University Times

The University Senate budget policies committee (BPC) is launching plans to review Pitt’s planning and budgeting system (PBS) document, which was last revised in 2003.

In effect since 1992, the University’s PBS was intended to provide broader participation by faculty, staff and students in operational and long-range planning through participation on planning and budgeting committees.

Under the system, BPC is responsible for reviewing whether the PBS processes are followed and whether all constituencies involved are provided adequate opportunities to participate in the process and to be informed of its outcomes.

At BPC’s Dec. 4 meeting, chair Beverly Gaddy asked members to review the document (posted at www.academic.pitt.edu/pb/) in preparation for discussion at the committee’s January meeting.

A review is long overdue. The PBS document calls for periodic reviews “approximately every five years by surveying faculty, staff, students and administrators to determine, for example, whether and how the PBS document should be amended, and whether and how the PBS process can be improved.” The Senate and the Council of Deans must approve modifications.

An initial review of the PBS document took place in 1996; the most recent evaluation was launched in 2001 with the appointment of an ad hoc Senate committee. The Senate approved its proposed amendments in 2003. (See March 20, 2003, University Times.)

In its 2012 reaccreditation of the University, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education recommended a review of the planning and budgeting system “to confirm the effectiveness of its processes and to identify areas that may need modification.” (See Sept. 13, 2012, University Times.)

BPC took note of the recommendation, but delayed action due to the impending retirement of Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg and a desire to permit the incoming chancellor time to gain perspective with regard to the system.

In other business:

• Wes Rohrer asked how BPC might respond to the Senate leadership’s call for all committees to consider their contribution to plans for improving Pitt’s campus culture of diversity. (See related story, this issue.)

Gaddy suggested that a review of salary issues would apply, raising gender equity as one area for discussion.

Executive Vice Provost David DeJong, chancellor’s liaison to BPC, noted that the administration produces a report on gender equity in salaries every five years, with the next due when FY16 data are available.

At Gaddy’s request, he agreed to provide new BPC members with the most recent (FY11) report.

The administration’s salary reports have not been categorized by race or ethnicity, DeJong said, adding that it could be discussed.

• Gaddy said she plans to raise a discussion in January on forming a BPC subcommittee to propose a new regional faculty salary benchmarking peer group. (See Oct. 1 University Times.) Critics view the current peer group of more than 200 schools as too broad.

• In a closed session, DeJong led a presentation on state funding.

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BPC’s next meeting is set for 2 p.m. Jan. 22 in 1817 CL.

—Kimberly K. Barlow