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HEAF Allocation Procedures Altered for ASU

August 26, 2011

With the start of the new fiscal year, procedures for allocating more than $3.74 million in Higher Education Assistance Funds (HEAF) annually at Angelo State University are being unified to ensure that the monies go to the best strategic use in support of the university’s mission and priorities.

In announcing the change, ASU President Joseph C. Rallo said, “This will ensure that the resources are being focused on the greatest strategic initiative. Previously, the funds were distributed in small amounts, making it difficult to complete major projects. This change will help address major projects that couldn’t be covered by one department’s allocation of HEAF funds.”

Rallo said one of ASU’s major facilities needs, for instance, has been upgrades in some of the university’s science laboratories. With the change in HEAF allocation procedures, the university will have greater flexibility in addressing those needs and similar large ticket needs in the future.

Under the new procedures that go into effect Sept. 1, discretionary HEAF funds will no longer be distributed to colleges, departments and administrative units for discretionary use based upon local needs. Instead, offices will submit fund requests to the vice presidents for approval.

Michael Reid, ASU’s vice president for finance and administration, said, “The funds will be allocated based on the most strategic use in supporting the institutional mission and priorities. This may or may not be academic support or classroom investment, depending on the requests received and how well they support institutional priorities. The purpose is to merge the funds and allow larger projects to get the attention they need within the limited resources available to us.”

HEAF monies were established by the Texas Legislature to provide discretionary funds for universities to meet facilities and equipment needs. Of the $3,743,027 allocated during the 2010-11 fiscal year, ASU spent the money in the following areas: 1) Utility efficiency performance contract, $288,255; 2) Library – books, periodicals, binding, $692,350; 3) Academic Affairs capital purchases, $150,000; 4) Finance and Administration capital purchases, $130,675; 5) Student Affairs and Enrollment Management capital purchases, $75,000; 6) Computer upgrades for faculty and staff, $253,000; 7) Facilities Planning and Construction for construction projects identified by administration, $950,000; 8) Physical Plant for maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment and infrastructure, $353,747; 9) Administrative software upgrades, $500,000; and 10) Information Technology for network and data center upgrade, data storage and network devices, $350,000.