The amount of external debt that the University has at any given time will be a function of its ability to service that debt through the operating budget without diminishing the resources necessary for other non-capital priorities and the desire to maintain a high-quality credit rating while sustaining overall financial health. Yet, at the same time, the University recognizes that in order to meet its mission and strategic objectives, investment in the form of capital is often necessary and such investment may necessitate the incurrence of debt.
Bryant University has engaged in a strategic planning process aimed at identifying ways to improve and enhance the educational product delivered to its students while recognizing that such endeavors generally yield more ideas than can be absorbed within the financial constraints in which the University works. This disparity forces the University to balance the appropriate allocation of financial resources between programmatic support and the University’s physical infrastructure in order to ensure the long-term health of the institution. In conjunction with the academic priority setting process, the University has developed integrated, comprehensive plans covering its academic, space, and fiscal needs. Members of the University community have provided significant input into these decisions through an integrated planning process. This process has considered all needs in the context of the entire academic enterprise, and participants have evaluated and compared competing demands for resources.
One end result of this process has been a five-year budget projection that includes all revenues, expenditures, and commitments that can reasonably be expected. In this context, the University develops its annual operating budgets, as well as the University’s capital budget and capital plan.
Donor-financed capital projects and other capital fund-raising activities will generally follow the priorities determined by the planning process rather than by donors. However, in certain instances, donor-specified projects that are consistent with the University’s mission and enhance the academic enterprise will be undertaken.