In an effort to give students better representation in town decisions, the Undergraduate Student Government Senate's Town Caucus has been meeting to lobby for student appointments to the State College Borough Council boards.

"Student input is always important because students make this town what it is," Town Sen. Brendan Holloway said.

The senators are primarily interested in students serving on boards dealing with relevant topics like parking, and pedestrian and vehicular traffic problems.

The 19 panels also include the Authorities Board, the Civil Service Commission, and the Board of Health. Members will serve between two to six years depending on the committee.

Holloway said although it will be difficult to find students who are available to attend the council meetings and who can commit to the term lengths, he thinks the senate is moving in the right direction.

Under the direction of new Town Caucus Chair Matt Allen, the senate is determined to get input from the 40,000 students on campus.

"We first want to get a pool of applicants, hopefully freshmen and sophomores who will be here for a few more years," said USG Senate President Sean Clark. "And we hope to get the Borough Council to consider these people."

All appointments are decided by the council.

Clark explained that the senate plans on pursuing this initiative immediately by providing interested students with information via mass e-mails, advertisements, and flyers.

"We've urged students to apply for years, but recently no one has," said council member Tom Daubert. "I am certainly all for it. Students might have a different point of view than we do."

USG President Justin Zartman agreed that the university would benefit by more student representation in town affairs.

"While busy with academics and social commitments, the Borough Council makes decisions that directly affect us and our living conditions," he said.

However, council member James Meyer said that all of the vacancies have recently been filled. Despite that, he still encourages students interested to submit applications so that they can be considered for empty slots throughout the new term.

"Right now, we want to show that we are interested and are making an effort, we are willing to work," Holloway said.