

Main Campus Entrance & North Campus Office Building (behind parking garage) | 401.254.3333

The Department of Public Safety is staffed twentyfour hours a day, seven days a week. Some of our services include building checks, campus security patrols, traffic and parking enforcement, emergency medical technician (EMT) services, campus safety escorts, shuttle transports to and from scheduled locations (including off campus properties) and investigation of a wide variety of incidents. The Department of Public Safety is just a phone call away by dialing (401) 254-3333 or 3333 from a campus phone.

Emergency Communications

RWU has taken a number of steps to ensure that its ability to respond to an emergency situation – whether natural or manmade – is as advanced as possible.

RAVE Guardian Safety App

The Department of Public Safety encourages all students to download the free Rave Guardian App to their smart phones. Rave Guardian is a campus safety app available at the University that turns your smart phone into a personal safety device. Allows users to check in with family, friends, Public Safety or others you trust to help you stay safe. You can use the app to set a safety timer, create and message your guardians or initiate emergency help requests at the push of a button. And Rave Guardian can be used to send an anonymous tip to Public Safety if you see something on campus that looks out of place or dangerous.

RWU Alert

RWU utilizes a service called RWU Alert which serves as the University’s primary communications tool for alerting campus community members to urgent situations. When activated, the system sends phone, e-mail and text messages nearly instantaneously so that students, faculty and staff members won’t be in the dark when it comes to incidents that could affect their safety. Students are automatically registered when they enroll at RWU; the only action required on their part is to keep their contact information up to date through the University’s student services web portal. Instructions for updating this contact information can be found here please note that there are separate instructions for students, staff, and faculty users).

Emergency Siren Warning System

Even with today’s technology, sometimes the most effective means of notifying an entire campus community simultaneously is through a much more traditional method. In early 2009, RWU completed installation of an emergency siren warning system that can broadcast an alarm tone and voice instructions to all parts of campus when activated in the event of a potentially lifethreatening emergency. While the system will be activated rarely – for such situations as a sudden, dangerous lightning storm, a chemical spill or a hostile intruder – the siren will serve as a critical tool in alerting the community to an emergency situation.

TRANSPORTATION

RWU Shuttle

The Department of Public Safety also provides a safe and courteous shuttle transportation service offered to the Roger Williams University Community –students, faculty and staff of RWU. For a complete list of shuttle stop locations and times, please visit https://www.rwu.edu/who-we-are/administrativeoffices/public-safety/transportation/shuttle-service.

RIPTA

All freshman students are eligible for the RWU RIPTA plan, which includes a number of free rides per semester during their first year at RWU. The RIPTA bus stop is located about 10-feet from campus grounds, and can take you to virtually any corner of Rhode Island, including both Newport & Providence. The RWU bus stop is designated as “Mount Hope Bridge” stop on the Rt. 60 Schedule at http://www.ripta.com/60.

Zipcar

Not having a car is no longer an issue! Whether you need a car for a few hours to run errands or the whole day, you can use Zipcars. With a Zipcar, everything is included with the low hourly rate. Zipcar’s cutting-edge technology allows you to reserve a car online, or on your mobile device, 24/7. You only have to be 18 years old to join. RWU Zipcars are located on campus by the Fine Arts Building, across from Maple Hall. Find out more on the RWU Zipcar site.

Visit the RWU Transportation webpage to learn more!

BON APPÉTIT DINING SERVICES

https://rogerwilliams.cafebonappetit.com/

Dining Services are a major part of campus life at Roger Williams University, serving thousands of meals each week to our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We invite you to join us, experience great food and share great company!

We’re Bon Appétit Management Company. Our food is cooked from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups. A pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, we’ve developed programs addressing local purchasing, overuse of antibiotics, sustainable seafood, the food–climate change connection, humanely raised meat and eggs, and farmworkers’ rights. Most importantly, the meals we serve are not only delicious, they also embody core values – about wellness, dignity, community, and conservation – that we take very seriously.

y A dedicated dining website. Menus, hours of operation, meal plans and much more are available 24/7 on our website:

Visit the Bon Appétit webpage here!

y Abundant choices for those with special diets. Students will continue to find a plethora of plant-forward, vegetarian, and vegan options as well as ones that are made without glutencontaining ingredients every day.

y A supportive and hands-on approach to food allergies. We’re happy to work with any students with food allergies or other dietary restrictions to make sure they can safely enjoy plenty of delicious food with us.

