Zartman said that while there is conflict within USG, that is not the only thing going on in USG. He named Unity Week, the State of the Student Body Address and several town hall meetings as some of the organization's accomplishments. He said USG members should step back from the situation and not take it so personally when their ideas are challenged.

"There is always conflict when people have different ideas," Zartman said. "It's worse than it's been in years past. It's not the worst in all my four years."

Senate President Sean Clark said he has seen conflict throughout his three years in USG, but this year is different, because it is about the issues.

"What I see is senate taking a stand," Clark said. "Whether you agree with them or not, at least senate is doing something."

While Clark and his supporters hold the majority of seats in the senate, he said he still promotes working together when it comes to passing legislation.

"We've never had the mentality that, 'Yeah we've had the seats, we can pass it,' " Clark said. He added that he met with Zartman last week about UPAC and will present their compromise at tonight's meeting.

Academic Assembly President Loren Filson said assembly and senate, which comprise the legislative branch of USG, worked together more effectively last year than in this year's USG.

"I think that right now we are having trouble with communication," Filson said. "We are working toward the same purpose, to help student life."

Filson said the organization's internal conflict as well as the manner in which vacant seats in senate were filled has raised concern among observers.

"I really think the regular student body is concerned and we really need to address that," Filson said.

Filson said USG's recent publicity has created an image problem with administration as well. Zartman said Penn State President Graham Spanier told him the censor was ridiculous.

"It's hurting our image. Students don't trust we have their best interest at heart," Filson said.

Zartman said he has been asking branch heads to conduct activities to allow members to know each other outside of meetings as a way to reduce conflict between the branches, adding that there are not just problems between executive and senate, but within senate itself. Five senators have resigned this semester, and another seat opened up after a senator was denied permission by his area government to continue serving on the senate.

Clark said each Fall Semester some people reprioritize their activities or become uninterested in being part of USG. He said the number of resignations this semester was not out of the ordinary compared to past years, and added the open seats were filled in a timely manner. One position currently remains open, with last week's resignation of Town Sen. Alicia Agnew.

But Town Sen. Bridget Van Osten said she remembers six resignations during the entire school year last year, compared to the six vacancies already this semester.

"I think it's a high number," Van Osten said.