Letters: ‘Gatekeeping power’ hurt PSU’s commonwealth campuses

‘Gatekeeping power’ hurt PSU’s commonwealth campuses

Penn State’s closing of seven commonwealth campuses because of declining enrollments is its own fault. However, it fails to acknowledge its camouflaged complicity in that decline.

University Park, the main campus, is the gatekeeper for all campuses. It favors student placement at University Park to increase revenue to support its own growth.

Since 1967 University Park’s construction spiraled and student enrollment increased from 22,000 to 48,000.

To pay for it, enrollment grew. Annual student costs increased, with out-of-state students paying $24,000 more. When students with equal qualifications compete for admission, the out-of-state applicants have a $24,000 edge!

University Park’s enrollment spike resulted from feckless enforcement of an old “2 and 2” policy. With some exceptions, the policy required students to attend their first two years at a commonwealth campus and then two years at University Park.

Today, that policy has been watered down. It requires applicants to choose their first and second “non-binding” campus choices. University Park’s gatekeepers then decide who will be admitted and to where.

Most applicants’ first choice is University Park. With its gatekeeping power, University Park fills its classrooms first, often with out-of-state students who pay more. Failure to enforce the old policy guarantees tenuous commonwealth campuses and a thriving University Park.

PSU’s president and trustees clutch their pearls, claiming declining enrollments, while manipulating the admissions process. They ensure a viable University Park at the expense of commonwealth campuses. Let go of the pearls; reverse the closures; and enforce the original “2 and 2” admissions policy.

Gary D. Discavage, Altoona

America challenged ‘might makes right’

Donald Trump would have us believe that the “real” world is one governed by strength, power and force. A world where “might makes right.” A world where America can threaten, coerce or attack anyone anywhere to serve its perceived interests.

Indeed, “might makes right” was the governing standard for human civilization throughout most of history. Power and strength ruled. The few at the top prospered. Life for everyone else was miserable.

That is, until that paradigm was challenged 250 years ago ... when America’s founding fathers charted an alternate course.

Unwilling to suffer an all powerful leader, the United States broke a new path. One which argued that a people, united, could govern themselves. One based on rules by which all were bound and by which all could benefit.

Now, 250 years later we’ve shown that power can be shared and used ethically for the good of all. However, how power is used is always a choice. Even with a system of government designed to prevent it, power can be usurped if not protected.

America will be great again only if we steer clear of becoming a country which bullies to get what it wants. Remember “... of the people, by the people and for the people?” Abiding by the rule of law, striving to treat one another as equals, and working together for the common good is what made America great in the first place.

We can never forget that America’s birth was a direct challenge to the belief that “might makes right.”

Ron Williams, Pennsylvania Furnace

Food waste is an urgent issue

Food waste is a major issue facing communities across the country, including Centre County. Nationwide, nearly 40% of the food we produce ends up in landfills, releasing methane gas, accelerating the climate crisis significantly compared to carbon dioxide emissions.

In Centre County, agriculture and food services make up a significant portion of our industry breakdown, making this issue extremely important as we hit the halfway point in the “critical decade for climate action.” Time is running out for the United States to hit our 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction goals, and our representatives must do everything possible to introduce and support legislation that moves us toward zero waste.

Last June, Governor Shapiro approved the Donated Food Limited Liability Act (HB-615), which ensures that food donors are still legally protected if the food is past the manufacturer’s “best by” date, as long as that food is still safe to eat. This legislation is an important measure to keep edible food out of landfills, but it stands alone in Pennsylvania, while other states have introduced dozens of bills to address this critical issue. In New Jersey, 16 bills were introduced in 2024, addressing concerns from date labeling and food recovery to organic waste bans and by-product procurement.

We urge Pennsylvania and Centre County representatives to consider the issue of food waste as an urgent need for our communities that, if properly addressed, will mitigate climate change and improve quality of life at the micro- and macro-level.

Jules Slater, State College. The author is a member of State College Climate Changemakers.