2023 -- H 6243

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LC002707

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $738,088 TO RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Potter, Felix, Hull, Diaz, Sanchez, Messier,
Bennett, Biah, and Handy

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island College (RIC) is the State’s only 4-year public institution of

higher education with a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) designation charged to intentionally

create a college environment and effectiveness that is focused on student success; and

     WHEREAS, In order to be successful in its mission, RIC must invest in and build

capacity to enhance its ability to serve students of all backgrounds and make it more intentional

and inclusive of all student populations; and

     WHEREAS, There is an essential prerequisite to rebuild the HIS infrastructure’s capacity

and resources in order to meet these goals through three areas of focus: leadership, data, and

practice; and

     WHEREAS, The establishment of a specific HSI cost center that will help to initiate,

sustain, and track HSI investments includes:

     $100,000 to work with educational consultants around HSI best practices regarding

     curriculum and co-curricular activities for students;

     $25,000 for RIC alumni engagement and affinity group formation, targeted outreach and

     programming for targeted and bilingual communications, marketing, and advertising for

     admissions, and consulting contracts with Developing Hispanic Serving Institution

     (DHSI) experts;

     $100,000 for a RIC Faculty Fellow for HSI programs;

     $17,088 to offer 3 additional cohorts (15 students per cohort) at the RIC Workforce

     Development Hub with no cost to participants;

     $45,000 for Project ExCEL Support and Expansion including marketing material to

     properly promote ExCEL program and services, funding for an ExCEL Summer

     Experience (during the Summer 2023, Summer Session II), and funding to provide

     professional development across multiple workshops;

     $100,000 for the Rhode Island Department of Education and Rhode Island College Math

     Readiness Program;

     $96,000 for summer course offerings of Math 010;

     $30,000 to expand academic support for the sciences;

     $25,000 in funding for students to attend regional and national conferences/conventions

     to meet other students with similar backgrounds from other colleges/universities, hear

     professional speakers and participate in workshops and seminars; and

     $200,000 in funding for a multitude of activities, workshops, classes, job shadowing,

     internships, and mentoring to prepare students for careers in business in order to build a

     diverse and talented workforce for RI businesses; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of seven hundred thirty-eight

thousand and eighty-eight dollars ($738,088) to Rhode Island College for Rhode Island College

HSI status and student supports; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw

his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be

from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $738,088 TO RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $738,088 to Rhode Island

College to fund Rhode Island College HSI status and student supports.

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