§ 16-106-4. Performance incentive funding — Rhode Island College.
(a) Beginning in FY 2018, funding for Rhode Island college ("RIC�) shall include a performance-based
component utilizing all additional allocations of otherwise unrestricted, higher-education
general revenue greater than the base amount received pursuant to the FY 2016 budget
as enacted, of total unrestricted state higher-education funding.
(b) Data on which to base performance measures as described in subsection (c) shall be
defined by the commissioner of postsecondary education, in consultation with the council
on postsecondary education. Measures shall begin to be collected in FY 2017.
These measures may include and incorporate outcomes or goals from multiple, previous
years. The lack of information from previous years, however, will not affect the use
of performance-based measures.
(c) Rhode Island college shall have unique measures consistent with its purpose, role,
scope, and mission. The performance-based measures shall include the following metrics:
(1) The number and percentage, including growth in relation to enrollment and prior years
of bachelor's degrees awarded to first-time, full-time students within four (4) years
and six (6) years, including summer graduates;
(2) The number of degrees awarded that are tied to Rhode Island's high demand, high-wage
employment opportunities consistent with the institution's mission;
(3) One measure that applies only to RIC, as agreed to by the commissioner of postsecondary
education and the president of RIC, who shall consider faculty, staff, and student
input; and
(4) Any other measures that are deemed appropriate by the council on postsecondary education.
(d) Weight may be assigned to any of the aforementioned metrics to reinforce the mission
of RIC, the economic needs of the state, and the socio-economic status of the students.
The commissioner may consider the institution's improvements in said metrics when
determining whether it has satisfied the annual measure despite not reaching the overall
goal.
(e) The commissioner shall provide faculty and students an opportunity to provide input
on the development of performance measures.