Temple University said it is laying off about 40 employees as it works to close a previously projected budget deficit for fiscal 2027, with the university still dealing with elevated costs and the impact of enrollment declines. The university released a plan that raises tuition an average of 3.4% for in-state and out-of-state students for 2026–27, while cutting $60 million in expenses. In its community message, Temple President John Fry attributed the budget stress to student headcount shrinking faster than operating costs rose over recent years, while also noting prior cost-reduction efforts since 2021. The university reported that after earlier cuts, it reduced what had been a larger deficit and that layoffs were now required to finish closing the gap. The move fits a wider institutional pattern: large and small colleges and universities are increasingly using layoffs, hiring freezes, and budget restructurings as funding lags and student enrollment volatility persist. Temple also reported improvement in first-year undergraduate enrollment, including a 9.2% year-over-year gain for the incoming class of 2029. For sector leaders and policy watchers, Temple’s announcement emphasizes how pricing, staffing, and enrollment stabilization are tightly coupled in deficit planning, with near-term decisions shaping next-year operating authority.