Colorado State University to Host ‘CSU Budget Insider’ for Campus and Community on Feb. 28

Colorado State University will hold a public "CSU Budget Insider" educational session for the campus and larger community from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Cherokee Park Ballroom on Monday, Feb. 28. The interactive session is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of CSU’s budget process, a look at the state’s budget and how it impacts higher education and an updated look at the university’s planned budget for FY2012.

Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda and Associate Vice President for Finance Lynn Johnson will present information designed to help attendees understand CSU’s complex finances and budget process. CSU Budget Insider is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions.

CSU Budget Insider replaces the former Budget 101 sessions held at CSU for the past two years and will provide more in-depth information about the university’s budget process.

“Due largely to the openness and transparency of President Frank and his administration, our campus community is much more aware of the overall budget situation at CSU,” Miranda said. “Building on this knowledge, we decided to redesign this session to spend less time giving an overview and more time discussing the nuts and bolts of this year’s plan and what to expect for FY 2012.

“CSU Budget Insider will be a good learning opportunity for students, employees and anyone interested in the budget and finances of Colorado State University.”

The session also will be videotaped and posted on the Provost’s Web site in early March.

Financial Accountability Report

Earlier this month, CSU released its annual Financial Accountability Report. Issued every year once the annual financial audit has concluded, the report provides a factual, objective snapshot of the university’s financial position. It tracks each dollar received and expended by CSU in a format that is easy to understand. The report also reviews a five-year history of university revenues and expenditures.

The report includes facts about the university’s overall operating results including tuition and fees, academic funding, athletics funding and the real costs to students of attending Colorado State. This year’s report additionally highlights CSU’s efficiency efforts in difficult budget times, the university’s increased emphasis on fundraising and other alternative funding sources, and Colorado State’s economic impact on the state. The report is available online at http://www.pres.colostate.edu/pdf/far/index.html.

Planning and Budget Hearings

Colorado State University will host the final open planning and budget hearing for the campus community on Wednesday, March 9, from 8-10 a.m. in the North Ballroom of the Lory Student Center. President Tony Frank and Provost Miranda will discuss the proposed FY 2011-12 budget. The hearing will be the culmination of months of campus input and public meetings about the budget process and proposed budget. Administrators will discuss budget philosophy and the revenue picture in Colorado, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

-30-