The University Park Undergraduate Association met Wednesday night in the HUB to fund bicycle safety lights, the Great Debate, and water stations for Movin’ On. The organization is closing in on its last few meetings of the 12th Assembly.

Penn State Chief of Police Keith Morris kicked off the meeting with a special presentation, explaining his community policing philosophy and a little more about what happened on campus Wednesday.

President Katie Jordan reported on last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, at which she and the two other student government presidents gave their farewell addresses to the Board. She also discussed the Student Fee Board’s work throughout the year and its recommendation of a $267 student fee for 2018-2019.

The Assembly breezed through five pieces of legislation. Here’s what you should know about each:

Bill 18-12 Funding for Bicycle Safety Lights

This legislation spends a little more than $1,000 to provide 500 sets of bicycle safety lights to Penn State students. The lights will be given out at Light Up the Night, an event hosted by Centre Bike to encourage safe bicycling. The bill passed unanimously.

Bill 19-12 Funding for “Movin’ On” Water Distribution System

This bill provides $1,750 for the rental and staffing of the Big Quench water distribution system for Movin’ On, Penn State’s end of the year music festival held on the last day of classes. A third party will also provide reusable water bottles for students to drink from. UPUA has long been a partner of Movin’ On, and the bill passed unanimously.

Bill 20-12 Funding for the Great Debate Co-Sponsorship

This bill funds a steep $10,000 for the annual Great Debate, an event in which the College Republicans and College Democrats collaborate to organize a debate between two high-profile politicians. This year’s debaters have not been announced to the public yet, but Speaker Brent Rice assured the assembly they wouldn’t want to miss out on the event, which is slated for Tuesday, April 17 in the HUB’s Freeman Auditorium. The bill passed with one abstention due to Representative Fernando Mendez’s conflict of interest as the current president of College Democrats.

Resolution 26-12 Support of Light Therapy in the Wellness Suite

This piece of legislation commends the efforts of Health Promotion and Wellness in taking the initiative to help students affected by seasonal depression, specifically through light therapy boxes. UPUA will promote the new awareness campaign support distributing posters about seasonable depression in the residence halls. The resolution passed unanimously.

Resolution 27-12 Support for the Expansion of Time Management Resources

This resolution pledges UPUA’s support for expanding the online publication of time management resources. Students will have access to the resources through the Penn State learning website or by picking up hard copies in 220 Boucke. The resolution passed unanimously.

In other news, Gabrielle Michelsen was sworn in as UPUA’s new Panhellenic Representative.

Rice also said Wednesday was UPUA veteran Andrew Ahr’s last meeting with the Assembly due to exam conflicts. The announcement choked the organization’s longtime members up, as it’s hard to imagine an Assembly without Ahr, who previously served as Academic Affairs chair. As Rice said it best, Ahr is someone who’s given his entire college career to the pursuit of bettering student life.

Those who wish to run in the next UPUA election must register by 5 p.m. Friday. The list of candidates seeking office for the 13th Assembly will be released shortly thereafter, and campaigning begins after spring break.