Skip to main content
Scenes from Faculty Senate

Joint Strategic Planning Committee

Thursday, October 6, 2005

1:45 - 2:55 p.m.

Second Floor Conference Room, Green Hall

Attendance: Robert Carothers, M. Beverly Swan, Tom Dougan, Michael Rice, Celest Martin, Marilyn Barbour, Jim Kowalski, Karen Ramsay, Roxanne Gomes, Vince Petronio, Patrick Mills, Matt Freeman, Abu Bakr, Ann Morrissey. Guests: Tom Frisbie-Fulton, Deborah Grossman-Garber and Judith Swift.

Announcements: President Carothers apologized for his and the Provost's late arrival. He explained that they had met with the College of Business Administration Advisory Committee to discuss the upcoming search for a new Dean of the College of Business Administration.

Minutes: The Minutes from the JSPC's Meeting of September 8, 2005 were approved.

Outcomes Assessment updates: Professor Swift and Ms. Grossman-Garber reported to the committee on the status of the University's efforts to comply with the Board of Governors' mandate for outcomes assessment. They noted that the Davis Grant had enabled about 20% of the URI faculty to attend conferences, workshops and other programs. They had also funded 15 mini grants to faculty for work during the summer on student outcomes assessment.

They said that they were meeting the timelines that the University had set for itself and expected plans from the first round of programs in January. In addition Professors Peters and Stevenson had co-chaired a committee to look at outcomes assessment for General Education.

They also reported on the Student Outcomes Assessment website and efforts to help programs develop electronic portfolios.

Capital Planning & Design: Mr. Frisbie-Fulton, the University's new Director of Capital Planning, introduced himself and provided information on his education and professional background and experience. Mr. Frisbie-Fulton is a licensed architect who came to URI from Ball State University and had experience in managing building costs. He reported that he would work with Mr. DePace, the Director of Capital Projects, to ensure that buildings are functional and on budget as well as sustainable. He explained that until a space planner can be hired, he would also be responsible for space planning.

NEASC: Provost Swan reported on the University's plans for a self-study in preparation for the next accreditation visit, which is scheduled for October 2007. She noted that NEASC had developed new standards for the review. The Provost said that outcomes assessment was part of every standard, as well as a mandate from the Board of Governors. Provost Swan said that the process usually takes two years and the University was on target for 2007. She said that she hoped to announce the names of the chairs of the Self-Study shortly.

URI 2006-2009 strategic plan initiatives: The committee reviewed the list of strategic initiatives that they had developed at their August retreat and subsequent meeting.

Senator Kowalski moved to amend the fourth standard. After discussion, the motion carried. Senator Kowalski then moved approval of the following four initiatives:

  1. Enhance student recruitment, retention, involvement and graduation rates.
  2. Improve the fiscal health of the university.
  3. Create a more inclusive environment.
  4. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research and outreach support.

It was noted that approving the initiatives was the preliminary step and that it was now up to the University and its units to develop goals and plans for achieving them.

Next meeting agenda: It was agreed that the Agenda for the November 3 JSPC Meeting would include information on the RI Economic Policy Council and Economic Development Council initiatives and URI; discussion of the report on the State's support for Higher Education and an update and a progress report on streamlining administrative bureaucracies.

The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.