Letter-writing campaigns begin

With the University facing severe government funding cuts, students, faculty and administrators have begun to take pen in hand to convince elected representatives in Harrisburg and Washington that the University needs the annual funding. Both Undergraduate Assembly leaders and administrators are organizing letter drives, asking University community members to write to their representatives in protest of proposed funding cuts. Last month, Governor Robert Casey announced his budget proposal, which, if passed by the state legislature, would slash appropriations to the University by $18.6 million. Recent proposed federal budgets have cut funding to college financial aid programs by nearly 30 percent. The administration plans to counter Casey's recommendation by enlisting alumni support. Administrators will send out approximately 10,000 letters to in-state alumni, asking them to oppose the proposal in letters to state legislators. The Veterinary School, which stands to lose the most funding from Casey's budget cuts, will recruit alumni, as well as owners of the animals treated in the hospital. Vet School officials said they hope to reach 20,000 potential letter-writers. Vet School and Dental School officials will also meet with state and local representatives to plead their cases. University Harrisburg lobbyist James Shada said that letters, especially from in-state residents, could help sway legislators' votes. "Legislators tend to listen to their constituents," Shada said. UA organizers said they hope their efforts will prevent the kind of drastic cuts Casey proposed. "Congress is responsible to its constituency," said UA member Ethan Youderian. "If we show them that we care about the issue, then they will respond." With cries of "support financial aid" and "send a letter to your congressman or senator," UA members this week kicked off their annual campaign to political leaders in Washington. The three-day effort, which began on Wednesday and concludes this afternoon, has netted several hundred letters so far, according to UA leaders. The letters, which students are being asked to sign and address to their congressmen and senators, ask the legislators to oppose the proposed federal financial aid cuts. "Washington is turning into just as much a crisis as Harrisburg," UA Vice-Chairperson Mike Feinberg said. In the past, UA letter drives have pressed legislators to increase funding for financial aid. But with the nation in the midst of a recession, UA leaders have shifted their focus to salvaging current levels. Feinberg said the annual campaign is one of the UA's largest projects, with nearly all members participating. "This is a function of the whole UA," UA Secretary Allison Bieber agreed yesterday. "This could not happen without total participation." Some UA members said however they are disappointed with the small percentage of students who have signed the letters. "Student walk by and say, 'Oh.' They don't realize that we're doing this for them," Bieber said. Youderian agreed that a larger turn-out would help the effort. "Of course, it would be great if everyone at the University would sign, but we know that is unrealistic," he said. "Who's going to do it for us, the administration?" Bieber added. "We have to show some proactive effort." Several students who stopped at the UA's table agreed the project was important. College freshman Eric Schwartz said financial aid for college students is indispensible. "Society as a whole gains when more people are able to go to institutions of higher education," he said. "It shouldn't be a question of whether they should spend money on education, it should be a question of how much they should spend." UA members will be soliciting participants on Locust Walk opposite Steinberg-Deitrich Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. The UA will provide and mail the letters free of charge.

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