Five days after announcing their decision to try to recall both the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) executive and legislative branches, members of the Student Empowerment Alliance (SEA), the group pushing for the referendum, say they are making progress.

While member Brian Battaglia declined to comment on the recall progress, Jason Covener said the petitioning is going well. More than 400 people have signed the petitions since last week, he said.

The group cited a long list of complaints when it announced its intentions last week.

"We're very frustrated by the progress, or lack thereof, of Senate and USG as a whole," said Andy Banducci, South Halls senator and SEA member. "We just think the student interest would be better served by allowing them to speak [in a recall]."

They also cited failure of USG to lobby for higher state appropriations and the method by which the Senate fills seats vacated during the semester.

USG Vice President Takkeem Morgan said he believed that five weeks into the semester is too soon to decide if the current USG is ineffective.

"Any organization that has new membership and things like that, they're just getting their plans together and they're solidifying the team," he said. "That's just the way an organization works."

A recall has never been attempted, and the process to make it happen is a long one. The group has to collect at least 1,000 signatures in favor of the referendum and present them to USG President Ian Rosenberger. Then the referendum needs the approval of the USG Supreme Court; finally, a 25 percent voter turnout is needed for the special election to be valid.

In last year's election, which set a record for voter turnout, only 22 percent of the student body participated.

The group's goal is to "significantly surpass" the 1,000 signature requirement. To do so, Covener said about 12 members patrolled the areas around the HUB-Robeson Center and Willard Building yesterday afternoon and commons areas last night. Today, about 20 people will be in the same locations asking for signatures, he said.

"I haven't had the opportunity to collect any signatures yet, [but] the people I've talked to have told me that generally, a lot of people are too busy and don't want to sign ... but, those who stop to listen have been positive," he said.

Covener said he does not think Supreme Court approval will be difficult to obtain.

"The purpose of the referendum clause [in the USG constitution] is to directly express the will of the students in a matter where the current system and structure won't do so. That's what this does, whether you [think] it's a good idea or bad idea," he said. "As long as you're talking about something that is within the realm of legality, it's still a valid question."

Once Rosenberger has the petitions, he has a deadline of 15 academic days to hold a special election. It is up to him to decide how the election will take place.

Rosenberger said if the referendum were approved, he would proceed as if it were a normal USG election.

"If the students deem this appropriate, then I will, to the best of my ability, uphold the student voice," he said.

Voting would take place both online and at voting stations at the HUB, and results would be processed by Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (formerly University Testing Services).

"It's going to cost a lot of money -- a lot of students' money -- and I want everyone to realize that. It's in the vicinity of $1,000 ... I'll have to spend -- won't have a choice to spend -- in the interest of this election," Rosenberger said.

His biggest concern, Rosenberger added, is that the amount of time spent on the procedure will prevent USG members from working on student issues.

"At the minimum, we're using 15 days ... If we can minimize that damage and take only 15 days, that's great," he said. "They're more than welcome to do it, it's their right ... I just want to make sure they do it as efficiently as possible."

Rosenberger said his and Morgan's focus had not changed since the recall announcement.

"The idea in the office is to continue with positive energy ... that's of utmost importance, do what we set out to do without letting this affect us," he said. "The actions of few do not reflect the opinions of many other people, and I want the student body to know that."

Covener is no stranger to USG: He served as a senator in both 1998 and 2001.

In 1998, as senate president, he was forced to resign because of charges related to computer tampering in the USG office, and he returned to student government in 2001. He established a coalition of like-minded conservative senators, a decision that eventually forced Covener to resign again.

Covener said the referendum is not a personal attack on USG members or Rosenberger and Morgan.

"It's not about hating anyone or dislike, it's about ... USG pursuing policies and failing to pursue certain policies ... in the best interest of students," he said.

"Any time students have a chance to express their opinions, it's a positive thing."