Last week, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania finalized and implemented the budget for Fiscal Year 2012 as well as an appropriation of $139 million dollars for Temple University. While this is a decrease of 19 percent from last year, it is a significant improvement over the initial proposal of reducing funding for Temple by more than 50 percent. Altogether, Temple will receive more than $57 million more than the amount proposed in March. President Ann Weaver Hart has recorded a video address to the Temple community explaining what these cuts will mean for the university.

I would like to thank the entire Temple community for their efforts to help secure a fair appropriation for the university this year through the Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network (TALON). Over the last four months, members of TALON have sent more than 10,000 letters to Pennsylvania's elected officials communicating the importance of the Commonwealth's investment in Temple. Advocates have held rallies on Main Campus and in Harrisburg, visited the offices of each member of the General Assembly, and made countless phone calls and district office visits to Pennsylvania's elected officials. The outpouring of support for Temple this year was crucial in securing a reasonable appropriation.

Before we close the book on this legislative session, I have one more request: Please contact your elected officials using TALON's online tools and thank them for their vote in favor of our appropriation. As always, I would also ask that you share this message within your networks and encourage your friends and peers to also thank their elected officials.

Thank you again for all that you have done to support Temple, and enjoy the rest of the summer. I look forward to working with you to secure fair funding for Temple University in the years to come.

Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr.
Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs