Apparently, a change in university affiliation is what the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) needed to boost its productivity.

Now that the University Park Undergraduate Association is the official student government organization recognized by Penn State, USG is finally stepping up as the voice of the university's students.

However, its idea to offer financial aid to the families of Penn State students who have passed away, while well intentioned, is still a bit off base.

USG has spent the last few weeks ironing out its proposal to collect donations for families experiencing an emotional and financial crisis when a student dies.

While this plan is certainly commendable, it might make more sense for USG to raise money and provide emotional support for Penn State students, not parents, who have lost a parent or another loved one.

While losing a child is very difficult, such a loss does not generally result in a financial crisis.

However, a student dependent on a parent for financial support would undoubtedly experience a crisis of the fiscal kind if tragedy were to strike.

In this situation, USG would have the opportunity to step up as the organization that supports such students when these tragedies occur.

But while this hypothetical plan would help students financially, USG should be applauded for taking the initiative to help the families of those students who have passed away.

USG, it seems, is finally on the right track. Its members should just keep an open mind to modifying the proposal so that they maximizes its effectiveness.