FSEC_06m07-08

a. Chairperson Miller reported that the Executive Committee had been invited to meet with the academic deans later in the semester to discuss issues of interest to both groups with regard to academic planning. The FSEC agreed that it might be useful to do so.

b. Vice Chairperson Martin reported on the September 28, 2007 meeting of the Board of Governors’ Academic and Student Affairs Committee. She said that most of the meeting was related to reports on outcomes assessment efforts at Rhode Island College. She noted that Ms. Grossman-Garber had reported that URI had received a FIPSE Grant of almost $650,000 for a project on improving student access, advising and retention.

c. Chairperson Miller reminded the FSEC that the next meeting of the JSPC was scheduled for October 4 at 9:00 a.m. He said that Ms. Morrissey had informed him that the following topics would be on the Agenda:

a. Change in overhead allocation policy: Chairperson Miller asked President Carothers to consider the role of the overhead allocation in the running of the Graduate School of Oceanography and President Carothers responded that he was aware of the concerns raised by Dean Farmer and expected that the President’s 5% share of the overhead allocation would be used to resolve the problems. Chairperson Miller also asked President Carothers to implement the changes in allocation policy gradually to phase it in for large multiyear grants that were charged at the 44% rate.

Chairperson Miller indicated that the Executive Committee would have been able to advise the President about these concerns if they had seen the proposed overhead allocation policy before it went to the Board of Governors. President Carothers apologized for not having consulted the Executive Committee when he was considering the proposed policy change, which he had originally considered a policy of the Board of Governors.

b. Class scheduling: President Carothers shared with the Executive Committee materials prepared by Enrollment Services about patterns of classroom use. He said that he hoped that the Executive Committee might consider asking a Senate Committee to consider a policy with regard to class scheduling.

During the discussion, President Carothers asked for advice from the Senate about other possible changes such as 4 credit courses for general education courses, the possibility of a trimester system or increasing the role of summer session, etc. The Executive Committee agreed to consider the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to take on some or all of the matters raised by the President.

c. URI as a Public Corporation: The Executive Committee discussed with the President his ideas about changing the paradigm for funding at URI by turning Public Higher Education in Rhode Island into a public corporation similar to the Airport and Quonset Point. President Carothers said that there was some interest on the part of Commissioner Warner for establishing a trust for tuition and fee income at the three institutions. The President cautioned that there were risks in adopting the changes he suggested but that funding public higher education in the present manner wasn’t working.

d. Chief Diversity Officer Position: President Carothers reported on proposals that he establish a position of Chief Diversity Officer at URI and the need for better coordination of diversity efforts. He cited the Strategic Plan’s focus on diversity without having any particular unit responsible for following through. He asked for the Executive Committee’s advice about establishing the position and the scope of its responsibilities.

e. Transition in Academic Affairs: President Carothers suggested that the Executive Committee listen carefully to how the candidates responded to questions. He said that once a new Provost was hired that the Executive Committee should spend time orienting the person on the governance process and the role of the Faculty Senate. He said that the Executive Committee should also familiarize the new Provost with faculty priorities. He expressed concern about getting someone hired to begin on January first and noted that if none of the first four candidates proved to be the University’s choice that he hoped Provost Swan would continue beyond the end of the calendar year.

f. Wish List: The Executive Committee asked the President where he would like the University to be ten years in the future. He said that he would like to see the University on a stronger financial footing, better financed and with a improved endowment to provide a more stable base. He said that he would like URI’s on-campus culture strengthened with 60% of the student body living on campus and a more focused university, with a smaller number of very high quality programs. He also said that a winning sports season would be nice as well.

c. Proposed matching funds legislation: Chairperson Miller reported that he was trying to schedule a meeting with Associate Dean Rhodes and Sea Grant Director Costa-Pierce about drafting a proposal that was acceptable to all of the internal parties concerned.

d. Committees: Ms. Grubman reported that she had a meeting scheduled with Professor Kinnie, Chair of the Teaching Effectiveness Committee that afternoon to discuss the committee’s charge. She said that a meeting of the Admissions Advisory Committee was scheduled for later that morning. She reported that the Academic Standards and Calendar Committee would hold their meeting on October 3 to discuss the fall 2008 calendar with the expectation that they would bring a proposal to the Senate at the October 25 meeting.