If you ask Matt Ritsko, the sweetest part of Penn State tradition is in danger.

"The Creamery is an intrinsic part of Penn State," Ritsko (senior-economics) said. "Moving it is a change of tradition, and these days there are less and less traditions in the Penn State community."

Next fall, the University Creamery will become the Berkey Creamery when it moves to the new Food Sciences Building at Bigler and Curtin roads. Its current location in Borland Lab at Shortlidge and Curtin roads will be closed for building renovations.

Ritsko, an Undergraduate Student Government (USG) East Halls senator, said he has prepared a three-step approach to defend the Creamery's current location on his own, not as a representative for USG.

Ritsko and co-organizer Chris Miller (graduate-mechanical engineering) are gathering the necessary information to apply the current Creamery location for landmark status from the National Register of Historic Places.

They are also surveying students to determine their thoughts on the effects of the Creamery's relocation. According to the pair's Web site, www.savethecreamery.com, 49 of 127 students surveyed said they go to the Creamery at least once
a week. Twenty-nine students said
they would visit the new location as often -- statistics Ritsko and Miller say show the move may affect student accessibility.

"Right now the students say that location is really convenient," Miller said. "[After the move], it will be convenient only to the students who live in East Halls."

The Web site also includes a petition for students and alumni to sign, which will eventually be sent to Penn State administrators and trustees. Since the creation of the Web site in February, 230 students and alumni have signed the petition.

Creamery Manager Tom Palchak said the move is necessary because the Creamery has outgrown its space in Borland Lab.

Ritsko emphasized he was not against the construction of the new Berkey Creamery and would be satisfied with two Creamery locations.

Palchak said this late in the construction process, that is not a feasible option; but as the campus expands, he said the new location should be just as busy as the one at Borland Lab.

"In the future this will be looked at as one of the most strategic moves we could have ever done," he said. "Campus is growing out in that area, and the Creamery's proximity to athletic facilities and the dormitories out there will be a wise decision."

He added that steps would be taken to ensure the tradition of the Creamery is not lost, including displays of Creamery memorabilia and a time capsule.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said the Creamery has changed its location several times throughout Penn State history.

The last time the Creamery relocated was in 1931, when the Creamery moved from Patterson Hall to Borland Lab.

"I understand the affinity to the Creamery and the memories people associate with it," Kendig said. "We are not about eliminating or diminishing the product, just moving it a block away to a facility that will serve people better."

Ritsko said the motivation behind saving the Creamery is all about tradition and community.

"There are many Penn State traditions that students take pride in, like the football team, Thon and above all, the Creamery," he said.

He said that with student and alumni support, he is very optimistic that one day he can bring his grandchildren back to Borland Lab for the perfect ice cream cone.