While some students' thoughts are far from Penn State during spring break, parents of in-state undergraduates will receive reminders of how much attending the University costs.

The Student Coalition for Commonwealth Education, a new division under the Undergraduate Student Government, will mail about 50,000 letters by Monday to the homes of undergraduates enrolled in the University system, Coalition Director Kelly Glazier said.

The letter explains that tuition will increase at least 6 percent for Fall Semester, and that the state cut University funding this fiscal year by 3.5 percent, Glazier said. It also urges parents to contact state representatives and senators to ask for more state funding, she added.

The letter states that "the increased financial burden that you and your son or daughter can be expected to bear can be lessened and possibly in future years avoided" if enough people speak out.

The letters are funded through the University and sent by the Office of the Bursar, said Susie Williams, USG vice president.

Although most students said the letters are a good idea, several doubted their parents would respond.

Vivian Hatzinikolas (junior-nursing) said her parents, and probably many others, will not contact anyone in state government even though they are concerned about costs.

"I really don't think they'll take the time out," Hatzinikolas said. "I guess maybe a lot of them have the attitude that . . . maybe it's not going to make a difference."

But Kim Gable (freshman-liberal arts) said she thinks her parents will respond to the letter.

"They think it's unreal that they're cutting funding for higher education," Gable said.

The letter is a good way to inform parents who are not aware of the severity of increased tuition costs, Gable added.

John Lee (senior-computer engineering) said his parents will not complain because they pay $5,000 more per year to send his brother to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore than to send him to Penn State.

"I get a really decent education for a lot cheaper," Lee said.