The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) passed a resolution last night to create a student-based organization that will ultimately decide how the money from a new fee will be spent.

The decision on the facilities fee was made at the first UPUA general assembly meeting of the semester. The facilities fee is a $50 per semester tax students pay to fund the construction of new projects on campus. Next year the fee will rise to $100 per semester.

University President Graham Spanier spoke before the vote was made to offer his support to the group and their efforts.

During his speech, he said Penn State being a student-centered university is one of his major goals and added that he is supportive of such a group.

UPUA Vice President Valarie Russell said she expected the resolution to pass and that this is a sign the university is "trying to engage more students in the spending of their taxes."

The resolution passed by a majority vote, but there was some debate about which student groups should be invited to join the proposed organization.

Student Assembly Chairman Ralph Crivello said UPUA wanted to keep a short list of potential groups -- including members of Association of Residence Hall Students and the Student-Athlete Advisory Board -- in the developmental stages of the organization which is why an amendment to add more student groups was voted down.

Russell said the details of the proposed group will continue to be an ongoing discussion.

Besides offering support, Spanier, who was involved with his student government while he was in college, gave advice to the room of students.

The president encouraged students and their organizations to continue with their efforts and stay active.

He emphasized the importance of "keeping open lines of communication" between students and administrators.

"We try to get input from everywhere and keep the students in mind," he said.

He also emphasized that the Penn State administration cares just as much about the university as the students do, and a major way they show this support is through communication. Such communication he added is the best way to strengthen ties between students and the administration and is the most effective way for students to have their voices heard.

"Plug-in to university administrators and to the place where you can make the most difference," he said.

John Dombroski (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said he was at the meeting because he is interested in joining UPUA and was surprised to see Spanier.

"It seemed like he really cared about the students and the university," Dombroski said, "It was a really cool and good experience."