You're no doubt aware that the governor's proposed budget for 2011–2012 contains a reduction of more than 50 percent for IUP and the other state-owned universities.
At IUP, we had anticipated a decline in funding and had prepared various scenarios to deal with it. However, nobody expected a cut this big.
The State System chancellor and his staff are working with university presidents and student government leaders to organize advocacy teams of students, Council of Trustees members, alumni, and campus presidents. These teams will make presentations to legislators in Harrisburg on April 4 and 5.
Representatives of the State System will be on the IUP campus this coming Monday, March 21, 2011, and will make a presentation in Eberly's Alumni Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. They will share a plan for advocacy developed by the System with the following purposes:
- To speak with a unified voice about the State System
- To provide key data about the System's impact on Pennsylvania's economic development and educational efforts
- To request support for the System in very difficult financial times
Although it's impossible for all campus constituents to participate directly in Advocacy Days in Harrisburg, I hope you can take advantage of this presentation to learn about key messages that will be conveyed and to gain important legislative and background information on State System funding.
David Werner
Interim President