PHILADELPHIA — More than 35 students from at least two state universities will take to the streets and run up to 100 miles to the Capitol to protest the governor’s proposed cuts to higher education.

Cross-country and track athletes from Lock Haven University plan to run all night Sunday to Harrisburg for a rally on Monday with fellow students, some running in from Millersville University and others coming in on buses.

Lock Haven junior Nathan Zondlo, 21, said he’s running to send a message that the proposed cutbacks show a lack of foresight in an increasingly competitive world.

“Let’s set ourselves up for the future and not (the) short-term bottom line,” said Zondlo, of Pittston. “It would just devastate so many people.”

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett wants to cut aid to Lock Haven, Millersville and 12 other state-owned universities, including Slippery Rock, by 50 percent and slash support to four state-related institutions. Corbett has said the cuts are needed to close a multibillion-dollar budget gap.

The student rally Monday coincides with a legislative hearing where educators representing institutions across the state are slated to plead for funding.

On Friday, Penn State President Graham Spanier announced that, in light of the proposed cuts, the university is canceling planned salary increases for faculty and staff that were to take effect July 1.

Penn State, like Temple, Pitt and Lincoln universities, receives state funding but is not directly under state control.

Temple President Ann Weaver Hart and John Cavanaugh, chancellor of the state-owned universities, are among those expected to testify Monday before the House Appropriations Committee.