[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6316104,"mediaKeyId","2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb","parentId",2377738,"title","Pitt faces questions on antisemitism incidents, university response and event hosting policies","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",4338000,"endMs",4558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb&start=4338&end=4558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb/thumbnail_4338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316104/Pennsylvania/Pitt-faces-questions-on-antisemitism-incidents-university-response-and-event-hosting-policies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316104-36679660361b41762e421ebb5a1f6368/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253773&Signature=ArMgLgpgG3V3JxYeSIy-WeR0Y6tQtcgs1jjuOC0E0YnS0I5eirCNB2v212CC1HNHESHkMwiqPqP0A7NPnRrP6ugtL-F3b0SQBM-0Y7KK7BRUhdtY44vC1CmM7MUUoXdOTVSU8~ZiOIzIV9LXao3db2NsDWqL3ryumnZGhhe2sXbxxeyEvhPdfZNESYqgCY7asOtnVPVzu3FEnCm-BbbdIGN~iP56WKbqSVVaGxHipeZLRMxOnokjMKBpL908LUm76mXhCTRrNjO-CtTzb9A35~uV1KRaPscisnYahFQa6vWe7~VN2xHzD8JxF3-4Dq6CCLwbtYssRCBNEajJekVUOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","Several lawmakers used Feb. 20 testimony to press University of Pittsburgh leaders about reported antisemitic incidents in medical‑school social media groups, classroom activities and public forums, and asked how the university’s policies on equity, diversity and inclusion, free speech and event hosting guide its response.

Representative Salisbury cited reporting that a social media study group for medical students became “increasingly antisemitic” and that a faculty member reported students were afraid. Chancellor Joan Gabel said the university condemned antisemitism and pursued student conduct and law enforcement remedies “in all cases where student conduct was appropriate.” She said the medical school administration restructured study platforms and required students and administrators to undergo additional training.

Lawmakers also raised separate reporting that faculty invited students to protests for extra credit and that a medical‑school faculty member described an antisemitic tirade at a pinning ceremony. Chancellor Gabel said the university enforces standards consistent with academic‑freedom norms and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) standards, and that faculty who asked students to engage in activities outside the curriculum contrary to policy would face follow‑up conversations.

Separately, Representative Debanzo asked why the university’s Fitzgerald Field House was used for a campaign rally featuring federal and statewide candidates. Gabel explained that Pitt rents space on an equal‑access basis and distinguished between university‑invited events and third‑party rentals; she said rental arrangements are not endorsements and that the university provides safety and operational support for large events.

Why it matters: Reports of antisemitic incidents in classrooms and student study spaces triggered questions about whether university offices responded effectively and whether training and reporting systems are sufficient. Lawmakers also sought transparency about use of campus facilities for political events and any financial or logistics support Pitt provided.

What’s next: The university said it would continue internal reviews, populate newly formed working groups, and provide requested details about event rentals and related costs, subject to review by the university’s general counsel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee -- February 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Legislators pressed University of Pittsburgh leaders about reported antisemitic incidents in medical‑school forums and class settings, the university’s working groups and trainings, and how the university handles political events on campus facilities.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29233,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316109,"Penn State president affirms support for graduate students’ rights, flags research‑assistant issues",230,1948000,2178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb&start=1948&end=2178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","/articles/6316109/Pennsylvania/Penn-State-president-affirms-support-for-graduate-students-rights-flags-researchassistant-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316109-322c9c2dd41b7a0339216d3c021a858a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253773&Signature=UOSJIjOA5uxnxksZ0GmOYWfzgtduy8TRw7ocajeM-U4tUemxtmoivg8noFZfhpv-pr0~6ByPdkJkRF7udggZ~XWfjaoayAk3SRKErPv8e9FjskTd9l-jrQ57JCScYAcqeN6rRZ5ZT~Pd0fPH8yKGHF9ArCeJ~gNJtTf3aE7BCn9YByznUSGxNmaXjg1D1WAwAtzCxQ4ehBQbWV3zNnC35mRCSVkA650SwzmUAsb~CfZiFDFDR6vxKnAZDXc~6-BysOYlkoCfizlWBHxMqzfxZLOyP-vC7t771YIlAZlJNazmTxRoQPiMjs42jtDwt0Ns5z67CR5wJeqaeSzqsPDXIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Penn State’s president told the House Appropriations Committee that the university supports free speech and recognizes the contributions of graduate students, including teaching assistants, while expressing concerns about how unionization could affect research assistant roles.

Representative Siegel asked whether the university would publicly support a graduate student union election in the spring for about 5,000 research and graduate workers who petitioned the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The president said the university supports teaching assistants’ right to organize and “we believe in their exercising their right,” but also noted “serious considering concerns about research, assistance,” explaining that research assistant roles are intertwined with scholarly activities and grant structures.

The president said legal counsel is reviewing the process and that Penn State will not contest graduate students’ rights to pursue unionization for teaching and administrative duties. She asked students to “think through” research‑assistant implications and said the university will follow the PLRB process.

