[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624060,"mediaKeyId","2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf","parentId",2768691,"title","Postsecondary commissioner outlines affordability study, funding methodology and higher education priorities","audioSeconds",819,"startMs",864000,"endMs",1683000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf&start=864&end=1683","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf/thumbnail_864000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624060/Rhode-Island/Postsecondary-commissioner-outlines-affordability-study-funding-methodology-and-higher-education-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624060-334e6a9f2938131d4cb08476b38a907a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935103&Signature=OqUR68Wxxy8HXk3zs0Bw1ZU36C26PZHJxe189Cxl3c5EIlmrRA9MWZ66qQ1liRhiofZmqyQqUHMsk6NSLEVc6SM6~jnTLCfmQkG8ijPbIgWerrHiZLxARveDC7PKD95C2AM16y4E5bIKLtrL7yK6INz1f4vMzY-Ucjrym4ChaQtMR7GdUrxzIW0jjQs0Wh5pUWsCjyF18kFma1fu5cKLmuv24uqAnV8yZvZM3IiFmiTTs6MkH9e93tKjxH-6M2lejnJ2eodC55YefodaHVFHpRzhDUtjM4NO88wtPBPS7Cjl8NB9Fw4zG803DmliswGmb5TskFMjdo~RqL2B6xyEMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Shannon Gilkey, Rhode Island's postsecondary commissioner, told the Senate Finance Committee on March 25 that the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC) will deliver findings from an affordability study in summer 2025 and begin a second phase to develop a methodology for funding higher education within 6–9 months after that.

Gilkey reminded senators the office serves as the administrative arm of the state's governing board for Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island and listed six broad statutory responsibilities for OPC, including oversight, policy coordination and data management.

\"We know by 2030, as an example, that 67% of jobs are projected, to need some form of post secondary education beyond high school,\" Gilkey said, citing workforce projections as a reason for the affordability work and investments in credential tracking and wage alignment.

Gilkey reviewed recent OPC initiatives and state investments: three statewide education centers in Westerly, Woonsocket and a nursing education center; Rhode Island Reconnect (an $8 million pandemic recovery investment that the commissioner said has connected more than 2,200 Rhode Islanders to work); need‑based grants; the Hope scholarship and Promise scholarship; and investments to improve data systems linking K–12, higher education and workforce outcomes. Gilkey said moving the longitudinal data system to OPC has enabled dashboards and research requests, and she said two FTEs proposed in the budget would allow the office to complete outstanding, funded research projects and generate sustainable revenue for the longitudinal data system.

Gilkey told senators OPC will evaluate each affordability strategy for return on investment and report preliminary results this summer, followed by a second phase to develop a funding methodology. \"We would hope that'd be the case,\" Gilkey said when asked about timing; she told the committee she expected a conceptual approach within 6 to 9 months after the affordability study.

She also outlined OPC's work on transfer, dual enrollment and an emerging focus on artificial intelligence in higher education. The office convened institutional leaders on AI and planned recommendations that would be reviewed by the governor's AI task force.

Why it matters: The commissioner framed the work as an effort to stabilize and make predictable higher education financing, protect affordability for Rhode Islanders, and align credentials to wages and the state's workforce needs.

Provenance: Commissioner Gilkey's presentation and committee Q&A were recorded March 25, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Finance - RISE: 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The postsecondary commissioner told the Senate Finance Committee March 25 that an affordability study will report this summer and that OPC will follow with a methodical review of how Rhode Island funds higher education.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624065,"Senate Finance Committee hears proposal to codify Rhode Island integrated data system governance",569,130000,699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf&start=130&end=699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6624065/Rhode-Island/Senate-Finance-Committee-hears-proposal-to-codify-Rhode-Island-integrated-data-system-governance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624065-0aa2e05c1b86b8843579d4afc06225c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935104&Signature=o4sinbQXE4itTVgvqfKAnPUj-Ew9ljRwWK~cUJ2pX-gEapdaDjyzpsCxWxCQwVArhjuvcJ9cPU3-qo9iII4FvRaV8Yq4tHLt~NnD3UC9z-OFyiHuFHjdQYenbPa3SWkeny1qNCtJ3gibEN8EUEpaWiRDiF6RuqOfyfFLnePf3TfUWWV-zEGYXZ4TJbec8ycB2EDzYxdLKUxRSRnHBgl0TcJGFAdQViGcB8TKpNBvqbgih-OMB895xZZFq-EK4MsUnxY1mKoqRCZ~ZvSYMkvfOWzpLxGxVsANn0E9Tozzb6mp8ZOwjkQl8xrEQMCsWVReyPIqF7PwdVIGQ1BjtLPg7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Finance on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, heard testimony on budget language that would codify governance of a federated Rhode Island integrated data system and provide staff capacity for ongoing integration and operations.

