Finance

The Finance Office is responsible for the oversight, planning and administration of all the school’s financial functions.

These include all-funds budget, tuition and fees revenue management, financial accounting and reporting, internal controls, audits, procurement and vendor payments, property management, and non-tax levy and foundation operations and funds.

Our Mission is to support the Newmark J-School community in the management of financial and budgetary resources in compliance with Federal, State, City, CUNY, and School/Foundation regulations and procedures. We do this by supporting the school’s strategic goals and maintaining the highest level of professionalism and integrity; effectively communicating the financial and accounting regulations and procedures; serving as effective financial stewards by improving the efficiency of departmental operations;  and by providing financial management leadership to the School community by promoting strong financial management learning and implementation.

The links below include the policies, procedures, and forms you need for all School and Foundation business transactions, respectively. This includes purchasing requests, vendor payments, catering, and travel and other expense reimbursements. You will also find general information on all funds budget, payroll, financial accounting and reporting, and tuition & fees.

There are separate financial guidelines based on funding sources such as tax-levy and non-tax levy funds, versus grants and J-School foundation funds. Employees on grant budgets can find the necessary guidelines and forms in the column on the right under Finance Procedures by Funding Sources.

Budget, Payroll, and Financial Accounting and Reporting

The Finance Office oversees the all-funds budget for the entire School including its centers and foundation. Below is a description of the various funding sources that make up the School’s all-funds budget. The school and foundation’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

  • Tax Levy Funds:  These are funds allocated to each department from the school’s operating budget. They consist primarily of state allocations, tuition, and other student-related fees such as application, library, equipment room, and transcript fees.  Tax levy funds are expended through CUNYfirst under state and CUNY procurement and accounts payable rules.
  • Student Technology Fee The student technology fees are paid by students per semester, are submitted to the state and placed in an Income Fund Reimbursable (IFR) account.  Expenditures from these funds are approved by the School’s Technology & Library Committee (TLC) and are expended through CUNYfirst under State and CUNY procurement and accounts payable rules.  
  • ACE Funds: These are funds generated by the school’s Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) programs through its J+ Professional Development division. These funds are submitted to the State and placed in an Income Fund Reimbursable (IFR) account and expended through CUNYfirst under State, City and CUNY procurement and accounts payable rules.
  • Non-Tax Levy Funds:  These are funds, other than the above, generated by the school. They include space rental fees, vending machine commissions, and student activity fees.  These funds help support the school’s operations as approved by the Dean and/or Associate Dean. Effective July 1, 2019, non-tax-levy-fund expenditures will be processed through CUNYfirst under state and CUNY rules with some flexibility for certain expenses.
  • Student Activity Fee: Student activity fees, are paid by students per semester, and expenditures from these funds are allocated by the Graduate Student Council.  This covers the cost associated with class projects and capstones, conferences, field trips, workshops and other events requested by students.
  • Capital Project Funds: Purchases using these funds must comply with procedures capital funds procedures of the state, city Directive 10 and 30, CUNY, and the school. All capital project requests require the Dean’s approval.
  • Grants and Other Foundation Funds:  Gifts and grants received by the Foundation are used to fund scholarships and internship stipends, as well as to support training, and programmatic activities in line with the school’s educational objectives.

Finance Procedures by Funding Source

Expenditure Guidelines by Funding Source

Tax Levy/J+/Tech Fee/Grad Council & Non-Tax Levy Funds

Grants & J-School Foundation Funds

Contact Us

Do you have a question for the Finance Office? If so, please contact us.

Avril George-Robinson
Director of Finance and Administration
Phone: 646-758-7855
Fax: 646-758-7809
avril.robinson@journalism.cuny.edu

Kristin DaSilva
Grants Associate
Phone: 646-758-7817
Fax: 646-758-7809
kristin.dasilva@journalism.cuny.edu

Amanda Tang
Revenue Specialist
Phone: 646-758-7893
Fax: 646-758-7809
amanda.tang@journalism.cuny.edu

Vivian Hu
Financial Accounting and Analysis Manager
Phone: 646-758-7830
Fax: 646-758-7809
Christine (Chrissy) Weithers
Procurement and Vendor Payment Manager
Phone: 646-758-7828
Fax: 646-758-7809