University Park, Pa. -- Penn State faces a state funding cut of five percent - or approximately $16 million - next year if the 2003-2004 state budget proposed March 4 by Gov. Edward G. Rendell is passed by the state Legislature. The University, which already receives less state support per student than any other public institution in the commonwealth or in the Big Ten, has experienced four cuts in state funding over the past 18 months.
"Penn State understands the difficult fiscal situation the state is facing, and we are willing to do our fair share, but a 5 percent cut will present major hardships for the University," says University President Graham B. Spanier. "The proposed cut comes on the heels of $29 million of recent funding cuts for Penn State. This new budget would inevitably force tuition higher. We realize that this proposal is the first part of a long process, and we are hopeful that we will be able to work with the governor and the legislature to find solutions that will lessen the impact on the University."
For a chart illustrating the budget cuts the University has received since October 2001, check the Web at http://www.psu.edu/ur/flash/Images/chart.jpg