MEAL PLANS

Options for required meal plans include:

230 Block Plan | 200 Hawk Dollars

225 Block Plan | 400 Hawk Dollars

200 Block Plan | 450 Hawk Dollars

ALLERGY INFO

Bon Appétit takes food allergies seriously and your health and safety is our highest priority. The dining services team is well-trained in food allergy awareness and offer a number of options for students with food allergies and celiac disease. For more on eating with a food allergy in our café, visit https://rogerwilliams. cafebonappetit.com/food-allergens/.

HEALTH SERVICES

Center for Student Development, 2nd Floor (across from Cedar Hall) | 8:30AM - 5PM (Mon-Fri)

At Health Services, we provide students with a wide range of clinical services including treatment of acute injury or illness, wellness promotion/ disease prevention education, preventive screenings, and laboratory services.

Students are expected to use the Student Health Portal to complete required health forms, to use secure messaging to communicate with health care providers, and to access online self-scheduling.

Health Services does not provide sick notes for class absences. It is the student’s responsibility to email their professor as soon as possible to inform them. The decision to excuse a class absence is up to each professor.

Several over-the-counter medicines (i.e., Tylenol, ibuprofen, Mucinex, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Pepcid, throat lozenges, emergency contraception) and first aid supplies (band aids, ace wraps, thermometers, ice/heat packs) are available for purchase at Health Services for a nominal fee. Students do not need to have an appointment to purchase these items. Just stop by the reception window to purchase the items.

For medical care after hours, weekends, and holidays, there are walk-in clinics and hospitals available in the local area (i.e., Bristol Medical Center Urgent Care, Southcoast Health Urgent Care, Lifespan Urgent Care, Newport Hospital, St. Anne’s Hospital). You will need a copy of your medical insurance card.

For emergency medical care on campus, students should call Public Safety at 401-254-3333. For emergency medical care off campus, students should call 911.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. To schedule an appointment call Health Services at 401-254-3156 or use online self-scheduling on the Student Health Portal.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Roger Williams University requires all full-time undergraduate to have comprehensive health insurance. Students may be covered by a private health insurance plan or may choose to use the University-sponsored student health insurance plan.

Student Health Insurance Plan

To be eligible for the University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan, you must be enrolled in nine (9) or more credit hours. All full-time Undergraduate students (residential and commuter), all Master and Architecture students, all first and second-year School of Law students, all Master of Law students, and all International students are automatically enrolled in this insurance plan unless proof of adequate health insurance under an existing plan is provided by completing the online waiver form located on the following link: http://www.universityhealthplans.com/rwu.

STUDENT

STUDENT LIFE RESOURCES

SPLO - STUDENT PROGRAMS, LEADERSHIP, & ORIENTATION

Rec Center Suite 206 | 9AM - 6PM | studentprograms@rwu.edu

Our mission is to engage the student body in meaningful and complex co-curricular activities that foster individual and peer development through leadership and experiential opportunities.

We encourage students to:

y Attend the Student Involvement Fair

y Sign up for opportunities within our clubs and organizations

y Join a club or organization

y Attend events so that they are connecting with members of the community

Home to 80+ Clubs, 7 organizations, SPLO is your guide to getting involved on campus. By utilizing Roger Link there is always something to do on campus. We are also home to the New Student and Family Orientation program, Hawks Hangout game room, and the Homecoming and Family Weekend program.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

CSA

AIAS (Architecture)

Real Estate Club

GSB

Accounting Club

Analytics Club

CEO Entrepreneurs Club

Women in Business

SECCM

Association of General Contractors (AGC)

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Computer Science and Scripting Club

Construction

Management

Cybersecurity and Intel

Engineers without Borders

Electrical Engineering (IEEE)

Home Builders Club

Robotics Innovation

Rogers Engineering

Society

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)

