Please inform me, via email or postal mail your flight number and arrival date and time. Generally speaking, most stuff are not surprisingly expensive here, but to bring some of them will make your life easier, especially at the beginning. Rooms in University Village can be well heated in winter, and all buildings on campus have heaters also, so thick clothes are not necessary and a warm blanket or a thin quilt is sufficient for sleep. Summer in RI is moderately hot. Luckily, most office buildings are air-conditioned.
Most people wear T-shirts and shorts or skirts in the summer.
Suits and formal dresses are rarely used but expensive here. Gentlemen may consider to bring one suit and one pair of leather shoes, ladies a few elegant dresses and matching shoes for formal occasions. You may want to bring sufficient amount of shirts, jeans, pants and jackets for daily wear. URI will pay you until about 6 weeks after the beginning of the semester. Chinese choose to cook several times at home and take American food by and now.