The multi-year planning cycle for 2027-28 has launched, and Department/Program narrative templates and planning packages are now available from respective Dean’s Offices.

New for 2027-28 planning cycle is the development of a multi-year planning dashboard, accessible to all faculty and staff via Power BI here. This dashboard is intended to largely replace the individual Department/Program enrolment data packages provided last year.

The dates for this year’s planning cycle are:

• May 19, 2026 – Department/Program Planning Launch
• Week of August 4, 2026 – Adaptive Planning opening for 2027-28
• August 4, 2026 – Teaching Faculties and shared-service units provided with narrative templates and guidance targets
• September 14, 2026 – Department/Program plans due to respective Dean’s Office
• November 2, 2026 – Teaching Faculties and shared-service budget plans are due to the Provost’s Office and Financial Services

Course collection for 2027-28 will open on June 15 and close on September 15.

Overview

Multi-year planning is an annual process through which a 4-year, forwarding-looking budget outlook is developed for the University. Two key components of this process are Faculty academic budget plans and shared-service budget plans.

Faculty academic budget plans take a bottom-up approach to developing an academic-driven budget for the upcoming year. They are developed on an annual basis and are an important tool in ensuring that the academic priorities of the University are driving budgetary decisions, and that the budget aligns with and supports the academic needs of the institution in a financially sustainable manner. The process begins at the Department/Program level with an annual multi-year planning process to identify goals and priorities in alignment with the academic and strategic plans and set targets for the future. This information is then used by the Dean to inform their development of a budget plan that considers resource needs and makes forward-looking decisions. Decisions are then brought forward for review, informed by broader budgetary factors, fiscal capacity, University policies, strategic priorities, and the fiscal framework before being approved.

Shared-service budget plans are developed in parallel to Faculty budget plans on an annual basis by institutional offices (e.g., ITS, Marketing and Communications, Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services, Research Services, etc.) and consider University-wide costs for shared services. Shared-service budget plans are aligned to institutional priorities, needs, and support-levels for services provided across the University.

Together, these two processes ensure that comprehensive budget for the University is developed that examines all possible options, opportunities, and risks.

Faculty and shared-service budget plans are developed annually, with a 4-year outlook. Budget plans are brought forward and reviewed jointly by the Provost & Vice-President, Academic and the Chief Financial Officer & Associate Vice-President, Financial Services.

Budget plans are developed throughout the fall term. Units submit a multi-year budget plan based on academic and institutional priorities. Revenue projections are incorporated, based on enrolments, new program offerings, fundraising, ancillary activities, etc. Expense projections are forecasted based on cost increases, changes in faculty and staff complement, student financial support, etc. These plans are then discussed in individual review meetings with the Provost, the Chief Financial Officer, and the relevant budget holder. At these meetings guidance targets are finalized (e.g., budget, enrolment, fundraising, etc.) and resource-related requests are approved (e.g., new faculty/staff appointments).

This multi-year planning process is an opportunity for faculty and staff to engage in a consultative and deliberative budget setting process for the University. Budgetary allocations are informed not only by the overall financial situation of the University, but also by the circumstances of individual Faculties/units and by strategic and academic priorities. Cost containment measures, which are often required because of constraints on revenue, are also applied to each Faculty and shared-service unit based on its own circumstances.

While the multi-year planning process works with 4-year plans, the fiscal framework requires a 5-year financial forecast, which is typically updated bi-annually. Together, these allow for a budget process that can be nimble and change with shifting priorities, while also maintaining a longer-term financial outlook.

Timeline

Planning Preparation

A new fiscal year begins every May 1. Over the summer, Financial Services, the Office of Institutional Planning & Data Governance (IPDG), and the Provost’s Office conduct preliminary environmental scans and update assumptions in the budget forecast. This includes:

• Government funding changes (tuition, grants, etc.)
• Actual and forecasted enrolment
  • Including retention rates, and international mix
• Interest rates and other market-based factors
• Compensation adjustments
• Budget to actual variances

Based on this, planning packages and templates for Departments/Programs, Faculties, and shared-services units are developed with an initial 4-year forecast.

Planning Period

In mid-May, Departments/Programs in teaching Faculties are provided with planning packages to engage in a 4-year planning exercise.

In early August, teaching Faculties and shared-service units are provided with planning packages to engage in a 4-year planning exercise. For teaching Faculties, their plans will build on and incorporate the work conducted at the Department/Program-level over the summer.

In mid-September, Department/Program plans in teaching Faculties are due to their respective Dean’s Offices. Department/Program plans will be used by the Dean’s Office in the development of a budget submission for the Faculty. Department/Program plans are included in the final submission as appendices.

In early November, teaching Faculty and shared-service budget plans are submitted for review to the Provost & Vice-President, Academic and the Chief Financial Officer & Associate Vice-President, Financial Services.

Reviews

A key date in the budget planning process is the November 1 fall enrolment count. This is the annual enrolment census date in the sector that drives many decisions related to revenue and expenses. Budget submissions are due at approximately the same time.

Following budget plans being submitted, review meetings are scheduled with the Provost & Vice-President, Academic and the Chief Financial Officer & Associate Vice-President, Financial Services. Submissions will be reviewed and resource-related requests approved.

For the teaching Faculties, meetings are scheduled with the Dean to review their submission, probe assumptions, confirm targets, approve resource requests, and set forward-looking plans. Areas of discussion include:

• Enrolment and research relationships
• Academic programs
• Tuition and related student fees/awards
• Faculty and staff complement plans
• Part-time teaching
• Space and facilities
• Cost containment measures
• Advancement and government relations

For shared-service units, the review process involves ensuring budgets reflect the academic and strategic priorities of the University, and resources are aligned with needs of the academic units where Brock’s teaching and research takes place. Areas of discussion include:

• Service levels
• Resource needs (e.g., technology, space)
• Staff complement plans
• Financial overview (e.g., audit, legal, marketing, etc.)

Consultation

Early in the new calendar year, the information, data, and decisions gathered in the planning process are used to generate a draft budget for the University. Consultation across the University on a draft budget will then begin.

This will also include consultation with both Senate and the Board of Trustees as the budget is further developed, prior to it coming forward for governance.

Governance

At Senate, the budget is brought forward to the Planning, Priorities, and Budget Advisory Committee to advise the Board of Trustees that the budget is consistent with the academic policy of the University. At the Board of Trustees, the budget is brought forward to the Financial Planning and Investment Committee for approval.

Final budgets are communicated in the spring, pending final approval by the Board of Trustees.

The budget cycle concludes as the new fiscal year starts on May 1. In June, the Board of Trustees approves the audited financial statements for the previous fiscal year.