In a joint session last night, the Undergraduate Student Government Senate and USG Academic Assembly passed an amendment lowering the spending cap in presidential campaigns.

The amendment to the proposed elections code lowered the spending cap from $500 to $400 per candidate in USG presidential elections. The amendment refuses the proposed $100 increase, keeping the amount the same as last year. This year's elections will be held on April 1.

"It's difficult to get money to run," said West Halls Senator Kelly Glazier, who introduced the amendment. "The limit is to make it fair for all. This $100 could make a difference."

But USG Senate President Joe Atkinson said giving candidates an additional $100 would allow candidates to give the issues more publicity, which in turn would help the USG Senate by increasing student awareness of the organization.

With a campus the size of Penn State, candidates have a difficult time campaigning in their areas, he said, and the extra money would be used to make a competent campaign possible.

Mark Maier, town senator, said the jump to $500 really wasn't that much because the $500 today has less buying power as compared to five years ago.

But Andy Ovies, West Halls senator, argued that it was a question of fairness, since some future presidential candidates might not be able to raise the $500 for a campaign and would therefore be at a disadvantage.

"If I can afford $500 and the other candidate can't, it isn't fair. It does give an advantage," Ovies said.