The University of Pittsburgh's endowment, which totaled $2.4 billion this summer and is the region's largest, lost 22 percent of its value this fall, amid stock market turmoil buffeting colleges nationwide.

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg did not specify the dollar loss in a memo he sent to the campus community that outlined economic challenges Pitt is facing. But a percentage drop of that magnitude suggests an endowment loss of just over a half-billion dollars.

Pitt spokesman Robert Hill yesterday said he could not make any comment beyond the chancellor's remarks. The loss was as of Nov. 30.

Pitt, like other universities, is feeling the effects of both upheaval in the investment world and the worsening recession. Campuses around the country, including Harvard University, have reported steep drops in their endowments.

As a state related-university, Pitt also is likely to forgo 6 percent of its current state appropriation, or $11.3 million, so state leaders can confront their own $1.6 billion shortfall in this year's Commonwealth budget.

In another sign yesterday of the rough economic times, leaders of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities announced salaries would be frozen for some 1,500 non-union managers, administrators and others for at least six months. In addition, 128 vacant positions will go unfilled on the campuses, including California, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery Rock universities in Western Pennsylvania.

At Pitt, Mr. Nordenberg said in his memo that campus successes in recent years, including research gains and record-fundraising, have better positioned the university. Nevertheless, he said "broadly shared sacrifices" will very likely be necessary at an institution with approximately 12,000 employees and 34,000 students.

"The causes of these wide-ranging challenges are largely beyond our control, but we still must deal with their effects, and we have been doing so," he said.

His and other officer salaries were frozen this year, and Pitt has begun identifying potential savings campuswide. It is taking a closer look at projects within its 12-year, $1 billion facilities plan, though none have been postponed or scaled back, Arthur Ramicone, vice chancellor for budget and controller, said earlier this week. Mr. Nordenberg said the school will make fewer hires until the economy stabilizes.

"Institutional and individual donors have experienced their own losses, of course, which will affect future support for Pitt," he said.

Mr. Hill would not say how, if at all, endowment losses would affect the university's operating budget. It depends on the university's method of allocation and the kinds of endeavors supported by endowment income.

For instance, Penn State University, which last month reported a 20 percent or $300 million drop in its endowment, does not rely on those funds to support the campus operating budget.

It does, however, use endowment income for needs such as student scholarships, library and equipment acquisitions, and faculty support, including endowed professorships, travel stipends and graduate assistantships.

Penn State, noting that markets can rebound quickly, said effects in those areas wouldn't likely be felt at least until next year.

Other universities use endowment income to aid in their operations.

Mr. Nordenberg said Pitt will join higher education groups to press for inclusion of university needs in whatever economic stimulus package passes Congress early next year.

Earlier this fall, Carnegie Mellon University, with an endowment of roughly $1 billion, notified the campus that its endowment investments had fallen by 9.5 percent from July through September. As of Sept. 30, Duquesne University's endowment value stood at $142 million, down from $166.5 million on June 30, university officials said