Chamber President Laurie White caught up this morning with URI President Dr. David M. Dooley to get his thoughts on his recently announced retirement plans and the transition process moving forward, the University's approach to commencement and the fall semester, school finances, the student enrollment outlook, the future of higher education and other timely issues.

• Asked about his remaining priorities for next year, President Dooley says one is seizing opportunities that this crisis provides to advance research and help people better understand situations like this in the future.
   
• President Dooley talks about the search process for his successor which usually takes 9-12 months. He notes that the search will likely start at the end of summer or early fall.
   
• In thinking about his successor, President Dooley says a few key attributes would be the ability to truly understand and have enthusiasm about the land grant mission of the University and a willingness to engage and partner with the private and public sectors.
   
• President Dooley notes that by early to mid-July, the University will have made a decision for what the fall semester will look like. He says that there will most likely be changes to the academic calendar, and learning will be a blend of in-person and online instruction.