UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On March 18, more than 150 Penn State students from across the commonwealth traveled to Harrisburg for Capital Day, the University’s single-largest day of advocacy. Returning to the state Capitol for the first time since 2022, Capital Day gave students an opportunity to connect with their elected leaders and demonstrate Penn State’s impact on the commonwealth.
“Today we are here to remind you of the long partnership between Penn State and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi at a press conference during Capital Day. “The most unique thing about Penn State is that from the very beginning our founders believed what is good Pennsylvania is good for Penn State and what is good for Penn State is good for Pennsylvania.”
Organized by Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations, Advocate Penn State Capital Day and the surrounding digital advocacy campaign aim to show members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Gov. Josh Shapiro the impact of state dollars in communities throughout the state.
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“No other experience I've had over the years compares to spending a day in the Capitol with hundreds of other Penn Staters,” said Lion Caucus President Mitch Scordo, completing concurrent telecommunications and political science degrees at University Park. “We had great conversations with lawmakers and the energy was electric the entire day. Lion Caucus worked hard this year to make Capital Day a success, and as president, I couldn't be happier with how our day in Harrisburg turned out.”
Lion Caucus members and other student leaders from the University Park Undergraduate Association and Council of Commonwealth Student Governments spent the past several months preparing to speak with legislators to advocate for the University's annual state appropriation.
“It’s truly inspiring to see students from across the commonwealth so passionate about speaking out for what is fair,” said Fabian Vantassell, a criminal justice and sociology major at Penn State Harrisburg. “They are pushing for a future where student success is more achievable than ever.”
Vantassell was one of nearly 100 students from Penn State Commonwealth Campuses at Capital Day who met with both members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate.
State support is keenly felt at Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, where nearly 80% of the student body is comprised of Pennsylvania resident students who benefit from the University's state appropriation and the discounted in-state tuition rate it provides.
State appropriations allow Penn State to offer a significant tuition discount to more than 42,000 Pennsylvania resident students and their families each year. Currently Penn State receives an average of $5,750 per-Pennsylvania student from the state, while the state's other public universities receive between $8,700 and $9,400 on a per-student basis.
Students took time during their meetings with state leaders to address fair funding as they stressed the overall economic impact of attending college.
“As a lifelong resident of Centre County, it was fascinating to meet with Rep. Paul Takac and Sen. Chris Dush to discuss the importance of fair and competitive funding for Penn State,” said Emily Shiels, completing concurrent degrees in geography and in global and international studies at University Park. “Additionally, a good number of students in my meetings were from out of state, and it was eye-opening to hear how their financial experiences differ from mine as an in-state student.”
Capital Day concluded with a press conference in the Capitol rotunda where several students had the opportunity to share their Penn State story.
Kayla Clare, a Penn State Harrisburg student completing concurrent degrees in political science and in American studies, spoke during the press conference and said she needed to be meticulous with her school choice since she was paying her own way through college.
“Seeking the combination of affordability and prestige of Penn State, Penn State Harrisburg was the obvious choice for me,” said Clare. “Penn State has opened the doors to countless opportunities for me.”
Nora O’Toole, completing her tenure as president of the University Park Undergraduate Association along with a degree in cybersecurity analytics and operations at University Park, also mentioned affordability in her remarks during the press conference, when she noted that it was one of the main factors that led her to a successful career at Penn State.
“Raised in a single-parent household where I wasn’t sure if education was an option, Penn State provided me with the lifetime opportunity to continue on with my education,” O’Toole said. “With my ability to flourish as a student of the commonwealth, I owe it all to the mission of advocating for Penn State to elected officials and the in-state tuition provided through the historic partnership between the state and my soon-to-be alma mater.”
In total, students and staff held hundreds of meetings with legislators in support of Penn State and this vital funding that impacts them and their peers across the state, while also showing Penn State pride in the process.
“Capital Day 2024 was a unique and impactful experience that allowed me to reflect on my love for Penn State, and I encourage all students to get involved in advocating for Penn State,” Shiels said.
On April 12, Lion Caucus and Advocate Penn State will host a Capital Day On Campus advocacy event in the HUB-Robeson Center to encourage the University Park community to advocate for fair funding for Penn State by sending pre-written emails to their elected officials.
The event will feature giveaways throughout the day, appearances by various Penn State student organizations and clubs, and end with speeches from Penn State students and University leaders.
Learn more about Penn State advocacy by following Advocate Penn State on Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Facebook.