The Budget Council ensures shared services Unit budgets reflect the priorities of the University Academic Plan and facilitates an annual review process for base budget requests.
When SHARP was implemented in 2017-18, the fixed, base budgets of the shared services Units under the previous, incremental budget model were rolled into the new activity-based budget model, i.e., the existing base budgets from 2016-17 were retained.
The Budget Council enables an annual process whereby the shared services Units can submit requests for base budget increases to meet expected service levels. A maximum increase to total shared services costs across the University is established each year based on enrolment trends and other factors impacting service needs and revenues. The requests from Units are reviewed by the Budget Council, who advise the President on prioritization of requests to inform final funding decisions.
Mandate
The mandate of the Budget Council is to provide recommendations and advice to the President and Vice-Chancellor on the base budgets of shared services units.
Membership
The Budget Council shall be comprised of the following:
- President (Chair)
- Provost & Vice-President Academic
- Vice-President Finance and Administration
- Vice-President Research & Innovation
- Vice-President Equity, People and Culture
- Vice-President Advancement
- The Deans/Principal of Resource Faculties and AVP Continuing Studies (in the first instance, subject to future review of process efficiency and governance needs)
The following will act as resources to the Committee:
- AVP Budgets and Asset Management
- Director of Budgets
- Others as requested from time to time by the Committee Chair
Responsibilities
The Budget Council’s responsibility is to provide recommendations and advice to the President and Vice-Chancellor on the base budgets of shared services units including annual requests for increases that may come forward as a result of growth, or to support institutional priorities as defined in the University Academic Plan and/or emerging priorities identified in the annual community budget consultations.