Alex Baumgardner
Vanguard News Editor

SA President Jeremiah Stanghini speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the capital building in Lansing on Wednesday. The rally, organized by the Student Association of Michigan, drew hundreds of students to the capital. photo © 2007 Christina Dillbeck, Valley Vanguard

Students petition lawmakers while student government representatives and members of the legislature speak on the topic of education funding. Governor Jennifer Granholm briefly joined the rally from the balcony. photo © 2007 Christina Dillbeck, Valley Vanguard

While the future of Michigan's economy remains cloudy, the sun broke just in time Wednesday for students from across the state to demonstrate on the capital steps for their future.

"It's coincidental you all brought the sun with you, because we are here today to fight for a brighter future," said Chris Praedel, a student of Western Michigan.

The Student Association of Michigan's long-planned rally at the state capital saw students from SVSU, University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Dearborn, Wayne State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State and Oakland all stand together to hear student leaders, supportive legislators and President of the U.S. Student Association, Gabriel Pendas talk about student rights, and the possible consequences of continued cuts in funding for higher education.

"Education is a right," Pendas said. "Students from Florida, Ohio, California and Washington all stand with you. Education will be a right in this country."

Jordan Twardy of Oakland University talked about how he believes Michigan students will not wait much longer for the government to start supporting them before they decide to leave.

"If they don't invest in us, they're going to find out we will not bind ourselves to a sinking ship."

SVSU SA President Jeremiah Stanghini agreed with Twardy, saying all they wanted was for the legislature to begin putting more money back into education, and to make more of an investment into the future of Michigan students.

Another major theme that laced the speaker's list was how closely the states economy is tied to its higher education.

"Michigan is losing its intellectuals," said Krystal Long, a student from U of M Flint. "Education and the economy are intertwined. [We need to] prioritize higher education now and stop balancing the budget on the backs of students."

Praedel took what Long said one step further, saying "We aren't just here to look out for our own pocket books. We're here to look out for our future. Students should be the pillars of the economy. We are the last great hope for this great state of Michigan."

James Davis of U of M Dearborn agreed, going as far as to quote William Butler Yeats to accent his point.

"Yeats once said 'Education shouldn't be the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,'" Davis said. "Students shouldn't have to worry about the cost of their education, but rather the quality of it."

During the rally, students began yelling to the House, which had just gone into session. Shortly after, Governor Jennifer Granholm came out onto the capital balcony and gave the crowd a thumbs up. Several legislators, including Gino Polidori and Pam Burns, both took to the podium to speak with students about their future.

After the speakers finished, the crowed moved collectively into the capital building, climbed four flights of stairs and sat around the House, and were officially recognized on the floor.

Several SVSU students went along with members of SA to the rally. "I just really hope our voices were heard, and that we made a difference," said Kahliena Burton, a political science sophomore.

James Gault, a professional and technical writing junior agreed with Burton, and said they needed to bring this message back to campus.

"This is just a start. We need to take this message back to campus." SA's RSO Communication Coordinator Isaac Hudson said he was pleased with the way the rally went.

"I thought it went well," Hudson said. "I think it will bring more awareness to the entire situation."

Hudson's words were echoed by those in attendance. At several points during the rally, and when Granholm toed the balcony, the crowd of students, sporting the colors of their schools, could be heard chanting in unison, "separate colors, one voice."