Office of Budget and Planning
The Office of Budget and Planning is responsible for forecasting, allocating, and monitoring the funding resources that comprise Montclair State University’s annual operating budget, also known as the spending plan.
- budget@montclair.edu
- 973-655-7428
- Overlook Corporate Center, 3rd Floor
- 8:30am - 4:30pm
Important Dates to Remember
July:
FY27 BEGINS (7/1)
FY27 OPERATING BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS MADE BASED ON FINAL STATE APPROPRIATION
APPROVAL OF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR BUDGET BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mission
To fund the University’s core needs and strategic priorities, maintain a fiscally-responsible balanced budget, use data analysis to inform budgeting decisions, encourage budget reallocations and cost efficiencies, and to provide responsive support to the divisions in the management of their budgets.
Budget and Planning fulfills its mission through cyclical budgeting activities including:
- Preparing the annual State funding appropriation request
- Managing the development of the fiscal year University operating budget
- Providing scheduled and ad hoc reports to monitor actuals against budgets
- Reviewing and processing department budget transfer requests
- Developing or reviewing budgets for new programs and initiatives
- Analyzing data to understand and better forecast revenues and costs
- Establishing and updating funding policies, business processes, and budgeting tools
- Reviewing capital project requests and monitoring capital budget expenditures
Contact Us
Budget and Planning staff are working both remotely and in-person from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
| Staff Member | Contact For | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Solodar, Assistant Vice President for Budget and Planning | Auxiliary Services, Finance & Treasury, University Development, University Facilities, College for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL), College of Communication and Media (CCOM) | 973-655-6956 | solodarj@montclair.edu |
| Debbie Fernbacher, Senior Budget Analyst | Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of Research & The Graduate School, Information Technology, University College, University Communications & Marketing, University Libraries, College for Community Health (CCHL), College of Science and Mathematics (CSAM), Feliciano School of Business (FSOB) | 973-655-4056 | fernbached@montclair.edu |
| Stephanie Flammia, PhD, PMP, MBA, Budget Analyst | On Leave | 973-655-7496 | mayerst@montclair.edu |
| Patrick Shanahan, Budget Analyst | Enrollment Management, Human Resources, School of Nursing, Student Development and Campus Life, College of the Arts (CART), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), Bloomfield College, Adaptive Planning | 973-655-6946 | shanahanp@montclair.edu |
| Dominique Harb, Data Analyst | Resource Planning, Adaptive Planning | 973-655-6808 | harbd@montclair.edu |
| Brenda Varcadipone, Budget and Planning Coordinator | Administrative Services | 973-655-7428 | varcadiponb@montclair.edu |
FY27 Budget Planning Calendar
2025
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| November | University’s FY27 budget request submitted to State Treasury-OMB |
2026
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| February | Governor’s FY27 budget message |
| February-March | Executive Council reviews Budget Call memo |
| February | Budget Office distributes Budget Call memo to Vice Presidents and Deans |
| April | Vice Presidents and Deans forward recommended budget requests to Budget Office |
| May | President and Budget Office hold budget meetings with Vice Presidents and Deans |
| June | President makes preliminary budget allocations |
| July 1 | FY27 begins |
| July | FY27 operating budget adjustments made based on final State Appropriation |
| July | Approval of the new fiscal year budget by Board of Trustees |
*This schedule is approximate and subject to change by the Office of Budget and Planning