Nearly 300 students joined in a "We Are ... Penn State!" cheer yesterday at the state capitol, rallying to show support for higher state appropriations to Penn State.

"Pennsylvania is a state of history, opportunity and culture," Sing Wong, one of the principal organizers of the rally, said to the assembled students and observers. "But higher education has taken a back seat."

Students in suits and dresses filled the main stairway of the capitol's rotunda, listening to speakers that included State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Bellefonte, State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne, and former Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) President Michael Cooper.

CCSG President Jerry Livingston told the assembled crowd Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed increase of 1.6 percent to Penn State's appropriation was vastly inadequate and students would pay the difference with higher tuition.

"Why isn't this legislature doing more for the Pennsylvania State University?" he asked. "The students are solely left with the burden and hardship."

Cooper told the story of a friend who was forced to leave Penn State to get a full-time job because of tuition costs, and said Pennsylvania lacks the high-paying jobs graduates need to pay off college loans.

"What does it say to you that 57 percent of Penn State alumni have moved out of state?" he asked.

Legislators acknowledged the challenges Penn State faces and promised to pull for a higher appropriation, among other higher education reforms. Yadichak said it was ridiculous that two-thirds of Penn State graduates leave college with more than $20,000 in student loans.

"In terms of higher education, Pennsylvania has received an 'F' in affordability," Yadichak said. "We're asking our talented young people to mortgage their futures."

Conklin remarked on the importance of Penn State's agricultural research programs in developing alternative fuels, saying that appropriations must be increased to this vital program.

"We flat-funded it," he said. "That cannot be tolerated in today's world."

Penn State's agricultural research and cooperative extension programs received no increase in state aid in Rendell's 2007-2008 budget; university officials have said job cuts will result if additional funding is not supplied.

Participation in the rally varied between the Commonwealth Campuses, with some sending as few as four students and others up to 40. Sing estimated that attendance exceeded last year's total of 273, although he had hoped for 500 participants. He estimated that about 50 students from University Park attended.

Livingston said he'd welcome increased cooperation with the University Park Undergraduate Assocation (UPUA), University Park's student government.

"This is the first year with real good involvement from University Park ... we've had bad blood," Livingston said. "I'd like to see a co-sponsorship bond."

UPUA President Jay Chamberlin agreed, saying that such cooperation would strengthen intercampus ties.

"Students that transfer to Penn State from Commonwealth Campuses take too much crap," he said. "I think this is a good way to build relations between University Park and the commonwealth campuses."

The CCSG had approached the Faculty Senate with hopes of convincing instructors to excuse students who were absent for the rally, but did not meet "a whole lot of success," Livingston said. He added that the CCSG's proposal did not reach the Senate floor in time for the actual rally, discouraging would-be attendants.

Livingston said he'd someday like to see 1,000 students or more at the rally.

"We do this because we are proud of our university and are concerned for her welfare," Livingston said. "Our numbers are increasing, and we will be back."