Last night at the Undergraduate Student Government Senate meeting, the existence of USG's backbone was in question — by one of its own members.

A resolution was passed by the senate to "condemn bureaucratic administrative policies that limit students' use and the availability of the HUB."

The resolution stemmed from the outrage that USG expressed concerning the lack of student voice in the operations of the HUB, "even though they pay for it." Some of the senators decided that USG's voice needs to be louder when expressing its opinion on major issues that affect the student body and to raise awareness of the role it plays in student life.

The piece of legislation, titled "Limited HUB," is one way they intend to make themselves heard. The resolution was in part a response to a recent event that was supposed to take place in the HUB-Robeson Center. The limits placed on the event angered some members of the organizing group, the newly formed Student Party.

Some members of the Student Party said that they scheduled a press conference in the student union building to openly declare the candidacy of a student for a State College Borough Council position and were denied the use of a podium for amplification.

Certain senators brought up problems they had with the management of the HUB, the availability of the HUB to student organizations and the administration's involvement.

"Why not tell the administration we're pissed off?" Town Sen. Michael Byrne said.

Byrne also said he thought USG is not taken seriously and if it would give its opinion more often would help discourage that perception.

Town Sen. Mike Fedor said, "If we're going to do something to get ourselves known it should be with an issue we care about."

Most senators focused on the idea that the HUB is a student building.

"I pay for this HUB," said Student Party member and Nittany/Pollock Sen. Lauren Applegate. "It's outrageous that the student activity building doesn't support students."

Fedor said that he knows of students who have tried to use the HUB for student purposes, but were denied by the administration.

"If I would put a sign next to the big screen TV, it would probably be ripped down within seconds and if I was seen doing it, and they caught me, I'd probably be put in 'HUB jail' or something," Fedor said.

A debate arose around the idea of whether or not students have enough representation on the HUB Advisory Board, a board that affects the policies of the HUB.

USG currently has a liaison as one member of the ten students on the 16-member board, South Halls Sen. Erik Ives.

Senate President Mike Fazio said the way to empower students is to get more involved with the board. He encouraged other senators or members of USG to join.

"Why can't we have six or seven members?" he said. "We have these opportunities and we should take advantage of them when they come in front of us."

If more members of USG are involved and make policies students favor, Fazio believes "truly this will be a building run by students for students."