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Members of the LHU chapter of APSCUF gather to meet with local, state and federal politicians to discuss the current status of higher education. The Legislotor's Day took place on March 19 in the PUB, with a small and luncheon followed by an open forum discussion.

How to fund higher education?

By: William Dowd Staff Reporter

Posted: 3/26/09

LHU's chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties held its 18th annual Legislator's Day on March 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in PUB with a small luncheon in the multipurpose room, followed by an open forum discussion in room 2.
The luncheon offered those in attendance an opportunity to mix and mingle with local, state and federal politicians or aides representing legislatures who couldn't attend.
After the small luncheon, the group made its way over to PUB Room 2 for a discussion on the current status of higher education.
Dr. Stanley Berard of the political science department acted as the spokesperson of APSCUF during the forum giving remarks to kick off the event.
After thanking everyone for coming, he then handed over the podium to LHU President Keith Miller for opening remarks.
Miller mentioned 2008 was very different from 2007 due to the current economic crisis.
"Events like this give us the opportunity to talk about pressing issues involving the status of higher education," said Miller.
The event did indeed promote dialog; however, at times straying away from the purpose of the forum.
"Harrisburg is like a deer in head lights," said John Wozniak, senator for Pennsylvania's 35th senatorial district, implying that the state government is trying to make headway on the current $2.3 billion deficit the Keystone State has acquired, and with this deficit comes challenges that have never been faced before.
"We will face these challenges head-on," said Wozniak who stood at the podium with graphs and statistics to guide his speech on the proposed higher education budget for next year.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is cutting line items, downsizing spending in certain areas, and completely depleting programs across the board in his proposed budget; however, he is also throwing money at education, because the state considers it to be a capital investment.
The current proposed budget created by Rendell for the 2009 - 2010 fiscal year amounts to $61.2 billion, with $519 million allocated for the higher education.
This amount comprises 7.7 percent of the general funds for education.
It's important to note Pennsylvania is increasing its spending in community colleges as well. With the deficit being high, it has come with the added responsibility of finding new initiatives to create capital, to help keep the amount of budget cuts and depleted line items to a minimum.
Wozniak spoke of the online poker tax initiative where approximately $130 million in revenue is expected to be generated.
Other initiatives to help raise capital are expected to come from gas tax and cigarette tax. Specifically, the online poker tax revenues will only be spent on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
"I applaud the governor for seeing that money being spent on the state system," said Mark Cloud, professor of psychology and current president-elect for the Lock Haven University APSCUF chapter.
His remarks are in reference to the money given to higher education institutions outside of the PASSHE system.
These state-related institutions include Penn State, Temple, Lincoln University and the University of Pittsburgh; these institutions are currently budgeted to receive $100 million in aid next year.
According to Shelley Schenck, the current APSCUF secretary, the turnout was great from faculty, staff and community members.
"I am pleased with how it turned out, the only thing I feel we need to continually improve on is the involvement of students," said Schenck adding that next year's will hopefully be better.
She also said that the organization will hopefully utilize social networking sites and change up where it's held.
"I think that for next year, I would like to talk to the committee about possibly using the Durrwachter Center," she added.