Members of the Grand Valley State University Student Senate will gather in Lansing today with hundreds of other students from public universities across Michigan.

As part of a statewide effort to advocate the increase of funding for public universities, advocacy group Student Association of Michigan (SAM) has organized “the Lansing Blitz” rally on the Capitol steps to make student voices heard. Trevor Tenbrink, vice president of political affairs for GVSU’s Student Senate, said members of the cabinet have every intention of voicing their frustration with the lack of funding given to GVSU by the state.

“Grand Valley’s students are an invaluable and beneficial asset to this state, and the time has come that we receive the respect that we deserve,” Tenbrink said.

Jennie Hlady, member of the Student Senate political affairs committee, is among the members heading to the blitz.

“It’s important to participate in the Lansing Blitz because we as students and Grand Valley have a voice and we need to let our legislators know that we are not okay with decreasing our budget,” she said.

Tenbrink encouraged other GVSU students to attend the rally as well.

“The Lansing Blitz will be a fantastic opportunity for Grand Valley students as well students from other public universities to voice their opinions regarding Governor Snyder’s proposed budget cuts to higher education,” he said.

The rally is open to the public and scheduled to run between noon and 3 p.m. today.

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