By now, most students should have finished paying their fall tuition bills.

If you felt a sense a futility watching yourself or Mom and Dad scribble out a check for about 10 percent more over last year's bill, you are probably not alone. But, we can and must act now to help stop next year's increase

Penn State is one of the nation's most expensive land-grant universities. And, although it took the University Board of Trustees only 15 seconds to pass this year's 21st consecutive tuition increase, students may not realize that the budget process takes all year.

Each fall, the University presents its appropriation request to the state. This request is usually much higher than the amount the state gives: Last fall, for instance, Penn State asked for a 19 percent increase but received only 5 percent.

Although state appropriations do not provide the majority of the University's operating budget, they mean a lot to students.

Traditionally, if Penn State receives less than requested, tuition is raised to "balance" the budget.

Although Pennsylvania ranks 47th in the nation in terms of funding per full-time student, we must still make an effort to lobby more effectively in Harrisburg for funding. Students and their parents should call and write to state lawmakers now to start them thinking early about Penn State.

But, realistically, lobbying will probably never be effective enough to get Penn State the money it claims it needs. We must also question how appropriations and other funds are used and distributed.

However, the answers may prove difficult to find.

The University has a closed budget, This means most information about spending is not available to the lawmakers who appropriate funds, and the students, alumni, and corporations who pay the rest of the bills.

What we do know doesn't make that much sense.

The University has taken in more than $200 million in its campaign, but tuition has increased. We rank among the highest universities in the nation for funding in research, but tuition has increased. The cost of attending Penn State has increased for 21 years and still climbs, but faculty remains underpaid compared to similar institutions, and the cost of attending Penn State has consistently risen faster than the Higher Education Price Index.

It is not realistic to expect people to pay Penn State's bills blindly.

However senseless this all seems, students can try to make a difference at the University.

Contact the Undergraduate Student Government (203 HUB).

Ask how you can help them fight to get the University budget open. You can help the executive branch through sharing information, doing research and brainstorming for ideas.

Through speaking up and starting to fight next year's potential increase now, we might not keep tuition at its current rate, but we have a head start on lessening the blow.