In a way that can only be described as poetic, UPUA leaders pushed aside the heated emotions surrounding the iScandal and came together to represent their constituents and pass some legislation during last night’s UPUA meeting.

The meeting started just like every other meeting (that I’ve been to, which is only one): Late. Time and time again I feel like I am the only person at the UPUA meeting who values punctuality.

On a more relevant note, President Courtney Lennartz announced that the website for the Association of Big Ten Students, aptly called ‪associationofbigtenstudents.com is up and running. If you’re trying to think of a website that is less important and/or relevant to your life than this one and can’t, then I can’t help you either because I’m stumped too.

In other news, Lennartz is working on several different fronts to combat State Patty’s Day festivities such as working with the bars to limit their hours, offering alternative activities in which students can participate rather than drinking, and starting a video campaign. At least this campaign doesn’t seem like a lost cause…

Following up on the free application initiative discussed last week, Vice President Katelyn Mullen says that “to get [the administration] to waive all the fees seems unlikely, but we’re working on it.” There doesn’t seem to be a good way to do this considering the fact that 96% of the applications to Penn State are submitted online.

Last night there were 4(!) pieces of legislation that were voted on.  They are as follows:

Resolution #15-07 Academic Rights Documentation

Basically, students don’t know their academic rights. All of our academic rights are apparently available on the university faculty senate webpage, but with the format of the webpage, the policies aren’t clear or reader-friendly. Although if I’m being honest with myself and all of you, even now that I know that this website exists I will never read it. I was going to read it to make this post better, but I mean just look at it. Anyway, UPUA is assigning some sorry soul to read through all of that, summarize the major points, and create a booklet for you with all of the important details in it that  should be easy to understand. It’ll be like sparknotes but for your academic rights!

This resolution passed unanimously.

Resolution #16-07 Spending Funds for Movin’ On 2013

Movin’ On is a music festival that is free to students and will take place on April 26 this year, but in order to cover the expenses, Movin’ On came to UPUA and asked for money. UPUA decided to shell out $12,000 towards the honoraria for Movin’ On. I think that UPUA leaders just became the first people at Penn State to actually pay for their music that they listen to.

This resolution passed unanimously.

Resolution #17-07 UPUA/TPR Test Preparation Week Funding

UPUA has a deal with the Princeton Review for the 2012-2013 year that students can take graduate school test preparation courses on campus for discounted prices. One stipulation for this, however, is that there is a minimum number of students that need to be enrolled in the course for it to actually be taught. During the fall, the LSAT and MCAT classes were cancelled because not enough students signed up. I guess a lot of people were just deciding to wing it for these tests?

Anyway, UPUA doesn’t want any classes to be cancelled due to lack of enrollment, so they are initiating a UPUA Test Preparation Week. During this week, UPUA and Princeton Review representatives will be in the HUB giving out free preparation books and promotional materials for anybody who signs up to receive more information. In my opinion, UPUA is just trying to upstage everybody who hands out little fliers in the HUB by handing out entire books. I’m assuming that there will be a lot more guilt associated with throwing away an entire book compared to just throwing away a little flier immediately after receiving it in the HUB.

This resolution passed 27-3-0.

Resolution 18-07 Opposition to the Use of the UP SAF for Spending by CCSG on Non-Critical Function

This resolution opposes the proposed budget and funding structure of the CCSG. One main reason that UPUA proposed to oppose the CCSG budget is because $16,800 of the proposed amount to come from the Student Activities Fee would be used for retreats, conferences, and banquets. UPUA also opposes trying to find a new funding source for CCSG. Instead Student Activity Fee Board should try to figure out why the current funding method is not being enforced.

The resolution passed 27-1-0.

Elias Warren Quote of the Week

When Dave Harrington brought up the possibility of having a puppy room at Penn State, Elias Warren stood up and said that “If the puppy legislation does come out I’ll try to refrain from singing ‘Who Let the Dogs Out.’” The possibility of him singing that song is my only motivation for coming to the next meeting.  I just hope he can nail all of the notes.

John Zang Tie of the Week (6.5/10)

John Zang didn’t let his stressful week with the iScandal alter his outstanding style. I mean I wasn’t there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his appearance alone allowed him to win the hearing. Looking classy as ever in his navy blue tie with white polka dots, he accented the tie with a silver tie clip.  That said, I’m still waiting for one of John’s ties to really have the “it” factor that judges on American Idol are always talking about.