The University of West Florida has jumped from 12th to 5th in the state’s performance based funding (PBF) measurement system. Dr. Judy Bense sent out this letter:
Dear Colleagues,
In 2014, the Florida Board of Governors introduced a new performance based funding (PBF) measurement system for all State University System institutions. According to last year’s metrics produced by the Board of Governors, the University of West Florida ranked 11th, receiving only 21 points out of the 50-point scale. Universities that received below 26 points were at risk of losing funding.
I am proud to say that the improvement plan we submitted to correct our 2014 ranking has been accepted by the Board of Governors and we have had our 2014-15 fiscal funding restored. As you know, UWF had the largest improvement of any institution in the State University System and scored a 37/50 for the 2015-16 performance based funding evaluation (tied for 5th with Florida Atlantic University among the 12 state institutions).
Our success was rooted in the “one-time†improvement points we scored on a variety of metrics. As a result, UWF was awarded $5.7 million dollars in performance-based funding. While UWF is very pleased to be able to share in the 2015-16 PBF funds, it is important to remind our campus that this funding is contingent on our continued improvement in the metrics. In preparation for the 2015-16 fiscal year, the Florida Legislature provided the State University System another $100 million in new dollars for the Performance Based funding. These dollars were coupled with $50 million from last year’s allocation along with $250 million of current university base funds for a total of $400 million system-wide.
Simply, the funding model that was passed by the legislature this week puts more of our base in jeopardy if we do not stay above the BOG benchmark of 26 points. For UWF this means that beginning in FY 2015-16 and beyond, we have approximately $9.87 million in base funds at risk each year if our score is not above a 26. It has become evident that PBF funds are of the more non-recurring nature since we could gain during one year only to lose more the next. If we fall below 26, we will also lose our newly received PBF funding as the BOG will reallocate it each year to those schools above the threshold.
Performance based funding is here to stay in Florida and we need to be mindful of ensuring that every contribution and activity that can enhance our position in the metrics is acted upon in a positive manner. While the executive leadership is laser focused on our position in the metrics and taking action to continue our positive progress to that end, every employee is critical to the University’s progress on this front and can make a difference.
While we have a lot to celebrate at UWF regarding our improvement in the metrics this year, we need to be mindful of the potential risks associated with PBF funds. Continued improvement has the potential to continue to enhance funding, while the alternative could create significant challenges for the institution.
This past year, our entire campus came together to focus on supporting our students, improving our scores and positioning the University toward achieving better outcomes on these metrics. Let us go forward together to continue to emphasize improving our performance based funding metrics and continuing to grow UWF.
Thank you for your contributions, hard work and focus on these critical outcomes as we move into the new fiscal year.
Sincerely,
Judith A. Bense, Ph.D.
President