The following was sent to all faculty and staff on March 12, 2026.
Dear colleagues,
We continue to move forward with a July 1, 2026 launch of the University Budget Model (UBM), with transitional elements. In January and February, members of the Budget Modernization Project Team and Kennedy and Company met with academic revenue center deans, divisional leaders, and their business managers to review current college and division budget processes and explore whether any existing practices may need to be adapted under the University Budget Model.
Preparing for the implementation of the model not only requires establishing tools and resources, but also fostering a cultural shift in how we think about budgeting for the institution and individual units. It is more important than ever to view the UBM from the “One Boise State” perspective. Every unit and division at Boise State relies on one another to effectively meet the university’s strategic goals and mission; this is the core philosophy behind the UBM’s structure. It also aligns with the Idaho State Board of Education and legislative support for a one university, all funds budget approach that is transparent and advances accountability.
During the fiscal year of 2027, which begins July 1, 2026, UBM will be implemented with the items below in transition:
- Summer session revenues, like all revenue sources, will be allocated through the UBM, but, for Year 1 Implementation, will continue to be disbursed in November.
- Academic revenue center colleges will have an opportunity to reassess and reset their space needs.
- We are evaluating the impact of increasing the Strategic Initiative Fund contribution by 1 percent (from 3% to 4%) in the first year of implementation to help mitigate unanticipated impacts. We will update the campus community when a decision has been made. However, to honor existing strategic commitments and the transition to a new governance structure for strategic initiatives funding, there will likely be no solicitation for strategic initiatives during FY27.
- All existing MOUs not already addressed between academic revenue center colleges and central service units will be reviewed, revised, and/or sunsetted.
- UBM governance structures and processes will continue to be refined, if needed.
- Reports and dashboards will continue to be developed and released to support the UBM and unit-level budgeting.
- The current carryforward policy will remain in effect as we transition from FY26 to FY27. A new carryforward policy (currently in draft form) will take effect moving from FY27 to FY28.
One important aspect of the new model is that it will be forward-looking. To this end, we will use data from the most recent academic and fiscal year to build estimated projections. Five “forecast buckets” factor into these projections: State Appropriations, Change in Employee Compensation (CEC), Central Services Spending, Tuition Revenue and Research Funding. Most of these buckets depend on decisions made by entities external to the university, such as the Idaho State Legislature (state appropriations and CEC), the Idaho State Board of Education (tuition revenue), and government and/or industry sponsors (research funding). The timing of finalizing an FY27 forward-looking projection depends on decisions by these external entities. As we gain certainty with each of these forecast buckets this spring, we will update UBM information to academic revenue center deans and divisional leaders.
We appreciate the work that so many individuals across this university have done, and are doing, to support the upcoming UBM implementation. Between now and July 1, we will continue to engage with the Boise State community. For current information on the initiative, visit boisestate.edu/budgetmodernization and email questions or comments to budgetmodernization@boisestate.edu .
Sincerely,
Dr. Zeynep Hansen, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Stacy Pearson, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Chris Johnson, Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning
Dr. Lisa Growette Bostaph, Professor and Provost Fellow for University Budget Modernization