Editorial Columns

A Report to the Taxpayers from their Land Grant University

Over the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to testify before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees about Penn State's budget. Many of the questions asked by our elected officials during those hearings centered on how Penn State utilizes the tax funds it receives. As the Commonwealth's only land-grant university, I think it is important that all Pennsylvanians understand what Penn State is doing to serve its students and the taxpayers.

Pennsylvania ranks 47th out of the 50 states in per capita spending on public higher education (while curiously ranking 2nd in public spending on private universities), and Penn State receives less per student than any other public university in the Commonwealth (and much less per student than any of our Big Ten counterparts). While less than 17% of Penn State's total budget comes from the state treasury, it is still an integral part of our operating capital, and we believe that we are producing results with that money that should make all Pennsylvanians proud.

Since its inception in 1855, Penn State has been committed to making a high quality college education available to the sons and daughters of the working class of this state, and to disseminating the benefits gained through research to the citizens of Pennsylvania. By all indications, the University is excelling at that mission.

Consider a 1996 survey in U.S. News and World Report which named Penn State a "best value" institution -- the only Pennsylvania college or university among the top thirty "best values" nationwide. U.S. Newsalso ranked Penn State among the top ten most efficient universities in the nation -- institutions that "get the most out of their educational expenditures."

The guidebook Ivy League Programs at State School Prices named Penn State as one of six public universities nationally -- and the only one in the Northeast -- that have the very best undergraduate honors programs at a cost most Americans can afford. Money Guide, from the editors of Money magazine, surveyed the undergraduate honors programs at public universities and included Penn state among a group recognized as "the best in the nation."

Just this month, Kiplinger's rated Penn State a four-star value. Of the 51 state universities reviewed, Penn State was tied with the University of Virginia for highest SAT score average, while having the highest undergraduate enrollment of all the universities listed, a clear reflection of Penn State's commitment to quality plus access.

A Penn State education is something that is in great demand. This year, for the second year in a row, more high school seniors -- 53,238 -- sent their SAT scores to Penn State than to any other university in America. We believe that this is a clear reflection of the quality education which we provide at our 24 locations around the state. That quality is enriched by a faculty that once again ranks first in the nation in the number of Fulbright Scholars.

Penn State's research mission is also bringing great benefit to the citizens of the Commonwealth. From the development of an artificial heart (one of only two currently licensed by the FDA) to the creation of new materials for industry and cures for crop disease, Penn State research touches the lives of virtually everyone in the state. Penn State currently ranks 10th in the nation in total research and 2nd in the nation (behind MIT) in industry sponsored research. These research efforts are having a dynamic impact on the state.

Penn State's Research and Technology Transfer Organization (RTTO) has contributed to the creation of over 5,000 new jobs and the retention of over 3,500 existing jobs. They have increased the competitiveness of thousands of Pennsylvania businesses, and helped create over 400 new companies.

Our Cooperative Extension programs serve one in six Pennsylvania households annually, and our Continuing and Distance Education programs serve more than 150,000 people per year. The recent creation of the Penn State Geisinger Health System will, in addition to creating a source of revenue for our College of Medicine, enable us to provide state of the art medical care to residents of 40 counties.

When legislators and citizens ask us what we are doing for Pennsylvania, we believe the answer is "a lot." As a taxpayer, you should feel particularly confident that the state's investment in Penn State is returning substantial dividends, and that the University has been, and will continue to be, careful stewards of the funds entrusted to us.

We currently educate more than 77,000 students, and are committed to ensuring that they receive the highest quality education possible. We believe the facts show that the Commonwealth's investment in Penn State is a good one, and we seek the continued support of the Governor, the legislature and the people of Pennsylvania, to ensure access to a Penn State degree for those who desire it. We believe that we are setting a new standard for the integration of teaching, research and service, and through our efforts in these important areas, helping to build a better future for the Commonwealth and all who live here.