Letters: Penn State’s ‘let them eat cake’ moment; Road to glory still open for PSU football

Penn State’s ‘let them eat cake’ moment

Just a few months ago, Penn State raised tuition rates (an annual tradition). During that July meeting, trustees were nearly teary-eyed as they argued that they “had to” raise tuition — in order to provide funds to accommodate a 3% salary increase to staff.

Note: Penn State’s tuition is not only the highest among our Big Ten cohorts, but the net cost of attending Penn State is more than double the average of our peers.

Yet, just two months later the board lavishes President Bendapudi with an annual raise of over $1 million per year. Just last year, Bendapudi was given a raise of over $250,000 per year — which raised her annual compensation to $1.8 million per year, at the time as the most highly compensated president of all 16 of our Big Ten public school peers. And now another $1 million — to a total compensation of $2.8 million per year.

Is it any wonder that the latest US News college rankings place PSU next to last in the conference for “Best Value,” along with plummeting academic rankings?

Despite all of the soliloquies about affordability and student success, a university’s true priorities are defined by how it allocates its resources. Penn State has proven over and over again that its priorities are lavishing extraordinary salaries on high level administrators, and taking on stifling debt to support football. Those are the priorities, as defined by their actions.

If ever there was a “let them eat cake” moment, this is it.

Barry Fenchak, State College. The author is a former alumni-elected trustee on Penn State’s board of trustees.

Road to glory still open for PSU football

Elite? Not yet. Not after Sept. 27’s once more failure to close out business. And sorry coach, but “I take full responsibility” or any of the other football cliches that keep being expressed just don’t cut it any more. The talent is there. Position by position, this may be the overall most talented team Penn State has ever had. And let’s assume that the coordinators are of the quality we’ve been told. That’s not what seems to be missing. Maybe it’s the mindset. Instead of self psychoanalysis, perhaps a more Michigan “revenge tour” mentality is in order. Refuse to lose! Don’t talk about it. As Nike says, “just do it.” That was what was so impressive about Trace McSorley in his time. He would not yield. Our players are gifted athletes. Don’t overthink it. Let them loose to exercise their extraordinary skills. Play with the class that has always been Penn State football but take no prisoners. Save the celebrations of individual plays until the game is definitively won. The road to the glory is still open. Will power is the character trait that can still carry the day.

David Labovitz, Marblehead, Massachusetts

Where’s the outrage from Thompson?

Penn State’s recent announcement to shutter public media stations WPSU-TV & FM has sparked community backlash. An online petition to save the stations has secured thousands of signatures.

But not a peep from Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson. Nothing in his recent newsletter, “The Good, the Bad, and the Local.” This certainly qualifies as “Bad” and “Local” news to his constituents!

If you’re wondering why there’ve been no public statements of concern about the shutdown, and no announcements to meet with constituents from GT’s office, let’s remember that GT voted to rescind more than $9B in already-approved federal funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting!

For many in central and northern Pennsylvania, especially rural residents who contend with spotty cell service and no internet, WPSU’s closure represents the loss of free, high-quality educational and cultural programming for the entire family, vital local news coverage, and essential public services that commercial broadcasters don’t prioritize.

WPSU is the key source of emergency alerts during natural disasters, from tornados and snowstorms to flash floods and frost advisories. These lifesaving warnings allow people to prepare and move away from risk. They’re crucial to farmers making decisions about planting and harvesting.

WPSU’s reporting on local politics and community issues is essential for an informed and engaged electorate. Without local news, voting tends to decrease. (Thompson himself has reached residents across our large district through WPSU.)

Ask yourself, why doesn’t Thompson seem to care if his constituents are uninformed and isolated?

Patty Satalia, State College