ACLU begins housing battle

Tonight, the Penn State chapter of the ACLU will petition and rally in opposition to the State College Borough Council's proposed housing ordinances.

When members of the Penn State chapter of the ACLU present their petition documenting their opposition to the student housing proposals tonight to the State College Borough Council, council members will see more than 3,500 signatures of concerned students and others.

However, one signature is missing from the Penn State American Civil Liberties Union's effort to protest the amendments -- University President Graham Spanier did not sign the petition. He said he does not sign petitions of any kind.

"I am asked throughout the year to sign petitions," Spanier said in an E-mail message, "and it is not my preferred way of presenting my views of issues of importance to me or the University."

More than a week ago, Spanier sent a letter to the council voicing his concerns about some "discriminatory" language in the proposed changes to the housing ordinances. He said the council appreciated his concern.

"(Vice President for Student Affairs William) Asbury and I have had conversations in the last few days with individual members of the council," he said. "The only feedback I have received is that they appreciated my letter and that serious thought is being given to the entire issue."

The proposed amendments to the housing ordinance limit to three the number of unrelated people allowed to live in a one- or two- family house or a townhouse. Many groups have criticized the proposed amendments, saying they are discriminatory to students.

Asbury will represent the University at tonight's 7:30 p.m. meeting at the State College Municipal Building, 118 S. Fraser St.

But before the meeting begins, PSU-ACLU Co-Coordinator Jon Feinberg said students will be meeting at 5:15 p.m. at Old Main for a rally, which involves trekking to East Halls to interest others in going to the meeting.

The group still wants Spanier to attend the meeting, Feinberg said, because his voice carries a lot of weight outside the University.

Although many student groups -- including the Undergraduate Student Government, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and the PSU-ACLU -- have been involved with voicing their opposition to the possible amendments, Feinberg said administrative involvement would put them "over the edge" in showing the council how they feel.

"Although (Spanier's) letter is a positive step, it is a very measured step -- it doesn't go as far as it should," said Feinberg, stressing that he does not have any problems with Spanier but thinks it would be very influential if Spanier were to take further action.

Spanier's involvement in the borough housing issue and his understanding of what students are going through are the important factors that need to be focused upon, said outgoing USG President Sharon Entenberg.

"I honestly respect the fact that he has become involved," she said, adding that she hopes Spanier becomes more involved.