Dear Editor,
Tuition, a word that makes many of us cringe. The 2002-2003 school year has
brought upon the Penn State population a 13.5% increase in tuition. As a col
lege student who pays my own tuition, I was appalled and shocked at this atro
cious increase. There are many out there who want someone or something to
place blame upon and as Student Government President I was a bit taken back
when Student Government was blamed.
In the last edition of the Cap Times, an anonymous student focused
his/her disdain on the Student Government for the tuition increase! Though
flattering, tuition and the raise in tuition has relatively little (probably nothing)
to do with Student Government at Penn State Capital College. In fact, the
Council of Commonwealth Student Government,s (CCSG) budget was cut this
year. Therefore, the theory has a flaw. There is a certain amount of money from
the General Funds budget that goes to student government, yet it is relatively
the same amount of money given to SGA every year.
There are several reasons the tuition went up and why it went up so
steeply, none of which deal with one individual campus, but rather the
University as a whole. First and foremost, the state decided to cut Penn State
and higher education funding this year. The governor had proposed a 5%
decrease in appropriations; however, the PA Congress only cut our budget by
3%. HOWEVER, that 2% that was given back to us from the governors, pro
posal may not have been given back to the general/education fund because
there are other budgets such as cooperative extension.
This all seems rather complicated so to better understand the budget
allocations check out www.budget.psu.edu. The site will help you better under
stand the intricacies of the budgetary process.
Student Government of the Capital Campus is on a mission to provide a
sense of community for the population. We might provide free food, entertain
ment, but in no way are we using funds frivolously or causing the increase in
the tuition. I implore you to attend the public SGA meetings, which are held
every Tuesday at 12:30. Bring your problems, concerns and questions to this
governing body so we can be the student representatives. You can also email us
at pshsga@hotmail.com. Every student has voice, so let us hear them.
Sincerely,
Parul Luthra
Student Government President 2002-2003
SGA President Penn State Capital Campus
" capital times N ,„ sM;l!!i , /iIR .
I ■"r.rrfinnnnminninnnnmrunnißaipnrif iTniiiTaminnnfmiiii iniigiMWiMna nnnnMlfißllrnnmTrunnaiMMfir 1
Issue N 0.2, Volume 43
Monday, September 23, 2002
fiStttWfWt'TS
Features—
Circle K
by Rachel Sheperd
P$U Football Triumphs
by Pete Strella
Clubfest
by Sarah Bkalban
Reporting a Tragedy
by Robert Tristman
Deparmmis—
Columns
SOA
by Pete Strella
The Instigator
Around Camp
Student Speak Out
by Amy Shut
PSH Police Report
by Sarah Bkalban
Campus Calendar
by Sarah Blkalban
Entertainment
CD Review
by The Gooseman, WPSH Staff
Movie Review
by Brooke Pottelger
Please tell our advertisers that you
saw It In Times I
Cover design - Pete Strella
Layout- Stacy De Angelo