Penn State elitism has reached an all-time high.

Forget about students strapped for cash and parents trying to put more than one child through the higher education system -- Penn State does not want its name tarnished by accepting credits from other state institutions.

Last week Rob Pangborn, university vice president and dean for undergraduate education, said a universal credit transfer system would be "impractical" and "do real damage to the essence of the research university."

A bill, introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. James Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, aims to make core classes equivalent among the state-owned universities, state-related universities and community colleges.

Rhoades said students often lose credits in the processing of transferring, and ultimately lose valuable time and money.

Finally, a state representative is listening to the students.

As tuition at University Park continues to rise, it's not surprising that some students opt to take a couple classes prior to coming to the university or take summer classes at community colleges closer to their homes.

Why kill your bank account for a pointless general education class at University Park if the same credit will be cheaper elsewhere?

Although it makes sense that students studying at Penn State should take most of their major credits at the university, students should have the option to pick up extra credits to fulfill their general education requirements at other schools.

Ken Marshall, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, said a statewide system for transferring credits is worth pursuing to make it easier for students to transfer credits.

Although Marshall said, "no system is going to be perfect," he is very supportive of the concepts and it would "fit very nicely in a state-wide articulation agreement."

According to Marshall, the goal is for students to lose as little as possible.

Exactly.

Opposing a statewide credit transfer system will only hurt students.

Tom Zaher, assistant academic dean for business studies department at Bucks County Community College, said the college has a program with Temple University, which allows students to attend the college for two years and then transfer to the university to complete their undergraduate career.

Zaher said the college along with other colleges and state universities have been working together to "hammer out" what classes would be acceptable in a statewide articulation agreement.

Judging on the receptiveness of other schools, Penn State's apprehension toward the legislation just makes the university look bad and unwelcoming.

University officials are responsible for providing students with a well-rounded education. But if Penn State does not modify its position on this issue, some students will not be given the chance to receive that kind of education.

Knowledge is not a monopoly of one institution.