Budget Update: Message to the Campus Community

I hope you have all had a chance to catch your breath now that the spring semester has ended, commencement is behind us and summer is nearly upon us. As promised, I am writing to provide you with an update to the budget outlook for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and East Stroudsburg University. During the week of May 9, 2011 State House Republicans introduced a $27.3 billion budget plan that would restore some of the cuts to public and higher education that were originally proposed by Governor Tom Corbett (March 8, 2011).

In this proposal, PASSHE would receive $195 million more than the governor originally proposed, amounting to a 15 percent reduction from the current year’s total allocation. Although this is a move in the right direction, we also need to be reminded that the House budget is just a starting point en route to a final budget. The next step is for the Senate to develop and propose its budget, while giving consideration to the aforementioned House budget.

We must all be aware that no matter what the final budget will be, we already know that ESU faces a minimum $2.6 million shortfall due to the loss of the federal stimulus funds. As for tuition, which plays a major role in our revenues, all signs still point to the PASSHE Board of Governors setting the new tuition rate at their meeting in late June.

Although these continue to be uncertain and uncomfortable times for our campus community and fellow PASSHE universities, we will continue to be the best stewards for current and future funds. We are committed to providing a quality educational experience at a reasonable cost.

I thank you for your continued commitment to our university and for your advocacy to our local and state-wide legislators. With our faculty, students and staff we will continue to be an extraordinary institution that will positively handle all challenges during these unprecedented economic times.

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