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Trustees discuss reappointments, retreat topics and policy calendar at Governance Committee meeting
Summary
The Governance Committee reviewed trustee reappointments recommended to the governor, set retreat focus areas (government relations and innovation), approved calendar changes for committee meetings and introduced a new policy development coordinator.
The University of Rhode Island Governance Committee used part of its Feb. 2025 meeting to review board appointments, the annual retreat, committee calendars and the board-level policy review schedule.
Courtney Nicolato, chair of the Governance Committee, said Chair Margo Cook and President Parlange had sent a letter to Governor McKee recommending reappointments and listed trustees seeking reappointment. The committee noted trustees whose terms are eligible for reappointment include Matt Lenz (reappointed by Senate President Rogerio in 2023), Robbie Luna and Vice Chair Jay Placencia; other trustees eligible and seeking reappointment include Neil Kerwin (joined 2021), Maria Ducharme (appointed April 2023) and David Moderano (appointed March 2024). The committee reported no substantive updates on the reappointment process.
The committee confirmed the board's annual retreat is scheduled for June 2025. Mark (last name not specified), staff member, outlined four possible topics for the retreat: government relations, innovation and entrepreneurship (including possible research-park discussion), artificial intelligence and the feasibility study on a URI medical school focused on primary care. Trustees favored devoting retreat time to government relations and innovation and entrepreneurship.
Committee members also reviewed administrative items: URI Day at the State House is scheduled for April 1; the board self-assessment form will be circulated after the meeting with no major changes; committee calendars for 2025 have been updated and posted on the Board of Trustees website; and the policy review calendar was updated for timing of scheduled reviews.
Cara Larson introduced Christopher Barker as the new policy development coordinator. Barker said he joined the university at the start of the year and described his background as a URI alumnus with experience in writing, archival and nonprofit work. Larson told the committee the conflict of interest and commitment policy (a renamed replacement for an existing ethics and conflict-of-interest policy) is near readiness for public comment and APC review, and could appear before this committee in November.
Members thanked staff for the scheduling and calendar updates and expressed general support for the chosen retreat topics. No formal committee votes were recorded on these informational items.
