UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Advocate Penn State is holding its Capital Day On Campus event at University Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at the HUB Monumental Staircase to encourage students and the whole Penn State community to share their stories of the many ways Penn State impacts them and the commonwealth.
All Penn Staters are encouraged to go to advocate.psu.edu to participate in the University’s single-largest day of advocacy by sending advocacy emails to their legislators in support of fair funding for Penn State.
“Advocacy is an important part of our University’s engagement with our elected officials. It is our chance to demonstrate what Penn State means to us and how much Penn State contributes to the commonwealth,” said President Neeli Bendapudi in a video message celebrating Capital Day. “Your advocacy is particularly critical this year.”
Students and the University Park community will celebrate the day of advocacy with various giveaways throughout the event, including Penn State Bakery cookies, Berkey Creamery ice cream, Advocate Penn State swag, and additional items.
Capital Day On Campus at University Park also will include a rally at 3 p.m. with speakers from the Penn State community, including Lion Caucus President Ben Brauser, Student Trustee Janiyah Davis, newly elected UPUA President Nora O’Toole, and Penn State Alumni Association President Kelley Lynch. The event will be hosted by Paul Clifford, CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association.
Capital Day On Campus events have already started at Commonwealth Campuses and will continue through April. Commonwealth Campus event dates are available here.
Advocates, both in-person and virtually, can demonstrate support by filling out a brief form that will automatically connect them with their legislators to send a pre-written email asking them to level up Penn State’s funding.
On average, other public universities in Pennsylvania receive between $8,200 and $9,000 in state funding per Pennsylvania resident student, while Penn State receives $5,600 per in-state student — a funding gap of between $2,600 and $3,400 per student that the University is attempting to correct in its 2023-24 state appropriation request. This funding is used to provide an in-state tuition rate that represents significant cost savings for Pennsylvania students and families.
State funding matters to all Penn Staters, whether you’re a current student, faculty or staff member, alumni, family member, or a Penn State supporter. Fair funding also allows Penn State to invest in high-quality academic programs and curricula that give students expanded options that lead to a world-class educational experience and set them on a path for lifetime success.
Learn more about Capital Day On Campus and advocating for Penn State by following Advocate Penn State on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.