Representatives from several organizations met Saturday and outlined a two-tiered legislative branch as part of a restructured student government to achieve what Undergraduate Student Government President Chris Saunders calls "direct democracy."

Under the new plan, on-campus government would consist of several representatives from each dorm area. Senators would be chosen to represent the areas by popular election or by appointment from each area government. Senators from town government would still be chosen by popular vote, but would be appointed to separate districts following the election.

Saunders said the new government would examine University procedures and policies and improve and increase student services by getting administrators to champion student concerns.

The meeting was the secondrestructuring following growingdiscontent among student leaders and increased interest in restructuring the student government. Several members of the Executive Student Action Council resigned Jan. 13. ESAC members and other student leaders have complained that the current government is ineffective.

Members from various organizations, including USG, the Association of Residence Hall Students and the Penn State University Veterans Organization attended the meeting. The group will meet Sunday to further discuss restructuring.

South Halls Senator Jitu Modi, who acted as moderator, said they met to define a mission statement for a new student government. The group, according to its mission statement, wants to provide effective representation of students University-wide to faculty and administration and improve the quality of life for students academically and socially.

USG Senate President Mike King said it has been difficult to get different organizations with their own agendas to work together. He stressed the need for these organizations to form one cohesive government. The group has a responsibility to the students it represents, he said.

PSUVO member Pat Scanlan called the current student government ambiguous because of continual competition between ESAC and USG for attention from University administrators and the occasional duplication of efforts.

"There's no clear chain of command," he said.

Representatives from several minority groups met prior to the restructuring session to discuss their role in the new government. Mark Shiner, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance political co-director, said restructuring is a good time for minority groups to amplify their voice in student government because it gives them more opportunities to communicate directly with the administration.