H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center

By MORGAN YOUNG
Staff writer

Shippensburg University administrators may pursue a liquor license for the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center as a way to generate revenue for the school.

The university is under a 5 percent midyear budget freeze to the State System of Higher Education recently sought by Gov. Tom Corbett. There was an 18 percent reduction in funding for the system last year, and the likelihood of further cuts this year.

Dr. Jody Harpster, executive vice president for external affairs and university relations, said the university is taking a hard look at ways to generate revenue.

“When the budget cuts became really serious three years ago, we did brainstorming sessions on all the things we could do to up revenue,” he said.

“One of those was to serve beer and wine at (the performing arts center) during intermission. Many performing arts centers and entertainment venues have the ability to buy refreshments at break time.”

Last week, the governor unveiled his proposed state budget, forecasting a 20 percent cut of $82 million in funding for the state system, which includes SU and 13 other universities.

Harpster said no decision has been made specifically about seeking a license for the center, but effects of the cuts on the school have been dramatic.

“We began the process of who we would talk to and what we need to do (for the license). The outcome would be, if we decided to go through with it, the little of amount of money we could make,” he said. “We’re trying like crazy to keep tuition as low as possible because we’re parents too and (we) have families. (The license) is just one of dozens of things we have talked about to get revenue.”

Sixty-six percent of the university’s revenue comes from tuition and fees, according to Melinda Fawks, associate vice president of administration and finance. Some 28 percent comes from the state.

“Our resident undergraduate tuition has increased about 20 percent from (fiscal year 2007-2008) to now,” she said in an e-mail. “But our state appropriation has been cut approximately 20 percent.”

Fawks said 39 percent of the school’s 2007 budget was from state funding. If the budget freeze is approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, the percentage will decrease to 27 percent.