Purdue Agriculture sets funding priorities for next biennium
From Dean of Agriculture Victor Lechtenberg

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During the 2003 session of the Indiana General Assembly, legislators will pass a budget for the two-year biennium that runs from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005. We all know that it's going to be difficult for the state to reach a balanced budget, and we've kept our budget requests to a minimum. The College of Agriculture's priorities for 2003-05 are to reinstate funding to three key areas:

• Restore two positions in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. With last year's West Nile virus outbreak and concerns about Chronic Wasting Disease in whitetail deer, the lab needs to be at full diagnostic capability.
  
• Restore the seven percent cut in Extension funding. Without adequate state funding for Extension, the countywide system will have to shrink. Currently, there are twelve positions vacant due to funding shortages.
  
• Restore the seven percent cut to applied agricultural research and Extension funds. Without these funds, we cannot conduct research that addresses critical areas, such as agricultural competitiveness and alternative enterprises.

In addition, Purdue University is seeking a two percent increase for faculty and staff compensation and a one percent increase for supplies and expenses.

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