Provosts and academic leaders shape institutional finances every day—often without a clear, comprehensive view of their institution’s underlying financial condition. Financial Equilibrium is a practical framework for assessing long-term institutional health, designed to bridge that gap and make complex financial concepts more accessible and actionable. This session provides a structured approach to evaluating financial performance, helping participants better understand the interconnected drivers of sustainability, including enrollment trends, net tuition revenue, operating performance, endowment strength, and the growing impact of deferred maintenance obligations.
Financial Equilibrium – A balanced budget alone is not enough. Colleges need a financial model that supports their mission today while preserving the resources required to sustain it over time. Through clear explanations and real-world examples, we demystify these core components and show how they collectively influence an institution’s financial trajectory. Participants will learn how to interpret key indicators, identify emerging risks, and distinguish between short-term stability and long-term viability. The session also emphasizes the importance of aligning financial strategy with institutional mission, highlighting why a balanced budget alone is insufficient without a model that supports ongoing reinvestment and resilience.
Financial Equilibrium underscores that lasting financial health requires thoughtful trade-offs and informed decision-making across multiple dimensions. Attendees will gain practical tools to simplify complex financial data, enabling more confident participation in campus-wide financial discussions and governance. Supported by four complementary white papers, this session equips participants with a deeper understanding of what the numbers mean, why they matter, and how to ask the right questions to evaluate and strengthen their institution’s financial position over time.
Garry Duncan, Director of Business Development, Hirtle & Co.
John Griffith, Director – Endowment Specialist, Hirtle & Co.
Chair: Randy Roberson, Vice President, Leadership Development, National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)