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Students and teachers stand united at budget rally

Clarion, Pa. – Nothing says rally like pizza and protest posters. Clarion University students and faculty held a rally on Tuesday, March 22 in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal.

Hundreds gathered in front of the Gemmell Student Complex voicing opinions while listening to those of the speakers.

Corbett’s proposal includes a 50 percent budget cut to the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools, which includes Clarion University, in addition to all levels of
public schools statewide.

The first speaker, Jamie Phillips, is president of Clarion’s Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty chapter and chair of the philosophy department.

“These cuts would absolutely destroy higher education as we know it for the poor and working class of Pennsylvania,” Phillips said.

Concluding his speech, Phillips raised three cheers of “United we stand” with the crowd roaring along.

“I think public opinion is what we need,” Mark Franchino said, “because we know the legislation works for us.”

Franchino is a six-year art teacher at Clarion.

Julian Quiggle, a junior studying sociology, said he believes the legislators will respond to this and other demonstrations.

“It’s just so much money,” Quiggle said, “and it might affect people’s decisions to come back. I’d probably have to double the amount of my student loans.”

“To be productive, we need to be educated,” Cailyn Lingwall said.

Lingwall is a senior at Clarion Area High School and attends classes part-time at Clarion.