October 13, 2017 - As we welcome a greater number of students due to Rhode Island Promise, our focus should remain on quality education for all CCRI students. A "J-Term" for a few hundred students shifts that focus. Management never sought the professional recommendations or advice from faculty and staff. Instituting a "J-Term" with zero input from the very professionals who are educating CCRI’s students disregards the importance of communication and planning.

Every CCRI student enrolls believing their individual pursuit of a postsecondary education is a priority to the college. Faculty members, education support professionals, and staff work every day to ensure students are prepared with the skills and training necessary for well-paying employment. Communication among administration, faculty and staff is a crucial component to student success.

If President Hughes was graded on her commitment to involving stakeholders in the process, she would receive a failing grade.