By Thaddeus Bey
On Monday, September 28, students, faculty, and other advocates will gather at the Pennsylvania Capitol to advocate for increased state funding for higher education. The Affordable College Now! rally organized by the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), and a coalition of Pennsylvania higher-education labor unions and supporters, is scheduled for noon on the front steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg.
The organizers are calling for a 15% increase in funding for public higher education, support for the Pennsylvania Promise plan, and other higher-education and labor priorities.
The rally comes as Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to consider legislation that could change how students pay for college. House Bill 2084, or the Pennsylvania Promise legislation, would set up the Pennsylvania Promise Program and a Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund. The Pennsylvania House passed the bill 119-83 on June 15. It was referred to the Senate Education Committee on June 18, and it remains there now. More information on the bill can be found on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.
But for CCP Students, the issues behind the rally extend beyond just tuition.
“Students face a variety of costs that can make attending college difficult, including rent, transportation, food, books, and health insurance. Increased state funding could help address needs across the college, including classroom repairs, tutoring, and advising,” Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, a CCP professor and AFT2026 secretary said.
Johnson-Valenzuela said she believes it is important for CCP students to attend the rally so lawmakers can hear directly from students about their experiences.
Eric Lee, a CCP student, said financial assistance has been essential to his ability to attend college.
“I never would have gone to college without a GI Bill government stipend,” Lee said. “When that check is late, I cannot pay for school, full stop,” Lee said.
Lee said the cost of attending college has also affected the pace of his education. This semester, Lee dropped two of the four classes he had planned to take so he could work a full-time job.
“Cost has lengthened the amount of time it’s taken to get my degree,” Lee said.
For students, tuition increases could be the difference between whether they get to continue building towards their aspirations.
The Pennsylvania Promise proposal is the other major issue driving this rally. Under the current House-passed legislation, the program would set up a state-funded financial aid program intended to improve college access, as well as affordability. The legislation is not yet law and would still need to advance through the Senate before it can take effect.
The Sept. 28 rally is expected to include multiple students and three state legislators among its speakers, according to APSCUF. National union leaders are also expected to take part, according to rally organizers.
But this event isn’t one to just watch from the sidelines. Students can be involved too without having to find transportation to the event.
For Nwenna Gates, a CCP professor, CCP student participation in the rally is about more than showing support for increased funding.
“I think it’s important for CCP students to attend this rally because Harrisburg needs to hear directly from students,” Gates said. “Faculty and staff from CCP will always advocate for students’ voices, but students would be the best representatives of themselves.”
Gates also said she sees opportunities like the trip to Harrisburg as a way for students to become more involved in advocacy and civic life.
Students, faculty, and staff interested in attending the Sept. 28 rally can find more information and RSVP through APSCUF’s rally page. APSCUF also released an official statement about the rally.
