In an effort to hold themselves accountable, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate decided last night to start publishing senators' voting records on all legislation.

This change to its bylaws, which will take effect by the next meeting in the fall, passed with the Senate's 18 senators in favor and six opposed.

Town Sen. Brian Battaglia, who co-sponsored the resolution, said it is important to inform students how their elected representatives vote on each issue or bill.

"So if a student has a concern with something that's been done, they know who to talk to," Battaglia added about the resolution.

Students will be able to view how each senator voted on resolutions, bills and executive orders through the USG Web site www.clubs.psu.edu/usg.

Until now, senators usually voted on legislation by raising their hands, with only the final vote count published.

A few senators were concerned that a public record of each senator's vote would cause them to not vote how they truly feel.

"I could see that some of you might have problems because something may look good but it's really not," said East Halls Sen. Irene McKenna.

Town Sen. Bill Knauss agreed, adding that senators need leniency so they can vote their conscience on controversial legislation.

But South Halls Sen. Andy Banducci said that this leniency would defeat the purpose.

"These controversial issues are particularly when we need the roll calls the most," Banducci said.

The resolution states that "each member of the USG Senate is elected by the students, and ... these students should have easy access to the voting records of the senators they elect."

Also last night, the Senate:

Allocated $1,000 to the AfterFest 2003 music festival. AfterFest is intended to be a non-alcoholic alternative entertainment option during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

Allocated $1,294.25 to Fresh Start, which helps get students new to University Park involved in community service. Organizers expect about 800 students to participate.

Appointed Anthony Bizzaro as the Senate's parliamentarian for the 2003-2004 session. The parliamentarian interprets rules and procedures during senate meetings. Bizarro said he would expediate meetings, which have lasted more than six hours each for the last two weeks.

Approved Allison Komara as a USG Supreme Court associate justice.