Carnegie Mellon University is suspending a masters program in Greece, citing the recession's effect on that country, but school president Jared Cohon said most of the university's campuses and programs outside Pittsburgh are thriving.

The suspension was announced in a campus-wide e-mail on Tuesday in which Dr. Cohon gave updates on several fronts and outlined priorities for the final three years of his presidency. Last week, he announced plans to return to teaching in 2013 after a tenure that will have spanned 16 years.

His e-mail indicated that schools within the university will need to continue belt-tightening, but, overall, Carnegie Mellon is on sound financial ground despite the economic downturn. Dr. Cohon noted plans for a new institute related to the transition from fossil fuels to alternatives.

He said campus input will be sought regarding plans to transform property acquired near Forbes Avenue into what the school describes as an educational, research, business and culture corridor.

Carnegie Mellon, through its college of engineering, has offered a masters of science in information networking in Athens since 2002. It enrolls about 15 students, university spokesman Ken Walters said.

"As you know, the recession of 2009 was global. Greece was especially hard it," Dr. Cohon wrote. "Provisions have been made to allow previously enrolled students to complete their degrees, but no new students will be admitted this year."

The economic climate has made it harder for the program's sponsor in that country to continuing funding it, Mr. Walters said. The school hopes to eventually resume the program.

Dr. Cohon cited locations or programs in the Silicon Valley, Qatar, India and Portugal as among those doing well. He said the Heinz College's four-year old masters programs in Adelaide, Australia -- one in public policy and management and another in information systems management -- have attracted fewer students than expected. Enrollment stands at just over 100, the university said.

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