SPIF and Capital Budget Requests are assessed based on multiple criteria, including the following:

1. Significance in advancing the Strategic Plan
2. Impact to campus
3. Impact to the College’s financial position, e.g. total cost of the initiative or revenue generating potential
4. Time-line of the initiative including future personnel and financial costs
5. Assessment plan
6. Effectiveness of previous funding as determined by measurable outcome(s)

In addition, Capital Budget Requests will be evaluated based on the above criteria, as well as the following criteria:

1. Environmental health and safety
2. Compliance mandates
3. Asset protection
4. Critical maintenance
5. Cost savings or avoidance

The initial evaluation of requests against the criteria is conducted by the Strategic Resources Advisory Board (SRAB). SRAB then forwards its recommendations to the Institutional Effectiveness Council (IEC) which balances the recommendations against the availability of resources and overall institutional effectiveness. IEC’s findings are advanced to the President’s Cabinet for final decision-making.

SPIF requests should be unique in nature, strategic, and not part of everyday operational business. Projects shall advance one or more of the goals and objectives of Ramapo’s strategic plan. SPIF funds may be used for a wide variety of projects including, but not limited to: implementing a new system; curricular innovation; program development; net-revenue generating projects; marketing materials; software licenses; specialized computer terminals; support for faculty/student research; or, funding ideas that will help the college operate more effectively and efficiently. Examples of items that are generally ineligible for SPIF funding are new positions (must be requested through the Position Review Committee – PRC), money for food, events, travel, etc.

Applications for Capital Budget Requests are for projects that advance one or more of the goals and objectives of Ramapo’s Strategic Plan. Capital funds may be used for renovation, modification, repair or replacement, and new installation. Examples of this category of work include, but are not limited to: floor or carpet replacement; large scale painting projects; installation of new equipment; replacement of specialized equipment; change of use of a facility; renovation of academic spaces such as classrooms and labs; critical infrastructure; doors; exterior lights; athletic field enhancements; academic models, etc.; or, funding ideas that will help the College operate more effectively and efficiently.

Examples of items that are generally ineligible for SPIF funding are new positions (must be requested through the Position Review Committee – PRC), money for food, events, travel, etc.

Budgets depend on the magnitude of the proposed initiative. In general, SPIF and Capital funds are intended to fund major strategic initiatives of college-wide relevance rather than small projects.

As SPIF funds relate to operational items, they generally must be spent in the fiscal year they were issued and must be processed no later than June 14 in the fiscal year received. If a SPIF initiative cannot be completed within that time-frame, “unspent” funds will not roll forward.

Requesting units must assess how SPIF or capital funds advanced the Strategic Plan. Information must be reported in SPOL under “Effectiveness of SPIF and/or Capital in Advancing Strategic Goals and Outcomes”. A post-assessment will be conducted by Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP) and presented to the IEC as an independent assessment of how the SPIF award was effective in advancing the College’s strategic plan. OIEP will also provide IEC with an explanation for any approved but unused SPIF and Capital funds. The IEC will review the assessment and explanations and, if applicable, issue additional findings to accompany its report to the President’s Cabinet.

Consecutive year SPIF applications are possible and must meet the guidelines as noted.