The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to endorse creating additional free-speech zones on campus.

The Senate plans to send a letter to Penn State President Graham Spanier and Vicky Triponey, vice president of student affairs, suggesting the adminstration amend the current policy AD51 on expressive activities to include eight additional locations.

East Halls Sen. Matt Ritsko, who sponsored the legislation, said the university's current policy is too restrictive.

"I do feel like a university is supposed to be a place of ideas," Ritsko said. "It affects and reduces the amount of ideas that can be spread."

Ritsko said he introduced a resolution last November to increase free-speech zones after he heard about other college campuses removing policies restricting speech. The Senate referred the resolution to the Operations Committee for debate.

"My initial policy was like a slash and burn," Ritsko said. "Basically, it was just a general statement saying Senate didn't support AD51. I decided to make something a little more reasonable."

Penn State spokesman Steve MacCarthy said the policy, which designates specific areas where student groups can assemble, is intended to allow students to reserve space.

"I think there is a misunderstanding in some students' minds that these are the only places you can go to have free speech," MacCarthy said. "That's really silly. This is really a way to accommodate the needs of large groups."

MacCarthy said the university had problems prior to the policy with multiple groups attempting to organize events in one area. He said the administration would be open to suggestions if senators felt the policy could be improved.

"We've tried to designate the large public spaces that don't interfere with the classroom," MacCarthy said. "We don't want students' classroom experience to be interrupted."

Ritsko said he agrees there is a need to protect dorms and classrooms from disruptions but added that he believes the policy should be more inclusive.

"Personally, I would like to open it up more, but I think this is the first step in the long-term process," Ritsko said. "I really don't care for speech code policies at all."

Becky Miller, event management office staff assistant, said AD51 does currently include the HUB lawn and back patio, although the information online has not been updated.

She said the policy once included the front of the HUB, but it was removed because of construction and changes to the landscape.

The Senate amended the resolution to include the steps of Schwab Auditorium after USG President Ian Rosenberger recommended it. He said he used the auditorium during his campaign last spring.

The resolution also recommended that the administration eliminate time restrictions on the use of the Old Main front patio and allow the use of audio equipment there as well.

South Halls Sen. Ace Ekhtiarzadeh said he believes the resolution is a positive move for the Senate.

"It serves as a sign of just exactly what we are supposed to be doing," Ekhtiarzadeh said. "We are supposed to be advocating these causes to the adminstration. That's our role."