Citing a slash in state support, the University of Pittsburgh's Board of Trustees voted to hike tuition 8.5 percent for in-state main campus students and 12 percent of in-state medical students in passing a $1.94 billion budget this morning.

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg pegged the unusually steep hike on the sharp 22 percent decline in state funding and, to a smaller degree, on increased costs. But, he added that 60 percent of the budget shortfall will be made up through cost-cutting. The remaining 40 percent falls to students.

"For an institution facing a $40 million cut in state support ... we simply could not go lower," Mr. Nordenberg said. He said that state funding levels have dropped to where they were at in the mid-1990's. "It would be impossible to construct an ideal budget in these less than ideal circumstances."

Students on Pitt's Johnstown, Greensburg, Titusville and Bradford campuses will face a 4 percent increase. Out-of-state students at all campuses will also see a 4 percent increase. Out-of-state medical students will pay an additional 6 percent this year.

Fees will remain at the same level for the coming year.

Faculty and staff will see a 2 percent salary increase. For those making less than $40,000 a year, the raise will go in effect this month. For the remaining, the increase will be delayed until January 1.

How and where the cost-cutting will take place has yet to be determined, but it could be achieved through lay-offs and attrition, said Arthur Ramicone, Pitt vice chancellor for budget and controller.

First Published: July 8, 2011, 2:45 p.m.