University officials recently revised the university's policy on areas available for expressive activity to include four of eight changes recommended by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate.

Policy AD51 limits the number of outdoor areas on campus that can be used for expressive activity, such as public speaking, distributing literature, displaying posters or signs and petitioning.

The revised policy would permit individuals to engage in expressive activities on the lawn and the rear sidewalk patio of the HUB-Robeson Center, the Information Sciences and Technology plaza and the Osmond fountain after 5 p.m. These areas are currently restricted.

The president's council will review the policy changes for approval Monday.

The Senate unanimously voted in February to endorse adding these locations and several others to the current policy.

Stanley Latta, director of unions and student activities, said the university frequently reviews and updates its policies, but the Senate helped shape the revisions in this case.

"Credit goes to them for suggesting some of the changes and for helping us think beyond some of the changes we were looking at in terms of updating the policy," Latta said.

East Halls Sen. Matt Ritsko, who spearheaded the initiative, said he was satisfied with the revised policy and glad the administration was open to the Senate's recommendations.

He added he would like to have seen more locations added to the policy, particularly the Eisenhower Auditorium steps and patio, where students could protest guest speakers. "I think it's a step in the right direction. I hope over time people pick it up and continue to pursue the policy and make changes to it to make it more open," Ritsko said.

Latta said the administration has not ruled out the Eisenhower Auditorium as an area for expressive activity. He said the Office of Student Affairs would consider the area after the construction of the new Life Sciences Building on Shortlidge Road is complete.

"We wanted to see what impacts it might have on the two classrooms that are being developed. It was just too soon with the construction to understand if it would be a conflict with what's going on with the Life Sciences Building," Latta said.

Latta said some of the other recommended areas, such as the HUB front entrance and the Schwab Auditorium steps and patio, would interfere with academic classes and traffic flow, especially if large groups were to assemble in those areas.

Barbara Meeker, director of campus and community activities, said allowing large groups to assemble in high traffic areas would be a safety hazard as well.

Latta added there is an area for expressive activity on the side of the Willard Building.