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On Tuesday, March 8, Governor Corbett delivered his proposed budget for Pennsylvania. The budget includes a 50 percent cut in funding for state schools including Millersville University. In response to the proposal, Millersville University President Francine G. McNairy issued the following statement:
We are deeply troubled by the proposed budget for Pennsylvania, which cuts funding to state universities including Millersville, by more than 50 percent. Our number one priority at Millersville University is our students, and it is the students who will suffer the most if this proposed budget is approved. We hope that the legislature will see fit to restore some of the cuts to higher education.
While we were not expecting an increase in funding, the massive cuts are upsetting. Hanging in the balance is access to quality, affordable higher education for the children of Pennsylvania. These deep cuts will change the programs and services we can offer to students, and it will affect their ability to graduate in four years.
Millersville University has kept tuition increases at an average of 4.3 percent over the last 10 years. In addition, we have cut $11.6 million from our budget in the last three years. We have been good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. The proposed budget means higher tuition rates will be necessary, and the gap between revenue and costs means that services will be reduced.
We at Millersville are encouraging our students and their families, our faculty, staff and alumni to contact their local legislators and urge them to advocate on behalf of public higher education in Pennsylvania. Tell them the proposed budget doesn’t work, and we need their help. The future of Pennsylvania’s children is at stake.
Francine G. McNairy
President
2 replies on “Pennsylvania’s Proposed Budget”
With such a substantial cut in state support to the 14 state universities, the students will certainly suffer.
WHO will be able to afford education?
Certainly not the children of low income families.
Certainly not children of middle class families.
This budget is regressive and will make higher education only available to the children of the wealthy – not unlike the 18th century.
Why bleed the public universities with deep cuts? These cuts will make our outstanding universities weak and compromised.
Can we not reign in spending set aside for private institutions? Can we not eliminate WAM money? Can we not become more creative with top heavy state government officers?
Think about it!
Public Education should be the very last resort for spending cuts.
H. Stine, EdD
Dear Francine,
Your letter of response to the Governor’s budget clearly tells our story. You have conscientiously led the university with the best interests of students in mind. It’s a shame to be “punished” for being good stewards of the taxpayer’s dollars.
As a faculty member, I appreciate all of your efforts in maintaining high standards while trimming the budget. I hope that the constituents of Pennsylvania will let the governor and the legislature know how devastating the proposed cuts will be for the students and the future of our state.
Sincerely,
Anita