Just a few days ago, the retirement of Dr. Charles Hosler, dean of the graduate school, was brought to my attention.

After reading the March 8 issue of the Centre Daily Times, I realized the University is having difficulty addressing the needs of the current Penn State student.

As president of Alpha Sigma Lambda, a parent, and a student, I feel it is my duty to address the two following issues noticed in the Centre Daily Times article: faculty attitude, "that a certain amount of adversity builds character in students" and the lack of need of services and assistance for returning adult students.

First of all, it is the adults in the world that put many younger students through college. As many know, going to college is a difficult situation (i.e. employee, parent, student) in and of itself. I feel adding more adversity does not increase character but impedes success. Faculty and staff members should stimulate education by creating a positive learning environment rather then undermining education through adversity.

The fact that this type of attitude was portrayed by a recently retired professor in an upper management position, causes me to ponder who else supports this same philosophy. In addition, it scares me to think how much adversity has filtered into the classroom as a result of this kind of administrative philosophy.

In regard to Hosler's lack of "support of special services like improved on-campus child care and assistance for returning adult students," I hope this is just an isolated incident and not a common trend. Children of student parents are tomorrow's students. Following modern day philosophy, and total quality management principles, it seems that good will and innovation should respond to the needs of the customer (diverse student population) and should be the top priority.

Let us get and keep Penn State on track by increasing communications and working toward a more positive environment for everyone, including the adult learner.