Why it matters: Graduate student unionization has implications for research continuity, grant management and labor relations at a major public research university. Legislators pressed for clarity on whether university leadership would facilitate a timely election; the president said the university is working with counsel and the PLRB and acknowledged graduate students’ central role in the research enterprise.

What’s next: The university will continue to engage with legal processes at the PLRB; legislators and student organizers indicated they will monitor timing and the university’s approach to research‑assistant specific issues.","Penn State’s president told lawmakers the university supports student free speech and the rights of teaching assistants to organize, but raised separate operational concerns about research assistants and said the university needs to consider research‑specific complexities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316114,"Penn State reviews regional campuses; athletics renovation funded without tuition or state dollars, president says",327,3371000,3698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb&start=3371&end=3698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb/thumbnail_3371000.jpg","/articles/6316114/Pennsylvania/Penn-State-reviews-regional-campuses-athletics-renovation-funded-without-tuition-or-state-dollars-president-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316114-353ef2547b391e90fde1b28205dc7fb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253773&Signature=d6W0-Pmq6HqZVf-u5xqjx05AoUO8IUtKEnEirw~61mxkDmFYDY~uQUBsUi8mqF6atsbeopFDxn5hL2dKI2I-cfRdPNFRWZk~UDRkw9tKQe38soeR51jWYf5X0pAmkMnKzNnU6GfKDIjBdIC~0oL2nt8ETWPIxo0VIBjU~4D6OXUFLv1mHjr3j2vIQiT2OHD3Yow4ePjEqBH9KrvXpXHxr1dRFASUr62ITYJqc9Y87LuPVPe2~JzlfGxACDQxcita4ShvYzSarvrK1UGomG8aJN--kAXyLN3XO~tR8pxeBZztVlSOB8~yxB257IID~DoYBFqMKOkBfgm0WATrfmy6yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Penn State’s president told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 20 that the university is conducting a careful review of its 20 Commonwealth campuses and that “all options are on the table,” including regionalization and other structural changes aimed at improving student experience and fiscal sustainability.

President Neeli Bendapudi said the university offered voluntary separation packages as a cost‑management measure and has been exploring regional administrative structures to reduce overhead while preserving local access and quality. She emphasized student experience and graduation pathways as priorities during the review.

On a separate question, Bendapudi described a $700 million renovation project at Beaver Stadium. She said the project will be financed through borrowing and repaid with athletics revenues — concessions, ticket sales and philanthropy — and stated explicitly, “Not $1 of student tuition goes towards this. Not $1 of the appropriations you give us goes to this.”

Why it matters: Committee members pressed for transparency on how campus consolidation decisions would affect students, employees and local communities. The stadium funding clarification sought to address constituent concerns about the use of tuition and state funds for athletics capital projects.

What’s next: Penn State will continue campus‑by‑campus reviews, provide follow‑up information requested by committee members, and the university said it will supply details on capital projects and the specific state funding used for them when requested.","Penn State President said all options are on the table in reviews of Commonwealth campuses, and clarified that a $700 million Beaver Stadium renovation will be financed through borrowing, ticket sales, concessions and philanthropy — not student tuition or state appropriations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316118,"Temple president prioritizes campus safety, affordability and neighborhood redevelopment",1120,520000,1640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb&start=520&end=1640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb/thumbnail_520000.jpg","/articles/6316118/Pennsylvania/Temple-president-prioritizes-campus-safety-affordability-and-neighborhood-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316118-940bd1a7285c6847f87db5a4897c3ec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253773&Signature=oQGRcu1-DhJZO2YcEF3bgfcgHTVMai6sMthJlknXR9bI0o12KktrILjOhokLbteAmy1nq4-SfH~57eiRLWlVi3eZm3T2O~cWbiUwYDdBDwNpdLBs8OSOGagA5zkm1-tzgLKpIP6fHPezxsnKAO0LbtrAJMu5yJTD3l5SKW~JajQvpICHtKRQVdMTpRENcwA1Eylv5iOahhBb89yDlwbAKNPe3dM5yRBiG4ebcDfsHEpvt~ndv26HmeMUKT7GLgI2TA0aUgA6jkx3M78pdA2mq-itHV9XMB9iiHhEFC3bQL8jP9aoLE7ZX4IPNqWctZRHjOlXQ78Kpva8f~aoVd~1cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Temple University’s president, appearing Feb. 20 before the House Appropriations Committee, made campus safety, affordability and neighborhood revitalization the centerpiece of his opening testimony.

The president said public safety is his “highest near‑term priority,” citing a 10% year‑over‑year decrease in crime and an independent staffing study of Temple’s Department of Public Safety. He told committee members the university is complementing policing with investments in commercial development, housing and regional economic partnerships to create a “safe, vibrant campus and neighborhood.”

On affordability, the president described two signature programs: the Temple Promise, a last‑dollar aid program for Philadelphia County residents with adjusted gross income at or below $65,000 that covers in‑state tuition and eligible university fees (about 500 students have used it so far), and the Fly in 4 initiative, designed to help students graduate in four years and increase financial literacy; participants in Fly in 4 graduate at a reported 15% higher rate.

