Expanded budget reviews begin program prioritization process

Academic and programs that support the academic mission of UCCS began the first phase of a program prioritization process this week as part of budget reviews.

On Nov. 13, vice chancellors, deans and department directors presented details of their budgets, enrollment, sponsored research efforts, number of faculty and staff, as well as program highlights and concerns to members of the campus leadership team and budget office staff.

Biannual budget reviews are regularly scheduled events where deans and department directors review financials with an eye toward preventing year-end shortfalls or other financial problems. Wednesday’s reviews were expanded to include subjects including enrollment, staffing and both unit highlights and challenges. The data are being collected in preparation for an April 2014 presentation to the CU Board of Regents. That presentation will focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of UCCS efforts by placing programs in quartiles.

The program prioritization processes was shared with the University Budget Advisory Committee on Thursday and drafts of the regents reports will be shared with UBAC and campus governance groups in January and February 2014.

Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak told presenters this week that the goal of the prioritization process is to look at opportunities and challenges and to plan future investments. She does not anticipate any programs to be eliminated as a result of the process.

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