The Temple University Board of Trustees approved a 3.6% budget cut, mandatory fee increase and tuition hike for the second straight year at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The university also imposed the 3.9% tuition hike to help counter soaring inflation across the country and due to stagnating state ownership of Temple which remained at $158.2 million, the same amount as the 2021-22 academic year.
In his opening remarks, President Jason Wingard touted Temple’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2021-22 academic year and the university’s ability to host in-person learning in semesters. and spring. Wingard also discussed Temple’s campus security efforts and gun violence in Philadelphia. Additionally, Wingard highlighted the creation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Antisemitism, a university initiative that aims to cultivate inclusive spaces for Jewish students and employees on campus.
Here’s what happened at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting:
PROJECTS
The board approved six development-related projects at its meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
During this fiscal year, Temple will continue exterior projects, including facade renovations on buildings such as the Howard Gittis Student Center and 1810 Liacouras Walk and roof replacements on Weiss and Wachman Hall.
Trustees also approved the continuation of additional phases of campus projects, such as Phase 2 of restroom upgrades in Mazur and Gladfelter Halls and Phase 3 of construction and capital improvements to the Bio-Life Building.
The board authorized the university to proceed with the combination of the Temple property at 1518 to 1526 North Broad Street with land owned by Goodman Properties at 1528 North Broad Street. Common properties will then be leased to Landmark Properties for conversion into commercial and student accommodation.
FINANCE
Trustees approved that 4.25% of the university’s assets from trusts, endowments and quasi-endowments be treated as revenue in fiscal year 2022-23.
The board also approved capital and operating budgets for Temple University Health System for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
MAJOR DONATIONS
Trustees approved a $540,000 endowment fund to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture to support photography majors in good standing with financial need and a $200,000 donation to name a gallery within Temple Contemporary, the school’s public exhibition and program center.
Additionally, the board confirmed a pledge of $120,000 from The Beasley Firm, LLC to support the law school’s advocacy program.
LAST WORD
Ken Kaiser, chief operating officer, identified grants and contracts awarded between Jan. 1 and March 31 and Michael Gebhardt, vice president and university secretary, approved the presentation of current degrees from Oct. 29. to applicants approved by faculty academic committees at Tsinghua LLM Program in China.
Faculty Senate President Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon discussed the faculty’s mental health issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic and gun violence in the city during her closing remarks. She also expressed the Faculty Senate’s concern about the desire of Pennsylvania lawmakers to block state funding for the University of Pittsburgh, another state-related university, because of research on the Pitt’s fetal tissue.
In closing remarks by Temple Student Government President Gianni Quattrocchi, he expressed hope for a “return to normal” from COVID-19 this academic year and said the student body looks forward to the return home, family week and welcoming the class of 2026.
“TSG has been working diligently throughout the summer in preparation for this new semester,” Quattrocchi said. “Planning events, working with our administrative contacts and coordinating faculty, collaborating for this upcoming engagement with the student body and also to promote the resources, services, and opportunities available to the Temple student body.”
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