Local university officials express dismay, vow to fight cuts

Officials at Philadelphia colleges in danger of losing state funding said yesterday that despite the surprise of Gov. Robert Casey's proposed budget cuts, they are committed to keeping tuition increases to a minimum. Casey's budget, which must be approved by the state legislature, suggests eliminating all funding to non-state-related colleges and universities, as well as reducing funding to state-related schools. The University would receive no state funding under Casey's budget. Other Philadelphia schools which could be hit hard by the proposed budget cuts include Hahnemann Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Temple University. Most administrators said the suggested cuts come at a time when universities and colleges are battling just to stay afloat in a worsening economy. "[The budget cuts] will hurt enormously, make no mistake about it," said Stephanie Naidoff, vice president for governmental relations at Thomas Jefferson University, which last year received approximately $10.7 million dollars from the state and could lose all funding if this year's budget is approved. "A complete reduction such as the one the governor is proposing, coming as it does on top of severe cutbacks in other federal and state funding, could seriously impair our ability to carry out our mission," Naidoff added. Medical College of Pennsylvania Dean Leonard Ross said that currently, state funding makes up only five percent of MCP's total operating budget, but, more importantly, 20 percent of its education expenses. "Clearly, [the budget cut] has a serious effect on us," Ross said. "It severely cripples our abilities to have a quality education progam." MCP would lose approximately $4.5 million if Casey's budget passes. In addition, Ross said an increased minority recruitment program at MCP could be in jeopardy if the cuts are implemented. Still, all school administrators said they will do their best to keep tuition hikes down. Ross said a tuition increase at MCP would only come as a "last resort." "If we do [increase tuition]," Ross said. "It really means the state has forced us to provide medical education only for the rich." And Merrill Meadow, a spokesperson at Hahnemann University, which stands to lose approximately $5.4 million, said the proposed budget cuts should not effect tuition. Temple University President Peter Liacouras said in a statement released yesterday that he wants to avoid a painful tuition hike because most of Temple's students come from middle- and low-income families. "These Pennsylvania families are hard-working people who sacrifice in order to help their members earn a college education" Liacouras said. He added that 80 percent of the students at Temple work, and one-third of those students must work full-time "to make ends meet." Temple, which is a state-related university, would lose $3.5 million to $5 million if Casey's budget is passed. The school would still receive approximately $138 million. Still, Liacouras said Temple's two primary sources of revenue are tuition and state appropriations. "Without more money, Temple must consider a major tuition hike," he said. The school administrators also said the cuts to Philadelphia schools would hurt the whole state, adding that they hope the state legislature will restore the funding. "I hope that the legislature will find some way to restore the funding to institutions that are so important to the well-being of the Commonwealth," Naidoff said. MCP's Ross said 75 percent of MCP's graduates practice in Pennsylvania, and MCP plans on "enlisting their [graduates'] support in efforts to regain money." He also said MCP wants to work closely with other Philadelphia private schools to discourage legislators from passing Casey's budget. Iqbal Paroo, the president of Hahnemann University, said he has confidence that the budget proposal will not pass. "As this budget goes to the legislature we have confidence that legislators, who have appreciated the role we play, will restore the support," Paroo said. "Academic medical centers in particular are an important part of the Philadelphia economy."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.