The annual operating budget is an organizational plan stated in monetary terms. Saint Paul College prepares budgets, plans expenses and allocates funds consistent with Board policies and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system procedures.
The Saint Paul College Finance Department seeks to provide excellent customer service in support of the College’s mission through a budget process that links strategic and financial planning to insure the long-term financial health of the College.
FY21 Budget
Planning and Budget Principles
The College will make planning, budgeting, and decisions based on a commitment to the College’s budget planning principles:
- Principle 1: The annual budget is informed by the annual priorities established by the College.
For the budget process to be strategic, decisions related to resource allocation must be grounded in the annual planning process and support the identified college priorities.
- Principle 2: Budget development utilizes and prioritizes decision made from a data-informed process.
The budget must be balanced. The planning of the annual budget must be done in a way that anticipated expenditures do not exceed anticipated revenue. Annual evaluation of spending patterns including a critical review of past spending decisions and the impact on strategic priorities is considered.
- Principle 3: All final budget decisions are based on a fair and equitable evaluation of both cost and strategic prioritization.
Once budgets are approved, departments are expected to operate within the annual budget, unless unforeseen circumstances arise (e.g., state appropriations reductions, enrollment changes, unfunded mandates etc.) occur during the year. If costs arise that were unplanned and/or unexpected, departments are expected to evaluate how the costs could be absorbed with current, available resources prior to requesting additional funds.
- Principle 4: Maintain transparent, timely, factual, and honest communication throughout the college community.
The College will provide timely information and updates about the budget and planning process including Shared Governance Committees, college-wide town hall discussions and department/division feedback.
- Principle 5: Focus on long-term strategic outcomes.
Budget and planning requires a multi-year perspective on attaining strategic objectives, priorities and goals.
- Principle 6: Minimize the impact cost to students whenever possible.
The budget is planned to limit the additional costs to students that may occur as a result of new initiatives and services/programs. Use of one-time funds to off-set these expenses are made whenever possible.
Budget Resources
Please see the following budget resources for more information:
If you have questions or comments about the Saint Paul College Budget process, please send an email to
Scott Wilson.