College of Arts and Sciences Budget Working Group

This group consists of faculty and staff from across the units of CAS and Common Services and will be chaired by one or more of the CAS executive budget managers, as appointed by the president. Members will be provided an overview of the operating budget of the college, an overview of the college’s business model, and preliminary budget information at key points during the CAS budget process so that timely input can be provided to the president and CAS executive budget managers. Budget decision making remains the responsibility of the president, Executive Council members, and the Board of Trustees.

This group consists of the following members:

• At least five members of the CAS faculty, three of whom are appointed by the Faculty Budget Advisory Committee from among its members and at least two of whom are appointed by the dean of the college. At least one of these members should be a non-tenure track member of the faculty.
• At least five staff members appointed by the president, at least one of whom should be a Common Services staff member.
• The CAS executive budget managers.

The group will be supported by the associate vice president of financial planning, the CAS director of operations and finance, the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, and other college personnel as necessary. One of the members should also be a member of the Employee Benefits Committee.

The purpose of the group is to increase transparency regarding budgetary decisions and to provide an avenue for community feedback to the president and the CAS executive budget managers. Like all similar institutions of higher education, the college is confronted with serious structural challenges and a changing and increasingly competitive landscape. In this environment, it can be necessary to make difficult decisions about resource allocation, tuition and fee increases, enrollment targets, employee compensation and benefits, investment in new initiatives, and the consideration of new revenue opportunities. The group will provide input to the president and CAS executive budget managers regarding CAS budget decisions.

Members are expected to represent the best interests of the college, not advocate for individual constituencies or units. Members are asked to commit to active and engaged participation, including attendance at regularly scheduled meetings. With broad representation from faculty, staff, and senior administrators, this group will be a venue for communication between and among various stakeholders. Members may be asked to make budget-related reports (or participate in other budget-related communication activities) to help inform members of the community about the college’s budget and the work of the committee.

The establishment of this group demonstrates and strengthens the college’s commitment to transparency and information sharing. Moreover, this group will provide community feedback on CAS budgetary decisions as we move forward toward achieving our three strategic imperatives, which will ensure our success, today, tomorrow, and many years into the future.

---