Overview of Buffalo State's Strategic Resource Planning Process
Buffalo State leadership laid the groundwork for several years to foster innovation across campus and prepare for a prosperous and sustainable future. Planning played a key role in this work. The university worked towards identifying greater efficiencies and creative solutions to counteract some of the consequences of the national and regional shifts that had a negative impact on our campus budget.
Collaboration among all campus constituents was required, with innovation at the center of our efforts, as we fulfilled our urban-engaged, anchor mission of educating our diverse student body. This collaborative approach included the Buffalo State Strategic Resource Process, a budget planning approach that linked the vision, priorities, people, and physical attributes of the university in a flexible system of evaluation, decision-making, and action. Integrated resource planning was an active and flexible process that supported data-informed decision-making. Because it was conducted with transparency, it allowed stakeholders to understand why and how decisions were made.
Since its inaugural launch in 2021, the Strategic Resource Planning Process has been successful in addressing our budget concerns and helping to maintain a strong commitment to shared governance. The College Budget Committee and College Senate Budget and Staff Allocations Committee (BSAC) meet regularly to share ideas and receive feedback on the budget process.
Integrated resource planning is a dynamic and adaptable budget planning process that connects an institution's vision, priorities, people, and physical attributes in a flexible system of evaluation, decision-making, and action. It serves as a guiding framework for the organization as it evolves over time.
This process ensures that the institution's current and future financial, human, and physical resources are aligned with its needs and goals while staying true to its academic priorities. By successfully completing the process, Buffalo State will be able to implement strategic priorities and effectively plan for new initiatives.
Integrated planning is an active and flexible process that promotes data-informed decision-making. Its transparent nature allows stakeholders to understand the reasoning behind the decisions being made.
The values and principles of integrated resource planning include:
1. Strategy: Planning in alignment with Buffalo State's mission and strategic priorities.
2. Predictability: Developing reliable models that serve as a solid foundation for planning.
3. Flexibility: Creating planning models that anticipate and respond to changes in the economic environment while incorporating risk management strategies.
4. Integration: Considering the institution as a whole and intentionally establishing connections between various organizational needs and priorities.
5. Stewardship: Exercising prudence in resource management, diversifying revenues to promote resilience, maintaining appropriate reserves, and valuing efficiency and effectiveness.
Strategic resource planning is a dynamic and holistic budgeting process connecting an institution's vision, priorities, people, and physical assets in an adaptable assessment, decision-making, and implementation framework. It serves as a compass, shaping and directing the organization's growth and transformation.
This process ensures that our institution's financial, human, and physical resources are aligned with our current and future academic objectives. It is an active and forward-thinking approach, employing tools like scenario planning and leveraging integrated data and analytics.
The annual planning process at Buffalo State fosters inclusivity by engaging the entire campus community in a comprehensive evaluation, considering a wide range of essential campus activities.
- Academic and strategic planning
- Capital campaign planning and philanthropy
- Debt management
- Endowment and investment management
- Enrollment planning
- Enterprise risk management
- Facilities and campus planning
- Facilities management
- Operating and capital budgets
- Workforce planning and talent management
This integrated process is:
- All funds in nature
- Comprehensive in its asset/liability management
- Integrated, with a single institutional point of view
- Long-term
- Oriented toward return-on-investment
- Proactive
- Dynamic and scenario-based
- Transparent
The Strategic Resource Planning Process (SRPP) plays a crucial role in Buffalo State University's financial management and strategic decision-making. It provides a comprehensive framework that allows the college to thoroughly evaluate its financial capacity, align its resources effectively, and identify potential areas for new investments.
During the SRPP, key departments such as the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Management and the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs collaborate closely with various units across the college. Together, they engage in a collaborative planning process to anticipate and prepare for the university's future needs and aspirations.
This robust process involves a meticulous review of several key factors. These factors include analyzing enrollment trends and projections, evaluating tuition revenue forecasts, assessing staffing requirements, examining research expenditures and proposals, considering the impact of endowments, examining unit spending plans, and planning for capital and space allocation. Furthermore, the process also involves evaluating potential risks and contingencies that may impact the university's financial stability and growth.
A critical aspect of the SRPP is the collaboration between the Division of Finance and Management and the Division of Student Affairs. Together, they work to set broad-based fees that are assessed to students. These fees ensure that the university can provide essential services and support systems that meet the diverse needs of its student population. This collaborative effort ensures the university remains student-centered and committed to providing a high-quality educational experience.
It's worth noting that the SRPP is a yearly process that undergoes careful scrutiny and approval by the State University of New York (SUNY) before its implementation. This ensures transparency and accountability in the university's financial planning and resource allocation.
Overall, the SRPP serves as a vital tool for Buffalo State University to effectively manage its finances, align resources with priorities, and make informed decisions regarding potential areas for investment. It fosters a collaborative and strategic approach to ensure the university's long-term sustainability and success.
The SRPP consists of three phases annually:
Phase 1: Three-Year Plan Information Collection
October to Mid-February
Key Outcome: The university guides units in providing input and communicating their needs through a three-year plan workbook. This phase aims to collect information based on the university's current financial position.
Phase 2: Analysis, Discussion & Decision-Making
Mid-February to March
Key Outcome: The university analyzes and discusses units' positions and needs to facilitate resource planning decisions made by the University Budget Committee. The goal is to ensure a clear understanding of each unit's requirements.
Phase 3: Closure of Annual Resource Planning Process
April to August
Key Outcome: The University confirms unit expectations and outcomes, finalizes three-year plans and implements resource planning decisions. This phase ensures the plans align with the university's objectives and priorities.
Throughout the planning process, a comprehensive workbook is utilized to facilitate the achievement of these goals. The workbook enables units to review various factors at their level, including:
- Broad-based fees
- Capital and space needs
- Headcount, credit hours and tuition revenue
- Information technology needs
- Innovation and optimization of operations
- Institutional advancement and fundraising
- Research expenditures and proposals
- Risk contingencies
- Strategic priorities
- Workforce planning
Resource Planning Guide
A comprehensive resource planning guide supports three-year plan workbooks.