2024 -- S 3018

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LC006017

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING MAY 2, 2024, AS "RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE DAY" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Raptakis, Felag, Sosnowski, Miller, Euer, Bissaillon,
Britto, Rogers, and DeLuca

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Established by the General Assembly in 1854, and originally named the

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"Rhode Island State Normal School", Rhode Island College (RIC) is a public college located in

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the City of Providence and is the second oldest institution of higher education in Rhode Island;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Comprised of a 180-acre campus, RIC has 360 full-time faculty members,

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and a student body of close to 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers eight

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baccalaureate degree programs in over 76 areas of specialization, eight graduate degree programs

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in some 46 areas of specialization, and a doctoral program in education and nursing practice; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, RIC offers programs and classes in professional and workforce

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development, continuing and adult education, and community programs and initiatives "that

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empower our citizens and strengthen our communities"; and

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     WHEREAS, RIC also offers a panoply of athletic opportunities as a member of the

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National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with 21 varsity sports, with 9 men's sports

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teams and 12 women's sports teams; and

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     WHEREAS, Earning recognition throughout New England for its excellence, RIC was

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named one of the "Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges in New England" in 2021, and was ranked

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#1 for social mobility among public regional universities in New England, according to the 2022

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U.S. News and World Report; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island College is now on the cutting edge of programs in cyber

 

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security and artificial intelligence, allowing its students opportunities to find meaningful and

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lucrative work in these critical fields, such programming will also ensure that our State, as well as

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our nation, will have the needed expertise in these emerging technological fields; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's motto Hope, became reality for Rhode Island residents in the

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fall of 2023, as the college initiated the Hope scholarships, which will benefit its students seeking

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a 4-year degree; and

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     WHEREAS, Dreams are personified in the Class of 2024 graduates as the College will

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recognize the first graduating class of Bachelor of Professional Studies. These adult learners can

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fulfill bigger aspirations for their families and their families' futures, living up to their #1 rank for

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social mobility among public regional universities in New England, according to the 2022 U.S.

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News and World Report; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates May 2,

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2024, as "Rhode Island College Day" and thanks the College and staff for the significant

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contributions they provide to the citizens of our State; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Jack R. Warner, President of Rhode Island

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College.

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LC006017

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