In an effort to save money while improving the nursing program, the University of Rhode Island is working toward constructing a new nursing education building to share with Rhode Island College.
Vice President of Administration and Finance Robert Weygand said the building, which is currently being considered by the Rhode Island General Assembly, would be located in the Knowledge District of Providence. Originally proposed by former Gov. Don Carcieri in 2009, the building's classrooms, auditorium, and viewing rooms would be shared between the two schools.
"It's about the ability for two [schools] to work more closely and collaborate," Weygand said. "If we maintained our separate silos, we'd never get a chance to do this."
He added that although both schools will share the classrooms, auditoriums and viewing rooms, URI students would not mix with RIC students.
The two schools would also share the building's cost. Weygand explained that the General Assembly gave URI $175,000 to study the cost of one shared building as opposed to two separate ones.
"[One building] would be more economical," he said, adding that the shared Providence building would cost $60 million, while two buildings would cost $80 million. Weygand said the two schools would likely split the cost in half, with the state supplying the funds.
Dean of Nursing Dayle Joseph said she approves of the new building. She explained that it would allow lower level nursing classes to be held in White Hall, with upperclassmen and graduate courses taking place in the new building.
"I think [the building is] a very innovative idea," she said. "It's nice to see other students compare notes." The Providence building would be in close proximity to Rhode Island Hospital, allowing for the university and hospital faculty to work together.
"It will promote collaboration with hospitals," she said.
"We may get faculty coming out of the hospitals," Weygand added.
The building would allow students to get hands-on experience inside of the hospitals while integrating themselves into a field desperate for more workers. Joseph said that nurses are forced to work longer than they used to because of the current economic turmoil.
"I really believe there is a shortage [of nurses]," she said.
The new building is not only a beneficial learning environment in Joseph's eyes, but also a necessary change for the students.
"We have old, dated labs," she said. "It's dingy and dark."
She said she is particularly alarmed by the increase of class sizes inside of White Hall, the current URI nursing building. Annual nursing student enrollment totals have tripled in recent years from 60 to 180. Over 800 nursing students are currently enrolled at URI.
"I will not overcrowd the building after the nightclub fire," Joseph said, referring to the 2003 fire in West Warwick, RI that killed 100 people. "The students deserve a new building."
Weygand agreed, saying, "We have antiquated buildings on both campuses." He added that the new building is "long overdue".
Joseph explained that some of White Hall's current classrooms are nothing more than converted closets. Other rooms are used for both lectures and practical aspects of courses, leading to more students in a more cramped space.
"The rooms are not fabulous," she admitted. She added that while most classes should have around eight students, it isn't uncommon to have 16 or more enrollees.
"It's ridiculous at this point," she said.
She also pointed to an on-going mold problem in White Hall that has not been fixed. Dehumidifiers can be found in the hallways and classrooms inside the building.
"We have been complaining about this for 15 to 20 years," she said. "It's been a huge undertaking."
Joseph can also see nearby Brown University Medical School as a work partner with URI and RIC. While Brown's school is a cadaver lab, Joseph explained that they do not have many simulation labs for their students.
If the nursing building is a success, Weygand hopes to see these collaborative efforts carried into other fields of study.
"I can see an expansion of the pharmaceutical [program]," he said. "The health care industry has so much room to grow."
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!