Women in Construction

SJS

Anthropology / Sociology Club

Forensic Science Club

John Jay Society

Mock Trial

Phi Alpha Delta

Women in

Justice Studies

SSNS

Brain Waves Club

Cetacean Conservation Alliance

Psychology Club

Public Health

Science Alliance

Sustainability Club

SHAE

Design Club

Future Teachers of America

Public Relations Student

Society of America

GAMING

Alternative Entertainment

Just Dance

Tabletop Gaming

RECREATIONAL

Badminton

Car Club

Cheerleading

Fishing Club

Outing Club

Plant Club

Powerlifting Club

Running Club

Scuba Club

Ski & Snowboard

Yoga Club

SERVICE

All Paws in

Beach Clean Up Club

Best Buddies

Colleges Against Cancer

Habitat for Humanity

Helping Hawks

POLITICAL

International Relations

Organization (IRO)

Campus Democrats

SPIRITUAL

LIFE

Catholic Ministry Club

Christian Student

Fellowship

Hillel

Muslim Student Association

CULTURAL/AFFINITY ASSOCIATION

Asian American Alliance (A3)

The Barbershop

Black Student Alliance

Commuters in Action

FEM United

First Gen Students

Global Hawks

Hispanic and Latinx

Student Association (HALSA)

Women of Color Club

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Art Club

Ballroom Dance

Dance Club

Drastic Measures (A Capella)

Film Club

Hawkettes Dance Team

Knit and Crochet

Photo Club

Music Club

Skits and Giggles

Stage Company

COMMUTER LIFE

Student Life Suite, CSD | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | commuters@g.rwu.edu

This office serves students who live locally with family and not on campus. We hope to create engagement opportunities with and among commuter students and other students by sharing resources, hosting events, providing peer support and more. Commuter Life also works to plan event and opportunities to create commuter connections throughout the year.

Commuter Staff

Commuter Student staff (Head Commuter Ambassador, Commuter FIT Intern, and Commuter Ambassadors) work with the director of Commuter Life, helping to amplify the voices of commuters. The Commuter Assistants are returning commuter students who provide support, advice and mentorship to first year students. The Commuter Assistant staff will look forward to sharing their experience as commuters and get to the new students; all first year commuter students will receive information on who their Commuter Assistant is at the beginning of the year.

RWU Commuter Meal Plan

This plan offers the best value for commuting students. You will receive 20 meals swipes that can be eaten at any meal period, as well as 300 Hawk Dollars. The cost is $576 per semester.

DID YOU KNOW...

Commuter appreciation week is celebrated during the Spring Semester!

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Commuter Lockers

Commuter Lockers are available for commuter students to store items in between classes or for the day. Lockers are located in front of the RWU Bookstore near the Commuter Lounge and the North Campus Residence Hall. Lockers are available for each academic year on a first come first serve basis for free.

Commuter Lounge

RWU’s NEW Commuter Lounge is located in front of Lower Commons in The Commons building and is a space dedicated to commuters and off campus commuters. It is located in the central of campus providing commuters a comfortable space to meet students, study, or relax between classes.

Visit the Commuter Life webpage for more info!

RESIDENCE LIFE & HOUSING

Center for Student Development,

First-Year Students primarily reside in Maple, Cedar, and Willow Halls.

Sophomore Students primarily live in Willow Townhouses (Willow 1, 3, and 7), but may also live in Stonewall and North Campus Residence Hall (NCRH).

Juniors & Seniors live in Stonewall (outside specialty housing) as well as Almeida, North Campus Residence Hall, and Bayside.

MOVE IN

Looking for more information about move in? Check here for the move-in schedule, helpful reminders, packing recommendations, and additional resources:

https://www.rwu.edu/life-at-rwu/living-dining/ move-in

Visit the Res Life webpage for more info!

Housing Selection Process

We strongly encourage all students to become familiar with the entire Housing Selection process (there are three phases with different deadlines)! More information to come in June for when the Housing Selection Process opens.

Part 1 – Housing Application & Contract (June)

Part 2 – Roommate Selection (Optional) (July) This part can only be available once you have completed Part 1. You only need to complete this step if you are specifying a roommate.

