Budget Model Framework

Institutions of public higher education have felt economic strains in recent years, and Temple University is no exception. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was once a major underwriter of public higher education, but significant financial pressures in the state have resulted in declining support. The decline in public dollars has put increasing pressure on tuition. At the same time, our board has resolved to make affordable access Temple's highest priority.

Temple University's decision in FY2015 to implement a decentralized budget model (often called "RCM") was influenced by the model's ability to

  • allow for changes in response to concerns as they are recognized;
  • decentralize responsibility and involve more faculty in budget and planning decisions;
  • emphasize transparency and access to information that can lead to significant efficiencies and streamlining;
  • encourage multiyear strategic planning, aligning resources with top priorities; and
  • incentivize schools and departments to strive for excellence in teaching and research.

Based on these themes and the thoughtful consideration of the Steering Committee in 2013, Temple developed a set of guiding principles to help us frame the budget model and provide the guardrails for decision making. These principles continue to guide the process throughout its life in all circumstances irrespective of changes in its goals, strategies or leaders. 

In February 2025, a Steering Committee convened to lead a comprehensive review of the RCM budget model, supported by experts from NACUBO Consulting, and informed by extensive campus engagement—including stakeholder interviews, data analysis and benchmarking against peer institutions. The review process has shown that the RCM model has limited our ability to advance institutional priorities, in some cases has impeded collaboration and it does not effectively align resources with our long-term goals. It has become clear that a different approach—with clear incentives and accountability—is needed to position Temple to navigate demographic and financial headwinds while also being effective in carrying out our teaching, research and service work.  

President Fry accepted the Steering Committee’s recommendation to sunset the RCM budget model and over the FY26 we will design and implement a new budget model to take effect on July 1, 2026. This new model will better reflect our values, simplify resource allocation, encourage revenue generation and enable greater transparency in institutional investments.

 

Governance Structures

RCM Review Steering Committee
  • Chip Hunter, Dean, Fox School of Business and Management / School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Co-chair 
  • Jaison Kurichi, Senior Associate Vice President Budget & Planning, University Budget Office, Co-chair
  • Michael Bognanno, Professor and Department Chair, College of Liberal Arts
  • Sharmayne Burns, Vice Provost for Finance
  • Cheryl Carreno, Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, Tyler School of Art & Architecture
  • Kathryn D’Angelo, Senior Associate Vice President for Administration & Planning
  • Jason Gallagher, Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy
  • Josh Gladden, Vice President Research Administration
  • Jennifer Ibrahim, Dean, College of Public Health
  • Amid Ismail, Dean, Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Mohammad F. Kiani, Professor, College of Engineering
  • Jonathan Latko, Assistant Vice President, Information Technology Services
  • Vicki McGarvey, Vice Provost for University College
  • Jonathan Reiter, Senior Associate Vice President, Business Affairs & Administration
  • Ellen Unterwald, Chair and Professor, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Budget Model Task Force
  • Chip Hunter, Dean, Fox School of Business and Management / School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Co-chair 
  • Jaison Kurichi, Senior Associate Vice President Budget & Planning, University Budget Office, Co-chair
  • Amanda Barber, Assistant Dean for Finance, Fox School of Business
  • Michael Bognanno, Professor and Department Chair, College of Liberal Arts
  • Sharmayne Burns, Vice Provost for Finance
  • Cheryl Carreno, Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, Tyler School of Art & Architecture
  • Erik Cordes, Professor, College of Science & Technology
  • Kathryn D’Angelo, Senior Associate Vice President for Administration & Planning
  • Josh Gladden, Vice President Research Administration
  • Jennifer Ibrahim, Dean, College of Public Health
  • Amid Ismail, Dean, Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Sheri Ozard, Vice Dean for Finance, College of Public Health
  • Vicki McGarvey, Vice Provost for University College
Cost and Services Committee
  • Farrah Al-Mansoor, Senior Director, Finance & Operations
  • Sharmayne S. Burns, Vice Provost for Finance & Administration
  • Susan Cahan, Dean, Tyler School of Art & Architecture
  • Katie D’Angelo, AVP Administration & Planning
  • Richard Deeg, Dean, College of Liberal Arts
  • Marylouise Esten, Vice President & Deputy Provost
  • Amid Ismail, Dean, Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Jaison Kurichi, Chair, AVP Budget & Planning
  • Sheri Ozard, Vice Dean, College of Public Health
  • Robert Stroker, Dean, Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts
Budget and Planning Council
  • Jaison Kurichi, Senior Associate Vice President Budget & Planning, University Budget Office, Co-chair
  • Sharmayne Burns, Vice Provost for Finance, Co-chair
  • Sue Alcedo, Center for the Performing & Cinematic Arts
  • Farrah Al-Mansoor, Finance and Operations
  • Amanda Barber, Assistant Dean for Finance, Fox School of Business
  • Jerry Barber, Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Cheryl Carreno, Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, Tyler School of Art & Architecture
  • Danielle Colon, Beasley School of Law
  • Kathryn D’Angelo, Senior Associate Vice President for Administration & Planning
  • Drew DiMeo, College of Engineering
  • Tim Funk, School of Pharmacy
  • Andrea Gaudini, Marketing and Communications
  • Kevin Glass, College of Liberal Arts
  • Richie Holland, Temple Libraries
  • Rebecca Horvath, Institutional Advancement
  • Julia Kershaw-St. George, College of Education and Human Development
  • Donna Lamborne, Klein College of Media and Communications
  • Jonathan Latko, Information Technology Services
  • Danielle Martinez, Klein College of Media and Communications
  • Sheri Ozard, College of Public Health
  • Greg Wacker, College of Science and Technology
  • Paula West, Katz School of Medicine
  • Bill Winston, Research Administration
Administrative Council

Administrative Council represents 5 domestic campuses, 17 schools and colleges, and the various departments that support the university enterprise. We meet periodically for timely updates on policy, procedures, systems, and information related to fiscal roles and responsibilities.

All faculty and staff have access to the Budget and Finance resources in TUportal, designed to support your key business roles (look under “My Offices”). Here you will find the resources and tools you need to help you efficiently plan travel, navigate the budget process, and manage procurement through payment procedures from start to finish.

Based on your feedback, we continue to develop the expense reduction guides, training resources and one stop solutions to better organize these role-centric tools. Announcements will always have the latest news and updates for budget and finance planners along with aptly titled Quick Links for the sources you search for the most.