(a)
(1) A productivity index for each institution will be calculated based on the:
- (A) Productivity Funding Model — Universities, 6 CAR pt. 361; and
- (B) Productivity Funding Model — Two-Year Colleges, 6 CAR pt. 362.
- (2) Each institution’s current productivity index will be compared to its previous year’s index to determine productivity changes.
(3) One (1) productivity index will be:
- (A) Calculated to represent productivity changes for institutions as a collective; and
- (B) Used to determine how much new state funding is recommended.
- (4) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board will limit the funding recommendation generated by the productivity-based funding model to no more than a two-percent growth over the prior year’s RSA general revenue funding amount for institutions.
(b)
- (1) When new state funding is recommended, the proportion of new moneys to be distributed among institutions will be divided into two (2) separate funding pools for four-year and two-year institutions based upon the percentage of existing RSA general revenue.
- (2) If any RSA general revenue funds remain unallocated to institutions due to productivity declines, the Division of Higher Education shall utilize the funds to address statewide needs in higher education.
- (3) New RSA general revenue allocated to institutions will be distributed among the institutions with productivity index increases.
- (4) The percentage of new RSA general revenue funding recommended for institutions with productivity index increases will be calculated as a percentage of the contribution to the overall institutions’ productivity index increases.
(c)
- (1) Within each four-year and two-year institution group, RSA general revenue funding will be recommended for reallocation from institutions with productivity index declines to institutions with productivity index increases.
- (2) Reallocation of RSA general revenue funding to institutions with productivity increases will be calculated as a percentage of the contribution to the overall four-year or two-year institution productivity index increases.
- (3) Reallocation for institutions with productivity index declines will be based on their percentage of productivity index decline.
- (4) Recommended reallocation will be introduced on a graduated scale starting with one percent (1%) of an institution’s RSA general revenue funding being reallocated in 2019-2020, up to one and one-half percent (1.5%) in 2020-2021, and up to two percent (2%) in 2021-2022 and thereafter.
(d)
- (1) The total RSA general revenue recommendation for each institution will include any new state funding recommendation and reallocated funding recommendation.
(2) If an institution’s funding recommendation is greater than a one percent (1%) increase in 2018-2019, one and one-half percent (1.5%) increase in 2019-2020, or two percent (2%) increase thereafter over its existing RSA general revenue funding, the board will recommend that:
- (A) The amount of funding recommendation up to two percent (2%) based on the graduated scale be added to an institution’s existing RSA general revenue; and
- (B) Any funding recommendation in excess would be one-time incentive funding for that institution.
- (3) The board will recommend redistribution of one-time incentive funding in the following year based on productivity index changes.
- (e) In the event that an institution of higher education’s RSA general revenue funding declines by more than five percent (5%) within any consecutive five-year period due to productivity declines, the division shall not further recommend reductions in funding for that institution.
- (f) In any fiscal year for which the aggregate general revenue funding forecast to be available for state-supported institutions of higher education is greater than two percent (2%) less than the amount provided for the immediate fiscal year, the division shall not further implement the productivity-based funding model until the following fiscal year.
- (g) This part will be reviewed every three (3) years to ensure that productivity funding distribution continues to respond to the needs and priorities of the state.
- (h) However, if the division determines that the funding distribution framework created unintended consequences, this part will be reviewed immediately.