News Summary
Anna Cano Morales, former vice president of DEI at Rhode Island College, has received a $180,000 severance package after her abrupt departure. The package includes a healthcare stipend, raising questions about taxpayer-funded arrangements for public employees. Critics argue the college’s commitment to diversity initiatives may be undermined as RIC restructures her responsibilities and plans to hire a lower-level DEI director. The college is also facing backlash for suspending 20 academic programs, including vital language concentrations, amid budget constraints.
Providence, Rhode Island – Anna Cano Morales, the former vice president of external relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Rhode Island College (RIC), has received a severance package totaling $180,000 following her abrupt departure in May. This amount equates to one year’s salary and includes a $2,200 monthly healthcare stipend.
The details surrounding Morales’s exit remain unclear, with RIC President Jack Warner and Cano Morales opting not to disclose specific reasons. In a letter of reference, Warner commended Morales for her seven years at RIC, highlighting her contributions toward enhancing the college’s inclusivity and its established standing in the community.
One of Morales’s significant achievements was her integral role in securing RIC’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) from the U.S. Department of Education, a recognition that has implications for federal funding and support for college programs aimed at Hispanic students.
The severance agreement includes a clause preventing both parties from making disparaging remarks about one another, which has led to restricted commentary about her departure and the rationale behind it. The situation has triggered public discourse regarding the appropriateness of a taxpayer-funded severance package for a public employee leaving under ambiguous circumstances.
Following Morales’s departure, RIC has chosen not to fill her former position. Instead, the college’s administration plans to distribute her responsibilities among other leadership members. This decision raises concerns about RIC’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, especially given the current socio-political climate that demands accountability in these areas.
The college is actively seeking to hire a new director of DEI, a role that will exist at a lower level within the institutional hierarchy than the former vice president position held by Morales. Critics argue that this move could potentially undermine the importance and prioritization of diversity initiatives at RIC and adversely affect ongoing projects aimed at fostering inclusivity on campus.
Morales has begun receiving monthly severance payments of $15,000, guaranteed for a minimum of eight months. The decision for such a significant financial agreement stands out, as RIC has previously entered into very few similar arrangements concerning non-union employees, with only one known case prior to Morales’s severance.
In addition to the developments surrounding Morales, RIC has announced the suspension of 20 academic programs, which includes the Portuguese and French concentrations, due to under-enrollment. This decision has faced pushback from academic leaders and community members, particularly regarding the Portuguese concentration, which is considered unique and vital to Rhode Island’s cultural landscape. Advocacy groups, such as the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island and the Community Advisory Board of the Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies, have urged RIC to reconsider their decision regarding the Portuguese major.
Looking forward, Dr. Manyul Im is poised to take over as RIC’s next provost, starting July 1, which may usher in new strategies and leadership dynamics as the college navigates these recent changes and challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Rhode Island Healthcare Workforce Cuts Amid Financial Strain
Additional Resources
- Herald News: Rhode Island College Suspends Language Programs
- Rhode Island Current: New Head of Academic Affairs at RIC
- Boston Globe: RIC Severance Agreement
- Google Search: Rhode Island College
- Patch: Racial Discrimination Investigation at URI
- Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
