Penn's budget holds the line

PHILADELPHIA — In an era of budget cuts, Pennsylvania state regulators held proposed state funding for the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine at last year's level.

In fact, state officials approved $26.7 million for 2012-2013, which is flat from last year's budget. Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks called it a victory.

"On behalf of the faculty, staff and students of the School of Veterinary Medicine, I would like to thank Governor Corbett for his leadership and continued support of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine," Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks says of the state funding proposal. "We understand that Governor Corbett and the General Assembly face difficult challenges in finalizing this year's budget. We are appreciative for their support of Penn Vet during this process."

The nation's 28 veterinary colleges have fought state funding cuts for several years, and Penn most recently faced a 24 percent state funding cut in 2009. Hendricks pleaded with state administrators at the time, noting that the university provides employment for nearly 1,000 people, with more than 90 percent of its operating budget paying salaries and benefits for 150 faculty and 850 staff members, including nursing and technical staff in two world-class teaching hospitals.

The nation's veterinary colleges are currently exploring ways to increase resource-sharing and distance learning to compensate for increasing cuts to state funding of veterinary education.