A handful of students representing the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) braved the spring snowstorm Monday to rally in Harrisburg for more university funding from the state.

Anthony Bizzaro, who handles governmental affairs for CCSG, said he and other students spoke at the state capitol to remind legislators that Penn State's influence extends beyond University Park to many corners of the state.

"There's no way that a representative is not affected by a Penn State campus," said Bizzaro, whose organization is the umbrella group for student government associations at 19 of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses.

Mike Cooper, CCSG president, renewed the organization's lobbying efforts last year with a similar rally in the rotunda of the statehouse.

Cooper said his remarks Monday targeted legislators' concerns about large numbers of high school and college graduates leaving the state.

"If we're trying to combat this brain drain, why are we taking money away from higher education?" Cooper added.

During their visit, students spoke to Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene and Fayette, and Rep. Jeffrey Coy, D-Cumberland and Franklin -- the first- and fourth-ranking Democrats in the House.

Bizzaro said the representatives seemed "extremely sympathetic," but added, "They support us, but to what extent? I guess we'll have to see."

In their remarks in the rotunda, student leaders said boosting appropriations for state-related universities such as Penn State, Pittsburgh and Temple would benefit a broader range of students than pumping more money into the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Gov. Ed Rendell already approved a 5 percent funding cut for state-owned universities as a part of the general funds budget he signed last month.

Penn State also is in line to receive a 5 percent reduction for the 2003-04 academic year, but lawmakers have yet to act on making the cut final.

The state has whittled away at the university's funding several times since late 2001, as a slumping economy continues to hurt Pennsylvania's tax revenue.

Vera Spina, CCSG spokeswoman, said students from Penn State Hazelton, students from Penn State Harrisburg and central staff converged at the capitol Monday.

The group had been expecting a higher turnout, Spina said.

"The snow just scared people off," she added.