The board of governors for higher education shall be responsible for the control, management, and operation of Rhode Island College in the same manner as prior to July 1, 1960, the board of trustees for state colleges had been responsible for the control, management, and operation of the institution under the name of Rhode Island College of Education, and shall continue to exercise the powers previously conferred upon the trustees of Rhode Island Normal School, and any further powers, including the power to confer degrees, as shall be necessary for the continuance and maintenance of the Rhode Island College as a college the chief purpose of which shall be the preparation of teachers, principals, supervisors, and superintendents for service in the public schools of Rhode Island. The board of governors for higher education is authorized to extend the scope of the educational interests of Rhode Island College to include, in addition to and without in any way limiting its educational programs related to the educational preparation of teachers for the schools of the state, general education through degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences.