Funding Task Force Resources

Additional revenue streams

General topics

Grants and contracts

Private giving

State appropriations

Tuition/fees

Operational efficiencies

Efficiency

With Missouri State University’s state funding over $14mm below the other state universities in Missouri and in the bottom half of the state of Missouri universities tuition and fees rates, we have no choice to be lean and efficient. A task force several years ago evaluated departments and also determined we are efficient. However, some universities are turning to outsourced services. Missouri State University already outsources dining services, food services and concessions on campus.

The following are some additional cost reduction and outsourcing resources:

(This table reflects cost reduction strategies per NACUBO that have been implemented by Missouri State University.)

Budgeting

Responsibility Center Management budgeting is a topic at all University Business Officer conferences. There are pros and cons, but below is the best overview. It illustrates the key issues that universities have expressed to others that have implemented or have evaluated the budget method.


The following is from the Educational Advisory Board.

RCM: Solution or Fad?

Seeking new budgeting methodologies, many colleges and universities are exploring Responsibility Center Management (RCM), which gives units greater control over the revenue they generate and costs they incur. While RCM can create powerful incentives for unit leaders to seek out new opportunities for revenue growth and cost control, it also has four key limitations:

  • RCM requires a significant investment of time and resources to implement
  • RCM precipitates leadership turnover
  • Top-line impacts of RCM on enrollment and revenue are unclear and difficult to measure
  • RCM reduces central resources for strategic investment

Leading Better Budget Model Conversations

In reality, no single budget model provides a complete solution to all of an institution’s financial challenges. Underlying RCM and any other budget model are a set of budget model elements that specify how to allocate revenues, how to distribute costs, and how to define and operationalize institutional priorities. Focusing on these elements and the specific activities to encourage or discourage is more productive than debating the overall merits of an off-the-shelf budget model.


Missouri State University does evaluate yearly and throughout the year how new revenues should be distributed in order to maximize the institutions priorities. This is a result of the ongoing improvement in the university budget process.

The following are some additional resources with information regarding the university's budget: