Coug Day heated up as thousands of student activists holding picket signs flooded the capitol steps and began a rally against tuition increases.

Roughly 4,000 supporters chanted such phrases as “Two, four, six, eight, students want to graduate,” and “Let me learn.” The rally at noon signaled the middle of students’ busiest day during this year’s Coug Day at the Capitol trip. Hundreds of other organizations and schools joined WSU students to assemble hours before Senate Bill 6562 was scheduled to be voted upon.

While WSU students yelled in favor of higher taxes and lower tuition, some were still unsure about their overall impact on legislators’ decisions.

“I don’t know how our presence is going to sway the vote, but there are a lot of young students and children that will remember this for a long time,” senior sociology major Karie Downing said. “It’s kind of emotional when you get this many people up here.” Just before the student rally in favor of raising taxes to lower tuition, an activist group of the opposing side convened on the capitol steps to rally against tax increases.

Bob Williams, president of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, stood firmly against tax increases and tuition increases. He outlined a solution involving reallocating money directly to students by cutting faculty and staff from universities. Every student should pay the same amount of tuition, regardless of financial background, he said.

Before and after the rally, WSU students met with several senators and legislators. They also got to meet their own district legislators in small groups for 15-minute Q-and-A sessions.

Unfortunately, most legislators were called to vote on bills, so students were passed on to their executive assistants. Still, the assistants echoed a clear appreciation for student input and involvement in the government.

Jim Freeburg, legislative assistant to Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, said the lack of student involvement last year when legislators made higher education cuts made it easier for the legislators to do away with funding and increase tuition.

Gov. Chris Gregoire said a new and different way is needed to fund higher education. She said her greatest fear is the neediest students will be unable to fund their college educations.

Gregoire’s concern was embodied by the testimonies students gave to their district legislators. With roughly $35 million in projected financial aid cuts, many students were able to give powerful statements.

Helena Scheuble, a junior computer science major at WSU-Vancouver, told Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, about her struggles of being a single mother of four relying heavily on financial aid.

“By the time I finish college, my oldest daughter will be ready to start college,” she said. “I don’t have money saved for her to go to college, but I’d like to be able to afford to help her.” Though the chanting has stopped and the rally is over, there is still a chance for the student voice to shine through. As another legislative deadline approaches, many await the outcome of SB 6562.

“We will either see it live in spite of us, or see it die because of us,” said Sam Shaddox, ASWSU director of legislative affairs.