The president also emphasized Temple’s dependence on public transit. “About 50% of our students, faculty, and staff take SEPTA daily. That’s 20,000 people…on trains and buses every single day,” he said, warning that constructing new structured parking would be costly, time consuming and would not easily replace a robust transit network.

On neighborhood development, the president said Temple plans public‑private projects along the North Broad corridor and in the area between the university’s main and health sciences campuses, aiming to attract jobs and commercial activity that he argues will improve safety through sustained economic use.

Why it matters: Temple’s testimony links state support for higher education to urban economic development, transit service continuity and direct financial aid for in‑county students. Committee members asked about capital projects and state funding transparency; the president agreed to provide additional information to committee chairs on recent capital projects and timelines.

What’s next: Temple will provide the committee details on capital projects and state funding sources, and lawmakers may weigh the university’s affordability commitments as they consider appropriations.","Temple's new president highlighted campus safety gains, affordability initiatives including the Temple Promise and Fly in 4 programs, transit reliance and plans for North Broad Corridor economic redevelopment.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316122,"State funding debate: Presidents urge mix of performance dollars and base increases",495,1184000,1679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb&start=1184&end=1679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377738-73ed5a2105c81e7dfc5d3285df7b42eb/thumbnail_1184000.jpg","/articles/6316122/Pennsylvania/State-funding-debate-Presidents-urge-mix-of-performance-dollars-and-base-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316122-e9b44b53edc46125aecc4fddf1c63b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253773&Signature=FUniJVbHTWv1lFdWWvybIMOupbHdYlAiCZfSO9sCZ4HSR7hbqf2uRkNbY~FHh0GI~L1imnyrXjn4HM0xkVlf7ovGW4Se8vZoA5fdrh1yQaog20voRtqFHQmHR6ovqOMZR-dc4~FgI1INitLL2dhdNNEDCCcLgQt4-rrDS6M-WZZTeRLYbiKB8bd8ecZicTt5sD0opfK8~GPvCqYbfmGPWis-6k1YMoA55ylxMoOwrmFCl~wtPFhUgnbtdf01BVzc6cAHQvAE4q7J8AaaqsPHEs9TBPwp6-VsbRTqF3XfRD6Kbq4xBeoMpF9KCe2zy49kwA~QWHtomhRsykniger6tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennsylvania university leaders told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 20 that the governor’s proposed $60 million in performance-based funding should be paired with additional base appropriations to address long-standing funding gaps and keep in‑state tuition affordable.

The presidents who testified — Neeli Bendapudi, president of Pennsylvania State University; Joan Gabel, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University; and the Temple University president (unnamed in the transcript) — said performance metrics can align incentives but cannot replace base funding needed to maintain operations and programs.

“Performance based funding increases transparency. It increases accountability,” Neeli Bendapudi told Representative Cutts. Bendapudi also said Penn State needs both the proposed new performance dollars and a separate supplemental increase, citing an estimate from a February 2025 joint state report that Penn State’s base appropriation is roughly $156 million below peer levels.

Temple’s president said the institution seeks both performance dollars and additional operating support and tied state investment to affordability and student access. “Our request … helps us offset the cost of attendance for in‑state students,” a university president said during questioning about tuition freezes.

When asked directly whether a university would freeze in‑state undergraduate tuition if it received both performance funding and the supplemental increases, one president answered, “We will commit, if we get both, to keeping Pennsylvania undergraduate students’ tuition freezing.” Other presidents said the proposed performance line was not explicitly described as the mechanism to hold tuition flat but said combined resources would help limit tuition pressure.

Representatives framed the budget question as two parts: (1) the governor’s performance-based line of $60 million to be allocated using a formula, and (2) institution-specific supplemental requests submitted by each university. Committee members pressed university leaders for clarity on what metrics should be included in the performance formula; witnesses generally recommended a short set of measures reflecting student demographics (accounting for mission and student mix), throughput (retention and graduation), and post‑graduation outcomes.

Presidents and committee members also discussed timing and next steps for the performance-based funding commission. Witnesses expressed support for the commission’s work and said they expected its recommendations to arrive in time to be considered during the budget process.

Why it matters: Lawmakers framed the performance fund as a lever to drive public priorities — workforce alignment, degree completion, and equitable access — while university leaders emphasized that restoring per‑student base funding is necessary to maintain capacity and statewide services.

What’s next: The performance-based funding commission is preparing a formula for the General Assembly; university leaders asked that any new model account for mission differences and the demographic mix of students served.","University leaders told the House Appropriations Committee that the governor’s proposed $60 million in performance-based funding should be paired with institution-specific increases to cover deep base-appropriation shortfalls and hold in‑state tuition steady.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pitt faces questions on antisemitism incidents, university response and event hosting policies

Penn State president affirms support for graduate students’ rights, flags research‑assistant issues

Penn State reviews regional campuses; athletics renovation funded without tuition or state dollars, president says

Temple president prioritizes campus safety, affordability and neighborhood redevelopment

State funding debate: Presidents urge mix of performance dollars and base increases