UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
FACULTY SENATE

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
November 2005

When the Joint Strategic Planning Committee was established in the spring of 2003, its responsibilities included those previously assigned to the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA).  Since that time, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate has decided each fall not to appoint the members of ACRA because the Joint Strategic Planning Committee (JSPC) had assumed ACRA’s function as set forth in University Manual Sections 5.70.10 to 5.70.12 inclusive.

Agreeing that the JSPC has replaced the Advisory Committee on Resource (ACRA), the Executive Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate approve the committee’s elimination.

Recommendation

The Executive Committee recommends that the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) be eliminated and that the following sections of the UNIVERSITY MANUAL be deleted:

5.72.10 The Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) shall serve as an advisory committee on resource allocation to the Vice President for Administration. It may also serve as an additional vehicle for communication within the University community.

5.72.11 The committee shall review and analyze the University's income and expenditure patterns with particular attention to the basic assumptions and priorities that underlie these patterns. In conducting these analyses, the committee shall review budget data from comparable institutions to provide context and external benchmarks. The committee will be consulted and may offer advice on budget priorities prior to the finalization of the prospective unrestricted budget request, including new initiatives submitted by the University to the Board of Governors and may be consulted and may offer advice prior to the implementation in the event of major state recissionary requirements.

5.72.12 The committee shall consist of four faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate and four members appointed by the President. The Vice President for Administration shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member. The Chairperson shall be appointed jointly by the President and the Chairperson of the Faculty Senate.

5.72.13 The committee may participate in the annual report on the budget to the Faculty Senate and may report as needed to the Faculty Senate on major modifications to the budget during the academic year. The Faculty Senate's representatives shall report once each year to the Faculty Senate and whenever there is a major change.