More than 40,000 new patients will be treated at the Penn State Cancer Institute at Hershey Medical Center, thanks in part to a $10 million grant from the state.

The center will provide an economic benefit to the state, and of course also help so many more cancer patients.

No one can argue that money for cancer is bad.

But if the state is going to help fund a brand new center, it and the university must not neglect the facility in the future.

It seems part of a trend the state and university has followed: Hand out lots of money for good causes, as long as something new and flashy is attached to the project.

It's easy that way.

But then the state forgets about the more mundane operating costs associated with the university -- namely tuition and other ongoing costs -- leaving them in dire need of funding just to keep the places running at their current level.

The new Dickinson School of Law project was the last. The state will help to put up the buildings.

But there is no sign of money to keep the tuition amounts down.

Money put into upkeep and general expenses, while expensive, doesn't produce as much of a visible impact for people to attach the money to.

This makes it more attractive for the state or donors to give money for more obvious projects.

These facilities' basic functions need funding, too, as the under-funded Hershey has requested for years.

Similarly, at University Park, donations are made to construct new buildings and fund new initiatives.

But at the same time, Penn State President Graham Spanier must plead with the state for more funding to avoid tremendous tuition increases for students here.

Maintaining funding to keep up with the basic necessities that keep the university running seem to be forgotten, resulting in a higher cost for students.

So, it's excellent that so much money is going to treat those afflicted by cancer.

But let's start now with making sure the infrastructure is in place and money has been committed to keep the place running above average for years to come.

The medical center certainly doesn't need to be scrambling for money a decade from now.

Building anew won't mean as much down the road if the facility's basic functions are neglected -- neglected simply because there isn't something immediately and visibly grand to show for the money put into it.

The state and the university should make sure all needs are being met so we don't run into problems in the long run.