Charge to the University Budget Committee

The Catholic University Of America

Office of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer

Washington, DC 20064

Charge to the

University Budget Committee

Purpose, Authority and Membership. The University Budget Committee is responsible for oversight of the annual budget preparation process. Its work focuses upon formation of balanced and achievable University operating (Funds 11 and 15) and capital budget proposals, which are then presented for endorsement by the President followed by submission to the Board of Trustees for its approval. In addition, the University Budget Committee provides oversight and recommendations in regard to the University’s budget policies for sponsored activity, endowment payout activity, and reserve funds.

The Committee reports to the University President through the Vice President for Finance Treasurer, who serves as Committee Chair. Member roles include the University vice presidents and arepresentative of the Academic Senate. The Committee is principally supported by the Associate Vice President for Financial Planning, Institutional Research and Assessment, with assistance from budget professionals in the University Budget Office and the Provost’s Office.

Committee members for the FY 2018planning year:

  • Dr. Andrew V. Abela
  • Dr. Michael S. Allen
  • Mr. Christopher P. Lydon
  • Mr. Frank G. Persico
  • Mr. Scott P. Rembold
  • Dr. Marc M. Sebrechts
  • Mr. Robert M. Specter (Chair)

Support Staff:

  • Mrs. Angela Cooper
  • Mr. Brian Johnston
  • Mrs. Rita Kovach
  • Mr. Joe Miranda
  • Mr. Victor Nakas
  • Ms. Catherine Sullivan

Schedule and Process. A detailed planning calendar is developed by the support staff in advance of the first meeting of the Committee to guide its work. Weekly meetings for the University Budget Committee typically begin in October and conclude in early January. The Committee’s recommendations for revenue drivers (tuition, required fees, and room board rates)and capital prioritiesmust be finalized and submitted to the President by the final week of Octoberto facilitate timely approvals, stakeholder communication and execution.Formation and endorsement of the budget proposals are timed to be submitted to the full Board of Trustees through its Finance Committee.

Operating Revenue. Revenue expectations for each of the following categories are set annually as a part of the Committee’s work. Supporting data are submitted as follows:

  • Undergraduate Enrollment: Vice President for Enrollment Management and Vice President for Finance Treasurer
  • Graduate Enrollment: Provost and Vice President for Finance Treasurer
  • Operating Net Contribution for the Columbus School of Law: Provost and Vice President for Finance & Treasurer
  • Operating Net Contribution for Auxiliary Operations: Vice President for Finance Treasurer and Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Contribution Revenue: Vice President for University Advancement

The Committee is responsible for approving these expectations and ensuring that they provide a realistic projection of the University’s revenues for the planningyear.

Operating Expenditures. The President* and each vice president prepareshis/her Fund 11 budget requirements for the planning year, including a detailed plan and rationale for any new expenditures.The Committee reviews and prioritizes all of them.Proposed expenditures must conform to revenue expectations, be informed by the University’s Strategic Plan and/or Campus Master Plan, and support a balanced budget outcome.

Capital Budget. The President* and each vice president works with the Associate Vice President of Facilities and the Chief Information Officer to identify their immediate and long-term capital needs and priorities. The Associate Vice President of Facilities and Chief Information Officer prepare a comprehensive and prioritized proposal of capital spending requests covering fiveprospective planning years and present this proposal to the Committee.The Committee is responsible for identifying the capital projects/equipment that will be recommended for execution in the first year of the five year plan. It may further recommend multiple-year projects as warranted. Where possible, Capital requests should specify funding source.

The following factors are foremost among those that will be considered by the Committee to prioritize requests:

  • Correspondence to the Campus Master Plan
  • Correspondence to the Strategic Plan
  • Fire, life & safety code compliance
  • Other regulatory code compliance
  • Accreditation impact
  • Deferred maintenance resolution
  • Overcome technological obsolescence
  • Support programmatic adaptation

The Committee’s recommendations of Capital priorities must be finalized and submitted to the President by the final week of October to facilitate timely approvals, stakeholder communication and execution.

(*The President’s Office operating budget, proposed presidential initiatives and capital requests are prepared by the Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff on behalf of the President.)

Additional Resources.
University Budget Policy:

Capital Budget Policy:

Reserve Fund Policy:

University Budget Office: