Sandy Barbour attended the University Park Undergraduate Association’s general assembly meeting on Wednesday night, recapping her first eight months as athletic director and speaking about what the student body can do to support athletics. But most notably, Barbour touched on the possibility of utilizing Beaver Stadium more than once a week in the fall.

When asked by at-large representative Ryan Valencia about the potential for a Beaver Stadium graduation, Barbour was more supportive of the idea than expected.

“I am probably going to regret saying this because this is being filmed, but I’ve never heard the unspoken rule about nothing going on in Beaver Stadium other than football,” she said. “What my team is looking at is how to make that stadium meaningful more than just seven Saturdays a year.”

Barbour said that a Beaver Stadium concert has been discussed, and added that she’s been inclined to hold soccer matches at football stadiums in the past.

“I’m not going to jump feet first into the politics of a unified graduation, but I don’t personally have a problem with that,” she said.

In less exciting, but equally important news, Barbour outlined to the assembly why she came to Penn State.

“I came to Penn State for a couple reasons. For one, this has always been known to me as a place that did things the right way, that represented from an athletics perspective doing things from a high character level,” she said. “I also came because at Penn State, student-athletes are exactly that. They have an opportunity to compete at a very high level, perhaps for a national championship, but are always leading with academics.”

In terms of student involvement in the athletic department, Barbour envisions a number of avenues to incorporate students.

“I would love to see students get involved in more of a leadership or planning role within athletics,” she said. “I would love to provide more opportunities for students in business to help with our business plans, or students in kinesiology to do work with us in training athletes. Those are just two examples among many.”

Barbour also wants to improve Penn State’s student section at athletic events. While she said that this university is more energetic than most, it can always be better. One initiative on Barbour’s plate is the Blue-White Brigade, which UPUA started as a way to transport students to away games. The initiative began with football, but has since expanded to hockey and hopes to bring students to other sports. Barbour was receptive to further partnering with UPUA to help support the brigade.

In still other news, the UPUA confirmed two new members on Wednesday night. Garrett Warmbein was confirmed unanimously as the Chief of Staff, and will oversee the executive board of the Tenth Assembly. Joe Arias was confirmed 32-2 as the Chief Justice, and is now in charge of the Judicial Board.

James Lorissaint was sworn in as the National Panhellenic Council representative while Matthew Cummings will serve as UPUA’s Intrafraternity Council representative.