State Budget Officer Joe Kadega told the committee the proposal would place the Executive Office of Health and Human Services' (EOHHS) ecosystem and the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (education/workforce data managed by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner) under a single co‑chaired board and would fund six full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions across the Department of Administration, EOHHS and the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner to support migration, security, governance and operations.

Kadega described the change as a codification of governance developed over several years and referenced a November 2023 executive legislative report and the governor's subsequent executive order as foundations for the work. He said the proposal reflects a federated model, co‑chaired by the secretary of health and human services and the postsecondary commissioner or their designees, and is meant to preserve agency authorities while improving data management.

\"The board is co chaired by the secretary of health and human services and also the post secondary commissioner or their designees representing the federated nature of this governance structure,\" Kadega said.

Kadega and commissioner Shannon Gilkey said the six requested positions would not require net new general revenue in the governor's recommendation because the proposal anticipates converting existing contractor roles into state FTEs or drawing on other non‑general sources. Senator Chacon pressed whether converting contractor roles truly imposes no new cost, asking whether the state would then pay benefits that previously were contractor responsibilities. Kadega said the budget is neutral overall but acknowledged that hiring a state FTE can require a different compensation package than contractor pay.

The committee also discussed who would be allowed to query or analyze the federated dataset. Kadega and Gilkey said that, with appropriate memorandums of understanding, external researchers could access deidentified data for outside analysis. \"It enhances data availability for external researchers,\" the committee chair said while emphasizing MOUs and privacy safeguards. Senator Azurier asked whether the longitudinal data are all deidentified; committee staff replied that the longitudinal component is deidentified. Concerns cited in written testimony from a Mr. Brown about a separate proposed financial‑institution data match for tax collection were described as walled off from the longitudinal system.

Committee members asked for follow‑up details on specific job titles, salary ranges and the mechanics of shifting contractor work into state employment. Kadega said he would provide job descriptions and titles after the hearing. He described the integrated system as intended to reduce duplicated queries across agencies and to streamline fiscal notes and policy analysis.

Why it matters: Lawmakers said a more integrated approach could improve policymaking and program management across health, human services, education and workforce development, while senators flagged privacy and cost questions the administration must answer.

Provenance: Chair introduction and Kadega's opening remarks were recorded in committee testimony on March 25, 2025. The committee's questions about deidentification and external access occurred later in the hearing.","The Senate Committee on Finance on March 25 heard testimony on budget provisions to codify a federated Rhode Island integrated data system, adding six FTEs across multiple agencies and opening some deidentified data access to external researchers under MOUs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624046,"CCRI's Sherlock Center and advocates oppose transfer of surrogate‑parent program to Office of Child Advocate",374,6220000,6594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf&start=6220&end=6594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf/thumbnail_6220000.jpg","/articles/6624046/Rhode-Island/CCRIs-Sherlock-Center-and-advocates-oppose-transfer-of-surrogateparent-program-to-Office-of-Child-Advocate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624046-dfeafa419997cac3abc995979e04673c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935104&Signature=TfwuTAYrHKKnwp7ILX0YJS3QexaGRw3TN4ahncQAU9jNLiqBynnLo1TRGbGzK~c3IwaHLFJn5SbtnT3LQyfZNNBIi1Ge6mLL85gUHbF7Q9RQUlLJ7Ge4zP8Ka7FGZkhIaZxsrYKU~HtNJf2aTSWw3O3N6FiHJf1Jh5Vnh0G5h3BiR~U5NZ90EZfdm0kCmNPKKb9DjGWuqzz19Qm3JHaVSu8sddaUuMPge6VaLF1XxSBk3J3t0Xrxy~bY5425MwqJv5oisqWH7PAXUDA2twFNarZm7uNSSvDzfrtwjojdSse8F4xIloDrmhHose7Fnb0tbMv3yMePxeBTLAbKAXQlrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee on March 25 received competing testimony over a proposed administrative move of Rhode Island's surrogate parent program, which assigns conflict‑free surrogates to make special‑education decisions for children in state custody.

