HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

    The Legislature added $4.6 million for Community Colleges over the Governor=s request. The increase is earmarked to increase funds for variable stipend courses reimbursement. This increase promotes the recruitment of students in technology fields.

    The budget includes an overall 6% increase for Community Colleges. Of this amount, only $900,000 is projected to be used for increased enrollment. Since there is an expectation that community college enrollments will increase in 1998-99, credit or non-credit state reimbursement will not increase. $2.0 million is provided for a workforce development initiative to encourage the formation of partnerships with industry and community colleges to meet the present and future employment needs of key industries.

    The budget includes $7.0 million for the third year of Project Link to Learn. The funds are used for local education consortia to implement regional action plans; provides grants focused on innovative approaches to community-based networking; and provides resources to enable nonpublic schools to become part of the Link to Learn program. Resources are also provided to begin converting department mainframe computer operations to a client-server system.

    Included in the budget is $6.0 million for Higher Education Equipment Grants. The funds will be distributed to institutions of higher education for the purchase, lease or acquisition of Pennsylvania-based equipment in support of undergraduate instruction. Distribution of funds is based on full-time equivalent undergraduate students from all eligible institutions applying for grants. Those institutions eligible include: community colleges, state-owned and state-related institutions and independent colleges and universities.

    Also included in the budget is $1.0 million for Engineering Equipment Grants. Funds are provided for grants to engineering degree-granting schools to assist in the acquisition of new engineering equipment or the upgrading of existing engineering equipment that is necessary to provide students with the courses required to obtain a degree in engineering.

    The budget includes $1.2 million for the Rural Initiatives Program, to increase support to the Community Education Councils which serve to increase access to higher education services in rural, underserved areas of the state.

STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION

    The State System of Higher Education will receive a 3.5% increase. In addition, the System will receive $7.1 million in Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund money for deferred maintenance and is eligible for a portion of the Link to Learn funds as well as a portion of the $6.0 million in Higher Education Equipment Grants.

STATE-RELATED INSTITUTIONS

    The State-Related Universities will receive a 3.25% increase. Additionally, all the state-related universities are eligible for a portion of the Link to Learn funds as well as a portion of the $6 million in Higher Education Equipment funds.

    The Rural Educational Outreach program at the Bedford campus of the University of Pittsburgh is increased by $45,000 over the Governor=s request.

STATE-AIDED INSTITUTIONS

    With a few exceptions, state support for the State-Aided Colleges and Universities does not increase in the 1998-99 budget.

    Drexel University has an Economic Co-op program. Students participating in this program get hands-on training at a community job. In addition, as in the current year, the budget recommends directing existing resources to the University of Pennsylvania=s School of Veterinary Medicine in order to better recruit and retain Pennsylvania students through a resident grant program.

    The University of the Arts, Berean Training School and Cardio Vascular Studies at Allegheny University also receive small increases, over the Governor=s recommendations.