University Budget

OUR FOUNDATION

Stony Brook University's budget planning processes are rooted in seven guiding principles, outlined below. Through partnership with all University stakeholders, we collaboratively coordinate our all-funds budget model and engage in fiscal planning that will allow our SBU campuses to continue to excel as one of New York State's premier educational and research institutions.

1. Strategic, transparent, consistent and fair processes.
2. Facilitate two-way discussions between entities, a joint understanding of markets, and annual discussions about institutional priorities.
3. Translate strategic goals into management and operating plans.
4. Results in policies and procedures that focus on alignment, entrepreneurship, and efficient use of resources.
5. Optimize incentives with the potential to create win-win opportunities across an entire institution
6. Identify the true nature of internal subsidies (transfer payments)
7. Avoid 'incremental' budgeting, which fails to evaluate base budget allocations or adequately reflect changes in key drivers

OUR PLAN

By utilizing an all-funds budgeting model, Stony Brook University will build a comprehensive framework structured to facilitate strategic resource allocation decisions for all SBU affiliated entities. The five pillar framework focuses on operations, incorporating all expendable operating sources and uses into the University budget, and initially will not encompass capital budgeting.

With the inclusion of all major revenue sources, the expanded budget view enhances understanding of how and whether financial resources are allocated in support of institutional priorities. After that, next steps should include integrating the operating budget with long-term capital plans.

ONE

Support integrated planning focused on alignment with strategic objectives and avoid promoting decisions based on parochial perspectives.

TWO

Provide transparency into the source and use of funds, including compliance with requirements surrounding the use of restricted funds.

THREE

Include all sources of funding, including tuition, state appropriations, restricted and unrestricted income, direct and indirect funding, earned revenue, expendable gifts and endowment spending allotment.

FOUR

Optimize funding available for general purpose use through strategic utilization of designated/restricted funding sources.

FIVE

Be developed based on a consistent methodology and analysis of trusted and measurable data across all areas of the University.

OUR GOALS

THE GOALS

This multi-year, integrated planning process will take University priorities such as research, teaching, student success and diversity, equity and inclusion to achieve three goals.

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ONE
Stabilize the budget

TWO
Fund strategic priorities

THREE
Create consistent processes and policies

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This will ultimately build a stronger SBU with measurable outcomes.

image of someone holding a sheet of paper with a pie chart and copy on it sitting next to someone who is also holding a packet of paper with a chart on it

Budget Development

🔒Internal webpage for SBU employees with information and tools to assist with budget development.

photo of a hand-written spreadsheet on a sheet of paper in a notebook

Budget Maintenance

🔒Internal webpage for SBU employees with reports and guidance for annual budget maintenance.

Policies and Forms

🔒Internal webpage for SBU employees containing an alphabetized list of policies and forms used by BFP&A.

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Resource Library and Training

🔒Internal webpage for SBU employees containing an alphabetized list of resources and training documents.