Part 3 – Housing Selection (Optional) (July) You only need to complete this step if you want to select the residence hall you want to reside in.

Reminder: All housing communications will be sent to your RWU student email account!

Area Coordinators

Our Area Coordinators are professional staff who live within the residential communities and oversee the day-to-day operations of their assigned areas. They supervise Resident Assistants (RAs), serve as student conduct hearing officers, and support the development of residential students. These professionals, along with their community teams, are essential to fostering safe, supportive, and engaging residential environments.

QTRAC - QUEER & TRANS RESOURCE AND ADVOCACY CENTER

Maple Hall (South End | Closer to Cedar Hall) | 8AM - 4PM | diversity@g.rwu.edu

The Queer and Trans Resource and Advocacy Center (QTRAC) is a space for all members of the Roger Williams University community to learn, connect, and grow, with a focus on advancing equity and belonging for LGBTQIA+ students. We foster equity-minded leadership through intersectional trainings, advocate for inclusive policies and services, and address the unique needs of Queer and Trans community members. QTRAC offers many ways to get involved:

y We directly support the Queer and Trans Specialty Housing

y We host a variety of signature events to help students connect with each other, educate the community on topics related to gender and sexuality, and celebrate the accomplishments of Queer and Trans community members

y We directly support the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) student organization and the Feminists United student club

y We facilitate Safe Zone Trainings for students, staff, and faculty

y We host the Kinship Collaborative, a group where students, faculty, and staff build authentic connections, engage in project-based change making, and have fun in community

y We assist with the Chosen Name Policy, which allows students to alter their name in most University systems even if it has not been changed legally

The QTRAC is here to support students at any point in their journey as an RWU Hawk. Whether you’re looking to find friends, explore questions about identity, strengthen your advocacy skills, or simply spend time in a welcoming space, you belong here. Our space is open to all students, and we invite you to connect, learn, and find belonging with us.

Visit the QTRAC webpage for more info!

SAS - STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

University Library, 1st Floor | 8AM - 4PM | sas@rwu.edu

SAS collaborates with students (undergraduate, graduate, and law students) at RWU, faculty, and administrators to ensure inclusivity in all aspects of the student experience. We promote equal access for students with documented disabilities throughout their academic journey at RWU while simultaneously supporting students in developing self-advocacy skills.

We invite students who wish to register with SAS to fill out the Initial Registration, which will allow them to tell us a bit about themselves and submit their documentation. The registration form is available from the SAS homepage. Scroll down to the orange “CLOCKWORK PORTAL” button and you will be directed to the Initial Registration link. Students are welcome to set up an appointment, in person or virtually, to discuss their needs as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

HELPFUL LINKS

Please check out our helpful College Readiness Guide for Students with Disabilities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SUJCyK0AFh2GK 7eWp9UQzzws8H8WlDeP/view?usp=drive_link Visit the SAS webpage for

DID YOU KNOW...

Students with disabilities who choose to register with SAS make up nearly of the RWU student population! 20%

TITLE IX

Center for Student Development | 8:30AM - 5PM (Mon-Fri)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the Higher Education Act of 1965 ensures that,

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

REQUIRED COURSES

y Alcohol edu (Alcohol Education)

y Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging

y Mental Well Being

y Sexual Assault Prevention

Roger Williams University is committed to providing a supportive learning environment, fostering safe and healthy relationships among the campus community, and creating a space free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. The Title IX Office demonstrates its dedication towards fulfilling this campuswide commitment through violence prevention programs like Green Dot, ongoing education courses on the Vector Solutions platform, and other awareness raising efforts. In collaboration with many University partners, the mission of Title IX is realized within our culture of respect and various support services.

RWU’s Title IX Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures is a document describing expectations, procedures, and rights as it relates to the University Title IX process. RWU’s Pregnancy and Related Conditions Policy describes the University’s procedures for ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant individuals, persons with pregnancy-related conditions, and new parents. The contents of both policies were created in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. To read these policies in full, or to find additional information and resources, please visit the RWU Title IX website.

