Section 2:
Core Requirements
2.1 2.2 2.3
2.4 2.5 2.6
2.7.1 2.7.2 2.7.3
2.7.4 2.8 2.9
2.10 2.11 2.12
Section 3:
Comprehensive Standards
3.1.1 3.2.1  
3.2.2.1 3.2.2.2 3.2.2.3
3.2.2.4 3.2.3 3.2.4
3.2.5 3.2.6 3.2.7
3.2.8 3.2.9 3.2.10
3.2.11 3.2.12 3.2.13
3.2.14 3.3.1 3.4.1
3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4
3.4.5 3.4.6 3.4.7
3.4.8 3.4.9 3.4.10
3.4.11 3.4.12 3.4.13
3.4.14 3.5.1 3.5.2
3.6.1 3.6.2 3.6.3
3.7.1 3.7.2 3.7.3
3.7.4 3.7.5 3.8.1
3.8.2 3.8.3 3.9.1
3.9.2 3.9.3 3.10.1
3.10.2 3.10.3 3.10.4
3.10.5 3.10.6 3.10.7
Section 4:
Federal Requirements
4.1 4.2 4.3
4.4 4.5 4.6
4.7 4.8

 

 

 
McNeese State University
Compliance Plan for Reaffirmation
 
 

Section 3.2.2.2: Governance and Administration

Judgment of Compliance

checked.png Compliance
unchecked.png Partial Compliance
unchecked.png Non-compliance

Requirement

fiscal stability of the institution;

Narrative

McNeese State University is in compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.2.2.2.

The legal authority and operating control of the institution with respect to fiscal stability of the institution is clearly defined.

Legislative Authority and Operating Control

The Louisiana Constitution of 1974 designates the state legislature as the appropriating authority for funds to operate and administer state boards and institutions of higher education. Governing boards are the recipients of appropriations for institutions and are responsible for administering appropriated funds for use "solely as provided by law" (Article VIII, Sections 11 and 12). [link]

Agency Authority and Operating Control

The Louisiana Board of Regents possesses "budgetary responsibility for all public postsecondary education" in the state. This constitutional mandate stipulates that the Board of Regents formulate and periodically revise a master plan for postsecondary education that "as a minimum [ . . .] shall include a formula for equitable distribution of funds to the institutions of postsecondary education" (Louisiana Constitution of 1974, Article 8, 5. Board of Regents, D, 4).

In order to comply with the constitutional mandate, the Board of Regents requires that all institutions under its aegis submit annual budget proposals for operational and capital needs. The Board of Regents must then submit budget recommendations for all state postsecondary institutions, recommending priorities for “capital construction and improvements” to the Legislature (Article 8, 5. Board of Regents, D, 5).

The managing governing board of the University - the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors – is also prescribed by Board Rules to ensure the fiscal stability of all member institutions. The list below reflects the process required by legislative and Board of Supervisors regulations:

    • Universities must submit a financial report by September 1 of each year, consistent with reporting standards of the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Governmental Accounting Standards Board. This report is submitted by September 1 of each year so that the Board has an overview of the financial position of the previous fiscal year, which ends on June 30.

    • The Board of Regents also requires that institutions submit budget requests to the Board of Regents office prior to submitting them to state regulatory agencies and the Legislature.

    • Once legislative appropriations have been made, approved by the Governor, and revised based on legislative action, revised budgets are routed to the Board for final approval.

    • After Board approval, any subsequent budget amendments must be approved by Board staff before they can be submitted to any other state agency.

    • System institutions may obtain the services of independent certified public accounting firms "to audit federal programs with approval of the Legislative Auditor and review and approval of the Board staff."

    • The following financial and related reports must be submitted to the Board each year:

      a. Operating budgets – July;

      b. Legislative budget requests – November;

      c. Annual financial reports – September;

      d. Student enrollment reports - June, September, February;

      e. Resident and nonresident mandatory attendance fee schedules – August;

      f. Unclassified position-description, justification, and certification forms, recommended promotions in rank – August;

      g. Requests for faculty tenure and promotion - August.

    UNIVERSITY AUTHORITY AND OPERATING CONTROL

    McNeese State University has implemented the following in-house policies and procedures to ensure protection of the institution's fiscal stability in support of the University's mission and institutional goals.

    Budget Development and Oversight

    The University encourages broad participation in budget planning and preparation through a process overseen by the President's Executive Staff. Unit heads are involved in the initial phase of department budget planning and preparation, and budgets are developed by the President's Executive Staff in consultation with administrators in each area. The budget planning process at all levels of administration is guided by the institutional and unit missions and goals. (Faculty/Staff Handbook, Section 504)

    Three individuals function as primary monitors of the fiscal condition of the institution:

      • President of the University. As Chief Executive Officer, the President is responsible for management of the University's fiscal resources as mandated by ULS Board of Supervisors Bylaws.

      • Vice President of Business Affairs. As Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President of Business Affairs oversees and enforces appropriate systems and controls to guarantee the institution's fiscal stability and to comply with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practices.

      • Internal Auditor. The Internal Auditor has the authority to conduct audits, report illegal and improper acts, and diagnose and prescribe remedies to processes and procedures to protect the institution's resources and assets.

    To ensure that the budget planning process is appropriately focused on and guided by the institutional mission and core values, three internal oversight groups function as primary overseers of the allocation of fiscal resources:

      • President's Executive Staff. By virtue of their signature authority over all financial matters involving programs, departments, and personnel within their respective divisions, the Executive Staff maintains primary oversight of all fiscal resources of the University.

      • The University Budgetary Council. Under the leadership of the President, the University Budgetary Council assures that academic personnel are involved in the process of budget planning and preparation. The University Budgetary Council is comprised of the Executive Staff, deans from each academic division, the Dean of Enrollment Management, Director of Library Services, and a representative from the Faculty Senate.

      • The System Fund Budget Committee. Under the leadership of the Vice President of Administration and Student Affairs, [link job description; highlight fiscal responsibilities] the System Fund Budget Committee oversees fiscal issues related to auxiliary enterprises of the University, including prioritization of fund allocation/reallocation and long-range planning. The Committee consists of directors from the offices of bookstore, budget, facilities and plant operations, recreation complex, and Dean of Student Services (Faculty/Staff Handbook, Section 504/637).

      Administrative Accounting Policies and Procedures

      The list below demonstrates the University’s commitment to fiscal responsibility in establishing appropriate lines of authority for expenditures, accounts receivable, and auditing: