Pitt projects tuition to rise 5 percent

If Pitt gets what it wants, students will be paying 5 percent more to attend the University… If Pitt gets what it wants, students will be paying 5 percent more to attend the University next fall.

If not, they could be paying more.

Thursday, the University released its request to the Pennsylvania State Appropriations Committee, asking the state and the students for 5 percent more than it received last year.

Combined with last year’s 14-percent hike, the cumulative increase since 2000-2001 would be almost 20 percent.

The report, which highlighted Pitt’s recent successes and praise from last year’s Middle States report, included a proposed in-state tuition rate of $8,260, up from $7,868 this year, and a proposed out-of-state rate of $17,508, up from $16,676.

Both proposed increases matched that requested in state funding, from $171.9 million to $180.5 million.

According to Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert Hill, the University needed more money from the state, but was trying to be conservative, given the state’s financial difficulties.

“I think we’re more realistic,” Hill said of the request.

Hill said the University hopes the Commonwealth will recognize contributions that Pitt makes to “regional and economic development,” and grant all of the requested money.

Hill refused to comment on specific programs responsible for Pitt’s rising costs, indicating that all of the information was contained in the report.

In his statement that preceded the request, Chancellor Mark Nordenberg called Pitt “an institution of impact,” and said that “the importance of an institution such as the University of Pittsburgh is never more clear than during difficult times.”

He also wrote about Pitt’s “leadership role” and emphasized how Pitt involves students in undergraduate research and promotes “an international awareness and respect for diversity.”

Nordenberg’s statement mentioned technology increases and research programs such as the bioterrorism wing.

The proposed budget also included a rise in average faculty salary of 4 percent for all instructors and professors.

Hill said Pitt actually needs more funding than it requested “to continue at the level of excellence we’ve achieved.”

“We are willing to work with a 5-percent increase to keep our progress moving forward,” he said.

Hill did not say what plans the University had beyond the request, only that the proposal “makes no distinction” between in-state and out-of-state tuition hikes.

“If we get [the funding from the state], we can keep tuition to a 5-percent increase,” he said.

Student Government Board President Kevin Washo Jr. said the most important thing students can do is register to vote, and then vote in the November elections so that lobbying trips to Harrisburg carry more weight.

“I think Pitt’s going to have some very strong numbers,” Washo said. He also said that two post-election lobbying trips will be scheduled, but that “if it takes more, it takes more.”

Washo added that it is up to students to make sure that “the 5 percent doesn’t turn into 10 percent.”

“There’s gonna be a strong response from student government, no matter what the case,” he said.