COUNSELING CENTER

Center for Student Development, 2nd Floor | 8:30AM - 5PM (Mon-Fri) | (401) 254-3124

Individual and group counseling is free and confidential for full-time RWU undergraduate, graduate, and law students. Counseling provides support for a wide variety of concerns and strives to promote resiliency. Our treatment team holds a strong commitment to providing effective support to students with diverse backgrounds and identities.

Students can schedule their own appointments by calling the Center at (401) 254-3124 or by visiting our secretary in room 211 on the Second floor of the Center for Student Development building. Therapy is offered in person and also via telehealth for students located in RI at the time of the session.

Sessions are available on a regular but not weekly schedule.

A consulting psychiatrist is available on a very limited basis. Students who are receiving medication management prior to their arrival at RWU are encouraged to keep that treatment relationship since transfer of care cannot be guaranteed.

What about emergencies?

For Life-threatening emergencies, Public Safety (401) 254-3333 is available on campus.

The East Bay Center (401) 256-0700 is available off campus.

Both are available 24/7/365.

Who are we? The counseling team consists of psychologists, a social worker, a part-time consulting psychiatrist, doctoral psychology interns, and a secretary.

What does confidential mean? The staff cannot share information about a student’s participation in counseling at the Center—even whether or not they have attended sessions—without the student’s written permission.

What if I am concerned about my student?

Center staff can consult with family members regarding students who might be causing concern. RWU has an online Students of Concern report form that we strongly recommend families complete to activate wider campus support for their students. This form can be found on the Student Life website: Supporting Students | Roger Williams University

Visit the Counseling Center webpage for more info!

ATHLETICS, RECREATION, & CLUB SPORTS

Rec Center, Athletic Suite (in the front door, down the ramp, down the stairs) | 8:30AM - 4:00PM

If you are interested in a varsity or club sport, please reach out to the coach directly. Their name and email address can be found at https://rwuhawks.com/staff-directory. All varsity teams have tryouts at the beginning of the school year. A list of these dates and times will be posted to our website (rwuhawks.com) later this summer.

In order to tryout or participate on a varsity or club team, you must be cleared by the athletic training room. This paperwork will be accessible online early summer. The coaches also can send you a link to the required forms. Please know, many of these medical forms are required by the NCAA.

The fitness center is open 90 hours per week. We also have weekly open swim hours, an 18-hole disc golf course and access to kayaks and paddle boards. There is something for everyone at the Rec Center.

Athletics and Recreation is one of the largest work study employers on campus. We have positions in the Fitness Center, Equipment Room, Sports Communications, and in Event Management. If you have work study hours, and have an interest in recreation and athletics, stop by. 610

VARSITY STUDENT ATHLETES

1200

INTRAMURAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR

7 200

INTERCULTURAL CENTER

Maple Hall (North End, facing GHH) | 8AM - 6PM | (401) 254-5422 | diversity@rwu.edu

The mission of the Intercultural Center is to support the access, retention, and success of ALANA (African, Latin, Asian & Native American) students by centering, uplifting and empowering their identities. We achieve our mission through access and support programs, networking and education.

The Intercultural Center proactively and intentionally empowers and supports underrepresented students.

y We support students who are part of the Black and Latinx LLC

y We support recipients of the Intercultural Ambassador Program Scholarship & members of the SOAR Program

y The Center facilitates a variety of culturally competent programming throughout the academic year

y The Intercultural Center is an inviting space for students, staff, and faculty - which also has a fully accessible kitchen, multi-purpose room, and prayer space

y The Intercultural Center also hosts the end of the year BIPOC Excellence Graduation Ceremony Visit the Intercultural Center webpage for more info!

OFFICE OF HEALTH EDUCATION

Center

for Student Development, Student Life Suite | 9AM - 5PM | rogerwellness@rwu.edu

The Office of Health Education focuses on promoting wellness through peer education, event planning, and marketing campaigns. The team also strives to motivate students to be holistically well through the promotion of the 10 dimensions of wellness. Our hope is to help make better choices toward a more successful and healthier existence through programming for students by students.