Bob Marshall, who submitted written questions and testified, said he only recently learned that a request had been made to relocate the surrogate parent program from Rhode Island College's (RIC) budget into the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) budget. \"We became aware after a recent meeting that you had this month regarding the Office for Child Advocates budget, that there was a request to, remove, the surrogate parent program from the RIC budget and put it into the child advocate's budget,\" Marshall said.

Amy Gratton, who leads RIC's Sherlock Center for Disabilities, told senators the center has long administered the surrogate parent program and that it is trained, experienced and court‑ordered for many children in custody. \"Under IDEA law, every child is entitled to have a parent who is the authority on making the decision for that child's special education services,\" Gratton said, explaining the surrogate role is distinct from legal representation and must be conflict‑free. She said the center's surrogates include parents and people with social‑work and education experience, and that the center's access to college resources bolsters training and supports.

CCRI President and Sherlock Center leadership told the committee they oppose the unilateral move and said the program meets key performance measures; CCRI said it had been awarded a multi‑year contract in part because of the program's track record. Both CCRI and the Sherlock Center asked for more transparent communication and for opportunity to respond to the OCA proposal with data.

Committee members expressed interest in reviewing empirical outcomes and the historical reasons the program shifted administrations, and urged the parties to provide multi‑year data so the committee can evaluate whether a move would improve services for children.

Why it matters: The surrogate parent program serves children in state custody with special‑education needs; any administrative transfer would affect who trains and appoints surrogates and how the program is staffed and resourced.","Senators heard opposition March 25 to a proposed transfer of the surrogate‑parent program for children in state custody from Rhode Island College's Sherlock Center to the Office of the Child Advocate.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624051,"Community College of Rhode Island reports budget pressure, outlines Fresh Start return‑to‑college program and apprenticeship expansion",886,7085000,7971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf&start=7085&end=7971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf/thumbnail_7085000.jpg","/articles/6624051/Rhode-Island/Community-College-of-Rhode-Island-reports-budget-pressure-outlines-Fresh-Start-returntocollege-program-and-apprenticeship-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624051-9b1e4a3428b1d6682f02b853e23b25dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935104&Signature=XT7jWBZkBw2pWgaKIFRq3hPlnXhi205dWej1XsCtY-dEnx702VxudIGOcfS2sYZf1yFwCtDqeqKCNf~Ovhh1PRlaZ2GA19rMbrW23bmLAqty-~thl63tIwa~akK00rf8LSG6pzQK4IwkY0cPw4evIsUYdfdsX-ujI2UDOJtx89W5hr3KCmbAsnmxaxPdfGbOd3V-ne7tpH30tZ6L1BuhpBBmZwEjPdPX-7lYVd8IldwXIobESoVt9uu3nuJYxcRQp2mJc6OvyZpH5LwcEz-Vi4XvQjjo-Gr70ZOeY0p56oELFmUTeki7DWR5p9zLx3xosshIevPn4FiTt7P3~mvBLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) presented its FY2026 budget context to the Senate Finance Committee on March 25, saying enrollment remains below pre‑pandemic levels and the college plans personnel and programmatic measures to balance operations while pursuing targeted growth.

President Kastigan told the committee CCRI is about 17% below 2019 enrollment levels, which the college said has produced roughly $4.1 million in operating shortfalls. To address the gap, CCRI described a multi‑year set of actions: a voluntary retirement incentive for eligible employees; a planned vacancy float (about $10 million, roughly 100 positions) to be managed by leadership; modest increases in tuition and fees (about 5.7% proposed); targeted nonpersonnel reductions; and use of an institutional fund balance to smooth the transition.

On student reengagement, the president said the Fresh Start scholarship—launched in fall 2023 with federal pandemic recovery dollars—has enrolled roughly 2,400 returning adult learners and recorded 114 graduates so far. Kastigan described Fresh Start as a last‑dollar program that helps students who previously lost eligibility for federal financial aid to reenter college, appeal for satisfactory academic progress, and then leverage Pell and other federal aid going forward. The college said remaining funds are projected to support roughly 500 additional returning students next year.

Kastigan asked the committee to support two modest changes to the Rhode Island Promise scholarship: allow credit‑bearing certificates to be eligible (estimated cost $82,500 annually) and permit a one‑semester extension of eligibility for high school graduates who delay enrollment up to one semester (estimated cost $62,500). He said the governor's proposed FY26 Promise funding could absorb those changes without an increase to the program total.

