Students visited legislators at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg to thank them for their support and make the case for the university’s continued funding.
Temple students visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg to advocate for the university's continued funding.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Two weeks after President John Fry appeared before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee in support of the university’s annual Commonwealth funding, Temple students went to Harrisburg to add their voices.
The 33 students traveled by bus to the Capitol on March 24, as part of Temple’s annual Owls on the Hill student advocacy day, which is organized by the Office of Government and Community Relations.
“Any chance we get to highlight to the General Assembly and the administration where the Commonwealth’s money is going, and who it is helping, dramatically advances our case for continued funding,” said Dennis Lynch, Temple’s assistant vice president for government relations. “I feel that our students, who are our best advocates, put a real human face on what it is we advocate for at Temple.”
The main purpose of the day is for Temple students to advocate for the continued historic funding the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has provided to the university for over 60 years. The $158.2 million the university receives is used to provide an in-state tuition discount of at least $15,600 for thousands of Temple’s Pennsylvania students.
The students wore red-and-white striped rugby-style shirts, which have become synonymous with Owls on the Hill, as they visited legislative offices to meet with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their staff to thank them for their past support and encourage Temple’s continued funding. They also left behind a handout describing how the funding supports Temple’s Pennsylvania tuition discount, as well as highlighting the university’s economic impact on the Commonwealth.
The red-and-white striped shirts are an important part of Temple’s advocacy day and are a big hit every year in the Capitol, explained Lynch.
“Everybody notices our students because of them,” he said. “Those shirts make it very, very clear with all that’s going on in the Capitol that the Temple students are here, they’re being seen and our message for continued funding is getting out.”
North Philadelphia native Ashanty Lopez, a senior majoring in political science and sports management who was participating in her first Owls on the Hill, said it was just as important for the students to be advocating in the Capitol as faculty or staff.
“Being able to advocate for ourselves and other students just shows that we have a voice too, and we want to use it,” she said. “We came with a high energy, our questions and our handouts. Going from office to office, we made our presence very known in the Capitol.”
Several members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who are Temple alumni, represent one of the university’s campuses or have a Temple connection wore Temple lapel pins, Temple neck ties or something red for the day to show their support, such as State Senator Maria Collett (D-12), who represents Temple’s Ambler Campus.
“As the senator representing the Temple Ambler Campus, I was pleased to meet with current students and learn how their education and experiences have prepared them to take on life after graduation,” she said. “It’s critical for state lawmakers to hear from these future leaders as we make policy and funding decisions that will directly impact them and their families.”
In addition to visiting legislative offices, the students were recognized by the Pennsylvania House and Senate and posed for a group photo on the floor of each chamber. During lunch, they also got to hear from and ask questions of several Temple alumni who are Pennsylvania House members.
“I have always taken the time to meet with students from Temple—whether on campus, in the district or in the Capitol. Today we had an engaging group of Owls in Harrisburg to explore their interest in state government,” said State Representative Joe Hogan (R-142), LAW ’23, who spoke to the students during lunch. “As a graduate of Temple Law, I’ve been in their shoes and provided some advice that they should take classes that prepare them for their career and support their passion. It is always a pleasure to speak to these students, and I look forward to this day every year.”
Temple mascot Hooter the Owl, who was continuously met with photo requests, made the trip to the Capitol with the students. Stella, Temple’s live owl mascot, also made a two-hour appearance in the Capitol’s East Rotunda, where staff from the university’s Harrisburg campus handed out Temple items and information.
The General Assembly is expected to vote on Temple’s funding by June 30.