Developing the Model

In May 2018, Interim Provost Carl Lejuez announced a $20 million base budget reallocation for FY2019. This announcement coincided with the start of efforts to create a new budget allocation model for the Lawrence campus and also provided an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to learn more about the budget process and as well as efforts to create a new budget allocation model that would better serve campus constituents.

Significant budget review and revision work has taken place during the 2019 fiscal year with a working group in consultation with campus leadership. The working group developed and shared guiding principles that would help shape the development of the new budget model.

Between May 2018 and December 2019, Interim Provost Lejuez used multiple campus-wide meetings and messages to discuss ongoing progress and gather feedback on initial budget model developments and progress.

The working group and campus leadership have worked to identify:

• A high-level structure of allocation.
• A formula for determining fund allocations for academic units and academic service units, and an order of operations that ensures an ability of leadership to plan.
• General criteria of incentivized activities.
• Means of evaluating progress toward unit and institutional goals (incentivized activities).
• Mechanisms for reducing extreme swings in fund allocation.
• A calendar for implementing the new budget model, evaluating unit performance, and determining future allocations.

The working group met roughly every week during the 2019 fiscal year. Throughout the year, deans, vice provosts and other high-level directors reporting to the provost have been regularly advised of progress in model development and have offered feedback and insight for critical decision points that further the model development.

Development Guiding Principles

Guiding principles were used by those undertaking the task of developing a new budget model. Our search for a new budget model should reflect and reinforce KU's shared values and priorities. 

1. Common Good: We have a responsibility to focus on the greater good of the entire university, rather than our individual units. The common good includes what is best for our students, academic excellence and the overall health and sustainability of the university.
2. Transparency: As we go through the process of developing a new budget model, there will be the broadest possible participation, sharing of decisions, and next steps. Diversity of viewpoints is encouraged and accepted. Constant and direct communication occurs so all stakeholders are thoroughly informed about the new budget model processes and issues.
3. Clarity: Simplicity is preferred over complexity.
4. Innovation: While appreciating what is positive about prior budget models and approaches, we will encourage innovative planning to adapt the current environment.
5. Responsiveness: We remain cognizant of changing environment and design toward nimbleness to respond to future campus changes.
6. Respect (ror each other and the product): The budget model will be a result of the investment and input from the entire leadership team and their consideration of feedback solicited from constituencies across campus.