I attended the forum on the new UPAC Policy Proposal. Let me begin by saying that I believe that UPAC has done an excellent job in allocating money. The forum, however, was nothing more than a collection of half-truths and outright propaganda in an attempt to reduce the funding of a number of excellent programs simply because those who are putting it forward feel that student organizations don't receive enough funding.

Jason Covener said that the speakers that were chosen by the Distinguished Speakers Series were not the speakers students wanted, but those that the administration chose for us.

First of all, the chair of DSS is a student. Not only that, but judging from the turnout of the first two events, I must say that many students want these speakers here.

Furthermore, a number of other events that are funded by the portion of their budget that Jason Covener wishes to reduce are events that the majority of students enjoy and some are even considered models for programs across the country.

Programs such as Late Night Penn State and the Center for Performing Arts would be programs that would have their funding cut if this short-sighted proposal were to be passed. I would like to close by commending President Zartman for his veto of legislation similar to this and to commend all of those Senators that truly represented the student population and voted against the censoring of President Zartman.