Student protestors, made up of 40 Grinnell College students and Iowa State students, joined other students across the nation in the national organization, Student Action, to demand free public higher education for all, according to Student Action’s press release.

The event was organized by Young Democratic Socialists of America and Student Action and Student Action.

The students were “calling attention to the $84 million dollar development project that will soon become the new Student Innovation Center. The project was approved by the board of regents at the exact same time as the announcement of a 7 percent tuition hike last year,” according to a press release from Student Action.

Rob Schweers, director of communications in the office of the senior vice president and provost office, reached out to the Iowa State Daily to provide information of the funding of the Student Innovation Center. 

“It is important for readers to know that tuition increases are not financing construction of the Student Innovation Center. The Center is being financed through the combination of state investment ($40 million, approved in 2015), and philanthropic gifts ($44 million),” said Schweers in an email.