Despite the body's limited funding, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate allocated $500 to send students to the Rally in the Rotunda after many senators cited addressing high tuition rates as the Senate's number one priority.

The Rally in the Rotunda is an annual event organized by the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) during which students from state and state-related schools lobby for higher state appropriations in Harrisburg.

CCSG President Joe Curigliano and Government Affairs Director Derek Dureka asked the Senate at last night's meeting to allocate $500 to pay for a bus to take 49 students to the rally, which will take place on March 22.

While some senators were skeptical about giving out so much money at a time when funding is low, many senators said they believed the body should pay to send students on the lobbying trip.

"Shame on anybody around this table that thinks that lobbying doesn't make a difference," South Halls Sen. Ace Ekhtiarzadeh said. "...There are students right now that are taking part-time jobs to pay for tuition. There are students right now that are taking less credits to get part-time jobs."

Ekhtiarzadeh added that his father is currently working two jobs to pay his tuition.

Senate Vice President Galen Foulke said sending students to the rally would give the Senate an opportunity to help all Penn State students.

"It's taking a crack at our biggest issue," Foulke said.

He added that the Senate often funds programs that target only 25-50 students.

USG Treasurer Amy McKiernan has cautioned the Senate about spending too much money and suggested the body save money for the next Congress.

McKiernan recommended the Senate leave the next Congress at least $3,000. She added that current fundraising programs could bring in up to $4,000.

Senate President Erin Ferris said she is not worried about the Senate's financial situation.

"It might encourage us to do a little more fund-raising out of office," Ferris said. "We're not going to leave [the next Congress] with nothing."

The Senate's account balance is currently $1,280.15.

The Senate also allocated $132.20 last night to fund a diversity program titled "Like Me: A Celebration of Childhood."

The amount is $100 less than what Monica Bhagat, USG's director of multi-cultural affairs, requested for the program.

The Senate also voted against funding a teach-in to promote clean energy because of its current financial situation.