The Rhode Island Senate approved the appointment of University of Rhode Island alumnus David Barett, ’78, as the newest member of the Board of Trustees and reappointed five existing members on March 31.
Barett was appointed to the Board by Gov. Dan McKee on March 25, filling a seat previously held by former Congressman Robert Weygand. Barett is also on the URI Foundation Board of Directors, the dean’s advisory council in the College of Business, advises Director of Athletics Pat Lyons and is an Edwards Society advisor to URI President Marc Parlange.
“As a proud alumnus of the University, I look forward to the opportunity to serve and support its mission, students and future growth,” Barett said in an announcement made by McKee.
Outside of URI, Barett is a managing partner of healthcare and technology venture capital firm Polaris Partners and serves on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Board of Trustees.
Barett declined a request for comment from The Good Five Cent Cigar, according to URI Communications Director Dawn Bergantino.
Trustees Margo Cook ’86, Armand Sabitoni ’73, Vahid Ownjazayeri, Joe Formicola ’69, and Tom Ryan ’75,H ’99 were all reappointed by the Senate.
The Board is responsible for appointing and reviewing the university president, establishing university performance goals, approving the budget, awarding degrees, awarding faculty tenure and overseeing university property. The Board is responsible for 28% of the university’s total real estate portfolio, consisting of 318 buildings, according to Abby Benson, vice president of administration and finance.
Since the appointments, the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee met on April 13.
The committee reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2028 to 2032. Several projects were carried over from the fiscal year 2027 plan, including a $48.3 million request to build a Public Safety building, a $16.5 million request to improve campus accessibility and a $67.6 million request to replace the HVAC system in Robert L. Carothers Library.
Three new projects were introduced, including a $7 million Marine Operations Building to support the operation of the Narragansett Dawn ship, a $7.3 million renovation of the Middleton Building on the Narragansett Bay Campus and an updated feasibility study into replacing the pool in the Tootell Aquatics Center.
The committee also discussed terms regarding the Ocean Technology Innovation Center in executive session, recommended approving $42 million in revenue bonds in the fall of 2026 for utility infrastructure upgrades, approved committee calendar changes and approved the demolition of Sheets Hall, Horn Hall and the Center for Atmospheric Chemistry Studies building on the Narragansett Bay Campus.
The next full Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Friday, April 24 at 9 a.m. in Brookside South Residence Hall. All meetings are available to watch online on the URI website.
