USG brings state, federal governments to students

Students will have the opportunity to become more informed about the local, state and federal government next week through Undergraduate Student Government's Government Awareness Week.

"In the past, students were unaware or don't get involved as much as they should. This is a way to make government positive to students," said Scott Husbands, USG assistant director of governmental affairs.

U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-PA, will speak about government in our daily lives at 3 p.m. Thursday in the HUB Reading Room. Steve Dunkle will speak about his position as the director of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter's, R-Pa., Harrisburg office at 3 p.m. Friday in the HUB Reading Room.

A table will be set up in the HUB Basement all week with information about political or issue-related groups on campus, such as the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, College Democrats, College Republicans and Penn State Young Americans for Freedom. Husbands, who is coordinating the week, said he hopes to have a day when students can find out about their state and federal legislators.

The week has been held for the past three years to coincide with the start of legislative hearings about Gov. Tom Ridge's proposed state budget.

USG is tentatively planning two more trips to Harrisburg to meet with legislators about the state budget.

-- by Patricia K. Cole