The 18th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met on Wednesday to swear in several representatives and pass two new bills.

The meeting began with various special presentations. First up, several students spoke during an open forum about the conflict in Israel and Gaza and its impact on Palestinian students at Penn State.

The speakers criticized the actions of UPUA and its statement on the situation and shared personal stories on how they’ve been impacted. The student speakers urged the assembly to take a more inclusive stance and work to protect Palestinian students on campus.

Following the open student forum, Director of Residential Dining Jim Meinecke spoke about new projects within Housing and Food Services. Meinecke touched on how residential dining is working to improve sustainability, including its Swipe Out Hunger campaign in the spring and fall.

Zion Sykes and Nicholas Lawerence also presented on behalf of Students United Against Poverty. The two spoke about the organization’s goal which is working to initiate student-led efforts to holistically end student poverty on campus.

Before getting into new business, Giorgio Corti was confirmed as an At-Large Representative. Following this, Corti and Liberal Arts Representative Reese Hays were sworn into the 18th Assembly.

New Business

The first piece of new business discussed was Bill #16-18: Funding for Know Your Academic Rights Campaign Fall 2023 (Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 Asynchronous Instruction on Election Day). This bill allows the UPUA to provide funding for a series of Instagram advertisements highlighting student’s academic rights, specifically to expand awareness of the asynchronous learning option available on Election Day 2023.

Bill #16-18 passed unanimously.

Next was Bill #17-18: Funding for the Reestablishment of the Fall 2023 Student Council Roundtable. The bill would allow the UPUA and the student councils of each academic college to meet twice a year, building a bridge between councils and allowing a forum for open discussion between the different academic colleges.

Bill #17-18 passed unanimously.