Once again, the annual Rally in the Rotunda was a sorry showing for students from universities funded by the state -- including those attending classes at Penn State. Although organizers predicted at least 300 students would show this year, only about 150 students traveled to the state capitol to rally for more appropriations to be allocated to Penn State in an effort to keep tuition costs as low as possible.

Only 150 students -- from University Park, across all the commonwealth campuses and other schools to which the state gives money. And that's a lot. Only 150 students attended -- out of a total Penn State population of 81,664, along with about 100,000 students from the other schools across the state. That ratio is mind numbing. Last year, about 200 students showed, and while that may not be fantastic, at least it's better than this year. How can there be an effective rally -- a rally that forces legislators to listen to the voices of students -- if there is such a lackluster turnout?

This is our chance as a student body to remind the state we are more than just a number. It's our chance to show the legislators the people their decisions affect.

Perhaps a general apathetic attitude is the cause of the low student attendance. Maybe, two days after a week of fun and relaxation, students were just not motivated enough to participate.

However, as much as the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) may want to blame the apathy of students, the truth is their "campaign" was a poor attempt at motivation. They claim there was advertising around campus for the rally. But the fliers, some of which were seemingly put up in a last-minute attempt to rally support, were white eight-by-10 pieces of paper with black print. Boring and hard to read fliers are hardly a decent attempt at garnering participation.

Not to mention the fact that our "student advocates" should have put their own butts in vehicles bound for the capitol. There was also hardly any dialogue on campus. The decision to excuse a student's absence was left up to the individual professor, and two days after spring break, teachers might be less than willing to give another day off from class.

And the bus that was provided for a maximum of 90 students transported only 15 students. In that regard, they couldn't have made things easier for students to attend. If students aren't interested in attending the event, USG's hands are tied. However, if students aren't aware that the event is occurring, the problem becomes solvable -- if our student government would launch an enthusiastic campaign that would make students care.

Basically, everyone is to blame for this half-hearted attempt to lower our tuition.