Students, advocates, and anyone else with an opinion on the latest issues in education funding and tuition increases are encouraged to attend Penn State Capital Day in Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 5. Don't miss this opportunity to meet face to face with state legislators and get your voices heard, literally.
Though overshadowed by election news, the 5th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association met for the last time Wednesday night. The General Assembly meeting began before a packed house in 302 HUB. It was a time for seniors to give fond farewells, and for others to look forward to what the 6th Assembly might bring.
President Graham Spanier traveled to Harrisburg yesterday in an attempt to get a second opinion on Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed cuts for funding of higher education. At the state Senate Appropriation hearing in Harrisburg, Spanier tackled the tough questions proposed by legislators for over two hours. However, after the dust settled, our shining leader entered into a hallway full of curious reporters. See what "the man, the myth, the legend" had to say about the issues discussed and the possible ways Penn State would deal with a 50 percent decrease in state funding.
Later this afternoon, the State Senate Appropriations Committee will convene a panel in Harrisburg to discuss the funding of Pennsylvania's state-related universities, chief among them our dear Blue & White. Penn State President Graham Spanier will address the legislators, along with his colleagues from Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln. These hearings happen fairly regularly in the budgetary cycle, but this year should be more of a vigorous exchange than normal given the drama surrounding Governor Tom Corbett's proposed cuts to higher education. OnwardState.com and StateCollege.com will both be there producing live coverage of the event. Check back later today for a liveblog and multimedia from Harrisburg.
In light of Governor Corbett's proposed budget cuts, the University Park Undergraduate Association's Steering Committee met last night to respond as an undergraduate student government, since the General Assembly doesn't meet this week.
We've received a couple forwards in our tip box of an email that Roger Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association, sent out to the organization's "announcement" list-- i.e., what must be a huge number of graduates spread throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. Check it out after the jump.