Colleges Responses to COVID 19 in Rhode Island

Most of the first responders were trained and educated at one of the many local colleges, they have been essential institutions throughout the history of America but have proven again how essential they are during the time a crisis. Colleges’ responses to COVID 19 in Rhode Island have shown how much society relies on these institutions. It is these same institutions that have donated time, materials, and financially to their communities. From faculty to students everyone has stepped up to help fight during this global crisis.

The Community College of Rhode Island

New England’s largest Community Colleges, The Community College of Rhode Island has stepped up to help alleviate the supply shortage many healthcare facilities are experiences in the wake of COVDI 19. Faculty and staff gathered thousands of items of personal protective equipment and donated them to the Rhode Island Department of Health. These items included hundreds of N95 masks, thousands of surgical masks, hundreds of gowns, thousands of gloves, sanitizer, wipes, bleach, and cotton swabs. In addition to these donations, faculty and staff have also come together to sew face coverings for health care professionals. Free WiFI parking lots have also been established to provide students access to reliable high-speed internet to better enable them to continue their courses online.

Roger Williams University

As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to sweep across the globe and healthcare systems are experiencing a severe supply shortage much local community member and faculty at Colleges have stepped up to aid those fighting the virus. Faculty at Roger Williams University has developed and manufactured face shields using their 3-D printers to protect those on the front lines. They have produced and donated over a thousand to date.

Rhode Island College

Personal protective equipment for frontline health-care workers, like face shields, masks, gowns, and gloves, has been in short supply around the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. Recognizing the need, Rhode Island College has stepped up to utilize its 3-D printers to manufacture face shields that can be sanitized and reused.

These face shields have been donated to healthcare facilities, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and first responders.

Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design faculty has switched gears with what they are focusing on along with the rest of the country, COVID 19, and the current state of the pandemic. With many hospitals experiencing shortages of PPE to protect healthcare workers, Rhode Island School of Design faculty has utilized their high-end tools and equipment to produce personal protective equipment to donate to those who need it most at this time. They have collaborated directly with doctors to create the most helpful masks and equipment at an affordable cost for materials.

Community College of Rhode Island

While colleges across the country have closed their doors to in-person lectures and courses, many faculty and students have had to adapt to remote learning. Students and faculty at the Community College of Rhode Island have made the most of this time by utilizing their skills in 3-D design and printing to aid those on the frontlines of the coronavirus. They have manufactured face shields to donate to healthcare workers on the frontlines.

The University of Rhode Island

While the campus of The University of Rhode Island is closed to most faculty and students, a few core students volunteered hours in helping meet the high demand for personal protective equipment. They have developed and manufactured face shields with 3-D printers on campus. These face shields are reusable and can protect frontline healthcare workers and first responders from the virus. Students have been donating 5 to 7 hours every day to help meet the growing demand for PPE.

Colleges continue to be an essential thread of American society as institutions for learning, training, and now mobilizing for necessary PPE. Colleges’ responses to COVID 19 in Rhode Island have proven how much society depends on these institutions. They have all gathered and mobilized to protect the healthcare professionals and the communities in which they are a part during the crisis of COVID 19.

Do you know of any other amazing college responses to COVID-19? Let us know so we can recognize them and add them to our list!