Rendell cuts state funding for U.

In the state government's ongoing attempt to resuscitate an ailing budget, Governor Ed Rendell's latest penny-pinching prescription will leave Penn with about $450,000 less in state funding. The cuts will affect Penn's dental clinics, cardiovascular studies and medical programs, but it is the School of Veterinary Medicine that must shoulder the majority of the burden. The Vet School, which receives about 38 percent of its funding from the state, is the only veterinary school in Pennsylvania. The school has two campuses, one in Philadelphia, and the New Bolton Center, about 30 miles away southwest. With two hospitals boasting the largest caseloads in the nation, the institution certainly serves a valuable purpose in the commonwealth. "Agriculture is the largest industry in Pennsylvania," Vice Dean of Administration and Finance Barry Stupine said. "And agriculture could not exist without a veterinary school." This is the second 1-percent cut in appropriations the Vet School has endured since the state budget was announced last July, signaling a loss totaling nearly $770,000. "It happened to us last year, so it wasn't a complete surprise," Stupine said. "But it does present some difficulties." Without the state funding, the school will put an end to some searches for faculty, leaving some vacant positions unfilled. "We may have to let some people go," Stupine added. "Especially at the New Bolton Center." Students, however, will not be affected by the cuts. Although the state money is used to provide scholarships of $5,400 for all Pennsylvania residents enrolled at the school, these grants will remain in place. "The commonwealth has been very fair," Stupine explained, citing Harrisburg's tough financial situation. "We don't think this was earmarked to particularly hurt the Veterinary School," he continued. "We'll just have to deal." According to Penn's Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Craig Carnaroli, the Vet School will make do just fine. "They've been very adept with managing with the uncertain budget," he said. "We expect that they'll be able to make the appropriate adjustments." Though the Vet School will grin and bear the burden for now, Stupine, who also serves as the school's hospital director, made it clear that it won't take it lying down. "We will do our best to recoup these funds for next year," he said. "We will make our case." The school has a strong suit, as it provides multiple services to the commonwealth, including a recent program comprising the detailed mapping of all state farms in case of attacks of agro-terrorism. The state expense reductions, which Rendell announced last week, will save $120 million for Pennsylvania during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The governor expressed hope that this action will help to tame the $2-billion deficit the state faces in planning next year's budget. "The spending freezes were straight across the board," said Tom Hickey, a spokesman for Rendell. "No particular group or interest was targeted." Other universities in the Philadelphia area will also suffer from cuts in state aid. Temple, Drexel and Lincoln universities will see cuts of $1.74 million, $68,100, and $128,000, respectively.

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