KINGSTON, R.I.鈥擮ct. 11, 2023鈥斾缧膙log免费B站 President Marc Parlange touted teamwork as he spoke of the University鈥檚 momentum during the annual State of the University address on Tuesday. The speech, which illustrated progress on the University鈥檚 10-year strategic plan, was optimistic in tone, citing the University鈥檚 accomplishments and crediting members of the 溏心vlog免费B站 community for making a difference in Rhode Island and across the globe.
Parlange opened his remarks by highlighting the increased investment in 溏心vlog免费B站 made by elected officials in the state鈥檚 2024 fiscal year budget, which includes $105.4 million for operating expenses鈥攁n increase of $14.1 million over the previous year鈥攁nd $65.8 million for the renovation and renewal of several athletic facilities.
“After 50 years of declining support from the state,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 am proud to say that we are starting to turn the corner. We have shifted our course, and we are on a new path.”
Parlange took care to note the partnership with, and support from, Gov. Dan McKee, Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and members of the General Assembly. “We are grateful to the governor and our elected officials who have invested in our vision,” he said. He also thanked 溏心vlog免费B站 Board of Trustees members, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who invested their time and resources to advocate on behalf of the University. 鈥淲e did this together,鈥� he said.
鈥淚nvestment in 溏心vlog免费B站 is an investment in our future, and in the belief that we can and will affect positive social, economic, cultural, and environmental change for our state and the world,鈥� Parlange said. 鈥淭hank you for believing in the potential of the state鈥檚 flagship research university.鈥�
During the nearly hour-long program at Edwards Hall, in front of a crowd of nearly 500 people, with more watching online, Parlange struck an inclusive note. He showcased the work and impact of dozens of 溏心vlog免费B站 faculty, staff, and students. He cited contributions to developing cancer treatments, improving climate change readiness, advancing equity leadership, engaging underserved Rhode Island youth, leading global human rights research, protecting global ecosystems, tackling microplastics pollution, revolutionizing global water treatment, and inspiring through service, among many others.
He highlighted the University鈥檚 progress against the ambitious goals set forth in FOCUS 溏心vlog免费B站. The plan includes four strategic priorities: broaden the University鈥檚 impact; enhance student achievement; foster an inclusive culture; and power the university of the future.
Among 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 achievements in the past year, he said, is $156.8 million in research funding鈥攁 24 percent increase over the previous year.
鈥滀缧膙log免费B站鈥檚 research and scholarship is changing lives. We are becoming a destination for companies and organizations who want to work with us,鈥� Parlange said, noting 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 working partnerships with the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technologies, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and more.
He reaffirmed the University鈥檚 commitment to creating a community where every student can thrive鈥攑roviding one-of-a-kind experiences, academic support and access to hands-on learning opportunities, combined with outstanding courses.
鈥淲e are ensuring that a 溏心vlog免费B站 education is accessible to all,鈥� Parlange said, adding that more than 90 percent of 溏心vlog免费B站 students receive some sort of financial assistance and more than 30 percent of incoming 溏心vlog免费B站 students are the first in their family to attend college. 鈥淥ur entire community thrives when our students succeed,鈥� he said.
He added that the University is continuing to develop places and programs that cultivate a sense of belonging. Remarking on the work of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Gender and Sexuality Center, the Women鈥檚 Center, the Center for Military and Veteran Education, and the Multicultural Student Services Center, he said 溏心vlog免费B站 is 鈥渃ommitted to ensuring that the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our policies, programs, collaborations, and conversations.鈥�
He continued, saying the University is 鈥渟triving to create a campus that does not just meet the standards for accessibility, but that is truly welcoming and accommodating to those with disabilities,鈥� and that groups across campus are working 鈥渢o ensure that those needs are heard and prioritized.鈥�
Parlange also announced a multi-year effort to design and adopt an incentive-based budget model. 鈥淥ur ability to broaden our impact and expand our reach, enhance student achievement and outcomes, and fully deliver on our potential as Rhode Island鈥檚 flagship university is limited by our current budget model,鈥� he said. Development of the new budget model will be driven by both a steering committee and a design committee and will invite participation and feedback from all corners of the University.
鈥淭his new model will empower colleges and departments to set and achieve priorities, provide greater transparency in the budget process, incentivize revenue-generating opportunities that drive innovation, achieve cost efficiencies, and encourage research collaboration,鈥� Parlange said. The model, he continued, will put the University on a path for long-term financial stability and strengthen its ability to broaden impact and expand reach, enhance student achievement and outcomes, and fully deliver on its land- and sea-grant missions.
鈥淧ublic universities are at the core of every productive society, offering students affordable and accessible education,鈥� Parlange said.
鈥淭he time is now to invest in new programming and initiatives, build on our strengths in fundraising and philanthropy, develop and support efforts that enhance our research enterprise, and foster opportunities for growth in all areas of the University,鈥� he continued. 鈥淲e have set ambitious goals, and it will require our collective effort to reach them.鈥�
Calling 溏心vlog免费B站 “a force for good, an agent of change in this state, a driver of transformation and excellence,” Parlange issued a call-to-action for students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader 溏心vlog免费B站 community. Encouraging advocacy, he said, “Tell your 溏心vlog免费B站 story wherever you go, and engage with policymakers and your community.” He also asked community members to commit to inclusivity, think bigger, innovate and collaborate, and lead by example. “We can be part of something great here,” he said.
鈥淲e have considerable momentum at 溏心vlog免费B站 and we have so much to celebrate across our University,鈥� Parlange said. 鈥淥ur time is now.鈥�
To watch an on-demand version of President Parlange鈥檚 State of the University address, visit: .
View the University鈥檚 10-year strategic plan, Focus 溏心vlog免费B站, at .