I am writing this letter in response to an article printed in the Collegian on Feb. 1 concerning the University Faculty Senate's campaign to fight the proposal for increased tuition. The article reported on faculty members' views on student aid and tuition, provoking me to question the integrity of the people who run this University.

The issue concerning the Senate is if tuition costs are increased, Penn State should provide more aid to students so they can continue to begin their education. Despite the fact that the aid Penn State presently offers is well below that which is needed by students, many faculty members still feel that Penn State shouldn't have to provide anymore money to people with financial disadvantages.

In the article printed on Feb. 1, Professor Donald Rung was quoted as stating, "This is not Penn State's obligation ..." He said that Penn State couldn't afford to give students more aid and that it should be the responsibility of the state. I'd like to remind Professor Rung that the University was originally established to EDUCATE students. Therefore, jeopardized college careers are Penn State's obligation. How can a school that can afford a multimillion dollar sports arena and parking garage not afford to take care of its student body? That simply implies that Penn State doesn't care about its students or whether or not they continue their education. Instead, its priorities lie in having a more impressive basketball arena than other Big Ten schools.

Right here is where I wish to express my disgust for what is going on behind the administration here. When I came to Penn State three years ago, I could barely afford the tuition and board that they were charging. Now I am 20 years old and $20,000 in debt, and Penn State is trying to make it even more difficult for me to continue my way through school. At present, over 60 percent of Penn State students pack into Shields Building every semester pleading for money. What's going to happen to all of us when tuition increases and aid decreases? Basically what's being said by the administration is "Who cares?" I find it very hard to accept that the school that I chose to come to cares more about football and basketball than the students who pay an arm and a leg for higher education. Professor Rung and those who share his views must not have had to struggle financially for their education, because they don't understand what it's like to be on the borderline of being able to afford next semester's tuition.

Penn State is in need of some serious priority adjustments. I urge the administration to re-examine why this university was established. No one can tell me that Penn State "can't afford" to help its students. As far as I'm concerned, the students should be the first priority of this university, but they're not. I don't know if any of these changes will come into effect before I graduate or not, but for the sake of all the students who have yet to deal with the agony of Shields Building, I hope Penn State re-evaluates what it means to be a "university."