Common Good Assessment (CGA)

Contents

  1. Background
  2. Why Did It Change?
  3. What Changed?
  4. What Services Are Assessed?
  5. How Does It Appear in DS?
  6. Questions?

1. Background

The Common Good Assessment (CGA) project seeks to improve efficiency by eliminating recharge for certain goods and services. Eliminating recharges for goods and services that are essential and routinely consumed in the regular course of unit operations, and which have little risk of over-consumption, will reduce frustrations and barriers associated with recharging between campus departments and remove recharge-related transaction costs. (See the presentation Revamping Recharge Toward a Common Good Approach). Additionally, it will remove cost-based disincentives to using public safety services.

Prior to 2017-18, service providers were funded through a campuswide payroll assessment that varied by unit, based on historical usage. In 2017-18, the methodology will change to an annual bill based on both historical usage and expenditures. Under the new recovery method, a Voice and Data (V&D) base charge has been established using prior V&D expenditures. Other Services and V&D incremental increases will be proportionally charged based on campus expenditures. Contract and Grants, where appropriate, will be recharged for V&D services. Other changes for 2017-18 include the removal of certain services based on feedback from campus partners. Please see CGA Costs by Unit and Service detail for additional information.

In January 2016, the Common Good Assessment (CGA) was implemented. It’s goal was to improve efficiency by eliminating recharge for certain goods and services and recovering cost through an assessment similar to the approach used for GAEL (General, Automobile, and Employment Practices Liability). Services that are essential and routinely consumed in the regular course of unit operations and which have little risk of over consumption were evaluated and Phase 1 of the assessment was put in place.

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2. Why did it change?

At the end of fiscal year 2015-16, a workgroup was convened to evaluate the CGA. In order to solve various issues that arose in the initial implementation, recommendations were made to address department concerns. These recommendations have resulted in both included CGA services and recovery methodology changes.

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3. What changed?

As of July 1st, 2017, the Common Good Assessment will no longer be a payroll/income assessment and instead become an annual bill distributed at the Dean/Vice Chancellor level, similar to the OP Tax. Each unit will then have the discretion to determine which account(s) are billed. This bill is calculated based on historic usage and a unit’s annual expenditure relative to the campus. Other changes include the removal of services covered by the CGA, and the use of a communications resource object code for the voice and data components.

Summary of Changes:

  • Billing Methodology: From a payroll/income assessment to an annual bill.
  • Services Removed: CES Room Reservation, Food Safety Inspections, Minor Capital Overhead, Building Maintenance Small Project Overhead, and Custodial Overhead.
  • Object Code: 72CG will house both Voice and Data Services and Other Service expenses.

BIA will bill units annually at the Dean/Vice Chancellor level; each unit will then have the discretion to determine which account(s) are billed.  Please see allowable fund table for fund restrictions.

BIA will continue to manage the assessment funds and will provide the service units a base budget.  Service providers will not receive automatic annual increases and will have to request additional funding through the Recharge Rate Committee. Quality of service will be managed through written Service Partnership Agreements.

Common Good Assessments by Unit (PDFs):

Cost by Services (PDFs): 

Prior to 2017-18 Payroll Assessment Rates (PDFs): 

Older Resources (PDFs):

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4. What services are assessed?

A full list of services covered by the Common Good Assessment is available on the BIA Service Partnership Agreements page.

We recommend you bookmark this web page for the “specifics” on which services are assessed/not assessed.  The BIA Common Good Assessment page has additional information, a FAQ, and detail regarding current/past services and rates.

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5. How does it appear in DS?

BIA will bill units annually at the Dean/Vice Chancellor level; each unit will then have the discretion to determine which account(s) are billed. It will appear on the FIS DS transaction reports with object code 72CG.

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6. Questions?

General Questions: Budget & Institutional Analysis via the Recharge Team
Email: UCD Recharge

Service level Questions: Please contact the service unit directly.

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