R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-63

Benefits based on service in employment for nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and hospitals, as defined in § 28-42-3(23), (24), and (25), shall be payable in the same amounts on the same conditions as compensation payable on the basis of other services subject to chapters 42 — 44 of this title; except that benefits based on service in an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity in an institution of higher education as defined in § 28-42-3(24) shall not be paid to an individual for any week of unemployment which begins during the period between two (2) successive academic years, or during a similar period between two (2) regular terms, whether or not successive, or during a period of paid sabbatical leave provided for in the individual’s contract, if the individual has a contract or contracts to perform services in that capacity for any institution or institutions of higher education for both those academic years or both those terms.