Written submission: Academic burn rate for Alumni Homecoming 2026 (23 Feb 2026)

Purpose. This submission summarises the cash burn associated with the Alumni Homecoming 2026 programme held on 23 Feb 2026, including pre-event procurement and post-event close-out costs captured under the commissioning/homecoming expense run.

Definition used (for this submission). Burn rate is the speed at which cash is consumed to deliver an academic-facing programme, usually expressed as cash spent per month (or per week for short events).

1) Reporting scope and cut-off

• Event date: 23 Feb 2026
• Spend window captured: 14 Jan 2026 to 27 Feb 2026 (pre-procurement, event-week execution, and close-out)
• Expense basis: cash outflows recorded with receipts (eR/R) and vouchers in the expense log below

2) Total burn captured

• Total recorded outflow (14 Jan to 27 Feb): (7,525.50)
• Average burn per day over the spend window (45 days): ~(167.23/day)
• Average burn per week: ~(1,170.58/week)
• Average burn per month (45-day pro‑rata): ~(5,017.00/month)

Note: This window intentionally includes pre-procurement items (e.g., gowns, cords, bedding) and post-event settlements (allowances, meals, transport). For budget discipline, these should be treated as part of the event’s true cost of delivery.

3) Cost drivers (high-level)

The expense pattern indicates three dominant drivers:

• People support and allowances (core team and ops support), including transport and meal allowances.
• Hospitality and meals for teams and working sessions supporting the programme.
• Programme materials and logistics such as gowns shipment, certificates, collars/oils, bedding, and event sundries.

4) Burn-rate implications for academic programmes

• A short, high-touch academic fellowship event produces a front-loaded burn (procurement) and a spike during event week (meals, transport, allowances).