The open budget issue aside, Paul Breza (senior-horticulture-business) has a concern he would like to discuss with University President Bryce Jordan.

"Last semester, I got $40 worth of parking tickets and seemed to get them everywhere on campus," he said.

While all students might not perceive Breza's ticket accumulation as the most pressing issue on campus, it is viable for discussion during Jordan's informal student meetings, which are planned throughout this semester.

Jordan announced his spring schedule for informal meetings, the first of which is to take place this afternoon at 4 in Old Main's Alumni Lounge. Other meeting dates include: Feb. 1, Feb. 24, March 23, April 7, and April 21. All meetings start at 4 p.m. and are closed to the press.

The first meetings were held last fall as a result of increased student activism -- especially on the part of Concerned African Americans at Penn State, the group responsible for the April 8-9 sit-in at the Telecommunications Building, University administrators have said.

At last semester's sessions, Jordan faced frequent questions about racism, sexism and homophobia, among other topics. University officials said the meetings provided students with valuable access to the University's top administrator.

Ara Khachaturian (senior-economics) said he attended one of the meetings last semester and was slightly disappointed with the outcome.

"The meeting tried to be informal but seemed to be dominated by graduate students," he said. Chances are good for Khachaturian to go again this semester, he added.

Besides being puzzled by the repeated tuition increases and the University's rationale, Khachaturian said top on his list of questions for Jordan is how the president views the University.

"I remember his comparison of the University's budget to General Motors'. Unfortunately, when I buy a car, I do know the options that I'm getting," he said.

Beth Colonna (senior-broadcast / cable) said she would attend the meetings only if she had a pressing concern.

"I'd exhaust all alternatives before I'd confront Mr. Jordan with a problem," she said.

When asked if she were to go just for the sake of meeting Jordan, Colonna said she would like to hear Jordan discuss his strategies for solving racial, ethnic and gender problems at the University.

"I'd like to know what are some of the things he's doing now to better Penn State," she said. "Those problems must be resolved."

Jeanette Bailey (senior-nursing) said she has never been confronted with any racial problems during her four years as a student.

"But because I'm a minority, I'm still concerned with the outcome of the issue," she added.

Since graduation is just around the corner for Bailey, she said it is doubtful she will attend any of the meetings. But if she were to go, Bailey said she would ask Jordan how he plans to counter rising tuition costs.

"Tuition has gone up every semester since I've been here, and I'd like to know what he's doing about it," she said.

Tracey Rabekoff (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said the chances of her attending Jordan's informal meetings are slim, but not because of apathy.

"I have a class then, so the chances aren't too good," she said.

A resident of New York, Rabekoff said she would like to hear Jordan discuss the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition costs. She is not familiar with the details of tuition and said Jordan could answer her questions.