Undergraduate Student Government senators took action last night to replace committee chairs who resigned while at the same time voting to keep one town senate seat empty.

If USG President Matt Roan decides not to veto the decision, former Town Senator Martin Austermuhle's senate chair will remain empty for the rest of the year.

The action also includes the request to bring Austermuhle back as a USG senator and, if Roan approves it, it will be sent to Penn State President Graham Spanier, Vice President of Student Affairs Bill Asbury and Director of Judicial Affairs Joseph Puzycki.

Some senators hope the empty seat will protest the circumstances that forced Austermuhle to resign.

"I think that is the most powerful message to the administration we can send," said Town Senator Mike Byrne.

The university has given Austermuhle a deferred suspension from the university in response to his involvement in the Beaver Avenue riots last summer. The suspension prevents him from participating as a voting member of USG.

The suspension came after the Penn State Office of Judicial Affairs pursued a disorderly conduct charge although the same charge had been thrown out of criminal court.

While some senators agreed with keeping the seat open, others felt the empty seat would deny some students representation.

"You're not only taking away a voice, you're taking away a vote," said Town Senator Justin Zartman.

Byrne said he didn't believe the empty seat would present a problem.

"It's an elected position and Martin was elected to be on the senate," he said.

Though the action eventually passed, Roan said he was considering vetoing it.

The senate also unanimously decided to submit its disapproval of plans to close the Pollock Road entrance to campus and demand inclusion in any revisions of the plans.

The road will be closed to make room for the new Information Sciences and Technology Building. Traffic will be redirected from the Pollock Road-Atherton Street intersection to a new section of Curtin Road in spring 2001.

The proposed route would travel close to the Nittany Lion Shrine — too close for senators.

"I can't imagine having cars and buses traveling through there," said West Halls Senator Justin Blankenbicker.

Last night also marked the resignation of some senators and committee chairs.

Town Senator Mike Fedor was elected to fill the position of Legislative and Appropriations Review Committee Chair after Katelyn Belyus, the previous chair, resigned from her position as Pollock Halls senator last night for personal reasons.

Kyle Daniw was elected to fill Zartman's position as Senate Appointment and Review Board committee chair. Zartman said he left the position because he was interested in working on other USG committees.

Zartman was elected to the position of Political Action and Lobby Committee Chair, which has been empty since Austermuhle resigned.

Drew Schaub also resigned from the position of town senator citing personal reasons.