1. Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education

2. 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.

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

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

5. Board of Governors for Higher Education Who Are We?
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

6. Office of Higher Education Who Are We?
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

7. Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? URI
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

8. Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? RIC
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

9. Three Institutions With Unique Missions Who Are We? CCRI
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

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

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

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

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

14. Office of Higher Education What Do We Do?
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

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

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

17. Scope of Economic Impact
Considerable Return on Investment
FY 2004 State Appropriation - $172.1M
Total System Budget - $596.7M
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
Economic Impact Projected at Over a Billion Dollars Annually

18. Auxiliary Enterprises Economic Impact
Manage Large Businesses
Dining Services
Housing
Bookstore
Health Services
Student Union
Total Budget of $64.0M
Funded by Student Fees – By Statute
No State Funds Can Support Auxiliary Operations

19. Research Economic Impact
Federal, State and Non-Profit Dollars Contribute Significantly to Local Economy
$71.2M in Research Funds
Most Projects are Self-Supporting

20. Benefits of Higher Education
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

21. Challenges and Opportunities
Budget
Trends/Rankings – State Appropriation
RI Ranks 44th Nationally in Terms of Per Capita State Appropriations for Higher Education (RIPEC)
FY 2004 Appropriation is $2.7M More than FY 2003 but $2.4M Less than FY 2002
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
$152.1
$162.8
$174.5
$169.4
$172.1

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

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

24. Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education