Budget Model

Building a Vision-Aligned Budget Model

As K-State continues to implement its vision as a next-gen land-grant university, we recognize the need to more strongly align our budget model with our next-gen aspirations. We initially began this work in fall 2023 but had to quickly pivot many of our priorities and resources in support of a larger initiative to strengthen and enhance the university's underlying IT infrastructure. With those enhancements in place and a strong technical foundation laid, the budget model review initiative was relaunched in January 2025.

K-State's Current Budget Model

As part of a budget modernization initiative, Kansas State University implemented a hybrid RCM budget model in FY20 following a year-long planning effort and a shadow year to test the model. At the time of implementation, a review of the model was planned for FY23. The review was paused as the university redirected its priorities and resources to strengthen and enhance its IT infrastructure.

Much has changed since the new budget model and related budget decision-making processes were implemented. The model was put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and during a time of enrollment decline. University leadership has changed, including a new university president, and the university has a new strategic vision and plan to become a leading next-generation land-grant university by 2030. Additionally, with four years of experience under the current budget model, there are clear themes emerging as to the strengths and weaknesses of the model in today’s environment.

In reviewing the budget model, it must support the strategic imperatives of the Next-Gen K-State plan; incentivize enrollment growth, research, academic innovation, engagement, and interdisciplinary activities; meet the operating needs of the university as it grows; preserve mission-critical activities; and provide greater financial accountability and transparency.

About the Budget Model Review Process

The Budget Model Review Steering Committee has been charged to work with a team from Huron Consulting Group to evaluate all aspects of our current hybrid RCM budget model and related allocation and decision-making processes and to develop recommendations for an updated budget model design for President Linton and the Budget Model Executive Team.

The steering committee and external consultants will work to meet an aggressive timeline that will culminate in recommendations for budget process and model enhancements by the end of May 2025. There will be opportunities for stakeholder engagement and an implementation roadmap to assist in sharing the plan with the university community, with a shadow year planned for FY26 ahead of full model implementation for FY27.

Guiding Principles

The K-State budget model design should:

Connect to the goals of the Next-Gen Strategic plan and incentivize units that perform well to the specific needs/metrics of the plan.
Meet the continuing and growing operational needs of the units that make up the university.
Support research, teaching/students, engagement and all land-grant mission driven aspects of the university.
Encourage collaboration across K-State’s physical campuses that fosters unity over division.
Be adaptive for units that “fall outside of the box” so that they continue to thrive.
Be transparent as to budget allocation, growth, and declines for each unit.
Be predictable so that unit leaders can plan.

Planning Teams

Learn more about the planning teams supporting the budget model review initiative, including the executive team and steering committee.

Meet the teams

Stay Up to Date

As the Budget Model Review initiative advances, we will post the most up-to-date information and communications to ensure the university community stays informed.

Budget Model Review Timeline

The steering committee and external consultants will work to meet an aggressive timeline that will culminate in recommendations for budget process and model enhancements by the end of May 2025. There will be opportunities for stakeholder engagement and an implementation roadmap to assist in sharing the plan with the university community.

Learn more

Contact us

Have questions about the planning initiative? Email budget@k-state.edu.