On a warm and sunny spring or fall day, Roger Williams University (RWU) students can be seen taking seats on the Global Heritage Hall (GHH) lawn, at the sailing center, or many of the other green spaces around campus.
At the Student Senate general meeting on Mon. Sept. 16, Vice President of Student Life, Dr. John King spoke about the new outdoor activities and furniture which are becoming available to students in the near future.
Firstly, King spoke about the new ‘Life Skills’ events and classes. Some classes include pickleball, sailing basics, car care, first aid training, sushi making, CPR/AED training, and an Italian cooking class. All Life Skills events can be found on Hawklink.
King emphasized the importance of lifetime learning and said the Life Skills activities are, “A new way for students to acquire lifetime skills and things they can use outside of RWU.”
There are also many new outdoor furniture installations coming to RWU according to King.
The newest addition is the first shipment of adirondack chairs on Sept. 17, 2024.
There will be 30 in the primary RWU colors being put on the primary quads including the D’Angelo and library quads. There will also be 20 rainbow chairs being placed on the lawn behind GHH, said King.
Additionally, King said there are going to be new picnic tables placed outside of Lower Commons and the Recreation Center with RWU branded umbrellas with four tables and umbrellas at each location. King also said there will be enough seating for seven people with a wheelchair accessible place at the table.
All of the new outdoor furniture will be installed by Homecoming and Family Weekend in October, said King.
Additionally, with historic popularity among students, King said there will be 12 RWU supplied hammocks and stands with its trial beginning the week of Sept. 23 on the GHH lawn.
There is also a proposed, tentative plan to add propane fueled fire pits to the RWU community, said King. Currently, fire pits are not allowed on campus and wood fires are not allowed by an ordinance of the Town of Bristol.
King voiced logistical concerns of the fire pits including how to keep the propane monitored, safe, locked, and turned off at night and when the fire pits were not in use. Some trial locations King proposed were the GHH lower patio, Cedar, Maple, Willow, or North Campus Residence Hall.
In addition to the on campus outdoor furniture, King announced new activities available to students both on campus and in Bristol.
RWU has been beginning to coordinate with Bristol Golf Park in Bristol, RI to establish a relationship. Currently, there is a new student discount available for $16 per person, said King.
To make it easier for students to take advantage of the golf course, the shuttle will stop at Bristol Golf Park on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
King also said there are golf tournaments and intramurals being coordinated for the future.
Pickleball has also been introduced to the basketball courts at RWU. In addition to the pickleball courses being offered through the Life Skills events, pickleball lines have been painted on the North Campus basketball courts which were implemented in the summer of 2024, said King. Students in need of pickleball equipment can borrow paddles from the rec center.
There are also new considerations for the Fall of 2024 regarding the Cedar basketball courts, said King.
According to King, there is an immediate need for new backboards and rims at the Cedar basketball courts which are currently being worked on by the Office of Student Life.
Additionally, King said the Office of Student Life is also currently pricing the possible resurfacing of the basketball courts and are considering putting two pickleball courts and lines on the basketball courts but nothing has been decided yet.
King also offered a small update on the proposed skate park, saying that currently, there is not enough funding for the creation of the skate park and apparatuses. Student Body President, Zoey Cormican also stated that there will be a Student Senate meeting held to discuss the Skate Park when there are more details.
