PITT'S PROPOSED TUITION INCREASE LOWEST IN 10 YEARS

PITTSBURGH, June 18 -- The lowest percentage tuition increase in 10 years is part of the fiscal year 1999 University of Pittsburgh budget approved today by the Budget Committee of the Pitt Board of Trustees. The full Board of Trustees will vote on the $865.1 million budget at its meeting on June 25.

The budget includes a 4 percent tuition increase for in-state and out-of-state students. The increase, which is the second lowest in the last quarter century, will bring the tuition for Pennsylvania full-time undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences to $5,884 per year. Tuition for out-of-state students will be $12,918 per year.

Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg noted that the lower than usual tuition increase reflected "one of the tangible benefits" of the partnership between the University and the Commonwealth. "Our commitment to cost effectiveness and efficiency, and to bringing about broader scale changes in our funding sources, coupled with the increased levels of Commonwealth support have enabled us to keep our tuition increase to a minimum while still allowing us to invest rather heavily in student life enhancements and academic program initiatives," Nordenberg said.

He added that not only will the University's tuition increase be competitive with increases at other universities, but it also keeps Pitt's tuition at a level that represents an exceptional educational value.

The budget includes a total Commonwealth appropriation of $158.2 million, a 3.25 percent increase over last year. "The economy of the 21st century will require an ever expanding role for public research universities like Pitt, and the increase in our base appropriation will allow Pitt, in partnership with the Commonwealth, to invest in our educational, research and public service activities for the betterment of all Pennsylvanians," Nordenberg said.

He noted that Pitt and the state's other research universities play a key role in Pennsylvania's competitiveness. "We provide the Commonwealth with well-educated professionals and civic leaders, and through research and technology transfer, continue to contribute to the state's economic strength. Competitive levels of state funding will be essential to maintaining the vitality of our state-related universities so that we can play an effective role in positioning Pennsylvania at the forefront of growth and discovery into the next century," Nordenberg said.

The University's FY99 budget includes a 3 percent salary increase pool and a 7.5 percent increase in fringe benefit costs, the bulk of which is attributable to the increased cost of medical insurance coverage.

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