The USG Senate debated and passed a resolution last week that "supports an effort to determine the feasibility, responsibilities, and ramifications of acquiring and maintaining a mountain lion mascot(s)" at Penn State. The 16 senators who debated the issue almost completely discounted the idea at first, seeing it as a silly resolution, just as Adam Schott expressed in his letter on Thursday.

Senators discussed many of the same issues that have surfaced in the public debate. They wondered if a family of mountain lions would be a safety threat, an unnecessary liability, or even mistreated, abused or exploited. As a member of the body who debated the issue, I was very wary about approving the legislation. However, the resolution also shows that many colleges and universities have "real mascots" such as a steer at the University of Texas, an eagle at Auburn University and a ram at the University of North Carolina. More often than not, the animals at those universities serve dual roles as spirit builders and "educators" about issues facing wildlife. Furthermore, the resolution also asks the Senate to consider educational initiatives, the possibility of further protecting the mountain lions across the country so they do not suffer the same fate as the Nittany lions in Pennsylvania. It also looks into possibilities to endow the keep and care of mountain lions at zoos and reserves across the commonwealth.

The USG Senate is not suggesting that Penn State replace our current, multi-talented Nittany Lion who graces just about every major event associated with Penn State. And if you think that your student government does not do anything "substantive," I suggest you attend a meeting some Tuesday night to get the full story.