Doug Lavensberg
CCSG Contributor
In Pennsylvania, there is
currently a discouraging trend
longer a concern of state
legislators. All colleges and
universities have begun to feel
the “pinch” of tight budget
proposals. This is not just an
individual college or university
issue; this is an issue that
involves all public higher
education institutions. We, as
students. must take the initiative
to address the current funding
shortages to higher education
in order to improve conditions
for future students.
This year exactly 273
students from a wide array of
commonwealth locations
stood on the Pennsylvania
State University State Capitol
to demonstrate their support of
raising state appropriations for
higher education in
Pennsylvania.
Their hard work and
dedication has played an
important role encouraging
many legislators to place higher
essential Pennsylvania priority.
were able to listen to Rep.
Lynn Herman from Centre
County, a majority member of
the House Education Committee
and Rep. John Yudichak, a Penn
State graduate who is the
minority Secretary for the House
Education Committee.
Students also put efforts into
meeting legislators from their
home districts, and from districts
in commonwealth locations are
situated. They were able to
discuss a variety of issues,
including personal stories that
addressed the rising rates of
tuition, and how a quality
education results in excessive
debt. This topic was stressed as
Kyle Templin, the Council of
Commonwealth Students
Governments Governmental
Affairs Director, mentioned to
all present that the individuals
standing behind him accounted
for millions of dollars in debt.
However, as far as we, the
students, have come in
addressing the issue of state
see RALLY page 3
CCSG Contributor
Students will no longer need
to cut classes to go to home
early for Thanksgiving starting
in the 2007-2008 academic
year. Penn State’s fall and
spring semesters will be
identical in format and length.
Instead of classes fall break, or
study day, students will be
given a weeklong break over
Thanksgiving holiday.
Each semester will have
duration of 15 weeks.
Classes will begin on the
Monday before Labor Day in
the fall.
~The Spring semester
calendar will remain the same
with the weeklong spring
break.
No changes have been
planned or made for the
summer academic calendar.