Budget Stalemate in Harrisburg Puts Universities in Check

For the first time since his inauguration as Temple’s president, Dr. Neil Theobald is caught in a political gridlock for state funding.

Dr. Theobald, along with representative leaders from Penn State University, Lincoln University, and the University of Pittsburgh, again gathered on a four-person panel last Wednesday, over Spring Break, to discuss the allocation of state funds to their respective schools.

The impasse on Pennsylvania’s 2015 budget is entering its eighth month and the universities are starting to get fed up.

On Wednesday, President Theobald emailed a link to students containing a pre-written letter to be sent to state congresspeople

with the caption “Make Your Voice Heard.”

The contents of the letter is similar to one written by Temple Student Government in response to the budget impasse in February:

With time ticking away, and 2015 becoming more of a memory, many state congresspeople used their time on the floor to discuss complaints or accolades they’ve received from people in their districts pertaining to the universities. While testimonies were given regarding the budget impasse, only finger-pointing resulted from the discourse.

State Senators address President Theobald and three other Pennsylvania state-affiliated university leaders at an Appropriations Hearing on March 2nd.
State Senators address President Theobald and three other Pennsylvania state-affiliated university leaders at an Appropriations Hearing on March 2nd.

Temple stands to lose out on $175 million in state funding, $26 million of which could have gone to fund programs at Temple University Hospital. Temple Update’s Beccah Hendrickson reported on the effects this stalemate could have on in-state tuition for Pennsylvania students in a story posted to this website last week.

 

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