Nordenberg Says Pitt Committed to
Keeping Branch Campuses Viable

Representatives of the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and Temple are asking the state House Appropriations Committee to reject Governor Tom Corbett's proposal to cut state aid for the universities.

Corbett's $27.1 billion plan would cut state funding by about 30 per cent – about $150 million – from the three schools.

State Representative Marty Causer, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, asked Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg today about what funding cuts would mean to the branch campuses.

“There are going to be particular challenges attracting and supporting students who really need those educational programs on the campuses that are not located at the center of the university,” Nordenberg said.

“I pledge to you that we’re not looking to do anything to those regional campuses,” he added. “We love all four of them.”

Just moments before saying that, he jokingly indicated that he may love Pitt-Bradford just a little bit more than Titusville, Johnstown and Greensburg.

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford,” Nordenberg said. “That’s what happens when you marry someone from that area.”

Nordenberg is married to Nikki Perillo.

As for Penn State’s branch campuses, President Rodney Erickson said his university is also committed to keeping its regional campuses open.

Nordenberg will speak in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee at 9:30 next Wednesday morning. Erickson will speak at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

Causer said last year the governor proposed a 50 percent cut for state-related universities, and lawmakers were able to pare that down to a 19 percent cut.

“So this year (Corbett has) proposed a 30 percent cut for the state relateds and we're certainly going to be taking a closer look at those numbers to see what we can do going forward,” Causer said.

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