Chapter 259

2005 -- H 5128 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/13/05

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION ENDOWMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Lally, Carter, San Bento, and Lewiss

Date Introduced: January 19, 2005

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "Education" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 84

PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT ACCESS

ENDOWMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM

16-84-1. Legislative findings. – The legislature recognizes that it is clearly in the public

interest for the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of

Rhode Island to seek private funding in support of initiatives which promote academic excellence

and educational access. The legislature further finds that the creation of endowed academic chairs

enhances the ability of Rhode Island's three (3) public institutions of higher education to offer

quality instruction and that additional scholarship funding will provide opportunities for students

to pursue their educational and occupational goals. It is, therefore, declared to be the policy of the

state to encourage private fundraising for these purposes by the University of Rhode Island,

Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island and to assist such fundraising

through a matching program to be known as the public higher education academic excellence and

student access endowment incentive program.

This program shall not result in direct or indirect reductions in the state's appropriation to

the board of governors for higher education.\

16-84-2. The University of Rhode Island. – Subject to appropriation, the state of Rhode

Island may contribute funds to the University of Rhode Island Foundation in an amount necessary

to match private donations for the purposes listed below. Subject to appropriation, the state may

contribute an amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) for every two dollars ($2.00) or one dollar

($1.00) for such greater dollars as may be established by the board of governors for higher

education, privately contributed to the University of Rhode Island or the University of Rhode

Island Foundation for the creation of new academic chairs, the support of existing academic

chairs, other educational enhancements and capital infrastructure investments; provided, that the

maximum total contributions from the state to the University of Rhode Island Foundation shall be

five million dollars ($5,000,000). Appropriations of Rhode Island capital plan funds shall be

considered matching funds for the purposes of this section. Any contributions made to the

University of Rhode Island Foundation for these purposes shall be reported to the board of

governors for higher education which shall verify their eligibility for this matching program.

16-84-3. Rhode Island College. – Subject to appropriation, the state of Rhode Island

may contribute funds to Rhode Island College Foundation in an amount necessary to match

private donations for the purposes listed below. Subject to appropriation, the state may contribute

an amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) for every two dollars ($2.00) or one dollar ($1.00) for

such greater dollars as may be established by the board of governors for higher education,

privately contributed to Rhode Island College or the Rhode Island College Foundation for the

creation of new academic chairs, the support of existing academic chairs, other educational

enhancements, and capital infrastructure investments; provided, that the maximum total

contributions from the state to Rhode Island College shall be two million dollars ($2,000,000).

Appropriations of Rhode Island capital plan funds shall be considered matching funds for the

purposes of this section. Any contributions made to the Rhode Island College Foundation for

these purposes shall be reported to the board of governors for higher education which shall verify

their eligibility for this matching program.

16-84-4. Community College of Rhode Island. – Subject to appropriation, the state of

Rhode Island may contribute funds to the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation in an

amount necessary to match private donations for the purposes listed below. Subject to

appropriation, the state may contribute an amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) for every two

dollars ($2.00) or one dollar ($1.00) for such greater dollars as may be established by the board of

governors for higher education, privately contributed to the Community College of Rhode Island

or the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation for the creation of new academic chairs,

the support of existing academic chairs, other educational enhancements, and capital

infrastructure investments; provided, that the maximum total contributions from the state to the

Community College of Rhode Island shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000). Appropriations of

Rhode Island capital plan funds shall be considered matching funds for the purposes of this

section. Any contributions made to the Community College of Rhode Island College Foundation

for these purposes shall be reported to the board of governors for higher education which shall

verify their eligibility for this matching program.

16-84-.5. Matching grants. – Matching grants shall be made only for those contributions

made after July 1, 2005.

    SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.     

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LC00675/SUB A

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