The college described workforce and apprenticeship plans that align training to state needs. The governor's proposed budget includes funds for apprenticeship infrastructure and culinary program capital improvements tied to Newport campus expansion. Kastigan said CCRI would open a new 1‑Stop student services center and highlighted partnerships with industry and military research programs that provide paid student internships.

Why it matters: CCRI is the state's primary community college and a central provider of workforce credentials; the college said state support is critical amid federal policy uncertainty and post‑pandemic enrollment shifts.

Provenance: President Kastigan's presentation and Q&A were recorded March 25, 2025.","CCRI told the Senate Finance Committee it remains 17% below pre‑pandemic enrollment, is pursuing a voluntary retirement program and vacancy management to balance budgets, and reported that the Fresh Start scholarship has reengaged roughly 2,400 adult learners since 2023",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624055,"Rhode Island College credits Hope scholarship, student services for recent enrollment gains; student tells committee scholarship was life changing",1638,2802000,4440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf&start=2802&end=4440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768691-e25b8fc612ea35f02a98940300f1d6cf/thumbnail_2802000.jpg","/articles/6624055/Rhode-Island/Rhode-Island-College-credits-Hope-scholarship-student-services-for-recent-enrollment-gains-student-tells-committee-scholarship-was-life-changing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624055-36330f51eb4f62a3de896b20d6c9e140/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935104&Signature=JwufCBdK8cSDRM-Yf2EEVGZZ9JaEe7wuZ0UuVSwdZQ2wsg0ZxquRCLh7cPPD~eSa~o3Vspjmn2XIUBWrIqjZ1onms-ZEItS1~TxYImJl-FgO9lsi1s-EuhRwejIy9sO5tvi4k4ebq5bBDVhWNU4WOPFNs5e37EGft-~mOc-Hweyq2jOzncS-b0VlMtNkjjMfSvfSnm5esmeH0godLTr9abmLuCVgxSi0ime1ONaqOd~5CHPEVqmspevwpS9Sg1y7KJT1EEI66RWIfj03UZ31Mglv9ptUPJD1lX1~N~Doi6dGQ4mC9PJVYYnnmY9MM4-g8W8LZIogIvLDcFlAKgWXBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rhode Island College President testified to the Senate Finance Committee on March 25 that the college recorded its first enrollment increases in 15 years and credited the state's HOPE scholarship and expanded student supports for part of that growth.

President outlined a 390‑student increase in fall enrollment over the previous fall and a 550‑student increase in spring, saying the spring gains largely reflected improved retention from fall to spring. He told senators that the Hope scholarship accounted for much of the in‑state enrollment growth and that the scholarship and related supports had helped students remain on track to graduate.

\"We're very pleased about the fact that, that we are able now to even free up resources to make investments in our students' success,\" President said, and later singled out the Hope scholarship for driving much of the recent gains. He described investments in advising, career counseling, revamped general education, and capital projects including the Clark Science building and planned Whipple Hall renovation.

A graduating nursing student, Victoria Dujampi, testified about the personal impact of the Hope scholarship. \"Receiving the HOPE scholarship was life changing,\" Dujampi said, explaining that it relieved financial stress, allowed her to focus on clinical training and classwork, and made graduate school feel attainable.

Faculty union leadership also testified. Mikaela Arthur, president of the Rhode Island College AFT and a sociology professor, told the committee that faculty and staff are working to support students but asked the committee to fund adequate compensation and resources so the college can retain and recruit instructors and professional staff. Arthur noted federal funding uncertainties and urged state support to ensure stability.

Why it matters: Enrollment and retention affect institutional finances and student success. Legislators asked about transfer, affordability, and workforce ties as they consider FY26 appropriations and scholarship programs.","Rhode Island College President reported enrollment increases for fall and spring, attributed in part to the Hope scholarship and new student supports and facilities; a graduating nursing student testified the scholarship eased financial pressure","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Postsecondary commissioner outlines affordability study, funding methodology and higher education priorities

Senate Finance Committee hears proposal to codify Rhode Island integrated data system governance

CCRI's Sherlock Center and advocates oppose transfer of surrogate‑parent program to Office of Child Advocate

Community College of Rhode Island reports budget pressure, outlines Fresh Start return‑to‑college program and apprenticeship expansion

Rhode Island College credits Hope scholarship, student services for recent enrollment gains; student tells committee scholarship was life changing