Fiscal Accountability Framework

Status of Other Issues

Background

The Fiscal Accountability Framework project resulted in the identification of issues which were determined to be beyond the scope of the project and, thus, work groups did not develop formal recommendations.  For current status of these issues, see below.  For background project information related to the issues identified, view the Status of Key Issues link from http://www.ous.edu/cont-div/faf/background/ .

Current Status

(Refer to the Final Project Report to see a more detailed description of the recommendation.) 

07/13/04 - The online IMDs have been updated to reflect the Board-approved updates relating to the self-support accountability framework project.  To view these and all IMD's, see: http://www.ous.edu/board/imdtoc.htm.

07/18/03 - The Board approved updates to the IMDs relating to the self-support accountability framework project. Additional work on the related fiscal policies coming out of the project is on-going. To view the updates made to the IMDs, see the Board Docket, page 23, item 7b, for link: http://www.ous.edu/board/dockets/ddoc030718.pdf .

12/12/02 - The Auxiliary Work Group has been reconvened to address a new policy framework for self support and auxiliary management. The Work Group met today with the Controller to discuss the scope of the project and project plan. Further meetings will be held as necessary. A draft policy framework will be routed through the Directors of Business Affairs, Budget Officers, Administrative Council, and ultimately the Board for approval.

The current work group membership is as follows (Listserv: cd-faf-auxiliary@ous.edu):

10/31/02 - The Directors of Business Affairs and Budget Officers confirmed the ranking of the issues assigned to the Directors of Business Affairs as summarized below. The Directors of Business Affairs will talk about how to proceed with these items at a future meeting.

HIGH
Priority 1:

• Distribution of financial reconciliation (Financial Reporting Work Group)
• Endowment investment valuation at fair value under GASB 31 (Financial Reporting Work Group)

Priority 2:

• Consolidated building fee debt pool (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group)
• New and  incremental GASB reporting requirements (Financial Reporting Work Group)
• Chart of accounts (Research and Sponsored Programs Work Group)
• Payroll encumbrances (Research and Sponsored Programs Work Group)
• Cash management (Research and Sponsored Programs Work Group)

Priority 3:

• Public/private relationships (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group)
• Oregon baccalaureate bonds (Debt Financing & Management Work Group)
• Chancellor's Office sub-awards (Research and Sponsored Programs Work Group)
• Delegation of legal authority and regulatory relief (Research and Sponsored Programs Work Group)
• Communication and training (Taxation Work Group)

NEW POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR SELF SUPPORT AND AUXILIARY MANAGEMENT
The majority of the following seven issues were also categorized as "high" priority by the Directors of Business Affairs and the Budget Officers. It is anticipated that these will be addressed by an Auxiliary work group in developing a new policy framework to guide auxiliary management. 

• GASB 34/35 implementation (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group) 
• Student Centers (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group) 
• Building and equipment repair reserves (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group) 
• Financial statement presentation of institutional debt (Debt Financing & Management Work Group) 
• Financial statement presentation of bond and COP debt (Financial Reporting Work Group)
• Fees (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group)
• Athletics/other auxiliaries (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group)

MEDIUM

• Consistency between reports (Financial Reporting Work Group)
• Migration and modification management (Payroll Work Group)
• Consistency and accuracy of data (Payroll Work Group)
• Inconsistency (Procurement Work Group)
• Improved coordination (Procurement Work Group)

LOW

• Communication (Auditing Work Group)
• Institutional debt service estimates (Debt Financing and Management Work Group)
• Responsibility/authority disconnect (Debt Financing and Management Work Group)
• Reprioritization of projects by DAS (Facilities Management Work Group)
• Accountability (Procurement Work Group)

ELIMINATED FROM THE LIST OF ISSUES

• Information technology (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group) - This issue was removed from further consideration because it will be handled by IT Directors as part of their work on the IT Master Plan.
• Residence hall emergency bond fund (Auxiliary Enterprises Work Group) -- This reserve fund has sunset provision and will not be reevaluated until 2006; thus it will not be considered at this time.
• Student building fee process (Facilities Management Work Group) - This is similar to the Auxiliary work group issue "consolidated building fee debt pool" and will be merged with that issue.
• Securities lending transactions under GASB 28 (Financial Reporting Work Group) - This issue was removed from further consideration given that this activity is not something OUS manages.
  

9/25/02 - The Directors of Business Affairs and Budget Officers reviewed the outstanding issues that were referred to the Directors of Business Affairs. After discussion, the issues were ranked as high, medium, or low priority. Controller's Division will send out an e-mail listing the "high" priority items to further refine the ranking of these issues. 

7/2/02 - Mike Green communicated to the Chair of the Administrative Council, the Co-Chair of the Student Affairs Council, and the Chair of the Budget Officers the issues identified as belonging their respective committees.

5/14/02 - Mike Green communicated outstanding issues identified as belonging to Directors of Business Affairs, and suggested that they would be discussed and prioritized at the September Business Managers meeting.

Spring 2002 - Bob Simonton presented the new student building fee process to the Administrative Council, and received approval to proceed.  The new policy was also given to David McDonald for the Student Affairs Admin. group to review.  

DRAFT Internal Management Directive, Student Building Fee
2003-05 Student Building Fee schedule 

1/24/02 - The Controller reported to the FAF Steering Committee that these issues will be forwarded to the appropriate standing committee, as summarized below.  The committee will then prioritize the work through the process for change developed as a part of the project.

• view  Section 8 of the final report for details on the process for change
• view Steering Committee minutes