Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education

Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education 1

Board of Governors for Higher Education Each state has a structure that governs and coordinates the system of public higher education. Rhode Island’s structure is highly efficient for a state of its size and complexity. 2

Rhode Island System of Public Higher Education Who Are We? Created by Education Act of 1981 n Governing Board for Public Higher Education in Rhode Island n Separate Legal Entity (Quasi-Public Agency) n Accountable for Providing Access, Academic Quality and Sound Fiscal Management n 3

Rhode Island System of Public Higher Education Who Are We? Board of Governors for Higher Education n Office of Higher Education n Three Institutions of Higher Education n – Community College of Rhode Island – Rhode Island College – University of Rhode Island 4

Board of Governors for Higher Education Who Are We? n Membership – 12 Public Members Appointed by the Governor Limited to 3 Terms (staggered) of 3 Years – 1 Student Limited to 1 Term of 2 Years; Rotated Among 3 Institutions – 2 Legislators 5

Office of Higher Education Who Are We? n 21 Professional and Support Personnel Providing Staff Support to the Board of Governors – Academic and Student Affairs – Commissioner’s Office – External Relations – Finance and Management – Legal/Labor Relations 6

Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? URI n University of Rhode Island – Research University – Several Renowned Scholars and Professionals – Nationally Ranked Oceanography Program – Student Body from all 50 States and Several Foreign Countries 7

Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? RIC n Rhode Island College – Four-Year Comprehensive Teaching Institution – Nationally Accredited Education and Social Work Programs – Largest Teacher Preparation Program in the State – 90% of Student Body are RI Residents 8

Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? CCRI n Community College of Rhode Island – New England’s Largest Two-Year Institution – 99% of Student Body are RI Residents – Transfer and Career Programs – Job Training and Workforce Development – Community Outreach Programs – Developmental Education 9

Board and Governors and Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Develop Vision for Public Higher Education in Rhode Island – Exercise Leadership – Coordinate – Regulate – Ensure Quality – Ensure Accountability – Promote Economic Development 10

Board and Governors and Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Exercise Leadership – Improve Rhode Island Educational Attainment* to that of Lead States by 2015 through: » Preparation » Participation » Quality Workforce » Economic Development *Current Rank – 18 th in the Nation and 5 th in New England 11

Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Coordinate – Enhance Access through Transfer/Articulation – Manage Programmatic Duplication – Oversee the Implementation of Technology System wide – Collaborate Closely with State System of K-12 12

Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Regulate » Oversee Proprietary Schools » Provide Consumer Protection » Ensure Financial Integrity » Approve Academic Degree Programs n Rhode Island Public Higher Education Institutions n Some Independent Institutions 13

Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Provide Quality Assurance – Set High Academic Standards for: » Students » Institutions » Programs of Study – Establish Clear Ways to Measure Performance – Promote Student Learning and Success – Improve Teacher Preparation – Promote PK-16 Alignment 14

Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Ensure Accountability – – – Develop and Monitor Capital Establish and Monitor Spending Plans Performance Indicators – Oversee Major Capital Produce One Budget for Projects – Including Public Higher Education Debt Management Allocate State Appropriations – Operate Efficiently and to Three Institutions Responsibly within Conduct Performance and State Budget Allocation Internal Audits – Never Seek Supplemental Appropriations 15

Office of Higher Education What Do We Do? n Promote Economic Development – Encourage Campus Entrepreneurship – Conduct Workforce Training – Use University Research to Create New Businesses and Industries for the State 16

Scope of Economic Impact n Considerable Return on Investment – FY 2004 State Appropriation - $172. 1 M – Total System Budget - $596. 7 M n 37, 160 Students Enrolled in the System – 31, 561 In-State Students – 5, 599 Out-of-State and International Students 3, 859 Professional and Support Personnel n Economic Impact Projected at Over a Billion Dollars Annually n 17

Auxiliary Enterprises Economic Impact n Manage Large Businesses – Dining Services – Housing – Bookstore – Health Services – Student Union Total Budget of $64. 0 M n Funded by Student Fees – By Statute No State Funds Can Support Auxiliary Operations 18 n

Research Economic Impact Federal, State and Non-Profit Dollars Contribute Significantly to Local Economy n $71. 2 M in Research Funds n Most Projects are Self-Supporting n 19

Benefits of Higher Education n College Graduates – Higher Incomes » Contribute More to State Revenue – Higher Employment Rate – Increased Participation in Democratic Process – Higher Standard of Living – More Civically Engaged – More Involved in their Children’s Education 20

Challenges and Opportunities n Budget – Trends/Rankings – State Appropriation 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 $152. 1 $162. 8 $174. 5 $169. 4 $172. 1 » RI Ranks 44 th Nationally in Terms of Per Capita State Appropriations for Higher Education (RIPEC) – FY 2004 Appropriation is $2. 7 M More than FY 2003 but $2. 4 M Less than FY 2002 21

Challenges and Opportunities n Flexibility with Accountability – Relief from FTE Cap – Promote Entrepreneurship Through an Ethics “Carve-Out” Bill n CCRI Newport – Outreach to Aquidneck Island East Bay – New Facility Requires Additional Faculty and Staff 22

Major Challenge How to Remain Accessible and Affordable in the Face of Declining State Support 23

Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education 24