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.
Graham Spanier has not had a good week so far. And indeed, in all likelihood, neither have you.
Last night on Twitter, a number of students tweeted condolences for William A. Schreyer, who is perhaps best well known here as the namesake and benefactor of the Schreyer Honors College. It wasn't until this morning, though, that we found official confirmation of the reports.
First reported by StateCollege.com's Adam Smeltz, the Center for Strategic and International Studies published a release expressing the think-tank's sorrow at Schreyer's death. Schreyer was a major benefactor of the nonpartisan institute. We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
Students from all across Pennsylvania convened in the HUB, as the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments held its third Council weekend of the year this Friday and Saturday. They passed two resolutions and an amendment to an existing one.