According to Michael Scullard, vice president for administration, Binghamton's budget for 1998-99 includes a modest inflationary increase over last year's base budget and funds to cover contractual salary increases. Enrollment is where the bulk of the money comes from. One reason we are getting more money is because our enrollments have been growing. The enrollment portion of the formula considers the number of full-time equivalent students in 12 categories, based on the cost of courses they are enrolled in.
Courses fall into low, medium and high cost categories.
The formula also considers both past enrollments and enrollment projections. But we also have to be productive to keep benefiting. The formula also includes adjustments that do not apply to Binghamton, such as geographic differentials or those for unique missions. Binghamton had strong representation on the RAM Committee, with Scullard as a member and Swain as co-chair. It worked well and I consider it a best-practice example of when the people who are to be impacted are part of the decision process.