If you thought the 1990s meant renewed dedication to higher education, think again.

Last week Gov. Robert P. Casey "committed" the state to higher education by slashing appropriations, marking the beginning of another decade of University tuition increases.

Despite a request by the University for a 12.7 percent increase in state funding, Casey's 1990-91 budget proposal increased the University's overall funding by a meager 2.8 percent.

This minimal appropriation means one thing for University students -- another tuition increase.

Even before Casey's proposal the University had announced a 6 percent tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state students. But, if the General Assembly approves Casey's budget as proposed, tuition will probably increase by more than that percentage.

This proposal almost promises to keep the state's rank of 47th in the nation in funding per student for public universities.

To add to the misery, the University also has to cope with another program -- the Tuition Challenge Grant.

The governor dealt education another blow when he again endorsed the Tuition Challenge Grant program. This program rewards institutions that keep tuition increases below a certain amount.

But this grant does not help the University because it "pools" money among the state-related universities rather than refunds money on a per-student basis. Penn State has more students than the other state-related universities.

Under the conditions of this program last year, the University managed to keep tuition increases for undergraduate in-state students down to a minimal 4 percent. This provided an extra $3.3 million in additional funding for the University, but meant a 9 percent tuition increase for out-of-state undergraduates, graduates and medical students.

These percentages could balloon even further in 1990 because of the University's planned tuition increase and the state's inadequate funding. So the tuition challenge program -- designed to help students -- will most likely end up hurting them.

Students deserve an affordable and quality education. The state must show its dedication to providing this education by granting greater funding. In turn, the University must support accessible education by controlling tuition increases.

The state House and Senate will hold hearings on Casey's proposal Feb. 26. Write before that date and let legislators know that this budget is inadequate and a slap in the face to students who are struggling to get an education.