University Times

The University is asking the state for $184.56 million in funding for fiscal year 2017.

In its annual budget request, the University is seeking $168 million for general support including Pitt-Bradford’s rural education outreach programming.

A total of $2 million is earmarked for new innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including a proposed Innovation Institute student startup program to support students in their efforts to transform ideas into commercially viable businesses.

The program includes pre- and post- startup mentorship and establishment of a pilot incubator space.

In addition, Pitt is seeking $8.12 million for the School of Medicine; $7.13 million for Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC); $955,000 for the dental clinic; and $370,000 for the Center for Public Health Practice, which is funded through the Department of Human Services budget.

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Overall, the University’s request represents an increase of nearly 10 percent over the $167.95 million in state support it is seeking for the current fiscal year. (See Oct. 9, 2014, University Times.)

Pitt’s FY16 appropriation has yet to be set due to the continuing budget impasse in Harrisburg.

Agreement still has not been reached on a FY16 budget, now more than 100 days overdue. Budget talks continued this week after the House of Representatives rejected Gov. Tom Wolf’s most recent budget proposal in a 127-73 vote last week.

The annual appropriation request, submitted to the Department of Education, is an early step in the state budget process. Following agency budget submissions, the starting point for budget negotiations comes when the governor presents a proposed state budget in early February. Appropriations committee hearings in the House and Senate follow, with a deadline of July 1 for legislators to negotiate and approve a budget for the new fiscal year.

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In a statement accompanying the FY17 budget request, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher wrote: “This budget request would bring Pitt’s funding to a level that would enable us to continue to control costs to students and their families while ensuring that the value and quality of the education they receive remains at the highest level.”

The increased funding would allow the University “to offset inflationary increases for operating expenses, expand our innovation programs to drive economic growth for the region, and allow us to control tuition increases for in-state students,” Gallagher stated.

Proposed tuition rates submitted with the budget request show a hike of 2 percent for out-of-state students on the Pittsburgh campus, but no increase for in-state students or for students on Pitt’s regional campuses for the 2016-17 academic year.

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Pitt’s enrollment has increased by nearly 3,000 students and annual research expenditures rose $500 million over the past two decades. At the same time, the Consumer Price Index rose 57 percent and the Higher Education Price Index increased 86 percent.

“The growth of the quality of the University of Pittsburgh’s programs has been accomplished in the face of current levels of state support that are equal to the levels of support received 20 years ago — in nominal dollars, with no adjustment for inflation,” the budget request stated. “However, in the face of ever increasing expenses, this is not a sustainable situation.”

—Kimberly K. Barlow