After several months of wondering whether a Penn State entity would step in and help its funding problems, the University Park Allocation Committee has decided to give about $26,000 to WKPS-FM (90.7), The Lion.

Funding for the student-run radio station was cut off by the university administration last spring, sparking allegations of censorship.

This was an interesting move by the university, considering it had just spent money for the Lion's new space on the ground floor of the HUB-Robeson Center.

The move shows that at least some on campus see the potential in the radio station as a voice for all students. Even though the amount of students involved at the station is small, and the amount is large, in the long run it should be money well spent.

After all, if UPAC spent almost this amount to bring Michael Moore to campus to give one speech, funding a medium through which students can voice views all year round seems perfectly logical.

Also, The Lion deserves the money and the focus because of both equipment and resources needed to operate a huge electronic medium, and the fact that all students can benefit through this.

All groups can promote their views and causes on the station, all sharing in the financial allocation.

But with the funding comes a responsibility. The Lion should use the money to create a station that students will listen to and that will help further discourse on campus about issues that affect us all.

Also, the station should continue to look for ways to create a revenue base for itself (such as advertising and promotions), so if the UPAC funding would not be available, it could continue to operate.

At a time when corporate owners control most of what we hear on the airwaves, the need is there for an independent source for music that students can't hear anywhere else.

And talk radio hosts who are old enough to be our grandfathers and richer than entire dorm buildings of students need to be met with the alternative of student commentators who know and understand the needs of other students.

Being totally independent of the university should be seen as a positive thing now that the station can continue to broadcast.

Big Brother, or the Orwellian shadow that the university was imagined to cast, is gone. Content can be improved without worry. We know how important student-run media is in State College.

This is a chance to do all exactly what The Lion has wanted this funding for. This money is the push to get going. The ball is now in The Lion's court.