In response to 32 student deaths this year, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate has been using its last weeks of the semester to create a program that will give students the opportunity to help families of deceased students.

"Once a student dies, the university does a lot for the family," USG Student Services chairwoman Ali Fuller said. "But the students aren't really able to contribute to this. The students, I'm sure, would like to do something for the families."

The program proposed by USG is intended to give students an outlet to financially and emotionally support the families of deceased peers.

Fuller said USG would host a table at the HUB-Robeson Center after a student's death to collect monetary donations and written condolences for a week.

In the future, USG hopes to use a portion of the donated funds to construct memorials for the deceased students, such as planting trees on campus.

Fuller added that families who do not want or need the financial aid would have the option of donating the raised money to a charity in the name of the deceased.

"It might be a really nice way to reach out and help [the families] get through the difficult time without worrying about added expenses," said Sharon Mortensen, director of the Penn State Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs.

Fuller said that Felicia McGinty, associate vice president for Student Engagement, is usually the administrator responsible for contacting the families of the deceased to discuss the university's procedure and will now offer the USG program as well.

Although McGinty could not be reached by press time, Fuller said that McGinty, as well as the rest of the administration, has been in favor of the idea.

Michael Gilbert, assistant vice president for Campus Student Services, said USG's new program is commendable, considering the number of unfortunate deaths this year.

USG town Sen. Mike Tomaselli said the program was necessary and useful.

"A lot of times a student will die, and people won't know what to do about it," he said.

"There's no real procedure set in place that allows students to help," Tomaselli added.

Although the program has been an ongoing project for USG, the official legislation will be brought before the Senate on Tuesday, during its last meeting of the semester.

Fuller said she has been waiting to submit the finalized program until after attending today's memorial service sponsored by the university.

The annual service, which will be dedicated to the 32 students that have died this year, will be held at 12:15 p.m. today at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center's Worship Hall.

Fuller said she hopes to get last minute "sentiments of inspiration" from attending the service.

"I just want to make sure it's done right because it's such a sensitive topic," she said.

Although none of the families involved in today's memorial will be affected by the program, USG hopes it will be able to benefit those affected in the future.

Shonnie Robb, staff assistant for the office of Student Affairs, said that when a student dies, the office of Student Affairs notifies professors and faculty as well as university departments to prevent any future solicitation of the family, such as sending scheduling notification home.

She added that while each case is judged individually, all families receive a certificate of achievement for the student's time spent at Penn State. They also may receive a partial reimbursement of tuition.