The McCarty/Maerz ticket plans to use past contacts and experience with student leaders and administrators to examine parking facilities and diversity and safety issues, and to network with other student groups.

"What distinguishes us from other tickets is our experience and participation in the University Student Advisory Board," Jeff McCarty said. "It has afforded us the opportunity to work with administrators, town government and other student organizations."

The McCarty/Maerz administration will try to alleviate the parking shortage and stop the increase in parking fees. Maerz said the only way for students to have a say in the parking situation is to gain more representation on the University Parking Committee.

"Sitting on the parking committee, I've continued to be a student advocate. However, the problem arises that if all three students vote against something the administration still wins by a majority," Maerz said.

McCarty and Maerz plan to improve Ritenour Health Center by pressuring administrators to initiate recommendations of a study conducted last year that includes hiring a full-time gynecologist.

The candidates also want more 24-hour study facilities.

McCarty and Maerz will also address a variety of diversity issues including implementation of curricular integration, addition of sexual orientation to the anti-discrimination policy, reinstatement of the USG Department of Human Relations and rebuilding of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

"It is impossible for Penn State, as a university, to remain a progressive institution if they fail to protect members of their own community," McCarty said.

McCarty and Maerz plan to form a group unifying all students attending universities or colleges which receive state funds. The organization, the Association of Pennsylvania Public University Students, will lobby state legislators in Harrisburg to increase state appropriations and freeze tuition.

McCarty said his administration will make sure USG joins the American Association of University Students, a network of University students and the Big 10 to share experiences and find mutual solutions.

McCarty and Maerz said they will try to make downtown safer by prompting the Department of Safety to pressure borough officials to add more lighting on secondary streets and increase the number of crosswalks.

He added that more phones are needed on campus and the escort service phone number should be printed on student identification cards.

McCarty, a resident of Detroit, Mich., is co-director of LGSA and a member of the University Student Advisory Board and the Student Leadership Advisory Board.

Maerz, a resident of Schwenksville, is chairman of the Student Organizational Budget Committee, WEHR disc jockey and a member of the University Parking Committee and Card-key Access Committee. He is also a resident assistant, a member of Residence Halls Advisory Board and vice president of the National Residence Hall Honorary.