USG bill to inform students of rights

The Undergraduate Student Government wants to bring root beer to students.

In a unanimous vote, the USG Senate decided last night to allocate $1,200 for the purchase of two and a half kegs of root beer, cups, key chains and fliers to distribute to students and spread information about students' alcohol rights.

Town Senator Brian Heller, a sponsor of the bill, introduced the legislation by singing the first line of the Beastie Boys' song "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party!)"

Kirsten Grenoble, South Halls senator, said she thought kegs might not be allowed on campus regardless of what they contained, but the Senate showed strong support for the bill anyway.

"This is the coolest thing we're probably going to do all year," Heller said.

In addition to cups and key chains, USG also plans to give out wallet-sized cards that offer students advice about their rights if stopped by police.

USG already has had 30,000 cards printed, Heller said.

The cards offer tips to students such as consulting a lawyer before talking to police officers after being arrested and protecting yourself by making it clear that you do not consent to a search of your car.

Last night, the senate also voted against a resolution to send a letter to the University's administration endorsing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an official University holiday.

Later, the senate passed a rare executive order that prohibits members of USG from taking an official USG position supporting Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a University holiday.

Senate president Josh Smith, who voted against the order, said he thought the discussion focused on the business side of the University.

"The way I see it, it was not voted in a way considering Martin Luther King," he said.

Heller and Jason Wynnycky, town senator, sponsored the order.

The senate also voted on a resolution to appoint an interim chair of the Senate Appointments Review Board and selected Ryan Broadwater, Pollock/Nittany senator, to fill the position.

Broadwater will take over election-related SARB duties vacated by current SARB Chair Will O'Keefe, who sponsored the resolution.

O'Keefe said he will still head other SARB duties, but that he wanted an interim SARB chair to be in charge of filling the USG Elections Commission and Elections Court to avoid potentially compromising the integrity of SARB.

O'Keefe nominated Adam Black, Pollock/Nittany senator, to fill the interim position, although Black did not win.

Collegian staff writer Amanda Spurling contributed to this report.