\n\tBy SUSAN JONES<\/p>\n
\n\tPennsylvania lawmakers passed and Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50.8 billion budget on July 12 that includes $10 million in performance-based funding to be split between Pitt, Penn State and Temple.<\/p>\n
\n\tPitt\u2019s base funding will remain the same as it has been since 2019 \u2014 $151.5 million \u2014 along with $3.98 million for rural education outreach.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe University of Pittsburgh thanks the General Assembly and Gov. Josh Shapiro for their continued support and for their commitment to Pennsylvania\u2019s students and workforce,\u201d a University spokesperson said. \u201cWe look forward to strengthening our partnership with the legislature and the governor\u2019s office as we work together to deliver on the commonwealth\u2019s priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tIn his budget request, Shapiro had asked for $30 million in performance-based funding, and the House had approved that amount. But the final number agreed to was $10 million.<\/p>\n
\n\tAt last week\u2019s Board of Trustees meeting, Dwayne Pinkney, executive senior vice chancellor for administration and finance, said that Pitt\u2019s budget, which was passed by the board on July 10, assumes \u201can appropriation equal to last year\u2019s, along with $7.5 million in performance-based funds.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tWith only a total of $10 million approved for the performance-based fund, Pitt is highly unlikely to receive three-quarters of that. It was unclear how that would impact the just-passed Pitt budget.<\/p>\n
\n\t“The University of Pittsburgh\u2019s operating budget for the 2027 fiscal year reflects a conservative approach to budgeting,\u201d a University spokesperson said. \u201c As such, we have contingency plans in place that are designed to minimize the impacts to our community while ensuring Pitt can continue to deliver world-class education and research.”<\/p>\n
\n\tThe performance-based money will be distributed based on a set of metrics<\/a> that include the number of in-state students at each school,\u00a0 four- and six-year graduation rates, six-year Pell-eligible graduation rates, high-priority occupation degree production, improved college affordability, transfers from community colleges, and enrollment from underrepresented high schools.<\/p>\n \n\tPinkney stressed that all the money Pitt receives from the state is used \u201cto provide 18,000 Pennsylvania students with an in-state tuition discount. \u2026 It does cover approximately 70% of the in-state tuition discount, while Pitt covers the remainder.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAny impacts to the Commonwealth appropriation would impact our ability to continue to provide that level of support,\u201d he said. \u201cOf course, we would have to to find that support to continue to keep our commitment and to continue to support access and affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHe also said that \u201cas a percentage of the total $3.3 billion dollar budget, one might look at that and hastily conclude that it is not as significant as it is. It is very significant. Were we to try to replace that commonwealth appropriation, we would need an endowment of over $5 billion, probably more in the neighborhood of five and a quarter billion dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSusan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu<\/a> or 724-244-4042.<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tHave a story idea or news to share? Share<\/a> it with the University Times.<\/p>\n