More than 150 students from all three regent universities, the ISU Pom Squad, Collegiate 4-H, Freshman Council and other clubs, and even Cy himself will descend on the state Capitol Monday to demand attention to higher education.

Angela Groh, ISU Government of the Student Body director of governmental relations, said although small efforts had been made in the past, she could not recall a recent time students had been mobilized in such large numbers to travel to the Capitol.

“I envision us being very effective,” Groh said.

“It’s new and different to see the three regent universities working together in a unified force talking to the legislators, saying ‘Look, this is what is going on, this is what is happening with our education,'” she said.

Regents Day at the Capitol, sponsored by the student governments at Iowa State, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, will give students a chance to showcase their schools’ clubs and activities and talk with their legislators about issues centering on higher education.

Groh said the entire first floor of the Capitol has been reserved to showcase clubs from the schools, about 15 of which will be from Iowa State.

GSB President Mike Banasiak said by showing off clubs at Iowa State, the university can help put a face on funding for universities.

“Instead of just going down to the Capitol and just explaining to the legislators that higher education is important, we also have an opportunity to showcase everything Iowa State has to offer for students and for the state of Iowa,” he said.

Banasiak said the idea for the event grew off of GSB’s Lobby Day at the Capitol, but it has expanded into a much larger event.

The day will include opportunities for students to meet with legislators, take tours of the Capitol and ask questions of a panel of senators and representatives. A press conference with Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and the three student body presidents will take place about 1:15 p.m.

Groh said affordable tuition, the availability of jobs for graduates and continued financial aid will be the three topics stressed to legislators as important to students.

She said recent cuts in educational appropriations signal a need for students to become more vocal.

“Our tuition has gone up a lot in the last few years, and obviously the majority of that is due to budget cuts and reduced state appropriations,” Groh said.

“In general, however, I think that also has something to say that we haven’t been very effective as students — the time has come now where we need to step up to the challenge and let them know education is one of the most essential [aspects] of Iowa.”