The University Park Undergraduate Association will begin hosting a series of women’s empowerment roundtables later this month. But to make it a reality, it needs your help.

An interest form is now open for registration. Those interested are asked to fill out the form with their involvement on campus and any topics or issues they would like to discuss.

Although no date is currently set for the roundtable, UPUA said it should take place the week of September 21.

UPUA is partnering with numerous Penn State administrative offices, departments, and more than 30 registered student organizations to discuss issues facing women at Penn State. The organization hopes to use the discussions to create university-wide initiatives and resources for women.

The roundtable has been in the works for almost four months now. UPUA representatives began meeting in May to discuss the first step of the initiatives. A resolution creating the roundtable passed through the assembly in June.

“This roundtable aims to be an open environment for all self-identifying women, including trans-women and non-binary/gender non-conforming students,” the roundtable’s mission statement says. “Our goal is to be a place for open discussion, the consolidation, and dissemination of resources, and to provide the means for collaborative events that are accessible to all women at Penn State.”  

Erin Boas, an at-large UPUA representative, has spent a great deal of time behind the scenes working to put this roundtable together alongside other representatives.

“We wish to foster an environment where everyone has an equal and active voice, at the roundtable and beyond,” Boas said. “After all, empowering women empowers everyone.”