Thursday marked the beginning of a possible Undergraduate Student Government (USG) restructuring after USG President Galen Foulke acquired the necessary 1,000 signatures allowing him to distribute a referendum about student satisfaction with government.

Foulke said the current structure of USG is not representing the student body as well as it should, and a change is crucial for students' sake.

Instead of being modeled after the bicameral U.S. Congress, the proposed University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) would act as a student advocacy body. UPUA would replace the current government branches with an all-encompassing 34-person organization responsible for representing the student body.

But before Foulke can begin collecting student responses, he must allow Senate 13 days to validate the signatures, ensuring each signature belongs to a registered student.

The first referendum is expected to reach students in two weeks, Foulke said.

For UPUA to continue as a possibility, 25 percent of the student body must vote, and a majority of those students must show disapproval of the current USG structure.

The next phase would be to distribute a second referendum calling for action. Again, 25 percent of the student body must vote and a majority must show support for UPUA, and if successful, it will go into effect in March.

"Even if the binding numbers don't come through, it will still say a good message that students are unhappy," Foulke said.

USG publicists have begun the advertising process for the proposed UPUA constitution. The eight-page constitution will be available for students to read online through the USG Web site by the end of the week.

Public Relations Director Leslie Holmes said that before the first referendum can be brought to the public, USG wants students to read the new document and formulate their own opinions of the proposed government.

"The point is to get students to read the constitution," Holmes said. "They normally only hear about USG during elections, and they need to know that their votes can make a change."

As soon as the Web site becomes available, USG will take action to promote the new constitution.

Holmes is working to secure student involvement by advertising with local businesses and promoting the idea through booths and fliers. She also said Foulke is looking to get participation from student leaders and organizations, including those in greek life.

Foulke would not specify the source or procedure for funding for the referendums.

However, USG Senate President Andy Banducci said monetary actions involving USG have to be approved by Senate, and the money cannot be raised specifically for advertising the referendum.

"It's ultimately [the executive branch's] responsibility to raise the money," Banducci said. "But it's ultimately Senate's responsibility to appropriate it."

Foulke said he will submit the intended referendum to the USG Supreme Court today, and he hopes to get approval soon.

Banducci said he expects the court to deem the referendum invalid.

Members of Senate met last night to take a proactive step in discussing the rules to regulate the possible referendum.

Banducci introduced legislation stating that Senate would "take a mutual stance and not campaign actively for or against the referendum."

Members present at the special session unanimously voted to accept the legislation, which will restrict all USG members, including executive public relations, from advocating any bias, and allows the publication of only "purely informational" material.

Foulke will have to approve or veto this legislation by tomorrow's Senate meeting.