While reading Wednesday's Collegian I came across a disturbing bit of information. In the article titled "USG Senate concludes term," I learned that two resolutions concerning Israel came up in the senate's final session. Israel? What is a collegiate student group doing discussing and debating international affairs?

I felt good when the two resolutions, one calling for the USG to strongly support the U.S.-Israel alliance, and the other calling for the USG to disapprove the Arab boycott against Israeli businesses and further urge the University Boards of Trustees to divest from all Arab countries involved in the boycott, were voted down by the senate. Such an action indicates that the majority of the senators have good, clear-thinking heads.

But the very idea that some senators, like Mike Snider (who proposed the above resolutions), feel that it is USG's responsibility and duty to represent the Penn State student body in the quagmire of Middle East politics seems ridiculous. Shouldn't these student senators spend more of their energy concentrating on matters and affairs that affect the students more directly?

In addition, what gives our elected senators the right to propose policies in international politics? Did these senators gauge student views in international affairs, for if they did, neither I nor anyone else I know was asked by any senator.

Also, does it really mattter what the USG has to say about the Middle East? Are George Bush, Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and the Arab leaders anxiously awaiting USG's new policy on the Middle East before they move ahead in negotiations?

I am glad the USG Senate realized the utter stupidity behind the Israeli resolutions. I just hope the new USG Senate coming in will also understand this and devote their maximum energies toward working for the student's direct needs instead of dilly-dallying in international affairs.