University Times

State appropriation up by 5.8% for FY01

Pitt's budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 includes $177.4 million in state support. That's up by 5.8 percent (or $9.8 million) over last year.

The appropriation includes $3.5 million for academic program initiatives, $2.5 million for laboratory improvements and equipment (down from $4.5 million last year), $2.5 million for information technology and $500,000 for student life initiatives.

Except for the funding for lab improvements and equipment, these are new line items.

The state appropriation also includes:

* $149.76 million for educational and general expenses, an increase of $4.74 million.

* $8.5 million for Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, up by $208,000.

* $6.9 million for the medical school, $168,000 more than last year.

* $1.14 million for the dental clinic, up by $28,000.

* $913,000 for rural education outreach, a $130,000 increase.

* $549,000 for Western Psych's teen suicide center, $13,000 more than last year.

* $355,000 to recruit and retain disadvantaged students, up by $9,000.

* $277,000 for the Graduate School of Public Health's Center for Public Health Practice, a $7,000 increase.

In addition to its annual appropriation, Pitt will receive almost $2.23 million in additional state money, including $1 million for the McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development; $600,000 for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; a projected $431,000 higher education equipment grant; a projected $90,000 engineering school equipment grant; $56,000 for the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Center, and $50,000 for the Ethnic Heritage Studies Center.

— Bruce Steele