The Office of Finance and Administration manages the administrative functions of the University of Alabama System Office including financial operations, information technology, construction administration, investments and treasury, and human resources. Another function is to support the three campuses and Health System by seeking new opportunities for collaboration, streamlining administrative operations, and ensuring the financial integrity of all UA System operations.
The office ensures compliance with Board rules, specifically those related to Finance, Investment, Physical Properties, and Compensation Committees. Primary functions include coordinating the preparation of annual operating budgets and financial reports to the Board and overseeing the revolving five-year capital plan and annual updates for all physical plant construction and renovation projects and associated debt issuances.
Areas
Staff
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee for the Board of Trustees is responsible for the establishment and implementation of financial policies and objectives of the University; levying of student tuition and fees; review and approval of legislative requests for appropriations; both Operating & Maintenance as well as Capital, annual budgets, and mid-year budget changes; approval of all loans, borrowing, and the issuance of bonds; approval of depositories, custodial arrangements, contractual arrangements, and legal commitments of all kinds; review and approval of annual technology plans.
Related Board Rules
Contracts Requiring Board Approval (BR 406)
Per Board Rule 406, the Board must approve the following contracts before the same are binding and effective:
- All contracts for goods or services, or both, involving an expenditure of $1,000,000 or more for the term of the contract (including all option, renewal, or extension periods) that were not procured through a competitive process; and
- All consulting or professional services contracts involving an expenditure of $250,000 or more for the term of the contract (including all option, renewal, or extension periods), regardless of whether the contracts were procured through a competitive process.
The completion of the Contract Submittal Form, filled out in its entirety, will serve as request for Board submittal. You must complete all sections of this form and include the following documentation in order for your contract to be considered:
- Contract;
- Vendor Disclosure Form (must be less than one year old);
- Transmittal Memorandum from Senior Administrator;
- Letter from Campus President recommending the contract and requesting the Board’s consideration of the contract; and
- Resolution
Once submitted and reviewed by the University of Alabama System Office, the contract will be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled Board meeting. All submittals must meet the Board of Trustees deadline to be included on the agenda. If the deadline is not met, the item will be considered at the next available Board meeting. Only under extenuating circumstances will a deadline extension be granted. Extensions must be requested by the senior campus or Health System financial officer or other Senior Administrator.
If items are missing or the form is incomplete, you must resubmit the request in its entirety. Upon receipt of the resubmission, a new submittal date will be assigned. It is the responsibility of all submitters to ensure the request is complete before submitting. If typographical errors are found or clarification is needed during the System Office pre-Board review, the System Office, in its discretion, may make changes to the documents without requiring a complete resubmit. No changes will be made without campus or Health System review and/or agreement.
If you have questions regarding this process, please reach out to the Office of Finance and Administration at (205) 348-5123.
Heightened Contract Review Request for Approval
The Heightened Review Process provides for the System-level review and approval of certain contracts in lieu of Board approval.
Contracts that meet the following criteria are eligible for review and approval through the heightened contract review process if they involve:
- Circumstances of unusual and compelling urgency (as determined by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, after consultation with the President pro tempore, Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, and the Chair(s) of applicable Committee(s));
- Goods or services, or both, in support of or relating to University Hospital; or
- Direct provision of liability or property insurance, or compensation and welfare benefits to employees of the System office or employees or students of the campuses of the UA System, including contracts for the provision of life, disability, health (including student health plans), dental or vision insurance, or retirement, deferred compensation, or other arrangement for supplemental benefits or pay not otherwise covered by Board Rule 302.
If you feel your contract meets this criteria, you can submit for review to the Office of Finance and Administration. You must include the contract and a current Vendor Disclosure Form.
If you have questions regarding this process, please reach out to the Office of Finance and Administration at (205) 348-5123.
Heightened Contract Review Form Opens in a new window
Physical Properties Committee
The Construction Management staff within the Office of Finance and Administration is responsible for communicating and coordinating with the campuses on the application of Board Rule 415. The Board Rule sets forth policies, practices, and associated responsibilities for the planning and management of the System’s capital assets.
Board Approval is required under Board Rule 415 for:
- Capital Projects ($1,000,000 or more)
- Equipment ($750,000 or more)
- Campus Master Plans and Design Guidelines
- Real Estate
- Easements
If you have questions regarding this process, please reach out to the Office of Construction Management at (205) 348-4567.
Investments Committee
The Investment Management department reports to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and manages the System’s investments in both the endowment and operating funds and is overseen by the Investment Committee of The Board of Trustees. The Investment Committee approves investment policy, asset allocation, and manager selection.
Fund Evaluation Group evaluates new managers for potential inclusion in the University of Alabama System investment pools. Managers who would like to be considered should contact Fund Evaluation Group:
Nolan Bean, CFA, CAIA
Fund Evaluation Group
(513) 719-5730
Michael Aluise, CGA, CAIA
Fund Evaluation Group
(513) 719.5121