In the 2009-10 budget year, Penn State might receive a nearly 13-percent cut in funding if Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed budget, which is expected to trim $500 million in spending, is passed.
Penn State spokesperson Annemarie Mountz said the university stands to lose about $60 million in state appropriated funding if Rendell's budget cuts are given the green light.
"If it were to pass, it would be catastrophic and devastating to this university," Mountz said.
"We can't speculate at this point, but we hope we won't see such a large cut," the spokesperson said.
Rendell's spokesperson Barry Ciccocioppo said the state is facing a $3.2 billion deficit.
He added there are budget cuts being made everywhere across the board, not simply in higher education.
"The governor said himself that he hates to make this level of cuts," Ciccocioppo said. "These are painful, difficult cuts that he did not want to make."
The proposed budget cuts could possibly affect four different state-related universities, including Penn State University, Lincoln University, Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Mountz said the university could not determine if the budget cuts would have an impact on student's tuition bills.
The Board of Trustees is set to meet July 10th in New Kensington, Pa. to determine tuition costs for the 2009-10 year.
Mountz said the university is anticipating a resolution by the time the budget is finally decided.
The university is awaiting the results of debates between legislators and the governor before the final budget is approved, she said.
Jake Corman, R-Centre, said legislators and Rendell haven't come together on a spending number, and it's difficult to tell exactly how much is going to be cut.
"It's not something you want to hear, but until we arrive at how much we are going to spend, it's hard to tell," Corman said.
Other than the state-related universities, libraries, museums and mental health services would also receive reduced funding or none at all.
Corman said he wanted the governor to cut back on spending and said the proposed cuts did not surprise him.
Ciccocioppo said Rendell's spending has constantly decreased.
"The government has set a good example, administrative spending is less than in 2002-2003," Ciccocioppo said.
