Budget Humanities: Positive result in 2027
The Faculty of Humanities is able to present a draft budget for 2027 that shows a positive result. The projected overall result for 2027 currently stands at €2.0 million, although the financial implications of the ongoing collective labour agreement (CAO) negotiations have not yet been incorporated. The draft budget also presents a positive outlook for the years that follow. 'We are proud that we have been able to turn around the difficult financial situation of the past few years,' the Faculty Board states.
This improvement is partly the result of the steering measures implemented across the faculty in recent years, combined with the use of temporary funding available during the period 2027-2030. As these temporary funds will cease after 2030, the financial outlook beyond that point becomes less certain.
The multi-year budget shows that the faculty's reserves are more than sufficient to absorb the deficit in regular operations up to and including 2031. Throughout this period, the reserve position is expected to remain comfortably above the university's benchmark of 5% of the faculty's total budget.
Scope to invest in the future
As Vice-Dean Jos Schaeken noted during the Opening of the Academic Year, the faculty is currently in a strong position, but complacency is not an option. We have time to prepare for the future and must use our time wisely. The continuing trend of declining student numbers remains a concern, and the number of PhD completions is also decreasing. As a result of these anticipated developments, the annual funding the faculty receives from the university is expected to decline.
The faculty therefore remains committed to becoming a more agile organisation, capable of responding effectively to developments such as fluctuations in student enrolment and research output in the years ahead.
From draft to final budget
The draft budget was discussed by the Faculty Board on 1 September. It will be considered by the Faculty Council on 23 September, after which it will be discussed by the Executive Board at the end of September. The faculty will then prepare the Final Budget 2027-2031, which must be submitted to the Executive Board by 20 October. On 4 November, the Faculty Council will discuss any proposed amendments to the budget before it is finalised.