Since the early fall, The Daily Collegian has not had a reporter to cover the ongoing activities of the Graduate Student Association. Nearly 15 percent of the students at Penn State are graduate students. In failing to have a reporter to cover GSA activities, graduate students and the important issues facing us, are being ignored by the Collegian. Here are some examples of important information that has been overlooked.

-- Health insurance: GSA representatives are working with University administrators in developing University policy. Health insurance is both a benefit and a burden to graduate students, and GSA works for fair and effective requirements. We disagree with the requirements placed differentially on international students, especially those dealing with dependent coverage. GSA offers an alternative health insurance plan available to undergraduates and graduate students. The GSA plan is considered by many to be superior to the University plan.

-- English Competency Requirements for Graduate Students: The Collegian has included some information on the University's English competency requirement, but valuable information from GSA Assembly meetings has not been covered. The GSA Academics Assembly completed a report on the topic. Barbara Shannon, associate dean of the graduate school, is requiring each department to submit a proposal of methods used to satisfy the English competency requirement. GSA representatives will assist in the review of these proposals.

-- Declining International Student Enrollment: GSA works with the International Student Council to address international student issues. A recent decline in international student enrollment is an important subject. GSA and ISC believe that high tuition, expensive State College housing and strict health insurance policies are likely causes for this decline.

-- Child Care: GSA would like to see more on-campus facilities. Our "Listing of State College Area Day Care Facilities" is a valuable resource to the University and local communities. GSA was recently asked to help fund on-campus childcare. The Collegian could have reported the GSA's reaction to this request, but your readers will be left guessing.

-- Tax Guide: This publication provides information on tax laws that are relevant to graduate students.

Elections for GSA officers are soon. Any graduate student is eligible to run, and the opportunities are numerous!

Thank you for this opportunity to provide your readers some information (albeit biased) on GSA issues and activities.