To what degree do the missions of higher education and politics mingle? The fine line may be more clearly defined when the state General Assembly considers a proposal by state Senator J.Doyle Corman, R-Centre, to increase funding higher education by $95 million, or 10 percent, in fiscal year 1988-89.

Although the percentage increase may seem low, the issue is critical. Pennsylvania ranks 47th in funding per full-time student and has ranked last over the past decade in funding increases for higher education.

The effects of long-term underfunding cannot be emphasized enough. Class sizes increase, faculty hiring decreases, and libraries suffer as higher education becomes increasingly a "privilege" for the affluent only.

The state usually increases funding by about half the requested amount per year across the board for state-aided institutions of higher education for all budget line items except educational instruction. In addition to these normal increases, the additional funds under the proposal would be placed in a pool and would be allocated only after a fair method of distribution is developed based on the needs of each institution, said Mike McGinnis, Corman's fiscal assistant.

McGinnis believes the proposal will appeal to both political parties in the General Assembly because the funding would be distributed more fairly, instead of in the current arbitrary and politically-imposed form. The proposal is therefore more realistic, but how does it serve the best interests of Penn State?

The proposed increase does not correct past differences, where funding was increased across the board, discounting the growing student population size at the University. McGinnis points out that "Penn State's funding has gone up less than Pitt's or Temple's, but Penn State's student population has increased dramatically while the other universities have had mild population increases or no increase at all."

But the proposal contains the provision for fair distribution of funds to Pennsylvania higher education institutions, extending beyond a Penn State-centered proposal. The politics of the matter require that the presidents of the involved institutions work with Governor Casey to negotiate an acceptable distribution of funds.

If passed, everyone could benefit from the increase. The assembly should increase the funding and start Pennsylvania on its way to becoming a state known for supporting, not ignoring, higher education.

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Students can make a difference and work to influence the outcome of the assembly's vote. University President Bryce Jordan issued a prepared statement professing the encouragement Penn State derives from Corman's efforts. However, a plea from students might be more effective at actually procuring increased funding. Students should seek out state representatives and let them know how important higher education funding is.

An organized effort by the Undergraduate Student Government to make the concerns of Penn State known to our representatives in the state legislature would be timely and effective, and serve as a preventive measure for lessening the effect of future tuition increases at Penn State.