Penn Editorial

Keep an eye on your tuition bill for next year. If the new Pennsylvania governor has his way, it could be headed for a steep hike.

                  Governor Corbett's proposed budget would slash funding to PASSHE schools by 50 percent, thrusting more problems on schools like IUP, which was facing budget issues before the release of the Governor's recommendation.

                  Over spring break, students received an e-mail from Interim President David Warner informing them of the budget plans – which IUP had not been expecting.

                  Everyone expected there would be some cuts this year, but no one planned for the suggestion of cutting education funding by half.

                  This is a terrible decision. As students, we are the future of Pennsylvania, and furthermore, this country. Funding education is an important part of any budget.

The university did not think that next year would be business as usual, and as we were informed, plans for reasonable reductions were made. Instead, a chainsaw was taking to crucial funding that helps to educate us and make that education more affordable, though many students are having trouble paying that sum as it is.

Areas that are facing drastic cuts are being encouraged to be team players. But what about the other sources of revenue that our governor has vowed not to tax, like Marcellus Shale drilling?

If we have to make concessions and play nice, why can he make things untouchable?

This doesn't just affect higher education – schools across the board at every level are being threatened with this massive cut. IUP educates scores of teachers every year, and a new class of graduates will now face an even tougher climate in the job market when they leave campus this May.

If you disagree with this budget, you must take action. It's only a proposal at this point. Be an informed citizen and contact your representatives in Harrisburg. They have the power to force the governor to realize that funding education is crucial to the success of our generation and those to come.

Staying silent on this issue could mean a slew of changes to education, and they will not be for the better of the state.