Underwater Ribbon-Cutting Ushers In New URI Ocean Robotics Laboratory

KINGSTON, RI — June 26, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island celebrated a major milestone in the $300 million, multi-phase revitalization of the Narragansett Bay Campus with a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory last week.

"Students Elliot Roman and Jake Bonney piloted URI’s remotely operated vehicle Rhody to cut the ceremonial ribbon underwater in the building’s 20-foot-wide by 30-foot-long test tank," according to a media release from the university.

Gov. Dan McKee, members of the university's board of trustee, and faculty, staff, students and alumni were among the hundreds present for the ceremony.

“This is a major milestone in the revitalization of this campus,” said university President Marc Parlange said in the release.

“This campus is truly a hub for the blue economy in Rhode Island, with education, with research, with training, with extension, and partnerships with industry, as well as state and
federal agencies," Parlange said. "I am so grateful for the support of our state and federal elected officials and
generous donors who make this transformation possible.”

Rhode Island voters approved two bond referenda
totaling $145 million for the project.

“URI has one the best oceanography programs in the entire country, and yet, we hadn't really invested a great deal in the infrastructure on the campus,” McKee said in the release.

“What better place to invest than the University of Rhode Island?” McKee said.

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