Students who don't seem to fit in with either left or right political views on campus may find a niche in the newly recognized club called the Penn State Libertarians.

"We offer a different perspective than the cliché lines offered by the Republican and Democratic groups on campus," Libertarians Vice President Michel-Paul Maurais said. "I am an American and I believe we have the right to be free, left alone to what we do as long as we aren't hurting people."

In a nutshell, Libertarians believe in liberty, Maurais said.

The Libertarian party stands for small government and supports ideas such as lower taxes, less government intervention and more personal freedom, according to the Libertarians Web site, www.psulibertarians.com.

Laura Burlingame, club founder and president, said the club aims to change the way Penn State thinks.

"We believe in free markets, but we also believe in free minds," she said. "It's about small government and individual rights. We would privatize a lot of things. It's not the government's job to step in and be a parent."

Although a similar group existed at Penn State a few years ago, several current group members said controversy caused group membership to dwindle until the club became nonexistent.

According to The Daily Collegian's archives, in 1998 former Penn State chemistry professor Julian Heicklen was arrested and charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana after he smoked a "joint" at the Allen Street Gates as part of a Libertarian-centered protest to eliminate drug laws and gain more personal freedom.

As a result, Libertarians were given a bad name, Burlingame said.

"We want to rebuild the liberty image," Burlingame said. "Now we have reformed because there have gotten to be a number of disgruntled students on campus."

Melissa Kohilakis (freshman-American studies and history) decided to join to spread the word.

"Americans see themselves as being free, the land of the free, but I don't think we actually have that," she said. "I just think people don't know what Libertarians are."

Campaign committee co-chairman Chanakya Mehta joined for similar reasons; in his country, which he asked not to be named because of personal reasons, the government had complete control over everything.

"It is very important that [international students] understand what liberty comes from and what liberty means," he said. "I believe we would be a very good example for them."

College Democrats President Elena Cross said she welcomes the new voice even though she doesn't agree with everything Libertarians stand for.

"I agree that we have to be free, but I also agree with the idea of government," she said. "But I welcome the viewpoint; I think we should have more voices and different opinions on campus. Any political debate is a good thing."

College Republicans President Seth Bender said some people who classify themselves as Republican often have Libertarian viewpoints.

"I think it's great that there are different viewpoints on campus," he said. "I agree with them in that I think we should all be free. I think they have some interesting viewpoints, but I don't completely agree with them."

The Penn State Libertarians also plan to bring Libertarian speakers to campus, get in touch with other school's Libertarian groups and eventually aid in the campaign of Tom Martin, Centre County's Libertarian candidate running for state Senate.

"It is our duty to vote and vote responsibly," Mehta said.

Club members also have plans to post blogs on the club's official Web site.

"This will be a great way to educate people," Brian Battaglia (senior-architectural engineering) said. "Especially if they aren't really sure where they stand."

Paul Zielinski (senior-management information systems) joined the club for the chance to talk to others who share the same ideas and encourages others to follow.

"I thought it would be an interesting way to get involved and it's something I believe in," he said. "I think a lot of people would agree with us if they just give us a try."