The Budget 1O1 guides are intended to give an understanding of the San Francisco State University Budgeting System. Navigate the links to our guides below to learn more about San Francisco State's Budget.
Budget Cycles
There are three, interconnected, annual cycles which combine to make the full budget process:
Also known as the Governor's Budget process, the state's budget process begins in November of the year before the fiscal year for which the budget is to be enacted.
September: In the September of the prior fiscal year, CSU Trustees adopted the Operating Budget Request for submission to the Governor.
January: The Governor’s Budget is submitted to the Legislature.
February: The Legislative Analyst’s Office review of the Governor’s Budget is published.
May: Revision to the Governor’s Budget is released.
June: The state budget is enacted.
Often called the CSU Budget process, the system's budget process begins in May before the fiscal year for which the budget is to be enacted.
May–June: The CSU System Budget Advisory Committee (SBAC) consults with CSU campus constituents in May and June of the prior year.
July–August: The CSU Board of Trustees consults on the budget with the CSU presidents and SBAC.
September: The CSU Board of Trustees adopts the Operating Budget Request.
January: The governor's office publishes the January Governor’s Budget proposal.
February: The Legislative Analyst’s Office analyzes the Governor’s Budget and publishes its findings.
March–May: CSU system-wide groups brief the CSU constituents, and CSU Chancellor’s Office distributes the May revised budget information.
June: The State Budget is passed.
Our campus's budget planning process starts in December of the year before the fiscal year in which the budget will take effect.
December–February: Strategic Planning (Campus Budget Framework)
- The president's cabinet and CFO Office review the campus expense projections, the enrollment plan, and the projected state allocation from the CSU Operating Budget Request for the next fiscal year. Based on those estimates, the campus develops scenarios and shares them with divisions as temporary, multi-scenario budget targets.
February–March: Budget Preparation (campus units develop budget plans)
- With the University Budget Committee scenario enrollment and budget targets approved, the deans and/or vice presidents of each division work with their staff to determine how to meet their temporary targets. A vice president may choose to meet temporary targets through the generation of new revenue and/or cost reductions.
April: Cabinet Budget Submission (begin meetings with the division/colleges/cabinets)
- Once divisional budgets have been finalized and submitted to each division's deans and vice presidents, they meet to discuss their plans and the challenges and opportunities their divisions face.
- When budgets are submitted to the Budget Operations and Administration department and the CFO, additional working scenarios may be required to account for any adjustments discussed at the meetings.
- Additional adjustment to the campus scenario is to be completed by the time the May Revision to the Governor's Budget is communicated to the University by the Chancellor's office.
May–June: Budget Finalization (approval and upload)
- Having gained perspective from their review of budget submissions and their meetings with division leaders, and with the final instruction received from the CO in the form of the June Budget Memo, the president, vice presidents, and CFO then make final decisions about budget allocations for each division. Finalized budget allocations are released to each dean and vice president, who then use those targets to refine budgets for each department within their division. During this last step, the president, vice presidents, and CFO also make strategic funding decisions that reflect campus priorities.
Combined California, CSU and University budget timelines
November (of the year before the Fiscal Year being planned):
- CSU Budget Request
December (of the year before the Fiscal Year being planned):
- SF State Campus Budget Framework
January:
- Governor's Budget Proposal
January–July:
- CSU negotiates with the State
February:
- SF State Campus units develop Budget plans
March:
- Governor's Legislature Agreement
April:
- SF State begins budget meetings with Cabinets
May:
- Governor's Budget Revision
May–June:
- SF State Budget approved and finalized
- SF State Budget department uploads Base Budget
Late June:
- Governor signs final State Budget
Mid-July:
- CSU provides campus allocations
August:
- SF State uploads FIRMS Budget Submission to Chancellor's Office