Planning, Labor Create Changes on Campus By Kimberly Anastas Renovating, remodeling and reorganizing were the top priorities of maintanence workers at Penn State Harrisburg this summer. Among the major renovation projects were the dining hall, dormitories and Student Assistance Center. Ken Witmer, manager of Facilities and Maintenance Operations, said the planning of renovations is done by the maintanence staff in conjunction with division heads and faculty. "Criticism is what we're looking for," he said. Witmer explained that the maintanence staff is able to learn and make appropriate changes as a result of criticisms. One of the major changes made to offices was space utili7ation. The Divisions of Public Affairs and Behavioral Sciences, for example, were renovated to be "much more appealing," said Witmer. New lighting, new ceiling tiles and individual locks on professors' doors have been added. For the sake of appearance and more efficient work, the secretaries now work together in the middle of the suites, rather than at opposite ends. "By combining clerical space and 'moving partitions," said Witmer, "we re-designed the office areas and gained PSU Tuition Raised for 21st Year By Ann Vonada-Vazquez For the 21st consecutive year, the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition. The vote came on Saturday, July 16, at a two-day meeting in Erie, PA. For Capital College, according to Don Plourde, financial and administrative services officer, the increase will be 9.67 percent per undergraduate credit hour, the same as the 1987-88 increase. The undergraduate student's cost per credit hour has steadily risen from $125.00 in 1986-87 to $137.00 in 1987-88 to the present rate of $150.00. According to University Park's July 20 Weekly Collegian, University President Bryce Jordan cited continual state underfunding as the key reason for raising tuition. Penn State receives the least funding additional space." He explained that there is now enough room for two additional offices on both sides in each division. Space was also saved by creating the Student Assistance Center, said Witmer. 'We want to be fair about renovating areas. We don't want to renovate all business classrooms fist." - - Ken Witmer, manager, Facilities and Maintanence Operations Financial Aid, Student Support Services, Career Services, Academic Assistance Services and the Counseling Center have been combined to provide "one-stop shopping," according to Ed Beck, coordinator of counseling programs. per student of any state-related or state owned institution. Approximately 22 percent of Penn State's total operating budget comes from state appropriation. This is a drop from 29 percent in 1977-78. Tuition and fees account for 24.5 percent; restricted funds, 16.5 percent; auxiliary enterprises, 16.9 percent; University Hospital, 12.9 percent; agriculture federal, 1.7 percent; and other, 5.5 percent. The Weekly Collegian goes on to note that the tuition increase comes only one week after Gov. Robert P. Casey cut, by one-third, the amount approved by both state legislatures to fund the University. Both chambers of the state legislatures approved a 7.5 percent increase in funding for the University; the governor slashed this to amount to 5 percent when the bill reached his desk on Wednesday, July 13. Beck and Witmer agree that the creation of the S.A.C. is the most convenient arrangement for students. Before these services were located in W-117, Olmsted, students often had to walk from the second floor to the first Ken Witmer, manager, Facilities and Maintenance Operations. floor of Olmsted, to the CRAGS Building before finding the office they needed. Witmer said the change also reduced the square footage that these offices had occupied before the merge. Other pluses which Witmer pointed The Weekly University's budget a rise in faculty st employee benef' insurance. Faculty salaries average of 6.08 insurance will inck Together the tw additional $22.9 spending. According to a tk however, the facultl not be enough to mi competitive in recrui Look for Ann Vonada-Vazquez' article on University Park students' reactions to tuition increase on page out include: * Clerical support (two secretaries in one area for more efficiency) * Centralized location * No wasted days in the mail from one office to the other * * * Other changes in the Olmsted Building include the-new salad bar and relocation of the condiments table in the Lion's Den. The Dining Hall has undergone a major face-lift. Witmer said the Food Services office, previously located in Wrisberg Hall, is . now in the Dining Hall. Restrooms are located in the hallway, and the walk-in freezer has been relocated. Storage space has been added, as well as, a private dining room similar to the Vault in the Lion's Den. * * * The corridors in the dormitories, said Witmer, have new ceiling tiles and new lighting systems. Electrical re-wiring was done to provide computer linkage to every room. Each room will eventually be able to have private telephones. There is a limited number of phone connections rtady now, said Witmer., * * * Renovations of five classrooms began over the summer. Witmer said See RENOVATIONS page 3
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