The University of Rhode Island

Date: Feb 01 2015
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
Parking is pitiful, and, if it were a criteria, would receive a grade of F. The largest lots are nearly a mile from the school at the bottom of a hill, and the RIPTA bus service is patently unreliable. If a student is to use this system, they should expect to be turned away by the bus driver due to overcrowding—or to be 10 to 15 minutes late due to an extremely inconsistent time scheduling (even if the student arrives 10 to 15 minutes earlier than they ought to in order to wait for the bus.) Of the 4 buses that seem to regularly circulate the campus, at any given time it is relatively common to see 2 buses enter the far Plains Lot at the same time instead of at alternating times. Transfer and commuter students are regularly ignored or overlooked when scholastic or extracurricular activities are concerned. Very little seems to be done to include these students, despite the fact that they make up a sizable percentage of the scholastic populace. Academic advisers demonstrate little to no interest in student success or progress. Of the 4 majors I have had direct experience in, 3 of my advisers have been directly responsible for the prevention of my graduation or progression of my academic program, thus, resulting in my changing of majors. In addition to these difficulties, most of the transfer credit from my previous school had to undergo extensive credit alteration to be considered "legitimate" for the strangely demanding URI general education criteria. As a Professional, Technical, and Business Writing major, I regularly felt as if my program had been overlooked as a direct result of university politics. Engineering programs, buildings, and equipment are extensively advertised and supported, while all other programs are seemingly ignored. While the university is a business and has a right to spend their money where their biggest investments might be, it does not excuse a complete lack of oversight for other programs outside of the school's main selling point. If I had an option, I would absolutely not go to the school again, and I would dissuade others from attending.