ACADEMIC BUDGET PRIORITIES

A. General academic priorities:

· Courses and programs that directly support and lead to the baccalaureate or masters degree in liberal arts, sciences, applied and professional fields

· Applied and professional programs, including credentialing in Education

· The enrollment split between undergraduate and graduate degree programs

· Commitment to a program versus commitment to all courses in that program, especially with regard to emphases, concentrations, and major electives

· Facilities, equipment, and resources necessary for adequate program function

· Program quality

· Programs unique to our campus and/or location

B. Student-based priorities:

· Currently enrolled students graduating in a timely fashion

· Currently enrolled students graduating, even if programs they are enrolled in are discontinued or suspended

· Student admission priorities in light of limited resources

· The ability of students to pursue a liberal arts education

C. Faculty-based priorities

· Impact on faculty workload

· Availability of resources for faculty development.

D. Program-based priorities:

· When comparing degree programs, the following factors shall be considered

o Quality of the program

o Ensuring a variety of programs consistent with a regional comprehensive university

o Whether the program serves a unique function

o Whether the program responds to unique characteristics of our location

o Whether the program provides a specific entry qualification for a field/profession

· Remediation versus other programs which improve student access

· Other program priorities

o Minors (that do not specifically support another major)

o Certificate programs

o Electives (“true” electives)

E. Funding cuts:

· The effect of cuts on the quality of instruction

· Cost savings effect of cuts

· Larger programs versus smaller programs

F. Decision making level:

· Departmental opportunity, within funding allocations and consistent with enrollment targets, to prioritize their own major program offerings

· GE and service courses necessary to service the current student enrollment

Documents Consulted

The Mission of the California State University: http://www.calstate.edu/PA/info/mission.shtml

Instructional Programs Priorities; Academic Planning Resource Allocation and Enrollment Management (Policy File Number: UMI07100.htm): http://www.csus.edu/umanual/acad/UMI07100.htm

Broad Principles for Budget Reductions: Revised by the CUP Planning Committee 2/4/04: http://www.csus.edu/acse/archive/0304/budget_reduction_principles.htm

Strategic Plan: http://www.csus.edu/acaf/2007CSUS_StrategicPlan.pdf