ThePennsylvania State System of Higher Education would receive $434.8 million from the state next year under the budget proposal announced today by Gov. Edward G. Rendell.

The governor’s spending plan would provide for a base appropriation to the State System of about $417.2 million, a decrease of 5 percent over the current year’s funding level. The proposal also includes an additional $17.6 million to allow the System to continue a variety of special programs. The special program funding also would represent a 5 percent reduction from the current year’s total.

The Board of Governors in October approved a 2003-04 appropriations request of $459 million to support the universities’ basic operations, plus an additional $38.1 million to help fund a variety of special projects. The base appropriations request represents an increase of $19.8 million, or 4.5 percent, over the current year’s appropriation.

The System’s overall proposed educational and general budget for the 2003-04 school year total’s $1.1 billion, an increase of 3.9 percent over the current year’s spending level. The state appropriation covers slightly less than half of the funds needed to operate the 14 state-owned universities. Student tuition and fees provide most of the rest.

“The educational opportunities provided by the State System universities are making an important difference for our students and for Pennsylvania,” said Chancellor Judy G. Hample. “The System’s contributions to the Commonwealth will continue to grow, especially as the General Assembly and the new administration focus on education and economic development as policy priorities. Our universities are uniquely positioned to be engines of excellence for both of these efforts.

“Adequate funding is essential to ensure the System’s continued success, both in terms of ensuring quality and affordability for students, and as a leader in building a strong economic future for Pennsylvania.”

The State System universities provide the lowest-cost education among all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. They have been able to do so through a variety of efforts to control their costs and because of the support from Commonwealth taxpayers.

“The State System places a strong emphasis on accountability,” Hample said. “We are committed to the most efficient use of the tuition and tax dollars we receive.”

The special appropriations requests being sought by the Board all are designed to further enhance students’ educational experiences, improve the efficiency of System and university operations, and expand the System’s contribution to Pennsylvania’s economic future.

With more than 101,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 360,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.