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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Budget Process and Shared Governance

How will faculty be involved?

The Faculty Senate will continue to be a key partner in the budget planning process through participation in the Budget Advisory Committee and in regular discussions with university leadership regarding financial conditions, budget priorities, and resource allocation decisions.  

Deans are encouraged to engage faculty governance bodies, department chairs, and college leadership teams throughout the annual planning process. The One Temple model depends upon academic and financial planning occurring together rather than as separate processes with consideration of academic planning and program review, faculty hiring priorities, enrollment and instructional planning, program growth opportunities, resource reallocation discussions, identification of efficiencies and collaboration opportunities, and assessment of academic risks associated with budget decisions.  

Does shared governance mean faculty approve budgets?

No. The University remains committed to shared governance while maintaining clear accountability for financial stewardship. Faculty leadership provides essential input, consultation, and academic expertise. Final budget allocation decisions remain the responsibility of the Preside

What is the University's commitment regarding transparency?

Temple is committed to providing faculty leaders with greater visibility into the information used during budget planning. The objective is to create a more informed, collaborative, and transparent planning process across the institution. Over time, this will include expanded access to academic performance indicators, enrollment trends, student success metrics, and multi-year budget planning information.  

Who makes final budget decisions?

Final budget allocation decisions remain the responsibility of university leadership, including the President, Provost, COO, and CFO. 

FY27 Transition and Mechanics

Is FY27 the final version of the model?

No. FY27 is a transition year. The university will establish new base budgets, centralize tuition revenue, implement revised carryforward and vacancy policies, and launch a new budget planning process. More advanced allocation features will be phased in during FY28 and beyond. The Task Force anticipates that full stabilization of the model may take three to five years. 

Will budgets immediately change because of enrollment fluctuations?

No. The activity-based adjustment mechanism will not be implemented until FY28 at the earliest. FY27 budgets are based primarily on current spending levels adjusted for approved reductions. 

How were FY27 base budgets established?

FY27 base budgets were established primarily using current spending levels adjusted for approved budget actions and reductions. This approach avoids significant disruption during the transition to the new model, allowing for change in the future. 

Who owns tuition revenue under the new model?

No individual school, college, or administrative unit “owns” tuition revenue. All tuition revenue will flow into a central institutional pool. 

Undergraduate tuition will be pooled centrally and used to support the university’s academic mission and operations. 

Differential tuition will continue to be associated with the originating college. The long-term treatment of differential tuition is still under review and may be modified following a university-wide evaluation. 

Approved program and course fees will continue to be returned to the originating unit. 

What happens to graduate tuition?

Graduate tuition policy is still being finalized. Additional guidance will be issued before FY28 implementation decisions are made. 

Are Student Credit Hours (SCH) still important?

Yes. SCH remains an important measure of instructional activity and demand; however SCH will no longer directly drive revenue allocations as it did under RCM. Enrollment growth remains important and will be considered during budget reviews. 

How will professional school budgets be evaluated?

Professional schools often operate with distinct tuition structures, clinical revenue streams, unique operating models, and greater ability to directly influence revenue generation. The budget model recognizes these differences. 

Professional schools will be evaluated using net revenue measures that include tuition revenue, clinical revenue, research-related revenue, and institutional assessments. 

What happens when faculty positions become vacant?

Vacant faculty positions will no longer automatically remain permanently assigned to a school or college. Vacancies will be reviewed through a Provost-managed process. 

How will staff vacancies be handled?

Staff vacancies will continue to be reviewed through institutional workforce planning processes to ensure alignment with operational and financial priorities. 

Can units still carry funds forward?

Yes. Units may retain a portion of year-end balances. The proposed policy allows for 65% of year-end general fund balances to remain with units and institutional limits on total accumulated balances. The revised policy balances local flexibility with institutional liquidity and the need to address university-wide financial priorities. 

What happens to F&A recovery?

An interim policy (02.52.11) will be used beginning July 1, 2026. Indirect cost recovery (F&A) will initially be managed centrally through the Office of the Vice President for Research. 

Is the long-term research funding model finalized?

No. Additional federal policy changes and internal review are expected before a permanent model is adopted. 

How will administrative units be funded?

Administrative units will receive base budgets similar to academic units and will continue to participate in annual budget reviews, demonstrate service effectiveness, cost efficiency, and performance metrics aligned with university priorities. 

Will there be funding for new initiatives?

Yes. The university intends to establish a central pool for strategic investment funds that support priorities identified by university leadership. Strategic investments will be guided by institutional priorities, strategic plan objectives, academic opportunity, financial sustainability, and student success outcomes. 

What Should Units Do Now? 

During FY27, schools, colleges, and administrative units should: 

  • Focus on multi-year planning. 
  • Align resource requests with strategic priorities. 
  • Review staffing and organizational structures. 
  • Prepare for annual budget planning submissions. 
  • Participate in implementation workshops and training. 
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration across units. 
  • Continue efforts to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and student success. 

The One Temple budget model is intended to provide a stronger foundation for Temple University’s future. Successful implementation will require shared responsibility, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to acting as one institution.