Students Protest Proposed Credit Changes at Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College students gathered near Roberts Hall to protest a proposal that could reduce course credit values and increase class sizes.

More than 30 students demonstrated on Rhode Island College Road, voicing concerns over a potential shift from four-credit to three-credit classes. Organizers argue this change would force students to take more courses each semester to meet the 120-credit graduation requirement.

“There is a possibility of a credit change that would reduce four-credit classes to three credits, which would require students to take an extra class each semester and each year to reach 120 credits for graduation,” said Aspen Langley, a student organizer.

Langley said that under the current system, four classes of four credits each result in 16 credits per semester. A shift to three-credit courses would require five classes to reach 15 credits, the threshold for full-time status.

The impact on scholarships and instruction

The proposed academic restructuring will affect funding for students relying on state aid. Specifically, the Hope Scholarship—a pilot program that covers two years of tuition and fees for eligible juniors and seniors—requires students to maintain 15 credits per semester.

Leslie Brinner, an adjunct professor in Gender and Women’s Studies and Africana Studies, observed the protest with her Gender and Society class. She highlighted how the reduction in credit hours affects both the classroom experience and the faculty.

“Adjuncts get paid less to teach a three-credit versus a four-credit class. We also have about a half-hour less time to deliver the class. We’ll lose about an hour a week of instruction time. Then, for students, the Hope Scholarship issue requires them to maintain 15 credits, or five classes per semester. This could also affect financial aid. The impact can be profound,” said Professor Brinner.

Ayden Del’etoile, a student from New Hampshire, said that class sizes have reportedly increased unilaterally shortly before the start of semesters.

“Basically, they are destroying the allure of this school to out-of-state students, which is how a lot of colleges make up their financial gap,” Del’etoile said, adding that departments are facing staffing shortages following faculty retirements.

Administration responds to student concerns

Rhode Island College officials have characterized the proposed changes as part of a preliminary research phase rather than a finalized decision. John Taraborelli, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Rhode Island College, said that the institution is currently undertaking an analysis regarding the move to a three-credit system.

According to Taraborelli, the college is responding to feedback regarding enrollment and transfer experiences. He said that the information-gathering phase is expected to continue into early 2027.

“The college regularly reviews our offerings to ensure that we align with our peer institutions in student-centered best practices,” Taraborelli said. He added that if a “credible pathway” is found following the research, there will be opportunities for stakeholder input.

The college currently serves over 7,000 students. Taraborelli emphasized that the institution’s value proposition remains centered on providing high-quality degrees for less than $25,000 to eligible Rhode Island students through the Hope Scholarship.

For many students, however, the prospect of increased workloads and costs feels like a threat to the school’s mission. Ellen Akinola, a student, pointed out that the college serves as a minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution composed largely of working-class students.

“The school should not force students to take on extra courses, extra work, and extra expenses,” Akinola said. “If our school can make us take on extra credits and courses, who’s that going to cut out?”

“I love this college,” Langley said. “That’s why I’m out here. I love this school so much, and I don’t want things to change.”