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Behind every investment in students, research, public service and campus priorities is a commitment to sound financial stewardship. This year, CU �Ǹ�Թ� has reached several important milestones in its��Financial Stewardship Initiative, advancing efforts to improve transparency, modernize financial tools, clarify financial practices and better align resources with institutional priorities to support more effective decision-making.

Three key projects in particular have seen significant progress: the Budget Allocation Model Design Review, the Research Finance Dashboard and proposed Reserve Policies.��

“CU �Ǹ�Թ� is in a strong financial position, and the efforts of our Financial Stewardship Initiative aim to maintain, enhance and preserve that position of strength for generations to come,” said Todd Haggerty, senior vice chancellor for business, finance and infrastructure. “A more consistent framework can provide units with clearer expectations while ensuring institutional agility that enables CU �Ǹ�Թ� to deploy resources where they are most needed and respond to unexpected funding disruptions. I am excited for the progress that we’ve made and am grateful for all who have partnered with us on these vital efforts.”

Strengthening transparency through budget model improvements

CU �Ǹ�Թ� completed the��first formal review of the campus budget allocation model��in June 2026. Consistent with the original model design, the review was undertaken after three years to assess how the model is functioning in practice, identify potential unintended consequences and determine whether adjustments were needed. The result of the formal review determined the overarching structure of the campus budget model is working as intended. Some small but meaningful adjustments include a new approach to counting multiple majors and pre-licensure programs. Full details are available on the��budget model website.��

As recommendations move into implementation, the review provides a foundation for clearer decision-making, the promotion of accountability and responsible stewardship, and greater visibility into how resources are allocated across the institution.

Providing better tools for research financial management

Another major accomplishment of the initiative this year has been the��launch of the Research Finance Dashboard. Built in spring 2026,��the dashboard brings together financial information from multiple systems into a single Power BI tool for principal investigators, departmental research administrators and research finance staff.

The dashboard reduces reliance on manual reporting and spreadsheet reconciliation, giving users a clearer view of sponsored award financial health and supporting more proactive decision-making. By simplifying access to financial information, the tool helps reduce administrative burden and supports the continued success of CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s research enterprise.

Aligning reserve practices for long-term stewardship

CU �Ǹ�Թ� has��developed a set of proposed reserve policies following extensive outreach to and feedback from deans, institute directors, shared governance representatives, unit leads and their finance leaders that have helped to refine the proposals. The proposed policies aim to establish campuswide expectations for reserves management, align with the best practices of peer institutions and support both transformational investment and long-term financial resilience.

A more coordinated reserve framework helps CU �Ǹ�Թ� plan for and fund critical campuswide needs that positively impact students, faculty and staff. Funding reinvested via the reserves policies will help support a newly established Excellence Fund geared toward one-time and strategic investments aligned with campus priorities—particularly in the areas of enhancing student success and experience, strengthening our research enterprise and reducing faculty burdens.��

The Business, Finance and Infrastructure (BFI) team will continue to engage campus partners on critical implementation details and begin to move the proposed policies through the formal campus approval process.

Additional information about the reserve policies is��available on the Budget and Finance website.��

Next steps and additional projects moving forward

The Financial Stewardship Initiative continues work in several other areas, including a campus space assessment, finance roles and responsibilities review, recharge practices evaluation and new planning tools that support sound financial and resource management practices at the college/school level. All of the Financial Stewardship projects share a common goal: ensuring campus resources are managed strategically and transparently in support of CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s mission.

Join the conversation

Campus students, faculty and staff are invited to learn more about these efforts and hear updates on the university's financial outlook at the upcoming Budget Town Hall on Nov. 10 from 2 to 3 p.m.��.

Additional information about Financial Stewardship projects, resources and updates are available on the��refreshed Financial Stewardship website.