Q: I already have the Dining Services app on my phone. Why do I need Rhody Connect?
A: The Dining Services app has been retired and is no longer supported or available in the app stores. Rhody Connect contains all of the functionality of the Dining Services app, plus many additional useful features. Get the Rhody Connect app now!
Q: Is the app intended only for students?
A: No. While many features and functions of Rhody Connect were developed especially for students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni and prospective students may all find valuable information throughout the app! However, some functionality is restricted to students, faculty, and staff, and requires login to the URI SSO service.
Q: What is a persona, and how do I select one?
A: A persona is an identity curated for different types of Rhody Connect users. You can choose from Student, Faculty/Staff, and Visitor personas when you initially open the app. There, you’ll see links to information and resources designed with your needs in mind.
Q: Can I switch my persona later?
A: Yes — anyone can change personas at any time. Tap the person icon in the top right corner and select My Persona. Choose the persona you would like to view from the list.
Q: How do I log in?
A: Tap the icon at the top right and select Sign in, or tap Sign in at the bottom of the home screen. You may also log in to the URI Single Sign-On service (SSO) by selecting one of the features that requires a URI username and password.
Q: Do I have to log in to use the app?
A: Anyone can use the app to view publicly available information such as events, maps and menus. To access restricted external apps, such as MyHousing, Brightspace or Starfish, users must log in to Rhody Connect. If, after logging in, these external apps continue to require you to login, you may need to clear Rhody Connect’s cache.
Q: How do I clear the cache?
A: iOS:
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Rhody Connect from App listings in the bottom.
- Toggle On Clear Data on Launch under Data Settings.
- Exit/quit Rhody Connect and relaunch.
Android:
- Go to Menu.
- Tap on . Find the All tab (if your system doesn’t show you all apps by default)
- Tap on Rhody Connect.
- Tap on .
- There are two buttons on the storage screen:
- Tap to immediately clear the app’s cache.
- Tap if you wish to also delete any files you have saved within the app.
- Exit/quit Rhody Connect and relaunch.
Q: Can I find out about campus alerts and emergencies with Rhody Connect?
A: Yes! Make sure you have signed up for URI Alerts to also receive notifications to your phone and email. A link to sign up is available on the Emergency Alerts page. For pop-up push notifications in the app, tap the Manage Notifications menu item to subscribe to the Rave Emergency Alerts Opt-In Channel. Current alerts are also displayed at the top of the Emergency Alerts page.
Q: How can I submit feedback or suggestions about the app?
A: Please submit comments using the Rhody Connect feedback form, or email them to urimobile@uri.edu.
Q: I’m having a problem with the app. Who can I contact?
A: Tap the Support and Feedback link at the bottom of the Rhody Connect menu. There you will find Service Desk contact information as well as a form you can use to submit a support request.
Q: Rhody Connect asks me to allow push notifications. What is this used for?
A: The University will occasionally send messages to users of Rhody Connect about urgent campus notices or updates. We also offer opt-in subscription channels that send users push notifications about topics that interest them. Currently, using geolocation technology, a notification is pushed to all phones arriving on campus to remind users to submit their Daily Self-Assessment health status form.
Q: Does Rhody Connect collect any personal information from my device?
A: The Rhody Connect app complies with URI’s Privacy Policy. It does not gather any personal information which is not directly related to functionality within the app.
Q: Is the Daily Self-Assessment storing my responses in Rhody Connect?
A: No. The icon is just a link to a Microsoft form, which is stored and processed in our secure, encrypted Office 365 environment.
Q: Why does Rhody Connect use GPS?
A: If permitted by the user, Rhody Connect can use GPS information for several functions. In the campus map, it allows the map to center on your current location. It is also used when sending location-based push notifications to users when entering a specific area on campus. In the future, the app may use GPS to determine your current location information for the purpose of suggesting the closest Campus Experience. Users have the option to “Allow While Using App”, “Allow Once”, or “Don’t Allow”. If a user chooses not to use GPS, the user will need to self-select the appropriate location.
The GPS coordinate information is never transmitted to URI and the university has no idea where you are at any time. However, depending on which type of smartphone you have, the location services functions built in to your device may transmit your location to Apple or Google. URI has no control over that and each of those firms have long-standing privacy policies that govern Rhody Connect and all other apps that use location services.
Q: Why do I see a “Use my current location” popup?
A: Rhody Connect must have Location Services access when using the Campus Maps wayfinding feature. In Settings, make sure Location Services is on and that Rhody Connect is allowed access to Location Services.
Q: Why is Rhody Connect using my location in the background?
A: This is a feature within Rhody Connect to be able to send push notifications based on your location, and is done through either a geofence on campus or beacons. It is only available while on a URI campus to receive important updates and messages based on your location. Users will need to set location permissions for Rhody Connect to Always to use this feature on campus while the app is closed, or While Using the App when the app is opened.
Q: Rhody Connect won’t open on my Android device
A: This error most commonly occurs when the app software has been updated, but the device is still running older, cached files. Rebooting the device will often correct the problem. However, there are multiple situations which can prevent an Android app from opening. If rebooting doesn’t correct the problem, please follow the steps on https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2668665.
Q: Why does “Error with Google Play Services” pop up on my Google Pixel phone?
A: This message may pop up when the Battery Saver turns on. You can turn off the notification via Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications > See all from last 7 days > Google Play services > Notifications > OTHER > Google Play services
Or
Settings > Apps & notifications > See all xxx apps > Google Play services > Notifications > OTHER > Google Play services