After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, Penn State’s student leaders reunited in 302 HUB this Wednesday to take care of business. The agenda was fairly light this week, and the UPUA only had to discuss Academic Rights booklets and the consideration of Bobby Walter as S-Book director.

But first, Anthony Christina opened up the UPUA meeting with a reading of Nittany: The Legend of Happy Valley — specifically the story of Lion’s Paw and Princess Nittany about the formation and significance of Mount Nittany. Christina, a former UPUA representative and current Penn State Law student, was representing Nittany Valley Society, a cultural conservancy group for the region. The tale was excerpted from the society’s The Legends of Nittany Valley book, a collection of Pennsylvanian folk tales by Henry Shoemaker.

Following his performance, President Katelyn Mullen and Vice President Brenden Dooley gave their reports. Aside from the State Patty’s Day fodder, it was announced that Chief-of-Staff Taylor Hiester had resigned from the position and that Dooley will be taking over the reigns of the Executive Board. Hiester was not present at the meeting and no reason was provided.

The assembly then skipped its usual caucus breakouts and moved straight into this week’s business.

Resolution 15-07- Academic Rights Documentation

Last year, UPUA passed this legislation with the purpose of making all academic policies easily accessible and understandable to the student body. The Academic Affairs committee carried this out by summarizing policies, creating an easy to use index of terms, and collecting the contact information of all representatives. The committee then put all of this information into an easy-to-use PDF and made it accessible to the students.

However, the resolution also stipulated that the Academic Affairs committee would print booklets containing this information. Though the committee accomplished everything else mentioned in the resolution, committee chair Melissa McCleery did not think it necessary to have the books printed.

“We don’t want to spend money getting the books when we don’t have to,” McCleery said. She asked that the resolution be repealed, and the assembly agreed with unanimous approval.

Confirmation of Bobby Walter as S-Book Director

Bobby Walter is best known as the 2013 Homecoming Executive Director, but he has a new gig after this week’s UPUA meeting. The S-Book is Penn State’s freshman handbook–a guide to all things Penn State for incoming students. These books outline Penn State’s history and traditions, provide descriptions of each important building on campus and off, and detail the academic opportunities available to students.

“I think it’s a really good resource that hasn’t been used to it’s full extent,” Walter said. As S-Book Director, he intends to reach a wider audience by passing S-Books out to all incoming freshman at New Student Orientation.

Walter was approved unanimously. And, his cardigan was impeccable.

Tie Wars

Ryan Belz

vs.

John Lombardo

Winner: Rep. Lombardo (again)

This week’s tie wars was a true test of principle. Which do I love more–money or the simple joys of Christmas? In the end, my softer side won out, and I had to choose Christmas. Sure, Rep. Belz’s tie was flashy enough to catch my eye, but Rep. Lombardo’s was spirited enough to catch my heart. Belz promised to avenge his loss next week and come fully decked out in Christmas gear. A bold statement. Only time will tell if he really has what it takes.