University Park, Pa, -- The seventh annual Rally in the Rotunda will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. in Harrisburg. The event will be held in the Capitol Building, where students University-wide will meet in the Rotunda to rally for legislators to grant higher appropriations to the state-related Universities — Penn State, Temple, Lincoln and Pittsburgh. The event is sponsored by the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG), and is in collaboration with the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA).
Penn State has requested a 6.9 percent increase in state appropriations in order to keep up with basic operating costs while keeping student tuition as low as possible. By attending the Rally in the Rotunda, students will have the opportunity to meet and speak with their representatives. The rally will kick-off with several guest speakers, both student and political advocates. Following guest speakers, students will proceed to appointments made with their legislators to address their concerns. By communicating with their elected officials, students strengthen their chances of having their ideas and beliefs represented.
The 2007 Rally in the Rotunda had nearly 300 students in attendance from across the University. This year, CCSG hopes to increase that number and raise more student awareness about important governmental affairs issues. UPUA is looking to increase the number of University Park students attending the event this year and make a significant impact at University Park.
This event is open to all students interested in making a positive change for Penn State. If you are interested in attending the Rally in the Rotunda and are from a non-University Park campus, please contact your local student government representatives at your campus to find out about bussing opportunities. For more information regarding event details, you can also contact Kathryn Mattes, CCSG Governmental Affairs Director kem5083@psu.edu, Bobby Casiano, CCSG President casiano@psu.edu, or Hillary Lewis, UPUA President hillary.lewis@psu.edu.