The deadline to register for candidacy for the next assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association is fast approaching. If you are considering running for a representative position, but still need some convincing, here are a few reasons that may sway you.

1. Make a difference for the student body
Decisions made in UPUA can affect the entire student body. As a student leader, you have a voice in what is being done at this university. Projects like the Student Representative on the Borough Council and the White Loop Extension are just a few of UPUA’s numerous accomplishments. If you would like to help build on past successes and create future achievements, running for UPUA is a great way to serve constituents.

2. Build a larger network
Serving as a representative gives you the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a wide array of people, both fellow students, faculty, and administrators. These connections will not only be extremely useful in utilizing each other’s knowledge and talents to accomplish goals, but they may also come in handy at some point in the future.

3. Help UPUA do more
As a student, you may not feel like your elected representatives are truly doing their job: representing your wants and needs.  Gandhi once said: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” What better way to do this than by working from the inside out? If you have gripes about how your student government is being run, chances are you are not alone. Idly complaining about what you feel is wrong can only go so far, why not take a risk and be proactive?

Of course, if none of these reasons are persuading you enough, the many hours spent in the HUB will make you an expert in its layout, especially the upper floors.

Registration materials can be picked up in the UPUA Elections Office, 332 HUB. For more information about positions and registration procedures, visit the UPUA website or contact Head Elections Commissioner Dustin Dove at [email protected]. You can also follow them on Twitter @UPUA_Elections