When the words "student activity fee" pop up on the student government's list of goals, some people think of an unneccessary charge that will suck more money out of students' wallets. But in the 1950s, a successful student activity fee provided the University with one of its most popular buildings.

Some $2.9 million was raised by a student activity fee to construct the HUB -- the brick, stone and glass building that many students use as a study lounge, cafeteria and rest area when they are away from their dorm or apartment. Since the HUB's construction in 1955, it has not been empty.

The student activity fee of the '50s also paid for other clubs, activities and maybe even for the Penn State football tradition.

"Some was used to hire the first football coach," said Undergraduate Student Government President Chris Saunders.

But in 1959, the student activity fee was consolidated into tuition costs and the extra money was no longer used for student organizations.

"We had accumulated a whole lot of fees and neither the students nor their parents knew what they were paying for," said Charles Hosler, a retired professor of meteorology and former senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, who attended the University in 1959.

Tuition should be increased instead of enacting another activity fee if the University wants more money, he added.

Student leaders have been trying to re-establish the fee since 1959, but in 1985, a student activity fee was shot down because of student opposition.

Former University President Bryce Jordan appointed a task force to study the proposed fee. It found that the fee would increase tuition and take a considerable planning period to implement and distribute the funds.

And again in 1992, former Undergraduate Student Government President Rob Kampia tried to get a student activity fee enacted, but he also faced student opposition.

This fall, the Executive Student Action Council proposed yet another student activity fee. Even though this fee is still in the preliminary stages, it has already faced opposition from some students and administrators.

William Asbury, vice president for student services, said he is against enacting another fee at this time.

"An activity fee without a clear sense of guideline would not be prudent at this time," Asbury said, adding that the University is trying to cut back on extra costs and the activity fee would just burden students.

But Asbury believes other University administrators will support the activity fee because it would provide more activities for students.

Currently, there is an activity fund included in tuition. This activity fund is distributed University-wide for student activities and organizations, but some student leaders think there is a need for more money.

Both Saunders and USG Senate President Mike King support the fee, and King said the activity fee should be minimal to build up students' trust.

"In my opinion we should start small," King said, adding that he believes the fee should initially be only $5.

But for now the fee has a long way to go before being implemented, and Asbury estimates it will be years before the fee will put into effect. Until then, student leaders will continue working on the fee.

King said students should not worry that the money will go only to organizations such as student government.

"Maybe not a dime will go to USG," King said. "We are not here to get ourselves more money. We're here for the students."