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Scenes from Faculty Senate

Joint Strategic Planning Committee

Monday, January 23, 2006

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

President's Conference Room, Green Hall

Attendance: Robert Carothers, M. Beverly Swan, Tom Dougan, Bob Weygand, Michael Rice, Celest Martin, Barbara Luebke, Roxanne Gomes, Vince Petronio, Matt Freeman, Patrick Mills, Abu Bakr, Ann Morrissey. Guests: Linda Acciardo, Cheryl Rand and Jeffrey Seemann.

Announcements: President Carothers said that the Rhode Island Science and Technology Council, which had been appointed by Governor Carcieri, had presented their recommendations earlier in the day. He said that the Council's second recommendation was of great interest to the University because it proposed strengthening the University of Rhode Island.

President Carothers announced that as part of the University's efforts to promote its activities, University Advancement and the Graduate School of Oceanography had produced a brochure titled Profiles in Ocean Science, which had been sent to state legislators and others. He noted that four faculty members were featured in the pamphlet and the intention was to continue to issue brochures about other areas of the University.

Provost Swan announced that Mr. Chris Wessells who had been serving as Interim Vice Provost for Information and Dean of the University Libraries since Dr. Paul Gandel left was leaving the University to take a similar position in California. She said searches were underway for the Vice Provost's position as well as the Dean's position.

Provost Swan said that Dr. Lynn Pasquerella has been appointed Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and would assume her responsibilities in late spring. During the interim, Dr. Pasquerella will continue as Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Research and Outreach and Professor Judith Swift will serve as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

Provost Swan said that she had appointed the search committee for Vice Provost for Gradate Studies, Research and Outreach, and had asked Dean Jeffrey Seemann to serve as chair. She said that she expected Dean Seemann to arrive later in the meeting to ask for advice about the position description for the Vice Provost.

Provost Swan said that Vice Provost Pasquerella was chairing the search for a new Director of the Honors Program and that the outside advisory group for the College of Business had agreed to pay for an outside consultant to assist in the Search for a new Dean of the College of Business Administration.

Minutes: The Minutes from the JSPC's Meeting of December 15, 2005 were approved.

Budget Update: Vice President Weygand reported that the Governor expected a large shortfall in income for the FY'06 academic year and has asked for a significant cut in the Higher Education Budget. Discussion ensued as to the significance of the cuts and possible efforts to accommodate them.

Announcements: Dean Seemann arrived and distributed copies of the description for the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Research and Outreach position. Dean Seemann asked for advice about the description. Discussion ensued with regard to the needs of the University.

North District Planning: Vice President Weygand shared a presentation that he had used with the business community in which he outlined the proposed reconfiguration of the north campus as a center for Biotechnology, Chemistry Pharmacy, Nursing and associated Health Sciences. He explained that the plan was that the new buildings would be interconnected. He said that the changes were to be financed by a $140,000,000 Bond Issue.

Fundraising Organization: President Carothers provided the committee with an overview of possible changes in the University's fundraising structure in the context of the retirement of Mr. Robert Coleman as Executive Director of the URI Foundation and preparations for the upcoming capital campaign. The President said that the intention was to make the URI Foundation the Fundraising arm of the University, which had been the original intention as well as its role in previous administrations.

President Carothers said that the intent would be to allow the Foundation Board to evolve from its current membership to one that was comprised of people who can make large gifts to the University and ask others to do so as well.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.