UConn is undertaking an initiative to overhaul its current incremental budgeting process and develop an approach that is more transparent and intuitive, ensures equity across its academic and administrative units, and supports its commitment to student success.<\/p>\n
The budget transformation initiative started in July and is closely aligned with the goals outlined in the UConn Strategic Plan<\/a> and its Strategic Enrollment Management Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n It will enable UConn\u2019s budget model to align allocations more effectively to specific metrics tied to institutional priorities; ensure that centrally managed costs are fairly distributed; and incentivize units to allocate resources in alignment with institutional priorities, rather than viewing funds as exclusively owned by individual departments.<\/p>\n The initiative aims for a budget process that will:<\/p>\n \u2022 Be simple, understandable, manageable, logical, and transparent. The project<\/a> started with data gathering this summer, with consultants carrying out discovery interviews this month with leaders of academic units, central services departments, and auxiliary operations, guided by a University-led steering committee.<\/p>\n The interviews aim to gain perspective on the current process, highlight what is working well, and identify areas for improvement.<\/p>\n Several working groups will be developed to review and recommend options, which will be analyzed in early 2026 and used as the roadmap for the new budget model. The working groups will bring together a cross-section of faculty and staff from across the University, ensuring a wide range of perspectives and expertise.<\/p>\n Over the course of the academic year, the University will schedule town halls and listening sessions to solicit perspectives from throughout the UConn community on ways to make the new budget model more modernized, transparent, and equitable.<\/p>\n While the current budgeting approach will remain in place for FY27, the new prototype model will operate concurrently as what is known as a \u201cshadow year.\u201d The dual-track approach will enable side-by-side comparisons between the existing and proposed models, allowing for refinement and necessary adjustments before full implementation in FY28.<\/p>\n The budget transformation initiative honors shared governance<\/a> and will be built on the feedback received from all corners of UConn\u2019s operations. Once established, the model will continue to evolve, with continual updates to evolve with changing circumstances.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Foster enrollment growth through effective resource allocation.
\n\u2022 Build incentives to create efficiencies, advance stewardship of resources, and reduce expenses.
\n\u2022 Establish guardrails and an incremental phase-in from the current budget model.
\n\u2022 Promote and reward academic excellence and innovation.
\n\u2022 Reflect and execute upon the University\u2019s mission and priorities.
\n\u2022 Foster trust, responsibility, and accountability around sound decision making.<\/p>\n