Leaders of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities urged state lawmakers to increase funding for higher education during a recent House budget hearing, warning that flat state appropriations could lead to rising tuition and fewer resources for students.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget, released last month, largely holds funding steady for higher education institutions, but school leaders told lawmakers the plan does not account for rising costs driven by inflation and shifting enrollment patterns.
University officials said the additional state support would help offset expenses that might otherwise be passed on to students.
Chancellor Joan Gabel of the University of Pittsburgh said holding appropriations flat while expenses increase places pressure on universities to find other ways to cover costs. She noted that while tuition increases over the past decade have remained below inflation, this has limited the university’s ability to invest in new programs and initiatives.
The University of Pittsburgh is seeking $161 million in state funding, up from its current $155 million allocation.
Temple University President John Fry also highlighted cost-cutting measures the institution has already taken, including an early retirement program that saved $15 million. At the same time, the university has expanded efforts in public safety in Philadelphia and launched projects, including a medical campus in York and a dental clinic in Tamaqua.
Temple currently receives $158 million in state funding and is requesting $183 million.
Pennsylvania’s largest university, Penn State, would receive $278 million under the governor’s proposal. University leaders said an appropriation of $394 million would allow the school to freeze tuition for undergraduate students.
Lincoln University, the fourth state-related institution, is asking for $24 million, slightly higher than the $23 million proposed in Shapiro’s budget. The governor has also proposed creating a $30 million performance-based funding pool for state-related universities.
Community colleges and state-owned universities also told lawmakers they face similar financial pressures.
The state’s 15 community colleges would receive $277 million under the proposed budget, but officials are seeking $294 million. Leaders say declining government support has shifted more of the cost burden onto students.
Traditionally, community college funding is expected to come from a three-way split between the state, local governments and students. However, officials say declining state and local contributions have disrupted that balance.
The 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education are seeking $652 million in funding, up from their current $626 million allocation. Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino said a five percent increase would allow the system to keep tuition at current levels for another year.
Those institutions include campuses such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University, PennWest Clarion and Shippensburg University.
University leaders also noted changing enrollment trends as another challenge. The number of traditional college-age students is shrinking, while interest is growing among adult learners returning to school or seeking new skills.
Officials say online learning options and flexible programs are helping attract older students who previously left college without completing a degree or who want to change careers.
Community colleges are also increasingly working with local employers to develop specialized training programs tailored to workforce needs. Butler County Community College recently partnered with a nearby steel manufacturer to train workers on new equipment, while other schools are launching programs tied to major pharmaceutical investments in eastern Pennsylvania.
Lawmakers acknowledged the value of higher education but also questioned whether Pennsylvania has more colleges than the shrinking student population can support.
Some legislators pointed to Penn State’s recent decision to close several branch campuses as evidence that the state’s higher education system may need to adapt to demographic changes.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said declining populations in some areas made maintaining certain campuses financially difficult. She also noted that the number of young children in the state is significantly smaller than the current population of college-age students, suggesting future enrollment challenges.
Several lawmakers said the demographic shift raises questions about whether Pennsylvania may eventually need to “right-size” its higher education system while continuing to support students and workforce development across the state.
Source: PA Capital-Star