Democratic presidential candidate Jerry Brown came to the University yesterday preaching his anti-establishment campaign and telling students that higher education should be a "birthright."

The crowd Brown spoke to filled most of the Old Main lawn, and University Police Services estimated it at about 6,500.

Brown, the former governor of California, focused on cutting tuition and making scholarships a greater priority.

"Access to higher learning ought to be the birthright of every American, and we ought not to run into a Berlin Wall of financial barriers," Brown said. "We ought to have scholarships -- low cost --so that every American who can benefit can go to college and get the skills that he or she needs so our country and our world can benefit from an informed and intelligent citizenry."

Brown responded to assumptions that Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton has already won the Democratic nomination.

"There is an attempt to coronate one particular candidate," Brown said. "We have to derail that effort and put the country back on the track it ought to be."

Brown moved swiftly to issues such as military spending and health care.

As the Old Main bells rang to indicate 5:30 p.m., Brown quipped, "The bell tolls for the people who are squandering our money on military spending."

"Health care is not a commodity to be played with for profit -- it is a right of every person in this country," he added.

Brown drew the largest reaction when he brought up his pro-choice stance.

"The right of a woman to control her own body is inviolate," he said.

Brown listed eradicating hunger, curbing the arms race and advancing human rights as the top items on his foreign policy agenda.

"Ending world hunger is the first priority," he said.

Brian Green, president of Student 1st Step, displayed great excitement and enthusiasm over the outcome of the event.

"It's real cool to have him here," Green said. "I'm glad we're able to put it on. I knew this would be a great stop."

Clinton supporter John Hanold (graduate-philosophy), said it is interesting that Brown is now de-emphasizing his flat tax proposal since economists have no respect for it.

Mike Cipriani (sophomore-liberal arts) agreed, saying, "Everywhere I've seen, it doesn't work. That's a central issue."

Clinton is more appealing to students because he has the most detailed education program, Hanold added.

"He has raised the graduation rate from 37 to 51 percent and taken care of illiteracy," Hanold said.

Students would appreciate his proposals to pay back tuition through a two-year national service or a deduction from their paycheck, Hanold added.

John Stewart, political science instructor, was impressed with the tremendous turnout and the open nature of the news conference at the University House after his speech.

"Students are looking to the future and want to find out where America is going," he said.

Reactions from some students in attendance revealed hope that Brown will look after student concerns as well as a general interest in his ideas.

Beth Jones (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said she does not consider herself a "Brown person," but supports him.

"They all say they'll work for tuition reform but I think he'll actually try," she said.

Beth Mausteller and Amy Zurzola contributed to this story.