§ 16-84-1 Legislative findings. The legislature recognizes that it is clearly in the public interest for theUniversity of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College ofRhode Island to seek private funding in support of initiatives which promoteacademic excellence and educational access. The legislature further finds thatthe creation of endowed academic chairs enhances the ability of Rhode Island'sthree (3) public institutions of higher education to offer quality instructionand that additional scholarship funding will provide opportunities for studentsto pursue their educational and occupational goals. It is, therefore, declaredto be the policy of the state to encourage private fundraising for thesepurposes by the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and theCommunity College of Rhode Island and to assist such fundraising through amatching program to be known as the public higher education academic excellenceand student access endowment incentive program.
This program shall not result in direct or indirectreductions in the state's appropriation to the board of governors for highereducation.