Dear Colleagues,
As we prepare for the fiscal year 2026 budget planning cycle, we write to highlight the key elements that will guide our approach toward a balanced budget.
The Designing DePaul Strategic Plans have identified university-wide opportunities that we will continue to refine and prioritize in collaboration with each academic and administrative unit. This work is our best opportunity to focus on growth areas within the university and help prevent difficult budget decisions in the future. We ask that you continue to actively participate in these strategic planning conversations.
As we navigate the challenges affecting DePaul and all of higher education, we anticipate that net tuition revenue for fiscal year 2026 may be less than this year’s amount. The main factors influencing the likely downturn in net tuition revenue are continued issues with FAFSA, fewer new students enrolling in fall 2024, and demographic declines in the Midwest, which is our primary market footprint. We ask our academic and administrative units to prepare flat budgets for fiscal year 2026, reallocating existing budgets as needed to accommodate any increases. Detailed instructions on the budget planning system and timeline will follow.
Our planning process must become more focused and adaptable to help us sustain our progress amidst these ongoing challenges. Initial budget proposals may need adjustments later in the process, as members of the Strategic Resource Allocation Committee conduct their deliberations. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to academic excellence and your flexibility as we work together to navigate these complexities.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We will provide updates on our progress as we make our way through the planning cycle. Thank you in advance for your attention to this most important work.
Kind regards,
Salma Ghanem, Provost
Sherri Sidler, Executive Vice President and CFO