Our Penn State trustees have voted to close seven of our Commonwealth Campuses, saving $40 million annually. This is a low return (1.4 % of budget) and high-risk decision. High-risk because it may dramatically diminish the likelihood of increased Harrisburg support, especially from the seven (of 50) PA senators and representatives in these areas. Consider Rep. Krupa (Fayette): “…it is especially offensive that the university …continues to request…hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars…while turning its back on us.” (CDT, May 23).
For the past five years, all arguments for increasing our state funding of $242 million have failed. A new argument is obviously needed.
Penn State should benchmark the North Carolina “82/18 Policy” (UNC Policy Manual, 700.1.3). For decades, this policy has specified that at most 18% of first-year enrollments at both NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill can be out-of-state. At University Park (Fall 2024), out-of-state, first-year enrollment was 42% (PSU Data Digest), up from 36% just five years ago. And nearby Big Ten peers Ohio State, Maryland and Rutgers, together, average only 17% first-year, out-of-state enrollment
.
Consider the following: Introduce the “1-3” University Park “virtual” admission plan. In this plan, highly qualified PA applicants not admitted to University Park are offered admission with their first year at a local Commonwealth Campus, then transferring to University Park for their final three years. At the next Harrisburg budget meeting, present the “PSU 80/20” plan. By 2030 and thereafter, each fall 80% of new students at University Park will be Pennsylvanians (first-year in-state, “virtual” and traditional in-state 2+2 transfers), surely enhancing the enrollment, revenue and strategic prominence of our campuses. Details aside, then negotiate budget increases to compensate for the likely decreased out-of-state revenue.
UNC-Chapel Hill is the No. 5 U.S. Public University (U.S. News) with 85% North Carolinians. Why not Penn State?
Al Soyster,
Boalsburg
One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill Bad for PA
No one in PA-15 should be surprised to learn that Rep. Glenn Thompson voted for Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
No one who has followed GT’s voting record should be surprised to learn that, once again, he voted against the best interests of his constituents. No one should be surprised to learn that, once again, he voted in his own self-interests (remaining in the good graces of the GOP) instead of for what’s best for PA-15.
I wonder if Republican voters will be surprised when they, their family members and/or neighbors lose SNAP and health care benefits—or when their small rural health care centers close and they must travel hours for competent care.
Certainly, some of the 8.6 million losing health care and 3 million losing SNAP benefits are in PA-15. How many of them voted for GT, I wonder.
Will they be surprised, or care, when the national debt increases again, this time by $3.8 trillion over 10 years—and their children and grandchildren are burdened with the debt?
Will they be surprised to learn that the rich are getting richer on the backs of the poor?
If the bill were so beautiful, why was it passed under the cover of darkness?
GT will tout the few benefits in the bill, no tax on tips or overtime among them, but the overwhelming burden will fall on his constituents while the rich continue to laugh all the way to the bank—or to their yachts and vacation homes.
Wake up, PA-15!
Norita Chyle,
State College
Are We Great Yet?
Are we great yet?
Despite what Donald Trump thinks, this is a great country. And we’ve accomplished great things while being positive and uplifting about it.
We built an education system that is the envy of the world. Public K-12 education and our colleges and world-class research universities provide a better life for all.
We joined the freedom-loving international community to create alliances to check the spread of totalitarianism and its Soviet sponsor.
We launched a space program that reaches for the stars while providing benefits for all on Earth. We funded science and the arts.
We created a social safety net to provide health care and basic services for millions of our people.
We supported freedom of the press and freedom to criticize our leaders without fear.
We followed our Constitution, accepted rule of law and viewed an independent judiciary as fundamental.
And we weren’t vindictive bullies when doing any of this.
Donald Trump and his flag-waving Republican toadies are determined to take this country down rather than build us up. They want to destroy the very things that pushed us toward greatness.
It’s difficult to name any actions Trump and today’s Republicans have taken to bring us together, build us up, support all our people, stand with our allies or promote democracy.
Government by slogan doesn’t make us great. We’ll be great again when Trump and the MAGA Republicans are out of power, and we have a chance to recover from the damage they have done.
Bob Potter,
Boalsburg
Is the U.S. a Corrupt Country?
Yesterday, my grandson asked me if we lived in a corrupt country. I replied that national corruption is tracked independently by Transparency.org. Every year, top “honest” nations and regions are Scandinavia, the UK, Singapore and most European countries. The U.S. is up there, too. So far.
At the bottom, in Russia, you get “telephone justice.” If you go to court, judges are assigned. They negotiate the outcome in advance based on your wealth, connections and who’s paid what to whom. Calls are made. Then, a quick trial and your sentence.
Here in the U.S., what I consider “the body” remains pretty firm. I respect cops, zoning officials and the law—more importantly, I trust them. But “the head” is rotten. The corruption of a president defying everyone that stands between him and what he wants (a big parade, a big jet) is taking a toll. As they say, “the fish rots from the head.” Federal and state judges, so far, have defended our Constitution, but find it harder every week as corruption is ignored or winked at.
What can you, as one person, do? Consider for a moment that we’re a basically good and honest country. Call or email Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, or your Congressperson, today. Tell them that we’re still respected as a country of laws, and we want to stay that way. Help preserve America’s rule of law, Mr. or Ms. Representative. Follow the constitution. Don’t let the rot proceed.
Randolph Hudson,
State College