Once again the Commonwealth Educational System has been and will be overlooked and underfunded -- specifically in its student life department. After examining Penn State's 1993-94 operating budget, we have found a continual decline for the funding of a strong collegiate atmosphere for a number of campuses. The student life environment at some Commonwealth Campuses have very little respect and support from our University.

Over the years the campus executive officers have been pointing out the central administration's lack of funding, while the central administration has responded that it is the CEO's decision on how their money will be spent. We personally don't care who might be at fault, but we wish our University's decision makers would take a step back and realize how student life is neglected at most campuses.

We talk concepts and attempts of restructuring, continuous quality improvement and the less politically correct "more bang for the buck" to apply to our campuses. These attempts are good in concept, but you will find that if you are not willing to invest, your profits will go sour.

Most former CES students can assess campus need and know that their campus atmosphere is hurting due to lack of funding. Penn State loses many students to other junior colleges and universities because there is more of a collegiate atmosphere in other locations.

What is Penn State doing? It's obvious that there is a shortage for money and support from our core administrators. This has to stop and more money needs to be put back into the Commonwealth Educational System.

Our question is why did our administration cut the bare necessities for student life and then apply CQI? Doesn't this seem illogical? We feel Penn State will spend thousands of dollars assessing what is already obvious. We would like to question the reasoning behind a decision to spend thousands of dollars on recruitment and admissions when once they attain high enrollment, neglect to create an atmosphere of involvement.

Well Penn State, we do feel that we are "in the bodycount business." Look at enrollment: It's a clear example. Campuses with high enrollment receive more. It is a familiar trend at certain campuses to scramble for enrollment and then have nothing left for the students when they arrive. What about the smaller campuses who take a drop because demographic changes?

Sometimes we feel that a Commonwealth Campus slogan could be something like this,"Come to PSU; We will recruit you and then forget about you. We will provide you with no out-of-classroom activities of leadership opportunities." Contrary to popular relief and priority, being involved on a campus is an important part of a Penn State education. What does it take to prove this point? How far will enrollment decline until we address needs?

We feel that the University administration better realize that student life is part of Penn State academics. You only get out of Penn State what you decide to put in. The positive energy, campus spirit, and action we have experienced from strong leadership and development programs are evidence that the returns outweigh the financial investment required. When will our proclaimed "the student is number one" approach begin?

Until the administration refocuses their priorities for Commonwealth Campuses, we could experience the death of a campus -- being nothing more then an extended high school without any sports or clubs.