Despite last night’s near cancellation, members of the University Park Undergraduate Association will join 100 Penn State students as they travel to Harrisburg this Tuesday for the Rally for Higher Education at the Capitol Building. They will be joined by students from the three other member schools of the Pennsylvania Association of State-Related Students (PASS): Temple, Lincoln, and Pitt.

Tuesday is the first time that all four schools will be present in Harrisburg. UPUA Director of Governmental Affairs Travis Salters, who was one of the main organizers of the event, as well as of PASS itself, said that, though tuition will inevitably come up as a topic of discussion (and/or shouting), it isn’t the primary focus of the event.

“It’s going to be the main focus whether we like it or not,” he said. “It’s a start-up event to let people know that PASS has formed. It’s a showing of strength; that we are going to take on tough issues, that we are strong, we are unified.”

Salters said that the group plans to set up shop outside the Capitol Building and to spend some time inside it, as well.

“We’re going to try to be loud and have some fun with it. At the same time, we’re going to have someone speak about why we’re there.”

PASS defines itself as an advocate for “student issues” and not just tuition, but that’s what we’re all worried about. I’m sure we’re all waiting for the state budget to come out on March 8.

It’s extremely unlikely that we’re going to see big results, especially right away. But we definitely have to look out for our interests. It will be very interesting to see what the reception is on Tuesday, which will be a good indicator of what we can expect down the road.

UPUA is sponsoring buses to Harrisburg, so it’s free to attend. And, yes, it’s on a Tuesday because the legislature isn’t in session on Friday afternoons or weekends, or any convenient time, really. Salters said he’s still waiting to hear if students will be excused from class to go. Regardless, there are only 100 spots for the trip, so, if you’re interested, go sign up ASAP.