USask financial structure

The university has a wide breadth of activities. Revenues and expenses related to these activities are classified into fund types for budgeting, financial management, and reporting.

These fund types are further classified as unrestricted or restricted.

Unrestricted Funds

Are flexible funds that can be used for any purpose aligned with the university’s mission. USask has two unrestricted funds operating and ancillary.



Operating

Activities in the operating fund cover core academic and administrative functions of the university.
Examples include: teaching and learning, academic and administrative support, and community outreach.



Ancillary

Ancillary activities support university life through the sale of goods and services to the university community.
Examples include: residences, bookstores, food services, parking, the sale of utilities for external organizations, and real estate development.

 

Restricted Funds

Funds earmarked for specific purposes where no cross-use or redirection on use is permitted.

 

Student Financial Aid

These funds are for direct student financial assistance. Examples include scholarships, bursaries, and financial aid.

 

Capital

These activities relate to the investments in long-term infrastructure, including the acquisition of capital assets, including land, buildings, and equipment.

Research

Research funding supports the generation and discovery of knowledge. Examples include funded research projects awarded from any federal, provincial, industry or donors.

Endowment

Maintains donor funds with perpetual restrictions, using earned income for defined activities. Examples include named scholarships and named research chairs.

Revenue

USask's revenue sources

  • Federal grants and contracts: Funding primarily supporting research activities, including capital and university overhead support.
  • Provincial grants and contracts: Public funding for operations, capital, and research. Funding for operations includes targeted funding for specific programs linked to provincial priorities, such as health human resources.
  • Student fees: Tuition and related fees.
  • Sales services/products: Income from campus-based services
  • Donations: Contributions from donors
  • Investment income: Returns from university investments within the non-endowed investment pool or bank.
  • Other revenues : Miscellaneous income streams.

Expenditures

USask's expenditures

  • Salaries and benefits: Compensation for employees
  • Supplies and contracts: Materials and third-party services
  • Travel: Expenses related to university travel
  • Utilities: Electricity, water, heating, etc.
  • Maintenance and rental: Upkeep and rental of facilities
  • Renovations: Campus improvement projects
  • Amortization: Accounting for annual use of long-term assets
  • Other expenses: miscellaneous expenses

 

Strategy

Financial stewardship is the cornerstone of institutional transformation—empowering organizations to fulfill their vision and long-term priorities. By strategically aligning goals and resources, the Strategic Finance Office drives excellence and serves as a catalyst for excellence and meaningful change.

Strategic alignment

Aligns with University Plan ambitions and goals

Planning is rooted in university priorities

Value creation

Catalyzes long-term success through strategic financial management

Resource optimization for maximum impact

Collaborative stewardship

Fosters collaboration across departments

Engaging stakeholders for sustainability

  1. Streamline planning and budgeting into one-step process
    • Launch: Sept. 2025 | Close: Jan. 2026
  2. Strategic Investment Fund proposals
    • Awards approved: April 2026
  3. Policy refinement: Investment, Risk, Capital
    • Board approval: June 2026

  1. Annual Debt Report strategy
    • Board/provincial support: June 2026
  2. Business case process enhancement
    • Checklist: Oct. 2025 | Template: June 2026
  3. Internal loan process communication
    • Release: Dec. 2025

  1. Financial town halls
    • Minimum two per year
  2. Launch website for financial transparency
    • Updated by Sept. 2025

  1. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) re-launch
    • toolkit + survey: July 2025
  2. Re-defining risk assessment teams
    • committee defined: Oct. 2025
  3. Advance risk culture through communication and policy
    • policy and communications tool launch: Oct.–Dec. 2025

Planning and budget town halls

More information on USask’s Planning and budget town halls, including insights into the university’s approach to financial sustainability.