March 03, 2015
Governor Wolf recommends $458 million for State System
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg – Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal announced today would provide $458 million
to Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education next year, an increase of $45.3
million. It would represent the first increase in the state appropriation in seven
years.
“The governor’s budget proposal for the State System represents an important investment
in the Commonwealth’s future,” said Board of Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini.
“On behalf of the universities, our students and their families, we are grateful for
this strong demonstration of support.
“As the budget process continues, we look forward to working with the administration,
the General Assembly, its leaders and the education committees to help ensure the
Commonwealth’s investment in the State System pays the dividends everyone has come
to expect.”
The State System’s proposed appropriation is part of the governor’s overall more than
$30 billion general fund spending plan for the next fiscal year, which begins July
1. The proposal calls for a similar increase for the State System in 2016-17.
The governor’s proposal is the first step in the budget process, which will continue
later in the month when the House and Senate appropriations committees convene a series
of hearings with the various state departments and agencies to consider it. State
System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan will appear before the separate committees March
19.
“Our universities and their leaders have been remarkably good stewards in the face
of real economic challenges, and the prospect of this investment would provide immeasurable
help,” Mr. Brogan said. “The appropriation received by the State System is essential
to the universities’ ability to continue to offer high-quality, high-value educational
opportunities that meet the needs of both students and the Commonwealth."
The State System currently is receiving essentially the same level of state funding
as it received in 1997-98—17 years ago. Despite the fiscal challenges the universities
have faced as a result of reduced or level state funding in each of the last seven
years, the System has remained committed to achieving its stated mission of providing
high quality education at the lowest possible cost to students.
The 14 State System universities continue to be the lowest-cost option among all four-year
colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, and the total average cost of attendance—combined
tuition, fees, room and board—is below the national average among all four-year public
institutions.
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher
education in the Commonwealth, with about 110,000 students. The 14 State System universities
offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study.
The universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro,
Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock
and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The universities also operates branch
campuses in Oil City (Clarion), Freeport and Punxsutawney (IUP) and Clearfield (Lock
Haven), and offer classes and programs at several regional centers, including the
Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and in Center City in Philadelphia.