Support Services for Students

• Escort Policy
• Students with Disabilities
• Pregnant and Parenting Students
• Social and Community Resources
• Veterans Services Office
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Escort Policy

It is the policy of the Campus Police to escort any individual who has concern for his or her personal well-being. After contacting an officer, the student should explain his or her concerns. We do not provide vehicle escorts but will walk you to your on-campus destination. Please be patient if an officer cannot accompany you immediately.

You may call the Campus Police at one of the following numbers for assistance. 

• Warwick:      401-825-2109                                      Lincoln:       401-333-7035
• Providence: 401-455-6050                                      Newport:     401-851-1620

Students With Disabilities

CCRI is dedicated to all students’ academic, personal and professional success. The college recognizes disability as a form of diversity that strengthens and enriches the campus communities and is committed to creating an educational environment that is supportive, accepting, and accessible to all students. The Community College of Rhode Island will not deny admission to or otherwise unlawfully discriminate against a qualified applicant solely on the basis of disability. In addition, no otherwise qualified student with a disability shall be denied the opportunity to participate in or benefit from an aid, benefit or service offered by the college.

To receive support services, students with disabilities must self-identify with the Disability Services for Students (DSS) Office on the CCRI campus they attend and provide the DSS office with current and appropriate documentation of the disability that supports the need for the accommodations requested. CCRI will make modifications to academic requirements where appropriate and provide the necessary reasonable accommodations to ensure accessibility. The institution cannot, however, make modifications that would substantially change the essential elements of a curriculum. While striving to meet the individual needs of all students, CCRI reserves the right to set and maintain standards for academic performance and personal conduct.

CCRI prohibits unlawful discrimination based on disability. Any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against based on disability by a student should report the matter to Dean of Students Taiwo Adefiyiju, [email protected]. Those who believe that they have been discriminated against based on disability by a faculty or staff member should report the matter to the Title IX Coordinator, and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator Alix Ogden, (401) 825-2387, [email protected].

Pregnant and Parenting Students

The college is dedicated to all students’ academic, personal, and professional success. We will work with you to find appropriate ways, when available, to support you to the extent your academics and involvement in other college-sponsored activities and program may be affected by your pregnancy and childbirth.

You may be entitled to adjustments when reasonably available, such as:

• A larger desk, elevator access, or the ability to make frequent trips to the restroom when necessary.
• Excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
• The ability to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your pregnancy leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
• The ability to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth.
• The ability to make up participation or attendance points missed due to being absent because of pregnancy or childbirth.

Helpful Tips for Pregnant and Parenting Students:

• Ask for help. Speak with a counselor, advisor or the dean of students to understand what supports may be available.
• Pursuant to the Council on Postsecondary Education Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy, unlawful discrimination based on pregnancy and parenting status is prohibited.

To request an accommodation due to pregnancy related conditions, contact the Disability Services for Students Office on your respective campus. To report concerns or complaints to the college’s Title IX coordinator Alix Ogden, (401) 825-2387, [email protected]

Services for Parenting Students

Children on Campus

Children (or any unregistered person) are not allowed in classrooms or labs; however, parenting students may have their minor children with them while conducting business on campus or while attending events or other activities. Minor children must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult at least 18 years or older at all times. Children under 6 years of age who need adult assistance in restrooms or locker rooms should use the restroom that the parent or guardian adult would choose.

Changing Stations

Most restrooms include changing stations for your use. Restrooms with changing stations are indicated on the campus maps.

Babysitting

CCRI does not offer babysitting services on site. A list of local, licensed day care providers can be provided.

Lactation Rooms

Nursing mothers may sign up to use lactation rooms on campus. CCRI has a stand-alone lactation room at each campus. Rules for using the lactation rooms are located on the wall in each room and can be found online at www.ccri.edu/doss/deanstudents/rules.

To sign up to use the lactation rooms, please email [email protected]. You will be placed on an access list or given a temporary card for door access.

Social and Community Resources

Do you need groceries? Are you behind on the rent? Do you need help with something and don’t know where to go? For confidential and compassionate help, contact the Community and Social Resources (CSR) office by calling or texting (401) 484-1650 or emailing Shanna Wells at [email protected].

The Community and Social Resources Office helps remove obstacles to student success by providing resources and referrals at CCRI and in your community.

 Types of assistance offered (not an exhaustive list):

• Emergency food and shelter referrals
• CCRI Emergency Fund and Lending Library
• Medical and Mental Health Referrals
• Childcare referrals and Transportation assistance
• COVID-19 Emergency Resources
• Adulting 101
• Stress Management
• Online Student Support Group

Veteran Services Office

The Community College of Rhode Island prides itself on its commitment to veterans who aspire to attain a higher education. CCRI recognizes the challenges veterans may face while applying for educational benefits and transitioning from the role of service member to student.

In collaboration with the Department of Veteran Affairs, the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) office works alongside the Veteran Services Office (VSO) and locations have been established at all four main campuses.  The VSOC coordinator, Micaela Black, can be reached at 401-612-3470 or [email protected].  The VSO is staffed by veterans utilizing VA educational benefits and is available to assist service members, veterans, and their families. The Veteran Services Coordinator is Dennis Cosmo, 401-825-2281, Room 0034, Knight Campus. 

Veteran Services Office numbers
• Warwick      401-825-2281                                 • Providence    401-455-6056
• Lincoln        401-333-7349                                 • Newport         401-851-1726     
                               
In accordance with federal law, the CCRI Financial Aid office complies with the Civil Service Relief Act (CSRA) to service members on active duty to ease financial burden in regards to loans and repayment.

Rhode Island Army and Air National Guardsmen are eligible for Rhode Island’s State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), a tuition fee waiver for up to five classes per semester at Rhode Island state institutions (CCRI, URI and RIC). Books and non-tuition fees are the responsibility of the service member. At CCRI, classes must be toward a certificate or associate degree. These waivers must be obtained and signed at your National Guard educational office and submitted to the Bursar’s Office. The STAP waivers can be used in conjunction with VA educational benefits.

Rhode Island Army National Guard Education Office
Command Readiness Center
645 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

Rhode Island Air National Guard Education Office

RI Air National Guard
1 Hercules Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852

Because a veteran is utilizing his or her educational benefits does not mean that he or she is exempt from utilizing the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA). Veterans and service members in need of financial assistance are encouraged to file for financial aid. The Pell Grant and Stafford loans offered can be used in conjunction with all other veteran benefits.

A Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Waiver is available to veterans with a minimum 10 percent VA service-connected rating who reside in the state of Rhode Island. The DAV waiver is intended to waive tuition with recently dated evidence of the disability. Evidence of the disability and printed confirmation of a completed FAFSA is to be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.

In accordance with R.I. General Laws, combat veterans who received an honorable discharge are eligible for priority registration. Priority registration allows those eligible to select their courses two weeks prior to the general student population. Proof of combat status is required in the form of a DD214 and is to be submitted to the veteran certifying official at Enrollment Services four weeks prior to the normal registration date. Service members currently serving who do not have a DD214 must present award citation and copy of deployment orders that demonstrate service in combat.