On the faculty and staff conference day in November 2006, attendees were encouraged to participate in the second year of operational and strategic planning for the budget (optional) at Riverland Community College, particularly where requests and initiatives are a priority.

Ron Langrell and Beth Fondell will conduct several review forums (optional) describing the Planning and Budgeting Process for 2007, including:

• January 30 at 9:30 a.m. (Owatonna, Conference Room),
• January 31 at 12:00 Noon (Albert Lea, Lounge),
• February 6 at 11:30 a.m. (Austin West, Lounge), and
• February 7 at 2:30 p.m. (Austin East, Academic Affairs Conference Room). 

These review forums are optional.  You may also ask your dean or supervisor for assistance in completing these forms.

Operational (annual) Plans:  A Planning, Budgeting, and Savings Initiative Form (see attachment) is submitted by faculty and staff to their supervisor by February 19, 2007.  If a request is substantial, involves personnel, or requires a major purchase, then it may be forwarded to the appropriate Vice President, by February 26, 2006, and further reviewed by the Administrative Council.  This form is also required for TRT and Budget Reserve Committee requests.

Strategic (three to five year) Plans:  You will also find attached the 2007 - 2011 Strategic Plan Form.  This form is typically submitted with budget requests (optional). 

A summary of completed forms will be posted to the improvement web page unless otherwise requested, to include:

• Completed 2007 Planning, Budgeting, and Savings Initiatives,
• Completed or updated 2007-2011 Strategic Plans.

Note: Planning, Budgeting, and Savings Initiative forms and Strategic Planning forms may be submitted at any time. However, only timely submissions will be prioritized for new and current (reallocated) funding consideration. All items will be considered when supervisors expend existing budgets for the remainder of 2006-2007.  For a summary of submissions in 2006, look on the RCC Improvement Website.

Priority to Planning, Budgeting, and Savings Initiatives will be given to those proposals tied to one or more of the following:  measures of institution mission, vision, values; AQIP action projects and strategic initiatives, systems portfolio recommendations, systems feedback appraisal opportunities for improvement, or quality check-up report issues; student learning improvement intentions or other classroom or program assessment(s) of student learning; program certification; program review; and program self-study or accreditation.  Only requests tied directly to these institution efforts will be considered.  Again, submissions are welcome from both faculty and staff, full-time and part-time, at any time throughout the year.

Good luck.  We look forward to reviewing your proposals and requests.