The Health Education Office serves RWU’s student population through education and prevention initiatives created for students by students. Our office also provides education on healthy behaviors and practices for the campus, as well as provides both on- and off-campus resources for mental health, physical health, and various other aspects of wellness. Health Education is also the home to the Health and Wellness Educators (HAWEs) Program, which comprises of 8-10 student leaders who are responsible for serving as health ambassadors to the campus. They plan and implement wellness initiatives and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students in programming that enhances student well-being. With the support of Health Education staff, HAWEs develop skills in planning and implementing events and campaigns, increase their social networks, and improve their public speaking skills. The HAWEs serve as a great resource for students, especially as a peer-to-peer model.

Roger Wellness is an all-encompassing framework that the Office of Health Promotion Office uses to incorporate the dimensions of wellness throughout the RWU community. The 10 dimensions include emotional, physical, social, intellectual, creative, financial, occupational (career), environmental, spiritual, and digital wellness. This model promotes the importance of understanding how multifaceted health & wellness is within each student’s personal experiences.

Benefits of the HAWE Program:

y In-depth experiential learning of event planning and leadership around wellness initiatives

y Weekly meetings to discuss health & wellness trends on campus

y Participate in one of 5 teams: Mental Health, Physical Health, Sex Education, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD), and Social/Digital Wellness

y Individualized mentoring in student leadership and career development for HAWEs

y A required August week-long orientation with early move-in

y Paid position with a 10-hour work week

Dimensions of Wellness:

y Emotional Wellness - The emotionally well person can identify, express, and manage the entire range of feelings and would consider seeking assistance to address areas of concern.

y Physical Wellness – The physically well person gets an adequate amount of sleep, eats a balanced and nutritious diet, engages in exercise for 150 minutes per week, attends regular medical check-ups, and practices safe sex.

y Social Wellness - The socially well person has a network of support based on interdependence, mutual trust, and respect, and has developed a sensitivity and awareness towards the feeling of others.

y Intellectual Wellness – The intellectually well person values lifelong learning and seeks to foster critical thinking, develop moral reasoning, expand worldviews, and engage in education for the pursuit of knowledge.

y Occupational Wellness – The occupationally well person engages in work to gain personal satisfaction and enrichment, consistent with values, goals, and lifestyle.

y Environmental Wellness – The environmentally well person recognizes the responsibility to preserve, protect, and improve the environment and appreciates the interconnectedness of nature and the individual.

y Creative Wellness – The creatively well person values and actively participates in a diverse range of arts and cultural experiences as a means to understand and appreciate the surrounding world.

y Financial Wellness – The financially well person is fully aware of financial state and budgets, saves, and manages finances in order to achieve realistic goals.

y Spiritual Wellness – The spiritually well person seeks harmony and balance by openly exploring the depth of human purpose, meaning, and connection through dialogue and self-reflection.

y Digital Wellness – A digitally well person considers the impact of virtual presence and use of technology on their overall well-being by taking steps to create sustainable habits that support their values, goals, community and safety.

MEET THE DESIGNER!

Erin Pienczykowski | Graphic Design Major | Marketing & Business Double Minor | Class of 2027

Hi there! My name is Erin Pienczykowski. I’m a junior Graphic Design Communications major with minors in both Marketing and Business. I’m a member of the University Honors Program and excited to take on the role of Design Club’s Vice President for the upcoming year! On campus, I work for both Event Operations and the Peer Mentor program. Additionally, I volunteer as a shadow host for perspective students.

This semester, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with SPLO as their Student Life Graphic Design Intern to create this guide. I hope this guide has been helpful as your student transitions into this exciting new chapter of their life.

RWU has provided me with so many wonderful experiences, but the highlight has definitely been a short term study abroad trip to Japan (my first time traveling outside of the United States!)

Additionally, I’ve had the privilege to present both research projects and design work at conferences in New Orleans, San Diego, and Dallas! Stepping a bit outside my comfort zone and figuring out how to navigate these experiences has been so incredibly rewarding.

With this is my advice to you... let your student explore at their own pace and give them space to grow!! I have grown exponentially during my time at RWU, not just as a student, but as a person as well. College will offer your student so many experiences and opportunities that can’t be planned, help them embrace that! Wishing you and your student all the best for an incredible college experience!