Purdue News

June 1, 2000 Trustees approve request for state funding WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Board of Trustees today (Thursday, 6/1) approved state funding requests for 2001-2003. The plan includes a $13 million request for the West Lafayette campus that would help establish a new undergraduate program in bioengineering, improve computer-based instruction and enhance the biotechnology programs, said Kenneth Burns, executive vice president and treasurer. "As one of Indiana's engines for development, Purdue is focusing its request on bioengineering and biotechnology to help the state further develop this niche and promote the kinds of high-technology start-up companies that will further stimulate the economy," Burns said. For the regional campuses, Purdue also is requesting funding for quality improvements: $1.6 million annually to expand information technology programs at Purdue Calumet; $1.75 million for economic development and workforce retraining efforts at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne; and $500,000 for new faculty and equipment for electrical engineering technology, science and computer technology instruction at Purdue North Central. Purdue also will ask state legislators to boost funding by $1.4 million for the Fort Wayne campus and $650,000 for the North Central campus, to make up for historically low funding levels when compared to support for other regional campuses around the state. An additional $1.18 million will be needed for the Calumet, Fort Wayne and North Central campuses to serve the increasing enrollment at those locations. The university also is requesting an additional $789,000 for the operation of facilities that will be opened during the next two years. Purdue also will request additional funds for new initiatives in the School of Technology Statewide Delivery System, agriculture research and Extension, and the Technical Assistance Program and Technical Information Service. The plan assumes a 4 percent increase in salaries and fringe benefits and a 3 percent increase in supply and expense budgets. In addition to the individual campus requests, Purdue will support a plan by the Commission for Higher Education that will recommend the state provide matching funds to colleges and universities that establish new endowments to fund student scholarships and professorships. Purdue and other state-assisted universities annually submit prioritized requests for construction and other capital items. Source: Kenneth Burns, (765) 494-9705; kpburns@purdue.edu Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; mwillis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page