New president to focus on re-examination

9/10/09 - In late July, only 10 days into his new job at the University of Rhode Island, President David M. Dooley posted on his blog, "There is just something special about coming to work at a place that has the word hope emblazoned on its seal."

The 56-year-old former provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Montana State University comes to URI with an open mind and the "hope" of re-examining many of the university's policies.



"I'm not assuming there are things that need to be changed," he said. "But why don't we look at it?"



One of his first, and most notable, policy amendments was the decision to allow alumni to tailgate. Former President Robert L. Carothers banned alcohol from campus events, making URI a "dry campus," 15 years ago.



When asked if this change might precede the decision to allow students to consume alcohol on campus, Dooley explained, "It's just sort of the first outcome of a more systematic review of policies," he said. "We're not going to retreat from making URI a safe environment."



Also up for re-examination is the university's budget. In the face of a multi-million dollar deficit and reduced state funding, Dooley said he is optimistic that URI will continue to make progress. The scarce budget is familiar territory to the man who managed to increase MSU's research budget from $45 million to $100 million.



In order to continue and extend the quality of a URI education, Dooley said he plans to reconfigure URI's budget by focusing on "accessibility and affordability," with input from students and faculty.



"We have a process for developing the budget in a very open and inclusive way," he said. The result will be a budget developed "more cohesively and without pointing fingers."



As early as last spring, when Dooley visited URI and discussed his qualifications at an open forum, he spoke about overcoming financial problems, telling guests that there have been about 30 recessions since the Great Depression - "and they all had one thing in common: they ended."



Dooley has had a busy first few months, filled with countless interviews and dozens of public appearances, but he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon. His latest project is to create a student space in the basement of the president's house.



The California native and his wife, Lynn, along with their Australian Shepard, Rhody, moved into the house earlier this summer after a 3,000-mile, six-day road trip from Montana. And, finally, after a new roof, refinished floors and ongoing repairs to a leaky basement, the Dooley's said they are excited to open their home to students.



With a cozy fireplace, comfy couches and a new 50-inch TV - and rumors of a pool table - student groups should have no qualms about stopping by.



"We're looking forward to hosting a lot of events here," he said. "Just for students groups to come over and relax."



Dooley said it's important he gets to know his students. In fact, he's been mingling with them already. He helped freshman move in earlier this week and stopped by almost all of the student group booths at Sunday's First Night activity fair.



When he's not holed up in the office, poring over paperwork, Dooley said that he enjoys spending time outdoors.



"I love being outside, that's part of what got me interested in science," he said. On his agenda before chilly weather sets in are a few rounds of golf and, hopefully, a sailing trip.



The University of Rhode Island's 11th president said he's starting to feel settled in at his new home in the Ocean State, and said he's looking forward to learning more about URI.



On Tuesday he openly admitted that he doesn't know what the shade of "Keaney" blue is.



"I haven't exactly figured out what exactly it is," he said. "But I like the blues of Rhode Island.