University Times

Pitt officials voiced disappointment with Gov. Tom Ridge's proposed appropriation to the University for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2001 — $173.3 million, or $4.1 million less than Pitt is receiving this year.

But Chancellor Mark Nordenberg noted that the governor's proposal was only the first stage in the budget process. "Obviously, we will continue to make our case for higher levels of support and hope that both the legislature and the administration will be receptive, as they have been in the past," the chancellor said in a written statement.

Pitt had requested a 5.8 percent increase in its total appropriation for next year, including $10.5 million in one-time funding for biotechnology research, information technology investments and laboratory improvements.

In his Feb. 6 budget message, Ridge proposed increasing the University's base appropriation but rejected Pitt's special funding requests.

In previous years, such "well-targeted line-item investments" have left Pitt and other state-related universities "better positioned…to carry out their many important responsibilities," Chancellor Nordenberg said.

The fact that Ridge's proposal includes no such funding for Pitt next year "could be viewed as disappointing," he said. "It is not uncommon, however, for such support to be added in later stages of the budget process."

Last February, for example, the governor proposed funding just one special line item for Pitt: $3.5 million for academic program initiatives. But by the time Ridge and legislators agreed on the 2000-2001 state budget, Pitt's appropriation included the $3.5 million for academic initiatives plus another $5.5 million for lab improvements, information technology upgrades and student life initiatives.

For next year, the governor is proposing the following funding for Pitt:

* $154.3 million for education and general expenses, an increase of $4.5 million over the current funding. The University had requested $157.6 million.

* $8.77 million for Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, up by $2.55 million. Pitt had asked for $8.96 million.

* $7.11 million for medical programs, up by $2 million. Pitt's request: $7.26 million.

* $1.17 million for the dental clinics, a $30,000 increase. Pitt's request: $1.2 million.

* $827,000 for rural education outreach, down by $96,000. Pitt's request: $961,000.

* $565,000 for Western Psych's teen suicide center, a $16,000 increase. Pitt's request: $578,000.

* $366,000 for recruitment and retention of disadvantaged students, up by $11,000. Pitt's request: $373,000.

* $285,000 for the Graduate School of Public Health's Center for Public Health Practice, an $8,000 increase. Pitt's request: $291,000.

Chancellor Nordenberg and other Pitt administrators will plead the University's case for additional funds during hearings of the House and Senate appropriations committees in Harrisburg's state capitol building. The House hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. The Senate hearing is set for March 5 at 10:30 a.m.

— Bruce Steele