Notably, a major benefit is our shuttles will no longer contend with Mount Hope Bridge traffic as a result of repair and renovation delays.”

John J. King, RWU’s vice president for student life

Baypoint Residential Community on Anthony Road, Roger Williams University’s unique living quarters for sophomores that merges hotel-style living with the experience of university housing, will no longer be used for student lodging after this semester.

John J. King, RWU’s vice president for student life, shared the news of the school’s shift in its housing program with students recently via e-mail.

“Effective at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester, Roger Williams University will no longer offer our Baypoint location in Portsmouth as a student housing option and residential life facility. We are announcing this before the start of our scheduled housing selection process for the next academic year, so that students will have time to explore other university-provided residential options and plan accordingly,” King stated in his e-mail.                                                           

The change better aligns with RWU’s “campus master planning goals to eventually house all of our Bristol-based undergraduates on the main campus, building a stronger residential community and enhancing the sophomore experience,” he said.

King said as the school begins to schedule housing requests for next year, RWU will accommodate rising sophomores who might have considered selecting Baypoint into residential communities within the main campus or the off-campus Almeida Residential Community, located a few miles from campus in Bristol. 

“There are several benefits to eliminating residential transportation needs to and from Portsmouth,” King stated. “Notably, a major benefit is our shuttles will no longer contend with Mount Hope Bridge traffic as a result of repair and renovation delays. Additionally, it will allow Roger Williams to expand shuttle service within Bristol and improve schedule reliability.”

The closure of Baypoint’s housing facilities will not mean a reduction in employee positions, King told students, as dining staff and shuttle drivers will be rescheduled for work assignments on the Bristol campus. 

“However, this change in building usage will positively reduce costs on energy usage, monitoring the building, operating a second residential dining hall, and associated upkeep,” he said.

The building at 144 Anthony Road, which was once a Ramada Inn, won’t be closing down immediately following this school year, however. 

“Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the Baypoint facility will continue its operations to offer courses and hold office space for the School of Justice Studies’ Justice System Training and Research Institute,” King stated in his e-mail.

The Board of Trustees Buildings and Grounds Committee, he added, has begun “exploring alternate uses and future development options for the property.”

King said while Baypoint Residential Community has been a special place to many residential students, “we believe that this move will provide a better and more connected experience for our sophomore students going forward. We pledge to work with students to make sure they experience the best residential community possible in Bristol. If you have any questions, contact rwuhousing@rwu.edu.”

Amenities abound

According to RWU’s website, Baypoint is the university’s only residential community with its own dining and workout facilities. (Students can swipe in to a restaurant-style menu to order a meal, and then it’s brought to them by a member of the dining staff.)

Each room has its own private bathroom and double-sized beds. All rooms are carpeted, have individual heating and air conditioning controls and are equipped with data and cable TV ports. Each resident is provided one desk, one dresser and one built-in or movable closet.

The building also features a common study space, a lounge space with a large-screen TV, billiards and foosball table, as well as a laundry facility on the second floor.