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Scenes from Faculty Senate

Joint Strategic Planning Committee

Thursday, September 14, 2006

1:00 - 2:35 p.m.

President's Conference Room, Green Hall

Attendance: Robert Carothers, M. Beverly Swan, Tom Dougan, Robert Weygand, Michael Rice, Barbara Luebke, Marilyn Barbour, Jim Kinnie, Joanne DiBello, Domingo Morel, Neil Cavanaugh, Abu Bakr, Ann Morrissey. Guests: Linda Acciardo, Linda Barrett, Andrea Hopkins, Dayle Joseph, Cheryl Rand and Vincent Wilczynski.

President Carothers welcomed the new members of the JSPC who were in attendance: Joanne DiBello from the Providence Campus, Domingo Morel from Talent Development, who were the President's staff appointees and Jim Kinnie from the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. He also introduced Dr. Vincent Wilczynski, the ACE Fellow for the 2006-07 academic year.

President Carothers introduced Andrea Hopkins, Asst. Vice President for Public Affairs, who reported on plans to promote question 4 on the upcoming Bond Issue in November. Ms. Hopkins noted that the major portion of the bond issue was for funding the URI College of Pharmacy Building. She distributed materials and appealed to members of the JSPC to help with various aspects of the "Yes on 4 Campaign."

Budget: Ms. Barrett presented an overview of the proposed budget for fiscal '07, which was to be considered by the Board of Governors on September 18. She noted that the Finance and Facilities Committee had recommended approval. She explained that while there was an increase in funding, expenses for utilities, benefits and insurance continue to rise. In addition the Board's retiree health plan was under-funded, but not to the extent of the Stare's unfunded liability.

Ms. Barrett noted that the proposal for Fiscal '08 was an 8.2% increase over Fiscal '07 and included funding of some initiatives such as three new faculty positions, an increase in Library Capital, expanded support for tutoring and additional resources for the Honors Program, support for the Capital Campaign and the development of a marketing plan, and funds to improve older buildings.

Provost Swan noted that funding for permanent faculty positions that had been originally supported by grants was also included in the budget.

Ms. Barrett reported that the University had been asked to submit a budget that is 15% less than the FY07 budget (in the past a 10% reduction was requested) and for the first time, a budget that had a 3% increase over the current FY07 budget.

Summer Progress/Campus Projects: Vice President Weygand reported on efforts to complete Independence Hall by the opening date. He said that the majority of improvements had been completed and the contractors were in the process of finishing up the various loose ends. He said that he hoped that there would be funds for new furniture but unfortunately, most of the well-worn furniture that had been in the building previously was returned to Independence.

Vice President Weygand said that the University was very conscious of sustainability issues and all building plans reflected the desire to use existing space and to "in fill" areas around buildings, such as the "north campus area" for Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing and Chemistry. He noted that the University had been able to purchase 125 acres north of Plains Road and would have 350 acres of contiguous land, 100 acres of which were wetlands.

He reported on progress on the new residence halls, as well as plans to renovate the older buildings. He noted that the University had been able to buy fraternity buildings, one would be used for an addition to Tyler Hall and the second will be the construction of a second IEP Building on Upper College Road. He said that the University also expected to break ground in the spring on a 9 million dollar renovation of Lippitt Hall.

NEASC: Provost Swan reported on the ten-year NEASC Accreditation Self-Study, which is being coordinated by Professor James Kowalski and Associate Dean Judy Beckman. She said that the first draft of the self-study should be completed in December for vetting by the campus community.

Provost Swan explained that she expected URI to be realistic and truthful in the Self-Study. She said that NEASC was in the process of appointing the Team that will come in October 2007 to validate the self-study.

Announcements: Provost Swan announced the Search for Dean of the College of Business had been completed successfully with the appointment of Professor Mark Higgins. She said that the Search for a Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Studies and Outreach and Dean of the Graduate School was well underway and that three candidates were on campus for interviews during September.

Provost Swan also noted that efforts to assess the general education program were underway. She said that Professor C. B. Peters was chair of the subcommittee of the UCGE Committee working on assessment.

In addition, the Provost encouraged everyone to participate in this year's Constitution Day activities, which were scheduled for September 18 and 19.

It was agreed that members of the committee would forward to Ms. Morrissey agenda items for future meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.