Strategic Resources Advisory Board (SRAB)

Role and Function

The Objective of the Committee is to:聽 Ensure alignment of institutional and academic priorities with resource allocations

Committee Role:

  1. Review Strategic Priority Incentive Fund (SPIF) and Capital requests and make recommendations based on alignment with the College鈥檚 strategic goals and outcomes, institutional priorities, and indicators.
  2. Review metrics, measures, and outcomes in making recommendations for strategic funding.
  3. Share recommendations with Cabinet for action.

Members

  • Susan Hangen
  • Sara Carberry
  • Joe Connell
  • Angela Cristini
  • Michael Cunningham
  • Rob Doster
  • Aaron Lorenz
  • Colleen O’Keefe
  • Dan Roche
  • Michael Unger
  • Melissa Van Der Wall
  • Beth Walkley
  • Susan Gaulden

Strategic Priorities Incentive Funds (SPIF)

Strategic initiatives that further the College’s mission, goals, and objectives are outlined in the current strategic plan.

FAQs

How can I Request SPIF Funds?

SPIF funds are requested during the institutional budget process as specified in the annual Budget Memo. Requests for funds should be included in the annual unit plan using Strategic Planning Online (SPOL).

How is the request evaluated?

SPIF and Capital Budget Requests are assessed based on multiple criteria, including the following:

  1. Significance in advancing the Strategic Plan
  2. Impact to campus
  3. Impact to the College鈥檚 financial position, e.g. total cost of the initiative or revenue generating potential
  4. Time-line of the initiative including future personnel and financial costs
  5. Assessment plan
  6. Effectiveness of previous funding as determined by measurable outcome(s)

In addition, Capital Budget Requests will be evaluated based on the above criteria, as well as the following criteria:

  1. Environmental health and safety
  2. Compliance mandates
  3. Asset protection
  4. Critical maintenance
  5. Cost savings or avoidance

The initial evaluation of requests against the criteria is conducted by the Strategic Resources Advisory Board (SRAB). SRAB then forwards its recommendations to the Institutional Effectiveness Council (IEC) which balances the recommendations against the availability of resources and overall institutional effectiveness. IEC鈥檚 findings are advanced to the President鈥檚 Cabinet for final decision-making.

How often can the funds be requested?

Multiple applications for SPIF and/or Capital funds in one or more years are possible.

What types of projects are eligible for SPIF funds?
SPIF requests should be unique in nature, strategic, and not part of everyday operational business. Projects shall advance one or more of the goals and objectives of Ramapo鈥檚 strategic plan. SPIF funds may be used for a wide variety of projects including, but not limited to: implementing a new system; curricular innovation; program development; net-revenue generating projects; marketing materials; software licenses; specialized computer terminals; support for faculty/student research; or, funding ideas that will help the college operate more effectively and efficiently. Examples of items that are generally ineligible for SPIF funding are new positions (must be requested through the Position Review Committee 鈥� PRC), money for food, events, travel, etc.
Applications for Capital Budget Requests are for projects that advance one or more of the goals and objectives of Ramapo鈥檚 Strategic Plan. Capital funds may be used for renovation, modification, repair or replacement, and new installation. Examples of this category of work include, but are not limited to: floor or carpet replacement; large scale painting projects; installation of new equipment; replacement of specialized equipment; change of use of a facility; renovation of academic spaces such as classrooms and labs; critical infrastructure; doors; exterior lights; athletic field enhancements; academic models, etc.; or, funding ideas that will help the College operate more effectively and efficiently.
Can I request a new staff member through the SPIF process?

Examples of items that are generally ineligible for SPIF funding are new positions (must be requested through the Position Review Committee 鈥� PRC), money for food, events, travel, etc.

How much money can be requested?

Budgets depend on the magnitude of the proposed initiative. In general, SPIF and Capital funds are intended to fund major strategic initiatives of college-wide relevance rather than small projects.

When will funds be available?

Funds will be available at the start of the new fiscal year, July 1.

How can I get the SPIF funds into my account?

When SPIF decisions have been approved, you will be notified by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning shortly after the start of the fiscal year. Detailed information about the allocation process will be provided.

My project spans multiple fiscal years, will SPIF funds roll over?
As SPIF funds relate to operational items, they generally must be spent in the fiscal year they were issued and must be processed no later than June 14 in the fiscal year received. If a SPIF initiative cannot be聽completed within that time-frame, 鈥渦nspent鈥� funds will not roll forward.
In exceptional cases SPIF can be used to fund multi-year projects. A request for a multi-year project must be broken down into annual phases with milestones of accomplishments and annual assessments. The continuation of funding beyond one year is dependent on positive evaluations and the availability of a budget, and must be requested each fiscal year.
When must the SPIF funds be used?

SPIF requests must be processed no later than June 14 in the fiscal year received.

Do I have to report how the SPIF funds were used?

Requesting units must assess how SPIF or capital funds advanced the Strategic Plan. Information must be reported in SPOL under 鈥淓ffectiveness of SPIF and/or Capital in Advancing Strategic Goals and Outcomes鈥�. A post-assessment will be conducted by Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP) and presented to the IEC as an independent assessment of how the SPIF award was effective in advancing the College鈥檚 strategic plan. OIEP will also provide IEC with an explanation for any approved but unused SPIF and Capital funds. The IEC will review the assessment and explanations and, if applicable, issue additional findings to accompany its report to the President鈥檚 Cabinet.

I received SPIF funding last fiscal year, can I apply for another SPIF allocation?

Consecutive year SPIF applications are possible and must meet the guidelines as noted.

I submitted a SPIF request last year but it was not funded. Should I submit again?

The re-submission of a request that was denied in an earlier year is possible.

I have other questions, who can I contact?

Contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

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