Although state appropriations to Temple are still undetermined, the university’s proposed budget outlined potential tuition increases.
As June 30 approaches and state budget talks continue, no final decision has been made in regards to the amount of funding dedicated by the commonwealth to Temple.
Despite lobbying efforts by Temple officials and representatives in the months following the release of Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget in March, which called for a 50 percent decrease in funding to Pennsylvania’s four state-related schools, spending cuts to higher education still appear likely – but, to what degree, has not yet been officially determined.
As of recent, projections estimate a 19 percent, or $32.8 million, cut to Temple’s state funding.
Still, university officials have planned for potential decreases in appropriations, outlining possible increases in both in- and out-of-state tuition costs, which may tighten the gap between the two prices.
The university’s proposed budget for the 2012 fiscal year, released at a recent Board of Trustees public session, calls for tuition increases, barring either a 25 percent or 15 percent decrease in commonwealth funding. The budget, dated June 23, does not list tuition increases related to a 19 percent cut in funding.
According to the proposed budget, base undergraduate tuition rates are slated to increase more than $1,000 for both resident and non-resident students, if commonwealth funding is decreased by at least 15 percent.
If the state was to reduce funding to the university by 25 percent, according to the proposed budget, students from within the state could see an increase of $1,528 in tuition costs while non-resident students may see an increase of $1,278.
In the event that the university’s appropriation is decreased by 15 percent, the proposed budget lists, in-state students could stand to see a $1,172 increase in tuition, while out-of-state students’ tuition could rise $1,062.
For the 2010-11 year, the base undergraduate tuition was assessed at $11,834 and $21,662, for in- and out-of-state students, respectively.
While the proposed budget plans for two hypothetical cuts, Ray Betzner, assistant vice president of university communications, said the situation is still “fluid” and that the university won’t be sure of any tuition decisions until after the final vote is made.
“We’re monitoring the situation very closely and working with [legislators,]” Betzner said.
Last year, Temple received roughly $172.7 million from the commonwealth, which made up approximately 20.9 percent of the university’s operating budget.
In October, the university sent its appropriation request to the state’s Department of Education, requesting an increase of 6.4 percent in state appropriations.
While decreases in state funding are not new to the university, this year’s proposed cut is the largest since Temple was incepted, according to the university’s proposed budget. Still, the proposed budget states that the university began planning for an “accelerated decline in Commonwealth support” during the 2010 fiscal year.
Angelo Fichera can be reached at afichera@temple.edu.
[Updated at 6:05 p.m. 06/28/11].
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