Rhode Island School of Design. Office of the Treasurer

The Board of Trustees Treasurer was responsible for the financial affairs of Rhode Island School of Design from 1877 until 2009 when the position was replaced by an officer of the college, the Executive Vice-President for Administration and Finance.

Article IV of the Rhode Island School of Design Association constitution, adopted April 30, 1877, created the office of the Treasurer and other offices. The President, Vice-President, and the Board of Directors elected the Treasurer from among Association members. The 1893 constitution specified election by the Directors, but repealed the Association member requirement. The Treasurer served as an ex-officio Trustee 1907-1947 and 1987-1995 and served as a Vice-President from 1977 to 1980. The 1980 By-Law required that the Secretary serve no more than nine successive terms. The Board of Trustees abolished the term limit in 1987, but instituted the four-term limit in 1996. The 2009 May by-law revisions removed the position from the Board of Trustees.

The Treasurer received and disbursed funds of the association subject to the orders of the Board and served on the Finance Committee, ex-officio (1877-1907) and its successor the Investment Committee (1959-1977). Article IV of the 1877 by-laws required the Treasurer to submit an annual report to the RISD Association and an 1878 amendment required a report at the quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors (abolished 1947). The 1893 Constitution required the Treasurer to serve on the Membership Committee (1893-1907).

The 1907 By-Laws required the Treasurer to keep the accounts of the corporation and open the accounts to any Trustee. Annual Reports were to be given to the Board of Trustees as were Quarterly Reports, if required. The annual report was to be audited by a Trustee committee before presentation at the annual meeting.

The Treasurer served as the Corporate and administrative financial officer for RISD, 1952-1977. November 1977 amendments separated the corporate/administrative duties. All administrative duties formerly held by the Treasurer were placed with the Vice-President for Financial Affairs (1977) and the Vice-President for Budget and Control (1978) who were responsible to the President. Treasurer Murray S. Danforth, Jr., 1952-1990, served as Vice-President for Financial Affairs, 1977-1985.

The 1987 May by-laws revisions no longer required an annual report from the Treasurer.

From the guide to the Rhode Island School of Design. Office of the Treasurer records, Office of the Treasurer records, 1877-1991, (Rhode Island School of Design Archives)