Students often talk about problems with their undergraduate experience but don't always try to solve them. Why should we cause changes? Because the undergraduate experience impacts the quality of our lives, and so we have a stake in the solutions. In short, undergraduates are the best-suited to improve the undergraduate experience. When one of my friends said to me, "we would, if we believed we could," I realized I had to write this column. Students can start programs and change policies by using the Undergraduate Student Government.

If you approach USG with a problem, USG will work with you to find a solution. For example, hundreds of students contacted USG last year regarding stress during Fall Semester. Consequently, we launched a committee to address the following questions: How can Penn State correct the problem? Should the university institute a fall break? Do students want a fall break? How could Penn State institute one? What would be the implications of doing so? Our committee worked with the university administration to answer these questions and, as of this Fall Semester, Penn State will have a fall break.

In light of this success, why don't students approach USG more frequently?

One reason might be intimidation. Some students stay away from USG because of its tremendous achievements or because of its embarrassing disputes. The Collegian covers USG constantly, and it shows students when USG is an imposing, successful team and when it is a group of babies in a sandbox throwing tantrums. Another reason seems to be that students don't know how to use USG.

USG's mission is to represent you, to act on your behalf. You can improve your Penn State experience through the USG Supreme Court or through the USG Legislative Branch. The USG Supreme Court registers all undergraduate student organizations, and it resolves conflicts that arise within, between or among these organizations. The court works hard to assist in these processes.

Once you have created an organization, you can mobilize students for your cause; you can receive funding and you can use the university name.

But whether or not you belong to a registered student organization or want to create one, take advantage of the legislative branch's manpower to improve the undergraduate experience. Here's how you can do it:

1. Identify a problem. Think about one aspect of your undergraduate experience you'd like to change. For example, you'd like to take classes in comfortable seats or you'd like longer dining hall hours.

2. Contact your representatives about the problem. If you'd like to work on an academic issue, such as classroom seats, and you're in engineering, contact your college's USG Academic Assembly representatives Tracy Frost (taf137@psu.edu) or Derik Moore (derik@psu.edu). If you'd like to work on a student-life issue and you live in West Halls, contact your USG Senator Jamila Powell (jap251@psu.edu). The USG World Wide Web site (http://www.clubs.psu.edu/usg) lists all representatives' e-mail addresses. USG members are eager to help students.

3. Collaborate with your representatives to draft a resolution for the Academic Assembly or the Senate, stating that USG acknowledges the problem and commits to finding a solution. When the Academic Assembly or the Senate approves a resolution, they legitimize the project.

4. Work on a solution. After the approval, the Academic Assembly or the Senate set up an "ad-hoc committee," for which you can provide leadership. The committee establishes evidence of the problem, and develops and implements strategies to solve it. While the work involved depends on the problem you identify, committees survey students, launch petition drives and call other universities and Penn State administrators to research their positions.

Projects to improve our community not only build resumes, but also provide political advocacy and leadership experience. If you work through USG, you will be challenged to think critically about the problems you experience and possible solutions. You will be challenged to work with individuals you may not like. You will be challenged to appreciate your own and others' resources, needs and interests. You will be challenged to plan carefully and be flexible. You will be challenged to negotiate and be accountable. You will learn how Penn State works and, more importantly, how to use the system to solve problems.