Last Wednesday, the state House of Representatives approved a bill appropriating more than $150 million to support Temple students. The vote result was an overwhelming 180 to 6. On Friday morning, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the appropriation into law. These vital dollars from the commonwealth make it possible for us to continue to offer in-state students a valuable tuition discount. I know our Pennsylvania students and their families are relieved to learn this news.

 

Those actions were the latest in a 50-year partnership between Temple and the people of Pennsylvania. We are so grateful to Gov. Tom Wolf and the members of the state General Assembly, both the Senate and the House, for their continued support of Temple. They know this is a partnership that works for Pennsylvania students.

 

This could not have happened without your efforts. During the past few months, we have asked you to email and call your state representatives, and you have responded with a united voice. Thousands of you contacted your state legislators to say how much you value a Temple education. On behalf of our students, thank you for all you have done.

 

While we have completed this year’s engagement with the state, the governor will propose his next budget in just about four months and the cycle will begin anew. We must continue to tell our legislators that we are proud to be a public university and that a Temple education makes the difference for thousands of students every year. If you have not already done so, please sign up for TALON, the Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network, and respond when we need your voices to be heard.

 

Finally, I want to once again thank all of you—our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends—who have advocated for us so vigorously. You made all the difference for Philadelphia’s public university.