University officials said they're trying to stay out of the proposed merger between University Park's old and new student governing bodies.

The merger, which was proposed by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), requests that University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) take a more active role in university decision-making. If it meets several requirements, UPUA will be given $25,000 in assets from USG, which dissolved about two weeks ago.

Felicia McGinty, associate vice president for student engagement, said from an administration standpoint, UPUA must follow the same rules and regulations as any other student organization. These guidelines govern things such as membership requirements and use of university facilities.

Beyond that, the decision would be left up to UPUA, she said.

"It's not our decision. There are over 700 student groups on this campus, and UPUA is one of those," she said. "We don't have an interest."

McGinty said the terms of the merger were too broad for her to effectively evaluate possible changes in UPUA's constitution that would give the organization more power.

A special five-member committee must approve all changes to UPUA's constitution. The committee is composed of an administrator appointed by the office of student affairs, a faculty member appointed by the University Faculty Senate, two undergraduate students appointed by the Cabinet of Student Leaders and one undergraduate student appointed by McGinty.

Joanna Floros, Senate chairwoman, said the Senate is taking a hands-off view of the potential merger as well.

"We want shared governance, but the students need to determine what is an appropriate balance for them between student input and administrative guidance," she said. "We as the Senate are trying not to interfere."

McGinty said some of the terms of the merger were confusing because she believes UPUA already has the things USG is requesting.

"What's interesting about that is there's certain places in UPUA's constitution that allow for shared governance," she said. "There are already some opportunities for students to participate in shared governance."

McGinty cited several examples in which students had input into administrative decisions, such as a student representative on the Board of Trustees, the university's judicial process, the newly formed Fee Allocation Board, a student activity fee review group and various other university committees.

Although she couldn't speak for other departments, it was regular practice for students to sit on the search committees for openings in the department of student affairs, McGinty said.

Jay Chamberlin, UPUA president, agreed that UPUA already has a role in governance of the university, citing its participation in Faculty Senate and role in determining the way the student activity fee is spent. He added that it wasn't clear to him what USG wanted UPUA to do.

"I don't know what they're looking for," he said. "I don't know how UPUA can attain more of a role in the decision-making process than it already has."

Nick Stathes, USG trust chairman and former USG president, said USG's requirements were intentionally vague and would be clarified through meetings with Chamberlin and other UPUA members. He said the trust's main concern was keeping UPUA separate from the administration.

"Student affairs should have no role whatsoever except an advisory role," he said. "We don't want the same thing that happened with USG happening with UPUA."

Stathes said the trust didn't expect a great deal of changes from UPUA.

"UPUA doesn't have a long way to go in terms of what it has to do to reform itself," he said. "It's not controversial stuff we're asking."

Stathes concluded that if all students did not take a more active interest in student government, the changes would ultimately have no effect. Floros didn't see anything wrong with the terms of the merger from the Senate's standpoint.

"There's nothing we'd like to see more than students representing students," she said.

McGinty agreed that the merger would be positive for students.

"I think it's a good move," she said. "I'm optimistic that this can work."