State holds technology funds
 By
Laura Pelner
Campus Editor
Purdue may not be able to purchase new computers
or renovate computer labs this year if University officials don't find
alternate funds to replace those being withheld by the state.
A $6.9 million nonrecurring technology appropriation,
which is usually received biennially from the state, was already figured
into Purdue's budget and marked for use. Because of the state's financial
troubles, however, the University probably won't receive the money during
this fiscal year.
The money is intended to help Purdue upgrade its
technology by buying new equipment, both hardware and software, and
maintaining information systems. Kevin Green, director of state financial
relations, said the delay in getting the funds could have severe implications.
"I don’t think the general public or
Purdue community realizes the seriousness of this situation," Green
said. "One way the state can balance its books for the rest of
the year is to look for ways to cut back around the edges. One way to
do that for higher education is to look at two things, the nonrecurring
technology fund and the repair and renovation funding."
Because of the delay, projects will be completed
only on an emergency basis. Additionally, certain projects such as the
renovation of the Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, may be put on hold.
Of Purdue's $1.2 billion budget, the $6.9 million
technology appropriation accounts for less than 1 percent. Terry Strueh,
vice president for state relations, said the appropriation is not a
major part of the budget percentage-wise, but it is significant.
"It's become something we look to as being necessary
to continue in the hopes of not moving backwards," Strueh said.
Joseph Bennett, vice president for University Relations,
said the University's exploring alternative solutions that might lessen
the impact of not getting this money. These include reallocating money
and reordering priorities within Purdue.
President Martin Jischke already announced measures
the University should take to conserve money. Earlier this month Jischke
said vacant faculty and staff positions should receive "high-level
review" before being filled, as should requests for out-of-state
travel.
These measures mirror those Gov. Frank O’Bannon
declared for the state. In fact, state Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th, said
the state is taking every step it can to save money, but added she hopes
it doesn't neglect items crucial to the economy. Scholer said she thinks
the technology appropriation will strengthen Indiana's future.
Every college and university in the state receives
a technology appropriation. The money is classified as nonrecurring,
which means it’s not something to be counted on every year. However,
it is something the state has given out for at least the last four years.
Purdue's portion this year is about 30 percent less than the University
got in the last biennium.
The state’s money is divided among schools
based on their technology programs and students, and it comes from the
Build Indiana Fund, which is sustained through gaming money. This separates
it from general operating appropriations in its source and use, said
Green.
"We work very hard to get the state to recognize
the need (for the technology appropriation)," Green said. "Our
hopes are that at some point this gets built into the base budget. Withholding
it this biennium is a step backwards for us; we’ll need to take
two steps forward to recover."
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