Each year, students from every public university converge at the Statehouse in Montgomery to lobby lawmakers for more education funding during Higher Ed Day.
The SGA has chartered buses for the first 100 students who register to attend this year’s Higher Ed Day on April 9.
Michael Bullington, assistant vice president for SGA external affairs, said last year more than 2,000 students from across the state showed up to make their voices be heard.
“It’s pretty much just a giant pep rally to just say we, the college students, have a voice and need to be paid attention to when considering the budget,” Bullington said.
Auburn and all public universities have received less money each year, meaning tuition has gone up, according to Bullington.
“The tuition increases most affect students, so that’s not a great thing for us,” Bullington said.
Students who register online for the SGA charter buses, will meet at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and leave Auburn at 8:30 a.m. to arrive in Montgomery by 10 a.m., according to Bullington.
After arriving in Montgomery, Bullington said, there will be a parade of all the schools marching toward the Statehouse and afterwards there will be a free lunch from Price’s BBQ House.
“Some of the schools bring their band, so it’s real festive and energetic,” Bullington said.
A stage will be set up for the crowd to hear speeches from legislators.
“The whole point is so all the noise outside can be heard inside when the (legislature) is meeting,” Bullington said. “There are 2,000 people out their paying attention.”
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