Lobbying expenses up due to new law | Interactive Feature

Much of that money was spent on lobbying expenses.

However, according to Jeffrey Cooper, the vice president for government and community affairs, the increase was simply the result of a new law mandating that the University health system's expenses be included in the general report.

"Penn's expenditures have remained relatively flat over the past few years." Cooper wrote in an e-mail. He added that Penn hires consulting groups to aid in lobbying efforts, which explains the large expenses.

"As a general rule," Cooper wrote, "Penn does not seek earmarks." He said Penn has no plans to change its focus on receiving competitively awarded research grants, a process in which "Penn does very well."

Last week, Cooper, who assumed his position this past summer, met with the Faculty Senate to discuss Penn's agenda in Washington and Harrisburg.

Faculty Senate chairwoman Sherri Adams said the Senate met with Cooper for the first time during the meeting and focused more on broad objectives and position details, rather than specific budget concerns.

The National Institutes of Health - Penn's primary grantor of research money for the medical school and science programs - has had a stagnant allowance for Penn for the past five years, not adjusted for inflation, Adams said.

Funding has decreased as much as 13 percent over the last five years, Adams said.

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