Tuition is expected to rise 4 or 6 percent for next school year

Tuition rates will be rising for the 2004-05 school year at Pitt and Pennsylvania State… Tuition rates will be rising for the 2004-05 school year at Pitt and Pennsylvania State University.

The question remains, though, as to how much more students will be paying next year.

Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg has requested $184.4 million in funding from the state government, but Gov. Ed Rendell (D) is offering $167.1 million.

With a budget based on their requested funding, Pitt students can expect a 4 percent tuition increase, taking in-state tuition from $8,614 to $8,959, and out-of-state tuition from $17,926 to $18,643.

Conversely, if the legislature approves Rendell’s proposed funding, students will be faced with a 6 percent increase in tuition, raising the price of an in-state Pitt education to $9,131 and out-of-state to $19,004.

For the first time in Pitt history, freshmen students will be paying a higher tuition rate than upperclassmen. In-state freshmen will be charged an additional $1,000, while out-of-state freshmen will pay an additional $500. According to John Fedele, a Pitt spokesman, this increase is designed to improve the University.

“It’s necessary for Pitt to raise tuition in order to continue to provide the type of high-quality education our students and alumni expect,” Fedele stated. “We implemented the tiered tuition plan to lessen the burden of our current students, who came to the University with a set of expectations as to what the tuition would be for their four years. We kept the out-of-state lower for competitive purposes also.”

Pitt is not the only state-funded university with a tuition increase dependent on the legislature’s funding.

Penn State students are also waiting to find out if they will have a 4 or 6 percent increase, dependent on the amount of funding the state allots their university.

Penn State President Graham Spanier has requested $346.2 million, as compared to Rendell’s proposed $315 million in funding. If the legislature approves Penn State’s request, students will be looking at a 4 percent tuition increase, as compared with the 6 percent increase the university will impose if Rendell’s current plan is approved.

Both universities are seeking to return funding levels to the amount they received for 2001-02, the last year an increase was received.

As a result of the recent decreases in funding, university administrators at both schools have attempted to lessen costs for students.

Fedele acknowledged that cuts may need to be made at Pitt, but he said he is unaware of what those cuts will be.

“We don’t know yet what we will receive this upcoming year,” Fedele said. “So it’s not appropriate to speculate what, if anything, will need to be cut.”

In a similar situation, Penn State is looking to outsource their budget needs rather than make cuts. Assistant Vice-President for University Relations Bill Mahon has said, “Penn State will not do anything that will have a negative impact on quality.” He maintains that Penn State will not reduce its quality by cutting corners, such as increasing class size.

According to Mahon, Penn State will increase its data appropriation, such as donations from alumni, and continue with raises in tuition as needed. The proposed 4 to 6 percent tuition increase for 2004-05 is the lowest in more than four years, down from 9.8 percent for 2003-04.

The funding Pitt will receive for 2004-05 is not just for undergraduate studies. The money will also go to the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, the medical program and dental clinics, as well as lab equipment fees.

However, the majority of the funds are designated for education. Of the $184.4 million requested, approximately 81 percent is related to education and general activities, allotting $149.3 million for these purposes, as well as an additional $400,000 for future student life activities.

Pitt administrators are trying to be optimistic about the tuition increase for 2004-05.

According to Fedele, “We’re hopeful, but it’s impossible to predict what the Commonwealth will do. Our representatives were receptive to our request when we met with them in Harrisburg, but they must juggle multiple priorities.”