About the RCM Project


RCM - About

As Algonquin’s Responsibility Center Management (RCM) project moves to implementation, Deans are preparing to take a more pro-active role as stewards of their programs in both the spending and revenue components of their budget. Going forward, when those great ideas are presented, Deans will have more leeway in determining which ideas to fund and support, guided by our principles, policies and guidelines.

The RCM Steering Committee has worked one-on-one with Deans and financial staff in every department to prepare for conversion to RCM in this fiscal year (2015/2016). The leading principles guiding the transition to the “Made at Algonquin” model are fairness, transparency and data informed: in this way, all Academic and non-Academic departments play by shared guidelines regarding the delivery of internal services, the accessibility of fiscal records, and the use of solid metrics to make decisions.

Empowering our academic leaders is an important way for Algonquin College to support its entrepreneurial and innovative edge. RCM is expected to foster faculty, staff and students’ abilities to do the work on their desktops, to do collaborative work around the campus, and to participate in the College as a whole.

RCM has now transitioned from a project to Operations.

  • Maintenance of the RCM model, calculations and journal entries is the responsibility of the Finance Department
  • Recommendations on budget assumptions, policy changes and timing is the responsibility of the College Budget Committee
  • Service Level Agreements, including the bi-annual Client Satisfaction Survey and results reporting is the responsibility of Academic Operations and Planning
  • Governance for the RCM model remains under Claude Brule and Duane McNair
  • Authorization for changes remains with President’s Council

The RCM Steering Committee worked very diligently for two years to bring this model to the College. We thank them sincerely for their enthusiastic participation in this change initiative for Algonquin. WELL DONE!!