Financial Resources

All financial resources managed by the University, other than those of the Binghamton University Foundation and the Research Foundation, are subject to NYS fiscal and operating rules and regulations.

State Budget

Consists of state taxpayer support and campus generated revenue from tuition, university fee, and interest for the ongoing operations of the university.

State funds are distributed to campuses by SUNY System Administration and are locally allocated to divisional and departmental units through the university budget process.

The state budget separately identifies and provides support for a number of University-wide Programs. These programs typically pertain to multiple campuses, although some programs involve only a single campus. Allocations are distributed separately from the regular budget allocation process. Examples of University-wide Programs: Academic Equipment Replacement (AER), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

Major rules for State funds:

  • Lapse with fiscal year
  • Not assessed fringe benefit costs
  • No administrative fees
  • Allocations post to departments by expenditure category
  • Some restrictions moving allocation to or from personal service category
  • Subject to reductions or mid-year adjustments due to State budget actions
  • Activity is closely monitored by the university as well as external agencies

Income Fund Reimbursable (IFR)

Supported by revenues generated by University functions ranging from student fees, to research release time, facility rentals, and commissions.

Major rules for IFR funds:

  • Accounts must be self-supporting
  • Revenues and expenditures should pertain to account purpose
  • Expenses charged to the account should be covered by the revenue which the account generates to maintain a positive cash balance
  • Administrative fee is applied to collections
  • Fringe benefit charges are levied to personal service and temporary service expenditures, except for student employees
  • Increased costs are absorbed by individual accounts
  • Employee separation costs are absorbed by the individual accounts
  • Cash balances remain with the account
  • Flexible for allocation transfers between categories

State University Tuition Reimbursement Account (SUTRA)

Related to the campus core purpose but which are not considered part of the campus generated revenues in the state budget. These accounts provide the funding mechanism for summer and winter session, contract courses, international programs and over-enrollment revenue from the core instructional budget, if applicable.

Major rules for SUTRA funds (similar to IFR):

  • Accounts must be self-supporting
  • Revenues and expenditures should pertain to account purpose
  • Expenses charged to the account should be covered by the revenue which the account generates to maintain a positive cash balance
  • Administrative fee is applied to collections
  • Summer and winter session accounts are assessed fringe benefits on revenues; on other accounts fringe benefits are levied to personal service and temporary service expenditures
  • Increased costs are absorbed by individual accounts
  • Employee separation costs are absorbed by the individual accounts
  • Cash balances remain with the account
  • Flexible for allocation transfers between categories

Dormitory Income Fund Reimbursable (DIFR)

Special fund established to facilitate residence hall operations and related areas; funded from room rents and damage fees. Oversight of fiscal condition and operations is by SUNY System Administration. Oversight of maintenance and condition of facilities is by the Dormitory Authority of New York State (DASNY).

Major rules for DIFR funds:

  • Must be self-supporting including maintaining reserves for program continuity, bond covenants, and facilities maintenance/replacement
  • Room rates are developed by campus and approved by SUNY annually
  • Line control for personal service
  • Increased costs absorbed by fund operations
  • Employee separation costs are absorbed by fund operations
  • Excess funds remain with operations after all reserve requirements have been met

For additional budget information please refer to Campus Policy #200.