One Temple Budget Model
In FY25, a review led by an internal steering committee and guided by a team of experts at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) resulted in a recommendation for Temple to transition away from the RCM budget model.
Over the past year, the Budget Model Task Force has led a comprehensive and inclusive process to develop the new budget model. Beginning July 1, we will begin the transition to a new “One Temple” budget model which will allow us to better align resources with institutional priorities, support long-term financial sustainability and strengthen transparency and accountability across the university.
FY27 will serve as a transition year for the model before it is more fully implemented in 2028. Full stabilization of the model may take three to five years. Not all components of the model will be fully implemented immediately, and some policies will continue to be refined through consultation and shared governance processes. These FAQs include additional information on the key components of the new budget framework.
Why is Temple changing the budget model?
Temple faces significant financial challenges, including structural deficits, enrollment pressures, increasing operating costs, and inconsistent budgeting practices across the institution.
The new model is intended to provide a stronger framework for institutional stewardship and strategic decision-making while ensuring resources are allocated in ways that support the University’s mission and long-term sustainability.
What will change?
The most significant change is that Temple will no longer operate as a collection of individual revenue centers. The Task Force's recommendations for how this new model should function include the following key elements:
Centrally determined base budgets that provide stability and planning continuity
Transparent use of activity and performance metrics as decision-support inputs
Central-directed allocation of resources to institutional priorities
Unified tuition pooling to eliminate internal competition and restore institutional flexibility
Clear accountability structures for both academic and administrative units
Support for entrepreneurship aligned with the University’s mission
What does “One Temple” mean?
One Temple means that budget decisions will be made from an institutional perspective rather than solely from the perspective of individual schools, colleges, or administrative units. The model is built on the principle that Temple succeeds when resources are aligned with institutional priorities rather than individual financial interests.
The success of the One Temple budget model depends on strong partnership among faculty, administrators, and university leadership. This reinforces that faculty engagement is not merely consultative but is a critical component of the budget planning cycle, while still maintaining that final allocation authority rests with executive leadership.