How to Help
The best way you can help is to write to your legislators and tell them about your University experience and how a substantial increase in tuition would impact your family. The amount of state funding PASSHE receives directly impacts tuition rates.
1. Find your local officials
2. Write a letter
Date
The Honorable [official's first and last name]
State Representative
[office address]
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
Or
The Honorable [official's first and last name]
State Senator
Senate Box [box number]
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Representative/Senator __________,
As part of the State System of Higher Education, [insert University name] University receives a portion of its funding from the state budget allocation every year. Governor Corbett’s proposed 2012/13 budget cuts funding for PASSHE by $82 million. Combined with the loss of $90 million from the current year's budget, our public university system is faced with the possibility of receiving the same amount of funding it did in 1988/89 when 23,000 fewer students attended PASSHE universities.
This presents a great challenge for [Name] University, but also an opportunity to show what makes [University Name] great. [Insert impact an statement from below].
Thank you,
Name
Hometown, State
3. Insert your impact statement
Suggestions for alumni: - I chose [university name] because...
- I studied...
- I pursued a career in...
- Access to an affordable education gave me the opportunity to...
- I choose to live and work in Pennsylvania because... (for alumni in PA)
Suggestions for parents: - My son/daughter chose [university name] because...
- My son/daughter is studying...
- My son/daughter plans to pursue a career in...
- Access to an affordable education in Pennsylvania gives my son/daughter opportunities such as...
- If tuition increases at [university name] University, it will mean...
Suggestions for community members and friends: - I support [university name] University because...
- I volunteer at [university name] University because...
- [University name] University’s presence in our community means...
- [University name] University is important to our economy because
- [University name] University, as a cultural center, is important because
Please copy your alumni relations office on any letters or emails you send to legislators. Questions regarding the advocacy effort should also be directed to your alumni relations office.