At the request of Jim Purcell, commissioner of Postsecondary Education, the Department of Administration Bureau of Audits commenced an audit yesterday of Rhode Island College’s financial management and human resources practices.

The audit follows last week’s announcement that RIC President Nancy Carriuolo would step down following May commencement.

Asked what prompted the audit, Purcell said, “We want to make sure all the processes are running smoothly; there’s been a lot of change.”

In a Dec. 15 letter to Carriuolo, Dorothy Pascale, chief of the Bureau of Audits, writes the “purpose of this engagement is to determine if Rhode Island College’s internal processes to administer financial transactions and human resource activities are being performed efficiently and effectively, in accordance with established policies and procedures, statutes, and with adequate controls to ensure safeguarding of assets and accurate reporting.”

Meanwhile, one of those who publicly questioned the Carriuolo’s performance applauded the Council on Postsecondary Education last week for pursuing issues raised by the group and offered to participate in the rebuilding process.

In a press release issued Thursday, Carriuolo – who assumed the college presidency July 1, 2008 – said: “Rhode Island College has a long and proud tradition of serving the community and the state as Rhode Island’s oldest public institution and a leading regional college. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as President for the past eight years. RIC serves thousands of Rhode Island students each year, and I am honored to have been a part of their educational journey.”

She could not be reached for additional comment Friday.

Dissatisfaction with Carriuolo became public last month when a group of 14 current and former RIC employees released a letter addressed to William Foulkes, chairman of the Postsecondary Council, with a litany of issues. Only four of those who signed the letter publicly identified themselves. The others remained unnamed for fear of reprisal.

One of those four, Michael Smith, said Thursday: “I can’t say enough good about the Postsecondary Council for taking all the questions seriously and exercising its oversight in an exemplary fashion.”

Smith is RIC’s assistant director of institutional research and planning, a post he has held since June 2012.

Smith said the inquiry was conducted “even handedly” and that associate commissioners followed up on issues raised by the group. “It was taken seriously and they looked into it.”

Smith said there was no one complaint that stood out, prompting the group to look at Carriuolo’s overall performance.

“It never centered on one issue,” he said. “By and large, we were seeing a number of things.” The letter listed as “grave concerns” the president’s lack of attention to finances; failure to observe minimum standards of transparency; inability to develop a stable organizational structure; weakness in setting priorities; and “in particular, her capricious hiring, transferring and firing of personnel.”

The letter referenced a survey conducted by the College’s Professional Staff Associates that it claims “reveals the extent of the distrust of this administration by large segments of employees, and the outright fear that permeates the campus.” It goes on to cite that enrollment has fallen from 9,085 in the fall of 2008 to 8,512 in the fall of 2015; that annual giving has declined; and that the college’s financial and enrollment declines have resulted in a lower Moody’s bond rating. It also notes that Moody’s likewise lowered is rating for URI.

Smith said there is more information regarding the college’s administration to come, including surveys conducted among the college’s skilled service workers and faculty. He said those results will be tallied and shared with the Postsecondary Council.

Carriuolo has her supporters, and in less than a week of the letter questioning her performance, 60 faculty members issued a letter endorsing her leadership. They cited the college’s accreditation in 2011, donor-funded projects, and high enrollment applications.

In the release, Foulkes did not reveal what might have been the tipping point to seek a change prior to the expiration of Carriuolo’s contract on June 30, 2017. Under the terms of the agreement, Purcell said Carriuolo would be terminated without cause on May 21. She will remain at the president’s residence until July 2016 and will receive her current salary – $210,197 a year – plus benefits and contractual increases through Dec. 31, 2016.

“The Council is grateful for the work President Carriuolo has done to expand diversity and grow the infrastructure at the institution,” Foulkes said in a statement. “RIC has a strong reputation for academic excellence, especially in the fields of Education, Nursing, and Social Work, and the Council is eager to find a leader who can build on President Carriuolo’s work and advance the college’s mission.”

He goes on to list “dramatic improvements to the RIC campus,” undertaken during Carriuolo’s tenure, including the renovation of the new arts center known as Alex and Ani Hall and the launch of the Langevin Center for Design, Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing.

Foulkes also said under Carriuolo’s leadership, “RIC has expanded both the curriculum and the physical footprint of the School of Nursing and boosted outreach to the Rhode Island community, most notably through its innovative partnership with the Central Falls School District.”

Going forward, Smith said he is hopeful the Postsecondary Council will conduct a national search, and he stressed the importance of maintaining quality education at the college that is affordable “and not put on the backs of the students.”

Smith said he is encouraged how the Community College of Rhode Island community was engaged for a successor to president Ray Di Pasquale, and he hopes a similar process would be used at RIC.

According to the release, the Council on Postsecondary Education plans to begin search efforts for a new president in 2016. Also, it attributed Foulkes as indicating that there will be an opportunity for the RIC community to offer their input in the search process, and there are plans to schedule a forum on campus when students and faculty return for the spring semester.