2012 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 16 - Education
Chapter 16-59 - Board of Governors for Higher Education
Chapter 16-59-4.1 - Administration of higher education.

§ 16-59-4.1 Administration of higher education. – The director of the department of administration is hereby directed to conduct research and analysis to recommend a revised plan for the organizational structure for higher education governance, staff support and resource allocation in Rhode Island. This plan shall address the goal of improving affordability and accessibility to public higher education; and maximizing efficiencies while providing sufficient support to the governance structure of public higher education. The director of the department of administration is directed to report findings, recommendations and alternative designs to the general assembly no later than November 1, 2011 with copies to the speaker of the house, senate president, chairs of the house and senate finance committees and their respective fiscal advisors.

The report shall include a strategic plan that outlines the mission, goals, and the estimated cost and timelines to implement said recommendations. The report shall provide a clear definition of roles and responsibilities, including those responsible for implementing the proposed recommendations. The analysis shall develop measures of success, and an appropriate timeline to measure implementation progress. It shall also include:

(1) An examination of the various organizational structures in other states, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and how they may or may not be applicable in Rhode Island. This should include an evaluation of the best practices regarding organizational structures for higher education.

(2) An analysis of what functions could be allocated to other institutions, and which might be centralized to translate into efficiencies and more effective higher education policy. This should include, but not be limited to, strategies to reorganize and or centralize finance, purchasing, human resources, information technology, and facilities management within an office of higher education, with specific direction on the allocation of resources, staff and responsibilities.

The report should explore the feasibility of permanently allocating all operational activities and other responsibilities currently held within the office of higher education to the three (3) higher education institutions or other viable alternatives while maintaining the board of governors.

All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary or otherwise to the director of the department of administration and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes of the study.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2011, ch. 151, art. 9, § 15.)