Attendance: Robert L. Carothers, Beverly Swan, Tom Dougan, Bob Beagle, Judy Beckman, Faye Boudreaux-Bartels, Steve Grubman-Black, Celest Martin, Michael Rice, Bill Rosen, Ann Morrissey, Abu Bakr, Michael Sutherland, Earle Degraphenried and Soledade Surrette. Guest: Linda Acciardo.
Announcements: President Carothers reported on the State of the Budget Address. He explained that most of the new positions for higher education were earmarked for the new CCRI campus in Newport, as was most of the additional funding for higher education. He explained that the budget had not included the funds for reimbursing the University for the Chafee clean up, which had already been postponed to FY '05 from the FY '04 budget. He also clarified the proposed 11.5% increase in income expected from tuition, stating that not all of it had to be attributed to increases in tuition and explained that some of it might be defrayed by increased enrollment of out-of state students. He noted that the final budget was in the hands of the state legislature.
President Carothers announced that a major roof problem was identified in the Keaney Gymnasium and people had to be evacuated until repairs are completed.
Provost Swan announced that when the Governor proposed his homeland security legislation, which he subsequently withdrew, she was asked by the deans to respond formally in opposition to it. She said that she did have the opportunity to speak to the Governor the previous Friday.
Minutes: The Minutes of the January 22, 2004 meeting and the February 5, 2004 meeting were approved.
SEDA Update: Ms. Morrissey announced that Ms. Newman had undertaken an academic utilization analysis and was working with academic department chairs on space and facility requirements. Professor Grubman -Black reported that SEDA continued to work on policies and procedures with an emphasis on guidelines for academic space. He noted that meetings with Vice Provost Swift, Ms. Morrissey and Ms. Newman had been scheduled for deans, directors and academic department chairs.
Capital Campaign Priorities: Vice President Beagle reported that Advancement had hired consultants to perform an analysis of alumni, parents and other supporters of the university to learn the potential capacity of the URI constituency for raising funds. He said that the consultants would be reporting to his staff, after which he would meet with the Council of Deans to discuss a potential goal and the development model based on the colleges' needs.
In response to comments, Vice President Beagle said he would report back to JSPC with a summary of the consultant's analysis.
Provost Swan reported that she had been working with the Deans to establish fund-raising priorities. She noted that the emphasis has been on endowments for faculty chairs, the library, and other academic endeavors rather than "bricks and mortar." She identified a number of possibilities, but said that at the moment there wasn't any ranking of priorities. The committee requested a summary of their presentation.
Development of future agenda Vice President Dougan asked that the JSPC have some closure on the philosophical discussion of values.
Ms. Morrissey identified the following items for the March 18 meeting: 1) discussion of current and future trends and their implications for the University; 2) review of values discussions, and 3) the revised planning process document.
Ms. Morrissey suggested that time be set aside at their first meeting in April for an update on capital projects.
Professor Rosen asked for a discussion of the FY 06 Budget before it is forwarded to the Board of Governors. Comments were made with regard to whether the University is always reacting with regard to setting the budget.
Members of the Executive Committee indicated that they expected to participate in a timely manner in a discussion of the priorities upon which the Budget is based. It was agreed that the proposed FY '06 budget would be on the Agenda for the April 29 meeting. They requested supporting documentation for discussion of the budget be sent for review in advance of the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.