11 The Daily Collegian Published independently by students at Penn State Pres. talks funds Officials: PSU should not expect an increase in state funding. By Brendan McNally COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Penn State President Graham Spanier heard more of the same from lawmakers in Harrisburg on Wednesday, just eight days after he traveled to the state capi- tal and was told not to expect an increase in fund- ing for next year. While law makers at a Spanier Senate Appropriations Committee hear ing hailed the university as a driving force for the state's econ omy, they made it clear that Penn State should not be expect ing a funding increase this year, Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said. “It's interesting, because they recognize the significant role Penn State plays in the econo my," she said. “But when it comes down to their own dis tricts, it becomes very personal and they wonder why some pro grams are being cut." Spanier requested a 3.9 per cent increase in funding for Penn State. But Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre. Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, said budget problems will make it impossible for the state to increase funding for the university " [Rinding] is probably going to stay flat,” Corman said. "‘The deficit unfortunately continues to grow." Powers said Penn State’s 24 campuses generate $l7 billion a year for the state's economy, and she said Penn State officials are ‘‘deeply concerned” about the direction of the university's finances. Dwindling federal stimulus money along with pro jected deficits in the State Employee's Retirement System (SERS) could set the university back as much as $66 million in the coming years. While funding remains unchanged for higher education in Gov. Ed Rendell's budget pro posal, Spanier said K-12 educa tion is set to receive huge fund ing increases next year. Corman said he would like to See FUNDS, Page 2. Students to spend break helping the nation By Edgar Ramirez COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Despite strong warnings and limited amount of time, 12 Penn State students, alumni and other volunteers will spend their spring break in Haiti helping with relief efforts. With the help of Adventures in Missions (AIM), students David Adewumi and Zack Johnston pulled together the trip within three weeks an act Alisha Brodie, who will also make the trip to Haiti, calls “amazing.” Brodie (junior-nutrition), who has been on three previous mis sion trips, said the planning process was “chaotic, but expect ed.” Adewumi (junior-Spanish) After an hour of debate. Univer sity Park Undergraduate Association Miller Some student government (UPUA) general members are now saving there assembly members approved the Andrew Dunheimer/coiiegian were not enough concrete details expenditure Wednesday without Asher Roth performs at last available to justify allocating more knowledge of the names of any of year’s spring music festival. than 545.000 for its spring music the potential musical acts. The Eric Farmer (graduate-educational leadership) belts his self-composed song "Muse" at a Penn State's Got Talent contest. Thursday night was the final night to audition for State College's version of "American Idol," sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Student Association. Jackson returns LOVE FOR credits the help he got from AIM and outside community support in making the trip possible. “These people going will not for get the amount of help and impact they will leave behind in Haiti, regardless how small it will be,” Adewumi said. The group hopes to rebuild buildings, clean up debris, pass out food whatever they can do to help reconstruct the ravaged nation. But while they’ve got plenty of enthusiasm, some say their good intentions are misplaced. Project Haiti President Alain Bonny, who went to Haiti last year, said while he was happy to coach the group prepare in what to See HAITI, Page 2. Group reacts to cost UPUA discusses decision to allocate $45,000 for a spring music festival. By Paige Minemyer COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER By Nick Weingartner COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER will be rolling ordan Center for "ain Tour" this mger, known for lingles "It's Five imewhere" and loochee" will be ; his was to the >n May 21. said de Punt, directo if sales and mar ing. The concert is a iccial one for the JC, Punt said. U.S. Army soldiers organize earthquake survivors who want to register their displaced families and receive help from the United Nations. festival, dubbed "Last Call" at a meeting Wednes day. toBJC “Alan Jackson was our first country concert at the BJC,” he said. "That makes him special his longevity.” » Punt said as most bands in the See JACKSON, Page 2. AITI psucollegian.com first UPUA-sponsored festival, called “Wallypalooza," featured Asher Roth last spring. This vote allows assembly members to shirk responsibility for the festival, UPUA Director of Assembly Services Samantha Miller said. “I would have liked to see repre sentatives have more options about such a large amount of money,” Miller (senior-political science) said. "Not very many See UPUA. Page 2. SCOTT SUIT Austin Scott walks to the courthouse in Bellefonte in 2007. Officials dropped incase Former Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira, resigned prosecutor Lance Marshall and Centre County have been dropped from a lawsuit filed by former Penn State running back Austin Scott. On Wednesday Pennsylvania Middle District Judge James McClure granted the motion that dismissed the three defendants in the case, citing absolute pros ecutorial immunity from Scott’s claims, according to court docu ments. Scott’s attorney, John Karoly said this motion will not deter the pursuit of justice for his client. Scott was charged with rape, sexual assault, indecent assault and simple assault in 2007 after a woman told police he assaulted her in his on-campus apartment. See SCOn SUIT, Page 2. larissa Gut k By Laura Nichols COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
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