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| 2001-2002 BUDGET PRESENTATION |
| Penn State is moving forward on
many fronts to enhance its support for Pennsylvania and its people. We are
eager to strengthen our partnership with the state to do even more to meet the
challenges of the future. As the knowledge needs of society rapidly change and expand, higher learning has a more important role to play than ever before. Penn State has a long-standing commitment to promoting human, economic, and cultural development through the integrated missions of teaching, research, and service carried out across 24 campus locations. We are the institution of choice for the plurality of the Commonwealth's most talented students. Our total enrollment of over 81,000 students reflects both the tremendous popularity of Penn State and the success of the University's enrollment management plan that seeks to limit growth in the number of students served statewide. Minority enrollment at Penn State has increased each year for more than a decade, with the number of first-time minority freshmen up sharply again for Fall 2000. New models of active and collaborative learning, such as undergraduate research, service learning opportunities, and innovative uses of technology in the classroom help us to prepare our students in a comprehensive array of fields and degree programs. Students at Penn State are being taught by the leading experts in a variety of fields, teachers who are generating new knowledge with their research while training the next generation of Pennsylvania's teachers, scientists, business leaders, and citizens. We are committed to providing students with training that will allow them to compete effectively in today's economy by continuing to attract and retain top quality faculty. Penn State's new interdisciplinary School of Information Sciences and Technology, which opened its doors just last year, currently has over 1,400 students at 19 locations throughout the Commonwealth. Created to address urgent needs for information technology skills in businesses and organizations of many kinds, the School of IST is already fulfilling its promise by making IST training accessible across Pennsylvania through cooperative agreements with other institutions, classes available to location-bound students on the internet, and statewide faculty development efforts. |
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Penn State is the principal engine of research
and technology transfer in Pennsylvania. We rank among the top universities in
the nation in total research funding and in industry-sponsored research. Penn
State's research activity totaled $440.3 million in 1999-2000. New
interdisciplinary initiatives in the life sciences; materials science;
environmental studies; information sciences and technology; and children,
youth, and families are sharpening the focus of Penn State research on
important societal needs and strengthening our teaching and outreach as well.
Penn State has the largest unified outreach effort in American higher education. More than 1,500 faculty, 800 staff, and 50,000 outreach volunteers are involved in delivering programs and services in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. |
| One in two Pennsylvania households has someone participating in Penn State programs. The Penn State World Campus, a virtual university, was launched to capitalize on the quality and flexibility afforded by the new digital technologies to meet the growing demand for distance education. The World Campus reached nearly 3,000 course enrollments in only its second year of operation. Above and beyond these activities, Penn State contributes to the Commonwealth in dozens of ways. Many state agencies call on the expertise of University faculty and staff to solve problems, shape policy, provide services, deliver training, and give leadership on boards and commissions. Businesses and communities throughout the Commonwealth partner with Penn State to address their needs and concerns. Penn State students contribute as well through internships and community activities. Citizens across the state rely on the high quality health care and cutting-edge medical knowledge provided by our College of Medicine and The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In Penn State's 2001-2002 appropriation request to the Commonwealth, we seek a 4.25 percent increase to help support basic operating costs, with special emphases on improving faculty and staff salaries, meeting escalating health care costs, and providing support for facilities improvements and deferred maintenance. In addition, special support is being requested for three areas of critical importance to the University and the Commonwealth. These include: Information Sciences and Technology, the College of Medicine, and the University's environmental compliance activities. Finally, we are asking that the 2000-2001 line-item appropriation of $5,000,000 for Program Initiatives be folded into Penn State's base appropriation for 2001-2002. To give the greatest return to all who invest in Penn State, the University remains committed to cost containment and continuous quality improvement; budget recycling to address changing priorities; and the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and special opportunities. With the continued support of the Commonwealth, the University’s efficiency, and its commitment to leadership, Penn State will be effectively positioned to support Pennsylvania's future. |
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