PSU leaders plead case to senators for funding

By ERIN STROUT
Collegian Staff Writer

HARRISBURG -- University administrators and a few student leaders voyaged to the state capital yesterday with one mission on their minds -- to get the additional $23 million the University requested in September.

Before the State Senate Appropriations Committee, University President Joab Thomas testified about how Gov. Tom Ridge's budget proposal, if passed, would have an impact on the University.

"We are not asking for all that we need, but for what we think is reasonable," Thomas said. "We feel very strongly that Penn State has the opportunity over the next decade to be the most powerful engine driving the economy of this commonwealth."

Ridge proposed to keep the University's state appropriation the same as it is this year at $269 million, although the University requested $292,191,000. The governor also proposed to cut the Tuition Challenge Grant in half, giving $100 per every full-time, in-state student if tuition is not raised more than 4.5 percent.

The Tuition Challenge Grant was started by former Gov. Robert P. Casey. It gave $210 per every full-time, in-state student if the University did not raise tuition more than 4.5 percent.

Thomas said the cut in the grant will put the University in a difficult position because some federal and state unfunded mandates could not be taken into account before the appropriation request was made. The University was not notified of the mandates when it made the request.

Sen. Noah Wenger, R-Lancaster, asked Thomas if the University will continue to take advantage of the grant although Ridge has proposed to cut it. Thomas responded that the University plans to abide by the 4.5 percent tuition cap.

Ridge transferred funds that were originally in the Tuition Challenge Grant into the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, but Thomas said more than 50 percent of the PHEAA funds end up going to private schools -- not to public universities.

But tuition was not the only subject during the hearing -- the future of the Commonwealth Educational System also was under fire.

Sen. James Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, voiced concern about the long-term plans for the CES and how telecommunications could help its fate. The University requested a special $4.5 million line-item for telecommunications.

Thomas said some Commonwealth Campuses are experiencing a decline in enrollment which could spell trouble for them.

"Unless we get some more support, it will put some (campuses) in jeopardy," Thomas said. "We've tightened the cinches as tight as we can go."

The University already received $15.8 million for telecommunications in the fall, but the additional line-item is necessary for operating costs and wiring the campuses. The technology will help the University with instructional costs and give students new opportunities in different ways of learning.

"Over the next two years all the campuses will be wired with this money," Thomas said. "Until we get the wiring, we can't get plugged in."

And Thomas was not the only one speaking about what could happen to the University without the necessary funds -- Undergraduate Student Government President Mike King and Wilkes-Barre Campus Student Government Association President Jason Getz spoke on behalf of their constituents at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses.

"We're between a rock and a hard place," King said. "In my four years, I've felt the impact of cuts."

And Getz said people are feeling the impact across the state, as he presented petitions encouraging the state legislators to increase the University's funding. Starting at the Altoona Campus, the students gathered about 6,000 signatures in one week.

Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Phila., remarked that out of all the Pennsylvania educational institutes, Penn State has the finest government relations program. He joked that because he is a Democrat, he is supposed to like spending money.

"I know you need more money," he said. "If I can help you, I will."