Since the academic year is already weeks old, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher’s email that encouraged students to contact their state representatives should be alarming to free university funding.

It says a lot about our State government when our university’s chancellor has to encourage the masses to hound their representatives in hopes of ensuring that Pitt receives funding from the state.

The State government’s disagreement over a revenue package affects Pitt’s ability to provide an affordable, high-quality education for its students.

Last Wednesday, the state House passed a revenue package that would give funding to four universities- Pitt, Lincoln, Temple and Penn State.

However, Pitt’s allocation has not been passed.

The differences between the House and the Sentate’s seperate packages will prolong our stituation even longer.

It is only after the House and Senate pass an agreed allocation that is signed by Gov. Tom Wolf that Pitt can recieve state funding.

This financial uncertainty is unhealthy for an institution that has already begun its fiscal year.

We stand with our chancellor by encouraging Pitt’s students and faculty to continue to speak out against this uncertainty.

Contact your elected legislators and the govenor, tell them to approve the university’s allocation because Pitt needs to receive its share of state funding.And by that we mean, “with Pitt, Pennsylvania wins.”

Our government should help to fund its people’s education. How else are we going to prepare students to contribute to the state’s advancement and prosperity?

Tuition costs are high enough and we cannot afford to cut faculty’s wages.

The website from  Gallagher’s email states that Pitt contributes $3.95 billion to the commonwealth, with a $26 return on every $1 it invests in Pitt.

Pitt’s 2014 economic and community impact report states that the Pitt-Johnstown campus has generated nearly $3.8 million to state and local economies in the past, with the campus’ overall economic impact being $77.4 million.

We must stand together until this financial dilemma reaches its resolution, whenever that may be.