Strategic Budget Guiding Principles

The new budgeting model and process for the University of North Texas advances the mission, values, and strategic priorities for the university. As we continue this important work, our committees will keep the following guiding principles in mind.

Encourage open communication about available resources, and enable the ability of regular reporting by colleges, schools, and units
Align unit-level budgeting with UNT's strategic priorities
Ensure relevant stakeholders have access to necessary information and reports
Provide budget guidelines and formulas that offer consistent, predictable support
Develop an auditing timeline that supports financial integrity

Student Success: Prioritize budget allocations that directly support student success, while also supporting faculty and staff efforts to improve student success
Faculty Success: Support and encourage faculty-led research, innovation, and creative contributions
Staff Success: Focus the budgeting process to incentivize, strengthen, and support operational effectiveness and efficiency

Support strategic forecasting, analysis, and data-driven decision making
Strengthen activities aligned with university strategic priorities
Provide guidance for current and future goals

Encourage innovation that adds to revenue or improves institutional efficiency and productivity
Facilitate mission-specific resource allocation
Foster a culture of entrepreneurship and mentorship

Provides for adjustments in budget allocations or priorities that are adaptable to new opportunities and challenges
Facilitate contingency planning

Encourage cross-unit and interdisciplinary collaboration
Encourage external partnerships that generate revenue or enhance educational and research excellence

Prioritize excellence and enhance reputational areas of significance
Consider the social and ethical implications of budget decisions