Breaking Down the Ballot: Should Rhode Islanders Support Capital Improvements at URI and RIC?

Voters are considering whether to approve a $160.5 million bond that would go toward capital improvements at two the state’s higher education facilities

A $73 million bond would renovate Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College, home of the school's Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.
A $73 million bond would renovate Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College, home of the school’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.
Creative Commons
Share
A $73 million bond would renovate Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College, home of the school's Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.
A $73 million bond would renovate Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College, home of the school’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.
Creative Commons
Breaking Down the Ballot: Should Rhode Islanders Support Capital Improvements at URI and RIC?
Copy

On Nov. 5, Rhode Island voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on five statewide ballot questions.

Question No. 2 asks voters to approve a $160.5 million bond that would go toward capital improvements at two of the state’s higher education facilities.

Approximately $87.5 million would be used to build a new biomedical sciences building at URI’s Kingston campus, and $73 million would help transform Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College into a home for the school’s fledgling Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.

Jim Langevin, a former congressman and the Distinguished Chair at the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College, spoke to Luis Hernandez of The Public’s Radio about the measure on the ballot.

Go here to see all five referenda questions on this year’s ballot, and click here for more information on when, where and how to vote in this year’s election.

This interview was conducted by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

William Cepeda and Elio Villafranca Sextet explore the deep roots of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and New Orleans music in a one-night performance merging heritage and improvisation
Loss of critical funding threatens afterschool programs, English learner support, and adult education across the state; officials call freeze “illegal” and prepare for legal action
The hospital has closed about 40 psychiatric beds, according to its chief operating officer
A former CEO and chairman of Hasbro, Hassenfeld was dedicated to philanthropic causes
Voters are overwhelmingly skeptical of the promised completion date and cost
The sixth season of Ocean State Sessions premieres July 11 on Rhode Island PBS. From alt-rock to cosmic cowboy, get ready for some unforgettable local performances