Gov. Tom Corbett won’t deliver his budget message until early March, but Temple’s budget planners are already at work strengthening the university’s ability to raise revenue and cut costs for this year and years to come.

With the help of the Huron Consulting Group, about 80 faculty, administrators and students are being interviewed this month. The goal is to get their suggestions on ways Temple can continue to enhance the academic program and physical plant, while at the same time becoming more strategic in its fiscal management, said Anthony Wagner, Temple’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.

“This is a multi-year process that will allow us to build a foundation so that we come out stronger than ever,” said Wagner.

To make sure that all faculty have an opportunity to offer ideas, the university will hold a town hall meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, in Kiva Auditorium, Ritter Hall. All faculty are invited to attend the meeting and share their ideas.

“We’re looking for great ideas for ways we can reduce costs, build revenue and develop efficiencies that will save money,” said Wagner.

Huron will take the best suggestions and develop a menu of 70 to 100 high-level opportunities.  The firm will then prioritize the ideas based on their potential financial impact, how long they take and how difficult they will be to implement, the impact on service and any institutional risk.

After completing a review of Huron’s recommendations, a second town hall will be held to discuss the highest priority items.

Designing a set of opportunities to cut costs and increase revenue will become even more important as the university learns more from the governor about its annual Commonwealth appropriation. The state has a $4 billion deficit to deal with this year, and Temple’s $178 million appropriation from the state could change as elected officials work to fill the deficit.

“We’re not waiting for the governor’s message; we’re moving ahead now,” Wagner added.