The budget process begins with a review of funding sources available to Educational and General operations. The primary sources are increases in state appropriations and academic fees. Other sources may include increases in facilities and administrative cost recoveries; expenditure reductions resulting from the elimination of one-time allocations and cost containment efforts; and miscellaneous sources.
Once available fund sources are identified, increases in fixed cost items such as utilities, insurance, fringe benefits, and other similar commitments are identified. When these non-discretionary items are subtracted, the remainder is available for allocation. At this point, the debate then focuses on allocations for items such as: