Welcome to the Office of Budget and Planning

The Office of Budget and Planning is one of seven service units within the Division of Business and Finance. The Office of Budget and Planning provides services to the University in budgetary matters involving State, Auxiliary, Overhead Receipts, Athletics and Student Activities funding.

The success or failure of the University´s academic programs depends largely on the prudent and efficient use of available resources. Thus, more and more emphasis must be placed on performance budgeting. The Office of Budget and Planning continues in its efforts to bring meaning to the budgeting process by maintaining an appropriate relationship between program goals, objectives and financial resources.

With regard to the University budgets, the office establishes sound revenue projections and establishes allotments which will permit units to operate efficiently. The office is also responsible for reviewing financial transactions to assure compliance with University policies and procedures and State regulations.

Budget Overview

Institutional budgeting is the process whereby the plans of an institution are translated into an itemized, authorized and systematic plan of operation expressed in dollars. This plan serves as a control mechanism to match anticipated and actual revenue and expenditures.

Continuous planning is vital to appropriately administer each program or function within the financial resources available and/or budgeted. Appropriate administration and supervision of university funds is key to keeping expenditures within the budget established for their operation.

An essential element of budgeting is the establishment of effective budget control. Without adequate controls, the utility of a budget is substantially reduced. It is necessary for department heads to plan departmental programs and control the funds in such a manner as to be sure that current budgets at all times represent their financial plans for the various programs. Expenditures should be anticipated and curtailed where appropriate. Program goals in most cases can be met by realignment of budgets provided adequate planning has been done and adequate controls maintained. Realignment of budgets is absolutely essential for all funds when under-realization of revenue is anticipated.