University Advancement Online Chats provide an opportunity for URI alumni and friends to reconnect with interesting faculty, alumni, and senior University officers on relevant topics--without making a trip to Kingston! The following are pointers for those new to online chats:

How will I know what chats are scheduled?
The Advancement Web site will list the schedule of upcoming Online Chats, where new chats will be announced as soon as they are scheduled. Upcoming chats will also be publicized in inAdvance@URI, our biweekly electronic newsletter. In addition, email reminders will be sent to those registered in the URI Alumni Directory.

Who can participate?
Advancement Online Chats are open to the public. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of URI are invited to participate in our monthly chats--the latest feature of our electronic communications program. No login, password, or registration is required.

What do I need to participate?
All you need to participate is a computer with access to the Web. Your geographic location makes no difference, making Advancement Online Chats a great way for those living out-of-state to reconnect with the University. At the scheduled date and time of the chat, go to the Web address listed for that chat.

I submitted a chat question, but I don't see it. When will it appear?
Advancement Online Chats are live, moderated chats. Depending on the number of questions submitted, it may take a few minutes for your question to appear. The speaker and moderator work together to pace the order and timing of both questions and responses. Advancement Chats are scheduled to last for 30 minutes. While we will make every effort to include all questions, we apologize in advance if we run out of time.

What can I ask?
Anything! Please note, however, that Advancement Online Chats are moderated, and we do reserve the right to remove offensive content.

I will not be available at the scheduled date and time. Can I submit a question early?
You can submit a question approximately two weeks prior to the scheduled chat date, but the speaker will not be available to respond until the date and time of the chat. Questions submitted early are queued for consideration and will not appear on the Web page until the time of the chat.

What if I missed the Chat? Is there a way to see it later?
Following each chat a transcript link to the session will be posted for public viewing. The Web address for the transcript will be the same as the Web address for the original chat.

How will topics for future online chats be determined?
Topics for Advancement Online Chats are selected by staff in the URI Division of University Advancement. Our goal is for chat topics to be timely and of interest to alumni. As we begin this new electronic communication feature, we welcome your suggestions. If you have a great topic suggestion for us to consider, please send it to eservices@advance.uri.edu.

Why am I directed to the GoRhody.com Web site to chat?
The University Advancement Chats are possible through the cooperation of the URI Athletics Department and College Sports Online, hosts of the GoRhody.com Web site. Thanks, GoRhody!