Principles

The following principles serve as guidelines for making decisions in the budget development process.

Budget decisions will reflect the collegeís mission, core values, goals and specific priorities.  Therefore:

• The college will remain comprehensive in its offerings.
• The enhancement of student enrollment, retention and success is a critical factor in the allocation of college resources.
• The college will maintain high quality offerings and services and regularly assess their effectiveness.
• As the college moves into a period of increased state funding and accountability, it is essential to address Oregonís educational priorities.
• The college is committed to providing all staff with the resources, skills, and training they need to improve student learning, services to students and customers, and processes within the college.

• The college will maintain a balance between ongoing programs and capacity-building initiatives.
• The college will maintain the value and usefulness of the physical plant.
• The college will make investments in technology  that support the enhancement of teaching, learning, and work processes that increase effectiveness and efficiency for both staff and students, and that provide appropriate access for staff and students.
• The college will maintain educational quality while emphasizing FTE generation, student access and cost effectiveness of programs and services.
• The college encourages budget units to share resources (fiscal, human and physical) to maximize cost effectiveness.  Likewise, the college encourages collaboration between budget units on new programs, services and projects. 
• With a reduction in resources, there may be significant changes in the way services are provided including possible reductions in services.

• Expand the diversity of its student and employee populations.
• Continue to fund new programs and services as the need arises even in times of stable or shrinking resources.  Unless substantial new long-term resources become available, budget additions will occur through modifying or reducing other budget areas.
• Maintain resources to respond quickly to unanticipated needs and opportunities.
• Support an increase in the proportion of full-time positions consistent with the goals of the strategic plan.

 

The following items are used as criteria to discriminate between offerings/services in determining budget reductions or enhancements.  Criteria are not listed in priority order.

* FTE-Producing Areas:

1. has high enrollment/high demand
2. leads to living wage jobs
3. teaches basic work and life skills
4. teaches technical skills which are desired by employers and lead to or enhance employment
5. is clearly articulated with similar and related programs 
6. actively seeks and maintains partnerships with business,  industry, agencies, organizations, other educational institutions, and other departments within the college
7. contributes to increasing the diversity of the student population
8. cost/FTE appropriate for program and/or classes offered
9. provides general education and preparation for further education
10. enhances learning opportunities for students beyond traditional place and time boundaries
11. increases the proportion of full-time positions
12. meets federal, state, regional, or legal requirements
13. has ability to generate revenue above the direct and indirect costs of the offering/service

1. improves student success and retention
2. directly supports instructional activities
3. provides necessary support to other college departments and/or staff
4. has high demand/serves a large number of district residents
5. maintains the public investment in the collegeís physical infrastructure (i.e., plant and equipment)
6. meets federal, state, regional, or legal requirements
7. actively seeks and maintains partnerships with business, industry, agencies, organizations, other educational institutions, and other college departments
8. contributes to increasing the diversity of the student population
9. one-time investment results in projected recurring savings to the college 
10. supports learning opportunities for students beyond traditional place and time boundaries
11. increases the proportion of full-time positions
12. has ability to generate revenue above the direct and indirect costs of the offering/service