Harrisburg — Shippensburg University’s budget is largely up to state legislators, who are expected to vote on an appropriations bill sometime in the coming months.
In an effort to increase the funding for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the tuition rate for state universities may not increase, reported Pennlive.com.
The PASSHE Board of Governors voted nine to eight in favor of a resolution that freezes any increase in university tuition rates, next year.
In exchange, Gov. Tom Wolf will strive for state legislators to pass his proposed $45.3 million increase for PASSHE — a decision that could take months to resolve, a PASSHE spokesman said.
The vote was taken on April 9; weeks after the SU Council of Trustees passed the per-credit tuition pilot model, formally named the Pricing Flexibility Pilot Program.
Under the per-credit model, in-state undergraduate students would be charged based on the number of credits they take a semester, replacing the flat fee.
The Board of Governors was initially expected to vote on the model in March or April — a move that might not come to pass.
SU expected to see a $3.5 million net gain from the new tuition program, according to Mindy Fawks, SU’s associate vice president of administration and finance.
Out of the $45.3 million that PASSHE could receive, SU is expected to get about $3 million.
University officials prepared various budget plans to use based on the decision the state makes, according to Laura Ludlam, SU’s director of marketing and publications.
Though SU has implemented significant budget cuts over the last decade, totaling $34.5 million, further cuts are expected to close the remaining deficit, according to an email from the office of SU’s president to staff and students.
“Until all previous funding cuts are restored, [SU] will continue to face difficult decisions about budget cuts that could affect faculty and staff positions, class sizes, degree programs and student life,” the email stated.
“We’re in favor of adequate funding,” Ludlam said. She noted that it is unclear if Wolf’s plan would accomplish that, but the university is appreciative of the governor’s support.
Pennsylvania once provided state universities with roughly 75 percent of their operating budget. Currently, about 26 percent comes from the state.
The tuition rate for students for the fall 2015 semester is not expected to change, regardless if PASSHE receives increased funding.
Wolf plans to increase PASSHE’s funding by another $45 million next year.
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