AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

SB 440 redefines the University of Rhode Island's (URI) governing board of trustees as the sole employer for faculty and staff, taking over all property control and management from the Council on Postsecondary Education. It grants the board authority to set procurement rules (bypassing most state purchasing requirements), establish performance metrics tied to graduation rates and job-relevant degrees, and create transfer pathways with community colleges. The bill directly affects URI’s operations, employees, and students by shifting decision-making power to the board and requiring specific outcome-based reporting. Key provisions include new metrics for bachelor’s degrees within 4-6 years, alignment with Rhode Island’s job market, and accepting AP scores for credit. The bill does not change URI’s mission but formalizes how the university is governed and measured.