Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

UPUA Does…Nothing

Admittedly, last night was the first time I have attended a UPUA meeting in nearly a year, and it was also my first time actually having to pay attention (which is harder than it may seem). I, like any reasonable person, came into the meeting with high expectations. I was hoping for an enlivened Anthony Weiner-esque speech from President T.J. Bard, a Joe Biden signature f-word slip up from VP Courtney Lennartz, or perhaps even a leftist Kucinich style outburst from fan-favorite Elias Warren. After all, galvanizing democracy is what I have come to know from my student-leaders, so why would I assume any different?

You can imagine my disappointment when the words “No new legislation” passed by T.J. Bard’s lips. But not all was lost! Dr. Jeremy Cohen, the VP for Undergraduate Education, was in the house to deliver a captivating speech.

After speaking about his initiative to change the General Education program, Cohen moved into more interesting and universal topics, such as pacifism, Vietnam, and poetry. All kidding aside, Cohen had some great insight. My two favorite lines of the night were, “Any faculty member who doesn’t see you [the students] as their legacy shouldn’t be here,” and “Wikipedia is stronger than the United States Congress…you are stronger than Old Main, you just don’t know it.” Preach on, Dr. Cohen.

Next up were VP Courtney Lennartz and Chairwoman of Student Life & Diversity Katie (not Maggie) Quinn. They both delivered a presentation on what exactly they experienced at the ABTS conference, which as you can probably recall, cost $1200 of students’ money in travel expenses (plus another $1200 privately donated)–down from the $3600 originally budgeted before negative student reaction forced them to scale back. I’m sure Ms. Lennartz and Ms. Quinn got their our money’s worth, as they spoke about a conference whose only tangible benefit seemed to be sponsoring the “Big Ten on the Hill” event for another year.

With the exception of a few odds and ends being reported–the next PASS conference is this weekend, in Harrisburg–that was the entirety of the meeting. Right before adjournment, it was also brought to my attention that the UPUA iClicker rental program is being extended for another week. So, get on that if you need one of those puppies.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Kevin Horne

Kevin Horne was the editor of Onward State from 2012-2014 and currently holds the position of Managing Editor Emeritus, which is a fake title he made up. He graduated from Penn State with degrees journalism and political science in 2014 and is currently seeking his J.D. at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. A third generation Penn Stater from Williamsport, Pa., Kevin is also the president of the graduate student government. Email: [email protected]

‘It’s A Great Way To Get Outside & Forget About Homework’: Penn State Club Ski Team Makes Run To Nationals

Penn State’s Club Ski Team took a trip to Lake Placid, New York, to compete in nationals over spring break.

Penn State Alum Taking Passion For Storytelling & Cooking To Next Level

Gabrielle Chappel has taken her skills to FOX’s “Next Level Chef” where she competes on Team Ramsay.

Decorating Downtown: State College Resident Paints Town & Faces

Whether it’s faces or windows, local painter Emily Cooper has you covered.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Kevin

Hometown Brewery Releases Beer Honoring Evan Pugh

Penn State’s first president Evan Pugh was born in 1828 at Jordan Bank Farm, three miles south of the city center of Oxford, Pennsylvania, an hour west of Philadelphia in Chester County. One-hundred eighty-nine years later, an Oxford brewery is honoring one of the preeminent champions of “liberal and practical” higher education in the form of a delicious Porter.

Penn State Basketball Downs Colgate 72-59 In Front of Thanksgiving Eve Crowd

Why Honoring Paterno Still Matters