Rep. Lynn B. Herman last night visited the Undergraduate Student Government Senate, which adjourned because of lack of attendance just 45 minutes after the representative's departure.

No new business was brought before the body. After Herman's visit and open student forum, several senate officials read their weekly reports before the meeting ended at 9:30.

Five of the Senate's 34 seats are currently vacant, meaning 15 Senators must be present at the meeting to meet quorum. Quorum occurs when over half the body's representatives are present; if quorum is not met no votes can take place. When Herman, R-77, arrived at 7:15, 17 Senators were present. By the time he left, only 14 remained.

"It's a disgrace to the Senate for the attendance to be this low," town Senator Ken Hinkle said. "If we're going to be an effective group, we're all going to have to start attending regularly."

When Hinkle moved to adjourn the meeting, 13 Senators remained, two below quorum. "I'm appalled that no one showed up," South Halls Senator Bobby Zoldos said.

Senate President Kendall Houk said the sparse attendance was due to the fact that "this is a busy time (of the semester) for everyone."

Houk and East Halls Senator Sean Wilson said the lack of attendance probably stemmed from the abundance of exams this week. "It's no big problem," Wilson said. "It's mostly personal reasons (for the absences)."

Houk said the lack of work done in this week's meeting will not seriously hurt the Senate. "I don't think it'll be a problem," he said. "It might back things up a little bit."

Herman, Republican chairman of the state House Subcommittee for Higher Education, gave the Senate an explanation of the state's budgetary process. He also gave his views on the University's budget prospects for the upcoming year.

"He's uninformed regarding the issues surrounding Penn State at present," town Senator Donn Wonderling said.

Houk was less critical of Herman's presentation, however. "He gave us a lot of insight into how the state appropriations process works," he said.