2005-2007
Appendix D
Planning and Budgeting
A. Planning
In order to fulfill the roles and missions of the University and to serve its students, the University's programs, organizational structure, and supporting elements must be reviewed periodically and modified as necessary. Continuing development of the University and the striving for excellence in the quality of its programs demands an articulated planning process. Effective planning demands that the broadest possible exchange of information and opinion be shared among all of the components of the University. An open channel of communication should be maintained by joint endeavor to allow full opportunity for appropriate joint planning and effort. Because changes in enrollments and financial and other legislatively mandated conditions can vary dramatically and change rapidly, the University must have plans to fit several conditions of growth, stasis, and decline. The section below describes the Planning Process used by the University. When conditions necessitate the reduction of faculty, administration, and staff, such reductions can be accomplished legitimately and rationally only if a plan for such reduction exists before those conditions arise.
B. Budgeting
The allocation of resources and the preparation of the institutional budget are important decisions that influence the basic character and purpose of the institution. The role of the Board of Trustees, the administration, and the faculty in budgetary decisions should occur according to the principles of shared governance. Faculty should participate both in the preparation of the total institution budget and in decisions relevant to further apportioning of its specific fiscal divisions. Short and long range priorities should be developed using a process where there are clearly understood channels of communication and accessibility of important information.
C. The Planning Groups
University: The University Planning Council (UPC) is responsible to the Faculty Senate for formation of policy in all aspects of University Planning. The UPC will work cooperatively with the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs within the framework established by the Strategic Plan.
The University Planning Council (UPC)'s specific responsibilities will include the review of the University's Strategic Plan, the formulation and annual review of a Contingency Plan, recommending through the Senate to the Provost, President, and Board of Trustees, priorities to be used in preparing the University's biennial budget request, and recommending priorities for use in the allocation and reallocation of resources. It is not the role of the UPC to attempt to direct or control the planning and budgetary process within the colleges and non-academic units, other than to provide broad general priorities.
Colleges and Non-Academic Units: Each college or non-academic unit will have its own planning committee. In cooperation with its dean or administrative leader, and consistent with the Strategic Plan and the other general university priorities, it will advise on the size and characteristics of its units. Planning committee members will be elected by the faculty or, as appropriate, the staff, or will be appointed by elected representatives of the faculty or staff. Planning activities and decisions should be made only after broad based input from the faculty or staff in the unit. Likewise, the results of the planning process should be shared with all constituencies in the unit.
D. The Budgeting Groups
The University Planning Council (UPC) shall be responsible to the Faculty Senate for recommendations and formation of policy in budget, finance, and resource allocation matters. The Faculty Senate President , President-Elect, and UPC Executive Committee will serve as the Faculty representatives on the Budget Advisory Committee.