Each new year, issues of concern to the University community look strikingly similar to those of years past. A quick look at New Year's resolutions suggested for the University community in 1988 would prompt some to argue that progress is slow.

Yet although progress may seem to crawl, complex issues are not easily solvable. During the past year, many have taken steps to address needs brought to the attention of the administration and community. In the upcoming months, a commitment to ensuring progress on or completion of these matters is paramount:

-- Nearly every time a matter involving dollar bills crosses University desks, questions arise about who's providing the green stuff. And nearly every time, an answer could be provided if the community could see for itself where Penn State's money comes from and where it is spent.

The open budget issue surfaced in 1987 and later was promoted by student leaders. Subsequent steps followed. After Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams addressed the University Board of Trustees at its July meeting, the trustees formed a committee to look into the possibility of opening the budget. In November, the board approved the release of some information. But the needed release of a line-by-line budget has not yet been achieved.

-- The Campus Environment Team's release of reported acts of minority intolerance last semester recognized the discrimination that is a part of life for many underrepresented groups on campus. State College crime statistics for 1987 included one murder, 13 rapes, five armed robberies and 60 aggravated assaults. The Univesity Department of Police Services reported one rape and 16 assaults in 1987.

Epithets and posters also appeared periodically on campus last semester against racial groups and gay and lesbian students. As a result, the police and the University community have been working to decrease discriminatory attitudes. Now, further action is needed from the University administration and community in both responding to incidents of intolerance and working to educate against it.

After pressure from students and faculty, the University formed a committee to study the feasibility of a mobile escort service geared toward women. Providing this service in the upcoming year is necessary. Additionally, educating people about rape awareness can further solidify the community's commitment to safety. Individual organizations, such as the Interfraternity Council, need to implement a system-wide rape awareness program for its members. An awareness program might not prevent rape, but could heighten visibility of the crime.

-- The University failed to meet its goal of a 5 percent black student population by June 1988. But diversifying the University community remains fundamentally important and commitment must come from the top. An increased effort from the administration to seek student input in its recruitment programs and from underrepresented groups and an effort from all University members to learn about and celebrate diversity is needed in the upcoming year.

A commitment to diversity also is needed in all student organizations. For example, one year after the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance first applied for a seat on University Student Advisory Board, the organization still is denied a voice.