Problem Statement:
Participation in the collegeís annual budget development process should include input and advice from a representative group knowledgeable about the budget and budget process.

Sponsor:
The Budget Leaders group (the president, the vice presidents and the assistant to the president) will sponsor the Budget Advisory Group (BAG). The Vice President for College Operations will serve as liaison between BAG and the Budget Leaders.

Members:
3 faculty representatives (selected by Faculty Council)
3 classified representatives (selected by Classified Council)
2 students (selected by ASLCC)
2 representatives for Instruction managers
1 representative for Student Services managers
1 representative for College Operations managers
1 representative for Executive Services managers
Budget Analyst (ex-officio)
Vice President for College Operations (ex-officio)

Purpose:
BAG will advise the Budget Leaders, Vice President for College Operations, and the Budget Analyst about matters regarding the development of the annual college budget, including the development process and the substance of the budget.  This group will also facilitate communications with the rest of the college community regarding budget development.

Outcomes:
To provide specific recommendations to the Budget Leaders, the Vice President for College Operations and the Budget Analyst regarding the following matters:
1. Communication with employees, students and the community about the budget and the collegeís financial situation;
2. The Budget Principles and Criteria;
3. The specific process for development of annual budget;
4. Potential sources of new revenue;
5. Recommendations about tuition rates and fees charged to students;
6. The collegeís overall financial strategies; and
7. The overall regulation of expenditures.

Scope:
1. Final budget recommendations to the Budget Committee are the purview of the President and the Budget Leaders Group.
2. Budget recommendations are subject to approval by the Board and the Budget Committee.
3. The group may not address budget issues that directly impact employee compensation established in collective bargaining agreements.

Principles:
1. The facilitator will be chosen by the group members.
2. As much as possible, recommendations will be made by consensus.  When consensus is not possible, a recommendation should be accompanied by a full report stating all positions.
3. Group members will be responsible for communicating with those they represent.
4. Group members should use all available and reasonable means for communications with constituents about issues.

Budget/clerical support:
The Office of College Operations will provide clerical support and budget as necessary.

Monitoring:
Monitoring will take place through periodic meetings with the Budget Leaders Group.

Authority:
(see decision matrix)